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Bizarre Animals #1: Platypus - EDITED

Launch gallery slideshow

Bizarre Animals #1: Platypus - EDITED
Swap Coordinator:dobie256 (contact)
Swap categories: Art  Artist Trading Card (ATC)  Printmaking 
Number of people in swap:5
Location:International
Type:Type 3: Package or craft
Rating requirement:4.90
Last day to signup/drop:January 23, 2011
Date items must be sent by:February 9, 2011
Number of swap partners:1
Description:

Several people have asked if collage is allowed. I will include collage in allowed medium as long as the ATC is PRIMARILY illustration or print-method. And it still MUST be your own original art.

This is the first in a series of "bizarre animal" swaps. These will be depicting real animals -- but ones that are almost fantasy in appearance or behavior. I am planning on picking a variety of mammals, insects, reptiles, birds, invetebrates, etc. over the course of this series.

The image size will be a standard ATC. I hope for a lot of participation in this swap. With that in mind you can portray the platypus either as an illustration or via any print-making method.

The Platypus (Ornithorhynchis anatinus) is a primitve mammal native to Australia. It is one of only two living monotremes (egg-laying mammals). When first discovered, scientists thought the specimen was a hoax -- it seemed to be made up of several different animals (the scientific name actually means "bird-snout" "duck-like").

The platypus has a bill like a duck, webbed feet like an otter, and a flat tail like a beaver. The males have a venomous spur on their hind feet. They use electroreception to locate prey by detecting electric fields generated by movement (similar to the echolocation of bats and dolphins). And, as mentioned before, they lay eggs -- that is beyond bizarre for a mammal!

•1 ATC for 1 Partner

•Illustrations or print-making method of choice. Originals only please.

•Card backside should include artist's information, title, & date.

•Theme: Platypus

•4.9+, no unexplained 3s or 1s

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I have only hosted a couple of swaps so if I am missing anything please let me know.

Discussion

Apollo 01/ 2/2011 #

This seems pretty cool! Good first choice too. I'll be watching this for now.

Strawberry 01/ 3/2011 #

~grins~ this made me smile - it's funny how people from overseas find platypus so unusual/alien looking! They've always been really normal to me (I'm Aussie), but maybe that's because we have a number of unusual animals here? :)

dobie256 01/ 3/2011 #

@Apollo - thanks! Hope you will join in!

@Strawberry you're right. As a biologist I have always been fascinated with Australian animals. Monotremes and marsupials are such unique mammals. I'm glad they found an isolated BIG island on which they could thrive. They are some of my favorite critters.

Hope you can join in the swap. I would love to see your perspective on this one!

NannaPhoebe 01/14/2011 #

Count me in I love telling the rest of the world about the wonderful range of animals the are in our big island of Australia.

latinmermaid 01/18/2011 #

I would love to join this swap...I have a hard time sourcing ATC's...so am I allowed to cut paper down to ATC size??

dobie256 01/18/2011 #

@latinmermaid yes you can cut down paper. Technically the only requirement for an ATC is that it is 2.5" x 3.5". Most people store them in album or sleeves, so it is polite to make them so they fit easily (which means you shouldn't make them too thick). They should be sturdy (like a baseball card) so if you use lightweight paper you should mount it on some chipboard or heavy cardstock.

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