Nests for Humans

Just recently finished this illustration for Ranger Rick magazine to accompany instructions on nest building. That sounds like such a fun idea; I think I will try it this spring. There's an amazing artist, Patrick Dougherty, whose work is shown below, who does installations that are essentially large scale nests. I'm currently reading Survival of the Beautiful by David Rothenberg, which  also includes a discussion with Patrick about what he has learned from the bowerbird.  The male bowerbird goes to extremes to create his art, and actually paints the structures as well as traveling many miles to find just the right decorating accents... but I will save that story for another post. The book is fascinating reading; I highly recommend it.

 

Patrick Dougherty

'Tis Better to Have Loved and Lost...?

A few valentines I created ( well, repurposed actually) for the broken-hearted. These were originally drawn for Ranger Rick to illustrate some very sweet children's poems.  Call me jaded, but  I couldn't help seeing them as "cards for the lovelorn".  In all fairness I think the kids' poetry deserves to be shown;  it's quite good... especially the jelly reference.

 

Balancing Act

    Life is in constant flux.  We try to seek balance.   But there is no perfect balance.

"The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty; not knowing what comes next."- Ursula K. LeGuin
"Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold."- Helen Keller

Just spent several days purging the studio of 4 to 5 years worth of administrivia and ephemera.  A little lighter.  Found inspiration in many things, one being this illustration sequence for Highlights which was still in single pieces.  These critters said "Could you put us all in line please? Oh... and do something about that white background while you're at it."  Pencil and photoshop color.