Hairspray (The Original Version)

It was great fun listening to John Waters reading “Carsick” to me as I was painting, so much so that I was absolutely delighted when the Pygmy Hippo Shoppe requested a series of dolls based on John Waters films. It’ll give me an excuse to watch it as I paint.

Of course, the first one is “Hairspray,” which shocked me when I watched it for the first time years ago because it was nothing like “Pink Flamingos.”

This one features Tracy in the fabulous roach dress, Edna after her makeover, Wilbur with his joke shop chicken, Motormouth Maybelle, Tracy’s BFF Penny Pingleton, her beau Seaweed, and of course, the Elvis lookalike Link Larkin.

Sons of Anarchy

I squealed like a piglet when someone asked me if I could quite possibly paint a set of Sons of Anarchy for his wife. First of all, this set has been on my wish list since forever. Second of all, how cool is he and his wife to want a set of SOA dolls? The only thing I’m not too thrilled about is that with my schedule the way it is, I couldn’t really work the motorcycles into this set like the way I saw it in my mind. But at least that’s another set off the wish list!

This jumbo set features the ten faves of the recipient: Jax (I really couldn’t see Charlie Hunnam as Christian Grey, could you? Probably best that he’d turned down the role!), Opie, Chibs, Nero, Venus, Tig, Tara, Juice, Unser, and Clay.

Of course, the gang had to wear their club jackets!

My Little Pony

I had to admit I lost a few nights’ sleep thinking about this challenge presented to me: A My Little Pony set for a birthday girl. But as always, when you leave something alone, a solution will nearly always present itself.

After this was painted, I was all smug and got ready to work on the next item on the list when I happened to look at the notes about this set and realized I got the line up of the ponies completely wrong. The buyer was beyond understanding and was even willing to take this set as is except that’s not how I roll. Luckily she made a suggestion that got me to stop tearing my hair out and I made some minor adjustments:

Of course, there was another complication that came up when I thought this set was done and dusted and that had been yet another oversight on my part…what on earth was going on in the ol’ sweatshop?! In the end everything worked out and my takeaway from the many trials and tribulations is to ALWAYS CHECK EVERYTHING OVER TWICE. Or thrice.

N.W.A.

It’s high time I pay tribute to the sort of music that helps get me through a long workday. This is N.W.A., boyz straight out of Compton.

N.W.A. is (large to small) Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, McRen, Yella, and Easy E.