Climbing to New Heights

After many years of solid service, the French colonel blogger avatar image is moving into retirement.  In its place is a fine piece of artwork from Tim at Tim's Miniature Wargaming Blog.  Not only does Tim keep himself busy with wargaming activities but he is also an avid cyclist (see Tim's Bike Blog) and talented artist (see Tim's Art Blog).

Last fall, Tim made a call-out for participants in his October Critters on Bikes Drawing Challenge.  In this challenge, Tim stated that he liked drawing critters, bicycles, and critters on bicycles but sometimes lacked inspiration to put all of these details together.  That is where his selected participants came in.  Armed with some information, Tim would set out to draw 31 bicycle-riding friends during the month of October.

For ideas to help trigger his artistic inspiration, he asked three questions and my answers were:

• If you were a critter of some sort, what would you be? Mountain goat.  I like to climb.
• What is your favorite bike to ride? Specialized Roubaix.
• What do you wear while out riding it?  Many choices but I simply submitted what I wore on that day's ride.

Well, without wasting a minute's time, I asked Nancy to snap a photo or two from a recent ride with me in my kit and bike and off the email went to Tim.

After a few weeks, Tim posted the result of his efforts based upon his interpretation of photo and answers.  The result can be seen at Jonathan as Mountain Goat and in the photo above.  This link also shows some of Tim's in progress sketches.

Here I am as an anthropomorphic mountain goat riding my trusted Roubaix.  Great stuff, no?

Tim, thanks for an outstanding caricature that will maintain a special place.