Maynard's Bowsprit Ornament

Okay, I usually put somewhere in the blog "I'm happy with how this one turned out," because I so seldom actually AM. I'm a huge critic of my work, as most of you know already. Today, though... maybe it's the spirit of the holiday. Maybe I've reached a new artistic plateau. Maybe I'm an arrogant pirate at heart. I don't know.

I freakin' LOVE this one.

I wanted to post some older pirate sketches I'd done in the past, but they were too light to scan properly, so I drew this at work. Ol' Edward Teach, BLACKBEARD himself. Well, most of him anyway; I only drew his head. Which I didn't remember until later is terribly fitting, seein' as that was all Maynard left of the salty sea dog & terror of the high seas. So don't let the flaming wicks tied into his beard, his wild eyes, or his fancy hat scare ye'; click the thumbnail for a larger view.