Watch me stay focused like a laser beam here, as a friendly Gray-winged Trumpeter helps me draw a beautiful liana vine draped around a tree. This was the field station pet, free to come and go as it pleased and it was very pleased to follow us around the forest all day, making sweet puttering sounds and giving us charming gooey-eyed looks. Trumpeters are commonly tamed (but not caged) by the locals of northern Amazonia, and they help keep bugs and pests under control in households. This one gently picked and ate sweat bees off my hands, too. We nicknamed it “Birdito”. Forget emus, let’s start ranching trumpeters!
Drawing The Motmot 
Thank you so for the good laugh! It was great to see you work. Your drawings are amazing.
That’s such a great video – I laughed out loud when he went for your paper, after failing to capture your pencil! What a great assistant! Wonderful drawing – and so wonderful to see you in action!
Great video. Never seen an field artist at work before. You pictures are amazing, as always.
You should give the Trumpeter your pencil and paper. Who knows, maybe it wants to draw as well. Ha.
I am so glad that I played the video without reading any of the words on the page. It made it all the more enjoyable. And the sound track was perfect.
This really ought to be required viewing for all drawing classes everywhere. What student could say that they were distracted, or they didn’t like the setup, or something else bothered them in the light of such fierce concentration on your part? And I haven’t even mentioned the speed of execution! I’m really not a big video fan but this may force me to change my mind!
Debby, keep these tidbits coming. I’m so living vicariously through your site. Thank you for recording so much!
L
What a helper! And how thoughtful he was to move your sharpener closer to you. Thanks for capturing that moment for us – love the drawing and the sounds. Wonder if he thought you were “digging” up bugs for him out of the paper. Favorite video!
Great concentration, fun bird great sketch.
OMGosh awesome just awesome and funny!
I am visiting all the blogs nom’d for the 2008 Okie Blog awards…just wanted to say CONGRATS on your nom!!!
http://okiedoke.com/ok/08awards/index.html
i could use your vote if your so inclined…
Flashback. You’re killin’ me. There was a tame GWTR at INPA who did exactly that kind of stuff–he’d rub against you like a little kitteh and purr and mumble. Oh, I loved that bird. Great curassow that did the same thing–he’d let you feel the yellow knob atop his cere. This is a brilliantly cute video. And a wonderful wonderful drawing.
The video was just too much! It tells you so much about personality, both yours and the birds. I love your sketch!
Debby,
JZ sent me here and I’m so glad she did. I had a good laugh! Your drawing is fun to watch.
Thanks!
Mary
I love seeing you work (in spite of all the help), and can really see how your warm-up “banana doodles” inform your drawing!
How incredibly delightful to enjoy the company of nature so closely! The drawing is excellent.
Great painting, that tree look so real. You have an amazing talent.