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I use my intricate drawings to question the relationship between human beings and animals. Humans feel an intense connection to animals, both in the deep bonds we can develop with specific animals and through their symbolic and mythological importance in human cultures.

However, animals are in some ways utterly alien to us. They don’t think exactly the way we do, and projecting human thoughts and feelings onto them risks fundamental misunderstanding and a lack of true connection. There’s something important and magical about trying to understand a being whose experience of the world is completely different from our own.

By doing animal drawings with distinctive personalities that seem to speak to us, but breaking their forms up into geometric patterns, my drawing ideas explore the tension between the deep kinship we share with these beautiful animals and the sense of awe and wonder we feel from their difference.

If you like these drawings, check out my previous article on Bored Panda by clicking here.

More info: zhfield.net | Instagram | Facebook | Tumblr

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Red Panda

Red Panda

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I recently moved from Brooklyn to Queens. There’s a crow living outside my new apartment and I’m trying to befriend him. It’s my life’s ambition to have a crow friend who brings me twigs and bits of ribbon.

I love drawing animals because I learn so much about them. It’s introduced me to animals I didn’t even know existed, like okapis, but also taught me to appreciate the little details of animals I see all the time, like pigeons (or my own dog, who is usually within about three feet of me). Drawing something really forces you to look closely at it.
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    #2

    Norse Wolf

    Norse Wolf

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    #3

    Ocelot

    Ocelot

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    Night Owl
    Night Owl
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    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want this as a big sticker ... or even a tattoo (but it would need to be simplified because these patterns and colors look too complex for a tattoo)

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    I actually majored in Creative Writing, got into visual art via graphic novels, and it kind of blossomed from there. It was always a hobby until my mom asked for one of my pictures to hang up in her office, and the woman in the framing shop suggested I try selling prints of my work online.

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    #4

    Celtic Raven

    Celtic Raven

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    Anne Bleakley
    Anne Bleakley
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    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love this. I'm Irish and I often don't like 'celtic' art. But this is gorgeous and really an important part of our mythology.

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    #5

    Chipmunk

    Chipmunk

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    The part of the creative process I enjoy the most is filling in the patterns. I find it really relaxing and meditative. My biggest challenge is scale. I really have to work not to default to teeny little details that only look good if your face is two inches from the page. I’ll actually put my smallest pen on the other side of the room so I’ll have to ask myself if I really need to be using a 0.15-millimeter pen right now.
    #6

    Snowy Owl

    Snowy Owl

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    #7

    Porcupine

    Porcupine

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    #8

    Fox Portrait

    Fox Portrait

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    #9

    Dragonfly & Lotus

    Dragonfly & Lotus

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    Sophie Warner
    Sophie Warner
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    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love the contrast between the softness of the lotus & the geometric hard lines of the dragonfly! Beautiful. The tiny bug is a cute little bonus & made me smile, so thank you!

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    #10

    Inquisitive Bat

    Inquisitive Bat

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    #11

    Sloth

    Sloth

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    #12

    Turtle Dove

    Turtle Dove

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    #13

    Majestic Otter

    Majestic Otter

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    #14

    Grecian Horse

    Grecian Horse

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    #15

    Reindeer

    Reindeer

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    #16

    Whiskeyjack

    Whiskeyjack

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    #17

    Water Colors

    Water Colors

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    Madeleine Flowers
    Madeleine Flowers
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The English version of what Kheira said, in case anyone is wondering, is, "The creativity you've ever been through. Keep going for this genius touch to spread." Which is really nice!

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    #18

    Verklempt Crow

    Verklempt Crow

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    #19

    Cute Dog

    Cute Dog

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    #20

    Pine Marten

    Pine Marten

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    #21

    Cute Puffin

    Cute Puffin

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    Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
    Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love the subtle incorporation of the knot-work in the form of the Vegvisir, I also just really love Puffins.

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    #22

    The Common Pigeon

    The Common Pigeon

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    #23

    Owl

    Owl

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    #24

    My Dog, Luna

    My Dog, Luna

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    #25

    A Robin In The Snow

    A Robin In The Snow

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    Mistralok
    Mistralok
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A stained glass match for the owl. Would make a good pair.

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    #26

    Peacock

    Peacock

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    #27

    Okapi

    Okapi

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    Susan Green
    Susan Green
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most people think Okapis are closely related to Zebras, but they are actually closely related to Giraffes.

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    #28

    Imaginary Beetle

    Imaginary Beetle

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    Mistralok
    Mistralok
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The floal pattern brings beauty to something that often seem mechanical.

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    #29

    Imaginary Beetle

    Imaginary Beetle

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    #30

    Imaginary Beetle

    Imaginary Beetle

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