Monday, October 02, 2006

Manatees

How accurate is it to categorize manatees as "wildlife?" Surfacing for air is about the wildest thing they do, and I've seen pine cones more full of life. It's nearly impossible to tell the difference between a manatee and a log floating at sea. The only way you can tell is if one of them appaers to smile at you for a second... that's the log.

Over the weekend we went to see Jim Gaffigan's stand-up comedy show. He's a funny man, and he was nice too. He hung around after to sign autographs and pose for pictures for everyone who wanted one. It was Jim's "manatee" material that inspired me to draw these ugly things. "You can call me the manatee!" "Yeah right, sea cow."

What is the plural of "manatee?" Menatee? If you stare at this drawing for a while, it's pretty much the same experience as going to see them in an aquarium. Wave to them. Did they wave back? Of course not... stupid sea cattle.

18 comments:

Nathan Lindsay said...

But I sure would like to see the sea cowboys that herd them...

Todd Oman said...

haha I have heard that manatee bit before. Anyway great drawing and nice color on the water. You captured the excitment of being a mantee perfectly.

Unknown said...

I like manatee, they aren't good looking, but kind of cute ... like a swimming corn dog!! LOL :) Love your illo!

Unknown said...

I think I would have a better attitude about floatin around than them...would be nice...

Love the expressions on these guys and great color job Shane!

Jarrett said...

Great stuff as always, Shane! This Beluga is really, really nice :)

Anonymous said...

Hello there! I found your work on zazzle, i cant get over how talented you are! The characters all have so much zest! im still a hatchling in that respect! your art gives me alot to aspire to!

please check my work out at sammysstudio.com! brilliant work *goggles*

Jo Bling said...

What a sad, sorry trio, Shane :-D You missed off the obligatory speedboat propellor slashes in their hides, poor buggers....

Ryan Wood said...

Those are great sea cows, they look so sad. I was at that show, too, funny stuff. You need to a manatee haa pockaaa to complete the circle of life.

Ben Reynolds said...

they looks so depressed.
hahaha!! Thats hilarious. these are really good too man...I've drawn soem manatee's too...everyone should at some point. its the thing to do. keep it up man!!

oh and very very nice coloring too...i like the shadows they are casting in the water

Adrian Ropp said...

I laughed so hard when I saw this! I love it! I thought my life was boring, but I guess I should be thankful for what I have.

Alden V said...

i love manatees.

flipstudios said...

that's hilarious. you need to be writing a book or script or something. i actually laugh out loud when i'm reading your stories. always about the simple and mundane but it cracks me up. more please!!!

Paul FooDaddy Brand said...

Maybe if somebody would offer to teach them how to play video games... According to your rendering (which is hilarious by the way) they've already got the perfect "gamer" vibe going on.

Too bad they don't have thumbs. They could learn to have them, I'm sure, but they doubtlessly lack the ambition.

Scott said...

Nice, Nice... I would really like to see more thick black airbrush strokes used for the lines, and maybe some 0,0,255 blue for the water.

Kyle Marshall said...

you rdoing soem great stuff here, love those halloween sketches

Michael O'Connell said...

just love these mermaids shane… they are mermais right…

Blogerts said...

When they're alone with their dolphin buddies they're party animals, it's just when they get in these manditory family gatherings that boredom sets in.

Ken Chandler said...

Awesome Shane. Glad to see you've bee staying busy. Love the Manatees. Enjoyed seeing one on a shirt too. It's nice to know that there's an animal in the animal kingdom with as much energy and pep as I have most days. Good one!