Don Balke: Chipmunk

Artist: Don Balke
1932 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1978
Image Size: 14.5 by 13.5 inches
Overall Size: 17 by 14 inches
Medium: Water Color on Cold Press Illustration Board

Food storing is uppermost in the mind of the industrious Chipmunk. It stuffs the pouches of its striped face with acorns and buckwheat, hazelnuts and beechnuts. It can carry a heaping tablespoon of seeds or about four acorns in each cheek. A compulsive provider, these supplies will eventually fill his cupboards. Now, to save time, he buries them in a shallow hole, replacing dead leaves on top. When he wants the trove his nose will find it. The Chipmunk's burrow is often located under a tree root, or rock ledge, and its oval nest chamber, two or three feet underground is lined with soft vegetable matter. One of the many passageways leading to his nest is usually set aside as a "washroom" for sanitary purposes. When not alarmed, this cheerful, bustling, sun-loving creature frolicks over the ground, chirping and clucking. He even has time to make friends with humans, particularly if they have a few crumbs to spare. But just when he looks like he is playing, he goes back to work. Varying his diet, he pounces on insects and climbs trees to sample spruce cones. With the nip of the first frost he slows his pace. Ironically, when the time comes to enjoy the fruits of his labor, this foresighted householder is overcome with drowsiness. During hibernation he curls up in his nest, heart barely beating. Sleeping on his vast food supply, he needs only to nibble at his mattress of seeds when he wakes during the winter.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 13¢ Chipmunk stamp issued June 10, 1978.

Artwork Copyright © 1978 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB05048

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