Some Big Damn Fat Black Cats

These are some cool cats i made for 'Black Cat Bone Films' which will be given as awards today during The International Film Festival in Rotterdam. They'll be awarded to the three most outstanding members of the production crew from the film, 'Spion van Oranje'. And won't they be glad that they worked so hard when they receive these mischievous fat damn cats in their purple Wra'stlin Suits!...

President Barack Obama!

Oh My, There are absolutely no words that can describe how ecstatic i am that Barack Obama has become the 44th president of the United States...it is a beautiful thing! Nor can i describe how incredibly happy i am that Mr. Bush has skedaddled his sorry ass back to Texas. It's just a shame that there wasn't a paddywagon waiting to take him to jail to await trial for war crimes, crimes against humanity and failure to adhere to the Geneva Convention.

But, i'm just too damn happy to even dwell on that right now. This election has helped to heal so much and has inspired so many. One thing i've also noticed is that artists have been incredibly inspired by this man. On Flickr there are some amazing Groups showing their Obama Art. This piece by TMNK (The Me Nobody Knows) is definitly one of my favorites...

And lastly i would like to leave you with the Photograph of the Day which i snatched from a very entertaining blog by one of my fellow southerners, Cajun Boy In The City. Laterrr, You Babbling Idiot!

My Gallery of 'Paint By Numbers' Paintings...

I've never collected anything. I'm crazy about Flea Markets and there are all types of things that i absolutely love; transistor radios, vintage dresses, classic furniture, old luggage and handmade items. But there was never that one thing that i compulsively shopped for. But last year, something snapped and i started buying 'Paint By Numbers' paintings. The question is, 'Why?' And like most collectors....i'm really not sure. Just love the whimsy i guess!


They were first brought to my attention by my buddy Marlin Seal who is one of the neatest guys i know and an avid gatherer of cool stuff. He has an amazing collection including things like boxes of 'Mr. T' Breakfast cereal, a 'Pee Wee Herman' Doll (still in the box of course), an autograph picture of O.J. Simpson from his professional football days, Star Trek Spaghetti O's. Actually i made the last one up, but who knows, he might have that too. All of this stuff is in storage somewhere in Mississippi....a museum just waiting to happen!

So,...hmmmm...Paint By Numbers.... I have about 20 of them now.
The cool thing about them is that they usually cost around 3 euro's. Typically, i'll find one at a market, hold it up to ask the vendor how much it is and he/she will say, "2 euro's for that frame" never guessing that i actually want the tacky picture inside of it! My favorite? Probably this Weenie Dog. He's just so pathetic!

And, just for the record, i'm not the only funny pants that does this. They are actually quite collectable in the states. I've since found out that the Smithsonian actually has an exhibition and a very interesting website on the subject. There was also an absolutely brilliant show at the Corey Helford Gallery in which they gave artists old 'Paint By Number' paintings to rework and then sold them for charity. To view 'before-and-after' shots of these paintings, which i highly recommend, click on this link, go to 'Past Shows' and then choose 'Charity By Numbers' in the drop down menu.

But gosh, I hope that they don't become popular here in Holland. Heaven forbid that they should go up to 5 euro's a piece!
(click on the photographs to view a larger image)

Wishing Everyone A Beautiful New Year!

I want to wish all of my readers An Enchanted 2009! Yes, enchanted...why not? May we be imaginative, kind, patient, and joyous. (And, may we never lose our damn keys, burn the hell out of dinner or endeavor upon a DIY project resulting in the evacuation of a whole city block and pending relationship therapy.)

On Febuary the 4th, 2008 i began this blog and i must say that i've really enjoyed it. It's funny though...i can see via my visitors map and my web statistics that quite a few folk from all over the world come and visit my little virtual space. But, i don't know who you are & i'm just dyin' to know! If you have a sec, please introduce yourself. (Click on 'comments' at the end of this post to leave a reply or, even better, go to 'Follow This Blog' in the right hand column and post your photograph!)

I must say that 2008 was a really wonderful year for me. Marko & i performed at some outstanding Ukulele Events such as The Ukulele Rejects Show hosted by Sonic Uke in New York, Craig Robertson's Ukulele Caravan-Houdini Revisited Show and The European Ukulele Festival hosted by RISA in Gross Umstadt, Germany ...Amazing experiences and beautiful folk all along the way. Oh, and the Ukulele Highlight of the year was definately Bosko & Honey's visit to Rotterdam during their Ukulele Safari. We've got the video to prove it! I also embarked on some really fun projects which have taken off quite nicely such as the Ukulele Interventions & The Jumping Flea Market. I'm very much looking forward to developing these projects plus much more in the coming year!

Many many thanks to so many of you who have supported, inspired and delighted me. May the New Year bring us all Great Joy!
Yours Sincerely,
Shelley