Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? Quaver, Hook & Worm is a playful look at the cause of the dreaded earworm.

The Eastern Bluebird is instrumental throughout the entire life-cycle of the Common Earworm. Once the seminal introduction of the Quaver into the human ear canal is made, there is a gestational period of varying lengths. This can range from a few minutes to several weeks depending on the variety of Hook present in the Quaver’s DNA. Feasting on the grey matter within the host’s cranial cavity until none remains, the human host is driven nearly delirious by the developing Worm. Once fully grown, the happy little Worm is then harvested out the other ear by none other than… the Eastern Bluebird. Fun Fact: when an Earworm is removed in this manner, it tickles!

Quaver, Hook & Worm is a pure watercolour painting—all whites are the white of the Aquabord, there is no white paint. Granulating pigments in the background vibrate freely while the subject is rendered with care. The process of creating this painting is documented on my Instagram. This artwork is for someone who loves and appreciates whimsical, thought-provoking imagery in the style of magical realism. I’m grateful to my model for this painting, my daughter Finn Little.

Watercolour, 28 × 40”, the framed size is approximately 36 × 48”, painted with professional light-fast pigments, on Ampersand Aquabord. The front of this artwork is protected with Krylon UV-Resistant varnish, Golden Isolation Coat, and Krylon UV Archival gloss varnish. It has a 3/4” deep cradled panel which has been stained in deep brown walnut colour and waxed, and set into an elegant black floater frame 1 1/2” deep, ready to hang. The painting is signed by me, JC Little, on the front and has the title and date on the back. I will include a certificate of authenticity with this painting. Because of its size and varnished surface, it must be specially packaged for shipping and therefore a shipping and handling surcharge is added. As with all artwork, to preserve the painting from deterioration, display away from direct sunlight and humidity.

Actual colours may vary from those shown here depending on the device you are using to view the painting. All copyright, reproduction/duplication rights, and artist’s resale rights are reserved by the artist JC Little. This painting will be sold with the condition that the artist may show the painting in an art gallery or other art show setting.