Polka dots and jazz hands
February 1, 2010
“I’m not an artist in the least bit, so the only way to really have fun with this was to draw myself as a stick figure. Because of that, I didn’t really need to worry about how I looked, per se, but I think I focused on my essence (hippy-dippy but true!).
Meet Michelle: An extremely passionate career woman. Photo Credit: www.WhenIGrowUpCoach.com
I see myself as very bright (color-wise) & energetic & quirky & welcoming, which explains the big smile & the outstretched arms. But when I went to label things, I immediately saw the arms as ‘jazz hands’ & added that element of my personality – the musical theater performer – into the self-portrait, too. My favorite quote is, ‘Always reach for the moon – even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.’ I always feel a sense of opportunity & awesomeness when I look at the sky, so stars have always held something symbolic for me. I had to include them here!”
-Michelle Ward, the When I Grow Up Coach in New York City
Nibble on this
January 22, 2010
As a prelude to an upcoming post on Seth Godin, chomp on this cheese. Digest. Like the mouse, you can’t regurgitate this stuff.
If our young men miscarry in their first enterprises, they lose all heart. If the young merchant fails, men say he is ruined. If the finest genius studies at one of our colleges, and is not installed in an office within one year afterwards in the cities or suburbs of Boston or New York, it seems to his friends and to himself that he is right in being disheartened, and in complaining the rest of his life. A sturdy lad from New Hampshire or Vermont, who in turn tries all the professions, who teams it, farms it, peddles, keeps a school, preaches, edits a newspaper, goes to Congress, buys a township, and so forth, in successive years, and always, like a cat, falls on his feet, is worth a hundred of these city dolls. He walks abreast with his days, and feels no shame in not “studying a profession,” for he does not postpone his life, but lives already. He has not one chance, but a hundred chances.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Mom and pop portrait
January 18, 2010
Portrait by Jonah Trople using Acrylic, Bob Ross Gesso on paper and wood
“I am a 21 year old art student at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. Recently I moved into an attic of a single mom of two, ages three and twelve. At first, I was hesitant, I’m more than down with attics – but single moms and kids? The move was necessary though, I couldn’t afford anything else and previous to this I was living out of my rusting VW Bus, anything was better.
I’ve been living in their attic for about two months now, and it has turned out this has been one of the coolest learning experiences ever. Nothing reminds you of what it’s like to be a three year old better than living with one. It’s put a perspective on everything – what an awful three year old I must have been! Since moving in with this family I have reflected on my own relationship with my parents a lot.
My parents had me in their teens, got married, and then went through college while raising me. For some reason, prior to moving in with this single mother and her two children, I never gave a thought to how much work my parents put into my upbringing. Imagine having a kid in your teens AND going through college at the same time!
I will admit, I wasn’t a typical child – I was a real problem – an honest horror story (I still kind of am…) I can’t believe how much love my parents gave to me, how awful I was, and how hard it must have been for them.
I decided to paint a self-portrait while I was still in the womb to explore (and pay respect to) the love my mother and father gave me. I painted them at their wedding and me in my mother’s stomach. After I had finished this painting I decided to paint myself at their age so I could compare how different our lives were at the same age. wow. Thanks mom and pop.”
Art and story by Jonah Trople
A paint-by-number portrait
January 13, 2010
“This is one of my best features … soft, warm and much friendlier than the crooked teeth they hide.”
Add water and multiply
January 7, 2010
In ink, I wrote down one resolution for the new year. Water spilled. Like the Gremlin, the list multiplied. I currently have 29 “resolutions” that are rapidly growing into new motives, both evil and pure, for 2010.
As a visual person, I like to gaze at my list here and there. I often stare blankly at my words avoiding the task at hand, and other times I wonder why I wrote down “Take chances, Kira” when I did tryout for Gotham Girls Roller Derby last year without a shot in hell of making the team. It’s okay, I’m taking skating lessons this year. It’s on my list.
I appreciate the fact that I’m trying to be a responsible adult, and I listed, “schedule regular dentist appointments” as a resolution. Is that a resolution? Shouldn’t that just be life? The idealist inside of me wrote down, “Write a book of fiction. And publish.” Aim high, right?
My 29th, and currently final item on my list is to “join a bowling league” which I added today … after I signed up online. Fooled ya, ‘10.
Naysayers may suggest that resolutions are cliché. But I think it is a valuable way to express the multiple voices speaking in our own heads: The wise-ass, The inspired, The sneaky, The immature, The immature pretending to be mature, etc.
Go ahead and get friendly with the personalities you’re dealing with in the year ahead.
And add your resolutions below.
A telegram
December 31, 2009
The stories of my five friends and myself: These are telegram style.
Bob B. went to war and didn’t come back. Bob S. got hooked on weed and is now a junky. The other Bob S. hasn’t come around for a while. Bob H. stole my girl and I still want to punch him. And Bob V. isn’t named Bob at all. His name is Joel. My story is art is dead. I killed it. This is my self-portrait and the self portraits of my friends if I say so.
-Patrick Waldron
A gift for you from me
December 20, 2009
I wish you a luscious holiday full of empty calories and abundant laughter.
Enjoy the cupcake.
Wild woman rule: #1
December 14, 2009
I’m bored with rules from self-proclaimed experts. I’d rather hear refreshing stories from wild women that chuck instructions in the recycling bin: the type of women who read two paragraphs of “How To …” magazine articles and decide they’d rather head to the rock climbing gym than finish the article. I admire that crowd.
Writing her own rules: Caitlin Kelley
In response to an excerpt from The Rules by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider, Caitlin Kelley wrote her own rule for meeting new friends and finding romance:
“Play social sports. Play to the best of your ability, and don’t be afraid to get sweaty & dirty. Don’t bother changing back into regular clothes when going to the bar afterwards. Dominate the flip cup or beer pong table, and you can show your feminine side by dancing when Rhianna or Lady Gaga plays from the jukebox.”
Next time you read or hear a rule you abhor, write your own. Send it to me (TheMathematicsofGlamour@hotmail.com), and I’ll post.
A John of many talents
December 10, 2009
“Hi, my name is John C. Kuchera and I am an Artist.
To who it concerns: John C. Kuchera is now living in Harlem, a downtown boy
from the early 1980s is now enjoying the open spaces uptown.
John C. Kuchera has been painting and drawing for years, his style is refreshing and
enjoyable, he uses many a medium but he likes pen and ink and oils with
acrylic. A printer, photographer a porter at Columbia University, farm
worker, security guard in Maine (guarding mice) a janitor cleaning banks,
even a copy writer, his most famous copy was, Yes, Virginia we do toilets
(for a Cleaning service) © Kuchera”
Thank you, John, for guarding mice and adding your peace to this site.
A rupture in the rules
December 9, 2009
“When you’re with a man you like, be quiet and mysterious, act ladylike, cross your legs and smile. Don’t talk so much. Wear black sheer pantyhose and hike up your skirt to entice the opposite sex! You might feel offended by these suggestions and argue this will suppress your intelligence or vivacious personality. You may feel that you won’t be able to be yourself, but men will love it!”
-From The Rules by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider
Write your own rules. Send to me, and I’ll share.
