Stumble it!
March 29th: A clutch of chicks
First: I am featured today on PensEyeView.com, check it out!
So, I figured it was high time for an addition to the collective nouns series. This one has been in my mind for a long time, and the word is so perfect, isn’t it? I mean, who doesn’t want to clutch baby chicks?
(a warning: if you’re squeamish, best stop reading right here, just skip to the next entry…)
Of course, I feel a little different about yellow fuzzy chicks after spending time at the endangered species conservation centre my dad worked at—they got boxes full of chicks from local egg-producing farms, as they would regularly hatch eggs to replenish their chicken brood, but the males were useless to them. So, they sent the day-old chicks to the farm, which is great, as this particular conservation centre has many large cats, who heartily endorse the idea of baby chicks for breakfast. One year on the Easter long weekend my sister and I got to go spend some time with one of the handlers there—she drove us through the cat enclosures, and it was so surreal, stopping next to a cheetah, and throwing a huge side of some sort of animal carcass over the fence, along with a handful of yellow chicks from a bucket. It sounds cruel but really, it’s far more natural than any alternative. Still, an odd sight at Easter, I must say.
As an interesting side note, a newly born chick still has yolk inside it. Seems strange, no?
What a really nice article! Even though sketching is a leisure-time activity fit into my work day, I can identify with your need to create deadlines - and I have managed to add a journal page every day for 2+ years - even if I only spend 10 minutes on it and only upload several each week to my blog. I am also fickle and don’t know how to get past that. It is really difficult for me to want to redo a particle sketch/painting. If you figure out how to deal with that this year, tell me your secret! And if you decide to come to the big “Children’s Book Illustrator’s” meeting in NYC, let me know! I only know it exists by reading the wonderful journal pages each year created by Ruth McNally Barshaw.
Comment by Shirley — March 30, 2008 @ 4:18 am
The picture is adorable, but the story (even though I understand the necessity) I shudder at. Must have been interesting to visit that place , however.
Comment by Mary — March 30, 2008 @ 4:32 am
Love these drawings. I don’t know anything about the book biz but writing and illustrating a childrens book does sound like a natural for you. Don’t mention “throwing in a handful of yellow chicks” though.
Comment by Don McNulty — March 30, 2008 @ 7:56 am
You are truly an inspiration. I loved the article and getting to know you better. Now I am a bit scared of the 365th day! Maybe not daily but at least a few a week will keep me satisfied! ;-)
I love your take on deadlines. It is the only way I get anything done, yet I’d never defined it for myself. It seems I am a bit dull in that area! I am taking your assumption and placing it squarely on my shoulders. Hopefully it will compel me to continually finish projects.
Thank you Bambi!
Comment by chronicler — March 30, 2008 @ 8:32 am
Nice article. Inspiring to read what’s your drive in life. I admire your working attitude and your illustration. Keep them coming!
Comment by mcverhoog — March 30, 2008 @ 11:49 am
Great drawing! So much reality that we don’t know and prehaps don’t want to know. Just to think I don’t even like to eat animal crackers.
Comment by Myriam — April 12, 2008 @ 11:51 am