A Breast of Robins Descending

In the bleak chilly wintery-mix-filled air above our front yard today this rare large group of robins descended on our holly tree and stripped it of its red berries.  The term for a large group of robins is a breast, I have learned.  I drew so fast, not bothering with precision, just so caught up in the swirl and swooping of the birds.  A couple of non-robins timidly pecked at the ground nesr the house. 

By contrast these six sheep, last spring’s lambs, are laden with bales of wool and move slowly, browsing in the bleached grass of the pasture.  I love their swagger and awkward stretches.

Sleepy Post-Solstice Bulls

In the thin midday sunlight the bulls are napping.

Drawing with Frosting Tubes

Group effort at our family’s cookie decorating party last night.  Yes, that IS a self-combusting flame —-

Catalog Update

Here’s the back of the catalog, and below are two more spreads.  I ordered fifty copies today and should have them within two weeks.  I found out that individuals can’t order direct from Ingram Spark.  So far the only way to get one is to order from me via email (gdiehn1@gmail.com) or Facebook message .  Send me your postal address so I can mail your catalog to you.  Cost is $22– 20 for the catalog and 2 for postage.  You can paypal the money to me at gdiehn1@gmail.com or mail me a check to 154 College View Drive, Swannanoa, NC.  Soon, however,  you will also be able to buy them online (malaprops.com) or from the store at Malaprop’s Bookstore in Asheville!

Drawing Ten Thousand Things— the Catalog!

The ten thousand drawings are going to be on exhibit at Asheville BookWorks for two months , opening January 26.  A catalog seemed to be a good idea, and it’s now available.  Here’s the front cover and below are two of the spreads.  It is 60 pages long, all in full color.  If interested, please message me privately on FB messenger or email me at gdiehn1@gmail.com.

This is the second page of the intro and the first illustration.

And another spread.

Meanwhile in the Bull Pasture, Flerding

When the news makes me feel like committing unspeakable acts, I go down to the pasture and watch the flerd.  

Mystery

No mystery here— just the blue pickeral pod that I’ve been incubating curling back its opening to reveal its jewel-like seeds.

But here’s the mystery object,  shown in three views.  The name is encoded in the letters above.  Enlarge the letters to better decipher.  What IS this thing?

Crimson for a Chilly Day

Possum Bones, Pigs and Sheep

I’ve been waiting for this poor possum to stop smelling sovI could get close enough to draw it.  Mostly fluff, a few graceful ribs, and a snakey tail.  Also here the smiley sow and some pretty moss.

I like this pot sherd even though it doesn’t look that old.

The lambies are getting big and wooly!