The Sea Mongrels

For Anthony’s birthday, I’ve painted him a set that he’s been after ever since the emergence of BoBo BaBushka: Him and his paddling buddies…

The Sea Mongrels!

Here’s Anthony in all of his kayaking glory.

Patrick, also in all of his kayaking glory.

Pete, Kristy, and little Charlie, who’s been paddling since she was six months old.

The family that kayaks together, stays together.

Happy Birthday, Anthony!

The Three Fridas

Just to show how popular Frida Kahlo is so many years after hear death, I once came face to face with three Fridas at a Dead Celebrity costume party. She’s an amazing woman. Not only did she have a bevy of medical aliments weighing her down, but she was also married to artist Diego Rivera, which can be a difficult task to undertake…which is something I can relate to. I have worked for an artist once and there had been times when I came this close to punching him in the neck…imagine married to one! It’s no wonder her marriage to Diego was always described as “temptuous.”

And so here they are, the woman who overcame so much just by being herself. It just goes to show that sometimes surrounding yourself with beautiful colors is the best medicine.

Did anyone enjoy the movie by Julie Taymor? Salma Hayek did an incredible job, I thought. The fact that the first Frida resembled Salma more than Frida herself is not lost on me…although that’s not how I intended in the beginning.

The woman, the legend herself.

St. Mary of the Cross

This is an exciting year for the Catholics in Australia. Their very own Sr. Mary MacKillop will be the first Aussie to be canonized in October.

I am honored to be asked to make this commemorative set depicting Sr. Mary MacKillop and the influence she had over the individuals who crossed her path.

Now…a little background…

Mary MacKillop founded the Josephites and they set out to help educate the poor children in Australia.

Ah, but alas, she was excommunicated from the church by the dastardly Bishop Sheil, who was against most of the things she fought for. (The building is Sr. Mary MacKillop’s school.)

She was eventually absolved and went on the road to become the first saint in Australia. Here is Pope Benedict XVI hovering over the Vatican, which everyone, I believe, even if you’re not Catholic, should make an effort to see in person.

We have a Josephite sister carrying on Mary’s work; and a devout peasant.

And who can forget the children Mary’s helped along the way?

“Never see a need without doing something about it.” Sr. Mary MacKillop

That’s a pretty good motto to live by, don’t you think?

Sideshow Revisited

Here is Sideshow 2.0

(Clockwise from center) Reintroducing: Mr. Quills, the barker; Atlas Steele the Strongman; Mel Ott, the Smallest Man on Earth; Lucinda the Bearded Lady; Marla and Karla the singing sisters.

One of the few changes I’ve made besides the color scheme is giving Atlas Steele some tats.

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

“The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” is as off-beat as it gets. A revenge plot, pirates, glowing sea creatures, a skewed examination of family relationship…who can ask for anything more?

Oceanographer and documentarian Steve Zissou is bent on finding the Jaguar Shark that ate his best friend. Along the way he met his possible son and fell in love with a pregnant journalist.

Meet the crew on Steve Zissou’s research vessel Belafonte:

Pelé dos Santos, a safety expert and Brazilian musician who sings David Bowie songs in Portuguese; Klaus Daimler, a lovable German second-in-command who views Zissou as his father.

Vikram Ray, a Sikh cameraman who as described as a man “born on the Ganges”; Vladimir Wolodarsky, crew experimentator and original score composer.

(I love the concept of living on a boat. This was why when I was offered a job to cook for a crew on a working fishing boat, Wild Card, off in Cairns, I was all set to accept. But a pesky little work visa problem prevented me from doing so. My life would’ve been aquatic…although in hindsight, it might’ve been best that I never did accept the job…I don’t know how to swim!)

Body By BoBo BaBushka

Ever wonder how you can achieve that lovable nesting doll shape? Well, wonder no more! Here are three easy steps to procure and maintain this glorious figure!

Step 1: Eating right is essential. BoBo BaBushka recommends a high-calorie, high carb, high sodium, high fat, all-sugar and grease street fair diet. Corn dogs, candied apples, chicken kabobs, mozzarepa, funnel cakes, corn with mayo on it…just to name a few. You can wash it all down with the saccharine sweet lemonade and enjoy a sno-cone topped with extra syrup for dessert.

Step 2: Low impact exercise. High impact exercise regiments will not help you achieve the nesting doll figure. But BoBo BaBushka has figured out a way to aid those who are exercise-conscious. A walk from the couch to the refrigerator is just the kind of exercise that will both help your cause AND give your heart rate a little boost. Don’t forget to rehydrate before and after these walks with a refreshing beverage such as a 32 oz. Crush.

Step 3: Get lots of Z’s. Do not overlook the power of sleep! BoBo BaBushka recommends 10-14 hours of sleep daily, supplemented by frequent naps.

By applying these 3 easy steps to your daily routine, you, too, can have a nesting doll body in no time!

The Majesty of Rock (The Fantasy of Roll)

Introducing the original Guitar Heroes: The boys of Spinal Tap (who cares if they’re a fictional band?)

Nigel Tufnel: Lead guitarist, backing vocals. He made sure all his music went up to eleven.

David St. Hubbins: Lead vocals, rhythm guitar. Claimed St. Hubbins was the patron saint of quality footwear.

Derek Smalls: Bass guitar. His philosophy on Spinal Tap: “We do not strive for perfection, because perfection is the destination, imperfection is the journey.”