Natural History Museum, plus: Proof I’m not Evil

Here are a few quick sketches I made today at the American Museum of Natural History. I was in a bit of a rush as we had an appointment with Butterflies:

This was a unique experience and though a bit pricey, as is the case with all special exhibits at the Natural History Museum, it was worth it. An artificial jungle, with 500+ butterflies while adults and children alike, giddy with delight at the rainbow clouds of flapping creatures, attempt to coax a gaudy moth onto their arm. To be honest it felt a bit like this:
We spoke with one of the Museum specialists in charge of raising the pupae. As butterflies only live for a few short weeks, the museum receives shipments of pupae from all over the world on a weekly basis to keep the exhibit fully stocked at all times. On a grimmer note, rather than preserving the dead fallen specimens, they must follow a rigorous protocol to destroy all the bodies involving apparently both freezing and incineration, by order of the Dept. of Health. Something about infectious disease… a bit discomforting.
Less frivolity to follow… ahem.

London (View over Bathurst Mews)

Here is the view of Bathurst Mews that greeted me outside my hotel room window. My friends and I stayed at the Barry House, its small, but I highly recommend it. You will be very well cared for. This particular view delighted me more than a flat overlooking Hyde park could have. The cramped narrow buildings prickling with chimneys is the exact image that London has always evoked for me. This sketch was started in the hotel, reworked on the plane home from memory and detailed at my desk from a photograph. I am embarrassed to have had to resort to reference, but the truth is we just didn’t spend any time in the hotel beyond sleeping and breakfast… a decision that yielded many happy rewards.
More soon.
Note: Not a moleskine… its a hand.book.

“His Armor Ringing around Him”

I have been re-reading the Illiad (translated by Robert Fagles for you curious erudites) and have been really inspired by the clairity and imediacy of Homers descriptions. Maybe its all the ultraviolent imagery, or maybe I’m just excited about “300,” but I can’t seem to stop drawing ripped greek dudes killing each other, with the occasional battle-clad goddess thrown into the fray. Not that I endorse such violence (I actually find it refreshing to read about a war founded on more bullshit reasons than our current 10 year war…) but I find myself in a mindset that reminds me of my high school days when drawing wasn’t a job but an escape. So as I work out some more grown-up artistic pursuits, here is a page from some of my recent adolescent sketching:
Peace! (literally and figuratively)

So far so good…

I believe this is the 10th consecutive day of rain here in NYC… a good excuse to stay in and work… will I take it? Maybe.
The other night I went down to a bar called NIagra to check out the debut show of Bird Beak, an art collective of some very good friends, and extremely talented artists. It was an excellent show, and it certainly lit a fire under my heels… gotta get painting. Definately check them out, I’ve put their link up on the right. The site isn’t quite finished, so be patient, its worth it. Not much else to report at the moment, so stay dry everyone!
Above: A page from my sketchbook that I recently completed… A family portrait… I think.