Thursday, January 25, 2007

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!

Thursday, January 18, 2007

New Website, New Work!

Welcome to my new website!

You will find lots of new work including new paintings and drawings in both the portfolio and sketchbook sections. I have redesigned the site to make viewing my images easier withouth the hassle of pop-up windows (there are still some images in which I've added a view larger button that will open a pop-up window).

On past sites I've struggled with maintaining an easily updatable news page but with Blogger's new hosting option I've found it. You can now check up on me and my work right here on my News Blog where I will be posting new illustrations, sketches, and lots more.

You also have the convenient option of subscribing to my RSS feed using the feed icon button in the sidebar. If you don't know what an RSS feed is and would like to learn how you can read my updates in a feed reader, please click here.

I don't have the comments option activated on my blog, but please feel free to send me an e-mail with your thoughts on the new site design.

Thanks for visiting, check back regularly for more illustrations and other good stuff!