So I sat down today to draw another idea for a mermaid…but whenever I thought about the ocean I fell into a very sad state. I’d bring myself out and start again, only to tumble into dark places in my head. For those of you not plugged in, I’m talking about the BP Oil Spill.

So, instead of fighting sad thoughts I went with them – I felt MUCH better after this sketch, and I already have an idea to draw a cyborg dolphin with a machine gun. Strange how scribblings will ease out feelings from my head and put them on paper.

As I sweat and enjoyed the foggy horizon on a beautiful hike with my Beloved, I got a vision of a character. As I described the cascade of images and adventure it inspired, brainstorming with Beloved lead me to rush home and do a quick sketch. I now have another story – the details will come sometime in a future further than I wish, I’m sure. Here is your first glimpse at my chicken scratches for an impish and wonderful character whose adventures I hope to write down soon!

I hope everyone had a lovely fourth of July!

I started my “Mer-Kingdom Coloring Book” sketches – initially I wanted the mermaids to have large heads so their eyes could be huge too – but the more I drew the more I’ve decide that I’m going to give the heads a bit more realistic proportion only because the weight of the character with a big beautiful tail feels more streamlined without a huge head. Here follow the first 2:

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.

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!

Thank you all for your ideas for more fantasy creatures! Today’s is a Basilisk, a cross between a bird and a lizard. This is the creature that is most commonly depicted as being killed by St. George. Its most famous characteristic it its long, leathery, dangerous tail that can lop a man’s head off in a single swipe. It is supposed to be terrifying, poisonous, and so fearsome that a single look could turn a grown man to STONE! (oh MY!) Oh, and its only 12 inches long. I figured that most things small and poisonous are also quite beautiful. So, I went the “It’s terrifying cause its so PRETTY” route.

Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent for the fantasy coloring book!

And the collection grows. Thank you guys for your comments! I LOVE THE IDEAS!

Another page for the fantasy coloring book. The ever classic winged horse, or otherwise known by name as Pegasus. In Greek mythology Pegasus was this ONE horse with wings, not ANY horse with wings. His daddy was Poseidon, the Greek God of the Ocean, and his momma was Medusa. The chick with the snake hair…yeah…weird. I couldn’t make that up, it is written in many languages. However, the name Pegasus has become so a part of our vocabulary to describe any winged horse, that it is now the term for this magical creature. However, don’t think too hard about the original mythology..because that would mean that Triton has a winged horse as a half brother. (Poseidon is Triton’s daddy too.) Anyway, winged horses rock.