Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Illustration Friday - Communicate


When I was a little girl, I loved the movie Bambi. One particular scene that sticks with me after all these years, is when Thumper the rabbit says something unkind about the odor surrounding Flower the skunk. Thumper's mother says "Thumper, what have I always told you?" Thumper scuffs the ground with his foot and sheepishly recites "If ya can't say sumpin' nice, then don't say nuffin' at all". It seemed like good advice way back then, and still seems so today. This is an illustration of the most vicious and cruel form of communication - gossip. It's never kind and serves no real purpose other than to make one person feel better at the expense of another. Thumper and his mother had it right, and I hope I always remember it.

This is done with watercolor pencil in my Paperblanks journal (no water). This is my first real attempt at cartooning. It's not nearly so easy as it looks, there is much erasing here. But I really enjoyed doing it, and will continue to practice.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

A very strong piece. Should make people think twice before they speak. Incidentally, my oldest son when he was very small loved the story of Bambi. We had the big hard cover book which we had to read to him multiple times a day and every night at bedtime. And we had the movie to. Biiirrr-dah! lol! Nice job!

Anonymous said...

Wonderfully done -- and meaningful message!

Forrest Illustrations said...

I think we all have felt this way. You put the feelings into the illustration real nice.

Anonymous said...

Well done! I can tell instantly what the subject is.

Brenda Yarborough said...

What a terrific illustration for a very good example of communication gone wrong! My 24 year old daughter can still be coaxed into doing some very good Bambi impressions - LOL!

jill said...

great idea, but sometimes easier said than done!