Design ideas?

[Mokenda_mint]

As you may or may not know, in the past I've done paintings on several lampshades. However I have not done one since early 2008.
Today however, while I was at the store I came across a perfectly sized drum lampshade. With a Hobby Lobby coming soon to my town which will provide the paints required for a detailed painting I decided to purchase the lampshade.

Now, here's where you guys come in. Since I've gotten older, more experience with art, yadda yadda I feel more confident about doing a full scene on the lampshade. However I don't know what I should put in! I need help in choosing what should be displayed circling the shade. By spinning the shade around you will see the whole 'story' played out.
The shade will be going up for sale after its completion, so I feel it best to get the public's opinion.

If the scene requires multiple characters, please give suggestions as to what you think they should be doing.
For example, a friend of mine suggested disney characters encircling the lamp, each in their own setting.
But I want to hear everyone's opinions!

The shade is 14" wide by 9.5" high, so it's a pretty big shade.

So can you help me out?

If you want to get an idea of my art go to my DA account: http://mokenda.deviantart.com
My previous crappy shades are there as well as some recent paintings.

[captain usopp]

that scene in the second intro where all the strawhats are running, and luffy's hat flies off; do that.

[I survived the buster call]

Hmm Interesting work Moke. What I noticed in looking at the lamps on your DA page was that the paint can be really interesting when the light is on, or can block the light in interesting ways if painted just so, when the shade is fully painted. My first thought when I read you post was a sceen-scape where small people go through the various changes in seasons with a continuous scene that circles around–and I've seen an awesome children's book like that that would give you an idea of what I mean but cannot recall the name. I have to get to work, so I'll try to find it later if the idea tickles your fancy. Anyway, after I saw your work, I wondered if you could even play with effects and have it appear like day when the lamp is off, but at night when the lamp is turned on, the light is part of the art in how it plays off or gets blocked by the paint, and makes the scene appear as night (with places where the light comes through windows that aren't painted, and a moon left very thinly painted, somehow, hidden in the sun, maybe?--and others places where it's very dark or only partially dark due to paint amounts, etc--does that make sense? I'm not an artist, so this may be completely crazy impossible--just what occured to me when I saw your work...

[Mokenda_mint]

@captain:

that scene in the second intro where all the strawhats are running, and luffy's hat flies off; do that.

Sounds pretty cool. If I did that, I'd want to add the other 4 in somehow though….

@I:

Hmm Interesting work Moke. What I noticed in looking at the lamps on your DA page was that the paint can be really interesting when the light is on, or can block the light in interesting ways if painted just so, when the shade is fully painted. My first thought when I read you post was a sceen-scape where small people go through the various changes in seasons with a continuous scene that circles around–and I've seen an awesome children's book like that that would give you an idea of what I mean but cannot recall the name. I have to get to work, so I'll try to find it later if the idea tickles your fancy. Anyway, after I saw your work, I wondered if you could even play with effects and have it appear like day when the lamp is off, but at night when the lamp is turned on, the light is part of the art in how it plays off or gets blocked by the paint, and makes the scene appear as night (with places where the light comes through windows that aren't painted, and a moon left very thinly painted, somehow, hidden in the sun, maybe?--and others places where it's very dark or only partially dark due to paint amounts, etc--does that make sense? I'm not an artist, so this may be completely crazy impossible--just what occured to me when I saw your work...

Ooo, I'd very much like to see the children's book you mentioned. Can't wait to see

Hmmm… that does sound like an interesting idea with the lights on vs lights off feel to it. I'd have to raid the internet for house references if I did it though, I can't draw architecture on my own to save my life haha

[captain usopp]

maybe the rest can be behind the hat trying to catch it. I can see brook sticking his cane in the air trying to catch it. maybe franky trips and robin almost falls over him, but manages to avoid him, while looking at the hat.

[I survived the buster call]

I can't find the exact book just yet (though I'll keep looking) but this one has similar landscapes as what I mean–seen a distance, poeple look small etc. This is very folk-art looking, but it gives the idea, I hope. http://www.amazon.com/Annos-Counting-Book-Mitsumasa-Anno/dp/0064431231/ref=sr_1_86?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295916902&sr=1-86
Just imagine a town in panarama, so that it makes a complete circle, and the scene would gradually change from season to season as you go around the circle, so for summer you might see a pond with swimmers, fading into a wooded area with hikers that becomes Fall (the color peaking in the middle with leaves falling and bare trees by the end), into a mountainous region with skiers, then on the other side of the mountain might be the town's houses with Spring flowers, fading into summery and bright colors and the pond part.

[Mokenda_mint]

Looks really cool, but a little too Amish in ways.. I like the idea of the changing seasons though. Sounds really cool

Any more suggestions?