what do animals mean to you?

I have been thinking about what constitutes 'refuge' and I always come back to animals and the environment. Birds have always meant a lot to me. There is something wonderful about creatures that fly through the air and nest in trees!!  The idea of a 'tree of life' is a psychological refuge for me, and birds,quite visibly, traverse and occupy that place.

pencil drawing

under painting 

pastel painting, nearly complete