WORKING WITH PIGS

I purchased this pig and several others when I wanted to illustrate my story of the Pigness Protection Program. This fellow looks like a farmer, but he doesn't look like he's wary enough to be my character Taylor Hamm.

Taylor Hamm would be wary of strangers, and since Texas has a concealed gun law, I figured he would have a gun. However, he assured me he was going to wear his gun out where he could get to it. "Do you seriously believe I would take a chance on my entire family becoming barbecue?" he asked me indignantly as he lay there on my work table. So, a gun and holster he would have.

When I started fiddling with his leather gunbelt, I decided that he would want to blend in; he would not be wearing overalls in a dark blue like that. "Darn tootin." he said. So, he got a coat of faded denim paint on his overalls.

I made the holster and belt from a piece of very thin fringed leather that was originally something else, but I forget what. Maybe some kind of hair ornament? I am always finding Cheap Thrills like that.

The gun was among some tiny western-themed Christmas ornaments I picked up once. Some of the items were out of scale, but this little revolver was perfect for Taylor. I cut a trial pattern from paper towel, then cut the leather. The entire piece was coated with glue and folded around the gun. Then I used my dental pick to make "stitches" around it, pressing down tightly. It's actually too small for anyone to really notice, probably, but Taylor and I know they're there. lol

"Yep, Miz Wanna," Taylor said. "I feel much more secure with this gun," which really made me feel good.

Miz Delly Hamm's dress was pretty enough that I didn't bother with doing anything to her, except to give her a wash to tone done her bright newness a bit. Oh yes, I added the book in her right hand, er, foot?

This is Uncle Boyle Hamm, a great fan of the Harry Potter books and Coca Cola. I didn't do anything to him other than add a wash.

This is my Dirty Water Wash bottle; good not only for the pigs, but for toning down too-new looking flower pots and that little wheelbarrow.

These little porkers could not wait until I had the scene finished to jump in their mother's mud bath. She was quite upset. "Now that you've messed up my formula I will have to start all over again!"

Notice their little man pull toy, dinosaur and blocks? The blocks came off one of those inexpensive Christmas ornament wood tables.

I almost used these little fellows, but decided I liked the mischievous expressions on their larger cousins' faces better.

While I was working on this scene, my husband brought breakfast from McDonald's. Hmm, that syrup container on the placemat would also make a nice tub.

I just couldn't resist.

I washed it and cut away the excess around the edges and with the appropriate painting will have another pan or tub if I need it in the future. I guess the young pigs will just stay in their mother's mud bath for now.

NEXT: >>