16 - The Dragon

They looked

like avenging dragons

driving a foul

malignant fiend

out of

a beauteous palace.

pg 128 - 129
Painted inside front cover

Swiss Family Robinson

by Johann Wyss

Altered by Sasheena Kurfman 2010

15 - Onager

With a single bound

she sprang backwards

the beautiful animal

cast fiery glances around

Lashed out with her heels

on every side;

giving vent to angry snorts,

struggled violently

to get free.

Onager.

pg 122 - 123

Swiss Family Robinson

by Johann Wyss

Altered by Sasheena Kurfman 2010

14 - The Bee

The tenants

The bees

disturbed

with an angry buzz

burst out

and in an instant

attacked

swarmed round.

Still angrily buzzing

round the tree.

pg 116 - 117

Swiss Family Robinson

by Johann Wyss

Altered by Sasheena Kurfman 2010

13 - The Tiger

We again

moved forward.

Crossing the palm wood,

we entered

upon a delightful plain

bounded on one side

by an extensive field

of waving sugar cane,

on the other side

by a thicket of bamboos

and lovely palms,

while in front

stretched the shining sea, 

calm and noiseless.

pg 106 - 107

Swiss Family Robinson

by Johann Wyss

Altered by Sasheena Kurfman 2010

12 - The Pinnace

It seemed

as though

the graceful vessel

had awakened

from sleep

and was longing

to spring

into the free blue sea

and spread her wings

to the breeze.

pg 84 - 85

Swiss Family Robinson

by Johann Wyss

Altered by Sasheena Kurfman 2010

11 - Coconut Crab

He was standing apart

under a splendid

coconut palm

gazing in fixed admiration

at the grand height

of the stem

and its beautiful

graceful

crown of leaves.

The cluster of nuts beneath

these evidently

added interest

to the spectacle.

pg 90 - 91

Swiss Family Robinson

by Johann Wyss

Altered by Sasheena Kurfman 2010

10 - Anteater

Ants at work

They carry on
The various works
and duties

Wonders performed
by vast
tribes of ants
in foreign lands.

Four footed beasts
prey upon them

The little anteater

Covered with

long coarse hair

drooping like a heavy plume

over the hind quarters

The head is

wonderfully elongated

and very narrow.

It is destitute of teeth

And the tongue resembles somewhat
a great red
earth-worm.

It has
immensely
strong
curved
claws

pg 100 - 101

Swiss Family Robinson

by Johann Wyss

Altered by Sasheena Kurfman 2010

09 - Whale and Penguin

Humboldt Penguin

Pigmy inhabitants

Lilliputians

penguins

Humpback Whale

Excellent swimmers

but helpless on land

as they can

neither fly

nor run.

pg 78 - 79

Swiss Family Robinson

by Johann Wyss

Altered by Sasheena Kurfman 2010

08 - Evening Breeze

Rich

Tropical

Vegetation

Flourished.

Tall stately palms

Luxuriant Ferns

Brilliant Flowers

Graceful Creepers

Prickly Cactus

Jasmine

Sweet-Smelling Vanilla.

And above all,

the regal pineapple.

Loaded the breath of the

Evening Breeze

with their

rich perfume.

pg 62 - 63

Swiss Family Robinson

by Johann Wyss

Altered by Sasheena Kurfman 2010

07 - Flamingos

A flock of flamingos

rose in the air.

Sailing away

in perfect order

their plumage

continually changing

as they flew from

beautiful rose

to pure white

as alternately

their snowy wings

and rosy breasts

were visible.

A handsome bird!

Long active legs

Great webbed feet.

Earth, air, or water

is all the same

to the flamingo.

pg 50 - 51

Swiss Family Robinson

by Johann Wyss

Altered by Sasheena Kurfman 2010

06 - Amiable Cow

A Variety of Dangers

Which may

Surprise us

Unawares.

No darting off.

No Lingering.

All hands to work.

Activity Instantly

Some collected provisions

arranging them

as burdens for the cow.

The Cow,

amiable and phlegmatic

was ready to start.

pg 44 - 45

Swiss Family Robinson

by Johann Wyss

Altered by Sasheena Kurfman 2010

05 - Palace of the Woods

The foliage is thick

and abundant

Throwing delicious shade.

 The most charming

resting-place. 

Enjoyed immensely

this glorious

palace of the woods.

This enchanging place

did charm my fancy.

Dwelling among 

those 

Grand

Noble Trees

I should feel

perfectly safe

and happy.

pg 36 - 37

Swiss Family Robinson

by Johann Wyss

Altered by Sasheena Kurfman 2010

05 - Creation

I wanted to document the creation of at least one of my creations. Remember, of course, that this is a new hobby for me. I've been doing this all of 10 days. I did, I must admit, take watercolor painting classes, when I was in fifth grade. But I haven't used watercolors since then. The results, therefore, are sometimes startling, and sometimes a real mucky mess!

I begin by picking out my words that I want to use, and cover them up with some post-it notes... just the sticky part. Then I put gesso over the whole thing and allow it to dry. It is suggested that several coats be applied and allowed to dry... But I'm way too impatient for that. I did try it once, but found no real difference between one or two coats.

Once it is ready to paint on, I look back at my conceptual drawing, a scribble in the margin of my second copy of S.F.R:

Then I sketch it for "real" in the prepared book, using watercolor pencils. You can see the gesso on my hand:



Next I color in the rough sketch with the water color pencils, and prepare to "paint with water":

Next, to the parts I want to, I apply pure water, to bring out the color of the watercolor pencils:

When I'm done with that part of the painting, I then start to use other water colors to fill in the rest of the details.

After I finished the foliage of the tree, I used brown watercolor on the brown water color pencils, to make a more solid looking trunk, and to have greater control over how the branches and trunk would look.

Finally, when all is said and done, I search for the post-it-note covered words of found poetry, and I remove them, to get my finished product. I'm not sure I like the whole "found poetry" thing.. at least, not this way.... I plan to continue with what I'm doing right now, but next book, I plan to find the poetry, and write it in with my own script..... I think it is better..... at least for my mind. I might change my mind, and I might not.