In 2023 I decided to take a night course at the local college for "Experimental Illustration". Now, I didn't know what that really was, but I did know it was art related, and I've always wanted to do more illustration work, and "experimental" had me just so intrigued. So I joined!

Part of the course was to create a collection with 4 pieces, which I was so undecided on, theme-wise. But then "Stupid Birds" came to me one night as I was watching a video of flamingoes walking down a zoo path with their heads up like perscopes, swinging this way and the other as they went. "What stupid looking birds" I said to myself fondly, giggling as I forwarded the video to anyone I thought might get a kick out of it. 

And that's when the inspiration hit me.

Stupid birds.

Yes.

So I looked up as many photos I could of birds in dumb poses and went from there. Most were made from mutiple photo and video references, so they're not like, 100% accurate. But they are stupid.

My 4 pieces that I managed to finish in time were displayed in my college art show (I'd never been in an art show so this was a big deal to me) along with 2 more serious pieces I'd done, and I was thrilled. You're thrilled too, you just don't know it yet.

I plan on expanding on the collection; there were a few that didn't get finished in time that are in varying stages of completion, so look out for more stupidity in bird form.

I hope you find something you like.

I need more sleep,

- Toren Gunn