Creature Feature #162: Dingo

The origin of the Dingo is much questioned. She is a subspecies of wolf and resembles the domestic and feral dogs of southern Asia and thus it is widely theorised that she was once domesticated. She has inhabited Australia for around 4,000 years, and now can be found in desert and grassland. Here she dens down in abandoned rabbit burrows. Packs generally consist of a mated pair and their offspring. An apex predator, her main diet is rabbit and juvenile kangaroo, although larger prey may be taken through co-operative hunting. Whilst her killing of rabbits is beneficial to cattle stations, she is also known to prey on sheep and as such is both loved and loathed.

Creature Feature #132: Coyote

The Coyote is widespread across America, ranging from Panama in the south to Alaska in the north. He is a generalist and a survivor. Packs usually consist of small family groups - six or so individuals - with a les rigid hierarchy than wolves. Considered the wolf's "little brother" he flourishes in areas in which wolves have been eliminated. He has also been known to hybridise with domestic dogs, wolves and the critically endangered red wolf. Coyote pairs form monogamous relationships that may last several years and may adopt, or steal, pups from other pairings if the situation requires it. His diet is partly carnivorous, somewhat omnivorous and definitely opportunist. Where the urban environment encroaches on his habitat, he may roam the streets hunting cats and small dogs, or dig through garbage. Although he prefers smaller prey, he may hunt co-operatively to take down a deer, especially in winter.

Portrait of Gus

Leaving present for co-worker Felicity. Her dog, Gus, now sadly deceased after an unfortunate accident.

Scooby the Greyhound

This piece was commissioned for Lynne Turnbull, it is an Art Card sized portrait of her deceased greyhound, Scooby.

If you want to commission a piece of art of your own - I am offering commissions in exchange for donations made to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal - check out: http://art4christchurch.blogspot.com for more details.

Maia

This adorable character is a Pomeranian crossed with a Shih-tzu. This "designer breed" is known as a "Shiranian" or a "Shit-t-pom", by her owner, Leonora B Lundquist.

Her name is Maia.

Puppies, frog and the Ugly 5

As I mentioned, I've been away on vacation - my husband and I went to visit Auckland for the Battlecry Convention and also drove around the Coromandel. Alas, our spirits were somewhat muted for two reasons - the most serious of which was the tragedy of Christchurch Quake.

Anyhow, because I cannot travel without my art kit, I took with me a case of polychromos pencils (my favoured pencils, the prismas are too fragile to lug around the country, although the earthquake sent them tumbling to the floor at home...), a tin filled with blank white cards and a flash drive with some reference images on it. I was working on art for three different ATC swaps. Here are the pieces:

Whimsical Animals of Africa
When this theme came up, I jumped at the chance to participate. My animal art is whimsical by nature and I love African Animals. But what to draw? Everyone seemed to be drawing elephants and giraffes, and although I do like these animals, I decided on something different.

You've heard of the Big 5 of Africa, right? Well - now presenting the Ugly 5!

Marabou Stork, Vulture, Hyena
Warthog, Crocodile

Hand Drawn Dog Breeds
These pooches all belong to friends of mine. Although I'm thinking I might draw Nika again, as I am not happy with the "balance" in the image.

Nika - Mastiff/Staff/Black Lab
Rogar - Spaniel
Milly - Spoodle
Piper - Pekipoo

And last, but not least is Hochstetter's Frog

This piece is larger - A4 size in fact and has been commisisoned. He is a Hochstetter's Frog, one of New Zealand's primitive native frog species - and also found around the Coromandel (along with Archey's, whom I have drawn earlier). He is very rare and lives in damp forest, near streams. Of our four species, he is the most water-loving. He also has more warts than his other native cousins. His colour varies from green to brown, and gives good camouflage.