It's been awhile since I've contributed to Illustration Friday – both the size of the mob (over 420 for this week's topic) and its mentality (all things cuddly and computer-generated) being somewhat off-putting – but this weekend's trip to Montreal got me some face time with an old friend, a Cheshire Cat I painted for my sister Rachel a long time ago (the dust on top is practically embedded).
"But I don't want to go among mad people," Alice remarked ... Stella was in prime form this weekend, a joker-acrobat pouring forth her unique blend of complaints, demands and ha-ha deceptions. Fortunately I had a big bag of presents to bribe/threaten her with, although most of it was clothes. Notice my feline friend in the background.
Almost every visit there's a point where we end up in some kind of diner. Why? Because four year-olds are easily bought off with grapefruit juice and fries. Oh best friend, why does your price-tag always include extra ketchup?
One of the more fun things I gave to Stella this weekend was a dvd of Astro Boy episodes. My thinking behind the purchase had been something along the lines of: Let's have a little break from Dora and pretty ponies. Of course, Astro Boy is a bit dated and retro, and the whole thing could have backfired, but Stella seemed to dig it.
On Friday I managed to finish The Battle of Algiers. This is one of those now-I'll-know-what-they're-talking-about kind of viewing choices, in that you know before hand that you'll be consuming a cultural reference rather than entertaining yourself. Because the film, while lacking the special-effects means to be too repellent, is not entertaining. It is a grim, march-step look at the birth, defeat and reincarnation of a revolution. There are no good guys and bad guys: just different sides terrorizing each other. The leader of the French paratroopers, Col. Mathieu, succeeds for a time at reducing the entire exercise to a logic problem, but the end of the movie turns this upside down, with the victory of the irrational crowd.
And finally, the amaryllis ... C didn't want to bother with this but I held firm on the point, and then carefully nurtured it, and I feel its present bloom is a vindication of my choice for some quiet beauty, however fleeting, around the house (C wanted to spend the money on ring dings and red wine ... quelle surprise).
* * * * *
"But I don't want to go among mad people," Alice remarked ... Stella was in prime form this weekend, a joker-acrobat pouring forth her unique blend of complaints, demands and ha-ha deceptions. Fortunately I had a big bag of presents to bribe/threaten her with, although most of it was clothes. Notice my feline friend in the background.
* * * * *
Almost every visit there's a point where we end up in some kind of diner. Why? Because four year-olds are easily bought off with grapefruit juice and fries. Oh best friend, why does your price-tag always include extra ketchup?
* * * * *
One of the more fun things I gave to Stella this weekend was a dvd of Astro Boy episodes. My thinking behind the purchase had been something along the lines of: Let's have a little break from Dora and pretty ponies. Of course, Astro Boy is a bit dated and retro, and the whole thing could have backfired, but Stella seemed to dig it.
* * * * *
On Friday I managed to finish The Battle of Algiers. This is one of those now-I'll-know-what-they're-talking-about kind of viewing choices, in that you know before hand that you'll be consuming a cultural reference rather than entertaining yourself. Because the film, while lacking the special-effects means to be too repellent, is not entertaining. It is a grim, march-step look at the birth, defeat and reincarnation of a revolution. There are no good guys and bad guys: just different sides terrorizing each other. The leader of the French paratroopers, Col. Mathieu, succeeds for a time at reducing the entire exercise to a logic problem, but the end of the movie turns this upside down, with the victory of the irrational crowd.
* * * * *
And finally, the amaryllis ... C didn't want to bother with this but I held firm on the point, and then carefully nurtured it, and I feel its present bloom is a vindication of my choice for some quiet beauty, however fleeting, around the house (C wanted to spend the money on ring dings and red wine ... quelle surprise).
Oh my! I love the Cheshire Cat. That's perfect for IF. Hey, I think this if the first photo I've seen of you. Great to put a face to your wonderful witty voice.
ReplyDeleteNice, all of it.
ReplyDeleteAll the more reason for you to contribute, mix it up a bit!
ReplyDeleteCool Cheshire, sir.
That cat is scary...
ReplyDeleteRe: your comment on my blog - I haven't changed at all, but perhaps you made the mistake of thinking that my online persona is all there is to me.
Cute pic in the Restaurant of you and your best friend ! :) The cat is really cool ! A trip to Montreal, I hope to do that sometime.It will have to be on the list of things to do.
ReplyDeletewonderful post. :)
ReplyDeleteoh it's a hard decision... ringdings or amaryllis. they are both so beautiful of course. but one tips over all the time and makes a mess and the other just makes a mess of your hips.
cute niece!
Ooh, I love me some Cheshire. What a fantastic leer and such vibrant color! I still really dig the texture of your work. nice.
ReplyDelete(I think you have done your niece a great favor by introducing her to Astro Boy. I am hoping to convince our son that there is something better than the mass-market licensing a la Backyardigans and such...but I don't have to worry about that just yet.)