While working on the original Creature Card Creation project I used some of the time to quantity, as best I could, what features and attributes equate to an end result. What makes an object or creature cute? What makes something Creepy? Admittedly these are not fool proof but certain generalities tend true.

For something to be creepy it helps to have human characteristics. Humanoid but just a little off. Something stretched, accentuated, and slightly off. For today's project I'm going to be working with something that starts off a bit creepy. I received a variety of dummy heads used for training at a hair school. It's just a head which is a little creepy on its own. Perhaps if I take the faces off and use them for something else I can push the creepiness factor. If I take the eyes out and decorate it in a Day of the Dead style it would be mildly creepy but the colors and designs would encourage it in a different direction. If I take the eyes out and paint it like a zombie it would train the creepiness (except for our desensitization towards zombies in general.)

I was invited to a mask show at For Artsake Gallery in Newport, Oregon this October. In preparation for the Art-a-thon I created a "mask" using three faces. You can watch a video of it in action on my instagram page and below. For my prompt Oct 24th 8am - 10am PDT. I'm going to see what faces I have left and make something similar if possible. Join us on Facebook to see updates and talk to Rhonda Chase me, the artist while I work!

Visit us on facebook October 24th for the 13 Hour Art-a-thon! The more you interact with the artists online the more likely you are to win their fabulous prizes. Hope to see you then.

The night before I met Peter Max I spent some refresher time reading up on him from his website. The most recent image of his person that I saw left him as a young vibrant man with a heavy luscious mustache. The auctioneer informed the crowd before he arrived that there are rules to interacting with Peter Max. No photography and no asking for signatures. They would allow us each a chance at the end to have a professional photograph taken with Mr Max.

When he arrived he was assisted through the crowd to the stage. The man before me was much older than I'd imagined having not thought to calculate his current age. He was wonderful to listen to. There were moments he repeated. I'm not sure if it was for emphasis or that he forgot he had mentioned it, though I lean towards a combination of the two. His hair was thinning and cradled his head wrapping under large ears. As we grow the nose and ears continue growing. These have always been prominent features on Peter Max, and with the assistance of many prolific years they had become profoundly his. I had to draw him.

I tried to capture the curvature of his nose and the way his mustache faded into the lip in a unique way. I liked my first drawing of him so I moved to the second most interesting point. His legs, socks and shoes. He wore fabulous red vintage nikes. Above the shoes he wore a wonderfully colorful spotted sock. With his legs crossed his pants rode up so there was a portion of his leg exposed. Dark hair graced white skin capped by a dark green corduroy pant. He wore a fitted suit coat that was not buttoned closed. Inside a red vest covering a collared shirt. Besides his repetitions his heart spoke with the vibrancy and youth I had expected to see in form.

He was born an artist and allowed to experience creativity throughout life, free from the confinement most artists experience. He never needed to care about the mess or the supply cost. I admit when my children want to paint the first thing I think about is mess. The concept of Peter Max's existence delights and awes me. Oh to be so free in spirit, oh to be Peter Max.

After his talk he went off to eat before the photographs were to be taken. I could not ask him to sign a drawing I had done, but just maybe I could give him this one. I did not think it sufficient artistically but it reminded me of Picaso's line figure drawings featured at the auction. I asked the auctioneer if it would be alright to give the drawing to Peter Max and if he would see that he received it. The auctioneer said I could give it to him personally at the photo op.

I was so nervous he wouldn't want it. My turn finally came. As I walked up to him he looked at me deeply. When I arrived he softly told me how cute he thought I looked. (I'm not sure if cute was the exact word but I felt as if he told me with words and eyes that I was beautiful. A man who only moments early had spoken of meeting Marlin Monroe considered me lovely?! Be still my heart.) I told him that I had drawn him during his talk and asked if I may give him the drawing. He looked at it, asked me about it, remarked about my appearance and asked me for my number. He pulled a sharpie from his pocket, flipped the drawing around and wrote it down. He asked me if I was married. I admitted I was and he said jokingly "We can work with that." My mother, who was holding my purse said he kissed me on the cheek at least once. To be honest my mind was so blown in the moment it didn't take long for me to start forgetting details.

I wanted to remember the moment and the feeling I experienced in the moment. My mother suggested I write it down while I could still feel much of the joy remaining. I am honored to meet him and more honored by his kindness. I pray that I may have given a shred of that back to him with my meager gift. 

Congratulations everyone and THANKS!!!
I'm so excited to get started on these cards. I've been looking at a lot of my old x-men cards observing the design elements I am most fond of and contemplating how to incorporate them on the Creature Cards. While I am waiting to hear back from our name collaborators I will be working on designs for the front of the cards. Once I have a few options I like I'll post an update and have a way for people to vote and comment on the design.

If you pledged to name a creature please visit this link : http://www.rhondachase.com/name-a-creature.html

If you have any questions about the naming process please contact me and I'll be happy to work with you.

I will be working to get all the images up on my website for the rewards so people can start selecting their specific rewards. I don't want to send out the surveys too soon before the card packs are ready so we are sure to have your correct mailing address. As soon as your pledges are ready you will be notified.

Again thank you for your support and encouragement! May your world be full of wonderful creatures,
Rhonda Chase

This is for a trade I committed myself to. This is Graham Coxon... I don't know who he is. I'm guessing musician. Off to see :)

Splotch creatures are now wearable in miniature domino form! All the strangeness you have come to love and just for you! Check out the Kickstarter project to score one of these fabulous Creatures and other fabulous prizes! Thanks in advance for your support. I am really looking forward to making my creatures into trading cards.

Each Splotch creature is made with Alcohol inks on the back of either a miniature or full sized Domino. They are unique hand drawn one of a kind creations. Pledges will be able to choose which creature they would like based on order received. Get in soon for the first choice! There is also a pledge that offers tree pendants as shown above. If you prefer to just get a tree you can order a creature and choose a tree to replace it.

I feel like I could use a little motivation. What's more motivating than having art sell! So for a limited time I'm offering my Limited Edition Creature Card prints for sale 20% off! Only $5.60 including shipping. Send a little love, get a little creature back.

I made this Atc creature for a swap on Illustrated atc's .com. I hope she likes it!

Michele reminded me that I forgot to put up Josh's shop link so you guys could go get some awesome monsters too! Here it is :) Mention my name for creature brownie points*!

Day 161 adopted by Evan

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks for all the adoptions!!

This is your LAST CHANCE to get free art from the creature card project. Once these critters are adopted and mailed the project will be officially completed!

I'm preparing the mailings of everyone who has won their limit of three creatures. If you haven't won you're limit I'll be sending your creatures out once all of the creatures have been adopted unless you tell me you're done. I'm working to find them homes and if anyone would like to help I'd very much appreciate it.

Creature adoptions are on a first come first serve basis and do work into your total limit of 3 creatures. Thank you for helping me find these a home.

Day 157 adopted by Kristina

Day 159 adopted by Tiffany

Day 175 adopted by Darin

Day 176 adopted by Mayla