In last month’s “Artist of the Month” feature, we explored the -not so popular- world of arachnids, particularly scorpions through Mohamed’s detailed drawings of these magnificent creatures. This month, we’re switching perches and soaring into new territory, exploring the world of birds.
Meet Younes, a passionate 22-year-old artist and wildlife enthusiast. Currently a master’s student in the Biodiversity and Environment field, Younes combines his academic interests with a love for nature. As a pigeon fancier, he finds inspiration in the beauty and behaviors of birds. Let’s dive into Younes’ journey as an artist, his love for birds, and how nature continues to inspire his artwork.
Younes discovered his love for drawing at a young age, finding joy in creating art inspired by the natural world around him. “I started drawing early on, and my initial inspirations came from observing the vibrant forms in nature, especially birds” he recalls. As he developed his artistic skills, Younes realized that drawing was more than just a hobby, it was a way for him to express his connection with the wildlife surrounding him.
Our artist was drawn to pencil drawing for its precision and versatility, allowing him to capture the subtle details of his subjects with a black-and-white aesthetic that creates a sense of mood and depth. “I appreciate pencil drawing for its precision. The contrasts between light and dark bring a unique charm and depth to my work” he explains. Pencil drawing enables Younes to portray the texture of feathers with remarkable accuracy.
As we have seen so far, birds are at the heart of Younes’ artistic journey. Even when he isn’t drawing birds as the main subject, they always find a way to seep into his art. This is mainly the product of growing up with birds as companions, as it led him to develop a deep appreciation for their beauty and behaviors. His uncle, a fellow pigeon fancier, played a significant role in shaping his passion for birds. “Birds have always been significant in my life. Their songs and behaviors have provided me with peace and inspiration” Younes shares. He finds that his close interactions with birds, particularly pigeons, allow him to capture their unique traits and movements more effectively in his artwork.
Like a true bird enjoyer, Younes isn’t content with contemplating the birds he is raising, he is also an avid birdwatcher, often spending hours observing birds in their natural habitats. These experiences have allowed him to sharpen his skills in bird identification and deepen his understanding of their behaviors, all of which enriches his art. “My passion for birds is heavily influenced by my uncle, who is also a pigeon fancier. This has fostered my desire to express these experiences through art“.
Younes is excited about the future of his artistic journey, which he envisions as a blend of art and ornithology. His goal is to combine his love for birds with his passion for drawing, as he states “I aim to combine my love for birds with my drawing practice, observing them in their natural habitats to capture their unique features and movements“. As Younes continues to hone his craft, he looks forward to producing more detailed, lifelike representations of birds and sharing the beauty of Morocco’s diverse avian fauna with a broader audience.
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