The Arts are an art. And so is life. I've done pretty well at both.
I, Diane Laura Rains, aka Crow Bard, have my fingers in a lot of proverbial pies (preferably, chocolate): naturalist, animal behavior specialist, Luminist and Pre-Raphaelite style painter, singer, pianist, budding harpist, composer, children's book author, filmmaker, honorary Crow. I manage Punchinello Prairie Wildlife Sanctuary in western Wisconsin, my little patch of wild that I share with my husband Stu Janis and an ever-vibrant community of critters. I am a Druid. Starsinger of The Good Folk (Aos Sidhe, the Irish "fairies"). Adopted and beloved by Crows, those winged wonders who (IMHO) consistently best humans in matters of love and intelligence.
I've had a most remarkable life! I climbed 14,000 ft mountains and caved deep beneath the planet's surface. I witnessed a volcano create new Earth before my eyes. I watched crisp stars of the Southern Cross rise above Uluru, sacred mammoth rock of the Australian outback. I held eagles and Snowy Owls in my arms. I was the honored recipient of over a dozen gifts (and a marriage proposal) from a love-besotted Crow. I learned the Crows' language and converse with my avian kin daily. I made music with talented goldfish and seahorse dancers. With Stu, my puppet shows delighted thousands of children and adults. And sometimes tugged at their heart strings. As a zookeeper I caught a baby leopard in mid-air, boogied with Snow Monkeys, and tickled the toes of fruit bats. I've been scientist, mermaid, fairy, Bean Sidhe, marmotologist. When I wanted to do something, I dreamed and dreamed and worked and worked until I did it.
Most importantly, I've been so very, very loved – by my family; my furchildren, featherkin, and finchildren; my marvelous, fascinating friends; my unfailingly kind and generous and talented and brilliant husband with whom I really did grow old. Happily.
I'm a lucky, lucky gal.
This site mostly focuses on my current and recent art, with a nod to my original music and other creative endeavors. I will continue to update it with new works for as long as I am able. I have several other websites, as well:
Ceol Sidhe ~ my music duo with Stu ~ current
Soundcloud ~ nearly all my published original music, with lyrics ~ current
YouTube ~ Ceol Sidhe's music videos, and other films ~ current
Fae By Nature ~ performances and creative stuff I used to do
Ornithovoyance ~ legacy site about my spiritual life with birds
Freshwater Pearls Puppetry ~ 25 years of puppetry career work and joy (now retired)
One day Art By Crow Bard will be a legacy site. When I am gone, perhaps you will gather in this, my art, and say "Ah. So that's who she was. That's who she is."
Then, if you're of a mind to say hello, travel to the western shore of Ireland and look out through the magical mist to Inis Aoibhinn, the enchanted isle of Hy Brasil. You can catch a glimpse once every seven years.
I'll wave.
