Beaded Fox Skull.

This is my third installment of beaded fox skull and I do believe I am thoroughly tired of the beading process.  My brain must be healed because I started working on a painting (that has been gathering dust for over two months) yesterday, it felt very natural.  No self loathing, no frustration, no nothing...just me and a paintbrush.  Perfection.

Peewee. A Commissioned Dog Drawing.

Meet handsome Peewee. Peewee is a corgi/red heeler mix and a companion to my friends, Lisa and Skyler. L and S recently asked me if I could create a black and white drawing of their little buddy so, of course, I said yes. I've been plotting this drawing out for a few days and finally had the chance to finish it yesterday.  The exciting part is that I have a few more jobs lined up.  It's pretty satisfying to get paid for doing something you love.  Life is good.

Let's Put Another Echidna on the Barbie.

In the 1960's the Australians made a perfect decision.  They chose to feature their country's amazing wildlife on their currency. here's the list.

• 1 cent = Feather Tailed Glider
• 2 cent = Frill Neck Lizard
• 5 cent = Echidna
• 10 cent = Lyre Bird
• 20 cent = Platypus
• 50 cent = Australian Coat of Arms inc. kangaroo and emu

My buddy randomly found this 5 cent piece while he was searching for vending machine change in his car.  He knew I was a coin nut and showed it to me...I stole it and scanned it.  Ta-Daaaaaa!

Canadian Nickel and a Tulip Time Commemorative Coin.

 

Just some coins I picked up at the Pawn Shop.  Isn't Queen Kathy amazing? 

An Octopus Illustration.

My buddy is passionate about music.  Yesterday, she asked her friends to help her out with an illustration.   I love to draw so I (and a few other folks) said I (we) could help.  Brooke told us the details...half woman/half octopus.  The illustration would be used as the cover of a music compilation for her label Uma Rouge (http://umarougemusic.com/).  So, I went home and worked up an idea...it doesn't completely fit the criteria but I hope she likes the octopus.

Man, I forgot about how much fun it can be to work under pressure.  Not like, "we're all gonna die if this doesn't get done pressure"...but pressure none the less.  The illustration had an overnight turnaround time. 

Beaded Muskrat Skulls.

I had a fabulous weekend.  We visited the Des Moines Art Center and experienced the wonderfully curated show, "Transparencies."  You can check out the show write up at http://www.desmoinesartcenter.org/exhibitions/Transparencies.aspx, if you're in the area you have no excuse not to go.  GO!

We also ate delicious medium rare steak, bought some brewing supplies and mix n' match beer at Beer Crazy (I bought an agave wheat beer, AMAZING), found an awesome art supply store by the Drake Campus (why do I have such expensive tastes in paper?), and ate wonderful sushi at Hoshi Sushi (it was so fresh and delicious...and in Iowa).  It was a lovely, rainy day.

I also finished up these two lovelies.  I'm kind of on a roll with these skulls.  Thanks goodness it's almost spring because I'm running out of skulls to embellish.  A friend recently asked me where I acquire all of these skulls.  Good question.  All of them have been found during arrowhead or fossil hunting ventures.  Yup.  Found them all on the ground.  Nature!

A Beaded Fox Skull.

Well, Folks, I'm at it again.  Iowa has been covered in snow for what feels like forever and I have a mega case of cabin fever.  You know what helps cabin fever?  Compulsive behavior.  This little fox has been encrusted with Swarovski crystals and pearl, gold, clear, red, and turquoise seed beads (one by one, my god). I hope you like him.