For the fourth or fifth day running, I was in a foul mood.

I raise a glass to the single parents out there, because my temporary single-parenting has kicked my booty. I salute you. It is hard, lonely and exhausting. 

This string of strange, colorful barnyard beasts have been my unexpected therapy over this past week, letting my frustrations and irritations transfer from my mind to the paper. I have a solemn blue cow, a mellow purple pig, a feisty orange hen, and now a green billy goat.

This bearded fellow is quirky and odd, and I have to say I’m a little startled that I created a weird green goat. But hey, that’s what came out today. I was feeling some ugly emotions, and my almost creepy little friend told the story. I don’t mean for him to be creepy…he’s really a cute little goat until I turned him green.

As I repeatedly tell my kids: The good thing about art is that you can do whatever you want. 

You too can draw a green goat when you’re in a bad mood.

“What’s Got Your Goat,” or “Green with Envy,” 8×8 pastel on card