I found this template for mapping your influences on Deviantart.com from fox-orion and decided to do one myself. I could add so many more. So many are missing! I'd need a map at least twice as large. However, this is a nice reflection of some of those that influenced and inspire me from ages ago to today. 

Guangxi, China - Around the World in 80 Illustrations
I have always wanted to go to Guilin because of the beautiful karst formations along the Li River. A while back I watched a program on the entire Guangxi area (Lonely Planet, I think) and it visited a Longhorn Miao village and then I REALLY wanted to go. As much as the landscape draws me to a place, it is the people and their cultural traditions that draws me even more.

There are many different kinds of Miao (Hmong) people which are an ethnic minority in China.The Longhorn Miao are fascinating to me because they wear the hair (mixed with wool) of their mother, and I think also their grandmother, on their head wrapped around a crescent shaped horn. They are renowned for their beautiful embroidery and batik work. I love that they dress so traditionally and yet finish the look off with running shoes. The Dong people, also an ethnic minority in the area, are known for their beautiful architecture. The Water Buffalo is native to the area and a common sight, along with rafts of cormorant fishermen.  The landscape that I chose to depict in the image, are Elephant Trunk Hill which is the symbol of Guilin, and Pagoda Hill, some general karst formations along the Li River, and the Dragon's backbone rice terraces. To see the rest of the illustrations in this series visit my portfolio.

Socotra, Yemen - Around the World in 80 Illustrations
Often called the strangest place on earth, and the whole archipelago declared a UNESCO site, Socotra, Yemen is replete with the strangest plants and many creatures that are endemic to the island and completely unique and alien in appearance. The waters which have abundant fishing, and great diving, I could not represent here...sacrificed to what is remarkable and unique about this place. Dragon's blood trees whose sap runs red and from which the famed dye cinnabar comes from, strange bottle plants, also called desert roses, odd aloes and plants that would look more at home underwater, and the very famous frankincense trees from which the incense comes from. Remarkable mountaintop mini-cities, and amazing caves, some of which are homes. Men greet each other by touching noses, and atop roofs, Egyptian vultures keeping watch over all. This, however is not one of my favorite illustrations in the series, I have already redone it twice and I may have to go back and do it a third time. To see the rest of the illustrations in this series visit my portfolio.

Kerala, India - Around the World in 80 Illustrations
Kerala, India is a beautiful place that is very high on my list of places I want to go to. There is so much to commend it, that I had a very hard time selecting elements to show. What initially drew me in was the exotic and romantic houseboats that can range from simple to very luxurious that travel the backwaters there. There are a plethora of wildlife preserves for birds, tigers, elephants, lion tailed macaques, leopards, and soooo much more. India as a whole is a colourful place, however Kerala takes that one step further and contains a city called Auroville which is a modern, sustainable and experimental city whose mission is human unity.

Kerala is an excellent choice for that as it is, like Toronto, a place where people of all religions and races live in harmony. The difference is they have done so for thousands of years. There is a Jewish population that has been there since the days of Solomon, there is a Christian population called the St. Thomas Christians that trace their history to when St. Thomas came to evangelize back in the 1st century. There are also, of course, Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims. It is diverse in many, many ways. Kerala has the highest literacy rate IN THE WORLD!  So much to love. I can't wait to go there one day.  

What I have selected to illustrate: Kalaripayattu - which is the mother of all martial arts and originates from Kerala; a lion-tailed macaque; the hornbill (which is the state bird); in lieu of an actual tiger - a tiger dancer from the tiger festival; in lieu of an elephant - Ganesha,; Onapottan - the harbinger of prosperity which is from Northern Kerala; and one of those romantic houseboats which drew me in to discover the place to begin with. Kerala is one of National Geographic's 100 places to see before you die. The only other place in India on that list is the Taj Mahal. 

Yap, Micronesia - Around the World in 80 Illustrations
Another illustration in this series, is Yap, in Micronesia. Yap is on my bucket list of places to go to for a number of reasons. Firstly, I love to scuba dive and Yap has stellar scuba diving. It is famous for its Manta Ray Bay, where huge schools of manta ray come to get cleaned by pretty little wrasses and angelfish.

Another thing Yap is unique and famous for is its stone money. Very large and heavy stones, often quartz, are quarried on other islands and brought to Yap at great danger by canoe. The value of the stones is dependent on how dangerous and difficult the journey was to bring the stone over. It isn't always the biggest stone that has the most value, either. This money still has value among the islanders today, though when the value is traded the stone might not actually move from its place as it can take as many as 20 men to move a stone.  

These islanders are expert navigators and use the stars to find their course. They travel in canoes that are rigged with a mainsail. They also still keep traditional clothing customs of grass skirts, bare breasts, flowers for men and women as decoration, and have several different types of traditional dances.  

Conquering Stereotypes...Of Myself!
I seem to be 'known' for doing Asian culture in my drawings, and I don't want potential clients from thinking that is all I do. So, to that end, I have started a new series, Around the World in 80 Illustrations. My goal/new years resolution is to also slow down and refine my work more. 

I have started the series in Canada...looks like I am starting in the west with the Haida.  
I was thinking about #Idlenomore while doing it and did my own version of the Dogfish woman on the drum in honor of Chief Theresa Spense.  

From http://www.geocities.ws/smkruta/symbolism.html :

The dogfish woman represents persistence & strength. Innate leadership. The Dogfish Woman is the most prominent Shark in Haida legends. It’s considered a family crest of Haida royalty. All other Sharks are referred to as "Dogfish Mother’. In addition to the Shark-like features, the Dogfish Woman wears a labret in her lower lip which is traditionally worn by artistocratic Haida women. The Dogfish is one of the most powerful crests that is associated with feminine qualities. 

Above is the final pencil for Around the World in 80 Illustrations - Haida.

I am not going to do inks for this, just keeping a tight purpley brown pencil line. I like it like this, but am going to do a colour version too.  To see the final version o of the illustrations in this series visit my portfolio

While going through facebook today, someone shared some artwork that I just fell in love with. The headline was focused on the age of the artist. And it is true. It is remarkable that someone so young could have such vision, skill, and talent to create works that are so beautiful and magical. He is also an excellent subject. The vast majority of these'photos' are self-portraits., but they have such an emotional, and a real quality - while never neglecting that very real magic of perception. 
At any age, this work is remarkable. The fact that he is only 14, is astounding. He has a long bright future ahead. He goes by the name Fiddle Oak.  http://www.demilked.com/surreal-self-portraits-14-year-old-fiddle-oak/

Another artist's work I found on the same website was from this artist - whose simple self-portrait images are so masterful, bold, and iconic.  She is 22 years old.  Noell Oszvald. http://www.demilked.com/surreal-self-portraits-noell-oszvald/

Talent is talent - at any age. 

This is great advice - not just for the young - but for everyone. Very inspiring video.

My Home And Native Land.   
Posted Monday, January 18, 2010 

well, I am gently moving away from my Japan research and obsession and moving towards researching and developing work inspired by Northwest Coast Native Art. I was looking for some books to inspire me and found this which was good and I am still reading it. http://www.washington.edu/uwpress/search/books/HOLNWC.html

but what really was wonderful was Learning by Designing - Northwest Coast Native Indian Art. Very helpful. http://www.ravenpublishing.com/designvol1.htm

I also fell in complete love with this Haida Manga artist/founder Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas. His work reminds me of Georgia O'keeffe another favorite artist of mine - meets Hokusai - meets Haida. Incredible. Check out his work called War of the Blink and Red. Incredible work. His website is www.haidamanga.com and his blog (with more wonderful images of his shows etc.) Above is a couple of sample images from his work.

Comment received:
Dear Jo,

The Vancouver Art Gallery is showing the latest manifestation of Haida manga starting on Feb 5. It is a 4 meter long mural, the originals paintings for the book, RED, a Haida Manga. http://www.dmpibooks.com/book/red
Also on exhibit is RED, Haida Manga Party Mix, a four minute music video co created with Cris Derksen. http://www.myspace.com/crisderksen

The Bone Box is permanently displayed at the new MOA in Vancouver and the first permanent exterior Haida manga sculpture, Take Off can be seen at the Thunderbird Winter Sports Arena at the University of British Columbia.

This spring will also see the release of Haida manga in "Declaration of Interdependence" (David Suzuki) and Little Hummingbird both released by Greystone Books. http://www.dmpibooks.com/book/the-little-hummingbird

Benjamin Brown Books will also release "He called her Loo Taas" by haida author Amanda Reid Stevens and including some Haida manga.

Finally for anyone in Germany ZDF television will air an interview on Haida Manga after Feb 8th. The interviewer is Wolf Christian Ulrich.

Thank you for your generous words.

mny

January 30, 2010 | michael nicoll yahgulanaas

Update April 24, 2013: I have since purchased Red, which is a tale of vengeance and has very much a dark quality to the story though it is painted in glorious bright colours,  and The Little Hummingbird which is a traditional folktale that he illustrated with black and white line art. i was not disappointed.