About OUR LOGO

The Full Story

Dead Bird.

This my “canary in a coal mine”.
Intended to represent freedom, fragility and warning signs, this dead canary is a cautionary tale, a depiction of the trauma of loss and representation of the many beautiful songs silenced having given their lives to human flight.
This is a concept that I fixated on as I continue to work through the empty space loved ones have left in death; specifically those vibrant, passionate, inspiring souls of the “Sky Family” who experienced fatal BASE/Skydiving/paragliding incidents.
I honor these friends with love through this imagery of remembrance and acknowledgment.
This bird serves as a personal reminder that my time is finite and precious; it is a privilege to create, emote, express and enjoy this life.

The concept of the dead bird arose curiously after visiting the Bronx in NYC 2021. Someone had circled a dead pigeon in spray paint on the sidewalk by a subway entrance like a chalk outline from a bad crime-drama on television.
The image stuck with me down into Boston where I bought my first Montana marker - a pivotal experience that inspired several paintings. I sketched the dead bird as a study in my trusty Strathmore while July (of https://artofjuly.com ) drove us down to Philly.
Three weeks later, the image of my dead bird was incorporated a mixed painting 32x24” for Matt Blank, and another in the same size for Sean Karandy. Both fellow parachute enthusiasts.
I felt compelled to include this detail as an identifying mark because of the struggle in my relationship with Parachute sports. The dichotomy between deeply profound connections and camaraderie vs the tremendous PTSD that ripples inescapable echos through the community.

​

​

Love,

Taylor Wilder