Softie Awards Finalists

Well, my gang of softies didn't make it to the finals, which is why these guys are looking a bit down in the mouth, but we did have fun and saw some adorable cuties like this little
crosspatch

Anyway, you can see the
softie awards finalists

and vote for your favourite and see who the judges chose over my darlings! They were entered in the animal category.

Having fun in photoshop for illustration friday

I SPY is the topic this week. I thought this rather suited the topic as it suggests to me the inner workings of some kind of mechanical eye. It's great to go abstract now and then, there's a refreshing sense of freedom, no rules applied!

Arum lily, longer lasting loveliness

I did these in ink, and I'm quite pleased with the effect,sort of graphic, bold and strong with a hint of a tint of creepiness. I know that these flowers have a history of being used for funerals and I have my own little theory as to why, other than the fact that they are very serious,stately flowers, none of your blousey petals or brash colours going on. Anyway my theory is this, they were used as funeral flowers in the days of old because they are the only flowers that the sheep wouldn't eat, as they are poisonous, so not only would they last on the grave, they would also be plentiful in the wilds. So there you have it, grim fairy tales of Janie.

Mummenschanz mime troupe

Above are the Mummenschanz mime troupe who I'd never heard of till today, although they've been around since the seventies and are still performing. This is a clip from the Muppet Show they were on. The control they have of the clay is brilliant, I say clay but I've no idea what the stuff is. I've never come across clay like it, more like a cross between dough and bluetack.
Anyway whatever it is, they're amazing with it. I mean they're doing all that modeling without being able to see what they're doing. I'd love to have a go!
You can read all about them on their
site
and see a few snippets of other work they've done.

Elephants (Trying to hide) at dawn

Another
Illustration Friday
'Hide' is this weeks topic .
I painted this with a semi abstract idea in mind, that of the elephants being barely distinguishable from the landscape in the misty dawn. I have no idea if it works at all, 'cause I know the shapes are supposed to be elephants and so to me they are two, somewhat badly drawn elephants.
Anyway...how do you hide an elephant in a cherry tree?
paint their toenails red.
have you ever seen an elephant in a cherry tree? no?
well, I guess it works then!!
Just a little silly joke from my childhood repertoire.

Aerobic master...Trevor

Meet Trevor, the Aerobic master, who also does a bit of draught excluding on the side.
He's bringing out his own fitness program soon called Training with Trev, watch this space!

Trudy the yellow footed booby softie

Another of my birdy creations.
Last week my pal sent me this link softie awards So I immediately signed up and entered all my creations. The judges will choose five top softies from each category and then it's up to the public to vote for their favourite. There's tough competition out there though, some incredible cuties strutting their stuffing! You can see my guys and cheer them on, at flickr