How ''Willow Minnows'' crossed my path again

(Willow Minnows #3 is sold)

In a recent blogspost, I wrote about the birth of my series ''Willow Minnows'' back in 2012. And this turned out to be one of those rare cases I started working on what I thought was a brandnew series in 2014 and, much to my surprise, found out that these were actually new additions to ''Willow Minnows'', without consciously having intended them to be so!

The thing is, I only saw this when these set of new drawings was done and I just couldn't find a proper name for them. So I kept laying them aside, and back to them, and so on for quite a couple of days. Untill it suddenly hit me. There was this underlying vibe to it and also some clear visual elements that absolutely made them members of the ''Willow Minnows'' family.

The great thing of all this, is that I can see some clear development in this series, while at the same time still sticking to its original ''theme'' and using some of the same visual elements (the headphones and skateboards were an obvious sign) as some of other series as well. The loudspeakers however have been prominent in a series like ''Innovation In Carnation'' (which to this day is still ongoing as well).

It's a perfect example of how I am continiously surprised by how my art develops over time, how it shapes itself rather than me doing it for them. How it chooses and goes its own paths without even me, its creator, knowing it. And I wouldn't want it any other way!

 

Rediscovering "Willow Minnows'': a bunch of little cheeky bastards!

In 2012, I began working on a series called ''Willow Minnows''. As often in my work, this series also featured a bunch of little ''unsung heroes''. The little folk battling the far higher powers that be. The first two drawings came about pretty quickly, then somehow, my attention got divided and turned elsewhere, to other Witty Art Series.

It was not sooner than fall 2014, when I started working on what I thought was a new set of drawings, for a fresh new series. But as I was working on them, it soon became clear that these were part of ''The Willow Minnows'' family, or tribe, or whatever you want to call it.

It's within the very nature of Witty Art Series that some are ''ongoing'', as in: I can work on them enthusiastically for a while, and then put them aside for a while. Not because I am done with them at that moment, but because I have said what I wanted to say for now and it's time for a break. And it's not that I forget all about them, as I work on other series of drawings, and Singles too. It's more like often some work needs to rest for some time, to grow, to ripe, pretty much like a fine wine or cheese. And some work needs a bit longer time than others.

To me, it's always a surprise when I look at work I've stored away for a while. Will I find the work still as interesting, as thrilling as I first created it? Will I see new things, discover new insights, feel something I didn't feel before? When I do, I almost always instantly know there will be more of these. New additions to this specific series, or new ways of exploring the theme in a more Singles-like manner.

Sometimes, I just find the series is ''done'' all together. And that's also fine. 

But in the case of ''Willow Minnows'', none of the above. I just started working on them again, while not even knowing or realising I was doing so. And, it was just as good that I did, as I managed to sell one of the later drawings almost immediately.

Just goes to show what a bunch of cheeky ones these ''Willow Minnows'' are. Never underestimate them - at least I won't!

I will dedicate a separate blogspost to these new drawings soon!

Happy tweet by happy new Witty Art Owner

And here is one Happy Tweet from one extremely happy new Witty Art owner! Congratulations, Michèle van de Craats with 'Willow Minnows #3'!

Happy handover of Witty Art as 'Willow Minnows #3' moves to a new home!

A couple of days ago, I took my art work 'Willow Minnows #3' to Desk & Dish to hand over to its happy new owner, my fellow creative entrepreneur and one of D&D's owners, Michèle van de Craats. Signed, sealed, delivered, this Witty Art Work is now officially and totally hers!

 

Naturally, the official handover and the signing of the necessary paperwork was accompanied by some fine Cava and nibbles, as Desk & Dish is all about quality hospitaliy while at work!