This started out as one drawing, and soon became a little series. I created the fake book cover for fun, which liberated me from having to write "what birds do when..." on each drawing.
I like the quietness of black and white, and I was really aiming to make this series quiet and understated. It also means I don't have to fuss over the colour schemes of various birds :)
I can't seem to part with the original drawings, so they're not for sale. But I'm thinking of making more of these birds doing non-bird things, and putting them together in a little book. Do you think anybody would be into something like that?
Love the tone. Looks like it would make a great digital book or simple smartphone app as well.
Posted by: Fountain | October 06, 2011 at 08:33 AM
After defacing your book to decorate various areas of my place, I was gifted a new copy of "H is For Holy Crap" this week - can't get enough! Surely if you print up these adorable birds, people will flock to purchase them. Pun intended.
Posted by: Jordan | October 06, 2011 at 08:50 AM
You should really do more of these. i'd love to have a book!
Posted by: Audelia | October 06, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Niiice. Cool little series.
sent from Mars
Posted by: Mars Dorian | October 06, 2011 at 10:25 AM
J'adore! Merci pour tant de poésie!
Posted by: Mireille | October 06, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Yes please!
Posted by: kate | October 06, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Absolutely!! I love this!!
Posted by: Sarah Hoeben | October 06, 2011 at 12:13 PM
Absolutely!! I love this!!
Posted by: Sarah Hoeben | October 06, 2011 at 12:13 PM
Please do more of these! And make some prints! They're adorable.
Posted by: Alyssa | October 06, 2011 at 12:50 PM
YES!! I want one!
Posted by: julia | October 06, 2011 at 02:41 PM
I knew it :-)
wonderful series!
Posted by: Jenny | October 06, 2011 at 02:50 PM
Wow! Thanks for all the kind words! And coming from so many awesome people. I am encouraged to say the least, and will let you know if I do prints and/or a book. Y'all made my day!
Posted by: Marc Johns | October 06, 2011 at 02:57 PM
I would totally buy a book, especially to give as a gift.
Posted by: Sholeh | October 06, 2011 at 06:19 PM
The secret life of birds as discovered by Marc Johns! I love such an idea.
Posted by: Nicole | October 06, 2011 at 07:04 PM
Quite awesome! I also wonder how birds do think.
Posted by: Barn Weddings | October 06, 2011 at 11:56 PM
These are really great, brought a smile to my face, thank you.
Posted by: Chris from New Zealand | October 07, 2011 at 12:17 AM
I would love a book of this series! They're delightful. :-)
Posted by: Elise | October 07, 2011 at 12:52 AM
I LOVE this! A book is a great idea!
Posted by: Lindsey Afton Dufoe | October 07, 2011 at 01:12 AM
Yes! Please do! These made me laugh out loud on the bus. I particularly love the skatebirding one --was a typing mistake! Lol-- i would like to see them looking at art.
Posted by: Lorelei Pepi | October 07, 2011 at 05:54 AM
I love the skateboarding one, and the lazy balloon adventure bird!
Though, I am seeing them as more of a card set... they are uplifting, and so funny without being connected to a specific theme... perfect for a "Hey you! Thanks for the gift" or "You are my favorite cutie-cookie-making-fall-down-lauging-silly-goose of a friend" card...
So fun!
Posted by: AmyK | October 07, 2011 at 07:45 AM
Would love love love to see this as a collection of prints as well!
Posted by: Marta | October 07, 2011 at 09:53 AM
pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease make a book, Marc!
Posted by: Cheryl | October 07, 2011 at 10:01 AM
I WOULD BUY THAT!!!
WITH MONEY
Posted by: a. | October 07, 2011 at 10:10 AM
Oh definitely. Make a book. It could almost be a children's book for smart kids with sarcastic parents.
Posted by: Jenn | October 07, 2011 at 10:54 AM
I'd buy one, if it were large-scale and hardcover, so no one confused it with a children's book!
Posted by: Graham B. | October 07, 2011 at 02:51 PM
These are wonderful. I particularly love the slightly chubby bird with the balloon :)
Posted by: elizabeth newton | October 07, 2011 at 09:11 PM
Perfect to sell as greeting cards! I'd have them more than a book.... And word would spread even wider!
Posted by: Nicki Hughes | October 08, 2011 at 12:59 AM
I would buy that book!
Posted by: Jenni Gaines | October 08, 2011 at 04:49 PM
Pleaseeeee publish it in some way! :D
Posted by: Rina | October 10, 2011 at 06:13 AM
Make a book, please! I would absolutely buy it. This is a great idea... and it's very funny.
Greetings from Chile :D :)
Posted by: Nicole Arias Lazcano | October 10, 2011 at 08:26 PM
love!
Posted by: Aislinn | October 11, 2011 at 11:42 AM
adorable! :D
Posted by: Yukie | October 11, 2011 at 02:40 PM
I agree to black and whites' quietness, it showed in the pictures. Aside from that, the series and idea itself, "What birds do when we are not looking" is absolutely perfect. Never thought of it, but it was really great. Found myself laughing while looking at those pictures.
Posted by: Amber | Club Flyers | October 11, 2011 at 11:52 PM
If I was a bird, I'd try to find balloons to hang onto too. I wish I could find a balloon big enough to float me around now......
Posted by: Fingers | October 12, 2011 at 05:47 PM
Marc John,
Let me just tell you that your illustrations are fabulous. Your work reminds of of Maira Kalmans , who is another favorite.
When I'm 30 , I envision having a home , that has a wall covered with your and her works.
Posted by: Shruti | October 13, 2011 at 03:51 PM
i am in love with your work.
estefania from argentina
Posted by: estefania | October 15, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Absolutely publish a book. It could be a great seller but think carefully about marketing & distribution:
BIRDING is the biggest recreational hobby in the US, Canada and Great Britian! Target birders, they would go apeshit over this collection.
Posted by: Carl Hendrickson | October 23, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Yes please! Book! Book! Book!
Posted by: Stacy | October 24, 2011 at 12:22 AM
Yes, please!
Posted by: estanislao pónz | October 24, 2011 at 04:28 PM
Amazing! I would love an entire book of these.
Posted by: Kaitlyn | October 27, 2011 at 08:55 PM
please do so! love this series... but them again, nothing new, everything you do is so simple but brilliant!
Posted by: clara | November 03, 2011 at 09:10 AM
yes of course! the world needs a book like this! :p
Posted by: Grace Looi | November 04, 2011 at 03:00 AM