this is what started the reaction:

look. just look.
it’s a school. we have to take roll. so, i try to make the attendance record fun for all, especially the registrar. and myself. (sigh….)
this is what started the reaction:
it started with this sketch, as it usually does with me:
and it all started with this little sketch (and it really was little: less than 1/2 an inch wide):
and it all started with this little sketch:
and it all started with this humble, spontaneous, little-bitty sketch:
and it all started with this little sketch:
yep, it started with this sketch, which, I know, doesn’t obviously seem to suggest something as ornate as the final, but I remember what I was thinking – something Victorian would be so cool! it was difficult.
and to think, it all started with this little ol’ sketch:
and it all started with this: