I was chatting with Jordu Schell on the phone one night last week while working on a painting. I should have known better than to try to get serious work done! He’s too entertaining to listen to. ;)

After a while, I put aside my illustration and became fascinated with an accidental shape on my tabletop. Some months before I'd made the mark with a sponge saturated with brown paint—I often use sponges to create textures in my acrylic paintings—but now as I stared at it, a creature appeared before me.

I sketched an outline in chalk and painted in the creature while chatting the hour or so we were on the phone. By the time we said our goodbyes, I had a beastie walking across my table. Subsequent conversations over the next day or two gave me time to add a moon and other details, employing the colors I had on hand at the moment.

He looks determined to make his way, and I’m betting he has a sizable appetite. Better steer clear of him!