Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Anglerfish TBT

Angler Fish (ˈaNGglərˌfiSH)

This is another one of my past bow tie guys printed on a page from an art book. It is now hanging in the Blank Space exhibit in the Quimby Gallery.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Brain in a Jar

I am curating an exhibit in the Quimby Gallery at Lyndon State College called Blank Space. Anyone can bring in a work of art on a 4 x 6 inch of paper, canvas or something and it will be hung. I decided to do some personal experimentation with printing on different types of paper and this is one of the results of an illustration done previously printed on paper from an old book on experiencing art.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Tapir

Tapir (ˈtāpər)

This is actually a rendition of the Malayan Tapir, due to it/s black and white fur. They are listed as endangered on the conservation status. It is the largest of the tapir species and is the only one native to Asia. The main threat to tapirs is habitat loss due to deforestation.

Their proboscis is highly flexible. I see them as an odd mix between a pig and an elephant.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Polar Bear

Polar Bear (ˈpoʊlər bɛ(ə)r)

This one has been a long time coming. He is a part of my endangered species series. The polar bear is a large white bear that lives in the arctic. They are listed as vulnerable on the endangered species list. They are threatened by climate change, conflict with humans because of the loss of their habitat due to climate change, and being impacted from industrialization, like oil spills, noise generated from oil operations, and similar human endeavors.

You can find out more about the polar bear and what the World World Wildlife organization is doing here.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: René Magritte

René Magritte:

Rene Magritte (1898-1967) was a Surreal painter from Belgium. He created eight methods of bringing about the crisis of the object. He based all of his work on these principles. The are isolation, modification, hybridization, scale change, accidental encounters, double image puns, paradox, double viewpoints. 

It is these methods that I find so fascinating and why I enjoy Magritte's work so much. This work is based on one of my favorite paintings of his “Ceci n'est pas use pipe.” (This is not a pipe.) But instead of the pipe it is not a bow tie.

I also tried my hand at water color paining for this one. It has been a while. For the next few weeks you can see the original in the Blank Space exhibit at the Quimby Gallery.

Bow tie Guy of the Day: Wooly Elephabbit

Wooly Elephabbit (ˈwo͝olē ˈeləfabit)

During the spring, in days of yore, the now extinct wooly elephabbit, a large animal about the size of a small horse, was known to prounce around the woodlands causing no end of consternation on the part of the other animals because of the ruckus they would make as the earth shook violently with each leap and bound. 

On the artistic end, I am grateful for the ability to schedule time to draw. Yesterday, I was unable to because of other demands. This time makes all the difference.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Diplocaulus

Diplocaulus

A large prehistoric amphibian that lived during the Permian Period. It had a unique boomerang shaped head and could get to around 3 feet in length. I really had a fun time drawing this guy. It is another one that just leaped off the page.

This is registration time and most of my time during the day is filled with meeting with students. It may be possible I will not be able to get a bow tie guy a day this week. I did do a few extra last week though and I might throw in a few surprises.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Moose with Hummingbird, Blue Jay, Hermit Thrush, Red Footed Booby, California Quail, and a Parrot

Moose, Hummingbird, Blue Jay, Hermit Thrush, Red Footed Booby, California Quail, Parrot

So I missed posting yesterday and I thought I would make up for it by posting soothing a little extra. Each one has a bow tie. Some are just harder to see. There are seven in total.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Chinese Dragon IF Dragon

Chinese Dragon ()

This was a request from a student of mine and a fried requested a bearded dragon. This weeks word on Illustration Friday is Dragon.

The dragon in China is a symbol of power, strength and good luck if one is worthy of it. They traditionally have powers of water. This includes rainfall storms and floods.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Tiger

Tiger (ˈtīgər)

It has been a busy day and I almost thought I would not get one done. I have said it before and I will say it again. People are more important than art. Most of my day was focused on other people.

So here it is. The Tiger is an endangered species. It is threatened by loss of habitat, human and tiger interaction and climate change. They are the largest of the Asian big cats. You can find out more at the World Life Site

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Pie

Pie (pī)
It's Pie Day! I really don't know that there is much more to say about that.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Spinosaurus

Spinosaurus

This guy is possibly larger than the T-Rex. The name means spine lizard. They were found in Northern Africa and are thought to be expert swimmers.

On another note, I am grateful I said I would post five a week and didn't specify the days. Yesterday got away from me with meetings and other important responsibilities. I drew this last night and finished it this morning. My youngest said that I did this for him. Which is true.

Bow Tie Guys of the Day: Giraffe and Sloth TBT

Giraffe and Sloth (jəˈraf slôTH, släTH, slōTH)

In 2011 I posted a black and white version of this. Here is the painted version of the Bow Tie Guys. Life is getting hectic, but I am still posting.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Bumblebee

Bumblebee (ˈbəmbəlˌbē)

In honor of my mother's birthday, she likes to collect bee things, I am posting a Bumblebee Bow Tie Guy.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Platybelodon

Platybelodon
Every one in a while you find an animal that you just can't believe actually existed, but is so delightfully awkward you are just excited they did. The platybelodon is just one of those animals. Rarely does an animal I am unfamiliar with just jump out of my pencil like this one. I love it.

The platybelodon, meaning flat-spear tusk, lived during the late Miocene Epoch in Asia. They are related to the elephant.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Cheetah

Cheeta (ˈCHētə)

The cheetah is listed as vulnerable on the endangered species list. They are worlds fastest land animal.

This was a particular challenge for me on many levels. First I struggled with the facial structure of the cat. In many of my earlier drawings it looked like a dog. Second, was the depiction of speed. In the end I feel I did well on both accounts.

Sketches from Rome

While visiting the Roman Forum, I took a few minutes to sketch the Temple of Castori. Rome is such a beautiful city. I love the ruins.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Asian Elephant

Asian Elephant (ˈāZHən ˈeləfənt)

Even though I have just returned from Europe with my Sketching class, I am already planning next years trip to Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. I am excited to draw some elephants.

The Asian Elephant is on the endanger species list. Their major threat is loss of habitat, but they are also threatened by poaching, and the capture of elephants for domestic use. They are smaller than their African cousins, have smaller ears and not all of then have tusks. Interestingly, they have five toes on their hind feet but only four toenails.

You can find out more about the Asian Elephant at worldwildlife.org

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Barn Owl

Barn Owl (bärn oul)
Another one of our visits this past week was to the Acropolis. As the symbol of Athena is the owl I thought it wise to draw an owl bow tie guy. The barn owl is the one that looks the most wise to me.

Tomorrow I hope to post some of my sketches from the trip.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Hector's Dolphin

Hector's Dolphin ()

Estimated at a population of around 7000, Hector's Dolphin lives along the shallow coast of New Zealand. They are the smallest and rarest dolphins in the world. They are around 4 ft in length. Their biggest threat is baycatching. They are also threatened by pollution and being hit by boats.

I thought I was done with posting dolphin's, but my visit to Delphi inspired me to do one more. You can find out more about them at the World Wildlife website here.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Hippocampus

Hippocampus (ˌhipəˈkampəs)

I just got back from Italy and Greece. As part of y visit to Rome, I visited the Trevi Fountain. As part of the fountain there are two Hippocampi, so I thought I would draw one my self.

The Hippocampus is also called the sea horse. It has the forefront of a horse and the tail of a fish. It is commonly thought of as an ancient Greek creature. It is associated with Poseidon, The God of the ocean.