Garden of Pleasures

I have a way of driving myself somewhat crazy, in terms of procrastinating when it comes to posting new work on the blog.  This is a perfect example - the most recent Singapore Slingers poster, for an event back in July.  I kept meaning to photograph and document, but waited so long that I actually forgot where the original drawing ended up.  After a half-hour of frustrated portfolio-scanning, I recalled that it was hidden in a frame, behind another poster.  For safe-keeping, which is a great concept - but not so great when the location is forgotten entirely.  Safe, indeed...

Anyhow.  This poster was a real joy, not only in that I took the easier route with metallic ink throughout, but also because we decided to increase our standard poster size from 8 1/2 x 11" to 11 x 17".  This freed my mind and hand up immensely, allowing much more room for design.  I had recently been reading about Louis Comfort Tiffany, and his stained glass creations clearly affected the thing.  The butterfly, as with so many other features in my work, offers Nazar Boncugu references in its wings.  (Also, if you look closely alongside the "y", you can see a correction/repair made, as my often-distracted mind initially thought an area that shouldn't have been inked... should.  X Acto blades and patience are absolute necessities when this lamentable situation occurs...)

I chose to embrace the vertical nature of the dimensions, and went with somewhat Mackintosh-inspired lettering.  Super Black on bright yellow ink, with white pencil shading behind the figures to help things pop.  You can see the reflective mica in the photo below - more of that to come...

 

Bees.  Our household is rather nutty for these beasts, as they have long flocked to the datura wrightii plants that have followed me through several moves.  In this case, however, they have to make do with Beardsley-inspired "fish scale" roses...

 

An angled shot of the poster, to show a bit more of the reflective nature of the metal-based inks.  Between the vividness of the inks, and the layered shades of the pencils, the resulting color reminds me of nothing so much as Liquore Strega (a favorite).  Granted, this sheen doesn't show up in the reproductions we distribute throughout town, but the intense colors come up beautifully.  There is also something rewarding about their visual appeal, on pieces I decide to frame... at least, unless they are hidden behind another piece within that frame.  Seeing this one again, it's probably time to give it the greater honor of actually being shown...

My best wishes always, and stay tuned for the next poster.

Loads of Toads

It shouldn't come as a shock, judging from past entries, that I'm a fiend for creatures. Society's castoffs such as retired greyhounds, abandoned pets, nuisance animals and wild beasts strike a particular chord with me - as such, it makes sense that I have a real weakness for... weird critters. I'd like to introduce my outdoor dependents, two Gulf Coast toads that live under the porch.
They don't have names, and don't need them - they're simply a wonderful mated pair, content in their little garden of oddball plants, weird pottery and plentiful food. Here's a shot of the lovely girl, awaiting an insect-ilicious meal at dusk. The 1940s "Our Baby" vase pretty much says it all, as these animals are basically adopted children, as far as I'm concerned...

This is the fellow, getting a drink from the garden's water dish. At the time I kept a large nazar boncuk (glass Turkish charm) in the dish - partly for its intended purpose, and too in an effort to ward off birds and other potential predators. Look at how beautiful these creatures are - their color patterning and skin textures are truly remarkable...

Two items of interest - toads drink through their skin, particularly on their bellies. As well, the best way to differentiate between sexes in Gulf Coast toads is via their throats - the ladies are solid sand-toned, while the gents boast a lemon-yellow patch. Often the gals are a bit larger than their partners, and this couple is no exception to the rule. Evidence:

I should mention that I nurture the welfare of these little beings - I keep a supply of meal worms on hand, and surround their little cavern with thorny roses, Spanish Bayonets and other prickly plantings - thus keeping stray cats at bay. Along with their underground lair, these toads have an alternate shelter - a "toad house". These are easy to make - mine is simply an upturned flower pot, with a doorway shattered out of rim. It's rare that the house is utilized, but I was lucky enough to catch the female hiding out within, during a serious downpour. This is one of my favorite garden photos - she's just enchanting, peeping from the doorway:

Finally, a farewell shot - another of the fellow, again luxuriating in his water dish. The glass charm is more apparent here, and in the ambient light the toad's intricate skin is brought into full relief. These are gentle, intelligent creatures - not "cute" in the traditional sense, but rather endearing. Fed on mealworms, junebugs and flies, I expect they'll be around for a good, long time - enjoying life, and charming me, just by being exactly as nature intended them.