2010: Year of the Tiger

My holiday/ new years cards finally came in yesterday. So exciting! If you moved or didn't get a card from me last year, let me know, and we'll see about getting one your way.

Here's the spoiler.

I illustrated the South China Tiger, which is one of the most critically endangered animals on this planet today.  It's very sad to hear that the world is getting unlivable to many.  I hope we will get our act together and start facing the right direction.  Here's a website to learn more about them.

sessilifolia

I have been searching for an internet name for a while. I always wanted something clever and appropriate for who I am. Today, I finally found one:

--sessilifolia--

Pretty, yea?

It's a species name for my birthday flower Lobelia sessilifolia. It's indigenous to Japan (reason 1) and thus does not have a common English name. Its Japanese name is 沢桔梗　(sawagikyou　＝ waterbend balloon flower) and the flowers beautiful blue purple (reason 2). It's slightly toxic (reason 3). It symbolizes nobility, unique talent, delicateness, and hostility (reason 4-7). I'm not sure about the last one, but I really like the overall feel.

Moreover, sessilifolia means plain leaf. How appropriate is that for an illustrator like me? I always need a plain sheet of paper to start my doodles/illustrations/knitting/baking. Oh, and it sounds like sessile, which is me.

I like it.

PS: Here's a photo link