Spring Fashion 2011: A Plethora of Prints
March 27, 2011
The Fashion World has roared: “Prints are in.”
I was bold in junior high. I wore various printed tops to class: bright beetles and satin comic-strips. It got attention.
The chutzpah slipped away in high school, and ultimately disappeared in college. The mantra on campus was look like everyone else.
Spring 2011 Fashion is not my motivating factor. {Enter red-head and The Magic School Bus.}
Ms. Frizzle. The teacher’s fancy frocks remind me of true glamour.
Where does Ms. Frizz shop? Does she design her own clothing line? Is she on Match.com? Is her first name Fran? Lots. of. questions.
Despite my fictitious admiration for the scientist, I do realize she does not exist. But I do believe that many crafty women carry little pieces of Ms. Frizz’s splendor and philosophy as they roam the streets.
Let the Frizzle wild. Rock the rhinos.
It’s on me: A drink for a doodle
December 12, 2010
You get something, I get something. I’ll buy your therapy.
Dish out your self-portrait. Be creative + crafty or dangerous + sharp. Be you. Exaggerate. Pour out some paint, throw in some mud, use your fingers, and make a mess!
Why should you waste time with chunks of crayon, erasers, and glue sticks?
Therapy. It feels really good. And who isn’t a tad narcissistic these days? Check out my mermaid waves. Also, I’ll include a link to your website if you want some attention.
Other than a free therapy session (unleash your inner tarantula or unicorn), I buy you a drink. Since I can’t and won’t take you out for a drink, I’ll send you a drink via snail mail. (Spend it on cotton swabs or jelly beans if you don’t drink alcohol.)
I get the doodle, and you get the drink. Win-win-WIN. There are stipulations, of course. And I don’t just give drinks away. Effort is necessary.
Here’s what you get when you give:
→Share a self-portrait with your story, and you’ll be savoring a delicious PBR in no time. $3
→Bacon beer in your belly. Submit a diorama with the story, and you will taste the meat in no time. Cheers. $5
→If you are eco-friendly and apply organic materials to the caricature (with story), then salt up the arm, a tequila shot is on the way. Tequila! $7
→Ambitious and dangerous? Two drawings with two stories = One delicious dirty martini. Encourage a friend to play! $9
→Delight your friends. Collect 5 self-portraits + stories. Send. Celebrate with a round of shots. $21
It’s easy to submit. Fill out the form.
Spring break rat
April 27, 2010
Master of all
March 20, 2010
I don’t specialize in one thing. I don’t want to. I lean more towards master of none rather than master of one. Both figures of speech are ill-fitted in the hip and shoulder area. I’m looking for attire that better suits me. Preferably with lace and zebra stripes.
How about Master of All?
Sounds powerful. Sounds like a challenge.
Dream big, and more importantly, do big. Right?
Moving on to March 20th. Today is the first day of spring. It feels fresh – full of kites, cheap beer, burnt hot dogs, and rosy new sunburn. Yearly aspirations should start today rather than the bleak of winter, January 1st.
I am 27 today. Rather than listing the things I want to do this year, I’d rather list the hats I want to wear. It’s open-ended. Direct paths prohibited. Figure it out as you go but just get there.
The Different Hats of The 27-Year-Old Kira:
1. Bee Charmer – It’s been my vision ever since I watched Fried Green Tomatoes.
2. Vixen – I received my first astrology reading from my new friend, Ophira of the Astrotwins. Without revealing details, I apparently have an inner-stripper that is clawing to be unleashed. Hmm…
3. Zebra Philanthropist - Striped cocktail event in the works for May! Hyenas prohibited. Cheetahs will be given case-by-case consideration.
***I assure you that I am picky with my bonnet and beret collection. To prove it, I will share another list.
Beanies Kira Will Not Wear This 27th Year:
1. Troll Collector – Been there, done that.
2. Fire Eater – Maybe next year?
3. Mayonnaise Enthusiast
If you feel inspired on this lovely spring day, please share some of your new seasonal hats.
“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly, specialization is for insects.” – Robert A. Heinlein, Time Enough for Love
My cowboy grandpa
February 25, 2010
Self Portrait in Sub-Mission by Sean Samuel Kelly
“This drawing came to me in a dream, thus the title. I was having one of those eye-opening episodes we all have in our early twenties. Trying to find my purpose in the grand scheme of things, the cosmic connections, the wanting heart and desperate brain. I was feeling kind of low and inspired.
I lived in a little farming community about ten miles outside of Chico California called Capay. I lived with my grandparents. My grandpa was an old cowboy who was known for his little doodles and drawings that were scattered about his home and workshop. Mainly little cartoons of cowboys urinating on a cactus or something silly.
He was watching me one day as I was drawing my self portrait. He was giggling and giddy about it. It made him proud to share his creative gift with me. The piece itself comes from a deep, dark place but humor and balance are evident throughout, like life I guess.”
-Sean Samuel Kelly from Portland, Oregon
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 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
Sharing secrets with Google
September 23, 2009
Are people more likely to share their secret thoughts and questions with Ms. Google rather than their own friends and family? The reliable search engine could be the world’s new confidante.
Personally, I don’t want to share a best friend. Jealousy ensues. Things get messy.
There must be some virtual vault in Google’s zainy mansion that captures our world’s most intimate questions. The treasure chest is free from judgment. It contains truth in the form of misspelled thoughts and mysteries. Vulnerability hides in the bottom left-hand corner.
As a multifaceted guru, Ms. Google has a variety of relationships with millions of people. Is your own exchange emotional or factual or perhaps something else? It takes time to fully develop.
I have a few favorite search phrases that have led people to my website:
“babies with really long necks” Yikes.
“toe wrestling” I’m glad I am not the only one interested in this sport.
“is there beer at medieval times?” Yes, lots of it. Enjoy the booze.
“why are balloons sexual?” I wonder how Ms. Google answered this one.
“i made him wear heels” Congratulations. I’m impressed.
“gchat etiquette” I don’t believe it exists, hence I signed off for good.
If you feel confident in your relationship with your search engine, send me a few of your best or most intriguing “exchanges”.
Fashion forward five-year-olds
September 20, 2009
While at the zoo this weekend, I noticed a stylish little girl wearing assorted animal prints. The zainy mix motivated me to juxtapose my own zebra and leopard prints. Could I be as bold as this five-year-old? It made me think…
This kindergartener wasn’t actually the daring one; one of her parents made the adventurous fashion move. Why not?
I am 100% positive that I will test out potential fashion trends on my future kids (not anytime soon). Since certain design elements intimidate me, I’ll play with fashion and dress up the future little tyke. Trends will spread via kindergarten.
If you’re in search for the next BIG thing this fall, look no more at the display windows. Hang out at the nearby playground. Just don’t be creepy.
Color on a Monday and send to me.
A tribute to all the awkward people
September 15, 2009
I suppose writing exercises improve one’s technique, but it usually makes me question certain aspects of my life. Let’s take the first free-writing topic in my creative class this evening:
Write about the last time you got into trouble.
Failure. Blank canvas. I don’t get into trouble. I haven’t. Why haven’t I? Total nerd. New weekend goal: Get into trouble.
And the second free-writing subject:
Write about the first awkward moment that pops into your head.
My head swells with clumsy conversations, inelegant exchanges, and floundering fumbles. And this is only from the past week. Names, faces, and a wave of anxiety collectively hit me and quickly fade into comic relief.
I like awkward. I live by it. It’s the only thing that really makes sense to me. I’d much rather live my days in a sticky dish over a polished one. By definition, awkward means difficult to deal with. Sounds like a challenge!
Linger outside of your comfort zone. Get out there, squirm, and learn.
If you’re reading this and you’re a bit clumsy at times, send me your best story. If you’re a troublemaker, I can learn a thing or two. Teach me your ways.
