Splotch Monster Island

Let it rain!

This is your friendly Splotch Monster reminder to go ahead and have some fun today.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy 100th birthday to Sir David Attenborough! I recently watched a new documentary about silverback gorillas on Netflix, hosted by Attenborough, and was deeply moved, to say the least. Thanks to the work of this man - a true visionary and a genuinely good human being, along with the likes of Jane Goodall and Marlin Perkins, I developed an interest in the animal kingdom, and all varieties of species. In many ways I owe it to David Attenborough for inspiring me to work on a series like Endangered Kingdom Meets Splotch Monster Island (pictured here). I have nothing but gratitude for the thorough and compassionate work that this man has done. May he be an inspiration for younger generations to come.

I’m excited to announce that I was asked to return this summer as the resident artist through the Loudoun County Public Library system! Last year I had such a positive experience serving the Brambleton Library community, and this year I’ll have the privilege to be working at the Sterling Library during the months of June through August. The Splotch Monster art adventures will return, as well, this time with a slightly different focus, and workshops will begin next month(check the LCPL calendar for details). So grateful for this wonderful opportunity!

Listen carefully. There’s music all around you.

Enjoy the weekend!

When I create Splotch Monsters, I want them to be relatable to as many people as possible, because ultimately it’s the human element and influence that makes them special. This one in particular is an expression of grief - something many of us have experienced and know all too well, or will inevitably experience sooner or later. With a small patch of poppies growing on its back, I made this one while thinking of all the people in my life who I’ve loved, who are no longer alive. It’s always interesting to see how people connect with different Splotch Monsters on a personal level, and I can recall a young art teacher, while selling these at the NAEA event in Chicago, who kept circling back to this one and picking it up, and saying to her friend how she really “liked this one”, in a very serious manner. I felt bad because the fifty dollars I was charging for it seemed well beyond her budget, but I also couldn’t just give it away or even discount it, for a multitude of reasons. I was happy, however, that someone could, in some way identify with the image, and feel something, or perhaps feel seen in some way, for to feel is to be fully human, and fully alive.

Yesterday was the first time I had the privilege to do some workshops for some amazing teens through the Ryan Bartel Foundation. Their sense of fun, humor, creativity, and unique personalities came through in their art, and it was truly inspiring to work with them. This is just a small sampling from the day.

Pre-workshop prep in full effect.

Thank you Veronicraft for having me by your beautiful little shop in Warrenton, to do a Splotch Monster-making workshop. We had so much fun, yesterday! I highly recommend visiting her shop if you’re in the area. It’s filled with so much creative goodness, and Warrenton is such a cool, charming place to explore!