STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS

We are careening into the end of March. I have nothing new to share in the terms of tips, new supplies, hide outs, big news, little news or anything. The end of March means that since I have not been contacted, I have been rejected by innumerable magazines and contests. I have been rejected by the best. I am not particularly fond of March. One class has finished, however. Another class has begun as I blaze my trail into a debt I will never, in one lifetime, be able to pay. I am required to take biology ::shudder:: and have landed in a nutrition class. The adviser said the class is what is best for "people like me." What is a "people like me"?

"PEOPLE LIKE YOU"

It turns out the other choice was BIOLOGY. As in REAL BIOLOGY. Then... I understood...

WHY ARE TERTIARY STRUCTURES SELFISH?
BECAUSE THE AMINO ACIDS ARE ALL WRAPPED UP IN THEMSELVES.

NUTRITION IT IS.

In nutrition, I have learned many things -- mostly that my rabbits eat better than I do.

I ACTUALLY TURNED THIS IN AND RECEIVED AN "A".

THESE HERE TOLEDO
It has been pretty quiet in these here Toledo, Ohio. I did see a mattress with box springs neatly lain on the sidewalk, but alas -- I could not snap a picture for posterity. Instead, I created a collage of South St. Clair Street to showcase our beautiful Parking Meter Cozies.





It looks as though someone slacked on a few of them. They are more like the pot holders we all made in 3rd grade all sewn together. Only in Toledo would someone slack on parking meter cozies.

TOLEDO POT HOLDERS

YOU ARE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO MAKING
YOUR OWN PARKING METER COZY!

THE PROJECT
The "BIG" March project became even bigger, to my surprise. I had so much fun working on it and really actually loved the individual that commissioned the piece. I can't tell you what it is yet... but stay tuned because I will be shoving it in all of your faces for the next year. I can't wait!! Is the anticipation growing? You know it is...

A SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATION OF ME
MAKING YOU LOOK AT MY WORK.

THE OTHER PROJECT
The other project (365) is humming right along. Again, one illustrator among some wildly talented photographers. I am finding that my image-a-day sometimes takes more than a-day. I have been trying carefully to push myself for at least one sketchbook doodle. Wouldn't you know it, some of the doodles turn out better than any pieces I've spent weeks toiling over. Perhaps more evidence that I think too much.

Anyhoo --





This image popped up when I Googled "Anyhoo."















Again, I am drawing a plethora of bunnies. This helps with the original 365 Bunnies project that I keep getting pulled from. Now, I have two 365 projects to get pulled from. Everything is pulling.

MY PURPOSE
The purpose under this purpose is to share the bunnies. These were born out of the 2nd 365 project but I add them to the 1st 365 Bunny project.

IT WAS A SLOW DAY

SAMMY DOING LIFE FOR CHEWING WIRES

I AM THE RABBIT

SITTING IN NEGATIVE SPACE

007

INTO OZ

DEATH WITH BUNNY

LANCE'S FAN

OVER THE MOON

OUT OF THE SHADOW

I AM NOT RIGHT
I don't know why, but I thought this was the funniest thing I have seen in a long time:

BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

THE GREAT OUTDOORS
I went outside this week. After the initial shock to my system and exposure to the sun, I relaxed.

Sammy joined me while Russette glared at both of us from within the confines of the house.

MY NEIGHBOR

I AM NEIGHBORLY

END OF DAY
For the record, rabbits dream. They also snore.

HE CHASES CARS WHEN HE SLEEPS

THE END

NOT THAT I EVER DID

FEAR AND LOATHING IN OHIO

TWEEDLES

Remember this?

BEHOLD

I am now even more famous in my own mind. This illustration solicited SO MUCH fan mail! Again, I have to thank my minions.

"I got a look at your editorial cartoon in the Free Press and was thoroughly amused. Thomas Nast couldn't have done better. Very Cool!"  --G.W.

Very kind words from someone I do not even know! Ok... so he is a friend of mine. And it was the only comment I received. But still...

GLASS CITY TREES
In this here Toledo, Ohio, we are called THE GLASS CITY. Glass is the predominant export of this port. We have both wild and domestic glass. Most prefer the domestic because it is easier to attain. Others like to track the wild glass and bag it themselves. Here we see the elusive TREE GLASS in its natural habitat. We are careful not to startle it. Isn't she beautiful?

WHY A GLASS WAS LODGED IN THIS TREE
IS  BEYOND ME.

GOREY
I have been on an Edward Gorey kick as of late. He actually took a few illustration courses at The Art Institute in Chicago. He felt no need to complete the program. I love the man’s work. His ability to draw the macabre so tongue in check is amazing.  Many folks know him from his Gashlycrumb Tinies Alphabet.

I ALMOST DIED OF ENNUI...

GOREY AT REST ON HIS COUCH WITH HIS CAT

MY SIMS AT REST ON A COUCH AT A NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE - COINCIDENCE!??

Do not overlook Gorey’s THE OBJECT-LESSON, however. It is a critical work in surreal illustration… He is considered "Goth" or "Dark" but Gorey himself referred to his style as “LITERARY NONSENSE.”

OMGZ!!! A BUHHEH!

http://www.amazon.com/Object-Lesson-Edward-Gorey/dp/0151007098

The result of this fascination is an illustration coupled with another strange fascination I currently have with an incomparable Mr. G and the Mysterious A.  Together, they travel the world and write about their grand adventures while I suffer fear and loathing in Ohio. Their words tell the tale. My drawings… well… tell on me.

STUDIO 566
And now… some bunnies:

SHE IS EXHAUSTED

HE IS EXHAUSTED

THE LITTLE HEARTBEAT AT MY FEET
(BECAUSE GREATNESS BEGINS ON THE COUCH)

SUCH EXPRESSION!

POLITICS
The Toledo Free Press ran a guest columnist (named Bunch) this week. His disparaging remarks about those in power refusing to “preserve” the historical aspects of this city read like a metaphorical tsunami. (See what I did there?) In all seriousness, he used more metaphors than someone who uses a lot of metaphors. In fact, it was difficult discerning the opinion hidden behind the literary device. Here is my rebuttal:









IMA GAY-AY-AY-AY-ROLLER

A gift from my daughter’s girlfriend. Yes, I am a liberal-minded poor artist. I realize I am more of a stereotype than a human being. Except for drug use. Unless, of course you count medication, then I am a stereotype. Is rocking naked in the dark while weeping openly an artist stereotype also? But I digress… I wore this shirt to coffee with an evangelical. I thought she was staring at my breasts. Then, upon arriving home and passing a mirror...  In the first (and only day) I wore my new shirt, I burned a hole in it with a stick of incense and I spotted it up with bleach while cleaning my kitchen.

THE RAINBOW AGENDA

SOMETIMES
I cruise the internets and find the MOST fascinating of things. I found this little doodle. It is of a woman named, Joyce Farmer. Now, I do not know Joyce Farmer. I have no clue as to who she is or what she does. But this doodle is her. It has an uncanny resemblance to someone I know...

COINCIDENCE!?

NO CLASS

I begin my new class tomorrow. I have no idea what it is. I have not even approved my schedule. I suppose I may want to do that.  After all – completion is a necessity. With the exception of Edward Gorey. Alas…

THE END

I SURVIVED THE HOLIDAYS

I just thought you would like to know. I would like to thank everyone who purchased my work over the holidays. I am truly appreciative.

STUDIO 566 was rather prolific over the break and will share the product of said pictorial prolificness with abundant prolixity. My current class is another portfolio class. Yes, ANOTHER portfolio class. The course description should read:

This is the course that you gather all of the projects you put hundreds of hours worth of blood sweat and tears into that other professors deemed  “portfolio ready” only to find that this professor doesn’t like ANY OF IT.

ART STUDENT OWL

FAN MAIL!

"I was just shopping for holiday cards and came across several designs I really liked. And then I linked to your store and found out that most of the designs I liked best were by YOU. Your work is awesome! Especially the rabbit stuff!! I will buy some. :)"

I blushed. Then I laughed maniacally. I'm not sure what that was about.






I HAVE ARRIVED

I must thank God for the politics of my city. It allows for wonderful editorial illustrations and a real life pay check. 

The city's X Mayors (Jack Ford and Carleton S. Finkbeiner, respectively) formed a united front against the current Mayor. Personally, I have no idea why anyone would want to be Mayor of Plywood City, Ohio -- but who am I to judge.

REMEMBER, THE ARTISTS ARE FIRST TO DIE IN THE REVOLUTION.

AROUND THESE HERE TOLEDO
There are a few things around this grand town that just defies explanation. . . and yet, these are the things that the Mayors fight to mayor over and then complain about how each other mayored over it.





I am not sure what role a blow-up kiddie pool plays on an abandoned factory site, but I am so glad our tax dollars went to pay for the yellow slide. That yellow slide sure brightens up the landscape.

Some people feel that the libraries should be given more city funding. Perhaps someone should inform those in charge of the libraries that the furniture goes INSIDE the building--I should write city council with that savings tip.

OH... WHAT TO DRAW… WHAT TO DRAW…
As I watch the insane world all around me, just about anything will inspire… well… just about anything (note editorial illustration and photos above). I hardly used my sketchbook over the break. I do NOT suggest that. Always be jotting notes/images in your sketchbook. My sketchbook was unavailable to me as I would have had to have gotten off the couch to get it. Hey... I was on vacation.  

ARTIST IN REPOSE

CROWS
This crow mocks me whenever I leave my house. As soon as I set foot outside he is there Cawing. As I walk to the parking lot, he flies overhead. He will sit in the tree tops or in the neighbors yard and laugh at my life.

THIS:

I MOCK YOUR LIFE

BECAME THIS:

HE LOOKS SO SMUG

STILL, HE MOCKS

AEROPLANES
Walking along in one of the fancier hotels of these here Toledo, Ohio (no hookers or homeless to speak of) – I spied with my little eye: a paper airplane. In a 4th story window. Across from a balcony. No, I did not put it there.

ANTHROPOLOGISTS WILL ONE DAY WONDER AT THIS

WHEN BUNS ATTACK

CRAZY RABBIT

SHE TASTES EVERYTHING -- INCLUDING THE PAINT WATER

INK/WATERCOLOR ON CANVAS

THE REST OF THE STORY:
Remember the project "LUST"? I finally completed it. It is for sale on products also. Here is the final tentacled beauty...

MOM?

AND NOW THE BUNNIES OF 566

THIS ABOUT SUMS IT UP

BUNNY OF NEGATIVE SPACE

THEY LEFT ME PRESENTS TOO!

BAH-DUM-DUM! TSSSSSSSS.

OH THE HUMANITY!!
INSPIRED BY THE SYFY CLASSIC: SNOWMAGEDDON
(NOTICE THE SNOW GLOBE)

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS GOOD!
DON'T SHAKE THAT SNOW GLOBE!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
OH THE HUMANITY!!!!






CRAZY

MYSTERIOUS A



Based on a woman I knew in high school who is quite the writer/photographer and even has a PhD in science... she is a true Renaissance woman. Her name begins with "A" and the scarlet is no play on Nathanial Hawthorn. In fact, I loathed that book. Of course, upon looking back, perhaps I should have marked it "A+."

DRANO CAT

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I crack myself up.



NEW GAME!
The website www.thesmokinggun.com now features a “time waster” game where the viewer matches various things to the mug shot.  I spent part of my holidays researching this game. I did well with crimes, nicknames and charges.  Finally, it pays off to have trailer park coursing through my veins!

THIS GAME IS RATED:

SPEAKING OF TRAILERS: MY SIMS UPDATE

Just chillaxin with the bun in my underwear, pink chucks and hat... in the snow... next to my gazing ball on a pedestal (I call it ODE TO THE CHROME BALL)... thinkin' 'bout art n stuff.

LOOK MA!
NO HANDS!

What is he doing to her????










THE END