sexy, sexy ocotillo.

It is no secret that i am a fan of the noble ocotillo. Ever since i drove out into the desert about a year ago with three friends and observed them in the wild, i have been a fan. Like most desert plants, much of the year they're not much to look at, a mere bundle of brown twigs sticking up out of the ground, but when they're in bloom they're something to see.
So when Girls Drawing Girls announced that the theme for our upcoming 4th volume would be plants, i was quick to claim this one for my own.


Originally i'd had an idea to use the ocotillo motif as a tattoo, which was something i'd sketched out just for funsies before the theme was announced. I tried to incorporate this idea into a layout that would look something like an add for some kind of edgy tattoo parlor, maybe a little Jamie Hewlett inspired, perhaps? But it never looked right and i wasn't feeling it so i abandoned the idea for the one above.

I also figured that the piece should incorporate the actual plant it's themed after, and ocotillo's such a tall plant, i think the final version gives you more context.

Story meetings can be very frustrating. One day i chose to vent my frustrations through drawings of interpretive dance.

Kindle for Grandma

Mother's Day approaches! My grandma has always been very good to us grandkids, and now that most of us are earning a living wage my cousins and i have made it a habit to try and give as good as we've gotten on Mother's Day.
My Grandma certainly isn't lacking in worldly comforts, but her eyesight is going and she was always a reader. While technology isn't her forte, this year it was clear that the Kindle would be an invaluable asset to her.
As the artist in the family, the burden of card-making always falls to me. Word to the wise, artist-children: once you hand-make that first thank you note or birthday card, a precedent is set FOR LIFE. You will never, EVER be able to present a store bought card again.

(EVER)

Anyway, this is what i made this year! I haven't added text yet. Maybe it doesn't need it (except perhaps "happy mother's day grandma", that might be helpful).