Asian fire...

[merimask]

Okay.  Rarely do I make something that I think is so pretty that I can't bear to part with it.  These new dragon masks fall into that category though...the only reason I'm letting them go is that I know I can make them again.

Remember when I went to Narita Shrine with my friend Carol?  I was blown away by the incredible, gigantic deity sculpture at the top of the temple...it was amazing and the flames were EVERYwhere...bright gold Asian flames.  I sketched a number of them, because each one was different and so unique.   Even though they are highly stylized, I don't think anything in art captures the true motion and beauty of fire quite as accurately as Asian flame motifs.  From then on, I knew I'd be having a lot of fun, someday, with those flames.  Look!

That's a very close pic of the detail in the Red Asian Flame dragon.   Here's the whole thing...
 

Even I had to say "...wow" as I designed this.   That doesn't happen much; I'm pretty well innoculated against my own stuff.  I usually can't even tell if it's any good.  These, I feel, are good.

I made two, of course, because one good mask is a fluke but if a new design produces two good masks on the very first try, you know it's going to fly.  That's my theory anyway.  Perhaps I just wanted to do something that I knew would make me happy (and these masks are making me really happy!).  The second is an experiment I've been wanting to do since Japan as well.  Everywhere in Japan you see stuff made of copper and brass.  When it oxidizes it turns a lovely shade of pale pine green.  Then, sometimes, the metal is lightly polished so the bright color beneath shines through.  It's a stunning effect and I wanted to re-create it in leather.  So...

I'm going to be exploring this color technique a lot more in the future, for sure.

I can't decide which one I like better.  The red is so flashy on the black, but the aged bronze looks stunning too.  They are both winners I think,  and both up in Etsy. 
 

 

Speaking of Etsy!  Now that I have your attention (I hope!) I'm going to re-state an offer I came up with over the weekend.  Showcases no longer produce great success in Etsy...there's not enough traffic. My DeviantArt site, however, has been awesome for boosting hits.  So, with that in mind, I'm offering free dragon heads to anyone who gets one of my masks (any one...your choice) featured in DA as a Daily Deviation. 

And not just any dragon head, oh no!  My super special dragon head, like the one I made for Nagano-san (I think of them as "Nagano Dragons"...isn't that cute?).  A dragon head like this one, in any color you want.   I'll never sell these, by the way; I'm only giving them as gifts.  So!  If you're reading this and you have a DA account, you can get one of these rare guys by basically pimping for me.  Yes, this is bribery on a perhaps cheesy level, but  hey, what are friends for?   If you get something featured as a DD, just leave me a message here in LJ so I'll know who you are and where to send the dragon.   This is only open to LJ people, by the way.  Of course if you're reading this, you're an LJ people I guess...so, redundant.

I know it seems silly, but when I'm in the dumps (and this is being a rough season, to be honest) nothing picks me up like being busy.  The better I do on Etsy, the happier I get.  I think DA is the key to that.  I don't know why I didn't try this sooner!  
 

In other news, I got my Mom's driveway cleared so yay for that!  It only took a thaw, a lot of rock salt, two teenagers, myself, and two broken shovels.  Please, Universe, NO MORE epic snow.  Pretty snow is okay.  Recreational snow is fine.  Snow that drifts five feet deep in the driveway, please no.

Okay...I'm going to show off these new guys in DA.  Can't wait to see what everyone thinks of them!

 

Comments

[empath-eia.livejournal.com]

OH MY GOD THOSE ARE AMAZING. Is there no limit to how high your talent can fly? (I hope not.)

[zannachan.livejournal.com]

Wow, those are absolutely stunning. I particularly love the copper patina one--wow. Gorgeous.

Ooh, I don't have a DA account but those keychains tempt me. I just don't know if I have time for yet another account etc. somewhere that I should somehow stay on top of.

[golden-meliades.livejournal.com]

The green one is awesome! I like how the flames blend in on that one...it makes them look more real and less 'stuck on'...the red flames on the black mask almost look like stickers, to me, probably because of all the detail in the scales and then the flatness of the flames. I don't know if that made sense, but...um, in the words of a college friend, "Oh, *I* know what I mean!" :)

[ramblinsuze.livejournal.com]

LOOOOOOOOVE. I can't decide which one I like better. I do really love that copper patina effect, though.

[charismitaine.livejournal.com]

Oh. My. Gosh. Those are amazing. I love them both, but especially the black one--it's so striking! And I love the curve of the horns. Fabulous!

[tricia612.livejournal.com]

Awesome, the flames add so much life to the masks. The red one is great but I'm a green girl myself. The aged effect gives it so much character.

[kelkyag]

Brass dragon for the win!

Would that color scheme work with some of your steampunk designs?

[(Anonymous)]

It never amazes me how and where artists get inspirations from. Both are beautiful but I have to go with the gallery. The green is spectacular. Don't work too hard okay. Sleep is good for body and soul. Happy Ox Year for you! Carol