Raven Destroys the Tooth Fairy

The Tooth Fairy
Unlike Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, there are few details of the tooth fairy's appearance that are based on myth. Today most people believe the tooth fairy to be female like a Tinkerbell-type tooth fairy with wings, a wand, and leaving money under a child's pillow. 

Other people think of the tooth fairy as a man, a bunny rabbit, or a mouse.  Belief in the tooth fairy is viewed in two very different ways. On the one hand, children's believing is part of the trusting nature of childhood. On the other, belief in the tooth fairy is frequently used to label adults as being too trusting and gullible.

Origin

During the Middle Ages superstitions arose surrounding children's teeth. In England, children were instructed to burn their baby teeth to save the child from hardship in the afterlife. Children who didn't commit their baby teeth to the fire would spend eternity searching for them in the afterlife. The Vikings, paid children for their teeth. In the Norse culture, children's teeth and other articles belonging to children were said to bring good luck in battle, and Scandinavian warriors hung children's teeth on a string around their necks. Fear of witches was another reason to bury or burn teeth. In medieval Europe, it was thought that if a witch were to get hold of one's teeth, it could lead to them having total power over him or her.

In parts of Asia, when a child loses a tooth, it is customary to throw it onto the roof if it came from the lower jaw, or into the space beneath the floor if it came from the upper jaw.  The child shouts a request for the tooth to be replaced with the tooth of a mouse. This tradition is based on the fact that the teeth of mice grow for their entire lives. In India, children bury their teeth in the soil near big trees. In Japan, a different variation calls for lost upper teeth to be thrown straight down to the ground and lower teeth straight up into the air; the idea is that incoming teeth will grow straight. In Middle Eastern countries, there is a tradition of throwing a baby tooth up into the sky to the sun or to Allah. This tradition originates to pre-Islamic times.

WAITING FOR THE TOOTH FAIRY versions

original ink drawing for Tooth Fairy 2011 version.

My original drawing for this print was done in pen and ink, it was done as an illustration for a book that was never published. I liked the image and the concept and decided to redo it as an etching.

 

Raven stands over his bait pile 2020 version.

 Raven is a "trickster" in stories and myths; he is sometimes a hero, a troublemaker, a glutton, a buffoon, a destroyer, or a creator. The Trickster alternately scandalizes, disgusts, amuses, disrupts, chastises, and humiliates (or is humiliated by) humans.
Raven is extremely jealous of anything that Human Beings hold in high regard. Raven always wants to be the center of attention. Over the centuries, he has created doubt in the minds of Humans about Mythic Beings such as the Easter Bunny, Leprechauns, Gnomes, Mermaids, Elves, Pixies, and Santa Claus. And he has destroyed Ancient Gods one by one. But the one Mythic Being that is the most persistent problem is the Tooth Fairy. It shows up at all times of the year and Raven has no control over this annoying sprite appearance’.
Raven hatched a scheme to rid the world of the Tooth Fairy. Raven has hoarded Human teeth and is waiting with a fly swatter to put a swift end to this pest.
In this instance, Raven is a troublemaker.

WAITING FOR THE TOOTH FAIRY
intaglio etching, 5 -inch by 7-inch, 2023 version

Odin's Ravens

"Thought and Memory"

 The whole world wide, every morning,

Fly Huginn’s thoughts and Muninn’s memories;

Secrets convey, insight drawn

Ravens gods watch 

Odin, with his allies of solitude

Huginn and Muninn,

Are a Triad of silent scrutiny.

Huginn and Muninn (Hugin and Munin-modern) are the premiere messengers of the supernatural world. In Norse mythology Huginn and Muninn were a pair of ravens who served Odin, and their name's mean is Thought and Memory.

Every morning they left to see what was happening all over the world, and at sunset they flew back to Odin to rest on his shoulders, whispering in his ears all that they had seen., They also symbolize secret knowledge. They were, in fact, the first gods of premonition.

This is one of the most Iconic images in Nordic religion. The two Ravens were Gods, part of a powerful Trinity. Odin was the most revered and was the father of all the Norse gods He is one eyed and was the god of death, war, the sky, wisdom and poetry. He sacrificed his eye to gain wisdom of the ages. Odin’s great quest was for greater knowledge. In Germany, he was known as Woten.  Most of the representations of Huginn, Muninn and Odin depict them atop his throne.

They are often represented with Odin riding a horse as the Ravens flying with him. They are also often shown flying together. My challenge was to create a totally new unique image. I tried several postures for the birds and settled for one at rest and the other active. My big problem was the setting, where can I place them? I wanted my version to be unusual and memorable. I chose the sword because it is so symbolic of the Vikings.

The Viking sword was based on the Roman Spatha, which was a feared weapon throughout ancient Europe. The hilt is unique to the Norse but was adapted by Franks, and Saxons as a standard weapon. The hilt is slightly different with the Franks and Saxons. I used several modern replicas as well as ancient examples for my sword. I wanted it to look well used and very old since Odin was a long-lived God.

I also decided to make my image a diptych rather than one long print. I wanted each raven to stand on their own as well as together. I also wanted to show a little distance between the two bird. When I first published this image online I did not add watermarks and of course it was pirated, mostly by heavy metal bands.

I also got a request from one band to splice the image. This image was used in promotional material. I used this to create a smaller single image version.

In 2011 I decided to submit my prints to the Annual Artists Magazine competition. I fully expected to get rejected. I was thrilled to be a finalist and was awarded an honorable mention and my print was published in the 2011 competition issue. The print is featured in the December 2011 issue of THE ARTISTS MAGAZINE p. 50 http://www.artistsnetwork.com/articles/artist-interviews-profiles/animalwildlife-honorable-mentions-from-the-28th-annual-art-competition

“ODIN'S RAVENS” , Huginn and Muninn Etching, 4.5 inch x 10.5 inch 2013

 "Thought and Memory" Huginn and Muninn Etching 5 inch x 14 inch 2013
The 2010 plates for this etching are missing so I have remade the plates. Because they are new plates I am issuing a new edition.

“THOUGHT II”- Huginn Intaglio Etching 5 inch x 7 inch 2013

The 2010 plate for this print was lost and I remade the plate. Since it is a new plate I am starting a new edition.

 

"Memory II "- Muninn Intaglio Etching 5 inch x 7 inch 2013

The 2010 plate for this print was lost and I remade the plate. Since it is a new plate I am starting a new edition.