Banjo Hat

I couldn't resist posting my Banjo Pig Illustration for the Illustration Friday theme hat. Duh. It's a no brainer. The pig is wearing a banjo hat. Unfortunately, the musical hats didn't become all the rage. I was certain that after I painted this, the banjo beret would become a big new fad. My bad. What else would you do with a banjo? Play it? I don't think so.

Of course, I'm also spoofing Project Runway. The unconventional challenge has always been a personal favorite. And Banjo Pig is a pretty unconventional illustration!

Whimsical

whim·si·cal

ˈ(h)wimzik(ə)l/

adjective

1. 1.

   playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way.

   "a whimsical sense of humor"

   synonyms:

   fanciful, playful, mischievous, waggish, quaint, quizzical, curious,droll, fantastical, Seussian

The word whimsical could describe almost all of my illustration work. I recently started concentrating on more fine art pieces. I can't wait to share those.  But for now, well, the majority of my vast computer files is whimsical. As you can see I googled the definition. It is a word I use all the time, so I was curious about the qualifiers. 

I think my Luau Pigs fit the bill. A recipe illustration I did a few sunsets ago. The poor rhythmic pigs have no idea what the true meaning of this hula dance reveals. Basically that ham sandwiches taste great!

www.illustrationfriday.com 

Piggly Wiggly

Have you ever been to a Piggly Wiggly?  Well, if you haven't and you don't know what a P.W. is, here's a hint...You can buy ham there.  And Kraft products if you are so inclined.  This illustrated recipe was done for a Sargento contest.  Oops, I mean Kraft.  Obviously. And the hula pigs are wiggling and waving and having a grand old beach day.  If only they knew what's in a sandwich.  Da Dum.  All hell would break loose.  They might even give the wraith of Pele a run for her money.

Wiggle is the theme for www.illustrationfriday.com this week.

Project Nonsense

On the surface this illustration makes no sense.  A pig on a runway wearing banjos.  Hmmm.  But I created it awhile back for a blog that only posted pig illustrations that included banjos.  No joke.  It was too weird of a challenge to pass up.  

My favorite part of the design is the shadow pig in the background.  You would have to watch the T.V. show Project Runway to understand.  The banjo earrings...too much.  If I was a fashionable pig I would only wear the bracelet and hat.  Less is more.  But then again runway shows are always over the top!

So why am I posting this oddity today?  It is twofer week.  And it is for the www.illustrationfriday.com theme Vanity.

And if you think pigs can't be vain, then you've forgotten about Miss Piggy!

Maui Sunset

click to enlarge

The new www.illustrationfriday.com theme is glow.  And I know most people are probably picking Christmas themed art with warmth, sparkles and light.  Not me.  I decided on a Maui Sunset.  Hawaii is president Obama's Christmas choice after all. 

 Maybe I should do more Christmas themed illustrations.  Although I did a whole book about the baby Jesus and his animal admirers just last year.  But if left to my own devices glowing and bright might be pushing it.  Here is what I might do.....  Crazy Cat Christmas, The Night Before The Tree Fell On Santa Paws, The Santa Paws Clause and The Cat Who Ate My Christmas Cookies.  Oh my!  Plus the sequel, The Cat Who Puked On Christmas. Yes, those illustrations sound like me. 

Just saying.

   Have you checked out all the amazing black and white art over at the 2013 Tomie dePaola Contest ?  Illustrators were asked to depict scenes from Little Women, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer or The Yearling.  I chose The Yearling.  Mine is somewhere towards the bottom.  Be sure to stop by and check it out!  

Maui Luau Sandwich

click to enlarge

There's a big Kraft recipe contest going on over at www.theydrawandcook.com  And here's the link for my Luau Pigs!  http://theydrawandcook.com/recipes/maui-luau-sandwich-by-sharon-wagner 


 Please waddle on over to view my illustrated recipe full size and also to check out all the other krafty recipes. Did you know that the Hula dancers tell a story with their movements?  Well, obviously these pigs are waving the recipe your way.  Kind of like sign language.  But if you don't understand the hoof gesture, there's sub-titles. Oh, and keep your fingers crossed.  I hope I don't have to wait till pigs fly for a win!   

Popular Pig

Popularity has a little something to do with fashion shows.  The fashion snooty snoots are hoping that their creations will be ready for (everyone) to wear.  Although I can't play  a banjo.  And I definitely refuse to wear one on my head.  Poor pig.  Popularity is the theme over at Casual Fridays  And it is kind of a dirty loaded word in my book.  We can't all be beautiful like Miss Piggy.  And as delicious as bacon.

I realized that when I did my year in review I forgot to mention my Project Pig illustration.  I did this last year for the fun blog Dueling Banjo Pigs  And I also added it to my side bar.  I realized that my sloth had warned people long enough about my copyright.  Now, please don't steal my pig.  Please!  But you do have permission to download any and all recipes with or without bacon.   

It's the launch of a new career!

I'm proud to present you with my Project Pig. It was published over at http://www.banjopigs.blogspot.com/ last week. And it actually fits today's http://www.illustrationfriday.com/ theme. You could say she is moving forward on the runway (launching) or as the title states launching a new line of banjo fashions. My illustration is a funny take on one of my favorite shows, Project Runway. My favorite part of the illo is the feet of the audience members on the lower left. A mixture of fashionable red shoes, hooves and paws. Everyone can come.

God Blesses All Creatures

This illustration is featured in the October issue of http://www.mylightmagazine.com/ It depicts the poem, "God Blesses all Creatures" Every animal I painted was in the poem. Except for the cow and the worm. I couldn't believe the writer did not put a worm into the poem. I mean no farm is complete without worms, right? That may be true but I'm joking of course. In other news I did not make the finals in the Holiday card contest. But my last minute entry received 48 votes in less than 2 days. Thanks to my friends and fellow CBIG and SCBWI members. You can still see my card if you go to http://blog.psprint.com/humor/ Then go to view all humor entries. Thanks again to everyone who voted!