Puffer Beastie

This one's for Ryan, who requested:
I want to see a beastie that floats in the air like a bird, but without wings. Instead it's like a little puffer fish, round and plump and alabaster with prominent spikes protruding in every direction (except the spikes aren't dangerous, but are kind of cuddly).

Hmm.. This one took a while to get right. Cuddly spikes was a bit of a challenge. And puffer fish are pretty hard to top in general, since they're so awesome already. I can only hope this beastie fulfills Ryan's lofty expectations. She's a little bit of puffer fish, a little bit of bird, and a little bit of diva. (YEAH I aint got no WINGS! Don't NEED em, 'cuz I am FIERCE and I GOT IT like THAT and I don't CARE if they WATCHIN'!)

Sleeper Beastie

Mike wrote:
When I sleep, there’s a little beastie who hangs out near the inner corner of my left eye. He’s very small, and I think he eats a good bit of cheese nips because when I wake up, I always find crumbs in my eye crevice. I’ve never seen him because I’m always asleep when he visits. Most likely he’s kinda fat and has orange fingertips. Tammy, you might have a better idea of what he looks like.

Oh yes, I've seen this beastie before. Late one night right as I was drifting off, I actually saw him roll out of nowhere and attempt to crawl up my face. As it turns out, his job is to direct counting sheep all over the world. It's a pretty grueling job if you think about it. The only free time he gets is right after you fall asleep, when he indulges himself in cheese crackers and bad romance novels. He said he'll try to be tidier next time, but isn't making any promises.

Ear-y Beastie

Sam wrote:
there is a beastie who lives inside my left ear. every now and then she whispers funny things like fruits she would like to squeeze or places she would visit if she had feet. she has funny beastie-like names for things like the wind or the sound of pigeons making love. on the 11th of every month i treat her to a q-tip dipped in bittersweet chocolate if she's been very good, or an unpleasant noise like a whining piglet if she's been very bad. she tells me "we're not altogether very different, you and i."

A very wistful beastie indeed. And a more romantic way of looking at the inner ear.

*If it seems like I'm not doing these in the order I receive them, it's true. But I'll do my best to get to your beastie, I promise!

La Lizard Beastie

It's Beastie #3!
This was inspired by Natasha, who asked for:
- cycloptic lizard
- tiny scales
- stunted, can't fly for crap wings
- large talons
- smiling stupidly

There aren't any talons, but those shoes! Those legs! She's a man-eater! I had a lot of fun with this one, because it could have gone in several directions. Ultimately I took "lizard" and went with "dinosaur," because I love dinosaurs. And I thought having a ferocious velociraptor with dinky wings and vixen legs was a ridiculous combination.

Daruma Beastie

Today's beastie was conceived by Vincent, who wrote:

What about a beastie that is trying to stay away from vending machines, but is having a really hard time because he recently realized that he has an addiction to fat pills... i mean...M&Ms. Then he realizes that he should stick to liquid foods. He loves straws.........especially if there is a milkshake at the end of it.

Talk about a beastie with baggage... I really loved the idea of a beastie who's slightly overweight and addicted to candy, but can never eat it. I based my design off a daruma, which is a Japanese "doll" you commonly get at New Year's. It has no eyes; so at first, you make a wish or goal, and paint in one eye. When your goal is accomplished, you paint in the other. Since this beastie can never get his hands on the M&Ms, he's always clumsily running around with one eye. He also struggles with the gum disease known as gingivitis.

The 1st Annual Big Bad Beastie Contest!

Because it's Halloween season and because I love monsters, I have decided to launch the 1st Annual Paper Beats All Big Bad Beastie Contest! For the month of October, I will be taking submissions for Big Bad Beasties. You come up with an idea, I draw it, and at the end of the month we'll have a little vote on the best one. The proud mommy or daddy of the beastie wins a prize!

So without further ado, I'm very proud to unveil the first (of hopefully many) Beastie!

The idea was submitted by Mr. J.T. Trollman who wrote: I want a monster based on a Puffin -- but with tentacles for feet, and an over-sized beak with serrated edges.

Very interesting, Mr. Trollman. The challenge here was to combine the endearing features of an aquatic bird with a disgusting octopus. I'm pretty pleased with this one.


Keep those ideas coming! :)