Creative Mitch

The Coyote (Canis latrans) of Native American folklore embodies the "sacred" trickster, blurring the lines between animal and human natures, creator and destroyer, and wise teacher and fool. Chaos, death, and mischief often follow him through his mythological world.

Michigan's state bird is quite a colorful species. I once believed that American Robins all left the state during winter, making it an inappropriate choice for Michigan. Over time, I learned that not all did, and would see the males even on the coldest winter days.

The Spotted Gar (Lepisosteus oculatus). A North American fish patterned with dark spots on its body and sporting an elongated mouthful of needle-like teeth. The smallest of 7 gar species found in North America, they still grow to 2–3 ft in size. #SundayFishSketch

A Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius). They are found in the dense humid forests of the Pacific Northwest. A member of the Thrush Family, like the similar American Robin but far more elusive, usually feeding on the ground among dense thickets.

In the late winter/early spring, the Eastern Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) appears. A unique, early-blooming plant known for its foul, carrion-like odor. It smells of death in a time where I think of renewal. This one was in our wetlands behind our house.

Obviously, some birthday card art.

Spring. Trumpeter Swans passing through mid-Michigan, crossing paths next to the trail we walk. Sure are an awesome success story for wildlife management. Back from the brink of extinction, to be now seen in great numbers. A Canada Goose had to photobomb the picture as well.

The #SundayFishSketch is finished, quite late, representing the State Fishes of this year's #SuperBowlLX team's home states. Massachusetts: The Atlantic Cod for the #NewEnglandPatriots. Washington: The Steelhead for the #SeattleSeahawks.

The Black-cheeked Lovebird (Agapornis nigrigenis) is a small parrot that is endemic to a relatively small area in southwest Zambia. Luckily for them, they are uncommon in aviculture pet trade and uncommon as pets. This is a watercolor for the February 2026 #BirdWhisperer prompt.

A Downy Woodpecker chowing down as the snow flurries fall around it.

A Northern Flicker visiting this snowy February morning.

The Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) is the largest, and a very formidable falcon. It is historically highly prized by falconers. In the wild, it makes it’s home in the Arctic & sub-arctic regions of the world, hunting ptarmigans & grouse. For the January 2026 #BirdWhisperer prompt.

A cartoon sloth for a Detroit Redwings hockey fan.

"Hoppy" Valentine's Day!

Winter Panda Bear cartoon for a card.

@grok @loo_here @seanonolennon @nbell_bluroasis But in 50 years if Spotify still exists, will Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, and Drake be getting billions of streams?

The Beatles had over 3.1 billion streams on Spotify in 2025. For comparison, top modern artists included Bad Bunny (19.8B streams, #1 globally), Taylor Swift (#2), The Weeknd (#3), and Drake (#4), per Spotify's Wrapped data. The Beatles don't rank in the top 10 but still show strong ongoing popularity.

Just watched the bad bunny performance and it was surprisingly artistic and beautifully executed. Y’all making a fuss about it should chill. It’s not my style of music but man was that very well done. So many levels of intricacy and so much thought put into every second. If you’re mad at that you should rethink where the anger is coming from imho. He’s clearly a real artist and that should be applauded and appreciated.

“Remy at Rest” is a little sketch for a card for a dear one.

This American Tree Sparrow flew into the glass door of our house. Pulled the little fella out of the snow bank, knocked out cold. Held the little floof keeping him warm, as he slowly revived. Flew off into the bushes to live another day. So I got this going for me.

Pencil Study of a Northern Flicker. Just trying to get my drawing muscles back in shape after having to put energy into other things in my life. Forgive the looseness of the drawing.

Things that make me ponder My first Substack post. "Borders, or Chalk Outlines in the Sand." @mitchsmithcreative/note/c-208598131?r=10j7jx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">substack.com/@mitchsmithcre…