Category
Skinning
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01.05.09observational drawing + whale bones
Skinning, Taxidermy, documenting nature, mom, tools, wood (6)The boys do a lot of imaginative or "free" drawing, but they spend less time doing observational work. Earlier this week Chas broke down in the back of the car when he couldn't synthesize a drawing of a Bionicle. I explained to him that something so complex as a Bionicle can be very difficult to recreate on the page from memory, and that most often, to replicate an image with that much detail, I draw from observation. We would have to do an "exercise in seeing," I told him, and so this day was earmarked with Chas in mind. The 'Sketching ...
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12.23.08Connective Tissues
Skinning, Taxidermy (5)When the cold nights close in and the old house can't possibly feel warm enough, there's just enough downy comfort under which we can crawl. For this we are very fortunate, because generations past didn't have the L.L.Bean catalog, general supplier of immediate winter warmth, to keep their toes warm. Instead, they made their own insulation, collecting goose down themselves and preparing pelts ahead of season, when balmy breezes blew dandelion puffs across summer meadows. Last summer, Dad was driving home along the highway when he watched an unlucky river otter meet the fender of a pickup truck, five-odd cars ahead ...
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12.17.08Squirrel Skinning 101 [warning: somewhat GRAPHIC MATERIAL]
Skinning, Taxidermy, tools (4)When you have access to a “Grandpa Frank” who’s got the “old woods” knowledge that is slipping out of our collective consciousness at an alarming rate, well it falls squarely on your shoulders to facilitate the animal skinning post. Frank said, “Heck, you don’t have to bother killing anything to skin it, just grab some road kill and toss it in the freezer”. Turns out this is easier done than said. I kept an eye out during my runs around Los Altos hills, and low and behold I was practically tripping over crushed squirrels. I examined several possible subjects before ...
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