[Art] Northern Goshawk as Totem. Bridget as Totem

[moonvoice]

Have a few illustrations to package this week.
Today has been a busy day. A cold day.
A day with Lindt chocolate and fresh cherries.
A day with good music, and a surprise letter from my sister.
A day of playing Pokemon Conquest and inking until my fingers hurt.


Northern Goshawk as Totem
prints available at DeviantArt















Bridget the Persian as Totem
- I don't list all the pet totems that I illustrate, but I decided to put this one up because it's my very first persian! And also, because her fur colour is among the loveliest I've ever seen. -

Comments

[fadedwings]

These are both so gorgeous! I especially love the colors on Bridget the Persian.

[moonvoice]

Cheers!

[white_rabbit]

Yay! Both of these turned out so lovely. :) I love how prominent the texture on the feathers still is after colouring, and how the shiny looks. The persion is purrrrrfect. I love the way the energy wisps off her!

[moonvoice]

Eeee thank you!

[ex_liondaughter463]

That goshawk is amazing! I like the cat, too, but OMG that goshawk! You really do birds so well. :-D

[moonvoice]

Thank you. :) The larger projects always let me stretch a little bit more, but they were both so much fun to do.

[ariestess]

Wow! These are so gorgeous! Bridget is so pretty, I just want to pet and cuddle her! And the Goshawk? *swoons*

[moonvoice]

Bridget looks like the loveliest cat.

[ariestess]

That she does.

[moonvoice]

Aw thank you. My grandpa helped me a lot with eyes when I was a kid, and I guess his teaching just stuck in a good way. :)

[shatterpath]

The kitty is awesome in that 'pissy cat' kind of way, but that goshawk is so emotional. The curly cue to the right is evocative of language and the arch reminds me of mosaics. The sun echoed over the bird's heart caught my eye as well. Lovely piece.

[moonvoice]

Oh, the mosaic link is a lovely one, I hadn't thought of that. :)

[kehleyr]

These are gorgeous! How did you get started with Totems in the first place? WHat was the very first totem you did, do you remember?

[moonvoice]

I don't remember the very first totem I drew actually. I started illustrating 'magical' animals that were stylised as a child, and I do remember drawing hounds and brolgas from about the age of 8 or 9. But in this current style, I really don't remember at all. It was probably vixen (fox) or raven. Actually, it was likely those two, the very first 'as totems.' :)

As for drawing totems, it's part of my spiritual Work. So I've been on that path for a long time. Maybe since 1998?

[eldriwolf]

OHH, I love the Goshawk even More now that it is coloured!

Briget has that "I want to become a Lynx" look I have seen. Beautiful Fur!

[moonvoice]

She has the most lovely fur, the most lovely colour. It was so much fun to build up all those layers to make it look soft and plush.

[goddess_incarnate]

I loooved the colors you chose for the Goshawk. SO AMAZING. <3

[moonvoice]

Thank you so much. :)

[faolchu_rua]

A friend of mine as a child had two persians, and I'm sitting here grinning from ear to ear because I can so easily see some of their personality coming through Bridget here. The general, "Why hello, human! You are here to worship me, brush me, and attend to my snuggle needs yes? Good. We will get along just fine." And that fur! Truly a gorgeous color.

Northern Goshawk is, of course, stunning as well. I like the jagged border lines in particular, which seems different from much of your other work. Was there a particular reason for that choice or just what felt right? :)

[moonvoice]

Bridget had a really distinct energy and personality in all of her pictures, and working with her was a wonderful opportunity. :D

Was there a particular reason for that choice or just what felt right? :)

I can generally stretch a bit more with my symbolism in the larger pieces. So, it's probably not that differnt from my other large totem illustrations, but as I don't proportionately do as many of those, they're easy to miss. That being said, I always associate more jagged shapes and triangles with most raptors. It's a more direct, explosive, focused energy.

[lichen]

Lindt chocolate and cherries sounds lovely.

i am loving Bridget. you have a way with cats. :) when i find myself with the funds to, i am definitely going to commission you again someday. i need to take a picture of how the crow(e) as totem is framed, you'd enjoy it. i know i do! <3

[moonvoice]

Lindt chocolate and cherries are the best. The cherries are in season right now, and they are SO good. :D

[spider_fox]

Did I ever tell you that I love how you draw the suns (also in the steampunk Ravens?)?

Because I totally love how you draw suns.

[moonvoice]

Heh, thank you re: the suns. I can't help it. I always see sun energy as just... a big wheel of warm colours. I had so much fun with that elaborate sun in the steampunk ravens picture (man, I am never going to call those illustrations by their titles).

[silverjackal]

I *really* love the goshawk. The details of the wing feathers, and the shading, and it just has the "feel" of the bird. But the Persian? I'm astounded that you could capture the ear fuzz! :D

[laughinglotus]

These are nice. I particularly like the hawk.