OK, I have a thing for birds. I always have a little story in mind when I draw them. But the big idea was and is to make each bird a funny, even mischievous character, much in the same way that Rosemary Wells characterizes her creations.
Fellow illustrators often call my little creatures "quirky." But the way I see it, children should see a bit of themselves in drawings meant for them. It's more interesting and, certainly, more fun.
This guy "Snooky" happens to be one of my favorites, just up from a nice nap, still groggy, but ready for a snack and some fun.
We like bunnies. We like cats, mice and other creatures too. I always have a little story in mind when I draw them. But the big idea was and is to make each one a funny, even mischievous character, much in the same way that Rosemary Wells characterizes her creations.
This guy happens to be one of my favorite bunnies. He's eager and ready for fun but a little silly too. And who ever heard of a pink bunny?
Always ready for a party or maybe a piece of cheese if you please.
This cat is blue but if you were stuffed with fluff, you might be too.
Snoozes all day. But food gets this cat to open his eyes.Then, he comes running.
They sing. They dance. They do not wear pants.
Always needs a cuddle and loves to wag his tail and have fun.
OK, I have a thing for birds. And some of the birds I imagine and draw are decidedly weird, even scary. Some say they are not for kids. I disagree. If that were true, we would not have Lemony Snickert, Shel Silverstein, and above all, Edward Gorey.
Famous for falling over backwards, this nearly flightless bird relies on its oily secretions for protection. Walks slowly and unsteadily. Des car-horn imitations, especially at dawn.
Very self possessed and capable of imitating the sounds of large carnivores. Often friends with bears. Eats everything in sight when raised as house pet something that is not advised. Now rare except on the Lizard Islands which afford them plenty of their lively and wiggly prey.
Lives along fetish and stagnant bodies of water in tropic lands. Dive bombs anyone or anything floating on water's surface. Competes with reptiles for prey. Makes croaking noises during mating season. But it is rarely polite no matter the season.
Believed extinct but keeps showing up at the worst times. And when it shows up, it will not leave. Leaves dropping in the most inconvenient places and at the most inconvenient times. Loves open fields and enjoys disrupting picnic and most other outdoor activities by sweeping down and divebombing anything that moves.
The only toothed bird not believed extinct. Will eat anything but prefers pizza and well spiced chowders.
I have to admit it; left to my own devices, I love drawing weird, imaginary creatures. Do not ask why. They are scary but I still get lots of compliments. Whatever the reasons, it seems that many people are as intrigued as me. I have people seeing me draw these bizarre beasts ask whether I might be Maurice Sendak. But my beasts do not have the sweetness of his creatures. I like to think of my monsters' apparent malevolence as similar to those drawn by Edward Gorey.
I have drawn hundreds of such critters over the years and am now assembling them into a draft picture book. This guy will definitely be in it. It's those claws!
Comes out at night but only when there is no moon and it can sneak up behind anything tht could be soft a juicy. Prefers to leap from trees onto the neck of its prey. When it has a firm grip, it takes a big bite and flees.
Lives in warm climes where it runs in large herds and feeds on unsuspecting furry creatures that it runs down and tramples. Has been known to invade urban areas where it settles in and pretends to be playful. Once collected for its meat, it was soon found that this was not a good idea.
Hides in and leaps from thick bushes and then gnaws its prey until there is nothing left but bones and certain indelicate bits.
Very large and smelly, this beasts lives near volcanoes and eats whatever the lava leaves behind. Once believed extinct, it was found to be living in large numbers in high altitude deserts where it feeds on random carrion and anyone or anything it finds moving about.
Not as extinct as some have thought, Despite its size and big feat, these beasts are light on their feet and amazingly graceful, especially when doing their tango-like mating dances.
Has little sense of humor and does not accept direction well and famous for its colorful teeth. It's bite is highly poisonous. It's purring noise is used to attract victims.
A young lady, age 11, visits her parent's favorite French restaurant and finds not only delicious food but also an air of mystery.
A boy seven goes to sleep and wakes up to find that he is in a town of Dinosaurs, some of whom are nice and some of whom think he would make a very nice snack.