Zoologica Zine

Why hello there my dears, how the devil are you? 

So here's my latest zine for you - wildlife themed of course. It'll be a stocking filler for a few people this Christmas so don't be surprised if you receive a copy! Finances have been tight this year but to be honest I've relished the challenge of investing time and effort into gifts instead of money. 

Drawing animals again has brought out a childish joy in me, I forgot how much solace I get out of simply putting on some music and doodling as many different creatures as possible before my hand cramps! 

I was always teased in University for being a 'bunny hugger' (for the non wildlife conservation people let me explain, a bunny hugger is someone who is too emotional when doing conservation work), to be honest I never really minded, so what if I'm awed by animals, science is obviously very, very important but you can be scientific and still care.     


 I love drawing cheetahs, their coats are just so beautiful

 

 Page one

 Page two

 Page three

 Page  Four

 Page  Five

 Page Six

 It wouldn't be Christmas without a Penguin !   

Bits and Bobs

 

 

I was talking to an old friend of mine recently who revealed that she'd be getting some body art - a tattoo sleeve to be exact. The juxtaposition between her day job and this revelation was a source of amusement to me for hours - how rad! I love that she's taken the metaphorical bull by the horns and indulged in something so contrasting to her 9-5. It made me think that appearances can often be devieving and that our conduct is a far better measure of our character than the surface things we tend to cling to i.e. job status, salary, things.  

 

 

In light of this relfecting I came across

Jose Mujica the president of Uruguay. Not only is he a comitted vegetarian he also donates 90% of his salary to charity, shunning the politician's lifestyle to instead live on his wife's farm with their three legged dog Manuela. Rad.i.Cal.

 

 

Here's the article to be inspired by!

 

 

The World's 'poorest' President 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zoologica

Believe it or not I took this pic in England!

Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature be your teacher

                           - William Wordsworth

The Animals of the planet are in desperate peril. Without free animal life I believe we will lose the spiritual equivalent of oxygen.

                            - Alice Walker

Before I started liking boys the only thing that interested me was the great outdoors. I could sit outside for hours looking at things and trying to rescue wildlife I deemed to be in need of assistance (unfortunately I decided to create a snail sanctuary in my neighbors shed. The snails were happy, the neighbor was not). 

Nature and her animal kingdom was an endless source of fascination and became my vocation of choice which I spent three years loving, at the University of Cumbria UK studying wildlife conservation science. It surprises me that I've distanced myself from this passion, obviously there's context to this fact, but fundamentally I wonder why I'm not doing stuff that makes me happy- walking outdoors, mountain climbing, visiting parks, reading more about zoology. What's happened? 

So as another spanner in the works for my BIG LIFE DECISION I'm going to think about doing a masters in zoology. I'll send applications out and see what comes back- why not? If and when I have acceptances for international development and/or zoology masters courses then I'm sure instinct will help me choose a path. 

I'm grateful everyday for nature <3

Photo taken by Slaven on the beautiful Island of Cres, Croatia  

Photo taken by Slaven on the beautiful Island of Cres