Friday, April 4, 2008

Illustration Friday: Save


Some years ago, I helped run an organization in Palo Alto, California called Wildlife Rescue. Our mission was to save injured and orphaned wildlife. Several thousand birds and mammals would come into our shelter seeking treatment which was staffed by one or two paid employees and the rest volunteers. Our rescue hotline number was 494-SAVE, and we got all kinds of interesting calls from the frantic public with wildlife issues that needed to be solved. Some of the more fun calls were from stores or markets who had hummingbirds fly in an open door and then became trapped inside the store. A couple of volunteers would be sent out with nets to try to "catch" the hummingbird. Sounds impossible....but the hummers eventually would run out of gas and would land, completely exhausted. After being transported back to the shelter, they were set up in a temporary cage for the night with a syringe of sugar water to regain their energy. The next day, after being tested in an aviary, they were released. 

This piece was partly inspired by my experiences with raising baby hummers and rehabilitating the injured. I'll never forget the baby hummer that took it's first flight in my studio!

12 comments:

NANCY LEFKO said...

this is so wonderful...there is so much going on in this illustration....even the toast popping!!

valerie walsh said...

i love this!

Cara Carmina said...

I love it, so much detail! this is a very good one!

come visit some time, is about children illustration!

www.caracarmina.blogspot.com

thanks and congrats again!

ellencrimitrent said...

Hi this is my first time to your blog, I did not realize that you were at Surtex last year. I had been doing the show for about 6 years and decided not to do it this year. I think it has gone way down and I rather spend the money just going to the clients.

I love this cute illustration! I am trying to branch into the children's book arena these days which you seem to have down.

Good Luck at Surtex!

Cheryl said...

Action, action, action! Everything is moving. Love it.

Unknown said...

this illustration is adorable...love all the action in it...great work!

Cheers,
Diana

ed said...

Wonderful work, so full of details!
Great setting!

Alicia PadrĂ³n said...

This is amazing Deb! Wonderful illustration. So many things going on and details yet you managed to keep the central focus of attention perfectly. It's so beautiful and happy.. love it :o)

tusen said...

I love illustrations in which so much is happening. I love the colours and all the details. And I think the cat is my favourite.

Anonymous said...

what an eventful breakfast!
love all the summery details, too.

teri

Faruffa said...

A pleasant illustration for the dynamism, the many amusing details and joyful colors!!!
I link your blog in my favorites :o)

Bobo said...

Very impressed, both your drawing and your story.