In Austin, Texas, recently. Hot, friendly, beautiful. All the live music you can take in. And birds.
Stayed on Lady Bird Lake or “Town Lake” where I saw giant swans, hump-beaked geese, ducks, all sorts of tiny song birds, and the great-tailed grackle. The grackle looks like a skinning long-legged crow, and with a call that sounds much like the alarm of an infant, is considered a pest. But I found it’s defiance part of the scene.
So I put together this piece just for him. And for me too.
If you’re interested in the artist’s process, here’s a peak behind the scene …
Out hiking in the 98 degree June heat around the lake, I caught a mediocre photo of this guy, so cool and balanced:

He inspired me to sketch this — really from a combination of birds I saw throughout the city. Below you’ll see the pencil sketch and the inked version.

And finally, the new piece I totally didn’t intend on bringing home as a souvenir (see framed at top).
I really do like him. If you like him too he’ll be available soon as a limited edition in my art shop,
www.shellybees.com.

All art copyright 2008 Shelly Bowen. No reproductions permitted.