Samumael
Watercolor on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper
7"x 10 1/4"
2005

Samumael got a story as I painted him.
"Many have heard of the feared dragon Samumael who never left a knight alive who came to face him. As a matter of fact everyone who has ever faced him has never returned. His lair is a dark foreboding cave (which comes standard with your big scary dragon) with smoking rocks and heat coming from within.

In all actuality Samumael wasn't really a terribly cruel dragon. He didn't have an exceptionally bad temper, as a matter of fact as far as dragons go, he had a sunny disposition on life and was rather cuddly. (as far as a large scaly beast with razor sharp talons and teeth and that spits fire can be.) Samumael had one friend. It was his very best friend and he took him everywhere with him, it was his rubber ducky. There was only one thing that upset Samumael enough to shoot fire at someone (or eat them which ever the case may be) It was when someone laughed as they entered Samumael's cave, or when he came out, because he knew they were laughing at his best friend, the rubber ducky. (which he named Mr. Squeekers) No one lived after they laughed at Mr.Squeekers. (Samumael thought that they were making fun of Mr.Squeekers, when in all reality the problem was that no one could face the most feared dragon ever once he came out holding a bright yellow rubber ducky)

So now you know, if you ever face a dragon holding a rubber ducky named Mr.Squeekers, do not laugh at the absurdity of it, or it will be the last laugh you ever utter."