Where has she been?

Some of my loyal followers may be wondering: "If this is a daily art blog, why is it updated only monthly?" And you would be right - my art creating endeavours were a bit slowed by other projects - such as finishing "Fellowship of the Ringtails". Also, about a month ago I injured my right hand in the stupidest way possible - I was merely tying a plastic bag shut (you know how you do, knotting the handles) and a bad pain shot up through my hand from my fourth finger to my wrist. It was actually almost excruitiating and flared and faded, leaving a dull ache. For the rest of that day I had to rely more on my left hand for operating the till and other work related stuff, feeling like my right hand had turned into a claw. It got better, and by the end of the day I was able to use it again but ever since it has cramped up when I do fine detail stuff or twist it a certain way. I asked the doctor about it, and I think she said it was a tendon. Anyhow, it's mostly okay now, I just have to be a little careful with it.

The other reason is that the majority of my May art has been for either the Secret Solstice swap on Illustrated ATCs or a commission piece. The commission piece is very exciting - it is designing swing-tags for a New Zealand company that creates garments from merino wool - either 100% merino or a blend of merino/possum/silk. Consequently I have designed two images - one for the merino and the other featuring all three creatures.

Since they have seen and approved the merino one, I'll show it here:

So - would you buy clothing with this fellow on the label?

New Zealand birds strut their stuff!

The Purple Prince and Tiriki the Kea strut their stuff, while Flit the fantail watches. The mountain in the background is Mt Cook. This was a leaving present for a co-worker.

Paper Dolls with Folk Art Elements

These four fellows are foran Art Doll swap over on ATCs for all.

We have:

Boomer the Kangaroo (9 moving parts, 3 brads)

Cria the Llama (7 moving parts, 3 brads)

Pele the Pelican struts his stuff (6 moving parts, 4 brads)

Pabu the Panda (8 moving parts, 5 brads)

Hummingbird

It's been a while since I updated. I am actually working on a commission at the moment. It's a moderately complicated one, and I'm awaiting feedback and colour confirmation on my linework. Anyhow, you'll get to see it eventually.

But for now, here's a hummingbird that I made for my mother's birthday.

I'm not sure of the species - I googled "red hummingbird" and found it. I'm not even sure if it's an authentic photograph or a photoshop job. I'd not heard of red humminbirds, but that's my mum's favourite colour, so I figured I'd look it up.

6x6 inches.

Crazy Roadrunner!

I don't make chunkies very often, but I was inspired to make this one by the lovely ArtJunkie, who has made me the most awesome 3d art doll ever. I've made her a 2d art doll as well, but I felt like she needed something else too. Like I said, most awesome 3d art doll ever!

So, this guy was inspired by the cards I made on our US tour, except that this time I decided to make him chunky as well. So it features the state of New Mexico (where my trade buddy lives) and the state bird (roadrunner), flower (yucca) and butterfly (sandia hairstreak). The roadrunner's head moves - his eye is the brad. Which is why he looks slightly evil.

He was so fun to make, I might just have to make more!

Colourful Cats

Two cats for Flutterby's moley journal.
Cats coloured like birds:
- Rainbow Bunting
- Tanager

Alexis - in colour

Commissioned piece.