An Enjoyable Evening

"You sunk my battle ship!"

The product of great collaboration, random humor and excellent company.

The dragon has a fondness for wicker chairs, even has an open account at World Market. It's ill advised yes, but what can you do when you're passionate about sound creaky reeds make when you get comfortable? It's reminiscent of the dragon's youth echoing the song of crickets amplified by the cave walls and the chomping of the calves.

Intently staring at the game board, the Dragon looks self-assured and certain of a win, but I do believe the cat has some surprises in store for that Dragon.

Per Request — The finished illustration

For N, by request from a comment on the previous sketch post.

I agree it's about time, even though the cards won't be sent out until tomorrow. (Hello procrastination and over thinking the cards.) Next year, chances are there won't be a trip to Germany in the middle of November and my schedule will go as normal.

I wanted to keep the colors muted. The prints came out stellar and I am quite thrilled.

Sketch for this year's Christmas Card

It wasn't supposed to be this complicated.

Points of inspiration:

Ella's wall. (see below)

Trip to Germany and the popularity this year of the moose.

My mom's love of Cardinals.

The red-capped, white polka dotted mushrooms I love.

Tree Mural for Ella

This was painted in September. My friend Erica was pregnant at the time and wanted something unique in her child's room. So she asked me if I would be willing to paint a tree. I jumped at the chance.

This was long before we would know the sex of the baby, for Ella was modest in the womb.

The sketches:

Close ups:

Into the woods...

I spent much time in the woods as a child. Mostly catching pretend fish made of wide swaths of moss from the stream. In the spring the forest floor would have a purple carpet of violets, I have never since seen anything like it in my life.

Here is a forest sketch, I have yet to figure out what colors are going into my palette or what medium I am going to use.

A long time ago, in a galaxy...

It's been awhile since I posted, but I feel the need to post this little bit of cuteness.

This is an illustration made for a job at work, it has a 1950's sort of feeling which was intentional.

The One that Got Away

Another piece for the dating series. This one was drawn around 4 years ago and I finally got around to painting it. 

Finished!

Flirting is the gentle art of making a man feel pleased with himself. — Helen Rowland

Now with monor changes

It was suggested by my art teacher friend that the penguin didn't have enough expression. This is the solution I came up with.

Sketch for this year's Valentine Exchange

Another Valentine's Day is coming up, and that means my long anticipated illustration for my card is in progress. Normally I keep it a huge secret, but I think few people from work visit my blog enough to cause the surprise to cancel itself. Yes, it's a Valentine's exchange at work.

Ages ago, I did the sketch on notebook paper of the girl as she is, without any background. I had meant it as part of my "Dating Series" and I think it still fits. It was originally going to be called "Dressing for Drinks" based on something an old college friend used to say about going out. I think I will come up for another name...but for now it's just called "The Date".

The sea dragon and the mermaid princess

A few Fridays ago I had the joy of hanging out with my best friend and her 6 year-old son. We gathered at her kitchen table and made art. Her son is a budding artist, a child that already can sit for hours and create images on paper that surpass his age in ability. He is able to connect to that strange meditative state that most artists can obtain, the kind of state where time passes without note and it happens to be three hours later.

I drew this on that evening. I think I had his approval when he said the monster behind the mermaid was scary, and he wished to keep it for his gallery wall. I convinced him to let me take it home first so I could scan it, but I would return it to him later. I might buy a frame for it this afternoon if I am up to braving the severe cold.

Farseer and Tawny Man series by Robin Hobb.

Seriously good stuff.

I am on the final book in the Tawny Man series and it's killing me.

I just got it in my head that "Falling Slowly" on the soundrack for ONCE would make a great music video for The Farseer/Tawny Man Series by Robin Hobb.

The lyrics are almost perfect to the series. It even has the word "fool" in it and has a bit about making choices.

Glen Hansard - Falling Slowly Lyrics

I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You've made it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

New Photos for Etsy.

During the few minutes of sunshine we had this weekend, I was able to take some new photos for my etsy store. Above are a few shots of what resulted from the photo shoot. I received mixed comments from other etsians, but overall I am happy with the results.

Now I just need someone with a great neck to pose with them on.