As the long Arctic night stretches on, month after month, the wildlife grows increasingly tired and punchy. They start to giggle at things that aren't really funny, and they can be convinced to put almost anything at all on their heads.

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I was reminded recently of how much I love walruses. Walrii? Those things with the tusks. They're so cute! And lumpy! He's got two buddies, a puffin and under that nose and glasses is an arctic tern. (Photo ref from the Seabird Group, as alas, I am not local to these charming species.) I started doodling the walrus, and then he had the little head bobblies, and I thought he needed some friends...well, you know how it goes. I really need to paint puffins some time, since black and white doesn't do 'em justice. I love them. The ones at the zoo are unbearably charming. That they can fly at all with those absurd little wings is like a violation of all good sense.

Original 11 x 14 SOLD, prints available for $10 plus shipping.