It's a Raccoon's Life

For those of you who don't know it Pumpkin is an instagram sensation that just won't quit. Yes Pumpkin is a one year old rescue raccoon who after tumbling out of a tree as a baby and after being abandoned by her mother, was adopted by Rosie Kemp.

This adorable raccoon lives with the family dogs Toffee and Oreo and seems to think she's a dog, uses a toilet and loves watermelon. She also has 615,000 instagram followers. You must follow her ....I guarantee you will fall head over heels with this charming girl.

The interesting thing is Pumpkin lives in the Bahamas. At first I thought WHAT? How can a raccoon even live in the Bahamas...wouldn't they be too hot? It seems that raccoons were introduced to the Bahamas at some point a few centuies ago and that this species is now called the Bahaman Raccoon, and is smaller than the more common raccoon. It adapted that way due to a process called insular dwarfism, and has a more delicate skull and a longer snout.

Anyway Pumpkin was such an inspiration to me that I decided to do a portrait of her called 'Raccoon Breakfast' in acrylic inks.

Pumpkin lives an amazing life in the Bahamas, lounging on the sofa with her doggy pals. It's a dog's life...or should that be a Raccoon's Life.

Buy Raccoon Breakfast as cushions, prints and mugs here.

Linking up with Paint Party Friday, My Favorite Pet and Brilliant Blog Posts.


nursery art prints for sale

Superbowl Madness!!

We had an exciting Sunday. The whole country went completely wild for the Superbowl!! Even though I know jack about football I decided to root for the Carolina Panthers because they have a theatrical quarterback called Cam Newton. I don't really understand the rules of American football.

These are the basics: Using the down system, the offense has four downs (essentially four plays) to go 10 yards. If the offensive team advances the ball at least 10 yards in four tries or fewer, the team receives another set of four downs.

If the offense has failed to advance 10 yards after three tries, the team usually punts the ball on the fourth down (a punt is a kick to the opponent without the use of a tee). The other team then begins with its own set of four downs, traveling in the opposite direction.

But I don't really know what any of that means. If you listen to the commentary they talk a lot about tight ends. Are they referring to the posteriors of the players? It's all double dutch to me.

The game stops and starts every few minutes so that it seems like it was invented to show as many adverts as possible and that's OK because adverts are specially made for the Superbowl and they are really good so no complaints there.

Since I could not easily follow the game I stuck to doing what I am best at: stuffing my face at a superbowl party with chips, hotdogs, guacamole, pizza and other artery thickening delights.

Have you ever watched American football and do you like it? And what is a tight end?

In the end the Carolina Panthers didn't get anywhere (the Bronco's whipped their asses) but I felt like painting a big cat so I did this Jaguar (available at Redbubble)

It's great to find admirers of your work on the web. I was thrilled to read a great review of my shop over at Life with Peanut. So do go check it out!!

Linking up to Brilliant Blog Posts.

Baby Fashion

It was great fun to be interviewed by Boom Boom Prints - a fabulous online marketplace that sells nursery décor and also kid's products like these bibs and onesies that now have my art on them. They have an amazing array of kids' art so if you are looking for a gift for a child or new mom check them out.

Anyway, Boom Boom Prints wanted to interview me about how my kids have influenced my art. I must say they are getting a little tired of me asking "What do you think of this?" (if you have kids do you ask their opinion of your art?) but their input has been invaluable! Check out the interview with moi here.

Other than that things have been busy. I got a commission to illustrate a children's book and that has been great fun! Here's a sneak peek of some cheeky moo cows with attitude:

Hope you had a great week!

Linking up to Paint Party Friday and Brilliant Blog Posts