Neon Danger Sweat Shoppe

Collage

2012-02-12T20:42:00.000-06:00

I don't really get pinterest but i can't stop looking at all the pictures of stuff i like

Manifest Up North; Cabin

2012-02-07T00:01:00.003-06:00

up north

2012-02-01T00:36:00.000-06:00

Made an Up North mix for the weekend:

You can listen to it here: Up North Mix

Messengers from the Wilderness

2012-01-28T23:25:00.001-06:00

Artist statement: Messengers from the Wilderness: In nature, balance is achieved over long periods of time without human interference. It is this balance I seek from nature to inspire within myself. One may prevail over others for a period of time, however that power will eventually reach an apex and naturally decline, allowing other forms to be born and survive. In this sense I look for messages from nature to help mature the rules that govern myself, and society at large--a way to deal with urban growth and the destruction of natural beauty and resources.

This is a mixed media drawing collaboration; each artist was given a piece of paper with no restrictions to materials and had no knowledge of my personal theme/title for the show. Once the artists determined it was time to switch, they finished the drawing I started and I finished the drawings given to me by each artist.

Artistic collaboration raises questions regarding ownership and relationships that disrupt self identified and audience identified icons of a heroic figure of the solitary artist. I am continually trying to grow my identity as artist with that of community member and learn what this relationship can achieve. What does it mean for an artist to set aside their internal dialogue to focus on larger conversations? This was my small step along that path.
It was the first time I have worked in a blind collaborative manner--largely an experiment about giving up control--a challenging thing to do. I selected friends whose art work I enjoy, thus I could not stop preconceived ideas of what each artist would do with what I gave them--what we would ultimately create together. In the end the unknown was nerve wracking simply because of its affect on time management but the stochastic elements were very satisfying and balancing. This different approach to the muse allowed me new ways to think about my strategy to drawing , how my ideas will translate to an audience and to allow for acceptance of change.

New work on fabric

2011-12-04T17:56:00.001-06:00

These are the tags I made for the shirts

2011-11-30T05:50:00.001-06:00

To all my friends and lovers: my mouth will follow the rules; my heart and mind trapped like a rat. In all my life I've probably only had a handful of honest, "Hellos."

A thumb to smile, if I ever do, run up and hug you. If I ever let me hold your hand. If I ever let you see me cry--ring out. If I ever said anything truly cutting, my middle finger. If I ever looked in your eyes and could say nothing at all.

Consider yourself true and I say thank you.

2011-11-20T13:05:00.001-06:00

2011 Milwaukee Film Festival

2011-09-22T11:52:00.000-05:00

Tonight is the MFF 2011 Opening Night Party!

Put together by Ghazal Sheei

I'm really excited to go. I'm sure it's gonna be a great party.

One Third Progress...Milwaukee Film Festival Poster; Nostalgia Por La Luz

2011-09-14T02:41:00.000-05:00

This is a tedious learning experience. I'm enjoying the lesson as I sigh in frustration....

Apply to 2011 Hovercraft!! Deadline Oct 3rd

2011-09-13T00:52:00.001-05:00

HOVERCRAFT

Feel like getting weird & showing off creative fiber? Be my guest.

detailsdetailsdetailsdetails:

http://hovercraftmke.blogspot.com/2011/09/interested-in-vending-heres-your-info.html

Please tell a friend.

Nostalgia Por La Luz

2011-09-11T22:21:00.001-05:00

I was asked to make a poster for the movie of my choice for the 2011 Milwaukee Film Festival. My choice was Nostalgia for the Light.

I decided to do a relief print from multiple linoleum cuts. Here is the start of it. First I did 25 Monoprints that will have space stuff printed over it in black. Next step I will print the linoleum cut in four or five different colors, cutting more image away as I layer. Stay tuned for more pictures.

Head On Electric

2011-09-08T01:02:00.000-05:00

Late-night shopping with college kids is funny

2011-09-02T00:18:00.001-05:00

First Apartment and the Cupboards Were Bare

Filled to the brim with 2 liter soda bottles--only 2 liter soda bottles

A wild place

2011-08-31T04:58:00.002-05:00

Wild flowers grow in loving clumps--twisting around each-others' fuzzy peduncles.

The bird flies by and pinches them off with its beak--is it a him or a her? Would you eat this bird? Would you give it mouth to mouth resuscitation if it flew into your house? And did you know that resuscitation was spelled like that before you spell checked.

The stalks are woven into a little cup of a nest and balanced on a low saucer branch--crisscrossed like grandma's knobby fingers, carefully, carefully . The bees swing by to collect wild flower nectar and sting the bird through the walls it built. The bird cries out in pain but everything in the meadow thinks it's a lovely song. No sleep till winter.

The waves seemingly come from nowhere, Moon is getting pregnant and greedily drinks in the cold water. She's tired from running around Earth all day trying to get him to notice her. Gleaming so bright to stand out amongst the stars, she takes off her slip and falls to a dark bed. The baby is made of cheese.

It's glass, the water; moves for her, has no choice. It breaks into shards and smoothly reforms into one large body to swallow human feet--they turn to ice. I heard an old man shout, "Feels good to finally have a part of me become colder than my heart."

The bottom is a protruding puzzle, a cobblestone road under an encapsulating dome to a sea creature town. Feet stumble and stomp an earthly uprising. Crabs pinch the world into submission in crab dreams.

Family

2011-08-31T04:53:00.002-05:00

Jordan, Alyssa, Amber, Dad. Photo by Megan

Alyssa and Megan. Photo by Matt Chic

Madeline Island: a photo journal

2011-08-31T04:51:00.002-05:00

HoverCraft returns at Sweet Water Organics

2011-08-29T21:08:00.001-05:00

http://sweetwater-organic.com/

Cosmos

2011-08-21T21:21:00.002-05:00

The present, it doesn't exist and the past, it burns in space.

And the Woods Stood Tall

2011-08-17T21:14:00.003-05:00

Said the bear to the woods, "Oh lovely trees haven't you noticed I've lost all ability to care? This fish tastes dead. My Honey's not sweet. My paws won't scratch when my heart barely beats."

The woods stood tall and looked away, "My dear bear, I wasn't aware. Come sleep in my shade and I'll care for you."

"Your branches look strong and I love the way they bend, if you wrapped them around me it would help me mend."

The moon came out, full and round. The bear sat but no longer felt down. The world was new and starry eyed, there was music in bear's heart and the woods stood tall.

Hover Board

2011-08-07T11:34:00.002-05:00

I made a hover board for Rockin Roller Remote Controller.

Blow Me Up

2011-07-21T15:24:00.002-05:00

AQ Khan's got the bomb
AQ Khan's got the bomb
Merchant of Menice's got a dirty job
Better watch out for Pakistan

It's growing dark so let's be trouble makers
We'll drink and smoke and go dancing later
It seems like terror's on the rise
but I feel much calmer when I look in your eyes

So blow me up
Blow me up
Blow me up with your love

You say you don't want me but please let me stay
In a little while baby we'll blown away
Is the fun we're having making me tremble
or is it their plan to assemble

Iran's got it too there nothing left to do
There's no time to waste I want to spend it with you
You won't even have to kick me outta your bed
Cause tomorrow morning we'll all be dead

So blow me up
Blow me up
Blow me up with your love before the bombs do

2011-06-05T23:11:00.000-05:00

Sketch 1: 6/5/11 9:54PM

2011-06-05T22:54:00.002-05:00

Breakfast

2011-06-05T10:39:00.002-05:00

Earth sweating heat, no salt today, please stay
Soy Chorizo, plastic casing, orange fingers slicing and spicy
Fry them up onion and Crimini--immune supporter, heart enhancer, breast cancer suppressor, pus B12!
Throw a handful of chick peas, watch them jump
Sunflower seeds hiss and wiggle away
Whole wheat tortilla bubbles, cheeks filled with air
Palestinian olive oil glistens, it was a fair trade
Smothered in basil pesto, cool her down
Blanket in greens, cherry tomatoes ooze
Impostor sour cream, soothing mound
Apple slices next door
Revolution roast, dark, filthy, experience Wisconsin mugged--I am, every day
Ooh I want to live in you, love you
Plate on table, table on porch, porch up in the air
Partial sun gleams coffee pot, too hot for t-shirt
Book pages stir and cats laze and roll and purr
Your chair is empty, come over

9:22PM in June

2011-06-05T10:39:00.001-05:00

flirting
cars and crying
sirens
banging, moving
cat scratching on sceen
motorcylcle roughage
grill smells
street talk
snaps
laughing
faintly sweaty armpits
no pants, no bra, bear t-shirt and red polka dots
tobacco
dead june bugs on carpet catted, dead flies
tv under floor
dirty feet
smokey mouth
open door breeze and buzzing

Three things

2011-05-23T23:19:00.003-05:00

He knew so many other Mikes--such a common name. He could be a stand in for anyone and it wouldn't matter. The shoes astray on his floor could be any number of sizes; the t-shirt could smell like: detergent, or sweat, or a tomato sauce stain. He sat in his bed staring at the wall thinking about the people he had not spoken to in awhile who never mattered to him, also, about the ones he missed. The process triggered feelings of relief about not having to say the actual words, "Goodbye." It was nothing he felt guilty about. He was absolutely sure he knew what he wanted in life but it had left him long ago. If he looked into anyone's eyes now and felt something sincere he no longer cared.

A brilliant moment happens in her dreams; it stays with her the whole day after it's been had: love, freedom, intensity. She opens her eyes feeling re-born. The thought, "It's happened!" Then just as quickly, "No it didn't." She lies in bed wanting to return, she walks to work stepping backward in her head to the time when she felt happy. She feels a spark with someone even though they don't exist--the moment is alive in her brain. It can't be re-created when she's aware of every breathe she is taking. She spends her whole life trying to find the life she felt in a dream but those moments ignore her. They happen in a second. She can love a second her whole life if she notices it happening.

Driving through V's of gray shale and red boulder aspen sporting a bristly beard dusted at the tip with powder. Dead spires, black and angry are lonely for swaying through their fingers and whirling around the living green needles in a dance of life and death and what is unknown in both. A veil to the bears who stir and ghosts to the rocky tombstones. Snow everywhere gets left behind and we think about stopping to capture an organized flip off.

Manifest West; a photo journal

2011-05-16T04:24:00.000-05:00

The Hussy

2011-04-22T20:33:00.001-05:00

Are going on tour soon with a new album. The stuff I've heard kills. Buy it soon here

The Hussy – Babychild
The Hussy – Pushin’ My Luck

Print Shop Forever: Hung Up On A Dream; Limited Print Edition or 12

2011-04-14T23:35:00.001-05:00

Midnight Print Shop Forever will have a limited addition of 12 prints on sale made exclusively for PSF by yours truly, me. Each print was made from 5 different silk screens, linoleum cut/intaglio printing, hand drawing, painting and glittering. This edition is like a family: each one reminiscent of the other but also unique--these are in placement, color and design.

$70 will get you one. Buy it here.

Statement:

This work is a memorial to the passion and fury felt in Wisconsin beginning February 14th, 2011 but which is ongoing and existed before our time: the beauty and inspiration of Wisconsin as a people; the natural spirit that invigorates--earth and scientific wonders; and the spirit of communities gathering together with common goals, changing each other in small ways.

Art serves the needs of human beings: Belly laughter and tears, gross out moments, community interest and support, preservation of history, drawing music, playing music appreciating music, broad positive social commentary or critique, intimate and/or uncomfortable social settings, interacting with rejects, dreams for day and night, running free, letting wild things be free, appreciating surroundings, growing up, freaking out; my art is for finding value in art as these things are all it. It's the ordinary people who have the most control--if only they care to ignite it.

Here's some pics of the process:

I'll post the full edition of 12 soon.

Workin on stuff, working on stuff, working on stuff...

2011-04-13T00:35:00.000-05:00

This is Backwards

hello. more later.

The Zombies - Hung Up On A Dream

I need a new idea...

2011-03-22T06:35:00.001-05:00

2011-03-17T17:51:00.003-05:00

Eight fifty worth of quarters in my coat pocket were jangled the whole walk home; I hummed. With that came Thursday night. I'll spend it working on music; the clock, it ticks forever. The strumming is off but my heart is on.

The Midwest Beat--Gone Not Lost

2011-03-07T22:12:00.003-06:00

alyssa0001-1 a photo by neondanger on Flickr.

This album is really great. It comes out pretty soon. You can buy it at Dusty Medical.

a brief encounter in the fog

2011-02-07T23:26:00.008-06:00

My Body’s a Zombie for You--Dead Man's Bones

www.flickr.com

Today everywhere outside Milwaukee's east-side was like I got out of the shower but I wasn't naked and I wasn't trying to comb all my slick hair straight back--cheesy business man from the nineteen nineties style--like I sometimes do. A naked face unframed by make-up and hair lets a woman know where she stands in life. Now, I was standing in the street and couldn't reach out to wipe down a better vision of my surroundings.

I looked like a B actress version of a crazy homeless lady; I kept getting red lipstick on my teeth and the wetness made my eye makeup all smudgy. The furry collar of my vintage red leather coat smelled like old people closet and looked like a wet Samoyed jumped on me and gripped both paws in a fashionable and puffy U. I wrapped my scarf around my neck one more time and shrugged off the chill--warm end of December hug--frigid bitch of January on the way. I wasn't catching any cute boys eye looking like this.

I smeared around the water that had collected on my bike seat a little and went to adjust my purse for the ride home. I already had visions of taking off my pants, continuing to watch "Ghost Hunter" with more lights on than the time of day called for. I live alone so things like watching two dudes fist bumping each other about ghost success while I drank kombucha to fight a cold in my underwear does not embarrass me.

When I looked up, cutting through the fog with his huge, white mustache--it, sort of matching my coat collar with a bit more bristle--a man approached me. "Hey little lady, YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT CHANGE IN THE METER FOR YOUR BIKE YOU KNOW!!!"

A black cap, CAT embroidered on the front, he was a man of 63 years for sure. He didn't have an old man saunter that said, "These crooked bones ache from 63 years of grinding," and he didn't have a grizzled voice that said, "Four packs a day, black tar banging on my chords for 63 years!" I have no insight into things like that--he just told me plainly right away, "I'm 63 years old!"

Taken aback by the meter accusation I snorted, "I'm not! I know that..." Geeze, who would seriously think that you had to pay to lock up your bike on a meter? I guess this guy is the kind of guy who thinks it seems reasonable to pay to park your bike on the sidewalk if the law demands it but since it does not, he's out to spread the good news!

"Oh. You were reaching in your purse so I just assumed...What are your fun plans for tonight's festivities? But, I guess that's all New Years hub bub tomorrow night; what are you doing tomorrow night!?"

"Sushi."

"Sushi! My GOD! You know that's RAW fish!" His eyes, had since been little were now fully, crazy wide.

I wouldn't be eating the fish parts cause I have a vegan diet and would instead be lavishing myself in expensive dolled up vegetables. He agreed, "Good," in a very sincere way that uncharacteristically made me want to extend the conversation and I asked him if he had any plans himself.

"Darn girl! I'm 63 years old (again) and I got some part-time work to do in a plastics factory in Menomonee Falls."

Menomonee Falls, a land perfectly paved to roller-blade to the cool kids' pool party in summer, and get pulled behind a Rav 4 on a ninja turtle sled in winter. The actual water fall of "The Falls" is tiny and you can slide down large tortoise shell rocks in your underwear below it with your stinky punk rock friend. It's completely average to most people with eyes but everyone who lives there with money thinks it's better than it is. I babysat in a mansion next door to Bob Ueker's a few times and the parents paid me shit. It would have been worth it if I could have caught a glimpse of Bob Uecker doing something Uecker-like in the window but all I caught a glimpse of was a crying baby and some bored tweens.

The mustache was engaged and flapping. "Do you know they just laid off half the workers two weeks ago?! But, we just got a contract job, thank god. I'm so lucky to be called in for a little work but the men your age mostly didn't. I have seniority. What are you guys gonna do! This countries over. It's just the rich and the poor from now on. That's it. It's over."

"Oh man, I'm really sorry for you and your co-workers. What are you gonna do retire?"

"HELL NO! I'm not sorry. I'm going to work for three more years if I'm lucky. I'm sorry for you young people. What are you going to do?"

"Well, I'm also lucky. I have a really good job." He then seemed impressed nodding, "Lawyer. Doctor?"

"Um no. Not that good...at all."

"You make fifty thousand dollars a year? That's how much I make."

" I...don't make that much money."

He asked me how much my non-existent husband made, congratulated me for not having kids because then i was doing okay and said he respected me for being an artist and following my dreams. He wouldn't let the no husband thing die and was also very concerned about me having kids.

"I have this neighbor who's always coming home at night and just pounding his wife. I can hear it through the walls. He really get's going, pounding her faster and harder and I'm like, what are you doing?! Trying to get more kids? In this economy!"

I laughed but I was starting to get a little uncomfortable hearing the mustache talk about his young neighbor pounding away at is wife all night long. It was as matter of fact as a pounding story could be but just the same the mustache was getting a little worked up. He seemed to regain his cool when I told him with conviction, "Yeah. I'm definitely not trying to get any kids pounded into me right now."

And that was that. The country was over. The economy was lame. The young people were in trouble. His answer to it all was to not get pregnant.

As I see my friends have babies, I see joy and excitement in their growing lives. Babies are new and love bound. In the cliched realization that life happens cyclically, the best way to avoid dying alone is to get married and have kids and I guess it must also be fullfilling or whatever. I've been doing my best to live a punk, feminist lifestyle and I get lost in what it means. I read Please Kill Me and Leggs McNeil said that punk was about acting on impulses as if the world were on the verge of collapse. Then I read Collapse and sometimes feel like I'm making severely wrong choices in my life without being self aware of my depleting surroundings just like the people of Easter Island. Even friends who love you don't realize you the way family does. For now I'm thriving and enjoying immediate life in a way most people don't get to but am I going to be the sole survivor alone on an island without a living tree?

What I see in punk is being a loner whether you relate to the world around you or not and not caring. What I see in loneliness is the chance to live a beautiful life but also a danger of becoming really self absorbed. I think of Pee Wee Herman in his big adventures. A man child living alone with his pets and love of immaturity and stilted growth from attachment to childish things. Refusal of love he doesn't want and freedom in a bike ride. I say, "I'm a loner Dottie a Rebel," too. Of course after his big adventure love is found and I'm sure weirdo babies were had and woken up and served breakfast in a very magical way.

I recently picked up Letters To A Young Poet and in the forward by Stephen Mitchell a jewel of insight struck me more than the letters themselves. "He both loved and feared solitude, he often wanted to escape from it, but it was the necessary condition for his poetry. The monk and the lover inside him, each a powerful and conflicting presence, were never able to merge. But throughout his correspondence, and especially in these letters of 1903-1904, he was constantly thinking about sexual love and the relationship between a man and a woman; and he did see what had to evolve, even if he himself couldn't achieve it...

The letters start from one central topic: an evaluation of solitude as both burden and gift, and as the foundation for all genuine work."

I too embrace solitude that way.

Beyond Blue --The Limes

2011-02-02T15:14:00.000-06:00

California Dreamin'

2011-01-27T01:44:00.000-06:00

L.A. this one's for you. And it's also for me while I drive around in a car in the sun. You can listen and pretend you're doing that too Milwaukee. I hope a certain local band would not care if I put a certain track on here...Ha! I'm gonna anyway...

Download: Three Girls, One California, and a German:

Blow Dumb--Nobunny
Do You Wanna Dance--Ramones
No Substitute--The Shivvers
(Walking Through The) Sleepy City--The Parting Gifts
Rip This Joint--Rolling Stones
Ain't It Strange--The Midwest Beat
My Sunshine--Ty Segall
Drive Me Crazy--The Penetrators
Fields of Love--John Wesley Coleman
Cherry Bomb--Wheels On Fire
All the Kids--Les Sexareenos
Typically Teenage--Milk 'n' Cookies
California Girls/Groove Is in the Heart--Crocodiles
Good To Be--Magic Kids
Dance Away--Smith Westerns
Crybaby--Sugar Stems
Wanderer--The Yolks
Whirlpool--Wanda Jackson
Dimelo Ya--Davila 666
Dancing On You--King Tuff
Goddamn I Love The Ocean--The Golden Boys

Zines

2011-01-24T18:23:00.001-06:00

Man, I should do a zine about all the embarassing shit that I do/happens to me when I'm drunk. I've got some good/terrible ones for sure.

Heart Dogs

2011-01-22T13:33:00.001-06:00

I did this sketch this morning for a dog benefit show that is happening tonight. I heart dogs.
I haven't drawn in a while...whoops.

To hover or not to hover; moving on

2010-12-12T20:08:00.006-06:00

Hovercraft has left my orbit for now but i really loved getting abducted. Vendors served as an inspiration for myself, and I really hope the event made everyone in the community want to go out and create. All of them, as well as spectators, workers, musicians, dj's or aliens made everything magical. Couldn't have asked for anything better while having the time of my life. More pictures here, here and here.

The best thing ever is seeing my talented friends make stuff when they hadn't before. I made some awesome trades and cherish what I got/bought.

Already thinking up ways to make next year different and fun!

NEXT UP 2011

"First you make art to be loved, then you make art to give love." Jeff Koons--found on the back of UNIROYALGAL issue #2.

I know that statement is true to myself despite not quite ever working. There's something in the way and it's either a loud, bossy mouth or never saying what i feel when it matters. I know that what i have found is respect for myself by way or being artsy fartsy. Respect but not purpose; not yet.

-Today I bought a bass, and with clumsy digits learned some very basic stuff. This will be fun and a struggle and what I've always been too scared to do. I'm going to start thinking about songs heavily influenced by Loretta Lynn, The Ramones, and Julie Ruin except terrible and massively unheard by everyone but myself.

-Going to draw something for a The Hussy t-shirt. This is awesome!

-Want to make and screen my own t-shirts to sell. Want to make some new nature prints before stencilitis ink! moves away and breaks my heart.

-Starting to write and draw for a new zine. Possible hand made papier mache masks, dolls, weapons? to accompany. Possible collaboration project, not sure with who.

-Still want to make a stop motion short and get someone to write music for it--maybe jordan.

-RRRC! always.

-Old projects and owed gifts to finish up.

Besides that I foresee this winter stealing much from the summer of 1990; a stack of books lying in my bed--which thankfully, is no longer bunked.

Holla.

True Religion and Bad Company

2010-12-04T19:20:00.000-06:00

Peeps made mixes for music upstairs at Hovercraft .

They'll be available to download soon. I made these shitty magnets to give out.

Hovercraft Free After Party!!

2010-11-30T22:12:00.003-06:00

This show is free with $2 admission to Hovercraft art fair from 12-6 pm!

$5 if you come just for show at 8pm

Totem

2010-11-26T23:51:00.000-06:00

Keep Wisconsin Wild

2010-11-26T16:27:00.003-06:00

Details

This just in! Bacon popular.

2010-11-24T22:50:00.000-06:00

Stencilitis Ink just finished my "Keep Wisconsin Wild" prints!!! I'm really excited to see them tomorrow. I'm actually proud of something I made for once! I'll post a close up pic soooooon.

Kurosawa Dreams 4

2010-11-23T22:16:00.001-06:00

More New Drawings...

2010-11-07T07:53:00.000-06:00

Kurosawa Dreams 1,2,3

New Drawings

2010-11-04T21:17:00.004-05:00

Going Green, Nipple Cactus

Going Green, Hard Winter Red

Going Green, Rosemay

Going Green, Lumina

Going Green Curly Centry

This Saturday!

2010-11-04T10:56:00.000-05:00

Come to THE FORTRESS

2010-11-01T22:48:00.007-05:00

you're a sad teenage girl in the 1970s
found this mix that suits my mood
drawing
tie: self and cat portraits

2010-10-26T03:28:00.001-05:00

Black Walnuts

2010-10-25T23:25:00.011-05:00

Cat Power - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

Arnett, a little eagle, was born with a broken heart. Yes, it pumped blood to and fro, foot to follicle with the exact correct amount of oomph and attitude. Its muscle too had pluck and polish but it held sadness from the moment his mother's contractions--periodic tightening and relaxing of the uterine muscle, the largest muscle in a woman's body--forced him out. He was sad when he was four and in the safe loving arms of his father, knuckling his head with mirth and he was sad now at 31, sitting on his couch petting his dog Frankenstein, listening to the Rolling Stones. Saddness was a part of himself--stuck behind his ear like a pencil--a basic tool for him to use or loathe or nothing about. It ate him up.

He felt sad amongst his warmest friends. Their smiles made him smile. Their jokes made him emanate laughter. As he loved them there was pain in his eyes and an empty twist in his stomach--a feeling that told him he was alone even when he was surrounded. He was especially alone when he was alone.

He wondered if girls were less lonely because they could brush each others hair and borrow each others clothes and admit their weaknesses. He pictured himself a woman of the nineteen fifties with dolled up hair and white cotton gloves. He took them off finger by finger before unpacking the groceries: bleached white flour, bleached white sugar, blueberries, etc. Sweet, sweet, berry pie for a lover. He mixed them in his head with careless delight.

Never would a wife come to a country home with a basket full of black walnuts and lovingly eat his pie and hold his face. Never would they fight and laugh and be unhappy and lonely together. He fantasized he was trapped in expected tasks of a household: dependency, vows of sick and health and no panic attacks of dying alone. Some men would think him disturbed. Like an actual dream, where in a familiar place the dream mind knows what place it is: his house, his school, his country side. But, to the eyes of the mind it is not that place at all in physical traits. In his dreams he knew how to love or be loved.

When he was young he went out, joyous, to the river, alone. New water every day; a new gift to find. He hummed and talked to himself as if in a play. He acted out every role, true to himself and needs. His mind was a friend on these journeys. He jumped, forceful boy jumps. He punched trees. He spat because it felt good to gather the spit in his mouth. Snotty and hot, he would let it dangle from his mouth growing exponentially, then sucked it back like a yo-yo.

It was around this age he found his mother's collection of plastic saint figurines--all women and he borrowed them as super heroes. Each one a ghost, able to find something special in the land. He floated them down the water, racing them with sticks until they stopped stuck in the sand, kissing a rock. They had chosen and now he chose those rocks for a collection.

He would go out late in search of moon rocks and agglomerates and vogesite. He held an empty palm open to the sky and waved a flag he had stitched with reverence, he offered movement to the land. He tattooed his solemnity with every step on an earthen face. Now he and land were a part of each other. Now, dirt in his shoe and rocks in his hand were all he had. Dark was the night and cold was the morning when he returned and his family never stirred in his absence.

Nothing ever loved him back the way the moon shone like a mother cooing to the new baby in her arms. He thought of himself as an old country song that snaked along with the tree roots. He couldn't force the whistle of their tune or find a hand to hold and sighed. What man was needed in the world like him?

The forgotten made him cry. How poor and blue with fear, helpless and truly alone.

What was he to give them.

The ignorant made him desperate. People pride filled, deserving and special.

How was he to change them.

His neighborhood struggled, families grasped and moved on.

Death happened.

Flags danced for one country.

Governments ruled.

His mind could not reconcile that he was in all of it while yet sitting stationary and alone, shirt buttoned, stubble growing more every day.

Cat Stevens - Bitterblue

Less Sketchy

2010-10-24T23:47:00.000-05:00

Best Friends Forever

Sketchy

2010-10-19T00:30:00.002-05:00

First super rough draft of a new print I'm making for Art Vs. Craft inspired by the one and only lovely Wisconsin herself as well as Charlie Harper. Put on your glasses for this one....

Might become Keep Wisconsin Native
neon orange
red/purple
green
black
white

No one looks at this anyway!

2010-10-18T21:29:00.000-05:00

The Midwest Beat will be playing at HOVERCRAFT and t-shirts that I designed will be for sale! (i think)

HOVERCRAFT

2010-10-18T20:52:00.004-05:00

MEET THE 2010 VENDORS!

2010-10-05T00:22:00.003-05:00

2010-10-03T20:42:00.000-05:00

Esther Eloise Seidel

2010-10-01T19:44:00.001-05:00

Mikey's Advice

APPLY NOW AND OR PASS ON THE WORD PLEASE!

2010-09-21T19:01:00.001-05:00

2010-09-14T23:18:00.000-05:00

2010-09-06T20:35:00.000-05:00

Hovercraft is coming!

muscle memory loss

2010-08-27T00:48:00.001-05:00

These mixes are kinda all the same...eh. Woven play lists--sporadic repetition--song pattern cobwebs.

Download

House Boat 2 One:

Kids--Sleigh Bells

Convertiible Balloon--Wavves

Chevy Baby--The Barracudas

Suzy Is a Headbanger--The Ramones

Hungry--The Zeros

Wild Weekend--German Measles

I Want To--Best Coast

Miserlou--The Trashmen

Just Dance--Lady Gaga

Teqkilla --M.I.A.

Waiting --Sundelles

Blackout Summer--Christmas Island

Tropical Birds--Miniature Tigers

Know Better Learn Faster--Thao w/the Get Down Stay Down

Dimelo Ya --Davila 666

We've Won--Jaill

Imaginary Person--Ty Segall

Kind Of Guy--King Tuff

Phone--Magic Kids

Dreaming of you--The Coral

Marathon--Tennis

Two Hearted River--Summer People

White Moon--Beach House

House Boat 2 Two:

Bronze Hell--Call Me Lightning

Watching You--Jay Reatard

No Regrets--King Khan & His Shrines

Callin' All--The La's

Damn' 92--Las Robertas

Mary Ann--The Go

I Saw The Light --Todd Rundgren

Congratulations--MGMT

Heart of Chambers--Beach House

Summertime --Girls

Watch The Sunrise--Big Star

Ride A White Swan--T.Rex

The Young Runaways--Neverever

El Milagro Verde--Los Mirlos

Mad Mama--Jane Bowman

Troublemaker--Shannon and the Clams

A Little Time--The Marked Men

I Won't Get Under You--Hunx and his Punx

Lock & Key--Black Lips

Storm Thru Mississippi--Henry Green

You Got It--Jacuzzi Boys

The Red Bow--That Ghost

Mortal Man--Mark Sultan

Is There Anything That I Can Do--The Four Tops

You've Really Got a Hold On Me --The Miracles

Chasing darkness

2010-08-21T02:29:00.003-05:00

Big Star: Nightime

Young girls and boys ran into the night, white tank tops and white underwear with sweat beading on thieir cheeks, running down like tears, sliding down thier necks and dampening the line.

Their long girl and boy hair shook freely and they were twins looking at twins looking at twins looking at triplets.

The field was sharp and glassy with wet, starlight grasses. Snapping twigs bit their feet like angry turtles and there was a fresh buzz all around them. Afrobeat bug souls and crickets crept in from every direction to cover their eyes and drown them in sea green.

Fireflies hung around them with warm glows like house windows calling on a quiet suburban night, like an empty pumpkin grinning with heartburn, like a bedroom candle, book and stormy weather, like a distant camper town on a Midwestern bluff hillside--all strung up lights and campfires flickering--mimicking poorer, jungle towns, like a full moon bike ride, like a kiss in the night.

These glows were most meaningful throughout her time. She, a twin searching for that glowing feeling out in the country--no one actually knowing what it meant. They ran through the field together but felt alone and fell alone and picked themselves up alone.

A car had raced them there chasing darkness--impossible darkness to find in present time--dominated land time. Darkness is feared when dark hearts can't be found. Myth and magic and stories are squeezed out with light and antiseptic spray and plastic wrapping. A knife cutting flesh makes the meat taste true and pain is not forsaken and relationships are understood.

Florescent light followed them as choking hands and they drove on till darkness knew her name. Fog appeared as woolly mammoth ghosts--rolled in and followed them on their journey.

An empty street. A field. A burning in the sky. A beautiful night. A feeling. All she could be was she. It wasn't an answer but it was a moment of comfort.

The Budos Band – Black Venom

Songbook Art Mockup

2010-08-20T23:47:00.000-05:00

Listening Party Tape Cover for two color print: Rough Sketch

2010-08-04T23:18:00.003-05:00

listening party

Congratulations

2010-08-04T06:08:00.003-05:00

I was never a writer. I always left things like that to B and G--their words moved, stung, loved and killed--and songs not in my life from before--I left the words for all of them. The songs they moved me but never to words.

Now all I can do is lie on this bed, round and lazy, the constant wind blowing over me like a humming key covering my naked body in a friendly blanket. A song hummed too like a little bird hatching and rapidly becoming a mother. Slung beats into my heart, sunk in real good, over and over--dug in deep and then dissolved, slowing my blood, sights set for brain. The hook, flung from the eye, sprung curving shank and barbs really nestle in to drive me crazy and taunt--I was never a writer. I was never honest or able to crack the hardness that needed to be to get to all the goo that people relish--spoon in hand and drooling chin.

I just lie on the windy bed in the dark and think about fat, juicy, grape notes to songs that burst in my mouth with lovely tones I will never comprehend. When I'm down I want to write and self commiserate but to get it out and not sound pathetic with feeling--it doesn't come. I let the song wash over me. The speck of light reflects a plain patch of skin in a mirror and instead I think about tattoos.

I'll keep your dreams

You pay attention for me

As strange as it seems I'd rather dissolve than have you ignore me

The ground may be moving fast

but I tied my boots to a broken mast

Not my words of course.

The moving air feels refreshing in the midst of everything else that feels damp from the heated weather--before, cleaning in underwear on hands and knees, sweat pouring, didn't help clean a dirty mind. I was crazy, plain and violet and new. Images coming now with closed eyes that couldn't be stopped. They were coming without prodding and they were swirling and grinning without alteration or space or time.

This song would feel better in the wind if my skin were touching clean sheets. It would feel better if you weren't touching me with your hot skin or your cold, chattering words. All I want is for you to go so I can lay here and sink in the wind's pressure--it feels like someone's missing.

We would lay in the dark with the wind in the silence and talk when we had words that hovered slowly when spoken. Hovering so slowly we could see them do a dance together in the air and we would watch them sink heavy with prominence and dusty sparkle. Maybe you would read to me so I wouldn't fall asleep. Maybe we'd make up stories about monsters together that would vanish with the light and a soft stroke of finger tips.

I just want the clean wind and your clean words and all I need's a great, big congratulations.

I don't think it matters if I post this...

2010-08-02T20:11:00.004-05:00

Did a drawing for a new MILWAUKEE/madison band that I have yet to hear but am anticipating greatness from called The Spectras featuring three rad women; Erin Dorbin who was previously in The Cave Weddings, Heather Sawyer from The Hussy , and Wendy Norton from Ramma Lamma and who was previously in Plexi 3.

They will be playing their first show Sept 21 at Franks Power Plant in Bayview.

Dad Mix

2010-08-01T16:42:00.000-05:00

He said he like it.

download: i like you dad part 1 and part 2

part 1:

1. Is There Anything That I Can Do--The Four Tops
2. Determination--The Contours
3. People Got To Be Free--The Young Rascals
4. I Don't Believe--The Guilloteens
5. Into A Grape --The Goodnight Loving
6. September Gurls--Big Star
7. I'm Free--The Who

8. Down A Spiral--The Go
9. There's a Place--Flamin' Groovies
10. Milk Cow Blues--Elvis Presley
11. Forget It--Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs
12. Wild Wind--Shocking Blue
13. Papa Don't Take No Mess--James Brown
14. Monkey Man--Toots and the Maytals
15. For Your love--The Yardbirds
16. Stop & Think It Over--The Compulsive Gamblers
17. So Desperate--King Tuff
18. Susie Q--Creedence Clearwater Revival
19. You'll Never Believe Me--Chy Guys
20. Shame Shame Shame--Men at Work
21. Needle In a Haystack--The Velvelettes
22. I Can't Next To You--The Temptations
23. Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)-- The Delfonics

part 2:

1. Daddy Wants A Cold Beer --Menster Phip & The Phipsters

2. Run in the Dark--Lord Alan & Sir Richard

3. Do the Bird--Dee Dee Sharp

4. Dreaming of you--The Coral

5. Talk To Me--Oblivians
6. Laura--Girls

7. Father and Son--Cat Stevens

8. Funny How Time Slips Away--Willie Nelson

9. Hallelujah--Rufus Wainwright
10. Home--Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

11. To a Bond--Islands

12. Some People Ride The Wave--Devendra Banhart

13. Teach Your Children--Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

14. I'm On My Way Home Again--Everly Brothers

15. Ride A White Swan--T.Rex T.Rex
16. Black Dog--Led Zeppelin

17. Too Old To Rock N' Roll Too Young To Die--Jethro Tull

18. Highway Run--Journey

19. Gone for Good--Wendy Rene

20. Sugar Dumpling--Sam Cooke

21. Imagine--John Lennon
22. Heart Of Gold--Neil Young

23. Waiting Around to Die--Townes Van Zandt

Rock N Roller Remote Controller!

2010-07-27T09:07:00.000-05:00

Worked really hard on this video...here it is!!
Jaill - The Stroller from Sub Pop Records on Vimeo.

rock n' roller remote controller

El Color

2010-07-26T21:58:00.002-05:00

Grandma thinks I've got the devil in my head. My head said relate differently to space and the colors got used to the loneliness. She said she doesn't want me to wear a bikini but I'm wearing one in a Grey Gardens sort of crazy way.

She saw the sun, for once, for real. It seems that it's just for us. It seems so close but it's shining where everyone can see it. She never thought of it like that before but she said it then and it was beautiful in its simplicity and her face in the horizontal moving light. The beams, the beautiful beams--she was there.

Jordan took below and I love them

2010-07-22T20:42:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I just totally bore myself...

work in progressprogressprogressprogress

2010-07-22T00:19:00.000-05:00

Trying not to fuck this shit up as I go. Final tomorrow or die.

These cats are driving me crazy bananas as crazy as the man next door.

Bug Eyes

2010-07-21T05:01:00.002-05:00

Bug eyes, bug face, bug mouth. Riding a bike in a short dress to a lot of hey babies and once a put on some nylons doesn't mean I'll ever stop flashing the open air. Riding alone. On and on, open road and sponge cake clouds. A sugary sunset.

Here's the black and white for a commission I am doing for a dude I work with--his new cd.

288888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

2010-07-17T08:41:00.003-05:00

In school I had to draw myself over and over and over. My face makes me want to barf. I haven't done a self portrait in a long time and even after drawing myself a million times with both my left (dominant) and my right (total pussy) hand I never got good at self portraits. Here's a quick attempt anyway cause I'm still alive and that's more than being dead I guess. I want to be something more.

On the Road Home: Wallace Stevens

It was when I said,

"There is no such thing as the truth,"

That the grapes seemed fatter.

The fox ran out of his hole.

You...You said,

"There are not parts of a truth."

Then the tree, at night, began to change,

Smoking through green and smoking blue.

We were two figures in a wood.

We said we stood alone.

It was when I said,

"Words are not forms of a single word.

In the sum of the parts, there are only the parts.

The world must be measured by eye";

It was at that time, that the silence was largest

And longest, the night was roundest,

The fragrance of the autumn warmest,

Closest and strongest.

Take On The World- Wavves

Tell Me Why – M.I.A

JAill Tee Design

2010-07-11T14:09:00.008-05:00

Buy this t-shirt if you want

Also, listen to their new album because it's really fucking good!!

Unexpected

2010-07-08T20:54:00.004-05:00

Sun comes up and I'd skip anything to beach and be your baby

Keeping sand in my braids for when summer's gone

I'll shake it out when we dance around the icy moon

The lonesome pines and the good old times

Swinging in the setting sun I just wanna rock and roll with you

Never on time

2010-07-07T22:08:00.007-05:00

These two videos are the best things I've seen in a long time! Watch them!BIG BANG BIG BOOM - the new wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.
BIG BANG BIG BOOM - the new wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

COMBO a collaborative animation by Blu and David Ellis (2 times loop) from blu on Vimeo.

Mew Drawings inspired by None of Your Business!

2010-06-22T19:55:00.018-05:00

Harlem-Someday Soon

Avi Buffalo – Whats In It For?

WAVVES -Post Acid

From an Iraqi

2010-06-16T11:20:00.002-05:00

"At least you could check the University of Louisville online, or you don't have INTERNET in Wisconsin? I don't have much to say, you broke my heart and you hurt me too much."

Party Blitz! A Mural Process May 2010

2010-06-16T00:26:00.008-05:00

A lot of people asked me how long this 8' X 8' mural took. I estimated around 50 hours. I painted the four wood boards on my basement floor masking myself in respirator technology. Later, it was installed on the side wall of Sky High and will hopefully be there most of the summer. I used spray paint, indoor and outdoor house-paint, and enamels exclusively so that I didn't have to worry too much about decomp in the outdoors. Even so, I don't trust anything or anyone easily and I coated the whole thing twice in polyurethane. I've gotten amazing, positive and supportive feedback so far--now if it can just hold up under scrutiny of dumb city law.

I could bore you by going into detail regarding the symbolism and references to social commentary but these images are not that complex--outside of my head. So I will just emphasize respect for the banner and when you're not having fun look into desertification and your purchasing choices and how much sense it makes to give your money to your own community for goods and services. No need to say more...duh! It's easy. XOA

Here's a few items of source material:

MORE PICS OF MURAL PROCESS

Call Me Lightning – Called To The Throne

Mural Envy

2010-06-02T01:24:00.001-05:00

If someone painted this on my bedroom wall so that I could wake up to it every morning I'd be a happy lady.

107 Shaw Gallery
photo found

New Colors

2010-05-28T08:13:00.004-05:00

My "Painted Bird" print for Sky High Block Party show printed by Stencilites Printing:

limited to 30

Doooooooooooooone!

2010-05-27T01:29:00.003-05:00

I'm done with my mural and it feels sooooo good, man oh man.

Also, I saw my new prints for the show that stencilitis printing did and they look amazing!!

mom

2010-05-26T07:29:00.006-05:00

This is the mix/es I made my mom: I don't know if she liked it--or even listened to it yet. Maybe you will?

I like you: part 1 DOWNLOAD

You're So Good to Me - The Beach Boys
Mother and Child Reunion - Paul Simon
Girl From The North Country - Link Wray
Sea of Dreams - The Reign
Wasn't Born To Follow - The Byrds
The Train From Kansas City - The Shangri-Las
The 81 - Candy And The Kisses
The Pan - Goodnight Loving
Reptile Style - Reigning Sound
Born To Run - Bruce Springsteen
Let Yourself Go - The Carpetbaggers
Two Left Feet - Mark Sultan
No Reason To Complain - The Alarm Clocks
Taxman - The Beatles
Blowing Up My Mind - The Exciters
That's Where It's At - Sam Cooke
Watch The Sunrise - Big Star
Take Me Home Country Roads - John Denver

I like you: part 2   DOWNLOAD

Golden Clouds - The Flamin' Groovies
Security - The Pleazers
Mama Told Me - Three Dog Night
Get Down With It - Bobby Marchan
Psychotic Reaction - Count Five
Oh-Momma - Ocotillo
Long Way To Be Happy - Darlene Love
What Made You Change Your Mind - The Esquires
Work Song - Richie Knight & The Mid-Knights
Soul Drifting - Silver Chalice Revue
What'cha Gonna Do - The Regents/featuring Mel Gaines
Life's A Gas - T.Rex
Mama's Eyes - Justin Townes Earle
Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye - Leonard Cohen
(Tumble) In The Wind - Jackson C. Frank
Leaving On A Jet Plane - Peter, Paul & Mary
Bus Stop - The Hollies
Maybe Sparrow - Neko Case

Lost Finale...Goddamn You, LOST

2010-05-24T09:06:00.004-05:00

I'm not going to write my own feelings about the end of Lost because--except for mentioning one of the best short scenes to happen in LOST's history--the one where Jack and Smokey Locke see each other and start charging up and down the rock scape, Smokey's knife drawn as Jack jump punches, cut to commercial. Totally intense and reminiscent of the old Lost I loved--Slate does it better than I probably could.

Read: Goddamn You, Lost

During all of the friends' ranting discussions it dawned on me that I would have appreciated almost anything more than this bullshit Christ ending. I had enough of that crammed down my yapper for 18 years of adolescence thank you very much. For some reason--drunk and let down--I kept telling people that I would have liked it better if everyone had jumped into a volcano holding hands to appease the island but then, rejected, they get shot out of it like a cannon because the island realized they all loved each other too much--Joe vs. the volcano style--and I'm sticking with that even now--sober and still let down.

2010-05-22T05:21:00.003-05:00

Everything is always bullshit--except I'm pretty sure the bird singing outside my window is pretty serious about this morning.

I BELIEVE IN NOTHING - VIVIAN GIRLS

Summer Reading Pile

2010-05-22T04:51:00.002-05:00

Download: Book Nerd Mix

(Hmmm. I don't know how to do this yet. All the songs individual and out of order when downloading...)

1. Happy Birthday - Too Shy
2. Ganglians - Lost Words
3. The Byrds - My Back Pages
4. The Shins - Pressed In A Book
5. Of Montreal - In the Army Kid
6. The Beatles - Paperback Writer
7. Echo & the Bunnymen - I've read it in books
8. The Embarrassment - Hip and well read
9. Blank Dogs - Books
10. My Morning Jacket - Librarian
11. Camera Obscura - Books Written for Girls
12. X - Adult Books
13. Reading Rainbow - Underground
14. Ty Segall - Untitled
15. Love - My Little Red Book
16. The Kinks - Picture Book
17. The Monotones - The Book of Love
18. Elvis Costello and the Attractions - Everyday I write the Book
19. The Decemberists - The Engine Driver
20. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Young Adult Friction

I Know I Love This

2010-05-20T11:38:00.000-05:00

"Why Don't You Love Me" - Beyoncé from Beyoncé on Vimeo.

CommentOn

The Horror

2010-05-19T08:41:00.003-05:00

The Horror is the alias of Daniel Cantrell. He is my favorite artist right now.

Thee Oh Sees - I Was Denied
Thee Oh Sees - Castiatic Tackle

The Shaggs - Why Do I Feel

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! June 5th !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-05-18T18:47:00.008-05:00

Sky High Block Party//Alyssa Schulte Opening
June 5th 2pm-6pm

Details

Sky High Summer Press Release

Cool!

M.I.A. – XXXO
The Pharmacy - Coldest Morning Light

Ghost Trip

2010-05-10T00:28:00.001-05:00

Kilby Coyote--the little yam of the north--had packed his bags that morning and was whisked away in a carload of lovers and longhairs to chase the cold air where it starts to sizzle and whistle. He kicked the air with excitement and kicked the tire for safety, "Needs air for sure." He had so many firsts of the south waiting and he hummed a twangy tune that popped out more like a burp.

Low-lit city--field of fireflies--certain magic--Confederacy of a book never read--feminist book bought because he was really interested in what he wasn't and right now that was nothing. His thoughts were all other people's thoughts.

But he was a girl and now he can be somebody. Science killed Kilby Coyote.

(I'm lazy and will probably never write more than that first paragraph of what wanted to be a short story--so I included some notes and a little wrap up to post.)

Happy Mothers Day Amy!!

Work Sketch 2

2010-05-06T07:58:00.000-05:00

Save me.

MIA-Born Free

lost

2010-05-06T06:39:00.001-05:00

The Big Sad

SNEAK PREVIEW

2010-05-02T22:36:00.001-05:00

Here's a shot at the start of the mural I've been working on--when she was in her rough stages. I'm pretty excited--I think it will turn out alright. You'll have to come to the opening if you want to see more--or else come to my house and hang out while I paint and tell me jokes.

Here's some more details about what's happening--more soon

=
Skate Jam BBQ

Misfits – Attitude

WEEEEEEEELL?!!!!

2010-05-02T20:48:00.000-05:00

Jim Dickinson And The New Beale Street Sheiks--You'll Do It All The Time

N'awlins

2010-04-30T09:41:00.005-05:00

MY VIEWPOINT

BERRYLIES VIEWPOINT

NISEE VIEWPOINT

LOLZing

2010-04-20T05:25:00.000-05:00

What do you do when you feel like your heart is going to burst out of your chest and not in a good way? Some might say lock yourself in a bathroom stall and you wouldn't be wrong but you wouldn't be right.

Watch these clips:

Jaillien

2010-04-19T12:04:00.000-05:00

Jaill - Everyone's Hip

I guess I'm wrong

2010-04-18T10:57:00.001-05:00

morning sketchbook

The Embarrassment - Death Travels West

The Feelies - Paint It Black

Modern Lovers - I Wanna Sleep In Your Arms

premature sax or everyone loves a popped balloon

2010-04-16T09:25:00.001-05:00

Jaill - "There's No Sky (Oh My My)" - Live at Cactus Club from High Frequency Media on Vimeo.
The Strange Boys - "Da Da" - Live at Cactus Club from High Frequency Media on Vimeo.