That's Sir Nils Olav to you!

This story made me smile. A king penguin received Norwegian Knighthood recently, having already received medals for good service and other honorary ranks ever since he was made an honorary member of the King's Guard in 1972 after being picked out as the guard's mascot.

Check out the full story here

And the video (in case you don't believe me):


Here's also a few penguin ATC's I recently made (I thought it would go nicely with this post)...

Star Wars Mania

In honor of the recent post by the talented Joan, here is the Max Rebo Band from Star Wars Return of the Jedi...



Check out these clips of Star Wars music I found:



If you liked that one, check this one out (this guy is brilliant!):

I Dream of Africa

Some ATC's of various sunset scenes in Africa. I've been wanting to do these for a long time. I was listening to the soundtrack of "The Lion King" on my iPod while creating these and it really helped get the creative energy going. It's always been my dream to go to Africa and take a Safari ride to see the animals. (sigh) someday...

Another Inspiring Artist - Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh

A friend recently showed me some notecards bought at the Art Institute of Chicago that depicted the work of Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh, a Scottish artist who helped originate the "Glasgow Style" of art during the late 1800's. I was immedietely intrigued! I don't recall ever seeing her work before and I am always so excited to discover (for myself) something new... even though it's like a century old.

I was most facinated by the strong, flowing lines and wonderfully strange shapes of each piece. Here's some more of her work...

Cinderella (Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh)


Label for Sheenore Fabrics (Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh)


Opera of the Winds (Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh)


THe White Rose and the Red Rose (Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh)


Oh ye, all ye that walk in Willowood (Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh)