I was chatting with Jordu Schell on the phone one night while working on a painting. I should have known better than to try to get serious work done! He’s too entertaining to listen to. 😉
After a while, I put aside my illustration and became fascinated with an accidental shape on my tabletop. Some months before I’d made the mark with a sponge saturated with brown paint—I often use sponges to create textures in my acrylic paintings—but now as I stared at it, a creature appeared before me. I sketched an outline in chalk and painted in the creature while chatting the hour or so we were on the phone.
By the time we said our goodbyes, I had a beastie walking across my table. Subsequent conversations over the next day or two gave me time to add a moon and other details, employing the colors I had on hand at the moment.
He looks determined to make his way, and I’m betting he has a sizable appetite. Better steer clear of him!
Additional images from TABLETOP RAMBLER
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Sort of cool baby face
Love how the creature emerged from an accidental sponge mark. Best creative work often happens when we're half-distracted, not forcing it. I've noticed this pattern in my own work too, where interesting stuff shows up during phone chats. The detail about using "colors on hand at the moment" also feels right, constraints push imaginaton in ways unlimited choice never does.