Monday, March 5, 2012

U is for Ushi-oni

This week's entry for AlphaBeasts! is Ushi-oni, a sea-dwelling, ox-headed menace.

I don't usually leave this much empty border around a piece, but I just couldn't bring myself to tear off the words "curiously illustrated" on the bottom.

Not really too pleased with the visual effect. That will teach me to indulge my verbal obsessions. Ah well!

Acrylic on text & illustration from St. Nicholas Magazine, August 1920.

4 comments:

  1. Ooooohhh! He looks very cute. Heheheheh. Not scary at all. He looks naughty. Are you going to publish these. They are wonderful.

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  2. Ha! It's interesting to read what decisions did or didn't happen as you worked through your creative process with this.

    I was entirely unfamiliar with this beast before stopping by here and I have to say that your take on the creature is much more fun and lighthearted. It fits so very well with the chosen canvas. I think anyone who would dispatch your vision of the Ushi-oni deserves a bit of cursing.

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  3. Heh, well those jagged edges and dark mount really add to the image. The patina jsut adds so much too, another dimenions (time) and the creature itself? Scary claws but a kind disposition - what a combination :) :)

    Sorry I have been scarce. I 've been working on a few projects trying to get an agent and have nearly succeeded , fingers crossed :)

    yes you should publish these
    nothing like a curiously wild aphabet !

    cheers from Oz :)

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  4. Ha! This is great. Flee children, flee! Another great beast. Fhe face is pretty cute but there's just enough creepy with those claws and that hump. Nice move keeping that bit of text, I have to agree with your reasoning.

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