Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Snake Farm; Ophiophobics beware


After a slight detour from the path with the Armadillo print, I am back to working on the 5 animals of Shoalin which are to be made into tea labels. The next in line is SNAKE. Many people are afraid of snakes, which is why there is a special word for it: ophiophobia.

Family portrait, me in center. Often left in the care of these two, I managed to survive being dropped on my head, having a glass broken on top of my head, and being squeezed by a large snake...One of the most oft repeated phrases at home was "Don't tease your sister." Needless to say I adore them both.

I am not afraid of snakes, wary and respectful as one should be of potentially poison creatures, but not afraid. The reason being I was raised with snakes, not by snakes, with snakes. My brothers, 10 and 12 years older than I, had a great interest in snakes, hence there were a few in the house. I learned to handle them and so have no particular fear. One time my parents were having people over for dinner and my brothers put a large boa, not the feather kind, on my 5 year old self and sent me out into the gathering. The guests were aghast, astounded, and stunned. The snake became frightened and started to squeeze........there were a few tense minutes as the brothers gently teased the snake off their little sister....


One of our scaley family members and a brother.

Several years later and several years ago, both are facts, on a neighborhood walk I came upon a boy and a girl throwing rocks at a smallish Gopher snake. "What are you doing?" I asked and the answer was trying to move the snake because they were scared of it. Luckily it had not been injured so I picked up the cool scaley fellow and let him loose in a nearby grassy lot, a much better snake home than the street. The kids were pretty impressed that a person could just pick up a snake, I hope they resist next time they have the impulse to throw rocks at something they
are scared of.......
Here is a shot of the final version and a proof. The final version is on top. After looking at the proof I decided that the bottom scales looked too much like fish bones, so I added a bokashi (gradation print) along the belly of the snake.


Colors used are Cobalt Blue Medium, Prussian Blue, Quinacridone red and a mix of Earth Green and Hanso Yellow. Image size is 7 by 5 inches. I also plan to reddish version when I get my delivery of Red Oxide (light AND medium) pigment dispersion.......


11 comments:

Glenna said...

I'm sort of neutral on snakes, but I really like the snake pictures, especially the best-ever blue you're using! What a hilarious picture of you (looking delighted) with your brothers (looking mischievous).

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

I've never had a fear of snakes. No particular reason. I just never did.

I love your snake print!

RG said...

Ahhh Yessss ... so slowly we tease out the traumas of your childhood!

Hmmmmmmm ....

Great snakes!

Crafty Green Poet said...

lovely designs....

I'm not scared of snakes unless i come across then unexpectedly, which in Scotland is unlikely.

YowlYY said...

I don't think I have ever come across snakes, apart in a terrarium. I am neutral on them, but your prints are fantastic!
What's the take of the Spots on snakes?

Georgina said...

I love the story behind the prints and I love the print too.

d. moll, l.ac. said...

G-which blue? background (Colbalt) or the darker (Prussian)? Yes, it is a good picture, my mother's head can be seen in the right lower bit.
BG, CGP,YY, G-I am beginning to think ophiophobia is not prevalent as I have been led to believe.
RG-I'm sure you have few stories!
H-snakes, friendly, hmm, snakes have their own agenda.
YY-The Spots like paper snakes.
GA-thanks and thanks for visiting.

Annie B said...

Hilarious story about you and your brothers. Just that little peek into your childhood reveals a thousand other possibilities. "Don't tease your sister" is right!

Ah, but back to the moku hanga (one-track mind). Fantastic! I agree about the best-ever blues, both of them. And the bokashi on the snake's belly is perfect.

I admire your snake handling. I'm not much of a snake picker-upper myself, but I do pick up earthworms, another verboten especially for girls. Comes of having fished with my dad, I suppose, as I have no brothers. I envy you your brothers.

Great post!

d. moll, l.ac. said...

A.B.-thanks, well I never went fishing with my dad, so you've got me there.

tlchang said...

I love snakes - and pretty much anything reptilian (love drawing scales...) Lovely, lovely print. I have a snake piece I'm hoping for a reprieve to get back to work on..

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