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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Thought & Memory



Thought & Memory
8.5 x 10 inches
India ink and white pencil on Bristol board


When Chad and I went to the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago, we were met by a pair of intently watchful birds. At first we thought they were crows, owing to their size.  But unlike crows, these corvids had feathery tufts on their beaks and didn't "caw" -- choosing instead to make deep croaking sounds as they hopped from tree to tree. What could they be? We'd come across ravens before, but these were slimmer, smaller; almost petite.  Turns out they were western ravens, (Corvus corax sinuatus) which inhabit much of the American Southwest, but are especially common in the Grand Canyon or any location where tourist handouts can be found.

I finished the above raven illustration today; it was an experiment that combined both India ink and white pencil.  What sort of pen did I use? Why, a crow quill pen, of course. ;)



7 comments:

Catarina Garcia said...

Lovely work Laura!

Debu Barve said...

Excellent! Loved this Laura. How much time it took to complete?

Rose Altom said...

What a beautiful rendering! I paint a lot of birds but you are on a much higher level than I have ever seen. The white pen is a great touch.

Jan said...

Those are beautiful Laura! I really like this one!

Laura G. Young said...

Catarina -- Thanks so much!

Debu -- I think about 4 hours; I didn't keep track like I usually do. :)

Rose -- Give yourself some credit! Your bird renderings are lovely, as well. ;)

Jan -- Many thanks for your kind words.

Richard Sheppard said...

Beautiful work Laura! I'm amazed at the detail you've captured on these beautiful birds.

Nancy Hawkins said...

A beautiful painting Laura. Brilliant as my English Friends says.