Ungnyeo

It’s been exactly 2 years since my last blog post. I honestly haven’t done too much art in the meantime.

This is a commission I did for a friend, finished earlier today. She requested a painting of a character from Korean myth named Ungnyeo (Sino-Korean for “bear woman”); she is planning to give it as a Christmas gift.

God’s Bear III - Ungnyeo (Mixed media on 9x12 Fluid 100 watercolor block, hot press 140lbs.)

God’s Bear III - Ungnyeo (Mixed media on 9x12 Fluid 100 watercolor block, hot press 140lbs.)

From the Wikipedias:

In the tale, a tiger and a bear (Ungnyeo) lived together in a cave and prayed to the divine king Hwanung to be made human. Hwanung heard their prayers and gave them 20 cloves of garlic, a bundle of mugwort and ordered them to stay out of the sunlight and eat only this food for 100 days. Due to hunger, the tiger left the cave after roughly 20 days, but the bear remained inside. After 21 days, she was transformed into a woman.

Ungnyeo was grateful and made offerings to Hwanung. Her lack of a husband drove her to depression, and she began to pray beneath a sacred betula tree (신단수 / 神檀樹) to be blessed with a child. Hwanung heard her prayers and was deeply moved. He took Ungnyeo as his wife and soon after, she gave birth to a son, Dangun, who would go on to found the nation of Korea.

It was a fascinating project and I knew pretty much immediately how I wanted to do it. I went with the iconography style I’ve used in the past, and added specific elements relating to the story: garlic, mugwort, and birch trees. I depicted Ungnyeo as an Asiatic black bear (also known as a “moon bear” for the white patch on the chest) which is native to the Korean peninsula. I included the full moon as an allusion to the bear’s name and it’s connection to sacred feminine power.

I like how the bear turned out, particularly the eyes. Bears can have such intense, complex emotion in their eyes, but until now I’d never been quite satisfied with my attempts to capture it. The garlic braid was also a neat little solution to a tricky part of the composition. The mugwort is a bundle of non-descript greenery, which was frustrating (I need more practice with plants).

Christmas in December SALE!!!

!!!Get 20% off your order!!!

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Use promo code NICELIST20 at checkout during the month of December to get your discount. I’ll also throw in 5 cheeky Christmas postcards with your order so you can spread the holiday love. Visit the store HERE!

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Beards in the Desert

Beards in the Desert

We're making a difference!

(This post is from an update sent to backers of the CRAVES Kickstarter)

Exciting news! I have been working with Baraga County's "Communities that Care" program to get copies of CRAVES to as many of their students as possible. Baraga CTC is an awesome organization that focuses on creating healthy, vibrant communities by empowering, supporting, and connecting their youth, families, and schools. The folks I've been in contact with are incredibly passionate about their mission, and it's an honor to be able to support them in any way I can.

Yesterday I did a marathon signing session and rocked-out 1360 signed copies of CRAVES, all boxed-up and heading to Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula this weekend.

The Sharpie gave out before my hand did :)

The Sharpie gave out before my hand did :)

I'll be doing a 5-day whirlwind trip to the UP and back in early November, visiting schools in Marquette, Baraga, and Ontonagon counties. I'm so excited to share the book with students and spread our message of making healthy choices. 

More updates to follow, but I just wanted to share this awesome little bit of news with you all, because without your support this never would have been possible. So again, because I can never say it enough: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU  :)   

-Robb

 

Lucy and Milo

A good friend in Grand Rapids commissioned a couple paintings of her kitties last December.

Lucy and Milo!

Lucy and Milo!

I was very excited for this project after hearing her vision for the pieces:

Hello,

There is no rush, within the next couple months perhaps?

I was thinking one separate picture for each cat in a 10 by 8. Each cat having antlers! With a Mythical feel. Think..a cat that a wood elf may have haha. Or not, lol just where ever your artistic soul takes you!

Let me know if there are any more details you need to know :)

Take it easy,

Melanie

I had one piece to finish before Christmas, and I didn't do any work until the new year. After doing some rough sketches, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do to give these cats an elvish sort of flair.     

Miloshroom

Miloshroom

Mossy Lucy

Mossy Lucy

I'm still taking orders for commissioned pieces for the winter, so please get in touch if you're interested!