From Joseph: I’ve begun a series I call Fancy Bats. This one is the first in the series. It’s pen and ink on Bristol board.
I focus on bats because, well, bats are awesome. They’re such fascinating marvels of evolution, and they don’t get enough love in mainstream U.S. culture. Whether it’s the puppy-dog cuteness of large fruit bats or the otherworldly intricacy on the faces of echolocating microbats, I’m always drawn to the magnificent aesthetics of these creatures.
As for the style, it’s largely based on my idle doodling. When I’m bored and not focusing on any particular image or idea, I draw repeating patterns of curves and points, so this is an extension of my instinctual habits. Also, I’ve been intrigued with the stylized depictions of animals in ancient Mesopotamian and Persian sculpture, from bulls and lions to fantastic beasts like lamassus and manticores. It’s been a source of inspiration for years.
This is just the beginning, and I don’t know exactly which direction this series will go. I just know that this ties together several ideas that mean a lot to me, and I hope you all enjoy the results.
I’m with Joseph, I love bats and find them fascinating. Our local bats are Myotis lucifugus, and I love watching them. I also love Joseph’s beautiful drawing, be sure to click for full size!
© Joseph Zowghi, all rights reserved.
The Persian lines are exquisite, and they add so much, I think -- there’s movement, energy, and passion. A truly lovely piece, Joseph.
Oh, beautiful! What a great idea!
When I read the title I thought the post was going to be about the Honduran white bat, but this is quite fancy too!
If I had skin wings, I’d love to have them with a pattern like that.
Thank you, everybody. And yes, Kreator, those bats are adorable. I might base a piece on them.
Kreator, that’s a near-lethal level of adorable.
Beautiful drawing, very interesting style.
Lots of interest being shown, Joseph. I expect you could easily sell this as tattoo stock.
Oh goodness, as tattoo stock?? Yes!
I feel like this is a firebat, zooming towards a target just to make a cute fluffy fireball out of everything while zooming away again with a cheerful snicker.
I agree, bats just don’t get enough love and they’re such fascinating little critters. I love watching them at dusk. Your drawing is wonderful, Joseph, I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series.
What a beautiful drawing. I really like that even the hard edges have a soft feel to them and that the repetitive shapes seem to flow into one another. I look forward to seeing what comes next.
And I agree that bats are under appreciated. I once pulled over my car on my way home from work to watch this huge group (flock?) of bats swarm out of the Grand River gorge. It took almost 5 minutes there were so many of them. It was awe inspiring.
My thought was : Firebat! Wonderful drawingstyle.
In the summer bats can often be seen circeling the streetlamps that attract many insects. Such wonderfull beasties.