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Published: 2006-05-15 17:58:45 +0000 UTC; Views: 14045; Favourites: 358; Downloads: 1720
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Description
There's a mockingbird that sings around here after midnight. I hadn't known they sang at night, but hey, you learn something new every day.Only the bachelor males sing at night, in an effort to pick up chicks, possibly thinking that if they can keep the female awake, she will eventually snap and scream some mockingbird equivalent of "FINE! I'll mate with you tomorrow, now SHUT UP SO I CAN SLEEP!" (If I was a single female mockingbird, I can't swear this tactic wouldn't work on me--after a coupla sleepless nights, I'll agree to a lot of things if it means I can get some shut-eye.) Once the male gets some nookie, he apparently stops singing at night.
So out back, there is one lonely male mockingbird, singing his heart out, lookin' for love, while love attempts to roost someplace quiet and shoves her primaries in her ears.
I don't mind the singing--I can't hear it from inside--and it's sort of nice to wander out in the dark and hear a bird singing off in the distance. But at the same time, I can't help but root for the little guy to find his feathery princess, sweep her off her talons, and finally be able to stop his midnight serenade.
For her sake, I hope he's a little less dorky than this gentleman.
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A quick and silly piece for the Anthrocon art show, inspired by the local wildlife, with obligatory fez. (Chicks dig fezes. Right? Of course they do! Nothin' says manly like a fez.) I should really do more birds. I love watching birds, but they're tough to paint so that they look cute and cartoonish but still essentially birdish. I think it's the expressions, or lack thereof--the beak and those blank, round eyes makes 'em tough to work with. Still, gettin' there.
Anyway, the original is an 8 x 10 mixed media piece, and will go to the Anthrocon art show. If it doesn't sell there, it will be available on-line afterwards. (If you absolutely positively must have this painting because your brother is a fez wearing ornithologist specializing in mimid behavior, it is available at a significantly higher price prior to Anthrocon, e-mail or send a note for details.)
Prints are available right now for $10 plus shipping! Send a note or visit [link] to order!
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Comments: 91
FlamingFoxDragon [2010-11-09 22:11:36 +0000 UTC]
Love it, there's certainly plenty of personality and the mouth/beak is done nicely. Also...FEZ!!!
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Spirit-Crane-tabida [2008-02-16 23:51:35 +0000 UTC]
Love it! The fez fits him perfectly
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Bombird [2007-12-06 03:28:26 +0000 UTC]
I like the colors... AND THE BIRDS!
Nice work indeed.
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twistkick [2007-09-05 04:56:08 +0000 UTC]
I have tried to avoid it, but it's inevitable. Your work makes up at least half of my favorites. It just makes me so HAPPY.
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Reymonkey [2006-07-30 00:00:59 +0000 UTC]
You know, it's good to hear that an artist I so admire has the same trouble anthropomorphisizing birds. I like that it's not just me.
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OibyrdsDDs [2006-07-09 16:43:29 +0000 UTC]
Hi There!
You have just earned yourself an O.D.D.(oibyrd's daily devs) ARTIST OF THE DAY feature ! congrats!
ODDS (oibyrd's daily deviations) are to honor the sometimes overlooked artists of dA that I personally think deserve some exposure and also, to introduce the more popular artists to the new/overlooked deviants. I prefer to showcase ALL artwork that I love (and that includes popular artists) in order to create a non-biased feature of the talent on dA. Please click the link below to see your work featured and to view other featured artists . If you prefer not to be a featured artist, just send me a note and I will remove you from the list. Cheers! Sandi xoxo
[link]
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Shirokou [2006-06-23 14:37:41 +0000 UTC]
I think there's a mockingbird nest outside my bedroom window, he must've found his mate. If you ever made children's stories (like your ABC pages), your first should be "The Lonely Mockingbird". ^^! Poor little mockingbird. He's rockin' that fez though. Maybe he and the fez'ed hummingbird should hang out.
~*KA*~
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AlenyaRoverkin [2006-06-08 19:55:11 +0000 UTC]
ROFL only you, ursulav, only you.... *wipes laugh-tears away* I think I love your comments and stories as much as I do your pictures!!
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AlenyaRoverkin [2006-06-08 19:54:31 +0000 UTC]
ROFL only you, ursulav, only you.... *wipes laugh-tears away* I think I love your comments and stories as much as I do your pictures!!
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theblackwillow [2006-06-07 12:07:31 +0000 UTC]
Lol i love how u mentioned the fez in the title, awesome work!
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Kata [2006-05-31 13:44:50 +0000 UTC]
Hahaha another fun one You seem to be a fan of the fez
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dnaexmosn [2006-05-22 04:54:54 +0000 UTC]
As always, the explanation makes the picture all the better. But really, you score big just for being able to use that title. I may have to draw something in a fez, just for the title.
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Doodlesthegreat [2006-05-21 17:15:06 +0000 UTC]
The beak's not familiar, but I never forget a fez.
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tenko72 [2006-05-19 22:36:00 +0000 UTC]
I like how punchy this is! I like the lineart on this, that fez, and how the feathers are done.
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wacky-w [2006-05-19 18:31:14 +0000 UTC]
great work! the wings look almost lifelike. and yes the fez does hav a lil je nes sais crois about it. hehehe
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mothie [2006-05-17 16:24:31 +0000 UTC]
Our mockingbirds (they've moved on now) used to sound like car alarms. You'd hear one go off a few blocks away, and then listen as a chorus of car alarms traveled through the neighborhood.
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itsrainingumbrellas [2006-05-17 06:08:43 +0000 UTC]
woo! for a quick piece you certainly did a great job on the details anyways! - the talons and the feathers are great. and you rock at giving birds expressions. aside from the fez, it's the beak + mouth that really produce that dopey effect.
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lunaiy [2006-05-17 00:39:40 +0000 UTC]
Heh, you should honestly try writing some humor prose-thingies, you're funneh =3
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Toradh [2006-05-16 16:54:54 +0000 UTC]
Very cute, I like the way you painted the wings.
Hope he gets married soon!
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tsemalon [2006-05-16 13:28:12 +0000 UTC]
this bird looks just so silly! GENIAL!! for sute, I love it ^^
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lotus-kid [2006-05-16 12:25:06 +0000 UTC]
Oh yeah, fezes are totally hot. (heh, there's a sentence I never thought I'd type..) Good luck to this would-be swain!
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CapnDeek373 [2006-05-16 12:16:19 +0000 UTC]
"Chicks dig fezes. Right? Of course they do!"
Probably not in my case
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henosis-achieved [2006-05-16 08:17:42 +0000 UTC]
That's a splendid tactic, I should give it a shot...complete with fez...
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anya1916 [2006-05-16 07:38:28 +0000 UTC]
in the movie 'the king and mockingbird" (such an awesome animated movie !!!!) the mockingbird (which frst occupation is to bother the King *who killed his wife*) sings every night a lullaby to his children, the lyrics are of course against the King. He sings really loudly and horribly ^^
Le roi nβa pas sommeil, (the king is not asleep)
Et cβest bien fait pour lui, (and that is a good thing)
Il ne dort que dβun Εil (he sleeps with one eye open)
Et remue dans son lit. (he moves in his bed)
Dormez,dormez, petits oiseaux, (dream, dream, dream little birds)
Petits oiseaux chΓ©ris, (sweet little birds)
Petits oiseaux chΓ©ris. (sweet little birds)
Papa est lΓ qui veille, (daddy is here watching over)
Papa qui veille au grain. (daddy who looks after you)
Dormez petites merveilles, (dream little wonders)
Il fera beau demain. (the sun will shine tomorrow)
Dormez, dormez, petits oiseaux, (dream dream little birds)
Petits oiseaux chΓ©ris... (sweet little birds)
Le roi nβa pas sommeil, (the King is not asleep)
Car il a peur la nuit (because he is afraind during the night)
A cause des perce-oreilles (because of the earwigs)
Et des chauves-souris. (and the bats)
Dormez, dormez, petits oiseaux, (dream dream little birds)
Petits oiseaux chΓ©ris... (sweet little birds)
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odangoinblack [2006-05-16 06:20:01 +0000 UTC]
Oh man. Today was one of the most stressful days I've had in years, and then I saw this and read the description, and I couldn't help but laugh. You helped make my day end on such a bright note. Thank you.
That look on the bird's face ...that manly fez. This is fantastic.
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JonathonDobbs [2006-05-16 05:29:57 +0000 UTC]
Oh man, that's hilarious Very nicely drawn, and I'm so digging the explanation behind it.
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kamikazepenguine [2006-05-16 05:12:25 +0000 UTC]
He looks compleatly amazing. That bird has some personality. If I were a female bird, I would definatly be swooning to his song.
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Xynk In reply to Fox-the-Kitsune [2006-05-16 04:48:00 +0000 UTC]
"I'm Henry the Eighth I am, I am. Henry the Eighth I am I am. I got married to the woman next door..."
Second verse same as the first..
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Fox-the-Kitsune In reply to Xynk [2006-05-18 03:25:21 +0000 UTC]
Like the movie 'Ghost'.
Now that's the version that's stuck in my head.
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Maridius [2006-05-16 03:28:10 +0000 UTC]
I agree on the expression problem, though you've done great with him! Well the body alone speaks volumes! With animals like birds, with the stiff beak and beady eyes, you probably have to take a bit of license. I probably would have flexed up the beak to get that smarmy grin I like your solution though.
Oh and by way of introductions, I've added you to my watch list if I haven't told you so in comments. Hi!
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SleepyShippo [2006-05-16 03:07:23 +0000 UTC]
THis dude looks drunk! LOL Whoever does give him some nookie's gonna have to be just as plastered to put up with his off-key warbling!
You're so inventive! I love your unique pieces!
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toonbat [2006-05-16 02:46:31 +0000 UTC]
Should he need to enlist an epauletted bat to do the backup voice, just have him drop Toonbat a line.
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