I started the series Oddballs and Mischiefmakers for two reasons. The first was to simply paint animals that I've always loved and found especially interesting. Second, I wanted to shed a little limelight upon those unfortunate creatures who have been generally snubbed by the public eye due to their less than perfect appearances, unsavory temperaments and, dare I put it in human terms, bad behavior.

While not usually found on the A list of animal pinups, their lack of cuteness, disturbing habits and sheer strangeness is more than atoned for by their noble hauteur and joie de vivre. An irritable, 3000 pound, wall of lumbering blubber might not bring in the same approval ratings as the majestic grace of a bengal tiger, but a walrus is a glorious thing none the less, possessing a tremendous amount of walrus charm and thunderous grace all its' very own.