'Pelican Pimp Walk' - Framed Original

8x10 Acrylic on gesso primed panel.

Frame Size: 14"x17"

Story behind the painting:

When I used to run guided fishing trips out of Laguna Marina & Storage, those old pelicans were always the first ones to greet us at the docks. They each had their own goofy personalities. Some were bow legged bullies, some patient and kind but every single one of them were convinced they deserved a free handout while we cleaned our catches. Over the years, they became part of the routine, just like salty old coworkers with feathers. But they smelled much better than the real ones.

The other day, my youngest daughter Megan sent me a picture of a pelican she thought was “cute,” from where she works, the exact same marina I used to guide from. She mentioned that it walked with a limp. I just laughed and told her, “That’s not a limp, babe. That’s the pelican pimp walk.”

And just like that, the memory of all those dockside coworkers came rushing back.
I sketched out a concept for the painting, then went and did a bit of “field work”, aka fishing, for more references. While out there I couldn’t help but notice that same old unforgettable “limp” and lovable swagger as they all wondered around the marina docks.