Chapter 5: Avain Flight

I'll admit, Avian Flight was harder to digest than the other chapters. I learned about lift, the force of acting on a moving airfoil, another cool term, perpendicular to the direction of airflow. In the case for birds, that moving airfoil is a bird's wing. Birds wings' help them create lift with a special curved design in their wing shape, called a wing chord.  There's a bunch of stuff about dynamic pressure that made me feels as if I were in physics class, not a biology book, but it's amazing how everything in science is connected. Birds are so well adapted for flight, every aspect of their body is design to be aerodynamic. Birds' tail-feathers even reduce drag pressure and helps to direct airflow in flight.

Barn Swallow sketch, 9x12 graphite on paper

There's of course hovering, which not all birds can do (hummingbirds can!). The chapter covered aerodynamic power, the type of flapping to create certain speeds, minimum and maximum range speeds, and even types of soaring. 

While all of this info was interesting, I was definitely more interested in the visual aspects of flight, and I really loved how part of the chapter focused on soaring. The book really explain well how birds like our native Turkey Vulture can stay in the air for so long, even on super windy days! I 'm always so scared that one is going to get pushed by a gust of wind into the road and get hurt. What I learned though, was that even our vultures are adapted well to this scenario:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Handbook of Bird Biology, Third Ed. Chapter 5, page 163

Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Handbook of Bird Biology, Third Ed. Chapter 5, page 166

When birds like vulture soar, they're wings are not extended to lie completely flat. Instead, they create a dihedral (upturned "V") wing posture to accomplish passive roll stability. If a gust of wind displaces a bird and causes a sideslip velocity downward in one direction, the angle of velocity increases in the opposite wing and effective lift is greater  in the original wing....basically it evens itself out and allows the bird to avoid rolling in mid-air -- This stuff is hard to explain!

Of course, here's a Turkey Vulture to enjoy after all that info about soaring: enjoy!

Turkey Vulture in Flight sketch, 9x12 graphite on paper

This project is made possible by support of the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency.

Chapter 4: Feathers & Plumages

Fun, fun feathers! Still trying to catch up with my posts, but this chapter was one I could stay with for a long time. A while back, I read a book on bird coloration by National Geogrpahic and was fascinated with the study of color, light, and pigments in bird's feathers. I highly recommend the book which you can get here on Amazon:

National Geographic Bird Coloration
by Geoffrey E. Hill

Since I already had some background knowledge on coloration, this chapter was a lot easier to read and process. Sketching was also fun, as it went over types of feathers:

Feather Type Variations, 9x12 graphite on paper

As well as some of the basics of bird feather anatomy:

Remiges & Retrices, 9x12 graphite on paper

In the sketch above, feather tracts are divided by which bones they originate from. Remiges are flight feathers that form from the bone of the wing bone. Primary feathers are sub-grouped to the outer wing forming from the manus whereas secondaries form the inner wing from the ulna bone. by contrast, retrices are flight feathers that originate from the tail bone. All of these feathers help to form the airfoil design that allows birds to fly.

There is so much more to this chapter but I'm going to focus on taking tests and paintings for now. More posts to follow!

This project is made possible by support of the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency.

Chapter 3: How Birds Evolve

So, like I mentioned before, I'll be moving quickly through these chapters to meet my deadline. Full disclosure: I am NOT reading, taking quizzes, sketching, and posting as quickly as it looks.

The chapters are definitely getting longer and more thorough. This chapter covered natural and sexual selection, speciation, hybridization, divergence of bird populations, and adaptive radiations of birds. Without going into the nitty-gritty details of the entire section, here are a few highlights that caught my attention:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Handbook of Bird Biology, Third Ed. Chapter 3, page 

64-65

Most people are familiar with the common household pet Budgerigars, or parakeet, and I am not an exception. In fact, I have a pet Budgie right now named Kiwi who I've cared for about 12 years. In the section above detailing the four conditions for natural selection, there is a small box (3.01) that details on how each bird has their own unique traits to that particular individual. The photo they show in the book makes it difficult to determine each individual budgie in a giant flock, but it made me look really closely at Kiwi to see if I could determine some of her own unique characteristics. You can tell her dad was a typically colored budgie, but her mom was a blue/white coloring, lacking the yellow pigment in her feathers. Maybe I can't see what other birds see, but she's cute to look at regardless!

Kiwi, my budgie, on her swing! 💚

While the information in the book is really useful and relevant to the bird biology course, sometimes I feel like I am gaining more value in simply learning about new species that I have never seen or heard about. For example, in the section regarding sexual selection, this photo of a nighthawk from the savannas of central Africa caught my attention:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Handbook of Bird Biology, Third Ed. Chapter 3, top of page 71

You have to look closely to see what is written in the caption, but these nighthawks have developed flag-like extension of their secondary flight feathers for attracting mates. Obviously, this beautiful trait can be cumbersome to bird that relies on catching insects on the wing, but HOW COOL! I had to look up some more images of them to see the ornamental feathers in flight and sketch my findings.

Standard-winged Nighthawks in Flight sketch, 9x12, graphite on paper

Speciation is the evolutionary process by which one ancestral lineage splits into two or more descendants species. The book describes how allopatric speciation (speciation in populations that occur in separate regions with no geographic overlap) probably caused the divergence of certain hummingbird species in South America's mainland and islands. While not specifically mentioned in the text, it reminded me how hummingbirds are a definitive species of the Americas, not found on any other continent across the globe. Makes our native Ruby-throated Hummingbirds here in NW Indiana seem pretty special, so I found a great image reference and sketched one. I think I might turn it into a painting.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (female) in flight sketch, 9x12, graphite on paper

Chapter 4 is on Feathers and Plumages-- Stay tuned for more sketches and notes!

This project is made possible by support of the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency.

Chapter 2: Avian Diversity & Classification

Back on track!

Chapter 2, as mentioned in the previous post, was a highly anticipated chapter for me. I like to skim the chapters before I read them to get a quick overview of what I'll be reading. While that is helpful, I tend to get stuck on the small captions with interesting images or diagrams (which helps when I take the quizzes, but is super distracting!). Because of this,  I knew the evolution of birds and their ancestry to dinosaurs were going to be covered in this chapter. (Yay!)

Just to be brief, this chapter covered everything from phylogeny, classification, defining a species, genetic variation, and avian diversity to the origins of birds, extinction, and avian orders and families. The origin of birds through the evolution of certain bipedal theropods (Maniraptora), was a fascinating read. Of course, not all dinosaurs are bird descendants, but all birds can be proven to be descendants from particular dinosaurs. I've already been familiar with some extinct species of early birds, moas, dodos, etc, but I was eager to learn about other, earlier descendants, such as Confuciusornis, Hesperornis, and Ichthyornis.

Sketch of Skeleton of Hesperornis, 9x12, graphite

As an young artist, I loved studying the animals I loved through their skeletal and muscular structures, sketching from anatomy books from my library (and scaring some of my art teachers!). While I was just drawing what I thought was interesting, I now realize that I wanted to learn more about what was going on underneath what I was drawing on the surface of these animals. I've credited this early interest in anatomy to helping me draw well, along with being able to draw a lot from memory. This knowledge helped to create more fantastic beings too, including dragons, basilisks, and other creatures. Since I had the excuse to, I created my own rendition of a bird-like Maniraptoran, likely one of the earliest "bird-dinosaurs." Even while not 100% accurate, I still enjoyed the challenge!

Artist's Interpretation of Maniraptoran, 9x12, graphite on paper

More sketches (add color studies!) to follow soon -- Next Chapter is How Birds Evolve!

This project is made possible by support of the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency.

Chapter 1: Part II (....It's a Long Story)

So.....

It's pretty obvious Chapter 2 shouldn't have been this long. I've had some health issues at the beginning of 2019 slow my progress with this project. It's a long story -- but the good news is that I am back on track, and the Indiana Arts Commission was kind enough to allow me an extension to finish my project.

Apparently, I'm much faster at reading and taking quizzes than I am drawing and painting. I'm much farther in my reading than it looks, so I'm going to have to catch up quickly from here to be able to complete on-time.

While I am already done with Chapter 1 and its quizzes, I thought at least I'd show some of the sketches I've been working on from the beginning. This book introduced me to the Club-winged Manakin, which I am completely enchanted with. They choose the right species to start the book with, as it reminds us bird-lovers why these animals are so special. This bird, native to South America, uses specialized feathers to create sound! Here's a video of the bird displaying:

Here are a few sketches I created to celebrate this bird and get a better visual of their unique feathers:

Club-winged Manakin Sketch, graphite, 9x12

In-Progress: Club-winged Manakin (feather detail) Sketch, graphite, 9x12

Photo reference from: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/feathers-article/club-winged_manakin_feather/

Chapter 2:Avian Diversity and Classification is next. In this chapter, the authors describe birds evolutionary story as well as what makes birds, well, birds! That means dinosaurs, Archaepteryx, and other extinct bird species.....a favorite topic of mine! Hope you'll stay with me as I race to get the last of the chapters finished and sketches completed!

This project is made possible by support of the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency.

Let's Begin! Chapter 1: Why Study Birds?

Earlier this year, I wrote a grant proposal through the Indiana Arts Commission to take the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's online Ornithology: Comprehensive Bird Biology course and document my studies with sketches and paintings to record the visual process of my learning and share (at the end) via exhibition. I'm happy to announce that I did receive the grant, and am currently starting my course online and quickly finished Chapter 1 (it was a short chapter to be fair).

Cornell's Ornithology: Comprehensive Bird Biology Course (Greater Bird of Paradise)

For the next several weeks, be prepared to get a little nerdy with me as I share my drawings, doodles, paintings, and random murmurings on my blog of each chapter of this course. First Chapter: Why Study Birds? That's easy!

Chapter 1: Why Study Birds?

The first chapter was short and sweet. It definitely felt it was trying to get me amped up for the rest of the book, which I assume can become a bit dry for some. However, I think this course is going to me more exciting for someone who is already interested in birds and/ or is a birder, as this information becomes more relevant and easy to digest. I'll do my best to share my enthusiasm with you as I'm learning, and while I hope you enjoy the drawings and paintings that are sure to come, I hope that you discover something new along the way too

Alongside the textbook for the online course came a series of videos and online quizzes that I'll be taking as I progress. No quiz this chapter, but there were some great videos on some really neat birds. My favorite was learning about a South American bird called the Club-winged Manakin. This bird uses its secondary flight feathers to produce a sound similar to how cricket makes a "chirping" noise. I'll definitively be making some more sketches of this bird.

More to come soon. I got a late start on this and with the holidays coming up I have a few commissions to wrap before I can justify moving forward with Chapter 2. I'll make a few more sketches and post them here within the next few weeks and hopefully get a handful of quizzes done before the end of December. More images to follow!

Take the course with me:
https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/ornithology-comprehensive-bird-biology/

This project is made possible by support of the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency.

Endangered Coastal California Gnatcatcher diptych

2015: Time to get back on track. Life in general is starting to slow down and my time for painting opening up more and more. I'm excited to start working more diligently and attack new projects. My most recently finished painting was a commission I worked on for a collector who was looking for paintings of endangered bird species of North America. This diptych features a female and male California Coastal Gnatcatcher:

Coastal California Gnatcatcher diptych (female left, male right).
Watercolor on paper adhered to canvas.
Two panels 8 X 10 in each. Copyright Kristina Knowski 2015.

I have another opportunity to design and create a mural for this client as well for her bathroom. I'm working on sketches now, but will have some ideas posted soon.

P. S. Be prepared for some amazing photos from my new camera/ scope adapter!

Long, long time

It's been a long time but better late than never, I guess. I've been working on projects off and on but here's something in the meantime at least. I haven't had the opportunity to paint a lot unicorns lately, but I am trying out a new series of some of my smallest work. Watercolor paper adhered to 8 X 8 inch canvas panel. For the time being, I'm calling it simply, eyes, inspired by the beauty of the giraffe's facial structure. I hope to make at least ten, maybe more if I can. I did try out using graphite mixed in with the watercolor, layering it like a wash. A wash of white gesso might look nice for a finishing touch....

a rough sketch for eyes 3

eyes 1

eyes 2

"The Dreams of Martha" exhibit blog post

Here's a link to the Peggy Notebaert's Blog featuring my work in the Dreams of Martha exhibit currently up until November 2014:

http://www.naturemuseum.org/the-museum/blog/the-dreams-of-martha

More news to follow!

Studying birds...more than flight and feathers

Lately, I have been becoming more interested in learning the various symbols of the birds I love and paint. Not surprisingly, each species has their own unique symbolisms that sometimes mean the opposite of another culture. One of the most fascinating myths I have found recently is of herons. This graceful water bird is generally a good omen and can be the representation of souls. In the Christian faith, it can stand as the symbol of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane. They signify independent individuals and a deep awareness of self and as well as others. It's classical pose often defines contemplation, vigilance, and a spiritual inner quiet. If you are familiar with the sight of herons, it is easy to understand why these birds reflect such wisdom and attentiveness.   

Last fall, I was riding my bike home late at night and had stopped to look at the pond near my house. I love the way light hits the water at night. While staring into the darkness, I thought my eyes were making up images in the water. Was that a ghost or a heron on the water? This Great Blue Heron had blended in so well to the water that the whole atmosphere became surreal. It seemed to be one with the darkness, standing a silent guard to something precious. I had to paint it:

Night Sentry, watercolor on paper

Extinction and Existence: Watercolors by Kristina Knowski

Extinction and Existence

Watercolors by Kristina Knowski

The Health in the Arts Gallery is presenting an exhibit by artist Kristina Knowski “Extinction and existence.” The artist explores the relationship between birds and the ethereal and mythical unicorn. It presents images of an antediluvian world where real creatures and mythical ones contemplate their separate reality.  Knowski explores the exchange between creatures who confront one another in kind of spiritual dialogue, trying to to understand their similarities and differences. Her paintings and drawings, some of which are composed on an epic scale, seem to touch mythic chords involving the overlap of dreams and reality.

Robert Kameczura, Health in the Art Curator comments. “Kristina Knowski is an superb talent. She combines amazing technical skill with a refined and poetic sensibility. Her creatures inhabit desolate landscapes, often painted over softly atmospheric watercolor grounds. She has a great sympathy and identity with animals and has spent long hours at the Field Museum collections studying a wide range of birds, their various anatomies and characters. The exhibit will also contain paintings and drawings of animals done is an exquisitely refined style. She is the winner of several prizes. We are proud to showcase her extraordinary talent.”

Kristina Knowski is a recent graduate of fine art at the American Academy of Art. Working primarily in watercolor, Kristina has been a part of numerous group shows in the Chicago area. She was recently a part of Animalier: The Animal in Contemporary Art in North Western University in Oklahoma and Apocalypse 2012: Genesis 2013 at the Jackson Junge Gallery in Chicago. This is her first solo show.

The Health in the Arts Gallery is located at 835 S.Wolcott, Rm. E144, Hours are 10 til 4 weekdays only (Wednesdays 10 til 3).

Dates: Friday, January 18th – Friday, March 29^th 2013

Artist’s Reception: Friday, March 22^nd, 2013 from 5-8pm, the public is invited.

Light refreshments will be served.

For Further information: 815.546.0856
KristinaKnowski@gmail.com
website: KristinaKnowski.com­­

Robert Kameczura, Health in the Arts Gallery Curator, at (773) 205-1128

The Health in the Arts Gallery is art of the  part of the Occupational Health Clinic of UIC Public Health Program which has a comprehensive program for diagnosing, treating and preventing injuries and illnesses that are related to work in the arts. Directors: Dr. David Hinkamp and Dr. Katherine DuVall

http://www.uic.edu/sph/glakes/occupational/healthinthearts.htm

Sparrows, herons, and cranes....oh my!

I can't help it, I love birds. Do not tell me not to paint birds because all I will do is paint more birds! I've been trying to expand my subject matter this past month and have come up with a new Great Blue Heron painting, a Whooping Crane sketch, and an illustration of the head of a White-Throated Sparrow. Not exactly great strides in the right direction. How do I feel about it? Maybe I'll start a Eurasian Collared Dove next....

Whooping Crane sketch from journal

Head pattern illustration featuring a White-Throated Sparrow

A second try...Birding at Renwick

I somehow managed to get out and bird this morning, although it was much later than I had wanted. I was worries about the chance of being frozen outside in the icy rain that was predicted, but with a stroke of luck I was able to get out before the rain started to come down. It may have taken a lot to go out, but when I was finally out there I was glad I went. Sure, I was cold. But I admit that even the muted landscape of winter has it's own unique beauty:

(Horizontal flat landscapes: a personal favorite of mine)

I shouldn't have expected to see many birds, but that's what I was out there for. After almost 45 minutes of nothing but a stray robin and gull, I finally stumbled upon a migrating flock of American Robins feasting ravenously on winter berries. It was so nice to see a flash of bright color on such a dreary day. Plus, who doesn't love robins? I enjoyed their company for most of the next 30 minutes and got some decent reference shots:

While I didn't see many species, I did see a downy woodpecker (yay!), a few Canada geese flying overhead, some Starlings mingling in with the robins, a loud pair of chickadees, and a group of Am. Tree Sparrows. Anyone who has ever tried to photograph or sketch a chickadee knows that it is not an easy feat. These high-energy birds never seem to want to stay in the same place longer than five seconds. I was happy to get a few clear shots:

I sense some more small studies of birds in the future. I will have to put these reference photos to good use. Still working on a couple large projects in the meantime. I should have one done or at least a progress shot by the next entry. 

I look forward to the next birding adventure. I may not be out for that long or see a lot of birds when I do, but it's nice to be around nature and breathe some fresh air, even if my fingers are numb. 

Birding at Lake Renwick and some small paintings

I feel like I've been posting show after show and not much work lately. I am making a very conscious effort to journal my artistic process more and give a more "inside view" on my working process. Part of the working process for me is being an active birder. While there are times I would much rather paint, as a bird painter and  illustrator I need to have a good understanding of my subject matter in their natural habitat--that includes studying and becoming familiar with different environments, their patterns, the way birds perch, fly, and even sit perfectly still. While birding may sound like a simple past-time, it is an essential part of my understanding of birds and nature. So, I decided to brave the cold weather and go to Lake Renwick, a local rookery in Will County, on my free morning this past Saturday. It was a glorious morning, though windy and cold. I haven't seen the sunrise like that since my school days in May.

As beautiful as the morning started, my mom and I had gotten there a little too early and there were no birds to be seen or heard. After about a half hour or so, the sun started to warm the air and I started to hear some White-Breasted Nuthatches in the more woody part of the preserve. Anxious to see these little birds, I forced my mom to follow me again onto the path we had already taken. From there we saw a decent number of species, but nothing too grand or exciting:

White-Breasted Nuthatch

Downy Woodpecker

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

American Goldfinch

Am. Crow

Canada Goose

Am. Robin

 B/C Chickadee

European Starling

N. Cardinal

Am. Tree Sparrow

There might have been more, but I can't recall them now. There was a strange duck-like bird flying onto the lake near the many flocks of geese but I couldn't identify it. I'm going to try to go back with my scope to see if it's still there next week. I was eager to reach the other side of the lake and hopefully see some more birds as well as sit down and sketch for a little bit, but the sky had clouded over and the wind bit right through my thin gloves. I was starting to get chilled. I decided to call it quits early, only because I wanted to get back into the groove of birding and I knew I could return more prepared on a later morning. 

Not the most exciting trip, but it helped me for future bird mornings. This weekend, I managed to also finish some paintings I have been late with, but I think they still came out well and I enjoyed painting all four. I had painted these small bird studies for my friends at work as a late Christmas gifts:

 

 

Right now, I'm working on a large painting that I hope to finish before the end of the month. I will also be working on some smaller studies like the ones above to have ready to sell in a pinch. I will have that opportunity soon for a show in the Health in the Art program at UIC. More details to follow about that.

Centerline 2012 "State of Mind" book available!

If you didn't get the chance to catch the show, the entire exhibition from the Zhou B. Center this past December is now available in book format for purchasing! My painting is included on page 28/29. Check it out!

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3965368

Also, here are some illustrations I have recently completed for a client. I thoroughly enjoyed painting them both!

December Shows

Almost forgot:

Remember the Swell Gallery? I'm honored again to be a part of this gallery where I had my first show about seven months ago. Great people and amazing artwork up there in Dundee! Don't forget to check  it out if you can! Opening is this Saturday from 5-9pm.

http://swellgallery.com/

I also have work in another show that is currently up right now at the Zhou B. Center in the show "Centerline: State of Mind." My piece there, titled "Unicorn's Woods," reflects the landscape of nothingness in never existing. One of my most abstract paintings, I tried to focus on the idea of what my minds looks like when I think of nothing. What an appropriate place for a unicorn to dwell, in nothing. All of the pieces in the show are all unique to the theme "state of mind" and I highly recommend taking the time to check it out. The show will only be up for a little longer. 

 

http://zhoubartcenter.com/current

Think spring with warblers!

November was a super busy month for me: I had two commissions to work on as well as some illustrations to finish in my free time. Unfortunately, I didn't have a lot of time to update my blog but at least I had fun painting. This painting was done on two separate sheets of paper and I added them together on Photoshop for the final presentation. My first extant warbler species, the Yellow-Rumped Warbler (breeding plumage, myrtle population):

I really enjoyed painting these birds and more warbler species to come hopefully! Also, I'm itching to try some pyrography. I have all the tools and materials, I just need the time. So, more updates to come with in the next month... But until then, try to enjoy these species of birds that are one of the few warbler species in our area that are seen in the cold winter months.

Animalier Poster

http://www.nwosu.edu/studio-art

Animalier: The Animal in Contemporary Art

If you happen to be in Oklahoma this next month, be sure to check out Northwestern Oklahoma State University's gallery and exhibition Animalier: The Animal in Contemporary Art.

Wherefore art thou
(Vermivora bachmanii, extinct 1962)
Female above, male below

2012

Watercolor on paper adhered to canvas

8 X 10 in each

The term “Animalier” was first used by an art critic as a derisive title for the 19th century sculptor of animal bronzes, Antoine-Louis Barye. The epithet was in keeping with the use of animal names as terms of reproach. The term gradually lost its original contemptuous intention and is used specifically to describe 19th century animal sculptors and broadly to describe any artist who chooses to focus on the animal form. The description of animals, whether symbolic or scientific, has been a concern of artists since the dawn of recorded history.
This exhibition is intended to present a variety of approaches to the concepts concerning the representation of animals in contemporary artistic practice. 

 I'm proud to exhibit my paintings in this great show. Unfortunately, I will not be there for the reception but I'm sure it's going to be a great event.  Info is below if you are interested:

http://www.nwosu.edu/exhibition-animalier-the-animal-in-contemporary-art/6454869

Background behind "Close Again"

I recently finished a painting that I have been working on and off since I finished school and I feel it deserves some background history and explanation to accompany it. 

In broadest terms, it is a painting of two Carolina Parakeets, or Conuropsis carolinensis, which become extinct in 1918. This colorful parakeet used to be the only native parakeet to North America. In the winter, these birds were far north enough to look like drops of rainbow in a field of snow. The Carolina was an extremely social bird, as most parakeets are, and were seen frequently in large flocks. Due to habitat destruction, hunting, and other factors, this bird is no longer seen in our Midwestern landscape.

On record, the last two birds of this species, a pair named Lady Jane and Incas, were held captive in the Cincinnati Zoo. While zookeepers waited in hope that the pair might reproduce and keep their species alive, the two birds were too used to their large flocks to help raise their offspring and long past their breeding age. When Lady Jane finally died in 1917, it didn't take long for Incas to follow--his keepers claimed he had died of grief.

There are a lot of great facts about the Carolina Parakeet: its history, range, habitat, behavior, etc. that are all very fascinating, but this story caught my full attention. So very tragic, and yet so beautiful, these birds and their story. What if, in some other world, these two found each other again? Were able to break that mysterious boundary from living to extinct and be together and close once again? I am not claiming this "place" to be heaven or purgatory or hell or even real, but I believe there has to be somewhere for these birds to be with each other again....somewhere peaceful, yet unclear and forgotten. In this place, the birds are not alive, not dead. It has to be something beyond merely existing....

...I think that is a good place to stop.