Tortoise in Progress

I'm very pleased with how this fellow is turning out. Acrylic on canvas and not as dark on the edges as this scan would suggest. - JoyceB

Symbolic Significance

As I mentioned earlier, I googled around this morning for information regarding the tortoise/turtle in various cultures. I came across a fantastic site with detailed information on the turtle mythos in multiple cultures.

The site owner was kind enough to give me permission to link here and I hope you will take a moment to visit Khandro.Net This link will take you directly to the tortoise section of the site. But for all those artists and collectors interested in animals and their symbolic significance... Khandro has an Animals symbolism section with many, many informative articles on a variety of animals.

I hope you all enjoy it as much as I have (and will in days to come, I'm sure). - Joyce Brandon

Tortoise

A scan of part of my latest painting. This is a light sketch on an 11x14 inch canvas. I have turtles on the brain lately. I dreamed of turtles and terrapins and paintings celebrating them. I can still remember the first time I learned of the turtle as a symbol of creation - at 11 years old reading Stephen King's IT. That book was my favorite for years and years!

For those interested in a more serious discussion of the cultural significance of the tortoise, I'm in the process of requesting permission to link to a very interesting site on animal symbolism. I'll update ASAP. - JoyceB

Isabel Bloom Stays in the QCA!!

Great local news this morning. The Isabel Bloom company has decided against moving the production of their statues and sculptures to China. They are remaining in the Davenport, Iowa plant! I was so pleased to hear that they listened to the local public. I think that Isabel is looking down on them with a big smile today. If you are interested in learning about the late artist Isabel Bloom and the company that carries her name, please visit their website... Isabel Bloom Hompage

- Joyce Brandon

Spider Orchid

My orchid painting - I love these little flowers... they sort of make me think of some kind of tiny lilly. It's up in my ebay store. Joyceb