Firebirds start out as flickering, delicate things; easily put out by a damp, rainy morning. But they are good to have on your side, so it is best to be kind if you find one.

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Earbrella is a character I came up with some time ago. A lot of people see her and say "Totoro!" but in all truth she was mostly inspired by the Moomin Valley drawings by Tove Janssen. Earbrella lives in Valdelluna with the Mist Spinner and, apparently, a small, long-suffering population of firebirds. This is because Valdelluna, aside from being quite magical, is also a very wet and rainy place.

Watercolor on 5"x7" bristol board. Original will be for sale at AC, along with prints of "Furry Umbrella" and "Mist Spinner."