Being an artist who loves animals, it’s sometimes difficult to figure out what design to make next. My customers have suggestions, and of course I have my favorite ideas. But how to categorize all these thoughts in terms of what should be done first can be a little tricky! For example, I’ve wanted to make a platypus design for a long time, but in 27 years of working as an animal artist, perhaps 2 people have requested this little critter. Should I make one just for my own pleasure? Maybe! I’ve done that before, and once in a while it actually becomes my version of a “best seller.”
What do People Ask an Artist who Loves Animals to Make?
On the other hand, by survey most of my customers want me to make more dog designs. I like dogs, and they are lots of fun to make (some more than others). So I try and divide my creations and throw myself a bone once in a while (no pun intended). As an example of this, I just designed a kiwi bird. How many people have asked for this? I think probably none. Part of the appeal of this little bird traces back to a dear friend of mine who lives in New Zealand. Of course, that is the kiwi bird’s native home, and the inhabitants of this island nation are also known as “kiwis.”
Another recent design I created that had its roots in my own desire for plain old creative fun was the Florida zebra butterfly. I can’t wait to see this one painted in the gorgeous yellow and black stripes. This particular critter lives in my backyard, and as I’ve not seen zebra butterflies anywhere but in Florida, it holds a special place in my heart.
Being an Artist is Fun!
I must say that being an animal jewelry artist is spectacularly fun. Imagine being able to sit down at your desk whenever the mood strikes and turning a lowly blob of clay into a hamster, a tiger, a lion or a sloth. Speaking of which…or all…I just created new designs of all each of those guys. I’m currently on a creation rampage, and in the past 3 or 4 weeks have made about 50 new designs. FIFTY! That may be a record for me. Or maybe not. Back when The Magic Zoo sterling silver and painted pewter designs were coming out, I created new ones day in and day out. And many of them are still featured on my website.
I figure I have another 15 or 20 years of designing ahead of me. At the rate I’m designing now (and honestly, I’m not sure that pace will continue) I would have about 600 new designs every year, 9,000 in 15 years. But don’t hold me to it.
If you would like to see some of my newest designs you can click here. Today is August 3, 2016, and by the middle of September, this page will be bursting with new designs. So check back later! And let me know what you think of them.
Leave a Reply