Brand New Year, brand new art...

[merimask]

Happy New Year, everone!  It is the year of the Ox, I am told.  According to Wikipedia, the source of all enlightenment, The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work.  If that is so, then I think this is my year!  Woot!

As the ball dropped last night, I put the finishing touches on my latest super big all-consuming project...

We may be in the year of the Ox but in my head, there are still dragons...

 

This mask...it's one of the most elaborate masks I've made since the Frost Dragon. 

I'm calling it the Ancient Dragon, because it has a calm and wise look about it. 

The color schemes I worked out with my last dragon design were experiments for this one...I knew I wanted this dragon to be coppery and old-looking...

...because I was inspired by this little guy in Ueno Park, last September.

I'm so glad I photographed him because he fascinates me.  One of the smallest & most charming dragon fountains I've ever seen.  The way he's climbing out of the volcanic rock...he almost seems real.  I wanted to pet him, at the time.

I'm still playing with the design.  I wanted this calm, wise aspect but also, I think the little dragon fountain has a fierce look to him that I totally neglected, so today I'm making another pattern.   Fun fun!

We had a quiet night at home for New Year's eve...I missed the noise of the casino & Greg slept through the whole thing.  :-/  Oh well.  Anyway, Char & I stayed up all night watching True Blood on HBO so that was fun.  

I also watched the Ninja Warrior "Behind The Scenes" special on G4...it reminded me of my trip of awesomeness last September when I went to Japan to SEE "Sasuke".   I even saw myself & my brother in the background a few times (I was wandering in a perpetual daze and hiding from Nagano, mostly), which never fails to crack me up.  ^__^  Hee!  My Indian name should be "Hides From Sasuke All-Stars".

It SNOWED again yesterday, about 10 inches... but this time Greg helped me so I managed to clear Mom's driveway almost entirely.  A neighbor with a big-ass snowblower helped too.  It was about 20 below zero with the windchill...after a half hour of shoveling I could no longer feel my face.   Brr...
 

I hope you are all happy and healthy, and ready to take on 2009!  Hard work and fortitude, people!    

 

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

HAPPY NEW YEAR Meri. The mask is beautiful. I think this might be a favorite of mine. The color I think. Beautiful!!! wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I think it's one of my favorite masks too. ^_^

Happy New Year!

[empath-eia.livejournal.com]

Blessings and joy to you in the new year, Meri, and all the good luck you deserve. ♥

Also, wow. I've long since run out of words to praise your masks with but this one is beyond stunning. The others are all beautiful but this one glows.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you, thank you, my dear. ^_^

I'm so glad you like the mask...it's another very special one. This one is going on a bit of a journey I think! Seems the perfect gift for someone I know far away...

[charismitaine.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year!

That mask is gooooorgeous--absolutely gobsmacking, and a very fresh design. It's something that I've definitely never seen before--it feels ancient and totally new at the same time!

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yeah, that's what I was going for with this mask. I know I seem to be producing a lot of dragons lately but they make me really happy & NO one else makes dragon masks so...I get to have my fun & be unique at the same time. ^_^

[zannachan.livejournal.com]

oh, that new dragon design is incredible! I've never seen anything like it, and that copper patina look is perfect for it. I bet it's even more impressive in real life.

"The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. If that is so, then I think this is my year! Woot!"

No kidding! You've been busting tail lately; you've earned some extra prosperity.

We could all use a little more prosperity in the next year, I think (or at least everyone I know!) but at the moment I'm so wiped out it's hard to think that I'll ever muster the fortitude and hard work to earn it. Melting into a little sloth puddle feels more like it at the moment. And yet I still have a ton to do before this weekend. Sigh.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I enjoyed coming up with it...it was in my head for so long that by the time I made it, it was like I'd already done it if you know what I mean.

I'm trying to channel my inner ox too. It's a struggle but I intend to win.

[a-hollow-year.livejournal.com]

The color scheme you used is absolutely lovely. Very evocative. For some reason I feel like your art has really taken huge leaps and bounds in these past two years.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I've always loved the look of verdigis on copper & bronze...it seems the perfect color for an old wise dragon.

I feel like I'm really coming into my own as an artist. Lately I feel like there's nothing I can't make if I put my mind to the task. Enjoying the challenges.

[kijjohnson.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's beautiful! It's really new and distinctive, and the colors even more so.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Wait 'til you see the next one. I'm so full of new masks that I can hardly keep up with all the ideas I keep getting.

[(Anonymous)]

LOve the mask! I especially love the last photo of it that really shows the 3 dimension aspect of it. It's a treasure. Carol (My cat is my treasure!)

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you dear! The dragon mask really is quite something...I just sent you an e-mail with the backstory. Another magical mask I think. ^_^

I'm so glad you like your kitty! I saw the pictures in your blog...it really looks like it belongs there in your home.

[ramblinsuze.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is BEAUTIFUL. I can't believe how much emotion there is around the eyes. How do you *do* that??? I think this might be my favorite mask yet.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes...it really is a kind, wise looking mask isn't it? I did something really different with this one. I made two; one is up in Etsy but the first one has been sent as a very special gift...I hope the recipient likes it. ^_^