Character Creation

Here’s a little peek into the ole moleskine. He’s a little character I’ve named The Armed Illo. I'm not quite sure what he's up to, but he’s poised for action...of the creative kind.

See how I sneaked this week’s IF subject into that last sentence? I know…simply no shame.

Anyhow, I'll keep you updated on the little guy's progress.

A delicate balance

Sigmund Freud once compared the human mind to an iceberg. He theorised that only the visible ‘tip of the iceberg’ (wink wink), is ruled by conscious thought. The remaining underwater portions represent the preconscious mind which holds our accessible knowledge and memories and the unconscious mind which holds our inaccessible fears and desires.

I’ve been thinking about this illustration for a while now but wasn't quite sure if I could pull off the vision in my head. I’ll probably change a few things, but as with a lot of my posts, this is just one stop in the creative assembly line. Oddly enough, this week’s IF topic ‘Subtract’ seems to fit well with what I’ve come up with so, ‘Yay! High Five!’ (Yes, I just high-fived myself).

Intricate Dreams

Don’t know about everyone else, but I’ve been dreaming of spring and summer a lot lately. Please, let there be light!

Breezy

Yep, again with the puppets.

I have some really nice pics of Isola Bella which we took while on vacation on Lago Maggiore. Inside the villa on this tiny island was a room with some amazing marionette displays. Some of the backgrounds were so elaborately painted and the dolls so beautifully dressed and cleverly placed according to the scene. It was pretty cool.

Seeing those dusty puppets has since made me wonder what goes on behind the glass once the visitors leave and the lights go out.

Instinct

There’s a bit of a puppet drama unfolding backstage. The foreground marionette peers out from behind the curtain while his shady co-star approaches from behind...

OK, it’s a work in progress but I like where it’s going. I just love watercolour!

Hope everyone’s surviving these long winter months! I’m just happy there’s been some sun lately. Can’t do grey for too long.

Contained

Another quickie created with some leftover water-based paints.

I guess I was trying to convey the idea of containing one’s emotions…the frustration, the enclosure with little room to move, not knowing how long the borders will hold. Yikes! Feeling a tad dark today.

Dusseldorf Xmas Market

Ok, if you ever get the chance to tour Europe during the Christmas season, you have to hit at least one of the German Xmas Markets! We were in Dusseldorf last weekend and man, was it ever packed! It was more like clusters of market stands with rivers of people running throughout. Come to think of it, the rum-spiked gluhwein took the edge off the often overwhelming crowds and we eventually found ourselves being swept up in the spirit of the wintery surroundings. We partook in some tasty treats like backfisch, bratwurst and roasted chestnuts...mmm. We also picked up some cute tree ornaments and sweets to make our xmas that much more cheerful and gezellig (cosy). So, mark it down guys…when in Germany, from roughly the last week in November to Christmas Eve, hit one of the larger Xmas Markets. Psst…if you love to shop, Dusseldorf is the perfect place even outside Advent season!

Btw, sorry about the lack of decent pics. I blame the gluhwein.