like woodpeckers and cacti
Something I enjoy immensely about the work I do is where it takes me, creatively speaking. As part of this new logbook, I have learnt about Gila Woodpeckers, a species that nests in cacti. Saguaro cacti to be precise, those huge cartoonish cacti that are in our collective imagination. Structural, spiky, they are the archetypal symbol of the Wild West. This led me to watch a program called Wild West, a fascinating tour through the lowlands and highlands of the south west corner of the US, and then to find reference images for the landscapes and wildlife of this iconic area.
I’m endeavouring to be more mindful in my logbook projects and really find ways of expanding my technique and wider knowledge instead of seeing it simply as a ‘work thing’ to be executed. I am really enjoying the painting too, and getting to know the American birds a little better.
Here are some of my sketchbook ramblings following these explorations, in gouache and graphite:
The Leuchtturm definitely prefers pencil to paint but I so enjoy the patchy texture I get when slopping gouache around so I’m happy to add colour even though the pages crinkle a little.
Here is my Gila Woodpecker for the logbook:
