American Avocet

2010.6.5 American Avocet

This guy looks like a snob, with his upturned beak. Between the upturned beak and the black and white feathers, I find myself anthropomorphizing him into a snooty waiter, like at an upscale French restaurant.

Snowy Owl

2010.5.30 Snowy Owl

I guess I also love Snowy Owls. I drew one in February, and a chick in April. As an artist, owl faces are kind of confusing to me. They are oddly flat and yet so expressive. I think my searching to understand them is what makes these drawings some of the strongest in the series, regardless of medium.

Magpie

2010.5.27 Magpie

I call my daughter “Magpie” now. During the year I drew the birds, I never thought of this. But it seemed such a natural nickname once she was born.