March 13

 Artwork

Reflection

During this week I built the cardboard base forms of two more birds, a Cattle Egret and a Carolina Wren. I also adjusted/extended the beak of the Turkey Vulture after noticing that I initially made it too short. I used the same website (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/ ) for the accurate measurements of the birds this week as I did last week. I also made some sketch ideas for the background painting, though the ideas that I sketched which included cattle and machinery did not match the general "vibe" of the birds. The landscape painting ideas is not scrapped but I will work on more sketches of just the landscape. 

References/ Inspirations

\/ Photos found on Pinterest \/

\/Carolina Wren \/

\/ Cattle Egret \/

March 6

 Artwork

Reflection

For this week I made more progress to the vulture being complete, just needed to cover it in a layer of tissue paper and gesso to then give it feathers. The class suggested I have the landscape of my home in the background instead of the scientific posters since my project is more reliant on the theme of home and what makes me, me. The next two birds I will make is the Carolina Wren and the Cattle Egret. In total I will have four flying bird sculptures.

References/ Inspirations

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/27EvUqgetBtW40HADKrUKR?si=tpDTY4vxQu-9NMgDZ1N0zQ

/\ My playlist I have been listening to. It is a mix of multiple genres, but mostly classic rock, indie, and some different levels of metal and more genres that I can't think of at the moment.

\/ Turkey Vultures being cute

 

Feb. 27

 Artwork

Reflection

        For this week, I surrounded the body of the vulture with a supporting structure of cardboard (not pictured, I forgot) and then coated it in tissue paper with watered-down mod podge and gesso. The building process was similar to the American Kestrel but with the consideration of the vastly different size of the birds. In class, I discussed the plan to make two more sculptures, one of a Great Blue Heron and a Carolina Wren. With each bird, there will be an accompanying poster showing the "fun facts" about these birds. The posters would be different sizes to either correlate with the bird or be the opposite size. (Ex. A larger poster for the Kestrel and a smaller poster for the Vulture). 

        For the upcoming week I plan to have the structures of the birds completed as well as a layer of gesso and paper feathers. 

References/ Inspirations

https://www.scienceofbirds.com/podcast/new-world-vultures

/\ Podcast episode about New World Vultures, which includes the Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Andean Condor, and several more! 

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

Vulture in Latin, vulturus, translates to "tearer."

(Photo by Ivan Phillipsen)

\/ Photos from Pinterest \/

 

Feb. 20

Artwork

Life size Turkey Vulture mobile.

Cardboard, Mod Podge, Gesso, Blue Tape

Reflection

            I am building a series of life size bird mobiles out of cardboard. The one being focused on today is the Turkey Vulture which can have a wingspan of 66.9 in. (5 ft. 6in.) and body length of 25.2 in. I am going to suspend the vulture with yarn/ heavy duty string for stability. The class suggestions were similar to the last, with the ideas of creating a landscape with familiar landscape, birds, and animals.

References

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_vulture

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Turkey_Vulture/id

Feb. 13

Artwork

 

Reflection

        During the creation of this project, I decided to make the flying mobiles to be more 3D to make them be a life-size model of the birds. The first one (pictured above) is modeled after a female American Kestrel and is made of cardboard, blue tape, and a layer of gesso. I plan on painting the mobile to look as accurate as possible to the bird with the addition of feathers made of paper to create the realistic look. I am going to replace the sculpting wire that I used to connect the wings to the body with embroidery thread to allow it more mobility when it is "flying." 

        The class gave me several more ideas that could be possible for the final project such as a map of my home in Perry, FL that would include the animals and landscape I see on the daily. Another idea would be to create a landscape painting of my home with the inclusion of all the farm animals and wildlife. With these many ideas, I am excited to see the route I choose for this project. 

Research

        

      /\  Sibley, David, 1961-. The Sibley Guide to Birds. New York :Alfred A. Knopf, 2000.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/

/\Website includes measurements, identifying pictures, and the calls of thousands of birds. 

Feb. 6

 Artwork

12'' x 18''

Reflection

        For this work, I wanted to make an illustrated scientific poster of birds that included their known names, as well as their scientific names. Each birds information, the Herons, are from two of my bird identification books shown in the research section of this post. The feedback from the class suggested that I go larger in composition and to add a border. There were suggestions of creating different textures if I used cardboard or wood as the base/background and have the birds be cut out and painted with watercolor. Another suggestion was to make larger (possibly life size) flying bird mobiles to accompany the posters, as well as a collection of their respected bird calls. All of the suggested ideas were very exciting, and I plan on exploring them as I continue this project/idea. 

Research

        

      /\  Sibley, David, 1961-. The Sibley Guide to Birds. New York :Alfred A. Knopf, 2000.

        

      /\  Tekiela, Stan, 2020. Birds of Florida: Field Guide. 3rd ed. Adventure Publications.

In Process 

/\ Notes on which bird(s) I wanted to illustrate. /\

/\ Drawing before lining them. /\

Jan. 30

Artwork

Bearded Vulture (White)

/\ Gouache painting of a Bearded Vulture. /\

/\ Index card with Information on the Bearded Vulture. /\

 Reflection

        Bearded Vulture (White) is a visual and scientific study of the European bird, the Bearded Vulture. Through the use of Gouache paints, I am able to represent the Vultures dramatic plumage and intense eyes as its focus is set upon the viewer. The orange/red background allows for the stark, white of the feathers to contrast nicely. The vibrant background is also meant reference how the Bearded Vulture dye their feathers red with Iron-oxide rich deposits. Alongside the illustration is a standard sized blue index card with handwritten information on the Bearded Vulture species. The information card includes the scientific name(s), entomology of the name(s), diet, habitats, and habits. Bearded Vulture (White) is meant to be a companion piece to another illustration of this impressive vulture, where instead of white feathers, it will have its dyed feathers instead. I will create the second piece for another class time to complete the set. 

Research

    \/ Spotify link to a podcast episode on Bearded Vultures \/

https://open.spotify.com/episode/26SGmhT3HDnc90u8Yuegbt?si=Hm9tR0d5SCW5_RT1cMrQtA

(The creator of the podcast included a bibliography in the description of the audio.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearded_vulture

    \/ Reference photo \/

   ( Could not find the original posting/author of the image. Found it on Pinterest)