A flush of Aces

The Ace of Trees predicts a spark of energy, the ignition of a new passion. It is represented here by the Beech tree in flower - something that happens only every few years and sparks an explosion in the populations of rodents whilst also prompting birds like the kakapo to breed.

The Ace of Peaks predicts new challenges, the mind becoming sharper and clearer. It is represented here by the NZ Broom, a plant that spends most of its time being spiky and barren, until it blooms into life.



The Ace of Coins predicts luck, health or the birth of prosperity. Here it is represented by a daisy, growing in an otherwise barren and forboding environment, bringing life to a land where all seems sterile and desolate.

The Ace of Waves predicts a new love, a welling of emotion. It is represented here by the bladder kelp, a plant that provides habitat and protection for many fish, such as this juvenile butterfish.

Art Dump

It's been a while since I updated - but that does not necessarily mean I've been slack with the artistry. Although, admittedly, I have a bit! This is not so much a "daily art blog" as a "every few day's art blog". Anyhow, in between baking muffins for my co-workers, spending time with my husband and the extended family and working, I have achieved a bit of art. Most of it for the Pick-a-theme that finishes now in the middle of January - yay for extensions!

This one called for two Goddesses - the Goddess of the Moon and the Goddess of Fortune:

A tree:


And the theme Gypsy/Bohemian. since the last was for Icekat, who has a number of feline furry characters anyhow, Idid not think she'd mind if I drew Titus, with a wig on, in a gypsy costume.
Okay, so he maybe does look a wee bit too girly.


And lastly - a guitar:

Fish, fowl, flower

Three NZ atcs for Vox in Serbia.

They feature:
~ Saddleback or Tieke on NZ Tree Broom
~ Copper butterfly on an alpine daisy
~ The Giant Kokopu - a freshwater fish

Native Flora

A selection of native New Zealand flora. Firstly - twinchies -



Then a Cobb Gentian -

Pain and Passion

I'm doing another Pick-a-Theme and this one is really giving me issues. I am having trouble finding motivation to work on the pieces... I thought I would tackle the most awkward theme first - "Pain and Passion".

My initial thought for this one, was to do a hand clasping a razor blade (black inkwork) with the only colour being the red of the spilt blood. But that seemed just a little too dark and depressing for me.

So I looked at Frida Kahlo's work, as she had been suggested as a link to the theme.

No motivation there.

Finally, I decided to draw this:



It's an Earwig (pain) on a Passionflower.

I do hope she likes it!

Daisy, daisy, give me your answer do...

A selection of colourful daisies ATCs to brighten up your day. Referenced from my mother's gardening book.


I just realised that I've done them for each number from 1-4. That's kinda funny. Wish I'd realised sooner, I could have put the number on them. Guess they'll be organised on the page in ascending order!

Random Assortment

You may know the Fable - the Fox sees a juicy bunch of grapes and tries to reach them - but oh, gosh darn it, he's not tall enough, even when he stands on his hindpaws and stretches up as high as he can go. Still out of reach. Again he tries, and again, but without success. Finally he gives up. "Probably sour anyway," he mutters to himself as he pads off. This coining the phrase "sour grapes".

Well, he obviously wasn't a Grey Fox. These American foxes can actually climb trees. They have hooked claws, which allow them to scramble up and escape predators.

Or in this case, get the grapes.


How now, Randall cow? Err, calf. This wee black and white lass is one of the many "Thank you" ATCs I shall be sending out over the next few weeks. She's going to live with Ibus in Scotland.

And this is another, it's off to Montana for Xstitcher's ATC garden. It's a Echinopsis subdenudata and it's referenced from here


Whereas my Crowley portrait worked well, this portrait of Greebo in his human form (still showing certain feline characteristics) was rather less successful. Oh well.

Spiced up!

A bright little Vermilion Flycatcher. These wee songbirds are native to the southern States and Central and South America. The male is the colourful one. He's for Athalour in South Africa.


Last night we dined at a very yummy Indian restaurant called "Corianders". This is the herb itself. The entire plant is edible, with the leaves tasting rather different from the seeds (the flowers are not so commonly used). The leaves are supposed to aid the kidneys, I believe it was. They taste good with chicken and other spices. We had some growing in our little portable herb garden but when we went away the landlady chopped it right down to the stumps. I hope it sprouts again as it was going pretty wild! If not, I shall have to plant another one in the pot. It has a slight citrus tang.

The plant parts are actually 3d - this was supposed to be a "Botanical drawing".




And this little Loris is putting on a show just for you! By the light of the moon he's a singing, dancing star! And very, very cute. Don't you just want to gobble him up? (With coriander, of course).

Whirligig

This delightful little potplant has only sprouted one flower, but what a flower! This is a purple African Daisy. Otherwise known as the Whirligig. Can you guess why? I've also rustled up a few "Noah's Ark" cards, but they will be uploaded tomorrow when I finish the set.

And, that's another PAT completed. I'm onto personal trades now ^^ And after that... randomly drawing whatever I feel like again! Woooh, I may even have some ATCs for trade or sale for a change.

A bird in 13 minutes?

Well, not quite - most took slightly longer, but the challenge for this swap was to spend no more than 13 minutes per card. I decided that choosing the subject should not be included in that time! To also cut down time expended, I used my prismas, which are still in their original tray. Thus no fossicking through my large tin trying to find the one inch long terracotta pencil that is "in there somewhere".

The birds are:

Blue Heron, Oriental Bay Owl, Eider Duck
African Skimmer, Hoatzin and Crowned Crane.

I will likely not be sending the Blue Heron as the composition and balance are shocking and thus it just does not look right to me.

Also today my artistic offerings are:

A total failure at drawing something creepy, not cute. Then again, it is hard to deny that aye-aye are intrinsically cute. Especially if you've ever seen a year old youngester at close quarters.

A tropical butterfly perches on a ginger flower. I'm quite pleased with this one, and the effect I am managing to achieve on my flora pieces.

These two cards are for HmmNBird I think her name is. Should she want them!

Do you know that June 6th is DRAWING DAY?

Bamboo and hibiscus

Just one little picture today (hey it's the last day of my working week, I'm totally exhausted!). This is a piece I rustled up this morning before work. It's inspired by Crafter/Janet's work and features some Hawaiian flora:
Once again, the colours are a little too saturated. But still, it's pretty and I at least inked it in her style without my usual "colouring book" thick outline. For reference I used three of my Hawaii flora photographs.

Tomorrow I shall be designing my dream treehouse.