In Claws, the shape of a claw emerges from a stark, white background, creating an image that is both menacing and captivating. The landscape of this painting is bare, focusing the viewer’s attention on the image of the claw itself. A powerful arm reaches across the painting, its hand curled into a threatening claw. A dewclaw is visible on the arm, suggesting a mammal of some kind, perhaps a large, physically powerful species of cat.
Yet the claw has only one digit with even the suggestion of a sharp nail. The rest of the claw appears smooth and non-threatening. Perhaps this animal has been stripped of its power to a certain degree, whether by deteriorating environmental conditions, extensive and abusive hunting, or disease. Left with only one remaining claw, the animal still continues to fight for its survival, its claw maintaining a poised position, ready to strike at any moment.
©1998-2009 Claretta Taylor Webb. All Rights Reserved
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