beetlegrass

Illustration Friday -- STARGAZING

This week's word just happens to dovetail neatly with a personal project, "Dog Days", that I've been working on -- so here's the star of our show, Sirius, who's responsible for the Dog Days of summer! 

(Funny side note -- one dictionary says this about Sirius: "It is a binary star with A DIM COMPANION, WHICH IS A WHITE DWARF." Oh YES -- a sidekick and some backstory!)

A glass star made by a friend, hanging over a collection of flea market globes, became the setting for this shot. My finger puppet, Dogmatic, curious about who's been shining in his window all summer, goes to the ends of the earth(s) to find the source. Curiosity may kill the Cat, but for the Dog, it only increases his wealth & depth of knowledge.

The names, concepts & designs of these puppets and their stories are the property of Megan E. Jeffery. These images are © Megan E. Jeffery. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 

Dog Days -- NIGHT

If there are "Dog Days", it follows that there will be "Dog Nights", yes? Well, last night the pups had a candlelight vigil, but they wouldn't tell me why. I know I'll find out eventually, but hate being the last to know.

Most will be familiar with "Three Dog Night" being the name of an American rock band, but it's an idiom that describes how cold of a night it is. No dogs needed tonight -- sorry. Let's talk in November.

The names, concepts & designs of these puppets and their stories are the property of Megan E. Jeffery. These images are © Megan E. Jeffery. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 

Dog Days -- TEMPERATURE

What's summer without a hot dog... or a hot dog, for that matter? I knew I'd have to do a temperature image with my dog finger puppets, because, after all, I possess both fire (Harley-Davidson makes -- too funny) and snow scrapbook paper, a Fisher-Price grill, a dollhouse refrigerator, blanket, and a hat knit by my seester. All a recipe for: I CAN DO THIS. 

To put the finishing touch on this idea, this past weekend I made some hot dogs out of polymer clay covered in a variety of toppings. 

My work area where I was chopping up the "chili" -- honest. 

The names, concepts & designs of these puppets and their stories are the property of Megan E. Jeffery. These images are © Megan E. Jeffery. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 

Dog Days -- SOUND

 

Got this Victrola pencil sharpener at the flea market some time ago, which is today allowing me to do my take on the iconic record label image, with Boondoggle standing in for Nipper. Used a gold leafing marker on the horn this morning, as it was a kelly greenish color to begin with. No likey. Changey.

"Dog-eared" is really an adjective, describing an object made from paper, with the corners worn or battered from use; shabby; timeworn.

The name, concept & design of this puppet and his stories are the property of Megan E. Jeffery. This image is © Megan E. Jeffery. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Dog Days -- SHARK!

In case you HADN'T heard: it's SHARK WEEK! 

Doggerel is being harassed by the Brothers Biteyurlegov. Little do they know that he's now *technically* one of them.

Dogfish= A small sand-colored bottom-dwelling shark with a long tail, common on European coasts.

Pretty excited about the can of worms in the boat. Just cut pieces from two red rubber bands and stuck them in a tiny thimble.

The scene from our Action News chopper.

The names, concepts & designs of these puppets and their stories are the property of Megan E. Jeffery. These images are © Megan E. Jeffery. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 

Dog Days -- SWIM

 

You get a lot of flak when you're the alpha dog.

The real reason Doggerel's not wearing a life preserver, besides the fact that he can swim? There were only 2 in my collection of Fisher-Price® toys.

The names, concepts & designs of these puppets and their stories are the property of Megan E. Jeffery. These images are © Megan E. Jeffery. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  

Dog Days -- SUMMER

It's hot-n-muggy here today, the perfect weather for creating an image about hot-n-muggy weather.

 
How Boondoggle, Doggerel and Dogmatic got to be so tan: by lying on the beach in the sun, which is what I understand to be some people's idea of fun in the summertime. My idea of fun in the summertime is to find the coolest, darkest part of the house and hunker down until autumn, thus preserving my skin mushrooms. But that's me. I don't expect you to do the same. 

Oh, yeah, in case you were wondering, here's what the DOGs' names mean:

Boondoggle: Work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value.

Doggerel: Comic verse composed in irregular rhythm.

Dogmatic: Inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.

P.S. Dogs bringing a shovel to dig: kinda redundant, but it made me laugh, so, hey...

The names, concepts & designs of these puppets and their stories are the property of Megan E. Jeffery. These images are © Megan E. Jeffery. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 

Dog Days -- SHOW

So it's August, and we're in the thick of what are known as "The Dog Days of Summer". I've always thought they were called that because it's super hot for our furry friends, but, no, here's the real explanation. 

A "dog and pony show" really means "an often elaborate public relations or sales presentation; an elaborate or overblown affair or event" (Merriam-Webster). HOWEVER, Dogmatic and Winnie couldn't resist the call of the limelight, and have worked up quite an impressive vaudeville routine. CALL 1-800-TIX for reservations.

The names, concepts & designs of these puppets and their stories are the property of Megan E. Jeffery. These images are © Megan E. Jeffery. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  

Illustration Friday -- BREAKFAST

 

"A dog's breakfast" means "a mess or a muddle", but I thought it'd be fun to illustrate this phrase by showing what a dog's DREAM first meal of the day might be! Doggerel here is one of my finger puppet creations.

 

Had been wanting to show some of the meat and dog treats I've been making in polymer clay, and then the perfect word, BREAKFAST, came up in Illustration Friday, so: Motive, meet Opportunity!

The name, concept & design of this puppet and his stories are the property of Megan E. Jeffery. This image is © Megan E. Jeffery. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.