Old John Mossfoot a new art and story in my Animal Series.

Old John Mossfoot watched dainty Ida Acorn slip onto his little trap waiting to be transported, "She'll be an easy load at least," he thought, as he waited for his old mare to have a drink before trundling the old creature back to his carriage.

Old John Mossfoot had been 'Old John' since he himself was still a young lad, having got the moniker from his Father when he passed. His Father used to work up at the old Manor in it's heyday, a sort of dog's body odd job man of all sorts, was the first "Old John". The type of gent who'd get you what needed getting or put his hands to land or house work.

Of course His father, Old John, saw fit to expire on a warm Autumn day after a day's labor gleaning in the fields. Young John found his father thus under the old oak with a smile on his face and a pint in his hand smiling up at the sky. Since then Young John became Old John and his mother his responsibility at a young age.

Old John was truly Old now and his dear mother gone to Heaven to be with his Father. He thought of her and the smells associated with her: The warm scent of bread and kitchen scents from the tiny back kitchen in their little cottage. He Smiled recalling her as he tipped his hat to Ida and took off on their journey to the Old Manor.

"I'm hoping to get half a chance at the Old Manor with the new Folk, have you heard anything of them?" Ida Acorn asked innocently enough, tho she knew if there was anything to know Old John would know.

Old John Knew such questions were not innocent, but probing. It was true he often held the secrets of the district, but he found the less one talked and more one listened, the tittle tattle of town and country was handed to you on a silver platter.

He knew all about the Lady taking over the Old Manor. He even knew how she came about it and what her business was to be here, but he simply shrugged and gave his old grey mare a soft nudge with the reins.

"Them that was, has returned, I reckon," was all he said to her. His stoic ways gave little information, one had to ask the right way to get the sea of information from Old John.

Ida was too nervous to play at such a game, so she fiddled with her little handbag as they continued onto the Old Manor. Ida would have Old John over later and ply him with warm food in her little back kitchen. He always opened up more there, with a hot cup in his hand and warm bread on the board.

Old John Mossfoot was the the keeper of the Districts secrets and his own secret was to not expire as young as his Father, thus he plied his wares with patience and thought and always considered everything before he acted.

He knew this new adventure of the Lady returning to the Manor would give his business of information a great boost...things were going to be stirred up a bit, he felt it in his Old bones."

The sketch of Old John Mossfoot before color is added.

I'm still having fun with my characters and a little story seems to be forming. Tho I'm still not putting any pressure on myself to create a story, I'm letting the characters come to life on my page and then they tell me about their lives and we'll see what comes of it. It rather feels like truly meeting people in a new place and getting to know snippets of their life before forming the story of a place; That's how it's been with these characters.

A GIF of some of the layers of the piece.

I'm still a bit busy overall, but trying to stick with my upload schedule. In so doing I've got to find time to get these little fellows up so they are available on things before the Christmas shopping begins.

If you would like to read more of this story and see the other characters here you go:
Ida Acorns Story and art is here.
If you enjoyed Ida's story, read about her son ENOCH here and about her husband SILAS here and the stories of her possible new Employer Lady Soft-Pelt here. and of course the Lady's maid she'll have to contend with Here. I'm having fun with their stories.

I love this time of the year, I've always loved Spring and Autumn, but they are so fleeting. Especially when one is meant to be prepping for the Christmas shopping season.

Tho we've such warm weather of late it's been on long Indian Summer round here and I've rather enjoyed it.

And I hope you enjoyed meeting my next character and hearing the little snippet of his story. Until next time I hope you find a moment in your day to indulge in your own passions and remember to stay creative.

If you'd like to follow my Work Here are some Links:

My Ladies with Pets Series as prints and on things

Bunny Portraits

• Josiah H Bunnywort
• Ermentrude Bunnyfoot
• Miss Regina Sourfoot