These are charcoal drawings of birds done since 2006. Stylistically they are an outgrowth of the many abstract charcoal drawings that I did earlier in my career. Those older drawings can be seen here. The abstract drawings focused as much on the physical aspects of charcoal, e.g. the lush tones and the pentimenti created by vigorous erasures, as on the actual shapes. More recently I've also done a number of pastel and charcoal bird drawings.
These drawings started off as an experiment in using the technique of the abstract drawings while using birds as subjects. It seemed a natural way to move from my abstract work to naturalistic work. In doing so I have always tried to remain true to the actual appearance of the birds seen. So there is less artistic freedom than my astract work where there were no such limitations. But that is fine. I don't want to just use birds as a vehicle for art. I always try to also be true to them. My early drawings used my own photos as subject. Works since 2009 have usually used my own field sketches as their source.
'Louisiana Waterthrush and Ebony Jewelwing at Wissahickon'. Seen along Wissahickon Creek in Philadelphia in June, 2011. 17x14, charcoal and white pastel.
'Great Blue Heron and Belted Kingfisher at Manayunk Canal'. Seen at Manayunk Canal in Philadelphia in February, 2010. 17x14, charcoal.
'Coopers Hawk with Prey'. Seen in backyard, 2009. 14x17, charcoal.
'Black and White Warbler'. Seen at Cape May, NJ, in 2008. 14x17, charcoal.
'Lesser Yellowlegs'. Seen at Cape May, NJ in 2008. 14x17, charcoal.
'Short-billed Dowitcher'. Seen at Cape May, NJ in 2008. 14x17, charcoal.
'Canada Warbler I'. Seen at Shenandoah National Park in 2007. 14x17, charcoal.