Survey result...You're in love!

With No. 2!!! 

Well, 57% of you are anyway. The remaining 42% of you voted for #1. He seems to be taking it in stride though. 

In Search of...The Ugliest Figurines in the Universe

I have this idea for a TV show where I travel around to flea markets, barfy gift shops, etc. in search of the world's most hideous figurines. Thoughts? I have a small collection of my own. But many of the world's most hideous figurines are just too pricey or too terrifying to actually bring into one's home. Like this one...

It's made by some famous-name expensive company and it costs about a gajillion dollars. The head is life size, so you can put it on your nightstand to inspire the most creepy nightmares, and then in the morning it's there to catapult your existential nausea into full-on violent hurling. Yay!

$1449?

Is that how much it costs to buy it? 

Or to have it removed from the universe permanently? 

Survey! Which one of these are you in love with?

Use survey buttons at at top right to answer 

honestly and confidentially...

Thank you. 

Moleskine City Notebooks

I bought the Moleskine City Notebook last year and I highly recommend these for city travel. They make them for every city. It has all the maps you'll need, including subway. Plus it's small so you can use it while you walk around without feeling like you're holding a giant sign that says, "Hi! I'm foreign! Please rob me!" 

It also has transparent sheets that stick over the maps like a big post-it note, which allows you to write notes on the maps without ruining them... 

And like all Moleskine notebooks, it also has plenty of pages for notes and drawing, as well as pockets to stash stuff. 

Artist Spotlight...Bodan Litnianski

Artist Bodan Litnianski built this amazing labyrinth of walls constructed entirely of trash, found objects, and creepy dolls. More on this website. Is this not the ideal venue for displaying creepy dolls? Dolls are just creepy, innately. If you keep them indoors, they just hang out and plot how to kill you :) 

I LOVE this one...

© photos Benjamin Teissedre - Laurent Jacquy

I learned about this artist from the documentary film, The Gleaners and I, in which filmmaker Agnes Varda follows a variety of rural and urban gleaners. Gleaning means picking stuff up off the ground that's otherwise bound for the trash, or already is trash. It could be following behind crop harvesters or rifling through dumpsters. 

Survey Result! Which one of these are you?

The results of my recent survey (posted 1/19/10) were truly SHOCKING!

A whopping 90% of you are this one...

While only 1o% of you are this one...

Are you surprised? I was. This was a HUGE wake-up call for me... Why are so few baked potato heads reading this blog? HOW can we bring more of them in? Do we even want to? Thoughts??

Thank you to all who participated in this survey!

Film Pick...Persepolis

I read the graphic novels a few years ago. But I put off seeing the film until recently. I was afraid it would be a disappointment by comparison. Far from it!

The DVD has a special feature about the making of the film, which is fascinating. Author Marjane Satrapi talks about how she wanted the animated version to be based on the graphic novels, but really be its own animal. Knowing nothing about animation, she had the smarts to team with filmmaker and comic artist Vincent Paronnaud to realize this vision. 

In this special feature, you also get to see the animators at work. And it's animated the old-fashioned way - hand drawn! 

Minicomic Mania!

My latest minicomic is here! 

7 pages of full-color, wacky fun.

Before you do something you may regret...

Call the Macrame Crisis Hotline...

They're there to help you with YOUR macrame crisis.

24/7.

It's never too late to call TOLL FREE...

Much Merch

I have so much MERCH!! So many piles and piles of it are overflowing out of my warehouse that it's inspired the name for my new store, Much Merch. (Like the ultra-snazzy Canadian MTV channel equivalent, "Much Music" eh.)  

Survey! Which one of these are you?

I want to learn all about YOU!  

So, which one of these are you?

Use survey buttons at top right to answer!

Thank you. 

It's back to class!

I'll be skipping off to class at Worcester Art Museum this week!

Everyone's doing it. Even these two. Don't they look psyched?

~vintage postcard from Paris~

Hate Potluck?

Bring this...

You'll never get invited again!

I guarantee it!

A giant blob of mayonnaise...

I stumbled upon this book recently. It was published in 1958. I think the following food items had just been discovered because they're in every recipe, often mixed together: mayonnaise, canned pineapple, gelatin, pimentos, and cream cheese.

For example, WHY is this fruit platter being served with a giant blob of mayonnaise on the side? WHY?!

Some of the recipes in this book are so bizarre that I'm almost tempted to try them, out of sheer morbid curiosity.

Reverse Xmas Ornament Reject Pile (RxORP)

A co-worker was dismantling her Xmas tree recently when she found this ornament that I made for her in 2005. It was in a box, tucked behind some other misfit ornaments that also didn't make it onto her tree. I can't imagine why she wouldn't want to hang it! I mean, look at the fine craftsmanship...

RIP Eric Rohmer, filmmaker

French filmmaker Eric Rohmer died on Monday, January 11. He was 89.  I've enjoyed so many of his films, and watch them repeatedly. He captures the awkwardness of new friendships, acquaintance-ships, and romances so well. His characters are unflashy and cheesy, which amuses me to no end. This article describes the appeal of his work perfectly.

This photo is from the film Claire's Knee. A highlight is the location, a house on a lake surrounded by the French Alps. You'll want to jump through your TV set... 

A photo from another Rohmer favorite, Boyfriends and Girlfriends...

Merci Monsieur Rohmer.

Survey Result! Which threat frightens you more?

It was a close race! 58% responded that this guy frightens you more than the incomprehensibly disgusting cheese mold recipe below!

42% responded that this cheese mold is more frightening... 

So then, what if...

Hi there. 

The Veselka

The Veselka is my favorite restaurant in NYC. Their borscht and their potato and cheese peirogis are the best! Located on 2nd Avenue and 9th Street. 

If you want to torment your tastebuds while overproducing some saliva, download a menu from their website! 

Dribbles in love...

A fun little piece I did recently... 

Survey! Which potential threat frightens you more?

This Fruit-Nut Cheese Mold  -or- This guy...

Use buttons at top right to place your answer.

Thank you!

Artist Showcase...Debi Libuda

I have been admiring Debi Libuda's work since we first met working together many years ago at a plant nursery. And now I finally own one of her pieces! (pictured here), 'Jack in the Pulpit.' Debi's passion for plant life and nature is evident in her paintings. The thick texture and infinitesimal detail to color and light that she uses makes these subjects appear to be vibrating with an intensity of energy and life that's truly striking. 

Best Feet Forward...

I've been so busy the past few months that my studio was beginning to resemble a heap of rubble. So I decided to dig out a bit before I submerge myself under the next wave. Here are a few photos to document the current state of things in one little corner...

Hello there. 

Feet!

Lump Winner!

                             Lump "B"!

This is the result of a survey that I posted January 1st, 

in which respondents were asked to select 

which one of the two lumps above they preferred.  

A great big 'Thank you" to all who participated!

Film Pick...Strangers on a Train

This is my favorite Hitchcock film. It's beautifully filmed and Robert Walker is genius as the psychotic Bruno Anthony. He's so convincing as the affable fellow on the outside that when you discover his crazy nutball center, you feel as duped as Guy Haines. I just love the idea of this story - an instance of casual, everyday small talk going so horribly wrong. 

Also, Patricia Hitchcock's performance is a treat. She's so dorkily adorable. This is one of those films that I have to watch at least once a year. 

Freak Bucket, vol. 1

I'm putting together my first 64 page book of comics. The pages are done. I just have to fight the urge to re-do them, because it's like I'm looking at them anew as I assemble the book. (help!)

The working title (for now) is 'Freak Bucket.' Although another title I'm considering is 'Hot Donut Salad.'  Thoughts?

Important survey...Which lump do you prefer?

    Please cast your vote NOW! 

(voting buttons at top right)