Artwork: Abominable Snowman Mountain, Sketch

. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .

Abominable Snowman Giant, Sketch Art by Sherrie Thai Shaireproductions.com

This Abominable Snowman Giant is a black and white sketch illustration inspired by the characters from the classic claymation film, “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and the folklore of Krampus, old Santa’s demonic buddy.

Artwork: Cuban Dreams, Havana

. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .

Cuban Dreams, Havana, art by Sherrie Thai of Shaireproductions.com

The “Cuban Dreams, Havana” art print was inspired by my trip to Cuba, where beautifully-restored cars rolled down the streets amidst stunning Spanish architecture, mainly in the “Old Havana” district. The car featured here is a vintage blue 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air.

The print is available on Etsy HERE

Artwork: Underwater Sea Skull

. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .

underwater sea skull, art by Sherrie Thai of Shaireproductions.com

This underwater “Sea Skull” artwork infuses some of the fanciful creatures of the deep ocean with a decorative bent: seahorse skeletons, shells, coral and jellyfish tentacles. I didn’t want to go overboard with color; rather, wanted to highlight the details. Creating decorative skulls is really fun; perhaps I’ll explore glowing eyes in another piece 🙂

Artwork: Macabre Roses

. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .

macabre roses, art by Sherrie Thai of Shaireproductions.com

macabre roses black and white drawing sketch, art by Sherrie Thai of Shaireproductions.com

“Macabre Roses” was inspired by the old bookplate designs of the Arts & Crafts Era and the Art Nouveau periods. Although ram skulls are incorporated into the piece, they take a backseat to the bevy of roses. This piece has a gothic romanticism to it, where skulls are not a thing of horror, but simply a part of life.

The piece was created initially with pen and graphite, then scanned, digitally colored, with custom textures created and incorporated into the background.

Artwork: Bone Decor

. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .

bone decor, art by Sherrie Thai of Shaireproductions.com

“Bone Decor” was a new piece that was created with the Chillin Productions art show in mind. It is more of a decorative, non-narrative piece with a collage of different elements–bones, flowers and a snake skeleton. The shape of the piece mimics that of the human anatomy, with the ribcage and colorbone. I want the viewer to appreciate the beauty of the organic osteological forms and not get distracted by the horrific notion of death. The lily flowers were incorporated to compliment the theme.

Travel Photos: Cuba

. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .

Here is my full photo album on SMUGMUG HERE

cuba travel street photography portraits by sherrie thai of shaire productions
Beautiful Cuban Smiles, Street Portraits

cuban travel photography by sherrie thai of shaire productions
Havana, Vintage Ride in Revolution Square

cuban travel photography by sherrie thai of shaire productions
Havana, Las Terrazas, Santiago

cuban travel photography, blue vintage car by sherrie thai of shaire productions
Blue Vintage Car in Cojimar

Cuba!!! Rich in passion, culture, vibrancy and art.

I’m very happy to have had the opportunity to see the lovely architecture of Old Havana with the amazing vintage cars driving by. In the evening, I caught a Cuban jazz show with the Buena Vista Social Club 🙂

cuban travel photography by sherrie thai of shaire productions
Local Afro-Cuban music and dance performance

cuban travel photography, cuban statue by sherrie thai of shaire productions
Stunning sculpture at the Columbus Cemetary

On a tropically rainy day, I visited the Colon (Columbus) Cemetary and learned more of Santeria (Way of the Saints). Local legend at the cemetary: “La Milagrosa”, or Amelia, a local woman who died in childbirth along with her child, was visited everyday by her heart-broken husband, knocked on the tomb to console himself, believing she was only asleep. Years later, her body was exhumed (for reburial) and witnesses claimed that her body remained intact and her body position moved, holding her child in her arms rather than sleeping solo on her back–Amelia then became a symbol of hope and love. Every day, locals visit her grave and ask for blessings/ wishes, while decorating her site with flowers and gifts, continuing on this unique tradition.

cuban travel photography, las terrazas  by sherrie thai of shaire productions
Quiet town of Las Terrazas

Las Terrazas had a quiet beauty, with lush green surroundings and a taste of the small town life. Along the way, I met a few Cuban artists and visited their studios.

cuban travel photography,cojimar building by sherrie thai of shaire productions
Cojimar: Grungy Coolness

Cojimar was where Hemingway wrote his famous literary masterpieces. The town has a distinct seafarer personality, with the architecture and decor reflecting the romantic carefree attitude.

cuban travel Maradero photography by sherrie thai of shaire productions
Mantanzas, Varadero

Veradero was an exquisite beach paradise, though seemed very exclusive.

cuban travel photography,santiago church  by sherrie thai of shaire productions
Santiago: Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption

cuban travel photography,santiago church  by sherrie thai of shaire productions
Santiago: Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, Interior

cuban travel photography,santiago castle fort by sherrie thai of shaire productions
Santiago: San Pedro de la Roca Castle Fortress

Several months later, I came back to Cuba on my way to help out in the Dominican Republic, and passed through Santiago, saw the San Pedro de la Roca Castle, a mighty UNESCO fortress, and the lovely Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in the downtown area. Pride and passion of the Cuban people seeps into all facets of life.

VISIT> My Travel Photos of CUBA

Artwork: Dark Skull Illustration and Collage Artworks, Metallic Embellishments for Chillin Productions

. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .

Created these special versions of the Bone Decor art for the Chillin Productions Art Show at 111 Minna Gallery (organized by Wonderland SF).

Mixed media: my illustrations, metallic findings, and coyote jawbone (painted silver). Since the item was to be displayed vertically, I glued the bones to the surface, then drilled holes into the board and it was sewn together with fishing line wire. A lot of behind-the-scene efforts, but well worth it.

bone decor dark art by sherrie thai of shaire productions

macabre dark gothic art by sherrie thai of shaire productions