All images © Cindy Schnackel, all rights reserved, and please do not pin my work to Pinterest.

Colored pencils and acrylic paint; artwork is on brown drawing paper, (Canson, I believe). Original is about 9 × 11 inches. A version also available as an iPhone case:

One of many weird creatures that started with a completely unplanned shape then takes on a life of its own, with no advance idea what it’s really going to be. The tentacled and toothy character is entirely colored pencils; the background is thinned acrylic paint, a toned black. I have no idea if he’s a he or she, alien or octopus. Just enjoy the absurdity, even if you see no particular message in it!

I am not sure what the significance of the balloon is. Now that it’s done, I imagine many scenarios. He may be using it to appear more friendly and trustworthy, planning on popping it, or maybe stole it. At any rate, he or she has a dark side that contrasts with the balloon and I like that. As always, I welcome viewer interpretation of my art, and enjoy the many different meanings people see.