One more of the illustrations created for the Journal of Empire Studies blog. This was a fun, colorful experience in illustration! Also, a little sad because of the subject matter.  The article for the blog is a review of the book, Kingdom Under Glass.  Kingdom Under Glass, by Jay Kirk, is about the famous explorer and taxidermist, Carl Akeley, who traveled around the world “collecting” exotic animals to be exhibited in museums. Akeley created the Hall of African Mammals at the Museum of Natural History.  So, here we have an elephant under glass, preserved for all eternity…

Margaret Hurst

This is one of many illustrations I created recently for a new online journal, www.empirestudies.org, a great site featuring various intellectual writers’ dissertations, thesis and reviews on global issues and topics in the Cycle of Empire, East and West.  Professor Tom Durwood, of the Valley Forge Military College, is the editor of the site. What a joy and challenge these illustrations were! This particular illustration is about food surplus, storage and trade.

Margaret Hurst

Today is a simple line drawing in the far corner of the Rose Garden; one tiny snail gliding through the rose bushes, alone…

Margaret Hurst

Head to head, toe to toe!  The stand off turned into a head butting.  So, our ladies are at it!  Or are they???  What are they fighting about?  What’s different about our two ladies?

Margaret Hurst

Yes, two lady snails are in a tiff!  What are they fighting about?  What could it be? Hmmmm……

Margaret Hurst

This is a very fancy, little more complex snail, a little art nouveau and many toes on her one snail foot!

Margaret Hurst

The Little Snail in the Little Black Dress. No Snail should be without one…

Margaret Hurst

Another Picasso inspired Snail Woman!

Margaret Hurst

Pink Lady and Gent Snail meet at the Ball…

Margaret Hurst

Picasso’s Lady Snail, simply, inspired by Pablo Picasso!

Margaret Hurst

Snail Love, the 4th!

Busy Feet!

Margaret Hurst

It is said that an army travels on its stomach.  Hence, Gastropoda!  I try to imagine what I would do if I saw this particular army coming toward me…

Margaret Hurst

Another snail love drawing, #2.  You know, of course, this is endless!!!

Margaret Hurst

This is one of the first drawings I made when I decided to do a project on Snail Love.  Snail Love eventually led to the Neurex Pharmaceutical snx-111 work.  Funny where a snail can lead you!

Margaret Hurst

A very quick pen/ink/brush drawing at the China Pavilion at Epcot.

Margaret Hurst

Margaret Hurst

Both of these pieces were painted/drawn at the New York Botanical Garden.  I just like the way two different mediums, but the same subject, look like side by side.

Margaret Hurst

IN RESPONSE TO THE RECENT TERRIBLE EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN AND THE TSUNAMIS IN THE PACIFIC, THE ILLUSTRATORS OF STUDIO 1482 HAVE EACH CREATED A PIECE OF ART TO RAISE MONEY ON BEHALF OF THE VICTIMS.PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

I loved Veronica’s “Zen Garden,” and Eddie’s “Bonsai Tree,”  from their last blog art on onedrawingaday.com. Bonsai’s are generational, so I  feel that is a great symbol for Japan right now.  They, the Japanese,  will go on, there will be more generations to come and more beauty created in the world by the Japanese people.

The sun will rise tomorrow morning…

Margaret Hurst

IN RESPONSE TO THE RECENT TERRIBLE EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN AND THE TSUNAMIS IN THE PACIFIC, THE ILLUSTRATORS OF STUDIO 1482 HAVE EACH CREATED A PIECE OF ART TO RAISE MONEY ON BEHALF OF THE VICTIMS. PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

I wanted to put this drawing/illustration of these Japanese ladies on the blog today so that I might continue the thread of the need for aid to Japan and to the Japanese people.

Strength to overcome.

Margaret Hurst

IN RESPONSE TO THE RECENT TERRIBLE EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN AND THE TSUNAMIS IN THE PACIFIC, THE ILLUSTRATORS OF STUDIO 1482 HAVE EACH CREATED A PIECE OF ART TO RAISE MONEY ON BEHALF OF THE VICTIMS. PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

For this print it is my desire to symbolize the natural forces that have taken over the Japanese people and their land: the earthquakes and the tsunamis. I want to represent the “eye of the storm” that is the darkest part in the center and show the lessening effects of the disaster as you wind your way out of the eye.  The cherry blossom resting in the symbol of strength in the lower right corner implies that the Japanese people will find the courage and the strength to overcome this disaster and enjoy the natural beauty of the earth once again.

This too shall Pass.

Margaret Hurst

In response to the recent terrible earthquake in Japan and the tsunamis in the Pacific, the illustrators of Studio 1482 have each created a piece of art to raise money on behalf of the victims. Please click here for more information.