New Hot Dog Cart Logo

A friend of mine is starting a new business venture in Indianapolis and asked me to design a logo for it. If you're ever in town look for her cart. Mention my name and I bet she'll cut you a deal.


Here's a mock-up of the art in action.

One day my work will be big!

This is part of a series of paintings for an exhibit sponsored by Purdue University's Entomology Dept. They will appear as full page illustrations in an open book that's six feet tall. The exhibit, called "What's Bugging Belva?" will premiere next month at the Indiana State Fair, and possibly become expanded for a tour of museums around the country.


Here's the display while still under construction. I hope to make it down to the fair and get some photos of the finished project on site, I'll post them if I do.

On Our Bathroom Sink

Around 11:15 p.m. on July 16, 2009. Now I have mixed feelings about fixing the holes in the screen.

Summer Reading Poster

I posted this about a year ago just after I completed the assignment. Illinois' summer reading program officially begins on June 8th, so here's a refresher. You can click on the image for a larger view.

Robots and Bugs

I was listening to a podcast about Dung Beetles this morning. Yeah that's right wise guy. Now that your snide remarks are finished I'll continue. It was extremely interesting. They were discussing the various horn configurations, and segued into Rhino Beetles. The scientist being interviewed described one specimen that was crawling up his arm at that moment as being nearly 4 inches long! I had to check these bugs out, and long story long, stumbled across the site of a man called Mike Libby.

I love robots and I love bugs, so Mr. Libby's site, called Insect Lab, was mash-up heaven! He's what is known as a bio-mechanical artist. Using real (dead) insects, electronic components, and antique watch parts, he creates "robot-like insects and insect-like robots". They're amazing and beautiful pieces of art that are not really functional, but seem like they could be. Each insect is presented in a glass dome or custom black shadow box. I have a birthday coming up soon and I'm clearing off shelf space.

Blackboard Bird

Experimenting

I've been playing with acrylic gouache and unusual surfaces lately. It started with this old wooden cutting board I found. Then I did this quick study on the spine of an old book from a resale shop. After all of the digital stuff I've been doing it's scary and fun to use real paints and brushes again! I have paintings in progress on the front and back cover of that book and another one on a small framed slate chalk board. The temptation to spend all of my time on them is strong, but deadlines are keeping me away for the time being. I'll post them when they're finished, unless they look bad, then we'll pretend this never happened!