New drawing of a Sharp-shinned Hawk
I did it – I managed to start a new drawing before the Thanksgiving break came. Now it will be easier for me to continue working through the holidays. About a month ago I made a list of some ideas for drawings and/or paintings that I’ve had kicking around in my head, some are newer ideas and some have been in there for quite some time. Well, this one wasn’t on the list! Funny how that works. I have an small inventory of dead birds, etc. in our basement freezer – all are wrapped individually and stored in door shelves (not near any food, for those of you who find this disturbing! Many do.) My mom brought me a dead hawk she found on her patio in Rhode Island, and it’s so beautiful that I decided to draw it. I’ve only gotten a little bit done, but I like the head so far and decided to share it. I’ve placed the hawk on top of some autumn leaves, mostly for scale, as this hawk (the smallest hawk in North America) is quite small and dainty. I’m also using the Canson Mi-tientes paper again. I think this blue paper will compliment the colors of the hawk and leaves nicely.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I believe this is your first drawing of a raptor! I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Comment by Sonny — Tuesday, December 2, 2008 @ 2:01 am
Hi Debbi,
Because I am lucky enough to see your works in person and in progress and in finished state, I usually fail to look at your web site, but it looks superb, just like your work in person and also your great studio. I especially like the fact that right next door to this comment is the blue egg in the nest, and I have a reprint of that pencil drawing hanging in our living room, a painting we love. Maybe one reason we are drawn to that piece of art is because Beth and I also love turquoise and any color reminding us of turquoise.
So, I have an idea for you, but you will have to venture from the realm of realism into the realm of surrealism. Here it is: Why don’t you paint pieces of Southwestern turquoise (perhaps embedded in silver jewelry as created by the Pueblo and Navajo people of the Southwest) and place these pieces in birdnests and maybe stashes of found objects maintained by birds, mice, and other creatures? Perhaps these creatures also like turquoise and have started collecting it, and maybe even stealing it from humans. What if they get obsessed, just like humans do, and have extensive collections of turquoise jewelry stashed away in their nests and burrows? Maybe they would do trades–leave blue egg shells on human picnic tables on decks and patios or in jewelry boxes in exchange for the turquoise jewelry they take?
I know you love the Southwest, as I do. So what if the aesthetic preferences of the birds, rodents and humans of that area began to coincide?
Talk to you soon. Mick
Comment by Mick Watson — Tuesday, December 2, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
Hi Mick, Thanks for visiting my blog and your interesting comments. That is a fascinating idea, and one I will keep perking in the back of my brain for a while. I like the idea of a bird’s nest or an animal’s den with all sorts of hidden, stashed and/or stolen objects within. In the “Catbird Building Nest” there is some plastic that the bird has woven into the nest, and “Deconstructed House Wren’s Nest” has some feathers and spider silk in it’s construction. But to take the idea a step further would be very interesting indeed. And you know that there are birds (Magpies, I think) who do steal shiny and flashy objects and store them in their nests.
Debbi
Comment by Debbi — Tuesday, December 2, 2008 @ 5:24 pm
From Amica, Age 9 almost 10,
That was really good. I really liked it. For a kid my age to like things that grown-ups’ like is really good. Plus I like other kinds of music that grown-ups’ like to like:Let Go By Frou Frou Try to listen to it. If you get the chance. Bye Bye
From;
Amica:p
Comment by Amica — Wednesday, March 24, 2010 @ 4:42 pm