john pusateri bird illustrations

By georgia frances king

20 December 2012

The plumage in John Pusateri's bird illustrations may look a little like they've been dipped into a craft box, but why shouldn't the more humble species be treated as birds of paradise?

John Pusateri is a Kiwi illustrator with such a knack for ornithology that he very well could wind up with a position as a bird drawer at the Natural History Museum. All of his birds are illustrated with mixed mediums including charcoal, pastels and pencils. Their plumage may look a little like they've been dipped into a craft box, but why shouldn't the more humble species be treated as birds of paradise?

We particularly like the expression on all of his owl's faces. Slightly sheepish-looking (which is the wrong genus type, we know), they glance through the computer screen as if saying, 'Whooo, me?'

More feathered friends here.