Smiling Tiki by the Sea
He’s a Happy Tiki
A smiling tiki sits on the beach near the waves in this latest artwork from Steve’s Sketchbook.
This tiki guy looks happy to be on the beach. And why shouldn’t he? I would be happy to be on the beach, too. What’s not to be happy about? Of course, the previous tiki was not all that happy to be on the beach. But that is his problem and not this guy’s problem.
This guy is happy right where he is, and he is making the most of his situation, whatever it might be. He might be stuck right where he is, but at least he can still smile about it.
That is a lesson we can all learn. Or perhaps we can all just be reminded of it, because we probably know it already. Be happy where you are. Be content with what you have. And smile whenever you can.
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:11-13
About the Artwork
Regular Burnsland visitors will know that I have been occasionally drawing tikis for a few years now, in various forms and in various locations. However, I keep coming back to a tiki head on the beach, such as what you see here.
I think stylistically, this tiki is really what I have been looking for. Everything works well together here. That last tiki linked above ended up being somewhat overdone, but this one looks more natural, and also more cartoonish, which is fine with me.
Here is a look at the original sketch for this tiki:
As you can see, there were not many changes from the initial sketch to the final version. Besides, of course, adding color and background.
And actually, I had (digitally) painted that background a couple of months before, but I had not used it yet. I did not even have that in mind when I was painting the beach scene, or when I was drawing the tiki. But it turned out to be the perfect background for this tiki. Some people call that a coincidence. I say it is God at work.
As always, this artwork was created entirely using the Procreate app and an Apple Pencil on my iPad. And I also used my brain, of course. But that probably goes without saying.
