Work on this page includes charcoal drawings of birds done during 2006-2008.
Most are an outgrowth of the many abstract charcoal drawings that Ken did earlier in his career,
such as 'Mummery'.
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.
These drawings are an experiment in using that technique while still being true to the actual appearance
of the birds seen. All drawings are based on photos that Ken took. The Lesser Yellowlegs is based on a photo
taken at Cape May Point State Park in Cape May, NJ in October, 2008. The Short-biiled Dowitcher was seen
aboard 'The Osprey', a pontoon boat that traverses the
waterways of Cape May, in September, 2008. The Acadian Flycatcher was seen near South River Falls in
Shenandoah National Park
in May, 2008. The Wood Duck and ducklings were seen at
Tinicum(John Heinz Wildlife Refuge) in Philadelphia on Memorial Day weekend, 2008.
The Canada Warblers were also seen in Shenandoah National Park in May, 2007.
The grebes were at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
in September, 2007. Immature Black-Crowned Heron was seen at
Cape May Point State Park,
NJ. The Great Blue Heron was seen on a day in the low teens at
Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia, PA.
'Lesser Yellowlegs', 14x17, charcoal.
'Short-billed Dowitcher', 14x17, charcoal.
'Acadian Flycatcher', 14x17, charcoal and pastel.
'Wood Duck and Ducklings', 14x17, charcoal and pastel.
'Pied-Billed Grebes', 14x17, charcoal.
'Canada Warbler II', 14x17, charcoal.
'Canada Warbler I', 14x17, charcoal.
'Great Blue Heron In Icy Water',14x17, charcoal.
'Black Crowned Night Heron', 22x28, charcoal.
