On the street where I live..

I have lived on my same street for 11 years. It's a small and lovely street, it's green with beautiful old houses... it ends with a church. I have often marvelled at the beauty of the street where I live. But it took me 11 years to notice thate there no telephone phone poles on the street that I live. There are tall street lights but no electical wires. My street is so small that they run the lines on live trees in the back yards. It's a wonder that we don't have more power outages. It only took me 11 years to notice that they weren't there.

Dr. Horrible is sweet!

No really, check it out at Cake Wrecks!

Wrapped up...

So the IF word was wrapped... and I knew I wanted to do an apron scene. I love aprons, in a bizarre way. I love all types of aprons. And there are so many cute aprons in the word! They are sassy aprons, sexy aprons, baking aprons, prison aprons, aprons for working with different substances, dyes, metals, glass, fire... the list goes on and on.

Somehow when I tell people I love aprons they are shocked. It goes against my feminist view points in their minds. I love my prison apron, you know the type dark blue heavy canvas one poket made in a prison? It's my favorite.

So I couldn't resist puting an apron on this poor fellow.

Regal...

The word was regal. I thought of being a kid and trying to make yourself regal, the sheet for a cape, the paper crown, the thought that macaroni would make it more impressive. Regal...

Vintage...

Pan Am has been haunting me lately. I should rephrase that Pan Am has haunted for years. Ever since the collapse of Pan Am in 1991, Pan Am has haunted me.

I always wanted to fly Pan Am but we never did as kid. We flew other defunct airlines, like Eastern. That was back in the day. I took an enormous 747 to Florida, from Boston. That's big plane to go to Florida in. They save those for the over seas flight now.

I love the Pan Am logo, and those beautiful Pan Am travel bags. Actually I was big fan of the Easter Airline's logo too. It was so simple, but I liked it. Apparently I liked their colors too. As I seam to have stolen them in my image.

But Pan Am has a certain romantic allure and the romantic history. Not to mention the classic advertising and the quintessential tropical poster. Not to mention happy planes :) But what plane it that tropical poster that's right it's the Honolulu Clipper. The old Pan Am Clippers, the Boeing 314 is the one that caught my fancy. Because I have a thing for flying boats. Note my love of Tales from the Gold Monkey and Jake flew a Grumman Goose, I love that back then, in the beginning there weren't enough runways, and this was the way get around it. You just needed a bay, some water... it was romantic.

I while back my pal Ellen lent me her copy of Night Over Water by Ken Follett. It's really a terrible book, it's hopelessly predictable, a romance novel, and very light and fluffy, but it is about the Yankee Clipper, it is utterly adorable, and it is perfect beach reading. So when I found a pristine hardcover at the thrift store, I could hardly believe my luck.

I thought Pan Am is haunting me again. Not a week later I was at the Christmas Tree shop and there was a Pan Am Clipper DVD I had to think Pan Am was haunting me. I bought it and was thrilled and disappointed. It was great, because it's Pan Am propaganda from the 50's and it's beautiful and fun to watch and see how priorities have shifted. And the planes! The lovely planes and services and sleep berths! But it's not about the clippers that I wanted to see. I loved it anyway.

Which leads to my image of vintage:

The idle rich...

The word this week was idle...

I wanted that lazy look of doing nothing in particular. Time is such a luxury and idle time even more.

I wanted something pretty and simple

I came up with a mermaid looking at some fish. Eh. Good enough.

Tango Tango Tango...

The word was tango. And it sure killed me today when I added color. First I spaced and didn't save my changes. Then I saved and closed it as a low res file. I recolored it for the third time and am afraid to every open it again.

Tango, tango, tango.

I thought of going military with it...

But I did military last time with the word hollow.

I had fun with that one.

Shaky...

This is over on my IF blog too but... the word is shaky. I look this a lot when I try to work on my Illustration Friday stuff. I do the whole shaking leg thing or I rock on my chair.

And speaking of shaky what is up with Sarah Palin. That was a shaky move. Does she really understand what a lame duck is? She kills me.

I'm not in love you but... I like you an awful lot.

Do you ever have those moments of connection with celebrities? You know the ones. Where you suddenly have that little thing in common and while you may have been fond of them before this opens up a world of possibles. When they reference something and you think... they may be all right after all.

Maybe you already liked them... like when I realised Wes Anderson and I share a birthday. Or how Joss Whedon watched Veronica Mars. Or when Patrick Rothfuss is not only wearing a Serenity shirt, but signed his post Later Space Cowboys.

Right enough Patrick Rothfuss.

Even I'm getting sick of me talking about Patrick Rothfuss.
Hadley would appreciate it.

How do I feel today?

It has been such a cold wet and rainy June… I think this image pretty much sums up my state of mind. I also threw it up on my cafe press site, just for kicks.

Larger than life...

This was for IF. The word is drifting.


A while back it hit me. That thing they always tell you about your artistic style. That you don’t need to find it. That it’s already there. So don’t go looking for it. Just keep practicing and it comes. It’s true, they’re dead on, and most of the time someone else sees it before you do. And that’s okay too.

I’ve never been overly fond of my drawing style. It’s just way the I draw, I don’t really have much choice over it. Yeah there are techniques you can learn but there is an underlying footprint that is your stlye. I nicknamed mine “stumpy”.
We could use the same pencils and paper but compared to some of my friends and their overly talented sisters my work looks like it was made with broken crayons by an animal in spasm, possibly missing thumbs.

But it’s okay. Because I’m starting to really see my style. And it may be a little stumpy but it’s mine and I like it.

Today I started drawing something and realized that I wanted it to be bigger than the paper I had. For a minute it seemed like it was just a small portion of an enormous drawing just waiting to come out. And I wish I had the time discipline and space to make this enormous drawing. But maybe it will come together piece by piece. I see a wall in my mind with 30 or 40 pieces of paper taped together.

I’ve always worked smaller than I thought I should. I think everyone has a natural size that they draw or paint or whatever. It’s convenient to work small, it’s portable, its less expensive but something inside of me has always known I’m supposed to work larger than I do. I drew this pretty large. It started on a 11 by 17 page but I ran out of room and the parasol was on a another page. I shrunk it down to color it on my computer and to post it. But it was fun to work a little larger on a single image. And it doesn’t look all that stumpy.

Things unfold...

I had my Improv Grad show last night and the night before, but this is not an illustration of that event. Thsi is my IF entry for UNFOLD.

I get the feeling that the girls on the edges might have mixed up their paper chains.

The girl in the pig tails looks a little like me.

So back to improv. We had our shows and we did well. I would have liked to have done better.

The one thing I was proud of was my role as the monologist on Monday. Which was a mix of terror, exhileration, and giddy euphoria or simply put it was thrilling.

I don't know what to do next in Improv. I made it through the 5 levels of the classes and I just don't know what comes next. I love improv and I want to do something with this.

A little late to the party...

So I missed an illustration Friday deadline, and I'm a little miffed with myself.

But better late than never.

The word was CRAVE, you can see it over at my IF Blog too.

Why two blogs I don't know. But I've made a third blog, this one is for my sister's wedding.

I made this Save the Date for the happy couple too!

Dad's Birthday Letter...

Dear Dad,
I can’t believe it’s that time of the year again. I never thought it would last. I never thought I would keep writing to you on your birthday. It surprises me a little every year. What is this, 13 years? It’s a long time. I miss you, I love you, I wish you were here.

First and foremost I have to tell that Beth is engaged to John Marshall. And we all love him even Chardie, especially Chardie. He was my coworker. I’m laid off now. He was my friend first, and he loves her. And I love them. Brian hasn’t met him yet but I know he’ll like him. We all do.
I did a portrait of you this year, in my new style.

I’m writing and drawing a comic book. It’s about dreams and where they come from. And I don’t know if it is any good or would ever be published or if it’s even something that will lead to something but I really want to complete it. I really feel like I need to. It’s slow going and I’m plagued with doubts. I don’t know how you wrote your novel. I can’t get through mapping out the story for 32 pages. I did however hit the ¼ mark the other day. So that’s something right?
I keep at hoping that this wisp of a dream pans out. But it’s something I need to do. I think you would respect that. And I think you’d like the story so far. I don’t want to go into on my blog though. This will go public when I’m ready.

As stalled as I sometimes feel on this project, it’s been nice focusing on the creative side of things again. I needed this break to recharge. I can breath again, I don’t panic when I want to draw something. Or sometimes I panic, but not as often or for as long. It’s easier. And my confidence is building in subtle ways that I don’t notice now but will later. It’s the way I draw casually again. When I have an idea, or want to express something vague in my head. Don’t laugh I know that’s how it’s supposed to be! But it’s not. I get drained.

It’ll be two years of yoga this summer! Twice a week. It’s still great, but man oh man my hips will never open! They just ache in and refuse to move in class, I have the hips of a 90 year old woman! It’s terrible. But I keep at it. I am hoping to be part of Nadia’s assessment class this winter. That would be an honor. We love Nadia, she’s in India right now, studying at the Iyengar institute. She’ll be there for a month, and then she’s adopting a baby and will miss the next two months. Which is pretty exciting. But we’ll miss her. Bec however (our Tuesday teacher) will still be there.

We had our first family vacation in years! For mom’s 60th birthday we all went to St. Johns. You would have loved it! It’s so beautiful there. Like paradise. With such beautiful turquoise water and a magical drink they call the lime and coconut. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? You put the lime in the coconut and shake it all up, with a nice virgin island rum! It’s brilliant. Of course Brian and I got into a vicious fight the last night but we patched things up the best way we could. This was not unlike the fight we go onto when he was home for Chris’s wedding. We get along fine on our own but you add another person and it’s shrapnel to the hand grenade. Let’s see how we do at Beth’s wedding ;) I’m just kidding, we always last until the after party.

Barack Obama is president now. He’s doing the best he can. The call this the great recession. It’s pretty bad though. I’m nervous being out of work and all but what can you do? There have been some scary and surreal moments. The other day Obama cam on the air to announce GM going bankrupt, and citing Chrysler’s recent bankruptcy and merging with Fiat (of all companies) as a shining example of hope for the future. It was very Atlas Shrugged. In fact right now everything is very Atlas Shrugged. Which surprisingly isn’t me nay saying Obama. Despite how it sounded, and he certainly didn’t expand on this, the Chrysler Fiat merge could be great. It would give Fiat a bigger foothold in the global market, as they compete with VW, and it could bring some of the fuel efficient Fiat line to America which will provide, us with cars we actually want to drive. So I see how it could work. But it’s still not a good sign. And he’s kept message of hope. Which as it turns out I’m fan of. It’s the fireside chat of the day. Hillary is Secretary of State, and you don’t hear as much about her.

I still dream about you. You still don’t talk in my dreams. Deadmen tell no tales. And I had a dream that I made a piece of art of you. I’m debating whether that will come to fruition or not. I mean it was a little weird and kind of in a way cross dressy as it was a drawing of you as the statue of liberty. I don’t know that that’s how you want to be remembered in life but… it tickles me a bit.

Times have changed Dad, cross dressing is a little more popular and accepted. I had a dream that a handsome man in was wearing a kilt. And I very much desired to uhm… talk to him in my dream. I real longing to talk to him. But alas he eluded me, mores the pity. Anyway, Hadley asked me if he had been wearing eyeliner. I hadn’t noticed in the dream, but In my head I thought, he is now! Because guys in eyeliner and shirts are apealing. Yeah I know, it’s the artist in me, thanks for sharing. Why is it that every time I write your letter I put something in to bother you. I guess it’s to show I haven’t lost my sense of humor.

And the movie recommendation is… Man on Wire. Because it renewed a sense of hope and belief in me. And despite my lack of organized religion, I think everyone wants something to believe in. Whether it’s a sports team, or a politician, or hitching your wagon to someone else’s dream… we all want to believe. It’s about the Frenchman who strung a wire between the twin towers, and walk across it early one morning. It was a classic heist movie, with a hare brain idea and some friends in on the game. But it’s a story told well, with charm and great music, and vision and I suppose some history.

I’m going to Dana’s wedding today. I did the invitations for her wedding, and soon I will do Beth’s invitations. I never thought she’s want a wedding, Beth, not Dana. I was excited that Dana was getting married on your birthday. I thought it was a good sign. It’s a good day.

I really wish you were here right now. I could really use your advice and your unrealistic confidence in me, and your unconditional love. I’m scared and sliding and failing again. And I just want a hug from you in particular. I love you, I miss you! Happy Birthday Dad.

Love,
Kate

A me me taken from Hadley.

I stole this from Hadley:

1) You can only answer yes or no to the following questions.
2) You are not allowed to elaborate unless someone asks you about something in your comments.

Been arrested? — No
Kissed someone you didn't like? — Yes
Slept in until 5 PM? — No
Fallen asleep at work/school? — Yes
Held a snake? — Yes
Ran a red light? — No
Been suspended from school? — No
Experienced love at first sight? — No
Totaled your car in an accident? — No
Been fired from a job? — Yes
Fired somebody? — Yes
Sung karaoke? — Yes
Pointed a gun at someone? — No
Did something you told yourself you wouldn't? — Yes
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? — Yes
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? — Yes
Kissed in the rain? — Yes
Had a close brush with death (your own)? — No
Saw someone die? — No
Played Spin-the-Bottle? — No
Smoked a cigar? — No
Sat on a rooftop? — Yes
Smuggled something into another country? — No
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? — No
Broken a bone? — No
Skipped school? — YES
Eaten a bug? — Yes
Sleepwalked? — No
Walked on a moonlit beach? — Yes
Ridden a motorcycle? — No
Dumped someone? — Yes
Forgotten your anniversary? — Yes
Lied to avoid a ticket? — No
Ridden in a helicopter? — No
Shaved your head? — No
Blacked out from drinking? — Yes
Played a prank on someone? — Yes
Hit a home run? — No
Felt like killing someone? — Yes
Cross-dressed? — Yes
Been falling-down drunk? — Yes
Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry? — Yes
Eaten snake? — No
Marched/Protested? — Yes
Had Mexican jumping beans for pets? — No
Puked on an amusement ride? — No
Seriously & intentionally boycotted something? — Yes
Been in a band? — No
Knitted? — No
Been on TV? — Yes
Shot a gun? — No
Skinny-dipped? — Yes
Given someone stitches? — No
Eaten a whole habenero pepper? — No
Ridden a surfboard? — No
Drunk straight from a liquor bottle? — Yes
Had surgery? — No
Streaked? — No
Been taken by ambulance to a hospital? — No
Tripped on mushrooms? — No
Passed out when NOT drinking? — Yes
Peed on a bush? — No
Donated Blood? — No
Grabbed electric fence? — No
Eaten alligator meat? — No
Eaten cheesecake? — Yes
Eaten your kids' Halloween sweets? — No
Killed an animal when not hunting? — No
Peed your pants in public? — Yes
Snuck into a movie without paying? – Yes
Written graffiti? — No
Still love someone you shouldn't? — No
Think about the future? — Yes
Been in handcuffs? — Yes
Believe in love? — No
Sleep on a certain side of the bed? — Yes

A little drunk on music...

I like it when music makes me feeling like I’m dreaming. Or when it makes feel drunk.

The other day I was looking for music from car commercials. I liked the songs from the Honda Insight ads. Especially “The Honey Tree” by Mostar Diving Car. But it was upon seeing that old Saturn Ion commercial that I fell in love again. It was the dreamy music that made me feel a little drunk, that nice drunk, when you don’t have a care and you’re in the moment and everything is a little slow and lovely for no good reason. That's how it made me feel.

It was The Walkmen’s “We’ve Been Had”.

I'm a modern guy
I don't care much for the go-go
or the retro image I see so often
telling me to keep trying
maybe you'll get here someday
keep up the work kid, okay
I close the book on them right there

I see myself change as the days change over
I hear the songs and the words don't change
I write them out of the book right there

we've been had, you say it's over
sometimes I'm just happy I'm older
we've been had, I know it's over
somehow it got easy to laugh out loud

see me age nineteen
with some dumb haircut from 1960
moving to New York
sitting here with my friends
we're all taking the same steps
seems foolish now

Adapt

Again with the double post. This is my illustration for the week. The word is "adapt"











































On another note. I wanted to say something about dreams. I think about dreams a lot lately. Mostly because I'm working on a comic book about them. And thank you for asking, it's going very slowly. But right now the ideas have been flowing a little smoother it's my execution that's been slow. Sigh. It's hard sometimes.



Anyway, I've been having some interesting dreams lately, and one of them I did I had created a piece of artwork, which I gave to my friend Hadley in the dream. Which was particularly odd because it was a drawing of the Statue of Liberty, with my father's face. Not something I would have thought to make. But should I think to make it? It was in my dream, and it's been in my mind ever since. I don't know, maybe I will try to sketch it out on paper soon. But Had, I can't imagine you'd be interested in keeping it. Maybe you're part is a metaphor.



In another dream I became lucid. I knew it was a dream and I wasn't waking up, and I thought to myself "You are in control, lets have some fun". Even when I'm in control, I'm not in control. I was at a mall shopping, and there was a guy that I had seen earlier in the dream. He was in a kilt, and I'm a sucker for that. Something sexy about those exposed knees huh? So I called him Scotty and set out to find him. Because it was my dream, I could do what I wanted, and I had no fear of rejection. He was in my control. So I thought. I couldn't find him. I told myself damn it, he's just going to appear right there, right now. But he didn't. I was pissed. I wanted to get lucky! I woke up soon after.... frustrated.



Where the hell did that Scotty go? And then I began to wonder about the nature of control, my ideas about it, my own self sabotage... where I went wrong, and maybe where I went right. I was using Scotty as an object, maybe I stopped myself out of a crises of conscious. Or maybe it's all a little more romantic than that. Maybe the real Scotty, was sleeping somewhere and I wandered past him in his dream. Maybe he never noticed, maybe he did and couldn't find me.




I love dreams.

Cracked

You can also see this at my Super Special Illustrated Friday Blog. But why would you if I've posted it here too? Why did I separate the two blogs? Why don't I merge them?

I don't know! No more questions.

Why does everything with you and me have to be so political?

I don't do political art as a general rule. Not that I don't like it, just I've never had a particular need to make much of my own. But something a friend said, sparked an image in my mind. Because while I don't typically do political art, I often like to follow up on a joke.

Where did this stem from? And what is so political about the pig in the picture.

My sister sent me a link to a site "Girl Scouts Exposed: Lessons in lesbianism". Which so horrified and so amused me in turns, it really made me think that it had to be a joke. Because I couldn't imagine anyone seriously thinking some of the things in the articles. It questioned the Girl Scout curriculum, taking issues with a lack of Christian teachings, use of quotes from eastern religions, global warming, labyrinths, and if I'm not mistaken world peace. There were also issues with feminism, which considering the group, The Girl Scouts, founded by a woman, run by women, for girls... it didn't really make sense to me.

I sent this link to a friend who wrote back:


I would like to say as a former Girl Scout (Mom made me), there was absolutely no religious content in my troupe experience - other than the word "God" in the GS promise (which I no longer remember). We took walks in the woods, learned how to recognize poison ivy, learned to make a stove out of a tin can and a candle and made french toast with it, made God's eyes (not religious either - yarn craft), played with gimp, made friendship bracelets, had an international day, visited nursing homes, and sold cookies. Of course, once you learn all that stuff, they give you a card to keep in your wallet that says "God-hating/Communist/Buddhist/Feminist Pig." I still have mine.

I thought it might be funny to give her a card for her wallet that said "God-hating/Communist/Buddhist/Feminist Pig."

So I came up with this. You'll notice her badges are a crossed our Jesus fish, a hammer and sickle, an ohm, and mirror of Venus. It was just too fun to pass up.

Contagious

I have this posted on my super special Illustration Friday Blog. I am hoping to keep up the weekly image there.

The word was contagious.