Time Capsule

Stumbled upon this in my old college stuff. Can you believe it's 9 years old? Seems so current.

Bukowski; Something Like Warhol Said

Maybe I'll start naming all my posts as if they are episodes of Studio 360. (That's an inside joke that nobody will get. Does anyone listen to that show? Nobody ever talks about it except in the New Yorker. Not a good sign.)


"Either nobody's a beauty, or everyone is." Or something like it, I give myself permission to quote inaccurately and with impunity when not at work. 


I love Bukowski, he was such an unapologetic sentimental bastard. 


Me and him, we're saying the same thing. He's just being a badass about it.


The Secret
by Charles Bukowski


Don't Worry, nobody has the 
beautiful lady, not really, and
nobody has the strange and 
hidden power, nobody is
exceptional or wonderful or
magic, they only seem to be
it's all a trick, an in, a con,
don't buy it, don't believe it.
The world is packed with
billions of people whose lives
and deaths are useless and
when one of these jumps up
and the light of history shines
upon them, forget it, it's not 
what it seems, it's just 
another act to fool the fools
again.


There are no strong men, there
are no beautiful women.
At least, you can die knowing
this
and you will have 
the only possible
victory.




Just to prove that Bukowski was blowing smoke with all this angry alcoholic nihilism, I offer this rejoinder.


You Don't Know What Love Is (an evening with Charles Bukowski)
by Raymond Carver


You don't know what love is Bukowski said
I'm 51 years old look at me 
I'm in love with this young broad
I got it bad but she's hung up too
so it's all right man that's the way it should be
I get in their blood and they can't get me out
They try everything to get away from me
but they all come back in the end
They all came back to me except
the one I planted
I cried over that one
But I cried easy in those days
Don't get me onto the hard stuff man
I get mean then
I could sit here and drink beer
and nothing it's like water
But let me get onto the hard stuff
and I'll start throwing people out windows
I'll throw anybody out the window
I've done it
But you don't know what love is
You don't know because you've never
been in love it's that simple
I got this young broad see she's beautiful
She calls me Bukowski
Bukowski she says in this little voice
and I say What
But you don't know what love is
I'm telling you what it is
but you aren't listening


...


I'm 51 years old now and I'm in love
This little broad she says
I think you're full of shit
and I say baby you understand me
She's the only broad in the world 
man or woman
I'd take that from
But you don't know what love is
They all came back to me in the end too
Every one of em came back
except that one I told you about
the one I planted
We were together seven years
We used to drink a lot
I see a couple of typers in this room but
I don't see any poets
I'm not surprised
You have to have been in love to write poetry
and you don't know what it is to be in love
That's your trouble
Give me some of that stuff
That's right no ice good
that's good that's just fine
So let's get this show on the road
I know what I said but I'll have just one
That tastes good
Okay then let's go let's get this over with
Only afterwards don't anyone stand close
to an open window.

Marimekko Love

Guess what everyone's getting for Christmas this year?

As of tomorrow, the Crate & Barrel below my office will also house a Marimekko store. This is very dangerous! My cloth napkin collection has already grown to two fully stuffed drawers! I already have my eye on their pillows, and my tiny Marimekko dress (thank god leggings are in or else it would be scandalous) is one of my favorites. I doubt they will carry apparel but I will certainly let you know!

Keeping The Doctor Away

Sometimes I wonder how I'm going to fill my sketchbook with things I want for my future when I'm not the most technically proficient illustrator. I have a lot of big ideas that I can't figure out how to represent on the page. In instances when I solve the riddle of how to work with my skill level, it makes me very happy.

Click for full size.

Yesterday I woke up sick, after running an awesome half marathon on Sandy Hook. I think one of the ROTC kids working the aid stations must have had a cold and passed it along with the gatorade. As unpleasant as I feel, I'm really excited that my new favorite drawing came out of it. I'm also grateful that I had some beautiful apples left from apple picking with my favorite West Coaster. Sometimes everything comes together.


Oh, and the Pats won! All in all it was a good Monday, despite the head cold.

A Page Out Of My Book

My sketchbook, that is, which I am filling with things I'm looking forward to in my future.

So far all my drawings are in blue ballpoint pen, which appeals to me because it screams "amateur," a label I embrace. I have spent the last two nights adding color with my vast collection of colored pencils, which I have accrued over a life time from who knows where. I think a lot of the sets were presents, so thanks, friends and countrymen. I decided as much as I enjoy the blue and white aesthetic, it's probably much more interesting for the reader if it's colorful.


Speaking of interesting, I am in complete awe of Sophie Blackall's Missed Connections art. I added her blog to my sidebar, so hopefully she updates on a regular basis. You can purchase her prints on Etsy for $40. A cheap price to pay for magic. I would really love to ask for one for my birthday but I can't decide if it's really creepy. Check it out and get back to me on that one.


After I was done coloring I spent a good bit of time sharpening my pencils, which I probably do once a year. (When they get really dull they just go out of rotation.) Looking forward to a sharp start next time I get colorful!