ARCANE ANIMAL ARTISTRY
The Blue Wolf Moon
Going back to my childhood roots, "The Blue Wolf Moon" was born from my love of wolves since a young age.
The vibrant color blue, not seen in mammalian coats, represents the dream-like quality of wild animals.
They are fellow beings of Earth, but very few get to be hands on with such beautiful creatures. They are present, but just out of reach. Stunning wild animals that demand respect for their existence, just as much as love.
When we gaze upon the bright full moon, do we not think of the Wolf? 😌
The Golden Tiger Sun
"The Golden Tiger Sun" emerged from my love and fascination with tigers since I was a child.
From the lovable bouncy Tigger to the charming and dangerous Shere Khan, I could never get enough of these bold and beautiful big cats! Lions and Tigers are neck and neck when it comes to a favorite, but those alluring stripes get me every time if I have to choose.
Gold and purple are a favorite color combination of mine and I could not get the image of a golden tiger with radiant purple stripes out of my head! Since this was to be a companion piece to "The Blue Wolf Moon", and it just naturally seemed to make sense, the Tiger is the Sun to the Wolf's Moon.
The Rainbow Thylacine
The first time I ever saw the last known footage of a thylacine, I was immediately in love! And heartbroken... As a child, it was hard to understand that a species could be extinct. Especially one that felt so alive in a moving picture.
It made sense that dinosaurs were no longer around - they were huge and otherworldly. They truly belonged to another time.
But there he was - the last thylacine - pacing that terrible enclosure; his stripes bold, his eyes searching, his life...lost.
The thylacine should have still been with us today. It's a tragic loss.
Even though I may never get to see one of these beautiful souls in person (fingers crossed science can bring them back), I still love them deeply.
"All that we love deeply becomes part of us."
- Helen Keller
The rainbow coat represents hope for new life and new beginnings. Their expression is one of alertness, curiosity, but no fear. They are thriving. And to you all, I wish you all a thriving life. ✨🌈✨
Hamster Pantaloons
If you know me, then you know my love for hamsters. These sweet little, nuggety, squishy, pocket potatoes are as cute as a button! I knew I'd end up painting one of them someday, I just didn't know it was going to be so whimsical! 😆
I have my friend Tazzy to thank for this one - we were streaming together and I ended up doodling a tiny blobby hamster with pantaloons and long legs! We laughed so hard. I knew right away I was going to take it to the next level.
You would think drawing or illustrating a hamster would be easy - but nooooo. It took many attempts and long hard looks at reference images to get the face just right. The easiest part of the whole illustration were the pants, legs, and boots!
At least now I feel I have a better grasp on hamster anatomy and plan on drawing quite a few more in the future. 🐹
This little guy right here was the start of it all!
This doodle and the final image have so much character. I'm proud of this little hamster! They are living their best life, putting their best foot forward, and they are clearly confident.
"The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are."
- Carl Jung
I believe they know who they truly are. Wishing you the same privilege. ❤️
The Effervescent Unicorn
Unicorns are my all time favorite mythical creature ever since I was a kid. Unicorns were on my school folders, in the shape of stickers on my dresser mirror, framed on the wall, in plushie format on my bed, and definitely being doodled in the margins of my school work. All the time.
If I could grow up to be anything?
It'd be a Unicorn. 🦄
This design has inspiration decades in the making. I was always fascinated with the old Unicorn tapestries and stories. It intrigued me that the British Royal crest featured a unicorn in golden chains and a hold crown around its neck. I loved seeing medieval interpretations of this magical creature. The lore wa spellbinding!
I knew for this illustration I wanted to go with a classic rearing beauty, mane flowing in the wind, and nice long feathered fetlocks.
The symbolism in the old lore was also important to me to redesign and create my own symbols. Stars, olive leaves, hearts and carnations. All have signficance, even the number of stars present, and all are open to your own interpretation. 😌
"I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become."
- Carl Jung
This particular quote deeply resonated with me. It's a great reminder that we are not our trauma. We are who we choose to be. What has happened to me in life does not define me, it does not define my present, it does not define my future. I have the power to create my life and my world. We all hold that magic within us.