Avian Flu Illustration
I just completed another illustration today that I thought I would put up right away.
This new piece is for an article about how the avian flu is evolving and becoming more widespread, leading to the serious possibility of pandemic influenza.
I originally worked with the idea of somehow incorporating an everyday doctor's mask into the illustration, whether it is on a person or a bird.
During my research I came across something that inspired a whole other idea. I found that during the Black Death and then the Great Plague of London, special plague doctors visited victims of the plague. They would wear an outfit that consisted of a special mask with round, glass eyes and a long beak stuffed with herbs and spices to purify the air in the vicinity of those infected. In addition to the mask they also wore a hat, leather gloves and a full length robe.
They also carried a stick to push back any victim who came too close.
The mask the doctors wore looked very bird-like and I worked my illustration from there.
I worked with the idea that infected birds could possibly spread the disease by migration and then in turn infect the human population causing a global pandemic.
I have portrayed someone wearing the mask and holding a dead crow in his hand with the soaring birds in the sky suggesting the possibility of a pandemic.
I think these Black Death doctors look pretty awesome, so don't be surprised if you see a few more illustrations of them in the future!
This new piece is for an article about how the avian flu is evolving and becoming more widespread, leading to the serious possibility of pandemic influenza.
I originally worked with the idea of somehow incorporating an everyday doctor's mask into the illustration, whether it is on a person or a bird.
During my research I came across something that inspired a whole other idea. I found that during the Black Death and then the Great Plague of London, special plague doctors visited victims of the plague. They would wear an outfit that consisted of a special mask with round, glass eyes and a long beak stuffed with herbs and spices to purify the air in the vicinity of those infected. In addition to the mask they also wore a hat, leather gloves and a full length robe.
They also carried a stick to push back any victim who came too close.
The mask the doctors wore looked very bird-like and I worked my illustration from there.I worked with the idea that infected birds could possibly spread the disease by migration and then in turn infect the human population causing a global pandemic.
I have portrayed someone wearing the mask and holding a dead crow in his hand with the soaring birds in the sky suggesting the possibility of a pandemic.I think these Black Death doctors look pretty awesome, so don't be surprised if you see a few more illustrations of them in the future!
posted by Joel Kimmel at
12:15 PM
