The Mouton Studies

Mouton came to me during a time of intense bad-luck stress. 

The bad-luck stress left, but Mouton decided to stay. 

He is a "Sigikid" and comes from Germany.

Recently I did a quick sketch of him in my daily journal.

He liked it. "Do more, Rita, do more!" 

"Andrew Wyeth did many studies of his favorite models, Rita. 

So please, study ME!"

He often sits next to my pen cup. He knows how to get

my attention. (He's onto my fountain pen obsession.)

 He did not realize how how much work went into me trying to illustrate, 

verses my private sketching! 

After all these years of loving & sharing picture books with children,

I know even more what tremendous work goes into 

creating animated, consistent images!

Picture book authors & illustrators are Mouton's & my heroes!

(Mouton's favorite picture book at the moment is 

I Lost My Bear by Jules Feiffer.)

He may still prefer it when I sketch him loosely in my sketchbooks, 

but he's glad I challenged myself to try something new.

Mouton's been speaking to me in French lately.

(We like listening to a French radio show while we work.)

Even though his name has French origins, 

he pronounces it MOO' tawn. Accent on the MOO.

(Il aime faire le clown-pronounced "clune.")

 

Now, take a break from modeling, dear Mouton.

Repose-toi bien.