A happy end of Monday to you all! Remember the “Name It And Win It” contest 2 months back? Well, I finally finished the painting of the Puff-Tailed Whiffersnap thats going to be mailed to Eirewolf as soon as I can get a pro-quality scan made this week.
To see the process of how it got painted, click here.

But because I also like the 2 other names given so much, both Marie and Joe will be getting an original “pre-painting” study and sketch of this piece. I’ll be mailing it shortly guys!! Thanks for your patience. Next name it and win it contest to be announced at some undetermined time.

Some sketches of piglets with wings!

The very rough drawings in this I find sort of charming – so I thought I’d post it and not clean it up. Something kind of raw about these quick scribblers I enjoyed today. I hope you do too. Good job surviving monday…i know I did.

Table Awesome is the combined powers of three (3) irrefutable, undeniable, awesome individuals who by day are Designers, Flower Geniuses, Illustrators, Filmmakers, and by night probably the same thing just slower and slightly more boozed up versions of their better selves trying to stay in touch with each other by utilizing the beauty that is the internet.

“And it’s my opinion, and that’s only my opinion, you are a lunatic. Just because there are a few hundred other people sharing your lunacy with you does not make you any saner. Doomed, eh?”

- Oleg Kiselev

FINALLY I was able to scan my sketches from last week. Just so you know, I worked till 11:30 pm tonight, and STILL had the willpower to scan and post tonight – I hope this dramatic discourse makes up for my blog-absence…probably not but it was worth a try.

Anyway – last week was rough. I was working a lot, drawing very little, I’m behind on “Panda’s Perfect Pocket”, and I still need to spend more time bettering my skillset during off hours for work to stay current. I was frustrated. Here are a series of drawings from my last week of pissed-off-ness.

I must admit, these were REALLY fun to draw – I love drawing monsters, and I’ve been focusing so much on my kid’s books that I haven’t given them much time. I plan on drawing more beasties soon!

I hope this makes you smile a bit!

Goodness. I am so tired. Anyone else had a week where they could use a cute fawn to fly up and snuggle with? I bet this Divine Cervine smells like cookies. The only reason I won’t eat it is because its too cute to waste.

Happy Monday. We all need a hug today.

Because I enjoyed the last scribble with permanent marker so much, and because work was tiresome again today, i thought I’d enjoy another random, unplanned marker seizure. Again…interesting. I have no idea what shes holding, but I think I might steal it for another story…

I would like to introduce you to a new character we were discussing. For now, all I will tell you is that she is called “The Artist”. And remember that “Kraken” sketch I did for my coloring book? I loved it so much, she gets a little pet inspired by that. Except this bejeweled octopus can float in the the air and kick it on her little octopus pauldron.

THIS one was really fun: no planning, no thought, just me and fatty sharpie marker. I want to do more of these. She’s so FIERCE!

I really like this one – she sort of has a fish face, and a funny expression. I wonder what fish people think about.

Tires. Just got in from work. Take care, you all, and greetings from the wolpertinger

Guess what, Ashley, ANOTHER from one your recommendations for the fantasy coloring book! The famous Loch Ness Monster, otherwise lovingly known as Nessie.

The classic Sea Monster for the fantasy coloring book! Basically, a big serpent dragon with spikes, gills, and a long, winding body. They took many other strange and creative forms as well. These were traditionally depicted on nautical maps from the 1500′s to represent dangerous waters and the uncharted oceans of the world.

I rarely post things this unfinished anymore…but i liked the lines and the fact that I drew this right after waking up from a long, intense, and vibrant dream – I was still in a dreamy stupor and I sat up in bed, grabbed my sketchbook from the nightstand, and drew and wrote notes before the dream slipped from me. I like it so much I’ve incorporated this into one of my graphic novels. Sometime soon I shall create a finished drawing for my main character.

So I sketched this while I was in Mammoth this last weekend. The land was so beautiful! We arrived at 2 in the morning, the snow vibrant with the light from the full moon. Anyway, I decided this would be awesome hilarious art series to have on a snowboard: naked ladies, but the shoes attached to the snowboard would act as their “censorship bars”. I had to draw enormous boobies to have the boot work.

For the fantasy coloring book: the AKUPARA! (Thanks for the suggestion, Ashley!) Its a giant turtle or tortoise supporting or containing the world! It occurs in Hindu mythology, in Chinese mythology and in Native American mythology. The name Akupara is apparently Sanskrit. I’m thinking of adding some planets in the background to give it more of that celestial feel.

One of my personal favorites, the Ki’rin. A Japanese version of the originally Chinese mythological beast of peace, wisdom, and smiting down the wicked. It is loosely called the “Japanese unicorn”, and is famous for being so gentle, when it walks it doesn’t bend a blade of grass. Unless, of course, its smiting you. Then its a fire breathing bad-ass with the wrath of the heavens, and you deserved it because they are all knowing.

Oh yes yes! Both Ashley and Donny: thank you for mentioning one of my favorite creatures in sea-faring lore and legend, the amazing and fearsome KRAKEN! A huge squid/octopus/cephalopod that is the bane of pirates and sailors alike. I figured the ones eating all the ships are the baby ones, playing with what they see as little bath toys. Enjoy!