CBAA Myth and Legend Challenge

From Left Brittany Johnson, 1st Place; Kathy Bruce, 2nd Place; Judge, Janice Gay Maker of the D'Art Center; and Mick Grochowski, Third Place.

The Phoenix, 9" x 12", Scratchboard with Inks

I was super excited to take home 1st place at the Chesapeake Bay Art Association's Art Challenge: Myths and Legends on February 20th. 

While figuring out what I was going to create I went through a horde of ideas from a unicorn to a Hell Hound. I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy books so I have plenty of ideas regarding mythological creatures. I am a lover of Harry Potter and I kept coming back to the concept of a Phoenix but I wanted to make it my own interpretation of the bird. This piece was one of my most challenging to date. I knew I had to get the oranges and reds super vibrant because I wanted it to look like a bird on fire. I did a lot of research to find the perfect bird to reference. I picture a Phoenix as big and potentially deadly but beautiful as well. I finally settled on a Harpy Eagle, which have a wingspan of 7 feet and sit 3'6" tall with some additional feathers inspired by a peacock to make the bird as majestic as he deserved to be. I am super happy with how this piece turned out and even happier to have won an award with it! He has also already been purchased but prints are available in my shop!