Half a pound of tuppeny rice...

Half a pound of treacle
That's the way the money goes
*Plop goes the ...er...turtle...

Eastern box turtle to be precise!

I had an argument with my bezzie about this one. She's my best, most trusted critic so she gets to see the paintings before they are stitched and unleashed on the world... when I mentioned turtles she thought big, flappy finned, sea swimmy one's and suggested I'd gone completely mad...have to say I didn't know anything about these wee fellas but I've done a lot of research past few days and can now fight my corner armed with turtley facts... so in yer face shorty! x;0)

So! This latest piece is an Etsy pet portrait commission from my mixed media Maryland mate the wonderful Joanie; I love Joanie and her work so was totally chuffed when she asked me to do this for her...I hope it doesn't disappoint when she see's it in the flesh/shell!

Joanie very kindly let me run wild and loose for this piece but with a few guidelines: the main theme is obviously the turtle, but also to incorporate some Black Eyed Susan's, black crickets, lyrics from Traffic's song Low Spark of High Heeled Boys and a small tomato!
I cannot tell you how much I love doing this sort of work...just gimme a few guidelines and I'm off for a rummage around in your life! Fear not, I keep it the right side of stalking, so you wont find your financial history or medical records rendered in silks and festooned with beads! x;0)
* S'not a typo, Plop is the name of one of Joanies rescue turtles! :)
Anyhoo, introducing with a bow...

Heroinahalfshellthankyouverymuch!



Here he is all watercoloury in shades of gloriously rich purples and bluey/grey's with flashes of gold and yellows...see turtley all pokey head up seeing what you're up to!

Yay!..and here he is all nestled in the stitcheries; silky shiney lawn in greens and lilacs with glittery green glass beads



Clickety chirrupy crickets peek-A-boo amongst the vegetation and leavery! OOO I loved doing those...mmm antennae! (See the wee tomato hanging down ripe for a nice spot of lunch)



Almost as much as I loved doing the Black Eyed Susan's...all beaded with rocai...rockil...little beads...


Lyrics:
(I love the last line: just choc full of hope and optimism)
If I gave you everything that I owned and asked for nothing in return
Would you do the same for me as I would for you?
Or take me for a ride, and strip me of everything including my pride
But spirit is something that no one destroys




The wee chappy in the corner is my adaptation of the turtle mascot for Maryland University but instead of an M emblazoned across his chest I've done a J as a hommage to Joanie and her super heroine turtley rescuing!

This is also for Joanie...a photo of my most groovy of shoes...few months late but better late than never eh?!



So to Joanie: my bloggy chum, turtle saviour extraordinaire, mixed media mistress and wonderful person...HAPPY DAYS AND THANK YOU! x;0)

Stay tuned folks...I'm working on a new line of Mimi-Mini's heading for Etsy real soon...(there is a birthday in the house this weekend so if you don't hear from me for a while it's cos I'm in a cake/choccy induced coma...huzzarghhh!!!!!!)
Thanks for droppin' by! x;0)