Its the Year of the Dog Happy New Year!

This day marks the Chinese New Year and the beginning of the year of the dog.  I chose to depict the shih tzu a breed of dog that originated from China.

What makes this year special is that we had the opportunity to host two university students from China for three weeks. It was joy getting to know them and learn more about China. I was also born in the year of the dog.

#17 of 100 Elephants: T-Rex

I like dinosaurs. The thought of a large Tyrannosaurus Rex Elephant just made me giggle. The small arms with the elephant paws and the trunk just increased the awkwardness of the creature in a delightful way.

#11 of 100 Elephants

As part of the 100 Something assignment, I asked the students to be inspired by art work while visiting the Boston Museum of Art. They were to create at least two characters that were inspired by what they saw.

I spent most of my time absorbing the Japanese Woodblock exhibit and created this elephant based on a bird demon. It just screamed turn me into an elephant with a bow tie and a bowler hat.

#5 of 100 Elephants A Large Head

For #6, I started playing with proportions more.

#3 of 100 Elephants Four Arms

On #3 I just increased the number of arms. I think this was rather obvious. I should have done more.

#1 of 100 Elephants

This last semester I gave my introductory visual arts class an assignment to create 100 somethings. I took the challenge myself and created 100 different elephants. It was an incredible exercise in creativity. I often found myself stuck and then would have this burst of inspiration using my ideas to unique and new directions. I also determined to go completely traditional and practice my use of the pen.

It was frustrating and exciting.

These will be on display in the Quimby Gallery at Lyndon State College between January 23 and March 16 as part of the “the minuscule, wee teensy-weensy, tiny, itsy-bitsy, itty-bitty, eensy, infinitesimal, very small miniature diminutive, lilliputian mini art show with a mega LARGE title” exhibit. Anyone can create a work of art that is 2 x 3.5 inches and send it to the gallery between Jan 23 and March 13 and it will be hung.

In addition to that I will be selling the original 100 elephants for $5 each. If you are interested contact me. I am in the process of setting up an online store and will announce when that is done.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Vermont!

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Chimera of Sorts

Chimera (kīˈmi(ə)rə)

This is a personal take on a traditional Greek mythological creature. In stead of the typical lion, dragon and goat headed monster I mixed some of my favorite odd animals together into a storage beast. I am also moving into my bowler phase.