Fox and the Quail by John "Cornbread" Anderson

John "Cornbread" Anderson. Detail of Fox and the Quail, n.d. Acrylic on canvas. 24 x 48 in. Courtesy of the Museum of Art-DeLand.

Somewhere deep in the woods, a fox and four quail birds prowl under cover of low-hanging trees with dark brown trunks and deep green leaves. Blistering with sweet, ripe, bright, violet grapes, the trees provide an enticing lunch. As do the quails. The tall yellow textured grass, made with quick brushstrokes, adds a rushed element to the scene as the wide eyed furred fox makes a mote. He’s hungry, perhaps starving. The brown and white spotted quails lay beside and above him, flying through the branches carefree or in flee, some intimidated by his presence, others carrying on.