Artwork

"Nina Broke Her Tooth On Another Poppy Pod"

by

Joshua Armstrong

So I'm on break at work. It started as a cross hatching exercise on some copy paper. 4 months and a gazillion 20-30 minute break times later and I've created this whole dysfunctional individual with a broken tooth cause she did something she already knew was stupid and fruitless.

But if ever there was a chick that understood the irony of a situation, it's Nina.

But to make matters more interesting. One of the cooks in our cafeteria sees the picture at the point when I have maybe, an eye, an ear, a cheek, some scales a couple of dreds, whatever....She's just this side of freaked out!...and says.."Joshua, I had a dream about her!" Now keep in mind at this point I hadn't decided on finishing it, much less giving it a sex. So Tina the cook takes a few smart phone pics. I think no more about it and keep doodling.

A week or so later I see Tina and she informs me that her Grandson says that my creature's name is Nina and she is his special, "invisible" friend and can usually be found in a field of Poppys. Apparently they went through pics till they found the right flowers. "Thanks Grandma!!"

The child is about 20 months old. I think I know why Nina was chewing on the Pods.

True Story!