Totem Time

I am participating in another "totem" swap which gives me another excuse to make more of these. As if I need an excuse!

The Horse ...You enjoy freedom - to run wild and explore. You are friendly and adventurous and have the power to overcome any obstacles that might be put in your path.

The Octopus ... You are productive, intelligent and efficient. You are able to achieve much in a short space of time, although you must take care not to overlook your own health and general well-being. You are not known for being particularly tidy.

The Hummingbird ... You take great delight in spreading joy to those around you. You are adaptable and able to adjust to many situations. Even to achieve what others might believe impossible.

The Dolphin ... You are intelligent and sociable, with a good sense of humour.You move through life with grace and beauty, taking pleasure in the small things and allow nothing to bring you down.

Skunk

I have been commissioned to design a skunk bookmark. Because the first one I came up with didn't hook over the page very well, I made a second one, which hooks better but still not as well as the lemur - mainly because skunks have shorter tails.

As an additional extra, I also made a Skunk Totem card:

If your totem is the skunk - you are fearless but peaceable. You enjoy spending time by yourself, but when in the company of others you are shown respect. In turn, you too also know when to give respect and when to demand it.

If your Totem is the Spider...

You are wild and artistic, putting a creative spin into your life. Patience is one of your virtues, and you are happy to bide your time until opportunity arises, and then you are quick to pounce. At times you might be considered spiteful, your actions or words venomous. It can be difficult for you to relate to others, and you prefer your own company, weaving your own creative magic.

Element = Air

If your Totem is the Cheetah..

... You are swift and agile. Once you have set your heart and mind on a specific goal, you focus on it with an intensity that can be exhausting to others. You must learn to relax during times of stress, to take a deep breath and watch for further opportunity to come your way.

This is my first Totem card drawn at the larger size of 6x4 inches.

Totemic Beasties - Hedgehog and Eagle

If your Totem is the Hedgehog you are gentle and protective. You can hear the voice of the earth clearly, and often know the secrets that hide beneath it - and how to uncover them. You dislike chaos and must protect and defend the truth. If things happen that you do not like, you have a tendeceny to hide from them, rolling yourself up, instead of facing them head-on - which can sometimes not be to your advantage.
Element = Earth

If your Totem is the Eagle you are swift and strong. Your ability to see far and wide has made you very wise and you make a wonderful guide and teacher.
Element = air

If your Totem is the Dragonfly...

You balance between two worlds - the emotional and passionate through your younger days (the influence of water) and then with maturity rises a greater clarity and control (the influence of air). You must see through the illustions and change the habits that need changing, awakening to your true vision.

If your Totem is the Scarab...

You are strong and dedicated, with a direct purpose in life. You are also a symbol of resurection and regeneration, able to bounce back after negative events avail you.

If your totem is the Rooster....

You are charismatic and flamboyant, with the tendency to be somewhat vain. Wherever you go, you draw the eyes of admirers, but sometimes your rambunctios nature can be rather overwhelming. You like gifts and attention, and often it does not seem like the celebration or occasion cannot begin until you're present.

Element: Sun

More from Aesop's and another Totem

If your Totem is The Domestic Cat
You have found your niche in life and can now lie back and soak up the rewards. Some might consider you lazy, but that's not the case - you may seem laid-back, but if opportunity presents itself, you are always quick to pounce.
Element: Sun

The Monkey and the Dolphin

A monkey worked for the circus and was travelling across the ocean on a ship. A mighty storm struck, and the ship sunk. The monkey was left floating alone in the ocean, struggling to keep his head above the water, when a dolphin came along. As dolphins are honour bound to help drowning humans, she fished him out and tossed him onto her back, before setting out for the nearest shore. But as he enared the coast, the dolphin tried to strike up a conversation of the monkey, asking if he knew a particularly famous landmark. The monkey, assuming this was a person, answered that “yes, he knew them well, and dined with them regularly.”. Realising she had been deceived, and feeling particularly vindictive, the dolphin dipped her head under the water and drowned the poor primate.

Those who pretend to be what they are not, sooner or later, find themselves in deep water

What's your Totem?

If your Totem is the Platypus...
You are something of a conundrum, a contradiction. You do not fit well into mainstream society and tend to be viewed as an eccentric or possibly an outcast. You seek the deeper meaning in any situation and are sensitive to emotions around you.

If your Totem is the Seahorse ...
You are patient and mild-mannered, happy to idle your way through life. Alas, this means you have difficulty adjusting change and can be quite stubborn in your resistance against it.

If your Totem is the Deer ...
You live for variety and loathe routine. Any challenge, you will hurdle with ease, and take it by the horns. This can lead to some wild and radical decisions, made without due consideration.

If your Totem is the Crab ....
You are of sensitive nature. Devoted to your family and friends, you put the needs of others ahead of yourself and make for a generous friend. However, you can turn bitter and snappy if things do not go your way (or if you feel underappreciated), and prone to withdraw into your shell.

If your Totem is the Goose...
You have a positive outlook on the future, and consider it often. This means that you have your goals clear in your sight and you will work hard to achieve them. You are a perfectionist, and thus take any sort of failure or setback to heart.

Bound for Latvia and Serbia

It was quite serendipitous how I met Nauris , a lovely fellow who is going to help me get my art into Latvia. You see, normally he sells his art, and thus he was sending messages out to some folks in the Ebay Group of ACEO Enthusiasts, and somehow he discovered my Facebook. I AM a member of ACEO Enthusiasts, as it turns out, although I haven't posted there since before my trip to Madagascar in 2007. Anyhow, he graciously agreed to do a trade with me, even though he usually sells, not collects.

So first up, here is a New Zealand themed card:

If your Totem is the Puriri Moth...
You are somewhat shy and keep rather to yourself. However, you believe in living life to the full, as tomorrow it may end, and will never turn down an opportunity when it comes your way.

(There's not really much to say about the Puriri Moth - it only lives for about a day once in moth form, as it has no feeding appendage. It is also the largest moth in New Zealand, found only in the North Island - which lead to much excitement the first time I saw one).

And the second card was inspired by his fantastic character "Mr Cat". Mr Cat gets up to all sorts of activities and seems to have a lot of fun, so it made me think - maybe I should draw my Miss Katta. So I rustled up a new Katta the Artist:


And to add more to my conquering of the Eastern Europe countries, I have also tracked down a lass in Serbia. the Owl Totem shown previous is destined for her doorstep, along with this pretty Poison Dart Treefrog I rustled up a couple of days ago:


And last but not least, although he's only travelling as far as Australia, is this delightfully colourful Himalayan Monal. I've been meaning to draw one for a while. Finally, I've gotten onto it!


And so concludes another Artful day!

If your Totem is the Owl...

You are intuitive and can reveal secrets from out of the darkness. These are not always welcome, but will always be filled with wisdom and guidance.

I've done quite a few of these. Maybe it is time to make a book?

Return of the Totemic Beasties

If your totem is the Bat:

You are highly adaptable and alert to what is going on around you. Highly sociable in nature, you are also highly attuned to the emotions and hidden signals from others. Therefore you are wise in empathy.













If your Totem is the Iguana:

There is much about you that is misunderstood. You are patient and kind by nature. You can be suprisingly gentle and understanding. Water calls to you, and you can often be found near it or in it. You do not like to feel confined or trapped.

More Totems and a Demon in Disguise

It's Mr Anthony Crowley, the demon from "Good Omens" and his trusty Bentley. Look - I drew a human! And he looks pretty decent too.

THE TURTLE
You work best by thinking things over and moving with caution. You do not rush into things but this helps you to make the right decisions.















THE KOI FISH
You are capable of adapting to any situation and thriving on it. Indeed, you grow to meet your challenges and reach your goals. You are also affectionate and friendly, and others revel in your company.

Totemic Beasties part deux

These have been my most popular set of cards as of late and ever since I finished the first set I've had various requests for them. So I give to you the latest three. These were suggested by the intended recepients and I still have to draw a Koi Fish and a Turtle.

If your Totem is THE FROG

You embrace change, but are extremely sensitive to the world around you. This leads to greater empathy, and a deeper understanding of beauty and the arts. You are probably an artist, musician (you do enjoy singing) or a healer. Unfortunately, there is the risk that you will absorb too much and this may taint and poison your personality, turning you bitter and cynical.




If you Totem is THE BEAR
You have a tendency for introspection and deep thought, often becoming lost within yourself. You do not socialise well, and may be considered a little bit odd-ball, yet others will often seek you out for advice. You are known for your wisdom and contemplation.







If your Totem is THE FOX
You are sneaky and stealthful, able to mingle with any crowd without standing out. You are highly adaptable, able to appear at ease in any situation and make it to your advantage.

My website gallery is now up and running - all that remains to do is to write individually on every illustration I've uploaded and fix the keywords etc. But please come and visit - http://lemurkat.co.nz - if you want a button to link to it, please use this image here:

or the button I'm using to the right of this entry.

Anyhow, I managed some more cards these last two days too:

A "Saucy Siren". Not quite what the artist who chose this theme might have had in mind. I hope she likes it or at the very least, isnt offended. I'm perfectly happy to draw her something else.

Totem =Badger for Blackdog

If your Totem is the Badger you are solitary and tenacious. You can be sociable if the situation demands it, but for the most part you would rather be on your own. Once you get working on a project you are most determined indeed to see it through until the end. You can be quite fierce if roused.

And for OuP, three weird mammals.

Platypus - one of the only monotreme species - mammals that lay eggs. Platypus are small, sotcky mammals with the bill of a duck, webbed feet, a beaver's tail and the males have poisoned spurs. Even when you have see the real thing, it's hard to believe it's actually a real animal.

Star-Nosed Mole - cousin to the common mole, the star-nosed uses its tentacles as sensory organs to locate and devour its wormy prey. It has huge, broad, flat feet for digging and is apparently a fairly good swimmer too.

Giant Pangolin - looking rather like an animated pinecone, the Pangolin is capable of rolling itself up into a ball. It's diet consists mainly of ants and it has long, powerful claws to rip open their homes. Its tongue is also very long, perfect for lapping up its insectile lunch.

What's your totem?

Designed for the totem/spirit animals ATC swap. I do not feel that these represent my personality. I selected these animals under the (somewhat correct) assumption that ravens, wolves and felines would be particularly popular and I'm never one to follow a crowd.

And I couldn't NOT do a lemur, really.

So, what do these totems represent? If your totem is the:

Naked Mole Rat-
You live your life in the dark, in subserviense to someone - be it parent, partner or boss. You are a survivor however, unable to feel much in the way of pain. You are also lacking entirely in individuality and independence, always feeling like you're waiting for a chance that may never come.

Bearded Dragon -
You are calm and relatively laid back, with a voracious appetite. Your favourite past time is basking in the sun but you also enjoy ascending to the heights. If danger threatens, you can look quite fierce - but you're just a big softie, really.

Ringtailed Lemur -
You may not be the brightest spark in the primate world, but you're always willing to stick your nose in where it may not be wanted. Curiosity is both your curse and your blessing. You are sociable, and others, particularly children, are drawn to you. Your worst fear is to be alone. Playful in nature, you don't take life particularly seriously.

Kea -
You are intelligent and curious. This trait is liable to get you into a fair amount of trouble as you are always trying to determine how things work or what happens when you do this? Sociable in nature, you are also quite playful and always willing to act the clown. Others may think you're a bit of a fool, but they're the ones being fooled, as you're secretly scheming mischief!

So which of these best represents me? I'll let you decide... But I think my DF is right... I am a bit of a lizard.