31 Paintings in 31 Days - Day Twenty

"Sugar Glider" - watercolor and ink on aquabord, 6" x 6"

Follow me on a serendipitous journey to the sugar glider... coming up in June will be a beach-themed show at Ciel Gallery, and I am honored to be one of the featured artists for the show.  Being a good do-be, I decided to try and work ahead some beach-themed art during this challenge.

Contemplating various sea creatures and shore inhabitants, I decided to do a hermit crab piece.  Of course I first needed to understand exactly what one looked like and get a sense of its personality.  I began doing the necessary research on hermit crabs and came across some great photos on a website about "easy pets for kids."  Right after the hermit crab, they listed a sugar glider.  

Sugar glider?  I'd never even heard of one, and here is a website basically suggesting I run out and get one for my grandson.  They are insanely cute, and they glide!  Like having a remote control helicopter or something....everyone should have one because it is one better!  I decided to paint one of these cuties instead.

Of course my story doesn't end here.  Having raised a herd of children and having survived a million different pets ("it's so cute, mom!  I have to have him!  I'll clean the cage feed him change the water walk him pet him love him and never ever ever get bored with him I promise)  I decided maybe I should know a little more about these cuties before I add them to the list of things I might be kinda sorta maybe could say "yes" to.

What do you know?  There is a sugar glider rescue (www.suggiesavers.org) where you can adopt one of many adorable creatures because they are now homeless.   With names like "baby" and "nugget" and "wasabi", who could resist?  I could, that's who.  Apparently, sugar gliders live for 15 years (this is no hermit crab!) and have extremely particular dietary requirements to remain healthy.  It would be easier to continue to feed my gluten-free sugar-free processed food-free family than one of these tiny sweethearts.  They are also sensitive to chemicals (we all are, I believe) and can get sick simply by licking your hand if you have some residue on it.

So what is the message for me?  The sugar glider is not a totem animal.  They are nocturnal and extremely sensitive, tiny and wildly adorable.  The message for me is: just say "no."

This piece is available.  Currently unframed.  Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com