A Love Story

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A Love Story

“A Love Story” Caran D’Ache Luminance on Stonehenge

Immediately following “Still Life with Apple Jar,” I began work on this piece. I had the photo of a toad in a glass from another time when I had one captive to take photos of. I knew I wanted the toad to be in beer, but hadn’t yet thought of what else might work in a drawing with it. The vertical composition of “Apple Jar” gave me the idea to go that way. An empty beer bottle, a rose and some Photoshop later and “A Love Story” was born.

The original is available, framed in maple. The image is 13×19, framed to 24×30″ asking $750.  Contact me for details.

Reflection

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Reflection

“Reflection” Caran D’Ache Luminance and Prismacolor on Stonehenge 13×12″ framed to 20×19″

The same toad who posed for my drawing “Lipstick” later posed for this piece for me. I was interested in the reflection I got in “Lipstick,” and so I set up a dressing-room style three way mirror. This was great practice drawing and seeing the same toad from different angles.

“Reflection” is available for $550. Contact me for details.

Lipstick

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Lipstick

“Lipstick” Colored Pencil on Stonehenge Paper 15×11″ framed to 23×20″

“Lipstick” is about beauty. I always have felt like putting makeup on what I’ve got just looks like makeup on what I’ve got. It doesn’t improve anyone’s chances of being mistaken for a supermodel. Does it help this little toad? I’ll let the viewer decide.

I am proud and honored to say that this piece was juried into the Minnesota State Fair’s Fine Art Show in 2011. Prints are available at my Etsy Shop! The framed original is sold.

The toad model I used for this piece was very cooperative and looked in the mirror for a good amount of time.  No actual lipstick was applied to the toad. Heck, if I don’t like to wear it, why should he have to?

Waiting For His Kiss

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IMG Waiting For His Kiss IMG

“Waiting For His Kiss” Colored Pencil on Stonehenge, 17×12″ Framed to 24×19″

“Waiting for His Kiss” is a colored pencil drawing done on Stonehenge paper with Prismacolor colored pencils. This toad was kind enough to pose for me in my kitchen. The title, of course evokes the fairy tale “The Princess and the Frog.”  In pop culture the princess kisses the frog to turn him into her prince. In the old tale, the frog demands to sleep with the princess in return for a favor. In some versions, the princess throws the frog against the wall in disgust. In others, she submits to his desires and frees him with a kiss.

I admit, I was only very loosely thinking of this motif as I drew this toad. Is he a prince waiting for his kiss, or a princess waiting for the kiss of her soulmate and savior? Either way, the lowly toad is a beautiful and intricate creature when you get down to studying the details!

This original art piece is available. Contact me for more information!