Jilted John - Guache on Paper - 2008

Here I go again, every time I try to do a "legit" children's illustration I wind up with something like this. I can't help but add the little band-aid over the poor Octo's heart. It brings a tear to my eye - sniffle sniffle. I got the inspiration for this piece from some kids in one of the classes I teach - they were going on about a character they called Pollution Squid - something made up and wonderful that depicted a squid swimming in an ocean full of trash. I loved the organic curvy forms of the little tentacles and decided to do some "squid art". Ok, so it's an Octopus and Nautilus in a lover's spat but the squish and splash would be the same for Octo's and Squid.