The official state bird of my official state. We have such a silly looking state bird.
BTW, I did other state birds, too. Louisiana, Alaska, Iowa and New Jersey – and several other states come later in the year.
California Quail
pen drawing
Young Ostrich
Awkward baby chicks + brush tip pen = happy fun drawing time.
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.
Baby African Gymogene
Again with the babies. I had a lot of fun drawing wispy hairs on this guy.
Merlin Falcon
I like the way I combined colored pencil and pen on this one.
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.
White Crested Turaco
Lovely little punk hair and colors on this one.
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.
Juvenile Whooping Crane
I love these pens. I think the longer the year wore on, the more I loved them.
claire meyler 