Indian star tortoise and Meerkat trio

Indian star tortoise envelope art. Marker, watercolors, gel pen. April 2021.

I painted this envelope with Indian star tortoise for the Instagram art challenge by @sunshine_inspired_fauna, focusing on animals in illegal trade. Indian star tortoises are captured from wild for pet markets, which has made the species endangered. I took reference from a photo by Mohammed Salman.

Meerkat trio. Watercolor, colored pencils, marker, gel pens. April 2021.

This ATC was made for a private swap, and also as a part of the @sunhine_inspired_fauna art challenge on Instagram. I took reference from this photo by Paul Sauders. Meerkats are part of the mongoose family. Some mongoose species are hunted for their fur, as their hair is wanted for paint brushes! There is a lot to think about when it comes to sustainability, when choosing art supplies, too.

Helmeted hornbill mail art

Envelope and letter paper decorated with watercolors, black marker and white gel pen. April 2021.

I painted these for an Instagram art challenge, my first ever. In fact this was the first time I’ve ever uploaded a photo in IG. And it took me about as much time as the painting! I took model for the envelope from a photo by Doug Janson, and for the letter paper from a screenshot of a YouTube video by Craig Ansibin.

The “Animals in illegal trade” challenge is run by @sunshine_inspired_fauna, an IG account with the focus on endangered animals. Their goal is to bring awareness to endangered species, and to highlight organizations working to protect them. Helmeted hornbill (rhinoplax vigil), I learned, is hunted to near extinction because of the “ivory” bill/helmet.

Scripture art ATC and bookmark

2 Cor 5:17. Stamped images, watercolors, black marker. March 2021.

An ATC I made for a penfriend. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have disappeared, and—look!—all things have become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Here is a bookmark I made for a swap. As the recipient likes the series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, I included their logo in my scripture art. Made with white gel pen on black cardboard.