I wanted to do something for Halloween. This is the result. 

I started by slapping some plastic wrap on the front of an anatomical skull model. This provided a form for the paper mache model, which I built up in layers using strips of newsprint and a PVA glue mixture. 

After the paper mache was dry, I popped it off the form and filled it with spray foam. Since I knew I wanted to use phosphorescent paint for the eyes, I painted the inside of the eye sockets with white gesso.   Once the gesso dried, I applied a few layers of phosphorescent acrylic paint to the eye sockets. 

I then poked holes for the mouth stitching and glued strands of sisal twine into these holes (I should have done this part before filling the back with spray foam, but for some dumb reason I thought this way would be easier).

Once the stitches dried, I gave the whole piece a series of brown and blue acrylic washes, then dry brushed accents with bone and white. Next came the arcane symbols, which I slapped on with hobby acrylics. 

The final step was to give the whole piece a few coats of matte acrylic sealant.

I'm not sure what I'll do with this yet, but I had fun.

Palak paneer

Punjabi-style samosa

This was my first time making samosa, and they're wonky looking but delicious.

This started as a quick pencil sketch / fantasy cartography exercise; the line work was added as an afterthought. Approximately 8 x 7 cm.

let us all go together

one last time

down to the water to drink

our procession slipping through the tickling reeds

until our feet touch the family mud

until those hard little bones start coming up

until our teeth are pink when we cough

I'm not given to writing much poetry. Writing this felt strange, like I was thinking with someone else's brain.

This started as a monochrome pencil sketch, but I then decided to experiment with backgrounds and color a bit.

This started as a monochrome pencil sketch, but I then decided to experiment with backgrounds and color a bit.