Sideways

Here are some interesting facts about wine after the film “Sideways” was released:

“Throughout the film, Miles speaks fondly of the red wine varietal Pinot noir, while denigrating Merlot. After the film’s U.S. release in October 2004, Merlot sales dropped 2% while Pinot noir sales increased 16% in the Western United States. Other reports claimed that sales of Merlot dropped after the film’s release. A 2009 study by Sonoma State University found that ‘Sideways’ slowed the growth in Merlot sales volume and caused its price to fall, but the film’s main effect on the wine industry was a rise in the sales volume and price of Pinot noir, and in overall wine consumption.”

The cast of Sideways (largest to smallest): Miles Raymond sniffing his wine while plugging his ear, Jack Cole, broken nose and clearly in disgrace…let’s face it, anyone wearing a bandage and a bedspread is clearly up to no good; Maya Randall the waitress and Stephanie, who had beaten up Jack with her motorcycle helmet but she’s got a good reason to. What’s the fifth doll? Why it’s a bottle of Belle Glos wine, which is not featured in the film, but a representation of the buyer’s husband’s favorite inebriant.

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Rik Mayall

As an immigrant to the United States at an early and impressionable age, I was primed to be fed on a steady diet of 80’s American pop culture as a part of my linguistic education. I was to learn English watching Sesame Street and acquire the ways of the west from “One Life to Live” and Phil Donahue. Instead, I learned English watching the Monty Pythons and The Benny Hill Show and eventually got into The Young Ones and Fawlty Towers and an odd assortment of Britcom. I would’ve been a riot if we’d lived in England. In the US I was just “that-weird-girl-with-an-even-weirder-accent-and-calls-the-hood-of-the-car-a-bonnet.” The news of Rik Mayall’s death made me really sad indeed, as he had been quite an influence in my formative years.

I was thrilled to be asked to paint this set featuring Rik Mayall (and Adrian Edmondson, another roommate from The Young Ones) as a birthday present for someone in the UK.

(Biggest to littlest doll) Rik from The Young Ones, Lord Flashheart from Blackadder, Alan Beresford B’Stard from The New Statesman, Richie from Bottom, and Adrian Edmondson from Bottom.

This request came while I was still on holiday, and it was a great one to work on while trying to figure out where I’d put everything before going away as I get to emulate Rik’s explosive temper while looking for a wayward brush or a particular shade of blue!

Wonder Woman

When I was asked to paint Wonder Woman in different costumes, I thought it might have to do with the various versions worn by different actresses throughout the years, but to my utter delight, it was going to be all about Lynda Carter and her wardrobe! The thing is, that woman had the exact figure of a Barbie doll, so I had some misgivings painting a boofy version of her. But who cares? I got to pull out my metallic paints!

We have Lynda Carter in the traditional Wonder Woman outfit, her in a skater girl (helmet and all) outfit, her getting ready to ride a horse, her in a skirt and a cape, and her in a swimming costume. The main doll consists of the logo, which I did free hand because I couldn’t be bothered to make a template. I didn’t realize until the end that I didn’t breathe while painting it. That might explain why I was sprawled on the floor and blinking wanly at the ceiling when it was finished.