I am besotted by these pieces from Mark Penxa’s menagerie of quirky creatures, although he produces a wide variety of other types of work. See all the art and projects of this Michigan-based artist, here.
His Facebook, here.
His website, here.
Here’s a response from Mark Penxa, whose work generated more than 5,000 visits to this post when it was Freshly Pressed on the WP Front Page:
Thank you so much to @jaw501 and her readers for this: wp.me/p2ilxB-1Db I now know what bandwidth means.
—
Mark Penxa (@MPenxa) April 10, 2012
Wow. That bee-zebra (a bee-bra?) is totally wicked and creepy and COOL!
That’s my favorite as well – I like to think of it as a “zee-bee”. I also quite like this one: http://mpenxa.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cbecc53ef0147e31162b8970b-popup
And he calls those ‘sketches’!
If only the rest of us could “sketch” like this!
A zee-bee…awesome!
I agree with you on him calling them ‘sketches.” They’re more than sketches! I wish I had the room to post some of his other work, like the one you’ve linked to. He’s amazing. Thank you for your comment.
Creepy and cool simultaneously, you’re exactly right. Thank you.
wow… awesome art
So glad you’re enjoying it. Thank you.
I love the octopus best!
I think generally, the octopus is a hands-down favorite. Thank you for your comment.
amazing pictures
wish i had the creativeness and the attention to detail which you have 
i love the overall composition, the ideas and the way that each character has their own personality and traits 
thankyou for sharing, keep smiling
You’re quite right about his attention to detail. He’s a very meticulous artist. I also love the personalities of his creatures. Thank you.
Fascinating! I find the bee-zebra totally intriguing–how wonderfully strange. Congrats on FP.
Hugs,
Kathy
Wonderfully strange is a terrific description of these works. Thank you. (FP is a bit overwhelming!! But very much appreciated)
Yes, the zebra-bee is my favourite too… although the octopus and the frog are awesome too. Flabbergasted.
That’s a great reaction: Flabbergasted. His art certainly is out of the norm. Thank you.
Nice work, love the zebra….if you like these you would love http://brendanwenzel.info/blog…whose work is just beautiful and funny as well as helping save the animals he draws..
The zee-bee is so unique, isn’t it? Thank you very much for the link to Brendan Wenzel, Appreciated. You’re right, he’s great.
Thanks for sharing! I’m always on the lookout for unusual artists and this guy is no exception!
Yes, he is exceptional, I agree. Glad you found us. Thanks.
This artwork is amazing!
HYPE LOVE!
http://hypegd.wordpress.com/
Very glad you enjoyed it. He’s developed a really unique artistry.
Cool… and bizarre!
I loved it!
Yes, the sort of “bent” approach to these really works, doesn’t it. Very talented.
Great post.
This is really a good work. I appreciate your efforts behind that. Thanks for sharing.
He does an amazing range of work, not just these creatures. But these were the ones that really caught my attention.
yeah this is excellent work, the eyes alone had me going and I’m sure he’s not having a hard time finding work with that kind of detail -,o
http://wp.me/2aAA8
That’s a great observation about the eyes in all his work. True. Thanks.
Nice art, especially the elephant and octopus, really like them.
If I were doing a poll, that elephant and the octopus would be right at the top. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.
His art looks so fun! Thanks for sharing. Never heard of him before!
No, I hadn’t run across him either, but that’s what is so great about blogging: Discoveries!
I’m in love with his work as well. I’m a fellow art junkie myself so thanks for sharing your finds here.
Well, junkie to junkie, I am now in love with your giraffe on skates! All your work is gorgeous. Thank you for the introduction to it.
You are really talented! Love your art:)
thank you very much for taking the time to stop by.
Check out this post about a really good New Jersey fantasy artist (and personal friend) at my side project blog http://versipellusfenris.wordpress.com/2012/03/27/fine-artist/ if you like things thatg are good and pretty.
Thanks for the suggestion. I will take a look.
Really cool artwork. I love the octopus and elephant. Thanks for sharing!
The elephant was actually what first caught my eye. Very cool work, I agree.
Octopus octopus!!!
That octopus is definitely a favorite.
I want to have a chat with that octopus, he looks clever and the bumble bee needs a hug … thanks for sharing
I love your perspective! Great idea.
thanks .. my perspective is always a little off center, perfect in my eyes
Exactly where it should be!
wooowww!!! absolutely wickedly amazing!!! i loved it!!
‘Wickedly’ — love that description. Thank you for the comment.
Reblogged this on JANINEVEAZUE.
Thank you for the re-blog. Some great work on your blog.
I really like the artwork. Thanks for sharing them. Connie
http://7thandvine.wordpress.com/
Good, I’m glad you enjoyed your visit here. Thanks.
What fabulous images! I went through an octopus obsession in my 20′s and was always on the lookout for unique images of them. i found a lot of fabulous old prints of them in biological reference books. One glance at your octopus image and I think my old passion may have been reignited! Thanks for sharing!
There really is something about octopuses (octopii?) isn’t there. And this one is so well done. (Some of those old Jules Verne style images and prints are also intriguing, aren’t they?)
Definitely. Octopi are simultaneously sort of creepy and ridiculous, their form and movement, so completely removed from our own. Fascinating.
Hahahha!! Inspirational photos.. they make me start following your blog. Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait for more! Cheers..
Well thank you very much for the follow. And I appreciate you taking the time to stop by.
You are more than welcome. Will come here more often in the future!
Cool & odd, almost as odd as the art on my page
LOL
Hmmmm. To me, your pages aren’t odd . . . they’re art!
Thank you!….even tho i pride myself on oddness…
What an oddly great mix of nostalgia and quirkiness.
Another great description, thanks. (BTW, great online showcase on RAW)
Incredible work, I love the use of color in the Elephant piece.
I agree on the elephant colors. Very effective. Thank you for the comment.
Brilliant, I loved them,
So glad you found us then. Thank you.
HOLY CHEESE SAUCE!
I /want/ that octopus to be real.
I want it in my aquarium.
I will call it Claudia.
LOL, that is one great response. My, my an octopus is on so many people’s wish lists.
If I am ever allowed* a giant red octopus, I will send you a picture of it.
He is all like “I am a flaming octopus, I dare you to do better. You can not? Oh, that’s too bad.”
*Purchase and hide the Giant Red Octopus from Jed so he doesn’t freak out with all of the sea creatures/30 cats that are in our future house.
Fantastic! Love your imagination!
These characters have really captured people’s attention. Thank you.
Love these! they’re so different
Yes, he’s truly unique. Thanks for stopping by.
hahaha that’s weird but also cool and diifferent. Very ingenious too
He really has something here, doesn’t he. Thanks for your comment.
These are amazing, I think my favorite is the Elephant.
That elephant is very popular for the colors, I think. Thank you for taking the time to visit.
No problem! =)
Wild pics. I love them all.
Yes, they really are, aren’t they? Thanks for stopping by.
The Octopus is so great! Excellent work.
That octopus is so-o-o popular! Thanks for your comment.
This stuff is awesome. Amazing art. If anyone is up to it, check out the books I’ve written in my blog and let me know what you think.
. But yeah I think the octopus is my favorite. That and the elephant. 
.
Elephant, octopus and zebra-bee: They remain the top picks. Thank you for your comment (And I’ll go see your writing)
Your welcome. And thank you for looking at my stuff.
.
Earlier I was freaked out by Youtube videos of tourists eating live octopuses, so your octopus has special significance. Very freely drawn, you have a nice style.
Well I like squid – cooked, though – so I guess it would have made me a bit squeamish. Interesting thoughts. Thank you.
How amazing is this. Isn’t it amazing what you find on a blog? I’d happily pay for one of these sketches.
Yep, exactly why blogging can be so great. Thanks. (His twitter is at the bottom of the post if you want to buy: saw a couple of other tweeps interested in buying)
thanks for that ill give it a look
I love the octopus! Thanks for sharing.
That octopus sure has a following! Thank you.
Reblogged this on .
I like that Octopus. It looks snooty.
Right, it really does. Thank you for that observation. Keen eye.
I could see him wearing a monacle. I totally want a print of that Octopus now.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Tiger Lady,
Thank you ALL so much for the kind words.
I would be more than happy to re-make him for you if you would like. I’m not a fan of prints, I would much rather make each one by hand
Sounds fabulous, Mr. Penxa.
I shall email you from your website!
i think that could be called a ” Beezra” ?1
Excellent artwork
Yes, that would work. Pretty good word fit for it. Such a strange, appealing creature. Thanks.
They are wonderful!
Yes he really has a unique style, which is so engaging.
These pieces are so cool! Love the Zebra/Bee….Very awesome indeed!! Looking forward to following your blog!
My own favorite is the Zebra/Bee or whatever people want to call it, although I thoroughly understand why people adore the octopus and the elephant. Fine work.
Reblogged this on Ahrcanum.
Love the post!
Here are some photographs i clicked at the BMW Museum in Germany, hope you like them: http://bulletinamaelstrom.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/bmw-museum-germany/
Feel free to reblog if you wish!
Thanks for stopping by. Love the cars.
These are stunning AND hilarious at the same time!!
Yes, I agree completely, with the emphasis on the stunning! And an acknowledgement that you’d have to have a keen sense of whimsy to do the job Mark Penxa does on these. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
I think Mark’s work gives me something to think about. I find it provocative and admirable.
Thank you Resa! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that. If anyone would like to own a piece or place commission you can go here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/markpenxa
I think everybody who sees his work is always gripped by it!
Thank you Resa! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that. If anyone would like to own a piece or place commission you can go here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/markpenxa
thanx
Great job!