The chipmunk Acorn is well attuned to the finer points of art-making. When not busy at the bird feeder or gathering nuts for the winter, Acorn dons an apron and visualizes a creative masterpiece.
I’ve long wanted to create a playful illustration of an opossum playing dead. The addition of a steamy cup of coffee creates a fun narrative. Anyone who works long hours needs caffeine, and possums are no exception – they always work the night shift, after all. This is the perfect gift for someone who likes critters that stay up late.
This woodblock print depicts mice running in and around a Swiss cheese wedge. It illustrates the classic myth that mice are crazy for the curd. Well, it turns out these critters can be picky eaters. If given a choice, mice would rather eat grains or fruit. Still, it’s satisfying to see a mouse get the cheese. It’s an example of the little guy catching a break. As the saying goes, “Every dog has its day,” instead, every mouse gets a bite!
This woodblock print illustrates an Atlantic Puffin in mid-flight. The mark-making in the puffin’s body draws your eye inward, letting you get lost in striking details. The black-and-white variant of Into Thin Air distills the energy of its color counterpart, making it ideal for those who desire a monochromatic piece that will complement any decor.
The piece conveys a sense of fleetingness, like the quickness of a rabbit in a moonlit moment.
This woodblock print captures the energy of a flock of crows, commonly referred to as a “murder” in popular folklore. I’ve personally seen hundreds of crows take to the sky at twilight – it’s truly a sight. Crows are smart and opportunistic; they quickly adapt to new environments and stick together for safety. Also, they remember human faces so be kind when a crow crosses your path!
There are many reasons to admire chickadees, but their prodigious memory is truly awesome. They hide thousands of food items throughout their range, and come to collect when food gets scarce. As I walk through the woods, I like to imagine being surrounded by their hidden caches. Also, how they recall where they stashed their tasty morsels is fascinating. Check out this article if you want to learn more.
I enjoy creating avian-inspired critters because of my six pet birds. They fly about the studio, getting into mischief and providing inspiration. Pom-Pom began as a sketch of two eyes and a beak. After reviewing several ideas for illustrating the body, I carried over a texture I’d developed for a previous image, Two Minds. Repeating patterns are naturally calming, so I designed the feathers to radiate around the face, drawing the view back to the center of the picture. The pillow-shaped body comically contrasts the intimidating talons, so Pom-Pom has attitude!
Behold the mythical Pufferkeet, part pufferfish, part parakeet. As critters go, the Pufferkeet is an enigma. Sure, the spikes are intimidating. They signal to others to stay back! But the eye tells another story. It beckons the viewer closer to gaze upon a pricky countenance. Watch out; this adorable critter will find its way to your heart.
The raccoon Smudge is one trash panda that loves getting dirty and doesn’t shy away from mischief in the print shop. Smudge makes a great first impression, even when caught in the ink jar!
The humble lobster has been a symbol of my home state for generations, and I’m excited to immortalize these fascinating creatures as a pin!
It was a delight to create this whimsical illustration of a frog bathing in a can of ink! The flies circling the frog’s head represent printer’s devils—historically, these were young apprentices in print shops who performed various tasks, such as mixing inks and fetching type. In my interpretation, the flies carry tiny pitchforks, attempting to persuade the frog to stop lounging in the bath and get back to work!
Vampire bats are the stuff of myth and legend. Blood is their sustenance, which they draw from sleeping mammals. In fact, the bat’s hearing is adapted to detect the rhythmic breathing that accompanies slumber. What’s more, vampire bats use their powerful forelimbs to walk, jump, and even run. I suspect this adaptation allows them to approach their victims stealthily and make a quick getaway once they have fed.
I was inspired to create this work after reading that Magpies recognize their reflection in a mirror. Their ability suggests the theory of mind, which attributes mental states such as beliefs, intents, desires, emotions, and knowledge, among others, to oneself and others. Magpies join an elite group of animals, including Elephants and Dolphins, admired for their brains and beauty.
How does a skunk’s fur stay silky smooth? The secret is good old-fashioned printmaking ink, which restores their coat to a lustrous black. Tidy illustrates that even intensely aromatic creatures need a spa day!
The Toadadillo is a small reptile and mammalian hybrid found in wetlands throughout North, Central, and South America. Their body characteristics combine elements of the Yosemite Toad, a Nine-Banded Armadillo, and its tail resembles that of a crocodile. Their diet consists primarily of smaller amphibians and fish. They are most agile in water but venture on land to search for insects when aquatic food sources are scarce. The Toadadillo’s shell coloration is muted browns and tans. However, during mating season, the shell changes to red, orange, and yellow. Toadadillos carry leprosy and will jump aggressively during this time. Remember the saying, “Stay away from Toadadillos in May.” if you encounter one in the wild.
The Vampire Tiger Tuna is a predator that spends most of its life on the sea floor searching for small crustaceans. Although its body structure looks somewhat awkward, the Tiger Tuna can synchronize its reptilian legs and fins to generate an effective form of locomotion called “swalking.” Its most defining characteristic may be the water spouts attached to the top of its head. The Tiger Tuna uses these to shoot a stream of water at unsuspecting victims. With its prey momentarily stunned, the Tiger Tuna coils its forked tongue around the victim and swallows it whole.
