griffelkin

Description: A drawing of a black raven in flight.

Description: The Mourning Cloak (also known as the Camberwell Beauty in Britain) is a large beautiful butterfly, with deep plum-purple wings, decorated with blue spots and cream-colored edges. In Maine, where I grew up, these elegant butterflies are very special to see. Not only are they rare, but seeing one is a delightful sign of spring, because they show up very early in the season. They are such a dark purple color that they usually appear almost black.

Description: A beautiful black Pegasus. Pegasus is the mythical flying horse.

Description: A cute Italian greyhound, as a black stencil.

Description: A tribal cobra snake design.

Description: A tribal raven design.

Description: A barn owl, in graffiti spray-paint style.

Description: A portrait sketch of a cute rat. Look at that whiskery ratty face.

Description: A black and white cat, with green eyes. Maybe a little bit too much white to be called a tuxedo cat... a tuxedo with white sleeves maybe?

Description: A Deer Tick. Also called the Black-Legged Tick. Creepy little parasites that are my personal most-feared bug. I thought it would be fun to make a design with one. Where I grew up in Maine, these little parasites have become a huge menace to anyone who sets foot in the woods, or even the tall grass at the side of the road. All Mainers have discussed methods for staying safe from these little creepy-crawlies, at some point.

Description: A Julia Butterfly, This butterfly is a stunningly vivid orange color, that seems to glow like the sun.

Description: An American alligator. This huge green reptile is found in the southeastern United States. They really look like dinosaurs. They can be dangerous, but they're also a beloved symbol of the state of Florida, and are very fun to spot, lying around near swampy areas, across roads, or walking across people's backyards.

Description: A Cabbage White butterfly. This one is in flight, fluttering off to find a new flower to perch on. Cabbage White butterflies live all over many different parts of the world, and can be found most often in open areas with flowers. They're one of the most common butterflies in Maine, where I grew up, and I feel a very fond connection to them. They're often the first butterfly you see in the spring, fluttering through the yard happily, after a long cold winter.

Description: A Willow Calligrapha Beetle. This is a beautiful metallic pale gold beetle with dark markings that look like hieroglyphs. This beetle is found in North America, and eats the leaves of willow trees.

Description: This butterfly is called a Northern Pearly-Eye. It's a pretty tan color, with dark spots. It lives in woodlands amongst the trees, rather than grassy fields or open areas. The Northern Pearly-Eye is found in North America, especially the eastern half.

Description: This fuzzy yellow caterpillar is a Banded Tussock Moth caterpillar. They are very cute and charming, and live in North America. They are covered with fluffy yellow fur, and have long black and white tufts that stick out around each end.

Description: A luscious, juicy, home-grown tomato. So sweet… so perfect.

Description: A furry hare - one of my favorite animals!

Description: This is a Splendid Earth-boring Scarab Beetle. Whoever picked its name did a great job, because they are truly splendid beetles! The metallic purples and greens swirl in beautiful iridescent combinations.

Description: A Cassin's Kingbird, in the style of a watercolor painting. The Cassin's Kingbird is a loud and boisterous yellow and gray bird. It lives in the southwestern United States, and western Mexico, and it hunts flying insects.

Description: A guinea pig that I drew in charcoal. Guinea pigs are very charming and cute little critters. My first pet was a guinea pig, and they'll always hold a special place in my heart.

Description: An Eastern Hornet Fly. This cool bug looks like a hornet, but it's actually a fly, and can't sting at all. It visits flowers, and feeds on their nectar. The Eastern Hornet Fly lives in eastern North America.

Description: A clam shell!

Description: A creepy ant, with a strangely skeletal appearance. I drew it in the style of a woodcut, but also inspired by graffiti.

Description: An American Giant Water Bug. Also known as "The Toe-Biter". Giant Water Bugs are huge awesome bugs that hunt and devour anything they can catch in the water. They're also called Toe-Biters because they're known to bite the toes of unsuspecting people who walk barefoot in freshwater pools or streams.

Description: A creepy ant, with a strangely skeletal appearance. I drew it in the style of a woodcut, but also inspired by graffiti.

Description: A golden buttercup flower. Buttercups are always very cheerful. They spring up everywhere in the summer, shining little cups of gold. Buttercups are especially pretty because they are so shiny... they actually twinkle in the sun.

Description: The Luna Moth is an elegant creature of the night. I drew it in the style of a woodcut, but also inspired by graffiti.

Description: A wild hare... one of my favorite creatures. I drew it in the style of a woodcut, but also inspired by graffiti.

Description: A grotesque skull, lunging forward and grinning its mangled teeth. I drew it in the style of a woodcut, but also inspired by graffiti.

Description: The Luna Moth is an elegant creature of the night. I drew it in the style of a woodcut, but also inspired by graffiti.

Description: A grotesque skull, lunging forward and grinning its mangled teeth. I drew it in the style of a woodcut, but also inspired by graffiti.

Description: A grotesque skull, lunging forward and grinning its mangled teeth. I drew it in the style of a woodcut, but also inspired by graffiti.

Description: A chihuahua that I drew in charcoal. I tried to capture the funny personality of chihuahuas. They're one of my favorite kinds of dog, and have such huge and hilarious personalities.

Description: The Luna Moth is an elegant creature of the night. I drew it in the style of a woodcut, but also inspired by graffiti.

Description: A grotesque skull, lunging forward and grinning its mangled teeth. I drew it in the style of a woodcut, but also inspired by graffiti.