Illustration Friday: Pretend

Initially I was going to be cheeky by having a woman with a very ample bosom being poked with a needle to deflate her “pretend” boobs—my first thought upon reading the prompt was, faking. Faking personalities. Faking body parts. Dualities. Stereotypes. Being someone you’re not. Recently there was an article on how Victorian women supposedly love getting “work” done on their bodies (yeah, well, not me; I have neither the courage nor the expense). I was appalled, but morbidly fascinated. So the feminist in me was lamenting again how we constantly bow down to societal pressure: drinking from the font of eternal youth and beauty to please our superficial selves or to win the attentions of men and women alike (mostly men, har). I went for a sarcastic, sardonic approach, but not entirely losing the mischief. I was inspired by the work of Jonathan Hernandez, who makes beautiful collages out of newspaper cut-outs. I haven’t glued down the elements so as to make them seem to “jump off” the page, but I’ve considered the composition in the second stage of photographing it, giving another dimension to the static imagery.

Right, well, I promised comic reviews didn’t I? It’ll have to be tomorrow instead.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

I loved Meridian, Sojourn, and a bit more recently, Ruse (arguably my favourite of all now) and was crushed when news of the falling out came about. Disney has taken over some of the remaining work, but I just discovered that Checker Book Publishing Group are releasing collected works of some series as well, including Sojourn and Ruse. However, what’s perplexed me is that they’re not entirely “collected” per se, but rather, “selected”. Sojourn is known to have 34 issues, while Ruse has 26. I don’t know why. I’m hoping this will be rectified with a follow up second volume, but nothing’s been said about that just yet. So I’m banking on another book, but I’m not going to be buying a copy any time soon until I know for sure that I am going to fully get what’s “left” or when I’ve read enough of other people’s reviews, hah (and since the Aussie dollar is faring very poorly against the US currency, I’m not buying much online overseas any time soon)! Unless by some bizarre miracle the Wonder Team will reunite to finish their series.

Coming Soon

Sojourn Omnibus (issues 1–24)

The artwork is mind-bogglingly beautiful and glossy. Of course, I used to get piqued that Greg Land would somehow always objectify the heroine with raunchy poses (that was later confirmed by other readers’ reports that he “quotes” the poses from porn films and miscellaneous film stills and celebrity shots *sighs*).

Ruse Omnibus (issues 1–17)

I love this series so much. It’s nearly up there with Batman. The fact that it reminds me of the Dark Knight says something, anyhow: a handsome, somewhat stand-offish, elusive detective, but this time in a grisly Victorian setting, complete with old magicks and gargoyles (and Gotham being what it is, a cold, rainy, foggy, gothic city?). It’s been described as an X-Files meets Sherlock Holmes, which isn’t entirely unflattering. The artwork is superlative, the locales and costumes authentic with a touch of the modern sensibility, but above all the characters are just so dishy and smexy. The two protagonists are sardonic and quick-witted, and are equally beautiful to boot (especially in Butch Guice’s pencilling), with an occasional simmering of sexual chemistry. I’m still so upset this series has been cut off so soon; it has super potential. The only thing that annoyed me throughout the earlier issues at least was the writer’s sloppy “British” dialogue. The turn of the 20th century did not have British people saying “Mommy”! Nor today for that matter. Minor issue, but niggling nonetheless. Anyway, I’m lamenting the loss of a brilliant comic series cut too, too short.

Next up I’ll have a compilation of funny videos I’ve found, hopefully to make up for the 10 or so Video of the Week segments I’ve missed. Whoopsies! Also will be reviewing Detective Comics #850, which I LOVED SO MUCH (I forgot to mention this earlier :D)!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Still, I got a really good bargain—20 various sized photo frames for $5:

They’re probably the most common things you’ll find in these markets, but it just so happens I’ve been looking for some decent and CHEAP frames for my photos and artwork, etc.

I regret not buying these weathered vintage Mills and Boon novels though—they’d have been great fun to make graphics/illustrations out of. eBay’s a bitch when it comes to vintage items.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

I got these craft supplies at the Coburg Trash and Treasure Market (the one with the still existing Village movie drive-in, which is probably the closest to my house, and has a bit of variety) last Sunday. Haggled them down to $5 for all, but the savings are still huge since I’m always going to Lincraft and Spotlight. At least I’ll have enough eyelets and clips to last me a while!

My frequent market haunts on Sunday:

• Coburg Trash and Treasure Market
  Coburg Drive-In, Newlands Road, Coburg
  8am - 2pm
  New and used goods for sale.
• Rubble and Riches Market
  Leakes Road, Laverton
  Trash and treasure stalls
• Pipeworks Market
  400 Mahoneys Rd, Campbellfield
  Open 9am-5pm
  Fresh produce, aquarium, pet shop, plants, furniture, carpets and rugs, homewares, giftware, technology, memorabilia, pictures and frames, mens, ladies and childrens wear.
• Queen Victoria Market
  Cnr Elizabeth and Victoria Streets, Melbourne
  Closed Mondays and Wednesdays, opens at 6am
  Melbourne’s famous fresh produce market. On Sundays becomes a huge general goods market.
  * The Suzuki Night Market is also worth checking out if only for the lovely summery atmosphere! Begins 26 November 2008–25 February 2009!

There are plenty of other worthy markets, especially in the eastern side for more exotic riches, like Prahran Market or South Melbourne Market but I don’t go beyond my home in the north-west that often. There’s a comprehensive list of flea/art/craft markets in Melbourne here.

Have I introduced my newest tenant in my bedroom/studio/study/library?

Super hot action figure, no? If you remember, I bought it at Armageddon. I find myself staring at the extremely well defined muscles quite frequently, kudoes to the designer. Speaking of Batman, I cannot wait for Detective Comics #850, which technically should be released today, but we are always a day ahead of the United States. Damn.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Whenever I think of someone wise, I think of them as having attained a certain self-awareness, or being completely at ease with their lot in life. That’s a point at which you’ve become wiser.

I haven’t painted for a while. I bought some new inks a couple weeks at the uni bookshop; they don’t seem all that different from my gouache paints, although the texture feels nicer. Reminder to self to buy more indian ink.

Bookmark It