30 Sketches Projects I-VII

DAY 30! This one is for you Rayray. Another round of 30 Sketches Project. Check. As much as I love this project it is always a good feeling to be done. Until next time...

Secretary bird. Angry mark-style I'd say. A bit anxious about the big move. Buying a one way ticket to the other side of the planet brings forth feelings I've never felt before. Going away to paint in Wyoming for a month was an appetizer for this...there is just something about going somewhere you've never been, knowing no one, and having no idea what is in store for you that I adore as much as I fear. I made these NZ plans with careful consideration. I knew full and well that there would be times that I would question the decision, stress about the journey, and at times wonder what the holy hell I was thinking. I knew that getting accepted was not the most difficult part...making it happen would be the challenge. But I went through with the plans with a smirk, secretly hoping to deal with all of these challenging obstacles. Bring it NZ adventure.

A wee little egg for your eyeballs. 2 more days people and 30 Sketches Project Numero Cuatro is out. Whew...I'm beat!

Jem, this little Belted Kingfisher is yours. I know you will treat him well. Why do kingfishers have such little feet and such large bills? It's not an opening line to a joke...I really want to know.

This is how I feel.

Yes, this guy does indeed exist. He is a Hoatzin nestling. One thing you should know about these birds is that they are born with two claws on each wing. They are clumsy in flight and use these claws to climb about in their native swamps of Venezuela and Guyana. Once they reach adulthood, they those their claws. Dinosaur times-style.

Jem, my beautiful friend, your roadunner is ready! It's buddy the kingfisher will join him soon. We shall have lots of these dudes on our farm.

Bacon 9 weeks until I’m New Zealand bound. Two of my greatest friends that I will miss dearly are my pals Lani and John. I know neither of you like to get all mushy but you both have been nothing but supportive, accepting, and have helped me make this NZ dream come true. I thank you. John, its your birthday. Lani and I decided that a proper gift to you would be meat… but not just any meat. What you see above is if Lani and I were bacon. As you can see, Lani is the little munchkin-size slice on the left and I’m on the right. We salute you John, thank you for being born.

FAIL.

Every now and again I produce a drawing worthy of being airbrushed on the side of a shady kidnapper van. The above sketch of a Golden Eagle is one of those sketches. Kidnapper van not your style? How bout this image as a black velvet Elvis-style painting? Another option...this eagle painted on the back of an acid-washed denim jacket? The possibilities are endless really.

I saw my first osprey in the wild while in Wyoming. I've always thought that their high pitched cry doesn't quite match their fierce and beautiful build. Twenty down with ten more sketches to go!

Today's post is a Thank You Chicken. I have a professor from my undergrad studies that has been wicked helpful with prepping for grad school. Unfortunately, I can't remember this chickie's name but she belonged to said prof and she passed away a few months ago. Sweet slumber chickie. Her color palette was so lovely that I had to share.

I can't stop with the Turkey Vultures. I think I might have been one in a past life. Is that why I'm such a dirtbag ?

Happy Thanksgiving! Here is a Fairy Tern for ya.

Peregrine Falcons are known for their insane flight speeds which can reach well over 100 mph. When I volunteered at Liberty Wildlife, I got to spend some time with Persephone the Peregrine Falcon. She has this regal air about her and is strikingly beautiful. Upon entering her cage to clean and feed, she commanded cautious easy movements and respect from me which I was more than happy to give. Thanks Persephone.

If I were a bird I might be a Laughing Kookaburra. This sheet of butcher paper came from the same "drop cloth" that the last two daily sketches came from. My favorite part of this particular sheet is a quote covered by the Kookaburra's beak which reads, "No more half-assed". Okay.

I adore Ptarmigans. Why you ask? Three reasons really...1. huge, fluffy rabbit feet, 2. short, stocky bills, and 3. rounded rollie-pollie bodies. The top image is a close-up and the bottom shows the jacked up sheet of butcher paper I used. (You may notice a similar sheet from yesterday's drawing as well). I cover my drawing table with a 24"x36" sheet of butcher paper to keep the sketch zone semi-clean. When it's properly scribbled on I cut it into 8"x10" sections instead of trashing it. I love to see a finished sketch with all of the marks and random notes in the background.

Lucky day number 13. You know I had to throw in another turkey vulture. I spent the day with some killer friends at the racetrack. Yeah, Bukowski-style...horse-betting, whiskey and all. This is a good representation of how I feel at the moment. Hungry.

Linnea, sketch #2 is complete! Both tom turkey and this dude will be in the mail first thing next week. I mega-enjoyed working on this. It pleased my Texas roots.

Here is your tom turkey Linnea! Deer is soon to follow!