BookLust

I Got Posted 15

This was a first for me in illustrating for the National Post – I did the illo without reading the article until the paper came out this morning! I was just given a brief description of what the article was going to be about (hey in the newspaper biz everything's done at the last minute, right?) and away I went. I haven't had time to post a larger version on my portfolio site, but will try and do so within the next day or so.

Not one of my best illos, to be sure. Perhaps due to the content of the article. 'Cuz guess what the article is about? Yup, more blog-bashing. Sigh. The title of the article is Divided they blog, and is written by a fellow named Adam Radwanski.

Here's the gist of the piece. According to Radwanski, blogs suck at political discourse, because there is no true debate, just right-wing and left-wing blogs who are simply preaching to the converted. Hence my illo of the blogger on his soapbox, giving his blogging sermon on the mount. Here's some of the article:

The blogosphere is good for music and trading notes on pop culture. It can be great for sports commentary. It's a way to pass time for those interested in reading the mundane details of strangers' personal lives.

But what it is absolutely lousy for is political debate – mostly because what it encourages is not debate at all, so much as support groups in which the converted preach to one another about the evils of some dark and mysterious enemy. Those frequenting blogs don't learn much and their views are rarely challenged. What they get out of the experience is having their own views reinforced over and over again, until even relative moderates are converted into hard-liners.

For simple reasons of geography, other outlets cannot do that. A newspaper can be liberal or conservative in its editorial stance, but there simply aren't enough ideologues in any given city for it to be sustainable as a one-sided pamphlet. And with the broad base of viewers needed to draw in advertisers, the same usually goes for TV networks.

A Web site, however, is a different matter entirely. With little or no overhead and no geographic restrictions, it can be successfull just by cobbling together a few thousand fans somewhere within a country's borders.

The result is that opinionated Americans no longer have to suffer the ordeal of encountering views they disagree with. Instead, they can simply go online and find an endless supply of writers eager to tell them that they're right and everyone else is wrong.

Sigh... where to start with this? Hmmmm. Well, first off, it's difficult for me to comment in any great detail about political blogs because I don't read enough of them to create a really well-informed opinion. I'd love to know how many political blogs this guy read before he wrote the article. I will admit, that based on the very few political blogs I have encountered, that there does seem to exist this divided group of right and left-wing blogs, and it's not very easy for the twain to meet and discuss matters with any amount of civility. (In my limited experience, the blogs that are really intolerant of dissenting opinion tend to be the right-wing blogs).

But let's face it. These people and their differing views would exist with or without blogs. The divisivness we encounter in the world of political opinion has had a strong life of its own, long before political blogs began to grow in number and popularity. The beauty (or ugly truth?) of blogs is that we can all get a very clear and for the most part unedited perspective of what people are really thinking all across the world. Can we get such diversity of opinion in newspapers and television? Of course not. Editors choose what articles are written, as well as what letters to the editor get printed in the paper, based on their own biases, as well as what their advertisers want in there. And how many letters to the editor get printed in a newspaper in response to an article? Three if you're lucky? How broad of a perspective is that? And television? Oh pulease. What variety exists there? A few large corporations own most TV stations and newspapers, and every word that comes out of that idiot box is based on what those large corporations want to be said. But go on a right or left-wing blog (or any kind of bloody blog for that matter) and you can sometimes read hundreds of unedited comments of people from all walks of life. You are getting a real-time barometer of human thought, be it good, bad, or just really damn ugly and stupid. The opinions you read are unfiltered, and unbeholden to any advertising company or large corporation.

It boggles my mind this endless criticism of blogs from the print people. Be it political blogs, or personal blogs or creative blogs they just don't get it. It all sucks as far as they're concerned. Yes, there is good content, and there is bad content. But these print people fail to see (or simply choose not to see) how blogs are a phenomenal new and dynamic conduit for communication, and yes, for misunderstanding, too. But the fact is, with blogs we all are free to do either.

Before I go, I must leave you with an audio clip, created by the wonderful, delightful, funny, witty and just darn adorable Bookpuddle. He created this audio file a few months ago, in celebration of his one-year blog anniversary. His analysis of why he blogs, and the wonder of blogs is exactly how I feel, but have never been able to express so clearly and concisely. Click here, to listen to the audio post, and enjoy the warm and wonderful voice of Bookpuddle.

There's No Place Like Home... To Work Your Butt Off!

This is the last illo I created in that series for wHaggle.com. Here's a larger version of the illo.

Yup, it's true what they say. You buy a house and the work begins, and it never, ever ends! Maintenance, repairs, renovations, cleaning, yardwork, yada yada yada! I love doing the work, it's just that lately it's been a question of finding the time (and the energy!) This summer has been chock-full of freelance work, so it's been very difficult organizing my time for all the things I have (and want) to do.

So what sort of freelance stuff have I been doing? Well, just recently I finished illustrating a gift book about etiquette for dogs and their owners, which is written by the author/dog trainer Sarah Hodgson. I created over 70 black and white illustrations of every kind of dog imaginable. Poodles, pugs, beagles, bull dogs, dachshunds and great danes ... I'm totally dogged out! The book will be published by John Wiley & Sons, and will come out this September. I'll definitely be blogging about it, once it's out!

I'm in the middle of illustrating a 93 page educational workbook which will be published by the company FlashKids. It means drawing at least one spot illustration per page, so I've been doing one heck of a lot of sketching!

Also doing some fun spot illos for Scholastic Canada, as well as some pirate cartoons Scholastic U.K. It's the first time I've ever drawn pirates, and I've discovered that I love drawing pirates! Who knew?

And I just signed my publishing contract with the publishing company Red Rock Press to create that little Valentine's Day gift book which will be coming out in 2008. I was just tickled pink when reading the line that I had to sign; it reads: Author/Illustrator! So exciting!

Anyway, all this rambling is my way of saying this is why I've been a delinquent blogger. Many apologies, and will try and make up for my errant ways very soon.

Play With Your Food

No sooner did I get over my Typepad troubles then I was plagued with web and email woes. Sigh. But for now, everything seems to be relatively stable. For now.

A while back the charming and oh-so-delightful Isabella wrote a fascinating post about cigarette vending machines which have been converted into instant art vending machines. The organization behind this is called Art-O-Mat, and they are always on the lookout for new artists who would like to contribute to this amazing creative venture.

I was a tad jealous of Isabella, because she's managed to find some Art-O-Mats in the very hip and creative Montréal, but as far as I know, no such vending machines can be found in Toronto (if anyone knows different, please tell me!) Well you know what Isabella did? She bought one of these cool Art packages, and mailed it to me, without even telling me ahead of time. I simply adore getting packages in the mail, especially delightful surprise packages.

In a little note to me, Isabella wrote that she couldn't remember the exact title of the work of art – but that it was something about playing with your food and pierogi. Quelle suprise! Just what I've always needed: a pierogi finger puppet! Isn't it adorable? Even the cats were amused.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: You're the bee's knees, Isabella!

Typepad Stress

Typepad's most recent technical difficulties regarding posting comments appears to be fixed now. Sigh. So I will now return to stressing about more fun things, like overwhelming deadlines.

So go comment your heart out!

I Got Posted 14

Another National Post illo. I'm so busy I've had no time to weed the lawn. It looks like hell! Must carve out some time...anyway, here's a somewhat larger version of the illo.

Intriguing article. Not sure how to comment on it, because I have no idea what university campus life is like these days. Basically the author of the article, Barbara Kay, is questioning whether we as women really have 'come a long way', baby. Although there are more women going to university, and these numbers are continually increasing, according to some people, the female students aren't actually getting much work done, due to the never-ending distractions one encounters these days on campus:

Nineteen-year old Hailey Wojcik from Guelph is supposedly "studying" Sociology and Communications at Toronto's York University. But mostly she's trying to find a public space where she doesn't feel sensorially or territorially besieged.

She begins her day with the pre-shower "towel dance" in the co-ed bathroom. Sometimes in the neighbouring shower stall, there's "that couple that has to ruin it for everyone...'What the hell is that noise? And then, Ew, awkward'".

Later Hailey wants to study, but her residence room is too distracting - MSN, TV, phone, constant visitors. In the library, even in the stacks, the chatter of cell phone users chases her away (cell phones are banned in theatres and concert halls, but not in university libraries?). There's a nice study room in the basement of her residence, but sadly "There's this couple that comes in and hard-core makes out...".

Never mind, it's now mid-afternoon and time for pot - (literally at 4:20 p.m. every day). Pot isn't Hailey's thing, she prefers booze, but anyway all drugs are readily available, to those of legal age or not. Thursdays it's karaoke in her room, then serious puke-level party time. Finally, after a techno-intense day of surfing Facebook.com, text-messaging in 500-strong classes (those she attends - notes are available online, [Hailey] has a direct view of her roommate's enormous collection of empty liquor bottles". Later she awakens to the roommate having sex with a guy ("Whatever.") But when they get into "X-rated activities" and the guy suggests the roommate ask Hailey to join in a threesome, Hailey bolts from the room "and I just hid in the stairwell".

Hailey Wojcik never seems confident or even cognizant of her right to personal dignity and modesty. Why, in spite of her discomfort, does she meekly tolerate shower sex 10 inches away? Why does she displace herself from her own bed and room to accommodate her roommate's noisy hook-up? (Why for that matter cede the library to the cell-phone users (cexile?))? Hailey's experience is a depressing gloss on women's vaunted "empowerment": She has the "power" to join in the social campus norm of promiscuity and indecency or slink off into voluntary sexile. Some power. Some feminist triumph.

Didn't Tom Wolfe write about this in his most recent novel, I Am Charlotte Simmons? Was ol' Tom actually right about his views of women and campus life in our new millennium?

I spent almost three years at McMaster University many years ago, working part-time in the University Library and majoring in English. My life paled in comparison to Hailey's experiences, that's for sure. I occasionally enjoyed some good parties, but most of the time I was too busy with school work and library work as well as doing freelance cartooning, too. If you have to support yourself in school, how the heck do you squeeze in all this quality party time?

Unfortunately, for a number of reasons I didn't finish my English degree, a fact which my mother still likes to bring to my attention, from time to time. I've already got a diploma in Library Techniques, Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design. Add my university years to that mix and you got a little over eight years spent in post-secondary education. Sheesh. Do I really have the energy to do any more schooling? Every now and then I contemplate the possibility.

And don't worry, Mom. If I do go back to school, I promise I'll be a good girl.

When I'm An Old Lady

My mom emailed me this cute poem tonight, and I just had to share it. I think she's still recovering from helping me out with the twins, and is plotting her revenge on my brother.

UPDATE:
I recenlty received an email from David Baxter, who tells me that his mother, Joanne Baxter, of Lorain, Ohio, is the author of this poem. He also sent me the correct version of this lovely poem, which I have now updated.

When I'm an old lady, I'll live with my kids,
and make them so happy, just as they did.
I want to pay back all the joy they've provided,
returning each deed. Oh, they'll be so excited.

When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.

I'll write on the wall with reds, whites and blues,
and bounce on the furniture wearing my shoes.
I'll drink from the carton and then leave it out.
I'll stuff all the toilets, and oh, how they'll shout.

When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.

When they're on the phone and just out of reach,
I'll get into things like sugar and bleach.
Oh, they'll snap their fingers and then shake their head,
and when that is done I'll hide under the bed.
When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.

When they cook dinner and call me to meals,
I'll not eat my green beans or salads congealed.
I'll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table,
and when they get angry, run fast as I'm able.

When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.

I'll sit close to the TV, through the channels I'll click,
I'll cross both my eyes to see if they stick.
I'll take off my socks and throw one away,
And play in the mud until the end of the day.

When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.

And later in bed, I'll lay back and sigh,
and thank God in prayer and then close my eyes,
and my kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping,
and say with a groan. "She's so sweet when she's sleeping!"

When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.

Freedom!!

Yup, Lynn Johnston sure as heck nailed that sentiment in this snippet of her strip. I am home! And free! At least from the responsibilities of taking care of kids, anyway. I got plenty of responsibilities to tie me down here, but I ain't complaining.

Now don't get the wrong idea; my brother's twins are adorable, but let's face it. They're twins. And they're smart. And full of a never-ending supply of energy. Add an excitable beagle puppy who thinks the family cat is just another chew toy and who hasn't quite grasped the art of always deficating outside yet, and you've got one hell of a challenging mix.

Really, I should have known I was going to be working extra hard last week when I discovered that the twins had created their own personal slogan. They're fraternal twins by the way. So yes, the twin battle cry. Alyssa pumps her fist in the air and yells "Double!", to which Colin responds with "Trouble!", his little fist thrust in the air on cue.

But like I said, they are adorable, extremely smart (perhaps that was why it was so challenging, yes?) and bursting with confidence.

Colin has a great sense of humour and the most bewitching blue eyes. Those eyes will get him out of a lot of trouble over the years, of this I am sure. He's also a talented little musician, and entertained my mother (who helped out a lot!) and myself for the week just about every day, practising his songs on his keyboard. He takes lessons at the Royal Conservatory of Music, and while I was there last week he got a letter in the mail telling him that he received high honours for his latest music exam. Not bad for an adorable eight-year-old!

Alyssa is an extremely intelligent child who wholeheartedly admits to being a 'girly-girl', but would like to try her hand at being a tomboy from time to time. However, she makes it very clear that even if she does convert to tomboyism, she will always worship The Mall, no matter what. She confessed to me last week that she wanted to be a published writer, and make as much money as Dan Brown, or maybe even J.K. Rowling. I had to explain to her that the average writer does not make that kind of money, but it shouldn't stop her from achieving her dream. So we sat down together and collaborated on a little book which she wrote and I illustrated. Sadly we did not get a chance to finish it, and to make matters worse, the beagle, Leo, chewed off the front cover. Alyssa is already learning all about the pain and misfortune of being a struggling writer.

This girl also asks a lot of questions. Some not so easy to answer, either. Here are some samples:

"Aunt Patricia, you're famous, aren't you?"
(Well, that one was easy to answer)

"Do you think my Mom and Dad spend too much money on our house?"
(I plead ignorance)

"Aunt Patricia, how much money do you owe the bank?"
(I teach her the meaning of none of your business)

We were happily swimming in the pool at my mom's appartment, when this beauty popped out of her mouth:
"Aunt Patricia, is life just a dream? I mean, am I really swimming in this pool right now, or am I dreaming this all?"

What the heck are they feeding this child?

Anyway, as much as l love those kids, I'm happy to be home in my child-free environment. I have nothing but the greatest respect for all parents, because it is one hell of a damn hard job, and it never ends. How do all you parents keep going with such little sleep? The mind boggles.

I have a little framed drawing which I bought many years ago, that sums up my parenting skills. It's a drawing of a cat, and beside it are the words:
Cats are like children, only with fur.

Life Among the Savages

Does anyone remember that book by Shirley Jackson? Well, since last Thursday that's been my life, and that's why I haven't posted. Fool that I am, I said yes to my brother when he asked me to babysit his eight-year-old twins, skinny cat and out-of-control beagle puppy for a week while he, his wife and eldest kid have a good time in Calgary. What the hell was I thinking? Oh god I can hear the twins fighting right now as I type this.

I'll try and post later, but I can't guarantee that; this is one hell of a full-time job. How does any parent manage to carve out time to read a book with kids and pets? I brought a whole bunch of reading material and have managed to read three pages of a book so far. Can't wait to get back to my home and get some sleep!

And the best part? I've found out that I'm still allergic to dogs....