30 Sketches Projects I-VII

No fireworks, no big to do for Day 30, just a simple and quiet Brewer's Blackbird. Another 30 Sketches Project down! Time to take a break with a celebratory cerveza. Cheers until next time!

This is an American Coot. He was wondering around the pond at the Phoenix Zoo and I snapped his pic knowing good and well that I would sketch him one day. And today was that day. His feet are wicked fab.

This is my homage to all of the baby birds that have fallen far from their nests. Even though your lives were short, you made my heart happy and I think of you often. I came across this photo in a most random way. The photographer said he found this little guy in the middle of the sidewalk. After taking his picture he scooped him up and set him near a tree. Near a tree, huh? I sure hope the tree trunk elevator is in working order today cause that is the only way this dude is getting to the top. I am not here to judge but the words under this original photo were empty. I can't help but think of what happened to this little guy. Was he scared as he craned his neck to watch the people as they passed by?

Day 27-so close to the finale!! This is a drawing of a little ceramic bird I got in Albuquerque , New Mexico. It is very wee and when I saw it I knew it would have to live in my studio. I haven't named her so any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Except for the last 4 days, all of the sketches from this project are shrink wrapped and ready for the art fair, Indie Chic at 10 th Street which is right around the corner - Dec. 5 th ! That was the incentive for this round of 30 Sketches Project and I am very much looking forward to it. Would love to see you there. Nothing better than buying local!!

This is another critter I snapped a photo of at my most recent Phoenix Zoo adventure. It is a Moorhen and it's feet are extraordinary!! A gang of ducks approached us by the pond and I was surprised and delighted that this little guy was in the mix.

I went to the zoo on my birthday and took a pic of this little dude knowing that I would have to sketch him.

Willow Grouse in the house!

Day 23, one week to go! Butcherpaper , I adore you in all of your coffee-colored goodness. You always seem to come in massive amounts and in large sizes. You are willing to be cut down into the smallest of pieces to accommodate little guys like this Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse and I thank you for that. As soon as I hit publish on this post I am off to shrink wrap the sketches I have done for this project so far. Not to steal butcherpaper's thunder but... shrink wrap machine, I love you.

The bottom photo is my first attempt at Day 22. It was a flock of cranes gone horribly wrong. My second try was a bit more successful. I look forward to learning more about the Shaft-tailed Whydah.

Here is a crappy drawing of an Albatross. I made the image wee in hopes that you have poor eye sight and can't see it.

What is better than one angry chick? Four angry chicks. I believe these baby blue jay are waiting for dinner. Mom better hurry before these kids start to riot.

Why so angry baby chick?

Crows and Ravens are one of my favorite birds. They are so intelligent and mischievous. This is a pastel and charcoal sketch of an American Crow. Watch your back around these guys!

I guess the color white is a little running theme I've got going. My mom sent this feather to me. I am going to say that it is from the wing of a pegasus.

The weather here in Arizona doesn't feel anything like winter so I thought these White-tailed Ptarmigans might do the job. If it weren't for their black eyes and beak, their plump round bodies would get completely lost in the snow. Oh Mother Nature, you're such a smarty pants.

Trying to find balance in life is an ongoing challenge. Art, home, work... This isn't one of my strongest drawings but life happened and focus and time was limited. I thought it was important to stay on track and continue with a daily drawing. This is one of my favorite birds, the Pekin Robin. I think I've done more drawings of this bird than any other.

For those of you who know me best, know how I feel about mustaches. For those who don't know me...I ADORE MUSTACHES!!! So how could I pass up doing a sketch of a Moustached Antpitta ? This little dude lacks tail feathers but makes up for it in stache stylin '. Stachtastic!

Mourning Doves are usually the first bit of movement I see out of my living room window each morning. They sit along the back wall in pairs most of the time. I am not a morning person but these little guys make getting up bearable .

I had a cool thing happen this week (and its only Tuesday). I received an email from a conservationist that had just moved to a small Scottish island to work in an attempt to stop the Corn Bunting from disappearing from UK shores. He wrote that his flat is in need of some artwork and what better subject than the Corn Bunting of course! He stumbled upon my shop while perusing the vastness that is etsy .com and asked if I would be interested in making a Corn Bunting sketch. Uhhhh ...yeah I would be interested. Me making art for someone helping to save the life of a critter? Sign me up! Above is the finished product. It was intimidating doing a sketch of a bird that I am unfamiliar with for someone that knows every detail of the species. I hope he enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it.

To be honest, I don't know what this little guy is. I've always been fascinated by the expression of baby chicks. Why is their little beak always pulled to a frown?

The Red-legged Seriema ...another bird that I never knew existed. Those long legs get a work out as these guys prefer to run from predators than fly. They top out at speeds up to 15 mph. Now that would be a sight to see!