It gives me great pleasure introducing the last of my 12 “little guys” (that will feature in my first ever annual wildlife calendar): A lesser bushbaby! This piece took far longer than I anticipated, and the process made me laugh and cry in equal measure.
Before you read any further — Beware: I’m about to share the biggest laugh that this cutie afforded, and it is definitely rated PG! So if you offend easily, don’t read any further (I realise by saying that, I’ve now made it forbidden fruit!)…
We rent a small cottage on a farm just outside Somerset West. My hubby Alex and I both work from home, so space is pretty limited. Up until recently, my painting space was situated smack bang in the middle of our open plan kitchen-living room, and I had to move my easel and all my supplies out of the way at the end of every day so that we wouldn’t inadvertently bump something over (and so that our place would look less like a storage container and more… homey!). So, a couple of months ago I got the brainwave to move things around a bit and designate a little removed corner of the living room as my work station. So far, it works like a charm!
The one and only down-side to the move has been this: In the past, since Alex was forced to awkwardly manoeuvre around me to get anywhere in the house, he was able to look over my shoulder while I painted at my easel. Now, being tucked away in a corner, he doesn’t really get to see my painting progress. After expressing that he felt like he was missing out on this, we made a deal that I would call him over to come look at my work at frequent intervals.
It was a great solution! At the end of every painting day, I would say, “Would you like to see my elephant shrew, baby?”; “Would you like to see my chameleon, baby?”, and he would rush over to take a look.
While working on the bushbaby, this ritual gave us endless amusement (if you can already see where this is going, you also have a dirty, dirty mind!)…
Before the now typically-phrased question left my lips, I heard it in my head, and I knew…
Just as hubby was passing through the living room, I slipped on my most suggestive smirk and huskily asked, “Would you like to see my bush, baby?”.
Needless to say, the effect was absolutely phenomenal!
And of course, I know that from now on, no matter what I’m painting, that question will forever sound equally racy, no matter the subject matter!
Now then, I think it’s time you also take a look at my bush, baby… ;)
The bushbaby is not done yet, but I'm moving on to the background now. I'll jump back and forth between painting the tree and adding detail to the bushbaby, to safeguard my sanity!
Marking out the darkest shadows with blue, so that I don't lose my way in all that detail.
Look at those cute jellybean toes!!!
I can smell the finish line...
My happy face after completing my 12th and final "little guy"!!!
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