IT: Inspired By Design

This is an image of a very rare Zebra-Striped Chalupa Tulip. So rare, in fact, that it doesn't exist. Yet. I could design it, were I so inclined (and gifted).











Tulips are among the most un-natural plants on earth. Take a look through a garden catalog:

Do you think most, if any, of those plants would exist without human intervention? Wait, don't think. I'll tell you. No. No they wouldn't.

Humans aren't the only animal that designs their environment. All organic material leaves a footprint (don't tell the Sierra Club). Usually it's done in a trial-by-fire method. We're just now starting to understand how design at the DNA level works. The more we can understand, the more we can control the outcome.

One human who is good at this is Norman Borlaug. Next time you hear talk of Frankenfoods, be midfull of the fact that Frankenfoods prevented mass-starvation.

I'm inspired by those who are designing the building blocks of life, who bring us beauty and save millions of lives.

INSPIRE ME THURSDAY: PAINT

The IT folks are back from vacation with a new inspiration for the nation of artists whose creation keeps me away from my Play Station. That would be paint. Easy, I thought. That's pretty much all I do, artwise. So I started to paint a landscape, didn't know when to stop, and wrecked it. No tragedy, happens all the time. So I set it aside, figuring one day I might be able to fix it. The only problem: what to do with all the extra paint.

It's not actually a problem. I just said that to build a little dramatic tension. I did what I always do when I have extra paint left over: I splatter it all on an aceo card. Sometimes it's a freshie, sometimes it's over a goofed doodle. I use everything, waste nothing. This is the way of my people.

On the splattered aceo, I try to make something out of it. Rarely are the results any good, but I get to try things without the pressure of creating something ebay-worthy. Here are a few with just paint (in accordance with ITs strict draconian rules):

1.

This one is a mix of acrylics, gouache, and watercolor. The shiny part in the bottom/left corner isn't wet - it's some acrylic shining through.

2.

This one is all acrylic - Obviously, I had alot of green and white left over. This is actually painted on another recycled splatter painting - there's some pinkishness coming through the green in spots.

3.

Another acrylic. I started to paint a canoe in this trippy little landscape, but fell out of love with the idea. It's not you, little painting; it's me.

4.

This is from very wet gouache. It's also the one from the remains of my IT attempt. So, I guess this is my official IT submission.

Do any of you, loyal readers, think any of these have potential? If so, what would you recommend I do? My very soul is bared. I feel so naked.

INSPIRE ME THURSDAY

So the IT
folks are taking a little break, leaving the inspiration thing up to us. I'm not good at these things. Here are their questions, which lead to this AMAZING self-portrait:

1. What inspires me? I dunno.
2. Do I need to shake up my art? Uh, sure. I guess.
3. What is my passion? OK, that's an easy one. Ice cream. Wait... no... BBQ. Wait... no... this is an art blog... I gotta say something artistic... Neo-post-classical-modern-expressionism. And purty colors.
4.What are my favorite things about creating? Geez, don't know.
5. Least favorite? Man, I...
6. Why do I create? Aaaaargh!
7. Why am I an artist? Because, okay? Just because!
8. How do I describe my art? Stuff on paper. That's about it.
9. What are my goals? To attain a secure and responsible position within this organization. That one was easy - I just went on some job interviews.
10. My dreams? Can't say - I'm sleeping when that happens.

Whew. That was tough. I hope they get back from vacation soon. This line of questioning apparently turned my hair blue. And made my ears bigger - my ears are actually rather small. And you know what they say about guys with small ears. What? Could you repeat that?

RAT BLUES

Since my baby left me
(badadada dum)
My world is in a haze
(badadada dum)
Those dudes in all white lab coats
Got me runnin through a maze

I got the rat blues
The gol'dang rat blues
The stepped in a trap blues
The here comes the cat blues

Oh baby please tell me
(badadada dum)
What am I s'posed to do
(badadada dum)
How much cheese does it take now
For me to get over you

(Chorus)

Yeah, ok, so maybe Lady Macbeth isn't the best idea for a children's book illustration submission. Not that I'm submitting anything. I don't really know how that world works. But something tells me a rat singing the blues is more appropriate than a bloody and crazed lady. But maybe I'm wrong. Like I said, I don't know much about the children's book illustration business. If you, dear reader, have any advice/hints/money to give, let me know in the comments.

Anyway, here's a little rat-tacular musical pic your your amusement. Are you amused? I hope so. Because I was really trying to stay away from horrified this time.

Previous music-themed aceos here, here, here,
and here.

Go out and buy this little ditty here.