When I was around eight or nine, I was in a sort of summer camp/learning program at the Museum of Science in Boston and we dissected a squid. They served us calamari at lunch, which seemed unbelievably cool at the time, even though I didn't like fish then and I don't now. Something about having dissected the creature beforehand made me want to try it anyway.
I was at this camp with my friend Meredith and her mum was picking us up. Naturally she asked what we did that day, and I answered, "We dissected a squid! And then we ate it's testicles!"
And as soon as those words left my mouth, I knew it was wrong. I knew what I had said instead of tentacles. To this day, I could tell exactly where in the hallway leading to the parking garage we were standing. And bless her heart, Meredith's mum didn't say a word. She didn't even smile.
That was the first time I remember wanting to actually be swallowed by the floor.
Snowy Owl by Brian Scott (BrianScott)
I'd love to say a tiger, a la Jasmine from Aladdin, but if we're talking non-cartoon, *actual* wild animals, I think I'd rescue some type of owl. You know, one who's been shot or has a broken wing or something? I'd build it a big roost and train it so it could do wildlife demonstrations. It would be the best of both worlds, really: I'd rescue a creature that would otherwise not be able to survive, plus I'd have, you know AN OWL.
Unfortunately, I can't show you most of the projects I've been working on that have kept me away from blogging because they are Christmas presents and I don't want to ruin anyone's surprise. However! There is one thing I can share right now...
We live in a classically suburban neighborhood and the wild life we run into is fairly typical for these areas: squirrels, raccoons, rabbits and birds. Our squirrels are quite bold and cheeky, and they will taunt Miles from the top of the fence, chattering away. I imagine they are saying, "Ha HA! You can't reach me!"
Remember when I posted about the Round Robin project for the DAM Team? WELL. Angela sent me the finished images of our Herald Of Spring, and people, it is AWESOME. It's better than I had imagined. I never expected that we would work so very well together, or that our styles would mix so seamlessly.
New dolls!
Every time I start a new pet portrait, I get anxious. Sometimes, I even put it off a little and instead of diving in to painting, I will look at the pictures for awhile. I always, always, always print pictures of the dog (or cat, though I've had precious few of those, and they were all family kitties!) when I get the go-ahead to do the portrait. But for some reason, I need to live with the pictures for awhile. I gaze at them, stare at them, peep at them from the corner of my eye... until the dog becomes a part of me, in a strange way.
... the goose is getting fat! Pleased to put a penny in the old man's hat!
