moody
feeling out of sorts.
listened to Little Simz this afternoon.
‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ - Little Simz (2021/Age 101 Music)
holy sh-t…
a few things, now that some Dust has settled:
bookmarking where i’m at with weepy – cover came together last week.
feeling into the “doubling back” part of the loop-de-loop, too.
taking the time i need to take – no rush.
ok, bye bye
signs
one of the better M. Night Shyamalan movies, i think.
i recall chatting about Signs at work recently. or maybe that was something else…
take a look at these two trailers for Signs: low quality vs. high-er quality. low quality looks like a ’90s Chris Columbus flick – new Culkin.
i digress…
inspired by Sam’s hand diagrams and reminded of sign language diagrams, namely the ASL alphabet.
first sign learned from The Lady: “i love you”
trying stuff with color – “yes, that’s happening!”
Youtube got me again… more signs (p.s. don’t beat your kids… !)
fooled around with Dust Devil while sorting a bungled purchase.
s’alright – but maybe not my cuppa.
toronadoes
got no business with tornadoes, but when lightning strikes… !
seems i like adding an “o” to “tor-o-nado” and an “e” to “light-e-ning” – something i’ve come to realize in all this.
sure, why not?
too hot
introduced to Mary Howitt’s poem ‘The Spider and the Fly’ by an unexpected source: ‘Too Hot To Handle’.
surprise, surprise… i’ve got a shape for that!
The Spider and the Fly
By Mary Howitt
“Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly,
“‘Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to shew when you are there.”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.”
“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?” said the Spider to the Fly.
“There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “for I’ve often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!”
Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, “Dear friend what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome–will you please to take a slice?”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “kind sir, that cannot be,
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”
“Sweet creature!” said the Spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I’ve a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.”
“I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you’re pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.”
The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
“Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple–there’s a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!”
Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue–
Thinking only of her crested head–poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour–but she ne’er came out again!
And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.
tail end
didn’t feel wrapped on the last two mixtapes – cause they weren’t… needed to put attention toward the tail end: track list design.
lettering reference from ‘Ideal’ tin
track list in ‘Avenir’
tips…
… and tail
it’s not that things are now made “final, final”, necessarily; but it helps identify decisions made.
sidenote: cat time reminded me of a time signature explainer i ran into. classic internet vibes – i dig.
couple album plays from the last few days. got into these between “heads down” sessions. it’s been a ride, enjoyed these pitstops.
Willow and Secret Sidewalk are both trying out some new things – cool to hear it.
‘lately I feel EVERYTHING’ - WILLOW (2021/Universal)
‘Sutro Sound Bath’ - Secret Sidewalk (2021/Primal Dap Sound)
gonna keep on creepin’ on with drawing and jamming and whatever else…
ok, bye bye!
phone sketch
working on the TV/ofrenda drawing, really getting into the phone and iterating with color. i like where things are going – digging the offset version, too.
had imagined the whole drawing as black and white line work, but this yellow phone is pretty fun.
i really like this part of the drawing. looks like a necklace, or something.
or, something…
Cat Time
happy of myself for making it through this.
‘Cat Time’ mixtape design iterations. ‘Ganache’ served as a base for the lettering – ‘Cheers’ vibes, for sure.
Kit Cat-ified, with a Simon twist – ba-da-bing!
better be on cat time, or f--k around and find out.
thanks Sam, for bringing this into our lexicon. and Simon, for your vigilance… !
removed a couple tracks from an earlier mixtape – felt more like self-sabotaging projections than my feelings. still really like the music, just not in that context.
“Silver” - Caribou, ‘Our Love’ (2014 / Merge/City Slang)
“F-ked Up Kid” - Kevin Drew, ‘Spirit If’ (2007/Arts & Crafts)
bedtime – gonna brush and floss.
thumbs up, for rock and roll!
ok, bye bye… !
coed dryer
the barcode label on one of the wooden drying racks gave up the ghost this afternoon. “coed”…huh?
went back to the source after deciding to hang on to the label – wanted to see if there were any others.
lucky me, there were two:
nice nice lettering.
i just like it.
4Runner traced sketch pieces. reached a threshold with graphite on trace – needed fixative.
layer by layer it goes: primary outlines, window and interior shading, decals, highlight identification… ? no idea what i’m doing, but i’m enjoying myself.
french curves
‘Complete Stretching’ - Maxine Tobias & John Patrick Sullivan (1992/Knopf)
picked this up in the ballet days, trying to achieve better flexibility and turnout.
slightly different goals nowadays. glad to have held on to this.
came across ‘Bob and Brad’ today. super helpful, given the current circumstances.
“Skeleton Sam” with shoulder-saddled Gumby were eerily on the nose… !
visualizing auto encounters. just getting started, trying some things out. here’s where i’m at:
‘Courtesy Van’
Toyota Warhawk… ?
using french curves for the first time – in earnest. it’s interesting. gonna take some getting used to.
Pearl’s Shapes
“A Single Pale Rose” - ‘Steven Universe’; Season 5, Episode 18 (2018)
pain in the neck
tweaked something…
rolling out using the golfball Sam brought home from a free pile we passed on our walk Friday evening. it’s just the right size – score.
learning to slow down, take my time, breathe… finding relief in the process, too.
call your mother
i know… i will!
first, there are some things on my mind i need to process
“ARE YOU WITH THAT?” - Vince Staples (2021/UMG) directed by Jack Begert
Vincent… !
for those jaunts through Justice:
“Randy” - Justice (2016 / Ed Banger Records/Because Music) an installation by Thomas Jumin
“Love S.O.S.” - Justice (2018/ Ed Banger Records/Because Music) directed by Edouard Salier, creative direction by Pascal Teixeira
“Heavy Metal” - Justice (2016 / Ed Banger Records/Because Music) directed by Filip Nilsson, featuring the Norfolk State University Spartan “Legion” Marching Band
enjoyed the behind the scenes footage, too.
“New Lands” - Justice (2016 / Ed Banger Records/Because Music)
“On’n’On” - Justice (2011 / EdBanger Records/Because Music)
very similar to The Maccabees “Pelican” music video. a friend pointed that out – glad they did.
“Stop” - Justice (2016 / Ed Banger Records/Because Music)
“Fire” - Justice (2016 / Ed Banger Records/Because Music)
“Audio, Video, Disco” - Justice (2011 / Ed Banger Records/Because Music)
“Civilization” - Justice (2011 / Ed Banger Records/Because Music)
“DVNO” - Justice (2007 / Ed Banger Records/Because Music)
“Stress” - Justice (2007 / Ed Banger Records/Because Music)
indeed.
“Kill Me” - Indigo De Souza (2021/Saddle Creek) directed by Jordan Alexander
this track closed out the set i listened to on the drive out yesterday (notes in little notebook) – felt pretty epic.
“Nova Anthem” - Lower Dens (2012/Ribbon Music) unofficial video, edited by David Dean Burkhart using footage from the Apollo 11 launch.
listened to Nootropics on the drive home. thought of this video and that i’d reflected on it back in May, 2013, too. boomerang, baby.
leaving breadcrumbs to Apollo 11 Saturn V Launch Camera E-8 footage – so awesome – and DDB's video for Bear in Heaven’s “Cool Light”.
‘Adult Themes’ - El Michels Affair (2020/Big Crown Records)
started listening to the larger list of tracks again tonight, this time opening with El Michels Affair’s “Enfant”, an instant ear-worm since hearing via DJ Pili Pili on KALX a week-or-so ago. followed by Sparks' “Sextown USA”, which i picked up from qb(X)’s set leading into Pili Pili that same night (and maybe in that order… !), then “Much Obliged” by the Allman Betts Band.
yeah, ok, alright. that’s one way to start… !
![“Electric Feel [MGMT Cover]” - Still Woozy (2020/SME)thought of Woozy’s cover, and this video, earlier. feeling the feels – makes me smile.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe3879c1b0fe27a93b68856/1626400059400-RAORPIRU6UOIJ4JX9M74/Screen+Shot+2021-07-15+at+6.46.33+PM.png)
“Electric Feel [MGMT Cover]” - Still Woozy (2020/SME)
thought of Woozy’s cover, and this video, earlier. feeling the feels – makes me smile.
![“Creep (feat. Radiohead) [Very 2021 rmx]” - Thom Yorke (2021/Beggars) artwork by Jun Takahashi/UNDERCOVERsome just want to see the world burn… ( •̀ᴗ•́ )و ̑̑](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe3879c1b0fe27a93b68856/1626364143968-WB99FAYBJMBZR9TY4IKM/Screen+Shot+2021-07-15+at+8.45.57+AM.png)
“Creep (feat. Radiohead) [Very 2021 rmx]” - Thom Yorke (2021/Beggars) artwork by Jun Takahashi/UNDERCOVER
some just want to see the world burn… ( •̀ᴗ•́ )و ̑̑
“Change (In the House of Flies)” - Deftones (2000/WMG) directed by Liz Friedlander
although… mentions of Deftones in the “Creep” remix comments brought me back to this iconic music video - noice.
bedtime – have an early call with the Lady tomorrow morning.
ok, bye bye!
channel surfing
‘WandaVision’ - (2021/Marvel Studios) directed by Matt Shakman, created by Jac Schaeffer
started this a few weeks ago and got back into episodes this week.
ooowee!!! even Wanda has a “Wanda”… !
‘Maps of Home - ACTION EDIT’ - John John Florence (2021)
watched after ‘GQ Sports Breakdown’ videos featuring John John and Kolohe Andino.
watching more surfing vids – super badass… !
‘Rawhide Braiding’ - Essential Craftsman (2021)
Youtube suggestion, likely due to the increased volume of farrier videos… i watched it, of course – very cool.
Essential Craftsman has a lot of construction content, watched another video on using a tape measure – learned some neat things!
another GQ Breakdown video, this time with hunter Steven Rinella – super interesting!
gotta loop back around and watch Part 1.
“help yourself, fresh lemon”
spotted yesterday on the walk to dinner.
made a sign for some glass jars we offered curbside.
sketched out ideas and lettering. kept it simple.
bottom right sketch was the last – then tracing, and inking.
scanned the inked version before launch this afternoon. here it is with an after-the-fact digital adjustment: bigger jar.
worried no one would want our jars, but that box got scooped pretty quick. guess it had curb appeal… ha!
happy of myself and this process – yay!
everyday shapes
‘My Favorite Shapes by Julio Torres’ - (2019/HBO) directed by Dave McCary
watched ‘My Favorite Shapes…’ a few weeks ago – inspired.
lost one of my favorite shapes not long ago (so long sweet hand fan…) and worried i lost another on Tuesday.
keeping record of my shapes more explicitly now, starting with my everyday shapes:
bright, orange, and reminds me of a friend – makes me happy ;)
keys: essential. Alaska keychain is a recent addition – an indirect souvenir.
DIY leather notebook cover carrying two (sometimes three) pocket Moleskines.
multi-pen, currently inked with two black Monteverde refills and two Pilot refills: one green, one red.
Monteverde > Pilot
yellow leather wallet, yellow leather wallet, yellow leather wallet
upgrade – birthday gift to myself.
“incognito mode” sunnies. longest lasting pair, nearly a decade now… ?
tea tree toothpicks – nice alternative to chewing gum.
impulse buy with pharmacy training memory attached. liking this “flavor”, too.
this just in: new hand fan. from the Portland Japanese Garden, same as last; but also different. still getting acquainted, and will not be carried in my back pocket…
view from the desk yesterday. clouds looked real high – probably cirrus? want to remember this.
and this, a little later on, too.
had a difficult time writing yesterday – going back and forth and feeling stuck between. thought i’d be able to tie things off, but ended up needing more time. that’s ok, there are no deadlines here. need to remember that.
slow down – there’s no rush. take the time you need.
common assets, vol. 4
it’s that time again. this year marks the 10th trip ‘round since moving out here; though, i haven’t spent nearly as much time calling this place home. it’s been… a journey. still is, too. and with reflection on the menu tonight, thought i’d go over some of the specials.
here goes…
‘SOUR’ - Olivia Rodrigo (2021/Geffen Records)
“LAW OF AVERAGES” - Vince Staples (2021/UMG) directed by Kid Studio
dig this.
‘Call Me If You Get Lost’ - Tyler, The Creator (2021/Columbia Records)
SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE … sheeesh!
“Corso” - Tyler, The Creator (2021/Columbia Records) directed by Wolf Haley, aka Tyler Baudelaire, aka Bunny Hop, aka The Creator; cinematography/DP by Luis Perez
favorite video from the rollout.
experiencing a streak of luck with neighborhood “free stuff” offerings. some finds from yesterday, and this afternoon:
‘Five Hundred Self-Portraits’ - Julian Bell (2004/Phaidon Press)
‘Over and Over: A Catalog of Hand-Drawn Patterns’ - Michael Perry (2008/Princeton Architectural Press)
‘The Art Quilt’ - Robert Shaw (1997/Beaux Arts Editions)
trio of KOH-I-NOOR stencils from a free pile i passed on my walk home today.
“landscape template”
“isometric ellipse template”
“architectural symbol template”
Youtube started suggesting these S&S Horseshoeing videos and, long story short, i’m hooked. well timed too, following a farrier focused crossword clue from a week or so ago.
anyhow, i really like Sheldon’s videos and learning what farriers do.
some lick-em horseshoe stamps a pen friend included in a recent letter. i mean, c’mon… !
Valida’s 06/27 KCRW set (thanks for the intro, Sam!)
some of the stickier tracks i heard:
‘Program Tvog Kompjutera” - Denis & Denis (2019/Croatia Records)
“Will You Be?” - Baltra (2021/Local Action Records)
“Ani Kuni” - Polo & Pan (2021/Hamburger Records)
and remember…
it’s OK to feel good.
hall monitor
rounding up some stragglers… like the stop sign patches.
kept it simple, but had some challenges with design transfer. given the circumstances, using stencils worked really well.
picked up some red velveteen fabric from “the depot” (aka “garbage arts”) and added fusible stabilizer for structure.
transferring the design to the velveteen pile was a no-go (tried it… was a mess). instead, traced the reversed design onto the stabilizer. stitched outlines in stem stitch from the wrong side, which gave me outlines in back stitch from the right side – bingo.
4-way stop pooty-hoop
revisiting process photos reminded me that i watched all of ‘BoJack Horseman’ while working on these earlier this year – woof…
i also spy my hand fan, which i lost somewhere along my walk to work last Saturday. bummed. it was one of my most favorite shapes.
the webby bits leading back to anchor knots look neat. those knots are temporary though and get cut away in the end.
one, two, three, and four. farthest right is the prototype. lives on my jacket now – left shoulder.
so happy with the velveteen. it does shed, though.
lint rolling the edges before adding the border cut down on fluff everywhere, gunking up the stitches. ended up with a little sticker monster at the end, too.
edges all finished. backside view, before getting tagged.
hand-sewn polyester ribbon tags. fussy, sure – but i enjoy it.
thread glyphs on the backside – an unexpected delight.
“hall monitor” lookin’ ass…
nice, nice, nice
finished these in May. sorta feel like i’ve neglected processing them – didn’t mean to.
feel that way about a few things in the queue and i’m doing my best to maintain, and sometimes regain, momentum.
i don’t have a segue, but this and this are mixes that came together last week. leaving some evidence of them somewhere instead of waiting for… i don’t know! so, there they are!
ok, bye bye!
status update
status update on "762" (aka kitchen door curtain panel): finished blanket stitch along the vertical edges.
used DMC size 8 pearl cotton in topaz with Tulip big eye straight thin size Sashiko needle for these Sashiko-inspired stitches.
sketching to document and ideate – no set orientation yet. originally imagined the vertical yellow stitches as an edge-to-edge field, but that may be relentless… got seven vertical lines of topaz stitches in so far. leaving that area as is, for now.
picked plum and antique blue pearl cotton from my stash to start stitching with next. they compliment the topaz stitches and silver-gray fabric pretty well. yeah, i like that. onward!
DMC size 8 pearl cotton in plum (718) and topaz (725), and smaller size 12 pearl cotton in medium antique blue (931)
listened to the back half of this for the first time this morning. woof… thought i oughta save it here.
swapped the order of two songs on DO NOT ENTER, too. listened to it during my shift today – feels better…
ok, bye bye!