Who wants to trade?

So this last weekend we had a fabulous Saturday Short at the museum all about Artist Trading Cards... and naturally I am now totally addicted to ATCs. They are just so much fun. Tiny little canvases with lots of potential. So here are some images of some of the ones I made this weekend. Front and back. I started by making one big collage that I cut up into the 2.5 x 3.5 inch format and then I embellished them further. For the backs I went through my old sketchbooks and pulled out random things I had written down- quotes, bits from books, a few lyrics, recipes, and other notations that I have no idea what or where they came from.

Royce goes to work in my place

On this blustery November morning I was reminded of a drawing I did a while back, well I guess it's really more of a sketch, but at any rate an idea I had for a little book or zine. I was having this moment (this is where I begin to sound like a crazy cat lady) with my cat Royce when he was whining about something and I asked him if he would have rather gone to work and me stay home and sleep all day. He merely walked away. But I liked the idea of Royce going to work for me- riding the train or the bus in the morning with a cup of coffee in paw, sitting at my cubicle responding to emails and typing up contracts. And thus was born this image.



Naturally he is drawn wearing my clothes and carrying a bag like I do. Though he looks a little to serious here. Royce is not really a very serious cat. Now I just need to do a companion drawing of our other cat Orson going to teach my roommate's English classes.

Cloud of Smoke

This is a tracing I did in color pencil of this weird smoke cloud from this old wood block print that features two witches burning salamanders and snakes. Not sure if that means that this then is supposed to be some kind of cloud of evil, or what. But I do know that I have been drawn to this for quite some time and using it in my collage/drawings a lot lately. I love the line quality and the little dots. I think the print is from the 16th century originally and I have found a bunch of other great images with similar cloud-like formations and witches.

Desk buddies

These guys keep me company whilst I work in my cubicle five days a week. They help give my work space a little quirkiness that I need some days to keep me going.

Of pandas and other creatures

Here are some more plushies. The panda I made for a friend of mine who loves pandas. He doesn't quite have razor sharp teeth to use for cutting through fences, or candy or even bone. But he could hide in an oreo factory if need be. And he does have snaggle teeth.

The other plushies are in progress. I need to finish stuffing them properly. Some are stuffed with recycled shredded paper, and some with polyfil stuffing stuff. It has been fun to translate the characters from my doodles into these little guys.

Posters and such

This is a new poster I did for one of my friend Mike's many musical projects. Totally random and silly, but who doesn't love a soldier playing a trumpet whilst riding an anteater! Complete with a chorus of goldfish.

World, I give you Ms. Edith P. Ladypants and her friend Mr. Smooches

Tah Dah! Here she is...

Ahhh yes.... here she is. I admit I was a bit ambitious for my first real attempt at a plushie. She was inspired by the little old lady who was on the bus with me that morning. At first glance she looked normal but then I realized she was quietly talking to herself. Please note her knickers- which are day of the week (Monday) and her rosey tramp stamp. She was quite the wild child in her younger days.