The Cognomen of Crane

Plans have begun in earnest for this year's Halloween extravaganza. The ghastly festivities are planned for Oct 22, and I only hope I can have everything ready in time! I was trying to think where I could find some great hi-res victorian portraits to print and frame (going with the Victorian Haunted Mansion theme this year), when I remembered years ago doing a ton of research at the Library of Congress (online). Great, GREAT resource for reference if any of y'all need it! And the best thing, uncompressed archival TIFFS for download. Takes a bit of effort to search around in there, but well worth it.

The image above is of none other than Ichabod Crane...

OK, so not THE Ichabod Crane. This guy was a Colonel, 1st Artillery, US Army, died 1857. You think his parents were Washington Irving fans? Cool picture nonetheless...

Cow Eyes

Still working on those icons, amongst other things... One of the cool things about this project is I can paint any icon in any style I want, so I've been having fun experimenting. This is my I-must-have-looked-at-too-many-of-those-Margaret-Keane-paintings icon. I actually kinda like it... oooo, so soft and fuzzy.... well, truth is I was just happy not to paint any ears.

Avast Ye Scurvy Landlubbers!

Click on thumbnail for larger image

Ahoy me Brethren of the Coast! Just in case you forgot, a friendly reminder that International Talk Like A Pirate Day is just twelve days away on September 19! Arrrrrrrr....

"But I don't know me some Pirate Talk," ye say. Well, here's a good place ta start me bucko:
Pirate Dictionary
Or ye can try me translated Blog:
Sweet Bonny Blog O' The Baroness

A wee note on the sketch - 'twas some concept art done years ago for a project that never happened. No quarter given. Arrrrr.... curse those bilge-sulking blaggards!

Fair winds me hearties!
~Red Mary