resplendent chaos

Seven of Hearts: the intrepid bee naut in bumble sub

Medium: digital paint, title by Mark HJ

Four of Hearts: guardians of the pineal throb

My newest contribution to the Astrobotanica Playing Cards is the four of HEARTS and has been created specifically to assist in the stimulation of the viewer's pineal gland... that is of course, if the viewer is ready for that sort of thing. Medium: graphite on paper, digital paint.

Never Tell A Man He Looks Like a "Cute Little Pink Elf"

I was at a party and saw a man who looked like an elf and so I made a beeline for him.  As I neared him, I could hear his English accent and found his multiple usage of the word "brilliant" amusing. "That's just BRILLIANT!!", "Oh, she's bloody BRILLIANT!", "BRILLLLLIANT!"  A jolly bloke, he reminded me of an elf....so I told him so.   With a look of confusion, he replies, "I look like...an ELF?"  "Yes!  You look like a cute little pink elf!!"  I meant it as a compliment, but quickly realized I had just told a man he looked like a LITTLE PINK ELF. Uh oh, time for some damage control. Quickly I backpedaled, "But elves are sexy, masculine and mysterious - it's good being an elf, don't you think?"  He stares at me, "an elf you say?"  There was nothing more I could say, I just resorted to blatant honesty, "Well, I'm rather fond of elves and think you and your impish grin are adorable." A smile crept across his face, so I asked him if I could draw him as an elf and he said yes. Medium: ink on paper, digital paint.

 

 

Six of Hearts: amphibious plasma blossoms drift through outer space...

as a pod of Tripled-Helixed, Shape-Shifting Nommo Frogs hitch along for the bumpy ride through the cosmic waves of timelessness. Medium: graphite on paper, digital paint. Soon to be availabe as a print.

Five of Clubs: the fungus among us

The Five Mycological Goddesses (each described below). Medium: graphite on paper, digital paint.

The Mycological Goddesses From The Order of Clubs 5/5

The Mycological Goddess Copelandia is the last of the otherworldly mushroom sages in my Five of Clubs series and is certainly the most ornate, playful and tawdry of the bunch.  She boldly flaunts her ample assets and bats the long lashes of her three all-seeing eyes toward anyone who passes.  Adorning herself in opulence with feathers and pearls, she radiates a glow of life-force so powerful that sprigs of tender foliage and flowers continuously sprout from the top of her head(s).  Medium: graphite on paper, digital paint.

The Mycological Goddesses From The Order of Clubs 4/5

Panaeolus is one of the more unusual Mycological Goddesses in that she is both a fungus and a self-transforming machine elf. She dwells not in a forest, but inside a sparkling, bejeweled and almost cartoon-like higher dimension which can only be accessed by those who have the elusive key. Travelers who bravely cross her threshold are greeted enthusiastically and soon find themselves astonished over her ability to create beautiful objects out of thin air simply by singing. Her voice is melodic, full of laughter, and each note weaves a tapestry of glowing filaments into one wonder after the other. She seems to revel in her ability to astound and delight others, but if she notices the viewer becoming too spellbound by her shenanigans, she'll swiftly kick them out of her world and laugh as they fall back to Earth with a resounding thud. Medium: graphite, digital paint.

The Mycological Goddesses From The Order of Clubs 3/5

Galerina is a highly secretive Mycological Goddess who enjoys hiding in plain sight and adopting a variety of noms de plume and clever disguises to confuse and distract those who can see her. While you may never notice her existence, it can be assured she is most certainly aware of yours. One day she may take the form of a dancing snow geisha, another day she might decide to be a fire-breathing chipmunk. The moment you observe her, she'll dutifully come into form, but then she'll quickly bounce out of existence before your eyes can even register her. Medium: graphite on paper, digital paint.

The Mycological Goddesses From The Order of Clubs 2/5

Fungus of the genus Hypholoma are found clustered around tree stumps in dense temperate woodlands. Easily identifiable due to the prismatic glow radiating from its surface, the most notable feature of the Hypholoma is its method of reproduction. In early Spring, tiny spores shaped as overly enthusiastic frog-like creatures suddenly pop from the mushroom to scatter about and mingle. As night falls, the forest is turned into a candy land of rampant debauchery as a Bacchanalian party rages until the first light of morning. The next day, exhausted spores cover the forest floor, passed out cold, still with smiles plastered on their faces. The tiny tree-like crowns spouting from their heads quickly root into the earth and each spore decomposes into the fertile soil. After the next rain, the spores sprout anew in the form of fully developed fungus and the process starts all over again. Medium: graphite on paper, digital paint.

The Mycological Goddesses From The Order of Clubs 1/5

Mycena dwells in hidden realms of consciousness, but will often unveil herself by quickly sprouting up from dark forest floors after the rain. It is water mingling with Earth that allows her to pop into our dimension, but once that water dries up, she's off exploring other worlds and possibilities. During her brief visits on Earth, one might be lucky enough to spot her if they pay attention to the luminescent glow emitting from the crown of her head. Many who feel lost would be wise to allow Mycena to shine her light on the darkened path so to illuminate their way home.  She's a playful little Goddess given to fits of laugher and trickery, but she'll always guide you toward the right path. Mycena is the first of five Mycological Goddesses appearing on my Five of Clubs Astrobotanica playing cards.  The rest to be revealed over the next few days.  Medium: graphite on paper, digital color.