The Girl and the Octopus

Artist: Karin Taylor

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Card: US$5.25
Print: from US$22.52

The Girl and the Octopus

I was thinking about when I was around 9 years of age see me at 9

....and I was reminiscing about our pet Blue-ringed Octopus we kept in the fishtank…. he was only tiny, but provided hours of entertainment…when he got riled up, he would put on a fantastic colour show for us…but it occurred to me how hard it must be to be a venomous creature… because you wouldn’t get many hugs, even if you wanted them!

We spent a lot of our days at Shelley Beach, Port Macquarie and dad caught many strange and wonderful things, which we kept in our saltwater tanks… we also lived at the police lockup, so we had the human variety locked up beside us…and mum would cook meals for them, i would dance for them while they had their exercise break out on the front step, with nothing at all to stop them wandering off…cept me doing a little dance… i must have been riveting as none of them ever tried to escape…and we were kinda friends with the prisoners back in those days… some even sketched and drew pictures of myself and siblings, after getting my mum to go and buy them a little pack of coloured pencils… those were very interesting days :)

Anyway, we have a bit of a history with capturing wild things in our family, a bit like Steve and Bindi I guess…. so here’s a little drawing, digitally painted, inspired by those days I remember with such fondness… a little girl in her bikini at the beach with a little ‘brunch coat’ as we used to call them over the top…..hosting a dear little Blue-ringed Octopus on her head..

There is a funny story I have to share with you too, which is possibly why i put the occy on her head… my father used to catch occy’s for fishing bait (with his bare hands) and stick ‘em in a bucket… his method of killing the poor darlings, was to bite their heads, in the eye area, i kid you not…he believed it the most humane way….

To cut the long of it short….. Dad was driving his little truck along after a catch in the Creek at Kingy…when he felt something very strange on the back of his head….the occy he’d caught had crawled out of the bucket….. and where do you think he was…? lol

I do miss our menagerie of animals friends, back then i had no idea they were very unusual creatures to keep, including a baby crocodile, a turkey running around the courtyard… and all manner of other strange and wonderful things.

The Girl and the Octopus belongs to the following groups:

# 1 ARTISTS OF REDBUBBLE , * Painted Ladies *, ! HAIRSTYLES !, ! Inspired Art !, * Painted Nature *, All the Colors of the Rainbow, Art and Stories Made For Children, Childhood, Cutest of the Cute, Fashion Illustration, Fine Art of the Female Form, First Things, Friends of RedBubble, Riginals, Solo Exhibition, Underwater & Sealife (Limit 2 Per Day), Who are YOU to Judge? and Woman Appreciation Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters

The Girl and the Octopus by Karin Taylor

Shoaib .

wow this is incredible… love this great art work !
Karin Taylor replied

thank you Shoaib much appreciated ! :)
Karen Tillotson

Delightful story Karin…and a wonderfully sweet image…Love it!
Karin Taylor replied

thank you so much Karen, so glad you enjoyed the story ;)
Susanne Correa

Where do you get your ideas? you must be dreaming them, again fantastic as always!
Karin Taylor replied

...lol…just from daydreaming about ‘stuff’ i guess susanne!! thanx so much ;) x
Jakki Oakes

gorgeous art and story(s). adore her rainbow of colours brunch coat :-)
Karin Taylor replied

thx so much Jak….so glad you like her :) x
Sharon K. Shubert

Very cute and I love the story about how this drawing and the idea came about. :)
Karin Taylor replied

thanks so much Sharon :) xxx
ZoeMcduncan

A beautiful piece Karin…she looks just like you :)
Karin Taylor replied

Hi Zoe, thank you very much!!! :) x
doreen01

Another cute and beautiful character, Karin!
Every part of your works makes me smile and made for me an good mood!
Karin Taylor replied

thank you so much doreen, i love what you said, that makes me really really happy!! :) x
bev langby

he he how sweet Karin xx
Karin Taylor replied

big thanx bev!!! xxx
Stéphan Alomène

As always … poetic and beautiful
Karin Taylor replied

thank you so much Stephan ! ;)
Alexandra Felgate

Karin this is just gorgeous, and thank you so much for sharing your memories of childhood! What a lovely way to capture remeniscence!!
Karin Taylor replied

thank you Alexandra, it was fun to do too :) x
Danielle Prowse

Look at her gorgeous eyes….so CUTE!!!
Karin Taylor replied

Hey thanx so much Danielle!! :) x
Marie Magnusson

aaw, a wonderful story and a wonderful drawing, thank you for sharing Karin ;-)
Karin Taylor replied

glad you like it Marie, thanx :) x
Atiger97

thats so cool i love it, i love the colours on the dress it AMAZING, deffinatly a fav
Karin Taylor replied

hey Tiger, really cool you love it!! yaaay! :) x
Marion Cullen

Cool! what an interesting and exciting life you had as a child, and what a great life education you received Karin. Sounds absolutely fabulous!
I love your little Occy Girl, she doesn’t look at all perturbed, but then somehow I don’t think that’s a blue ring on her head! LOL
Karin Taylor replied

Hi Marion :) it was a bit unusual what with all the lizards, baby foxes, snakes, birds, goannas, turkeys, fishies, yabbies, croc, etc…i wish now I’d spent more time… but apparently while mum was working as a nurse and dad was working as a policeman out west at Tottenham, i used to amuse myelf all day long chatting to the patients in the hospital (little country town) or playing with the chooks in the hospital yard…. you would never know it to see me now, i don’t like chooks and I aint all that big on social get togethers…. lol…musta wore myself out in the past life :) xxxx
Carla Jensen

Oh WOW!! she is just soooo gorgeous…Karin!! love her outfit its to cute !! ANd of the octopus on top of her head is the perfect touch for her beachwear!! Another excellent piece of art !!! wtg
Karin Taylor replied

Carla, thank you very much, hehe, you are very funny too! :) x
schizomania

this is so cool, really creative
Karin Taylor replied

thank you so very very much!! :)
Artsez

Oh so gorgeous Karin!!
I love your colouring for the sheer dress! Aww she’s adorable!
Karin Taylor replied

aw, thank you Sarah, i really loved doing this… i would like to try more sheer-wear, for i love transparency… :) xxx
Torfinn Johann...

Lovely work Karin!
Karin Taylor replied

thank you very much Torfinn… that’s a lovely name :)
Pip Gerard

Wonderful story Karin. How cool would that have been as a kid to have all those weird and wonderful animals around all the time. Your Dad sounds like he would’ve providing you guys with a lot of fun & interesting times. I can’t believe he bit the heads off Occy’s (He’s like a version of Ozzy Osbourne.. but with Octopuses) LOL :D xx
Karin Taylor replied

oooh yes, Pip… gross isn’t it… but dad doesn’t hesitate to do what needs to be done… hmm reminds me of the time he went to kill a chook…and i begged and begged to let me come and watch…. ooooh, i wasn’t very well after that…and i regretted it ever since.. so many great stories I remember…lol…dad will love being likened to Ozzy (NOT!!) lol

thank you so much :) xxx
FA Photography

Very beautiful work!!! I love it!! :-)))
Karin Taylor replied

thank you so very much Friederike!! It makes me so happy :) x
Sarah ORourke

She’s adorable & oh that dress!!! I want one just like it! Maybe a little less see through… Please :) I love the concept & story behind it, really beautiful Karin!
Xxx
Karin Taylor replied

Hey there Sarah,

thank you so very much…..she does have her swimmers on underneath but!! I’ll try to find you something a little less risque and modest shall I lol :) ?

Actually, i thought you might already be on your way!! You won’t believe t’s raining here right now :(((( but the weather has been lovely up til now…think it’s just a bit of a storm, hopefully!
Sarah ORourke

Flying up tomorrow morning! Yes I know she has cossies on but I’d want to wear it everyday it’s so pretty! Such wonderful colour!
Xxx
Karin Taylor replied

oh great, well have a safe and happy flight and see you i hope on Friday at 10.30am xox
Sarah ORourke

Thanx Karin I will, I looove flying! Looking forward to Friday 10:30!!!
Xxx
P.S I’m on my phone hence the short comments :)
Sticky Flower

I love her “brunch coat”!
Karin Taylor replied

lol, thanx Flower… just came to me, that’s what we used to call ‘em… i used to have a terry towelling one too, did you? x
Linda Callaghan

your art always brings a smile to my face Karin….they are always a delight to view and what an interesting childhood you must have had! sounds fascinating…and I did laugh at the wandering octupus in the car…arrrrgh I would have screamed for sure….great story. thanx for sharing xxx
Karin Taylor replied

that’s a beautiful thing to say Linda… lol, and thanx so much…
i think dad had to slam on the brakes that day and put occy back in the bucket… i have a feeling it bit dad too ! :) x
Sticky Flower

no.But I’m sure I would have felt like Neptunes daughter in something that pretty :~~)).Love the photograph you little cutie :~~)
Karin Taylor replied

lol… thanx Flower :) x
valzart

Spotted it in image feed+it gave me goosebumps…because this is so original+so you..it’ is divine sweetheART 5big starz*yay! Masterclass…and what a fabulous story so interesting+sounds like you had a lotta’ fun …aww sweet memoriez of childhood eh? ;} happy hippy hugglez
Karin Taylor replied

thanx so much Val, that means a lot to me you know :) and yes, there are some really special memories that are coming back to me, and it’s so much goodness for me to rediscover them and then put an arty spin on them… i think art means so much more when it is coming from a place of experience, emotion, feeling… i have a feeling that comes through more, than if i just did a drawing of a girl and an octopus… knowing the story sometimes behind the inspiration can be of value… and even without knowing the story, it’s great to hear, that it gave you the goosebumps!!!! hugz xoxox
FA Photography

:-)))
Anthea Slade

Oh this is just beautiful and tender Karin. Love the sweetness and gentleness of your expression and of course that wonderful Octopus.
Karin Taylor replied

Hi Anthea, thank you so much :)
Sonia de Maced...

love the transparent effect, gorgeous as always ;-)
Karin Taylor replied

thanx very much Sonia, glad you like the transparency in the little brunch coat… x
sonjas

So adorable. Love it.
Renee Dawson

This is SO ADORABLE! Love that look in her eye and the transparent wrap showing off her cute little belly button :)
StarKatz

Awh such a beautiful drawing, soft pastels and dreamy effects, no sharp edges of colouring blends beautiful, wonderful work!
ROUBLE RUST

Excellent colours!!! Wonderful work hon :)))
MattTworkowski

:-)))) love it Karin
Janis Zroback

Enchanting idea Karin…and of course your own inimitable style…love the chiffon….
micklyn

she is so adorable, karin, and I love her translucent shift, so pretty! the description is wonderful, too, very entertaining reading ( :
TaniaLosada

very creative! love the concept and the expression of her tiny beautiful face!!
Jan Landers

how precious this is….octopus love….i adore her, karin, and loved reading your story, too….you took me there…what an interesting childhood you had, my friend…..treasured memories…
AnaCBStudio

She is adorable…gorgeous Karin
kjgordon

oh there you are in that bikini again…............
and what a great read….........you are so alive wahini…...............Kissed by a rainbow…...........
Colin Cartwright

Cute and innocent. And a fine expression you’ve created in the eyes, Karin! Judging by the list of comments, these cartoon styles must be the most popular.
Bunny Clarke

It sounds like you had a wonderful childhood full of all kinds of wonderful happenings. A childhood that many would not understand and one that would not be considered the proper sort of childhood now. It’s sad how many of our children will never have the freedom we did to learn and love all the things you talk about. Gorgeous work today. She is adorable.
Renate Dartois

This is just so sweet and adorable Karin-awesome creation.
Yvonne Hoffmann

so sweet and lovely
vickymount

Wow! Beautiful…and I love the transparency of her wee skirt!
Karin Taylor replied

gee thanx so much vicky!!! :) x
barnsis

Oh my, I think I am in love again, those eyes and pouty little mouth are adorable, she is just so lovely, I love everything about her and the entire piece.
Karin Taylor replied

aw, too sweet byron, thank you so much…that is a beaut compliment indeed! ;)
Scott d'Almeida

excellent work karen
Karin Taylor replied

thank you so much Scott :)
Mui-Ling Teh

So lovely Karin, what a sweet face she has. You were such a beautiful child grown into a beautiful woman; I bet those prisoners enjoyed your dance. But gosh, if people knew about you dancing for prisoners back then, wouldn’t that cause people to do crimes for the sake of getting a free ticket to see your dance at the prison? lol. What a life you’ve had!
Karin Taylor replied

thank you very much Mui-Ling…. you are soooo funny….. hugs xoxo
Steven Agius

Too cute, fantastic work my friend.
Karin Taylor replied

thx so very much Steve, so pleased you like!!!! :)
Waleska Luker
Karin Taylor replied

thx ever so much for the wonderful feature in HairstyleS… groooooOOOoovy! :)
CateTownsend

Wonderful work Karin. I love reading your stories it explains so much of who you are. You really should be writing and illustrating a book of these wonderful tales. So much talent rolled up into such a beautiful package ….love Cate xx
Karin Taylor replied

thank you so much Cate, that means a lot to me…. big hugs xoxox
mobii

Sushi gone wild. A few margaritas, and there ya have it, the old octopus on the head gag.
Karin Taylor replied

...lol…make that tequila dacquaris and we’re there :)
catherine walker

wow karin..she’s so beautiful and I just love the little octopus on her head
so well done they’re all so wonderful ..superb!
Karin Taylor replied

thanx catherine, so happy you like the little occy too :) x
PPPhotoArt

how very lovely as is the story to go along with this wonderful artwork!!!!
Karin Taylor replied

thank you so much PPPhotoArt..so happy you like the story and the art both!! :)
Lorna Gerard

Thank you so much for sharing your stories from childhood. It certainly sounds interesting. I like the way you describe it and draw it… very sweet. xxoo
Karin Taylor replied

it was fun Lorna, just seemed to flow from the drawing, and if i can, it’s nice to explain where an idea was born… it was an interesting childhood… i realise that now… hugs xox
banrai

great image, wonderful story by a truly gifted artist!
Karin Taylor replied

thanx so very much banrai, you are too kind! :)
lacitrouille

My my, does she look like you Karin! The octopus on her head is so sweet and adorable! I love the sheerness that you achieved on her top, the gorgeous palette of colours and all these dots. Your work brings me such nice warm feelings. :)
Karin Taylor replied

lol, thanx so much Josette, she is much prettier tho…and i wish i had those coloured eyes, but alas mine are the plain old brown variety :) I am so happy you found this so pleasing, it’s a big thrill to read your comments !! :) xxx
Rosalie Scanlon

Cute hat and a very cute creation.
Karin Taylor replied

thanx so very much Rosalie, i think the occy is real it seems she has taken him as a pet!!... lol
rain-dogs

Gorgeous colours and comp and bluey is just perfect….......i remember well the displays ours would put on when the tinsel covered decorator crabs would stalk him around the fishtank….........great story too with dad biting them between the eyes…....quick and humane-ish….. gibber would often eat live whole shrimps but dont think he ever bit an occy….......
Karin Taylor replied

thx heaps rain-dogs! that is the most fascinating story about the tinsel crabs and the blue-ringed occy… I am fascinated by the many wonderful stories you have !
Adam Gormley

AWESOME work Karin, love the story too, so well done!!!!
Karin Taylor replied

thank you very much Adam, and glad you enjoyed the little bits about my life etc too! :)
Midori Furze

Your octopus is very cute!!
Hope he doesn’t sting the little girl.
Enjoyed your story too, Karin.
Lots of looove~!!!
Karin Taylor replied

thank you Midori-sama, i think they are friends… should be okay…fingers crossed tho…these little fellows are feisty sometimes… lol hugs xoxo
Vicki Ferrari

Awww, love this Karen! The expression in her eyes!! Fantastic!! Plus the look on the octopus!! Love it!
Karin Taylor replied

thx so very much Vicki :) lol… :)
Ellen

I have never seen such a beautiful octopus :) Beautiful drawing !!
Karin Taylor replied

thx so much Ellen, we used to have one just like him for a pet… and a baby croc called Snappy would you believe :) .... but the occy… he was a baby when we got him….and fit in the palm of your hand…not that anyone would touch him… he got big enough to fit on a dinner plate :)
Jewd

Another delight Karin…I love the treatment of her dress and the whole piece has a harmony in it…great bella x
Karin Taylor replied

thx so much Bella… i am so glad you like it and can see harmony there ;) x
Sean Jansen

Oh this is just gorgeous Karin…..love it, It is such a darling work of art !!
Karin Taylor replied

so pleased you liked it Sean!!! thank you :)
Isa Rodriguez

lol. where do you get your ideas from ??. im loving the sweet innocent sexiness here… girls will be girls.. even when we love octopus
Karin Taylor replied

lol…well, this idea came from my childhood would you believe Isa :) xxx
Isa Rodriguez

Okie.. I was excited and had not read the story… oh. this is more than just a girl.. this is memories of the best. thoroughly loved your history there…theres no one like daddy .
Karin Taylor replied

thank you so very much… yes…Dad was always my hero :) x
LeilaniMelayna

Breathtakingly beautiful, dear friend! Cheers to you, Karin!

Smiles Leilani
Karin Taylor replied

thx so much Leilani…so encouraging :) x
LeilaniMelayna

CHEERS TO ALL CREATURES, STRANGE & WONDERFUL!!!!
I so enjoyed reading your tidbits, thanks so much for sharing…very interesting, Karin!
Helen Chierego

Nice octopus sun hat! Lovely work as per usual!
Karin Taylor replied

cheers Helen, much appreciated!!!! :) x
Sorina Williams

Falling behind again!!...this is totally gorgeous!!xx
Karin Taylor replied

ah…me too, Sorina…so hard to keep up with all the wonderful works these days … i truly understand…thank you so much xxx
AnitaInverarity

Oh Hee Hee How CUTE is she ???? Superb :))))))))) xx
Karin Taylor replied

aw….lol…thanx so much Anita !! xxx
Ingz

such a lovely story dear Karin….childhood memories are so precious. I love this little girl so much, her beautiful translucent dress really makes me smile. xxx I love smiling first thing in the morning so I try and find you my friend xxxx
Karin Taylor replied

they are aren’t they ingz….i’m realising that more and more…thx so much… it makes me happy to think this brought you a smile…big hugs for you xoxox
Matt Turner

Great work!!! I havnt been around much but in my brief glance at red bubble I noticed this lovely piece, well done!!!
Karin Taylor replied

G’day Matt…gee it has been a while hasn’t it…it’s great to see you around the bubble..thanx for the great encouragement and support…i love your girls and the big eyes :)
Antanas

wonderful work
Karin Taylor replied

thank you so much Antanas, real glad you like it ;)
LeilaniMelayna

You are so very welcome, Karin! I just loved your story about this one! I am so glad you had some Wonder Years growing up!

Smiles Leilani :0)
Emily Robida

I LOVE IT!!!
Karin Taylor replied

aw, thanx Emily… i think she’s my favourite girl to day…so happy you like her!! hugs xox
Imber

She is lovely, absolutely adorable…
Gudrun Eckleben

Terrific!!! I like your story, and the lovely girl’s little dainty see-through part of her adorable dress. :-)
Karin Taylor replied

Thanx so much Gudrun. I’m really happy you like her, her dress and also the story of snippets ov my childhood :))))
Steph Granshaw

I LOVE HER!!! is it my imagination or is your work taking on a more softer palette? there’s a change in your work i’ve noticed…a new slant..am i right? New inspiration from somewhere maybe XX I absolutely love the effort you put into this post, so lovely to share yourself with us fellow bubblers..Much Bliss to you Karin XX
Karin Taylor replied

Thx so much to you steph… Yes, it’s true… Something has changed… I think that as I gi through different adversities and learn from others my artistic journey takes new twists and turns in the road … I’m not sure where I’m heading but I know for now that a lot of it is therapeutic and healing and positive…. It means so much to hear you notice or sense that for it really is. I think that the last 12 works or so have a new vibe about them, I feel I’m being more vulnerable and tapping into more energy than usual… It’s quite exciting as you never know where it will lead :)))xxx
Steph Granshaw

Absolutely!! the unknown can be exciting…i’m loving your new vibe, ride it!! XX
Jo Holden

Just beautiful! Made me smile :)
Karin Taylor replied

thx so much Jo, so glad it made you smile!
Mel Brackstone

What an amazing image, and even more amazing story!
Karin Taylor replied

thank you Mel…lol…yes, there were some very funny things happening in our family growing up :) x
ViktoryiaN

Such a great artwork! Very beautiful!
And… fantastic gallery!
Karin Taylor replied

thx so much Victoria :)
Marilyn Harris

What a sweet child, and that Octopus is amazing!! You sure have some amazing stories to tell!! Gorgeous work as always Karin!! ♥ :o)
Karin Taylor replied

aw, a very belateed thanx very much Marilyn…
mimi yoon

sheshe… she is so sweet, karin…. love everything you create… : )
Karin Taylor replied

thx so much mimi!! :) x
Sharon Mau

This is so adorable, I love it.
Karin Taylor replied

thx very much sharon xoxo
Sharon Mau

Oh Karin, I remember these wonderful stories you were telling me! It is delightful, your childhood was every child’s dream :)))
Dyle Warren

Such a charming painting!
danita clark

HA , what a hoot ! and shes adorable
Karin Taylor replied

thx danita, great to see you….x
Micci Shannon

Love this! And the story behind it is as great as the artwork itself.
Karin Taylor replied

aw—thank you so much Micci!! glad you like her ;)
mm1208

this is another beautiful one,
i love the story behind it!!
Karin Taylor replied

thx so very much mm! ;)
gottheshot

I like the way there is a change in scale throughout your subject – from the smaller hands to a cute little face to the BIG HAIR :o) This change of scale leads ones eye away from the centre with its clever translucent clothing to the beautifully drawn eyes – as ever – and the big 1960’s hair and occy on top :o)
Karin Taylor replied

thank you very much indeed gts, for you lovely lovely response…oh yes, the big hair, and i still have big hair myself…lol…so happy you like her!!!
matthewdunnart

This is wonderful :-)
Karin Taylor replied

hey thanx so much matthew! :)
CanDuCreations

Gorgeous, excellent work
Trish Woodford

Gorgeous creation Karin, love all the dots, and that octopus is just fab :))
Svetlana Sewell 24 days ago

Awesome work:)))
Karin Taylor replied 24 days ago

thx so much Svetlana, so happy you like this ;)
Victoria _Ts 24 days ago

Wonderful work!
Karin Taylor replied 24 days ago

cheers, thanx heaps Victoria, so kind of you :)
BLYTHART 23 days ago

♪”Where did you get that hat …. ” ♫
Karin Taylor replied 21 days ago

hehe….thx Dave :) i love the symbols!
Arletta 23 days ago

You have a very distinctive style, I must say Sweet picture.
Karin Taylor replied 21 days ago

thx very much Arletta!
Kseniya Beliaeva 21 days ago

pretty:)
Karin Taylor replied 21 days ago

thx so much Kseniya!
BLYTHART 20 days ago

.... those symbols – you get them by using Alt and 13 and 14 on the numbers keyboard to the right of your keyboard. There are others you can use too. ☺☼♪►◄↕}▬♥♦♣♠•◘
Karin Taylor 20 days ago

thx dave, i can’t seem to get that to work on mine, got a laptop here at the moment…but i tried this on my pc to get the love hearts the other day, and it was a no goer too… :(