This illustration came out of Inktober, from the simple act of drawing every day whether I felt inspired or not. The prompt was “crown,” and this lovely eagle emerged, but more importantly, my style did too. My lines tightened. My confidence showed up and I started drawing in a pen and ink style instead of my usual pencil sketch.
The crowned eagle is one of the most powerful birds on Earth. It hunts prey larger than itself ; monkeys, small antelope, and its feathered crown flares when threatened, making it look even more formidable. It lives high in dense African forests, ruling the canopy.
Daily drawing changed everything. Growth didn’t feel dramatic in the moment, but looking back, the difference is undeniable. Creating every day compounds. It sharpens your instincts, silences self-doubt, and because of the time limit, it breaks you out of perfectionism.
This crowned eagle is now available as a true 1/1 NFT on Zero One, with one physical print, and that’s it. One digital. One physical. As scarce as the uncommon animals I draw, and just as meaningful. This isn’t wallpaper. It’s a milestone.
Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting.
I still haven’t visited the Big Battery at Jamestown. It’s literally on our town sign, yet I’ve never felt the pull. Which feels strange, especially after the storm, the blackout, and the whole Elon Musk battery moment. Maybe it’s symbolic, we often ignore the powerful things right in front of us until the lights go out.
Kids Book Illustrator Andy C Marshall 