New linocuts printed! Unusual birds – Tawny Frogmouths and an Emu

As I indicated in yesterdays post I have finally printed some of the numerous unfinished designs that have been sitting around on the ‘to do list’ for in some cases years!

So here are the black and white versions- can’t wait for the ink to dry and starting playing with some colour ideas on these 2 works – I already have the framing ideas.

Firstly is the set of 12 tawny expressions. These started as drawing studies of Tawny Frogmouths which I couldn’t resist taking into linocut designs.

The second is a madcap emu that was originally what I considered a less than successful drawing. In the end I went for the slightly unhinged quality of the drawing – especially as emus seem to have this quality about them. As for the design I decided to extend the lines created by the feathering into the background to add to this whole mad type impression.

Any suggestions for the title of this work? “C’mon, make my day” for some reason springs to mind!!

Tawny Frogmouths in our backyard

Last week we were visited by a pair of tawny frogmouths – taking sleepy refuge in the daylight in our poinciana tree.

They seemed to appreciate the cool shaded tree safely away from prowling felines that seem to have recently taken to attacking local native birds. We have 2 dogs that quickly skittle any cat but pay no real attention to the local bird life at all.

This pair sat quietly all day fluffed up perched on the high branch above our deck.

As evening came they fluffed, preened, stretched and just after dusk fell, looked around more alert catching passing insects with their wide beaks. Then silently without any real warning flew off further afield for their night hunting.

As usual I took many photos – thank goodness for digital cameras! Mine saves me enormous amounts of money without the need to process and print the films I can take as many photos as I like. Needless to say these are just a few examples…

Just love this expression of droopy drowsiness compared with the wide-eyed – what are YOU looking at below!

Linocut Carving – Tawny Frogmouth Eyes – slow progress

A quick update…I have been working…albeit it very slowly…on these small designs but not getting a long way.

Sometimes life and circumstances make for slow progress.

This is the current state – four small linocut carvings completed and starting on a fifth – only eight to go!

Tawny Expressions Linocut Templates

I have also had 2 more visits to our backyard from our local pair of tawny frogmouths in the last week or so which has been great and some new photos of their activities of course!

I have still been plodding along with the alphabet designs a bit as well – will post more about them soon.

Tawny Frogmouths and Linocuts

Over a week ago I went to a see a local wildlife carer release two Tawny Frogmouths from his care.

These had been young baby Tawny Frogmouths when they had been found and have been cared for until they have reached this stage and are ready to be released. There was a strong bond with this pair and so it was decided to release them together.

Of course I took hundreds of photos (ah the wonders of digital cameras!!) and I have chosen just a few to share with you.

I love the way despite the “I am not really here – you can’t see me” typical Tawny Frogmouth pose which works very well when their feathering colour blends back into a nearby tree trunk, they still take this whole stance no matter where they are. They seem to have this complete belief that if they just sit very very still no-one can see them. A bit like a child covering their eyes thinking you can no longer see them.

The above is the first Tawny to be released and wide-eyed with wonder and interest.

The second Tawny who seemed a very quiet gentle bird took longer to move out into the world – the second photo seems to indicate a bit of displeasure at his comfortable existence being disturbed – he was looking right at all of us!

Or maybe he’s just concerned…

When we left it was dusk and the pair continued to sit and wait just assessing their current and new situation.

So – what’s next on the linocut front? Well it would have to be Tawny Frogmouths!! This is the template ready for carving “Tawny Expressions” and as you can tell from the above photos these birds have the most amazing array of expressions! Only problem is that now I can see so many more designs I could add….

Tawny Expressions Linocut Templates

Tawny Frogmouth Glare – Linocut

Tawny Frogmouth Glare - Linocut

I have finally got around to completing this Tawny Frogmouth Glare Linocut. I did an illustration of this image a while back but had always planned to do it also as a linocut.

Love these birds they are interesting and quirky and most suprising. I have finished reading Gisela Kaplan’s book – excellent reading!

Have a few more tawny Frogmouth ideas I’m working on currently….

Two Tawny Frogmouths

…yesterday in Brisbane…

Wildlife Art @ Discovery – Canberra Exhibition

Just a quick note to say that two of my works have been selected to be part of the Wildlife Art @ Discovery – CSIRO Discovery Centre Clunies Ross Street, Black Mountain, Canberra ACT. The exhibition runs from 27th June to 6th July, 2008.

The Exhibition is presented by WABA – Wildlife And Botanical Artists. Whose aims include:

Bringing artists, scientists and environmentalists together to promote appreciation of our natural wildlife and botanical heritage.

Last years exhibition works can be seen here

The first work is “Tawny Stare” which is below and the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly Lifecycle which is on the left.

I and the Bird #69

The #69 of the birding blog carnival - I and the Bird – is being hosted by

Grrlscientist of Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted).

Talking of birds our local pair of Tawny Frogmouths must still have a fledgling – they were calling in our nearby reserve and backyard at 5am this morning – definitely 3 callers, 2 softer higher and a deeper louder. Here’s a photo from an evening visit last year. I’m hoping they’ll come and visit again soon one evening…or spend the day…..

Emus

I was inspired by a recent post at A Snail’s Eye View about emus to have a look back at some photos I’d taken about 6 months ago of Emus. Here’s a drawing I just completed – it’s just a study and yes the mistakes jump out at me but it is the first drawing I’ve done of an emu in years. I”ve spent the last few years focused on wildflowers and in particular Australian wildflowers with a few tawny frogmouths thrown in. Drawing is about establishing visual memories and being able to translate them from 3D to 2D – so a few more studies are in order.

More Tawny Frogmouth Expressions

The way that Tawny Frogmouths exhibit expression is through their faces using their eyes and beak to do this is extremely important – I think their “eyebrows” also help! So have added 3 more ‘expressions’ to my studies. These drawings are ones that I’ll pick up an do for a morning when I know I have not a lot of time to work on larger projects or things that I don’t want to get interrupted doing…