SPOOKOO by christine norrie

The Apollo

2009-04-24T10:19:00.003-04:00

WHERE STARS ARE BORN AND LEGENDS ARE MADE! That's me on stage at the legendary Apollo Theater fervently wishing upon Harlem's Tree of Hope!

Steve Wonder (at age 12!)

Ruth Brown

Patti Labelle, Little Richard, Rev. Al Green, Mavis Staples

Rev. Al Green

The Fugees

Gorillaz

Earth Day

2009-04-22T18:47:00.006-04:00

The chick and I received a lovely gift of a Dietz Lil' Wizard Lantern recently and what I had thought was going to be a for-emergency-when-zombies-attack device has now become a lovely little way to light our home and hang out peacefully for a short bit.

It started with our participating in Earth Hour one Saturday night, and since then, we occasionally turn off most of the electrical stuff in our urban apartment and light the lantern (with Klean-Heat). Everything goes quiet and the flicker of small fire casts an interesting range of emotions in us, from silly, to serious, to thoughtful, to happy.

This is what respecting our place on Earth means to me. And Earth Day is my religious holiday where I spend a little extra time thinking about this respect and how I can improve and do better in The Green Age.

People often ask me about 'living green' and how to do it-- is it recycling, buying local, changing to CF light-bulbs or what? It's all of those thing, of course, but in my opinion, living green is just trying to live sustainably, in balance, with our natural resources.

It also doesn't mean going back to the stone age, it's merely adjusting, altering, and looking for alternatives to the oil-based status quo by asking curious questions about what we consume, from the essentials to the frivolous, about our food, playthings, trash: what is it? where did it come from? where is it going to go?

We have an abundance of knowledge and resources to meet the demands of our culture, to simply help our planet, it all just takes silly, serious, thoughtful, and happy minds and hands.

Love and Peace,

--christine

SKETCH : The Teds

2009-04-21T14:34:00.003-04:00

Last night's warm-up drawing in a the ol' moleskine. It's a study composed via a photograph from the book The Teds:

"East of Barking, in the Summer of Fifty-four, on a late-night train from Southend to London, someone pulled the communication cord. The train ground to a halt. Light bulbs were smashed. When the train eventually reached Barking, police arrested a gang dressed in Edwardian suits.

In March of that year, a sixteen-year-old youth had been convicted at Dartford Magistrate's Court of robbing a woman 'by putting her in fear'. Said the Chairman of the Magistrates:

'There are a lot of things and so-called pleasures of the world which demand a lot of money. You tried to get hold of money to pay for ridiculous things like Edwardian suits. They are ridiculous in the eyes of ordinary people. They are flashy, cheap and nasty, and stamp the wearer as a particularly undesirable type.'"

Record Store Day

2009-04-17T15:09:00.004-04:00

Well, you know how I love a little vinyl! So you know I'll be out for a bit to support my local vinyl peddlers tomorrow... Rebel Rebel, Bleecker Street Records, and Bleecker Bob's for some sweet singles, long long-plays, and hip two-disc collections!

RECORD STORE DAY | SATURDAY APRIL 18

Saturday is Record Store Day, a chance for the increasingly rare indie retailers to self-promote with new releases and rare performances.

Stop by Other Music for events including a Bob Dylan breakfast listening party, afternoon D.J. sets by Telepathe, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Grizzly Bear, as well as a live show by Bill Callahan.

Get in the D.I.Y. spirit on Friday night by catching ****** Jeans at Market Hotel. The Pennsylvania group with the salty name “makes an ungodly racket,” writes Amanda Petrusich. “But there’s a force behind its pummeling: the frontman, Matt Korvette, sings funny, ennui-laden songs about the banalities of contemporary living.”

Like the fact that there are fewer and fewer record stores.

-- MELENA RYZIK, The New York Times' Urban Eye Weekend

This fantastic holiday is not limited to New York either, you can find out if your area is participating by going to RECORD STORE DAY / venues.

Happy weekend, much love and peace!

--c.

Women Rule

2009-04-08T13:11:00.012-04:00

About a week ago, I was fortunate enough to attend the screening of Frontrunner: The Afghan Woman Who Surprised the World, a documentary film about Dr. Massouda Jalal. A woman who ran for president. In Afghanistan.

Needless to say, though you know I must, it was a tremendous story. This woman's certainty and bravery took her from war-torn impovershed towns to another, to campaign for and amazingly claim voting bids from tribal blocks, inspiring individuals and communities to speak and advocate for basic rights. This, in a culture that concludes that women should not be allowed to hold any kind of power, let alone political strength.

The election took place in 2004 and Dr. Jalal did not win the election, of course, Hamid Karzai did. However, it's important to note that despite a "mishap" in the voting process (what should have been semi-permanent inks used to mark a voter's thumb proved to be immediately washable and removable) Dr. Jalal placed sixth out of sixteen in the final tally.

This is a great achievement for her country and societies everywhere in that women must not only have the right to sit at the political table, but should be absolutely present. That is the point and fundamental message from WOMEN RULE, an incredible advocacy group led by the incomparable Virgina Williams, who produced and brought the film to life. Support also comes from VITAL VOICES, investors in celebrating the leadership and contributions of women.

There was a discussion at the end of the film and it was remarkable to hear Dr. Jalal converse among colleagues about the topics affecting women and Afghanistan. Two particular points that made an impression on me... One, she stated that the Afghani people welcome President Obama and are grateful for the additional troops being sent as they provide much needed security and construction in much of the rebuilding that needs to be done.

Two, she spoke of her fearlessness in activism which is rooted in her desire to have a meaningful death, in other words, to live a meaningful life. The question was posed during the Q&A portion of the event and put forth by none other than SuperForest's Jackson Nash... which you can read in it's entirety here--> SuperForest Celebrity: Dr. Massouda Jalal

Thanks to SuperForest in providing access for me to attend the event at the incredible Paley Center for Media, but also the great opportunity to shake hands with Dr. Massouda Jalal. I will never forget that I got to be in the presence of her and her powerful words, she who is the former Minister of Women's Affairs for Afghanistan, a woman holding a doctorate in two medical fields, and a wife and mother of three.

Earth Hour

2009-03-28T20:58:00.001-04:00

Turn Your Lights Down Low

2009-03-27T13:27:00.008-04:00

EARTH HOUR is tomorrow, from 8:30-9:30pm. Turn your lights off for an hour to conserve, preserve, and think about our lives on this planet...

Happy Weekend!

Peace and love,

--christine

Stand By Me

2009-03-20T09:16:00.004-04:00

Musicians across the world singing together via Playing for Peace

All-boys choir at Albert Hall via the BBC

John Lennon in New York

Today, I woke up and made a cup of coffee. I took a little stroll through the internet, and as per usual, I took a right at SuperForest. There I discovered a new blog and took a left at Gems Sty. A recent post featured an amazing video that really brightened my morning, as did the unexpected snow shower on this day, The First Day of Spring!

Well, I left my apartment and took many rights and left on an early errand thinking about the song... the Ben E. King classic Stand By Me. Beautiful rhythm, upliftng lyrics, excellent song right? How wonderful that it can endure and transform so many!

From "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music" featuring musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it travels the globe, to The BBC series The Choir's 100 strong, all boys choir at the Royal Albert Hall (I extra-love that they have incorporated Sean Kingston's excellent mash-up/remix Beautiful Girl). And, of course, John Lennon's version from his excellent 1975 album of covers Rock 'n' Roll which I had recently been listening to a lot.

Happy weekend!

Love and peace,

--christine

PS. For those of you who are as traumatized as I am from the use of Leonard Coehen's Hallelujah in WATCHMEN, may I offer an antidote... the song played to clips from the incredibly fine film STAND BY ME. Trust me, it helps.

WATCHMEN sample it, loop it

2009-03-06T15:01:00.011-05:00

Crazy old tune from Pop Will Eat Itself. A tribute to Alan Moore, comics, music, film, and all kinds of nerdery... and an amazing Obama/WATCHMEN poster art/remix I spotted on my way home at the West 4th Street subway.

(click to view larger)

And, big thank you to iFanboy for adding me to their comprehensive Twitter Comic Book Master List! You can go there and check out all the slick amazing comics artists and writers who are sending out their 140-word missives. And, if you would like to follow my silliness and updatery I am http://twitter.com/christinenorrie

Happy weekend!

Peace and Love,

xo, christine

NYC GRAPHIC

2009-03-03T09:52:00.002-05:00

Love and Style: Christine Norrie on Romance and New York City
by Christopher Irving, photos by Seth Kusher

Christine Norrie sits at a long table in her studio in Manhattan’s Fashion District, a petite Eurasian woman in a gray shirt with white stars printed on it, a maroon scarf wrapped around her neck, her black hair pulled back in a ponytail, and points out a pair of sneakers hanging from a light fixture.

“That’s one of my studio mate’s,” Christine says as she then points to piles of shoeboxes stacked on a wooden shelf hanging from the ceiling. “We have, maybe, 300 pairs of Adidas, Reebok, or the original Air Jordans right here.”

And that’s how the interview starts, as a conversation of pop culture and music (Norrie counts The National as one of her favorite bands) that evolves into a chat about comics, motherhood, love, and life in general…

Happy Birthday, Jackson

2009-02-28T12:04:00.004-05:00

This is a birthday shout-out to mi compadre Jackson Nash, who I am so glad was born this day. He works crazy hard via SUPERFOREST... building and creating and bringing wonderful things to us such as:

The Humanifesto * Thoughts on the American Recovery and Reinvestmant Act * Adventures in business travel * Fantastic drawings * Quoting from SKINNY LEGS AND ALL * The Save a Seed Coalition * Going to movie premieres * Oh, and beyond historical Presidential Inaugurations * The Jackstrap * Buddy Holly's Rave On * Being a fine actor * The Peace Alphabet * Caring enough TO DO!

You are an incredibly thoughtful, whimsically fun, and deep thinker and all these fine qualities make SUPERFOREST and the world a better place... (Give your mom a shout-out for bringin' ya here!)

Peace and love.

--christine

vinyl DANCE CRAZE

2009-02-27T13:58:00.008-05:00

Did you know that vinyl record sales are UP? I'm not into the music scene as much as I used to be, but I certainly smile whenever I hear about how vinyl is not going away.

From a small amount of research it seems that young folk like the format and use it for mixing and sampling... and of course, there's the nostalgics like me who are pleased to see that Urban Outfitters is now selling a nice and very cute Crosley record player in their shops. And, in the New York real estate craziness of my neighborhood of Greenwich Village, where cafes are closing down and corporate retail spots taking their place, we still have five record stores all within blocks of each other still selling wax!

There's something very thoughtful about putting the needle on the record, listening to that hiss, and then kicking back and taking it all in. Staring at the oversized album art and being mindful of flipping to side B. So meaningful to listening to music this way... at least for me.

Hope you like today's Dance Party Friday selection.

Happy weekend...peace and love,

-- christine

Dream dream dream...

2009-02-25T12:38:00.006-05:00

It's so hard to believe that February is almost over! And, can you imagine that in just two week's time we'll be changing the clocks for Daylight Saving? I feel like I haven't gotten anything done, but when I look back at my calendar and see that everyday is filled with appointments, things have been crossed of my lists, I've actually done a lot!

Then I reminisce about recent events... New Year's, my birthday, The Inauguration, New York Comic Con, Chinese New Year's, Valentine's Day, President's Day... and life's everyday wonder and realize that I have been accomplishing so much, especially in ideas and dreaming. Cataloging and sorting my thoughts, laying out words, drawings and art.

I just had the great fortune of receiving two wonderful sketchbooks as gifts from two remarkable people, within two days of each other. It wasn't planned and neither knew of it; but, one sketchbook is a Moleskine and the other is a Moleskine-inspired from Club Monaco. And they are the same exact size! The red one I am using as a small personal comics-journal and the black one I am using for everyday on-the-go note-drawing.

Anyway, I love them and keep them both close by, at all times, constantly scribbling. Thank you, Catherine. Thank you, Jackson.

Love and peace,

-christine

PS! You guys, I missed a bunch of comments due to 'comment moderation' and I am so sorry! I've disabled it and will go though and respond as soon as I can... xoxo.

So In Love!

2009-02-20T18:47:00.005-05:00

Last weekend, I was out shopping for groceries, innocently squeezing organic mangoes, when O.M.D.'s 'So In Love' comes on the store's sound system. I'm pretty sure I have not heard that song in over twenty years!

It was such a surprise to the usual 80's marketing mix... you know, the one to target my generation into a state of sweet maudlin-inspired blissful shopping? Which I would like to say does not impress nor control my spending! But, I'm wondering if you can tell me if this particular slate of tunes is specific to New York City, or is it like this everywhere?

Following are three instances where I'd been thoughtful about the music I was hearing while shopping...

SONG: OMD / 'So In Love'
STORE: Trader Joe's
THOUGHTS: This place is really crowded, but everyone's so gracious about it. I don't think I've ever experienced so many 'excuse me' and 'pardons'. Is it the music? How civilized! Do not forget to buy chocolate and orange juice.

SONG: The Smiths / 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now'
STORE: Union Square Barnes & Noble Cafe
THOUGHTS: Oh shit, they're playing 'Hatful of Hollow'! I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour, but heaven knows I'm miserable now... I need a drink. Then, book-shopping.

SONG: New Order / 'Ceremony'
STORE: Brooklyn IKEA
THOUGHTS: I want to buy more picture frames. Swedish meatballs. And all these mattresses.

WISDOM

2009-02-18T12:22:00.003-05:00

Each one of us can be an oasis of peace. —Desmond Tutu

Inspired by the idea that wisdom is the greatest gift one generation can give to another, award-winning photographer and filmmaker Andrew Zuckerman interviewed, photographed and filmed 50 of the world’s great writers, actors, artists, designers, politicians, musicians and religious and business leaders of our time. He posed seven questions to each of his subjects—all over 65 years of age—and their candid responses offer uniquely inspirational and often surprising insights.

This project is one of the most beautiful and wonderful things... it's moved me utterly, to the point I now think about these compelling people, fascinating portraits, and amazing pearls of wise words ever constantly.

The website for the project is fantastic too, you can view all the portraits, read more about the project and view lots of little video clips delving into Andrew Zuckerman's making and creating of this incredible thing. I absolutely loved the 'Making Of', 'Exhibition', and 'News'....

WISDOM

Peace and Love,

--christine

Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T11:33:00.005-05:00

It is the day of love, the day of amor! Whether you are in or out of love, an in-between cat, or whatever... today is the day to celebrate romance and the belief of love and the magic. If the music is groovy it can free your soul!

I've been listening to The Lovin' Spoonful for about four days straight and I can't get enough. However, given that it's Valentine's Day, I feel as though I should listen to something a little deeper... so I've spent all morning listening to Johnny Cash and June Carter duets. I don't think there's a more beautiful song than 'If I Were a Carpenter'... I weep!

What are you listening to on this day of hearts and flowers?

Groovie Ghoulies

2009-02-13T14:23:00.003-05:00

Happy Friday the 13th! On this day of bad luck, jinxes, and curses, I give you the Groovie Ghoulies...

A fun little California band that is sadly no longer together, but who gave us many fun records and shows. In the above clip, they perform 'Devil Town', 'She Gets All The Girls', and a fantastic cover of Billy Bragg's amazing song 'A New England'.

And for all you lovers who are celebrating Valentine's Day early, 'The Tunnel of Love'!

Happy Weekend! Don't cross any black cats and certainly don't scratch on that eightball...

Peace and Love,

--christine

selling art

2009-02-10T10:27:00.003-05:00

In an effort to clear out the studio, spring clean, and make space (and a little scratch!), I'm going to start clearing out my original art.

I've put up my BETTIE PAGE on eBay as an experiment to see what's worth selling before I go all out and open/create a web store. So keep checking back to view what all's I'm putting out on the market. And, if you're interested in this piece, you've only got seven days to nab it!

Bettie Page :: original art :: eBay listing

SAVE A SEED

2009-02-06T10:49:00.004-05:00

Today I bring to your attention The Millenium Seed Bank and the effort of SUPERFOREST to raise funds to preserve one SINGLE seed species.

The cost is $3,000 and we have all ready raised a third of it. The only thing I am asking of you is to either donate a wee tiny bit of your precious money -OR!- your valuable time and internets and join the Save A Seed Coalition.

Meaning, would you mind ever so much blogging about this effort? Simply:

1. write a post on your own blog about The Millenium Seed Bank (you can copy my words if you like!)

2. please include SuperForest's MSB Save a Seed url ( http://teamsuperforest.org/superforest/?tag=millennium-seed-bank )

3. email SuperForest the link to your post (superforestnyc(at)gmail(dot)com. ), or add it in my 'comments'!

Happy weekend!

Peace and Love,

--Christine

“The Millennium Seed Bank Project is an international conservation project coordinated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Launched in the year 2000… its purpose is to provide an “insurance policy” against the extinction of plants in the wild by storing seeds for future use. The storage facilities consist of large underground frozen vaults preserving the world’s largest collection of seeds.

In April 2007 it banked its billionth seed, the Oxytenanthera abyssinica, a type of African bamboo.”

“But the cooling of the global economy is threatening to freeze the whole project. All it takes is 2,000 pounds to save one seed, and with at least four species of plants vanishing every year, conservationists believe this is an excellent value.”

love love love

2009-02-05T13:26:00.000-05:00

THE NATIONAL

2009-01-30T09:34:00.004-05:00

Tired and wired we ruin too easy
sleep in our clothes and wait for winter to leave

APARTMENT STORY

LIT UP

MISTAKEN FOR STRANGERS

ABEL

MR. NOVEMBER

The Parting Kiss

2009-01-24T20:52:00.008-05:00

HUMID seal of soft affections,

Tenderest pledge of future bliss,

Dearest tie of young connections,

Love’s first snowdrop, virgin kiss!

Speaking silence, dumb confession,

Passion’s birth, and infant’s play,

Dove-like fondness, chaste concession,

Glowing dawn of future day!

Sorrowing joy, Adieu’s last action,

(Lingering lips must now disjoin),

What words can ever speak affection

So thrilling and sincere as thine!

-- Robert Burns (1759-1796)

Since U Been Gone

2009-01-23T10:09:00.005-05:00

Kelly Clarkson / 'Since U Been Gone' at LIVE EARTH
After eight years, I can breathe for the first time. I can read the newspaper without clenched teeth. I can view speeches and not want to throw things at the screen. I can listen without cursing every other moronic statement. I can discuss policies without shame and embarrassment. That loser's gone!

Last night I had the great fortune to see Will Ferrell's brilliant send-off to The Former President in "Your Welcome America. A Final Night with George W Bush". Ferrell reminds us of the many bizarre events we've lived through and reveals new intel... filling in the blanks such as GW's AWOL. Some true... some not true! It's spectacularly funny to have pointed out how idiotic this country has been... but there were moments for me, when I was terribly sad thinking how we allowed this administration to tragically pull us down in the mire of chaos and catastrophe.

Ah, memory lane. The marches with my newborn baby, the camaraderie of protesting, all the incredible street art. Here's some of my better photos of that time...

But, a brighter day has come... Happy Weekend!

Peace and Love,

--christine

SPOOKOO + SUPERFOREST

2009-01-22T11:59:00.007-05:00

In the interest of a new year, and for those new to my lil' blog, I would like to provide you a brief summary of who I am and a small statement of what a SPOOKOO is. First, I'm an illustrator and writer. This is how christinenorrie.com describes my work:

Christine Norrie has been working extensively as an artist, writer and designer since 2000. Her primary interest is communicating via comic book illustration for the graphic novel format, as well as short stories and serialized publications. Her unique style has led to projects in other media and industries in creating concept art, storyboards, fashion graphics, and book cover jackets.

Her most noted works include her original graphic novel Cheat , the Oni Press series Hopeless Savages, and the teen drama Breaking Up published in 2007 by Scholastic/Graphix.

Dubbed “a natural storyteller” by Publisher’s Weekly, Norrie has earned two Eisner nominations, A Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Nomination, and a 9th Panel and New York City Comic Book Museum Award.

She works and lives in New York City.

All of these things are true of my career. Yet, here at SPOOKOO, I'm also a single mother of an extraordinary four-year old little girl. I'm a peace and eco-activist, not just in my Greenwich Village community, but also on the internet. Proud friend of so many amazing individuals, who are worldly and diverse and loving. Oh, I also really like music, food, and movies. I'm a silly person that really digs sharing and advocating life ideals... for The Common Good.

In particular, the incredibly positive collective SUPERFOREST.

This movement was started by my good friend Jackson Nash... I'm quite proud to say I was there when he planted the seeds on paper with drawings and writing. He experimented with many ideas, over the months we chatted about all the changes, and here now after a year and half, there's an incredible site devoted to the human environment maintained by a smart global team of bloggers.

The truly exciting part of this is seeing the impact and growth in such a short space of time. The new redesign is beautiful, and seeing Jackson's videos and report of actually being at The Inauguration is not only amazing, but I'm beside myself knowing he's using that opportunity to maximize and inform his mission.

My part in SUPERFOREST has always been artistic support and this year will be no different. Much like SPOOKOO, I know we will evolve and keep creating new things for me and you... and have lots of fun throughout!

Peace and love,

--christine

[Oh, and uh... SPOOKOO is the name of my cat. A stray St. Louis alleycat I'd rescued back in 1993. He was just a scrawny black kitten I'd ever-so-cleverly named 'Spooky' and as I got to know him, his name had come about from a strange story I'd made up about him being from some outer space existence aboard Satellite Spookoo. And there you have it.]

At last...

2009-01-21T10:58:00.004-05:00

Times they are a-changin'. And we start now.

Right after I stop bawling my eyes out! Jeez, I was doing so well yesterday, just a might bit weepy after the oath. I celebrated with friends, drank champagne, hugged and kissed my loved ones. Then lovely emails in the evening and went to bed feeling just fine.

Woke up this morning, watched the First Inaugural Dance and my eyes started to seep. On my way to the West 4th Street station, I decide to listen to the OBAMA playlist I'd created during the election, walking by happy people reading newspapers exclaiming PRESIDENT OBAMA, the waterworks in full effect.

A couple hours later, and a tissue box later, I'm realizing we have the upper hand in creating a world for the common good. We have a president who can lead. A government that we can stand behind and who will stand behind us. If we choose it, if we get involved, if we open ourselves, and work at it.

The transition has ended and the new administration has begun. CHANGE.gov is our resource and we can now join President Obama at WHITEHOUSE.gov.

Peace and love,

--christine

America The Beautiful

2009-01-20T13:54:00.003-05:00

“To all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more.”

Blackbird

2009-01-19T08:52:00.002-05:00

"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."

-- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I double-love NY

2009-01-16T11:12:00.004-05:00

I love love New York because we have breakdancers and planes crash-landing safely into our rivers.

Yeserday, I was at the 34th Street subway station when I heard the sweet beat of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. I had all ready exited the platform, but I pulled behind the gate to watch a small group preparing to break. Their lead was a young guy dressed like Michael, black hat, white socks, sparkly glove. He was backed by three dancers, one of which was a girl! Then "Michael" started shouting out whoops and hollers and drummed up a crowd for Wanna Be Startin' Something...

At the same time, mi compadre Jackson's over on the west side of town when he hears a plane awfully close to SuperForest... Being the cat that he is, he immediately went out and took a vid of the scene. The boats and the plane are cool, but I really like seeing shots of the crowd and my favorite intrepid reporter chihuahua Baloo looking so smashing in his parka...

What an amazing week... I love you, New York! Have a happy weekend!

Peace and Love,

christine

Uptown Top Ranking

2009-01-09T14:44:00.002-05:00

Ah! 2009 is off to an amazing start and it wouldn't be possible without all the thoughtful caring people in my life...

Now click on this SuperForest linkie and listen to an amazing rekkid! (Thanks so much, Jackson!)

2009!

2008-12-31T17:50:00.003-05:00

For 2009, I have HOPE and want everyone to believe they have it too. Let us all work hard, have fun, and be kind to one another... All the best to you and yours from me and mine!

Fairytale of New York

2008-12-25T08:52:00.003-05:00

The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl - video

The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl - performance

Shane MacGowan singing a sad tale alongside the late Kirsty MacColl.

Everything about this song feels like Christmas to me: glittery magical lights, cold New York streets, and a touch of melancholy. The chick and I had a rowdy dinner with good friends at Grand Szechuan last night... presents exchanged, table decked with soup dumplings, loud chatter, glasses of wine and familial merriment.

We walked home together, a mild night, Sixth Avenue slick with rain. We giggled the whole way taking in festive decoration and lights. Her little hand starts tugging excitedly and she points to the top of a high-rise in the distance, "Mommie! I see Santa! Look, see that red light? It's Rudolph, they're coming!"

Once home, we put out the cookies and milk and she went to bed. Cat rolled in around 1am and we stayed up till 3, talking over scotch and leftover chinese cartons. The chick woke up us with her squeals of "Santa came!" And we opened presents, paper and ribbon everywhere, joyful smiling, so good to be together.

It was an amazing year, full of beautiful highs and sad lows... But I tell you, I cannot wait for many many days more.

Bless us all, everyone... wherever you are, whatever you may celebrate, as we come to a year's end. Glasses raised to all our dreams, loves, and life.

Bettie Page

2008-12-12T15:43:00.003-05:00

The Killers and The Damned

2008-12-05T11:09:00.004-05:00

The Killers fantastic video reminded me of another video... And, so, my favorite Damned hits! Ahhh... it brings back memories of The Sweet Water. Me and Jonathan practically breaking the jukebox with these tunes. The pints and pints. Playing pool till 4am. Girls getting into boy trouble. Poor Nick breaking his finger.

Ah, our misspent youth!

Happy Weekend!

Love and peace.

Wonder Woman

2008-12-04T14:34:00.005-05:00

Warhol Diaries

2008-11-25T12:08:00.002-05:00

Here's a pencil sketch I had done recently to towards finishing off my nearly-filled 2008 sketchbook. It comes from one of my favorite books, The Andy Warhol Diaries. I pulled it down from the shelf last week, dusted it off and amused myself with some of the entries. As always, the pieces of his dictated life are so curious, Warhol had such an interesting life... so big in the jet-set New York art world, yet so normal with his various concerns for everyday human things. He seems so confidant and vulnerable at the same time.

Anyway, I thumbed through the photo-section, wowing at the art, music, and social celebrity circles of the seventies and eighties, when I rediscovered this great snapshot of Warhol with Paulina Poriskova and Ric Ocasek. It's just so odd, but I love best that there's this great feeling of warmth and casualness. (I also love very much that Paulina and Ric are still married...)

The Andy Warhol Diaries
by Andy Warhol, edited by Pat Hackett

There are cultural moments we would probably never learn about from any other source, like the time Truman Capote invited Warhol to tape a session with his psychiatrist. There are epiphanies (''And you know, I've come to realize lately that Diana Vreeland is just a person'') and crises of self-doubt (''Then I got the book of my old paintings out and saw all the clever things I used to do, and I just can't think of anything clever to do now.'')

There are also, like flashes from some incompletely buried object, occasional glimmerings of a person. Warhol mentions going to church quite regularly, an activity so incongruous with the persona he cultivated that it is tantalizing. He drops by the office of his magazine, Interview. He seems to get genuinely depressed by breakups with his boyfriends, and to be loyally concerned about the weight vicissitudes of Brigid Berlin, a superstar in some of his movies. He is terrified of illness and hospitals (he died in a hospital after a gallbladder operation).

NY Times Review by By EVA HOFFMAN
June 14, 1989

Tools of the Ink Trade

2008-11-24T11:23:00.004-05:00

For many years, and still, my reliable tools of choice when inking:

BRUSH -- Winsor & Newton Series Seven #1 and 2

INK -- Winsor & Newton india ink cut with Koh-i-noor Rapidograph Ultradraw waterproof ink

PENS -- Pigma Graphic 1, Pigma Micron 03

ERASER -- Sanford Magic Rub

I guess...

2008-11-14T11:05:00.005-05:00

... you're just what I needed!(WHAT I NEEDED!)

This week was pretty hectic, full of new and old friends, funny events and a couple days of sleeping in. Thus, I will be working well into tonight and tomorrow... and in order to gear up I need The Cars. I love them so much and this is the greatest song for a cloudy rainy day. Playing it super loud, I badly want to hurry up and get more capable on guitar so I can get on the electricals! Plug in! And rock out!!

Happy weekend!

Love and peace,

--christine

Women Filmmakers Fundraising Gala

2008-11-12T22:55:00.007-05:00

There are still tickets and packages available for this incredible event. And, not just the $1,000 seats either! I've got my $25 seats (and hoping, now that the show has taken a break, that I'm able to see John Slattery and get my Mad Men fix!)

If you can't make it, please consider donating to this important cause. This was a life sadly cut short and the foundation not only honors Adrienne's spirit, but women actors, directors, and artists who need assistance in seeing their dreams achieved.

xo,

--christine

The Adrienne Shelly Foundation supports the artistic achievements of female actors, writers and directors through a series of scholarships and grants, providing recipients with financial support and consultative access to the Foundation's advisory board of actors, directors, producers, composers, law, publicity, academic and trade professionals. Reflecting Adrienne's spirit, generosity, courage and whimsy, our goal is to recognize the tremendous passion and commitment of women artists in creating their own work, and provide them with support and guidance particularly during periods of transition and struggle.

THE 2nd ANNUAL
ADRIENNE SHELLY FOUNDATION
FUNDRAISING GALA

Monday, November 17, 2008

A celebration of the life and work of Adrienne Shelly
and the 2007-2008 ASF Grant Recipients

scheduled to appear:

Michael Cerveris
Cheryl Hines
Mary Louise Parker
Paul Rudd
Keri Russell
John Slattery
Ally Sheedy
Jeremy Sisto
Lili Taylor
Maria Tucci

and, Dana Parish

Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts
New York University
566 La Guardia Place
(at Washington Square South)
Manhattan

Doors Open at 6:30pm | Show Starts at 7:00pm

VIP Reception at 8:30pm
Bella's (at Bar Martignetti)
406 Broome Street
(btwn Lafayette and Center Streets)

Festive | Cocktail Attire

The actors Cheryl Hines, Keri Russell, Ally Sheedy and Lili Taylor will perform a reading of Adrienne Shelly’s satirical piece “The O Letters” at a Nov. 17 gala to benefit the Adrienne Shelly Foundation. Ms. Shelly, an actress and filmmaker, was murdered in 2006, weeks before her movie “Waitress” had its debut at the Sundance Film Festival. The foundation supports the work of female actors, directors and writers. Tickets can be purchased by calling (212) 381-1750 or at adrienneshellyfoundation.org.

Celebrate CHANGE

2008-11-07T10:53:00.007-05:00

WOO-HOOO! It's a celebration...

Obama is working on building his staff and I feel so excited, it's like watching an All-Star game come together. With every pick, I'm squealing like a nerd, wanting bubblegum cards of each player... Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod! WOO-HOOO!

You know, the reason I wanted Obama in The White House is because I felt certain that he would help streamline our government so that us citizens would be able to better navigate our society and lead the lives we want. Even more, so that for those who volunteer and advocate in our communities, maybe we'd get assistance somehow so we don't have to butt our heads against lack of funds and resources.

And, it's all ready begun with CHANGE.gov. How amazing is it that we can actually stay abreast of issues and participate with our government in such a beautiful manner? The matter of interest to me is The Agenda. Of course, I do not have the ability to follow every one, so I've decided to pick three and go from there: ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT, ETHICS, and URBAN POLICY.

For those who know me well, I am often teased for being a "hippie". For years, I used to keep my ideas mostly to myself and family for fear of of being a "crazy crusader". Seriously, I'd get the oddest looks from folks when I'd say that I'd like my child to not play too much with plastic toys. Yes, I'm a real radical because I'd like my eggs to actually come from a real chicken of a clean, accountable source. Is it disturbing that for years I'd volunteer at Safe Horizon and am now an advocate for The Children's Aid Society?

My voice is now heard clearly, I'm not ashamed of my choices, and much of that comes from the incredible support of my friends. Particularly Jackson Nash, who've I've mentioned many many many times. His SuperForest blog has transformed my attitude into a really positive force. He instilled in me the YES WE CAN spirit long before I ever even bought the button... SO!

There's a party goin' on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times, and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you!

Happy weekend, all!

xo,

christine

YES WE WILL

2008-11-06T11:37:00.004-05:00

We know we have much work to do, much of it will not be easy. But, we will make an effort, as much as possible, particularly for some of the shameful setbacks in a few states. YES WE CAN build American peace and prosperity that I hope we can share with the world and make last. YES WE DID elect a leader that will guide us there. For the next four years? YES WE WILL!

Posting on the incredibly positive efforts I have witnessed in my city and on the internet (merely a portal to other minds and cities) on a daily basis has invigorated my belief in human spirit and accomplishment and grace. The regular emails and notes I received made me ambitious when I was on a roll and kept my head up when I was feeling low. Thank you so much.

Now, I suppose this blog will go back to being about the small things in my own corner of the universe. The art of comics and graphic novels , my love of New York, my passion for film and food, and of course, the SuperForest movement. And, more... I've got some neat surprises that I've been dreaming and storing over the past couple months.

For today:

EVENT!

SHOGUN MACBETH
Performance of Shakespeare's Macbeth by The Pan Asian Repertory Theatre.

6:30 tonight with special comics discussion featuring Larry Hama and Pornask Pichetshote and Christine Norrie.

Comics are all about Kabuki "frozen moments." Capturing the height of a scene and transporting the reader to see the action "between the panels."

For the next four years, let's do it. Need a little motivation? Tony Robbins on his Ted Talk Why we do what we do, and how we can do it better :

Signs of Hope and Change

2008-11-04T23:08:00.003-05:00

(Big thanks to my pal Brendan who sent me a text at 9:51pm to ask "You got any buttons that say YES WE DID...?" Yes, I do now, B! xoxo)

VOTED!

2008-11-04T16:39:00.004-05:00

As usual, I got goosebumps when I entered through the curtains, was joyfully weepy as I turned the little selection levers, and then I gave the crazy VOTE crank a final pull!

When I walked out, I caught up with one of the volunteers outside who was kind enough to chat with me. I asked how the day was and his response was beautiful. A warm smile spread across his face and he said that it's been an amazing day. He was at Centre Street early in the morning, where it was packed, before heading over to LaGuardia Place where it was not as crowded, but definitely hectic. By four o'clock our location, in Greenwich Village, the voter signature book was nearly filled, meaning everyone who registered not only voted, but they made sure to come in nice and early!

I've got about ten minutes until the babysitter is to be relieved, then it's dinner with the children (at my favorite local spot Jane!) to celebrate voting, humanity, and The Common Good.

"So because Obama gets in or McCain gets in, it's not going to be repaired overnight. The economy is not going to be repaired, the schools -- the disaster in our schools -- will not be repaired overnight. Nor will the social conversation be repaired overnight.
However, I would encourage every voter to say to his or her candidate, go in and do it, and you will not do it alone. I will help. You have to get up off that sofa or off that couch and give something to the country -- even if it's one hour every other week to an old people's home -- I will read, go into the children's ward and read, or give to your church or your synagogue or your mosque. ... Offer something to the country. So you don't just sit there.
... You need to know that you can go somewhere. You're not just like grass growing on the street. You're like trees, you have roots, and they've done wonderful things, and you need to know that, and by knowing that, you see how outfitted you are for these times. And that you really owe it to those who went before so that you can add to them for those who are yet to come. You need to know that you are in a continuum, and if you understand that, you realize that you are worthwhile. This continuum would be broken without me."

-- Maya Angelou on CNN

Chris Abani: Telling stories of our shared humanity
TED Ideas Worth Spreading

interconnectedness

2008-11-03T13:51:00.003-05:00

Obama '08 - Vote For Hope from MC Yogi on Vimeo.
Hey, all... sorry this post is late in arriving today. Like many of you, I am exhausted and am plain wore out! But, I take solace in that A BRIGHTER DAY WILL COME, A CHANGE WE NEED. I've spent the morning making all my preparations for tomorrow:

- my polling location
- various forms of ID
- a beautiful Nanette Lepore 'HOPE' t-shirt
- YES WE CAN buttons to hand out
- activities for the kiddies

Because I am very excited to be hosting a playdate so that one of my very best friends may board a bus at 7am, head to Pennsylvania as a volunteer for Obama, and help the election along down there. She's such an amazing lady, and I am terrifically proud of her and lucky to have her in my life. (Just watch out for those Phillie Phanatics, girlfriend! They are prone to boo'ing Bud Selig, Destiny's Child, and even Santa!)

Also, thank you so much for all the fantastic emails of support and kind words of comments I have been receiving in the past couple weeks. Please, I will write you back, but definitely it will take at least a week after tomorrow!

Extra thanks to B who posted the above video to me so that I could steal it then come and share it with you. Another extraordinary friend who I am blessed to have. I'm not sure I know anyone so gentle, generous, and ridiculously hip.

Love and peace, everyone.

xo.

Tighten Up!

2008-10-31T11:09:00.003-04:00

Yeah, you do the tighten up
Yeah, now
I said, if you can do it now
It sure would be tough
Now look here, come on now
Now make it mellow

Let's tighten it up now
Do the tighten up
Everybody can do it now
So get to it

We're gonna tighten up
Let's do the tighten up
You can do it now
So baby, get to it!

The Issues

2008-10-30T12:52:00.002-04:00

KNOW THE ISSUES Know what you are voting for when you stand for Barack Obama. Know that, with the American people supporting our country's future president, we can forge a society that is sustainable. Please look past the fact that sustainability is a trendy word right now, and look at what it really means: bearing the weight of a structure or means of burden.

Everything we do has a cost, in some way, some manner. Whether it's taxes, energy, or education, we as citizens need to balance and moderate what we're TAKING and what we are GIVING. Looking at the philosophy behind Obama's government plans, it will be a boon to all of us to phase out inefficient industries and harmful policies in order to create new business, strengthen communities, and allow for peaceful living.

We need to know the issues and come together for the common good. If you were not one of the 26.3 million that watched the Obama infomercial, here it is...

Dirt off your shoulder

2008-10-29T12:32:00.003-04:00

There are often times in my personal and work life, where I start to feel a bit down, a little low, by the actions of other people. A bad review, relationship conflicts, manipulators, someone in my apartment building who not only does not recycle, but then has the nerve to take down the really nice signs (with funny cartoons I drew!) to try and encourage a nicer refuse and sanitation area! I get to feeling blue by these things and I have to remind myself to not be entrenched in playa-hatin' and brush that dirt off my shoulder.

You know, I don't like everything about Jay-Z, and despite my sensitivity to ...uh, er, some of the raw language, I do love "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" and the sentiment behind it. BRUSH IT OFF. MOVE ON. BE SMART. TAKE ACTION. Bad review? I take it in stride that it's not how everyone feels. Relationship conflict? I strive to be diplomatic in finding a resolution. Manipulators? Respectfully ignored. Non-recycling neighbor takin' down my posters? I'll put them right back up.

www.FIGHT THE SMEARS.com

"What you won't hear from this campaign or this party is the kind of politics that uses religion as a wedge, and patriotism as a bludgeon -- that sees our opponents not as competitors to challenge, but enemies to demonize."

– Barack Obama, June 3, 2008

(I snapped this pic, I think on W.11th Street)

It ain't over, until it's over. There is still so much work to be done. The thrill of victory is just 1 week away. We hear it in the streets, we feel it in our hearts and it's burning in our souls. Together we have successfully registered the most young voters in the history of the modern political process. We called a State Of Emergency on October 3rd at 6:00AM and our culture stood up and recognized the importance of registering millions of voters. From 1st time voters who have just come of age to vote, to those who are participating for the 1st time in the voting process. Your commitment to Change will continue to ring across our America, because we all are in the Right State Of Mind

Where it stands today, we are on the verge of making history, the kind of history that will be apart of our cultures legacy. The kind of history that bridges the gap between race, religion and culture, the kind of history that will ignite a light that shines bright from generation to generation, screaming that our voice does matter and our vote does count. The kind of history that will enable the next generation of leaders to encourage vision, not division, to encourage hope, not hopelessness, to encourage the power of the people, not the power politics of the few.

With only 7 days left before we vote for change, let's hold ourselves accountable and responsible. No more excuses, no more mistakes and no more time to waste. If you have the opportunity to vote early in your state then vote today. If you are voting on November 4th, make preparation today. Bring your family and friends and plan for the party at the poles. Make November 4th the day we celebrate change - The day we celebrate freedom of choice. The day we celebrate power of all people. Lets all come together on November 4th, because it's a family reunion. It's our time and we are all in the Right State Of Mind.

We have 7 days to Vote for Change. 7 days to Vote to Make History. We can not slow down. We can not let up. We must push through to history until the final vote is cast and the last ballot is counted. We can, we must, and we will Make It Happen. Vote Obama/Biden on November 4th.

God Bless,
Diddy
Jay-Z
Mary J. Blige
Kevin Liles

--October 28, 2008 / VIBE.com

Seven Days to Win, Seven Days to Lose

2008-10-28T10:15:00.004-04:00

"We can go to the moon, split atoms to power submarines, squeeze profits from a 99 cent hamburger and watch football highlights on cell phones. But the most successful democracy in human history has yet to figure out how to conduct a proper election."

1. The Database Dilemma
Back in Mississippi last March, an election official wrongly purged 10,000 people from the voting rolls — including a Republican congressional candidate — while using her home computer.

2. 'Mickey Mouse' Registrations And Polling-Place Challenges
Republican protesters have started crashing political events in squirrel costumes.

3. Bad Forms
Until the palm beach county butterfly ballot had its 15 minutes of fame, few believed that bad design could determine the fate of the world.

4. The Voting-Machine Fiasco
But in a single, Democratic-leaning county, more than 18,000 voters mysteriously failed to record a selection in the congressional race, an undervote as much as six times the rate of other counties.

5. Unequal Distribution of Resources
While suburban precincts had enough machines so voters didn't have to wait, largely Democratic precincts in Columbus had lines with four-hour waits — often in the rain.

6. New Burdens of Proof
But an explosion in voter-identification laws has raised the prospect that thousands will turn up to vote next month and find themselves turned away.

7. Confusing Rules, Bad Information
Anonymous automated phone calls warn people that they will be arrested at the polls or that their polling places have moved.

7 Things That Could Go Wrong on Election Day
by Michael Scherer from TIME.com

Sounds scary, right? All these things are terrifying, but it doesn't have to happen to YOU. It shouldn't be difficult to vote in this election if you're armed with information and put in a little effort of preparation and planning. And, if you're able, you can also volunteer in many ways and many places, such as at the polls.

Hopefully, The Voter Information Project will help streamline the process to allow every single one of us to be heard.

State and local elections officials can now spend less time and money gathering and sharing voting information. In partnership with a group of state elections officials, the Voting Information Project developed a standard format to easily collect and distribute voting information. Using this open and non-proprietary data format, elections officials can share their voting information securely. Follow the links below or visit About the Project to learn more about how you can help voters get easy access to essential voting information.

Wasssssup! 8 years, 8 days...

2008-10-27T11:05:00.003-04:00

Eight years ago...

Eight years later...

EIGHT DAYS TO VOTE!

Tuesday, NOVEMBER 4th!
Vote for CHANGE!

Young Americans

2008-10-24T11:16:00.002-04:00

Ah, an oldie but goodie! The availability of this amazing clip of David Bowie and Cher might be the sole reason I love youtube.com. (How many of the songs in the medley can you name?)

And, via the effervescent young North American Cecil Castellucci, I have discovered yet another amazing network of folk who've organized themselves as YA FOR OBAMA.

Maureen Johnson's site is incredible and worth checking out for active participants, info-sharing, breaking news, fan contests, and, if you scroll down a bit on the main page, the fantastic cartoon image FIST BUMP featuring Barack Obama and Abraham Lincoln.

Have a fabulous weekend, everybody!

xoxo.

Flickr's Artists for Obama

2008-10-23T13:02:00.004-04:00

Need a little pick me up, besides Scotch, in order to deal with the last couple days recent run of news insanity? Check out the Flickr's pool of photos for Artists for Obama!

Steal Back Your Vote

2008-10-21T10:42:00.004-04:00

My friend, and extremely talented writer and artist, Brian Wood has been sounding out the call for folks to get involved with Steal Back Your Vote.

There are so many crucial jobs in an election, from what I hope have been inspiring posts to register and get to the election office here at spookoo.com to Wood's efforts to dig in even further to make sure every single ballot counts. Here's what he has to say about the extremely important movement to secure your voice at the polls and in our election:

The Election

12:53 pm October 20th, 2008

They call it the election of a generation, or even of our lifetime. That's likely true, considering what's at stake, so voter repression and list-scrubbing should be something that carries an equal amount of weight and significance, well beyond just Florida in '00 and Ohio in '04.

Greg Palast and Bobby Kennedy Jr. have been fighting a pre-emptive fight on this front, and you've probably heard of the comic book you can download about it: http://www.stealbackyourvote.org/ Suffice to say, I support their efforts, and signed on as a sponsor of the project. These guys are the real deal, and deserve a couple bucks of donation in exchange for the comic.

At the very least, some reading on Palast's previous efforts, especially the book The Best Democracy Money Can Buy is essential for anyone interested or concerned.

thanks,

b

[Also, taken from http://www.brianwood.com/ BLOG:]

The book has art by Ted Rall, Lloyd Dangle, and Lukas Ketner, and I am encouraging everyone to go to www.stealbackyourvote.com and donate something (as little as $1, but I hope more than that) and get the book.

I just got done writing a 130-page DMZ story about an American election rife with fraud and suppression and violence, but that’s nothing compared to what goes on in real life, seemingly every time I open a newspaper. This is a CRUCIAL issue, one that Palast has been doggedly fighting for nearly a decade, and your donations can do a bit of good.

Samples from the book here. History of Greg Palast’s work here.

“The most important investigative reporter of our time” [Tribune Magazine]

“The top investigative journalist in the United States is persona non grata in his own country’s media.” [Asia Times.]

“Doggedly independent, undaunted by power. His stories bite, they’re so relevant they threaten to alter history” -Chicago Tribune

Twisted and maniacal” -Katherine Harris

“We hate that sonuvabitch.” -The White House


After you download and read Steal Back Your Vote, go pick up Wood's NORTHLANDERS comic book series, beautifully illustrated by Davide Gianfelice, it's fantastic. Action, romance, and vikings!

ABC's of Jackson Nash

2008-10-20T10:31:00.006-04:00

Congratulations are in order for Jackson Nash who completed the 26th letter in his art series, The Peace Alphabet, last Friday for SuperForest.

Jackson is a good compadre of mine, so I have had the great fortune to chat with him as he went on this small journey and sometimes get a peak at his sketchbook. When I saw his first letter-doodle in his sketchbook, I knew he was onto something simple, yet big; amusing yet profound! Something more than a language's word-building blocks, more than an art exercise in ideas, something that ultimately takes these two fundamental means of our creative lives and uses it as a grand projection for our civilization: PEACE.

Bravo bravo bravo, Jack.

To view the entire run, go to The Peace Alphabet

HOPE, North Carolina!

2008-10-17T10:58:00.007-04:00

The lovely and talented Hope Larson, author/illustrator of the amazing Chiggers, was one of many magnificent early voters who got out to the voting booth to cast their ballots in North Carolina yesterday!

Election 2008: Close race fuels massive early voting in North Carolina

The North Carolina State Board of Elections is reporting that over 100,000 voters cast ballots yesterday, the first day of early voting in the state.

In that one day, Democrats had the clear advantage:
State Board of Elections data showed that 64 percent of voters who went to the polls Thursday were registered Democrats, while 21 percent of voters were registered Republicans. Another 15 percent were unaffiliated.
The record turnout, especially among Democrats, is being fueled by the sense that, for the first time in decades, North Carolina is in play. Both presidential campaigns are investing heavily in NC, although Obama is outspending McCain 2-1 in advertising.

Sarah Palin made two campaigns stops in NC this week, and Obama will lead a rally in Fayetteville -- the heart of NC military country -- this weekend.

Another boost for early voting turnout: North Carolina is the only state in the South with same-day voter registration, which boosts the ability of candidates to bring new voters to the polls.

--The Institute for Southern Studies

VOTE for CHANGE, North Carolina!

And after you vote, do a little dance because you are wonderful, and it's DANCE POLITICAL PARTY FRIDAY!

The Kids Are Alright

2008-10-16T10:43:00.004-04:00

11 Facts About Voting:

The Millennial generation already makes up 1/5 of the electorate. By 2015, they will account for 1/3.
Compared to 2000, young voters have more than doubled their turnout in the 2008 primaries and caucuses. For example, in Texas, the number of 18-29 year old voters grew 301%.
In both the 2006 and the 2008 primaries, young voters made the difference in several tight races. Senator Obama owes his caucus win in Iowa to 18-29 year olds, and a winning margin among the youth vote helped Senator McCain win in California.
The current presidential election is the first in decades where candidates are actively and aggressively courting the youth vote. In the primaries, four candidates from both parties had full-time, national youth outreach directors.
Young Latinos are the largest, and fastest-growing ethnic subset of young adults; 50,000 young Latinos turn 18 each month, and Latinos make up 17% of the youth electorate.
In comparison to other people of color, young African-Americans voters are more likely to vote regularly, donate money to candidates, and display a campaign button or sign.
Since 2004, young women have led the turnout increase witnessed among young adults overall. In both 2004 and 2006, young women voted at rates seven and three points higher than young men.
The majority of young voters identify themselves as Democrat (47%), with 55% of young women classified as Democrats, compared to 38% of men.
Overall, 28% of young voters identify as Republicans, with 30% of young men categorizing themselves as Republican, compared to 26% of young women.
Republican identification is also highest among Caucasian youth, with 35% identifying as Republican.
Research shows that young voters with college experience are much more likely to vote than their non-college counterparts. Although ½ of young Americans ages 18-29 have never enrolled in college, 79% of the young voters on Super Tuesday attended college.

From DO SOMETHING:

What we're all about

Do Something believes you have the power to make a difference. It is our aim to inspire, support and celebrate a generation of doers: people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action. At DoSomething.org we provide the tools and resources for you to convert your ideas and energy into positive action. Be part of a generation of doers.

Five guidelines we live by:

Believe in teenagers. Teenagers can lead today. We don't require adults.

Trust teenagers. We provide reliable, easy to access information and activation strategies, but teens decide for themselves what to do.

Celebrate teenagers. We think all measurable contributions from teens are valuable.

Respect teenagers. We understand that teenagers have diverse abilities and
constraints.

Value teenagers. Our programs and products are free. We're not after teens'
money; we want their passion, time and creativity.

We Are The Ones

2008-10-15T10:30:00.003-04:00

30 graphic designers present 30 REASONS to vote for Barack Obama.

REASON 2 10/6/08

This election gives us a rare opportunity to make a choice and commit to one of two drastically different sets of ideals. We can cower in the shadows of our problems, divide and fall, or we can band together, get to work and make a difference. This election is about one thing: Fear versus Empowerment. Please choose wisely.

Found via my ever fav site SUPERFOREST!

Alphabet for Change

2008-10-14T09:56:00.003-04:00

Patrick over at PKPR has sent a note about an amazing site launching this week:

SpellingChange.com (http://www.spellingchange.com), features an Obama-inspired alphabet created by dozens of the country’s top artists, designers, and photographers.

Contributors include Stefan Sagmeister, Karen Collins, R.O. Blechman, Larry Fink, Jake Chessum, MC Paul Barman, and a housewife in Texas who created an embroidered “S”. Each of the participants reinterpreted one letter of the alphabet in a way that represents what Obama’s candidacy means to them. In all, more than 100 letters were created.

The project was spearheaded by Michael Ian Kaye, head of Mother Design, and the site was created by POKE New York.

“I’ve never been politically active before, but this election is far too important to remain on the sidelines,” said Michael Ian Kaye, head of Mother Design, who spearheaded the project. “We wanted to give Obama fans a fun, creative way to show their support and voice their own messages of change.”

For those who think they don't know Michael's work, you surely do! He's created/designed such iconic book covers as Chuck Pahlaniuk's Fight Club and David Sedaris' Me Talk Pretty One Day.

Using spellingchange.com, I made the words CREATE, ART, and DESIGN (myself!) which I've used to outline the three very basic, easy, and amazing features of the site:

To create banners to post online (using embed code), bumper stickers, posters, postcards, and t-shirts, simply type in a word and the site generates an original design using letters from the alphabet. To create a word, go to: http://www.spellingchange.com/make-a-word.php.

Users can browse the alphabet and click on individual letters to learn more about the artist and the inspiration behind the design. To view the alphabet, go to http://www.spellingchange.com/browse-alphabet.php.

You can also design and upload your own letters at http://www.spellingchange.com/create-a-letter.php.

Thank you so much for emailing, Patrick! I love what you guys do and cannot wait to see Earth From Above when it opens.

xo, christine

Aretha's 'A Change Is Gonna Come'

2008-10-10T11:20:00.002-04:00

Aretha Franklin, 'A Change is Gonna Come'
song/lyrics by Sam Cooke

VOTE FOR CHANGE

New York... Idaho... North Carolina... and Oklahoma, I hope you are registered to vote because today is your last day to do so! If not... maybe you are going out to register on your lunch break today, or perhaps before you go out for the evening? It's a beautiful day to register!

And, for the rest of you who reside in states that still have time, have an amazing and wonderful weekend!

Alabama * California * Connecticut * Delaware * Georgia * Iowa * Kansas * Maryland * Massachusetts * Minnesota * Nebraska * New Hampshire * New Jersey * Oregon * South * * Dakota * Utah * Vermont * West Virgina * Wisconsin * Wyoming

Vote for Change

2008-10-09T10:12:00.003-04:00

New York! Tomorrow is the very last day to register to vote! Registration must be in the mail, postmarked October 10!

You might think, "Why should I worry? New York's totally going to win for Obama". Well, it is my firm belief that every citizen should be counted, you should vote, no matter the odds! Show the numbers, let it be known, let it be a landslide, do your duty, for your community, for this country, for our world! Go go go!

VOTE FOR CHANGE

The Ecology

2008-10-08T09:52:00.003-04:00

Marvin Gaye -- Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

The League of Conservation Voters has given John McCain’s lifetime voting record on the environment a score of 24 out of 100. The average in the Senate is somewhere in the mid 50s.

Barack Obama’s lifetime environmental voting record receives a score of 96 out of 100.

"With less than a month to go in the US Presidential Election, one debate between John McCain and Barack Obama done and another scheduled for tonight, and the only debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin completed, less than 18% of US voters consider themselves undecided.

If you’re one of these people and care about energy policy and the environment I hope comparing side-by-side the rhetoric of both major party candidates has proven useful. In past posts we’ve covered renewable energy, offshore oil drilling, nuclear power, clean coal, and global warming."

--Matthew McDermott,Treehugger.com

Click to read the full article and breakdown comparison: Toeing the Green Line: McCain v. Obama

VOTE FOR CHANGE

The Morning Line

2008-10-07T10:29:00.003-04:00

Matthew Ritchie, the British artist who was tagged by Time Magazine as one of "100 Innovators of the Next Millennium," informed the listeners that, "If Obama becomes president, I will become a US citizen." He used the "p" word that I had been hearing so frequently from Obama advocates.

"It's very personal," he said. "Something more is at stake. People tell me, 'He's not the pragmatic choice. You're a dreamer.' But I think Obama can beat McCain. The whole world is waiting for the United States to come back."

-- The New York Art World Votes

Congratulations to Matthew Ritchie who unveiled his incredible sculpture/future/device, THE MORNING LINE at the 3rd International Biennial of Contemporary Art of Seville in Spain.

THE MORNING LINE

“Not light, but darkness visible.”

If sound is a kind of light, then perhaps light is a kind of sound. A fourteen billion year old tune played backwards to a clock made of stars, ticking at the speed of light until the end of time. Snake eyes rolled for eternity.

This project proposes a ruin from the future, a new type of structure whose function can only be inferred not just by using it but by reading it. Combining science, art, architecture, music and film into the first semasiographic building, an architectural language that directly expresses its content through its structure. A structure that is simultaneously generating itself and falling apart.

An anti-pavilion, not an enclosure, but an opening of space, a conversion of place into language.

Paradise Lost begins with the question, what happened after the beginning of time? It ends with the answer in a description of a future past, the world flooded under a great deluge.

Google and The Chocolate Factory VOTE!

2008-10-06T12:31:00.001-04:00

NEW YORK! ONLY FOUR DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER!

GOOGLE MAPS / VOTE! You enter your address, hit search, and BOOM! All the info you need is there at your fingertips. Your state, deadlines for registering, and website and phone info for your state's election offices. And according their site, by mid-October Google Maps Vote will also have voting location information.

Seriously, this is so easy! Let me demonstrate HOW easy, by using Google Maps Vote myself. Of course, I need to keep my semi-secret identity secret secret, so I'm going to use the address of my local chocolate factory, Jacque Torres:

Amazing, no? The General Election is delicious! Check out Jacque Torres' Political Lollipops! We stopped by last week and the caramel crunch pop is super yummy (and on the back it's stamped 'Barack the Vote').

American Girls

2008-10-03T11:59:00.007-04:00

MY NAME IS SARAH "There are thousands of "Sarahs" across the nation who reflect America's values and share a vision for the future of our country. They're mothers, workers, educators, providers and they're voting in November for Barack Obama.

By telling these women's stories, the "My Name Is Sarah" project aims to raise awareness among women in key swing states about the compelling reasons women like them are supporting Obama for president. Read their stories, post your own Sarah Stories."

Thanks to the lovely Ilona for emailing this! Normally, I try to keep this blog as positive and forward-thinking as possible, but in the case of Sarah Palin and in light of last night's debate, I'd like to voice how much I am against this woman and her negative and backwards-thinking ways.

The America that Obama/Biden want to build is positive and forward-thinking. The nation that Sarah Palin has sought to fashion in Alaska, and wants to ultimately create in our union, is environmentally destructive and socially fear-based. But, don't just take my word for it... much thanks to a reader who sent a ton of pics of Alaskan women protesting Sarah Palin!

PS. I cannot even describe the depths in which I love Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. If you do too, check out this excellent version of An American Girl from The Old Grey Whistle Test. xoxo.

Show your support!

2008-10-02T10:30:00.002-04:00

"When did signing on to be an artist or a writer or any kind of entertainer suddenly mean you no longer had a right to your opinion? Sure, no one wants to hear an actor or a singer or a comic book artist get political if they are uninformed about the chosen topic, but at the same time, we seem to have no problem with politicians being uninformed about their jobs. Elected officials from both sides of the aisle consistently get it wrong, backflip on their opinions, and ramble on with nothing mooring their opinions, and everyone not only lets them get away with it, but instead of firing them, we elect them for another term. How is it that Matt Damon is suddenly the voice of reason?"

--Jamie S. Rich
"SHUT UP AND DRAW?" October 1, 2008

This is an excerpt from a fantastic essay posted by my friend and former editor Jamie S. Rich on his excellent blog Confessions 123. It's a detailed and insightful response to a couple negative comments that Comics Industry for Obama had been receiving on a message board. I urge you to click the link above and go read it. It's smart, positive, and ends with a poignant remembrance of Paul Newman's legacy.
On today's theme of showing your support, I also recommend checking out DemocraticStuff.com. They've got a ridiculous amount of amazing buttons, including the smooth Coltrane inspired Jazz for Obama button above! My personal favorite is Breakfast for Obama.

Big thanks go to journalist and writer Douglas Wolk for sending me to their website (congrats on your 2008 Harvey Award!).

KNOW YOUR POLLING LOCATION!

2008-10-01T12:42:00.005-04:00

Okay, so you registered to vote yesterday, right? That's sensational, fantastic, you are fabulously awesome, you wonderful human being you! But, now you need to actually know where you are going to vote. This is SO easy, just use VOTE411's:

POLLING PLACE FINDER

THINK you're registered?

2008-09-30T01:16:00.005-04:00

Even if you are all ready registered, you should make sure your INFO is UP-TO-DATE. Here's a recent post from the lovely and talented Raina Telgemeier:

Unbelievably, I just realized my voter information was NOT UP TO DATE!

I've been a registered voter in New York State since 2004, so I figured I was all set for November. But I decided to confirm it anyway, because you never know. So I checked, and only THEN did I realize--hey! I've moved apartments since 2004! Would that have affected my ability to place my vote? Who knows? But this is not the kind of election where I want to take chances.

Are YOU registered?

Is YOUR personal info up-to-date?

Are you SURE?

Did you move? Get married? Change your name?

You can go here to check. Or register. Every state is different, and every state has a different deadline for submitting your registration--New York's is October 10. The website will tell you what your state's deadline is, and where to send your form. It took about 2 minutes for me to do this.

This is important, you guys. I may or may not have more to say about the election as it gets closer, but suffice it to say I've been thinking about it since early this year, even if I haven't been talking about it publicly. Just please please do it.

Thanks.

~raina

This is from Raina's LiveJournal! Check it out to keep up to date with her work, and sound perspective on events in the comics' industry. Also! She's used our 'Artists for Obama' as her avatar!

REGISTER TO VOTE! TODAY!

2008-09-30T00:24:00.006-04:00

YOU NEED TO REGISTER TO VOTE

THIS WEEK

For many states, your deadline is only 20-30 days out from Election Day-- which is 35 days from now! Not sure what your state's deadline is? Check at DECLARE YOURSELF (http://www.declareyourself.com/voting_faq/state_by_state_info_2.html).

You can easily do it online, by mail, or you can go to your local election office to do so. Here are a few more resources:

ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

PROJECT VOTE SMART

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

DECLARE YOURSELF

ROCK THE VOTE

I am fond of Rock The Vote because when MTV launched it in 1992, I was finally 18 years old and an adult! Of course, Madonna, REM, and Deee-lite appealed to my silly senses and I found myself at a Clinton rally in St. Louis and thought myself very politically minded. Later, I filled out the Voter Registration form in person at the Webster Groves Library and was rejected because the librarian "official" who looked over my U.S. birth certificate saw 'Born Abroad' stamped on it which she found suspicious for some reason...

Had I any intel or guidance, I would have discovered that this was NOT CORRECT. Should anyone try to deter you for obscure or some reason other than what you see on many voting documents FAQs, please question another source or authority!

Twelve years and three elections later, I finally made the effort and got registered! Check out my LiveJournal post (http://spookoo.livejournal.com/11961.html) where I posted my jubliation:

"I registered to VOTE!! This is my first time voting. I did not in the last two elections because the first time I was denied registration due to my international status. The second time I felt deflated and let's be honest, I was too apathetic.

NO MORE! I'm a real citizen and I'm going to really vote. Very exciting. I registered via declareyourself.com and found that a lot easier and more informative than Rock The Vote's interface/form thing.

If you haven't registered, GO!"

--ME!
October 8, 2004

A Nation for Everybody

2008-09-29T10:05:00.003-04:00

Truth, Justice, and the American-Artist Way

2008-09-25T20:56:00.004-04:00

"ART can't just be a rear-view mirror,
it should have a headlight out there...
to point where we need to go."

-- Barack Obama

Marion Vitus, illustrator extraordinaire, took this photograph and very graciously emailed it to us. She wrote, "Not exactly comic art... But, I like the crossover nonetheless."

My love, my darling, my duck! We are not exclusively about the comics art, though it is obviously our main passion. ARTISTS FOR OBAMA , I say, all mediums and craft! Painting, photography, music, sculpture, robot-making, what-have-you! JUST DO!

(Fantastic job taking this photo, Marion! And thank you very much for taking the time and emailing me.)

Get ready, get ready

2008-09-25T20:34:00.008-04:00

'COS HERE I COME...

UPDATE: IT'S ON, PEOPLE! Senator McCain decides to participate in the first debate for the 2008 Election for Presidency of The United States!

I know, it's one of the craziest news mornings I've ever seen. I'm trying to digest everything from the financial crisis to foreign military arms purchases and if the presidential debate is taking place tonight in Mississippi. There's still no official word from the McCain campaign if Senator McCain will show and I think the latest report is that if he doesn't, Obama will hold a town hall type meeting. Well, whatever happens, I think we can be ready for it, don't you?

Oxford, Miss., September 24, 2008 - “The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) is moving forward with its plan for the first presidential debate at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss. this Friday, September 26. The plans for this forum have been underway for more than a year and a half. The CPD’s mission is to provide a forum in which the American public has an opportunity to hear the leading candidates for the president of the United States debate the critical issues facing the nation. We believe the public will be well served by having all of the debates go forward as scheduled.”

-- Statement by Commission on Presidential Debates. (http://www.debates.org)

On this Dance Political Party Friday, may I present Senator Obama's views on the politics of hip-hop and what he has on his iPod... The presidential playlist, up for debate?

Happy weekend, Peace and Love!

Artists for Change

2008-09-25T16:13:00.011-04:00

This week has been an amazingly productive time for the Obama movement. In the last twenty-four hours, I've created this Artists for Obama graphic, been informed of a social network called "Comics Industry for Obama", organized by the incredible Sarah Grace McCandless, and received an email from Charette Communication Design's Pete Friedrich on a graphic he was inspired to make against the McCain/Palin campaign titled 'McCain't'.

Here's information on all three projects should you like to participate in any of them:

COMICS INDUSTRY FOR OBAMA

Whether you’re an artist, a writer, a publisher, an editor, a retailer, a fan, or all of the above, this is the place to show your support. In the words of Senator Barack Obama, let’s bring about the change we need by helping to elect him as President of the United States this November!

Bid on one of our upcoming auctions featuring one-of-a-kind Obama sketches from top comics artists such as Mike Mignola and Eric Powell (who also designed our awesome logo). 100% of the final winning bids will be donated to the Obama campaign!

MCCAIN'T

Hi, I woke up in a cold sweat, and the only way to make it go away was to get this graphic out of my head. So here it is. Use it however you like. Please.

And if you want to get a legit piece of merch, I uploaded it: http://www.zazzle.com/paved_planet All proceeds from orders I will funnel into the Obama Campaign!

ARTISTS FOR OBAMA

There are many peoples representing and being represented for Obama. Women, Latinos, Environmentalists, People of Faith, even Sportsmen. Perhaps it is obvious that The Arts community would be behind the Democratic ticket, but how can we know unless we show our support?

I've created the above graphic, displaying the basic tools of 'the artist', which I invite you to use as you please. Print it out, use it on your own blog or website, whatever you feel will send the message that we need a change and have the audacity of hope! Though, if you feel this logo does not best represent YOUR art, there is a blank logo which I encourage you to use as your canvas to show your support: http://www.spookoo.com/artists_for_obama.html

(Thanks to Beckerman for the art direction and Jackson for the encouragement.)

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE

2008-09-25T12:47:00.004-04:00

During my morning stroll through the internet, saw this on my fav site SUPERFOREST. Never thought I'd ever in a million years state: peace and love to you too, Nascar and Coors Light.

W... is for Peace

2008-09-23T11:11:00.003-04:00

Show your support!

2008-09-22T14:56:00.004-04:00

This past Saturday, I was walking through the thronged streets of SoHo when I spotted this sidewalk vendor expressing a fantastic YES WE CAN attitude! I love it that she feels so strongly that she's handmade her sign of support for all to see.

Even if you know your state will win for Obama, I think it is such a positive endeavor to celebrate your candidate every day until Election Day! Perhaps through such public displays, you might inspire and win over a tourist from a swing state, or more likely someone who may just be lackadaisical and needs the little bit of an extra push to get out to vote!

If you want to show some colors and support, AND want to directly contribute to the Obama/Biden campaign, you can purchase support packs on the Barack Obama web-store. Prices range from $25-125!

http://store.barackobama.com/product_p/op00051-2.htm

B... is for Peace

2008-09-19T12:12:00.001-04:00

YES, Gray's Papaya

2008-09-18T20:08:00.003-04:00

For his part, Mr. Gray said he has never been overly concerned that his endorsements would offend customers. “Maybe I shouldn’t do it,” he said. “Maybe I shouldn’t mix business and politics. But it’s a high-traffic location, and I feel strongly about certain things.”

--Alexis Mainland
NY Times/City Room, March 3, 2008

I feel strongly about certain things too, Mr. Gray. I feel strongly that I love walking by your window and seeing your sign to Obama. I'll take the Recession Special with Mustard and a papaya, please! Thank you!

Gray's Papaya
402 Sixth Avenue at 8th Street

View Larger Map

H... is for Peace

2008-09-16T10:26:00.003-04:00

SO, my brilliant and lovely friend Jackson has been working on this neat little art project called The Peace Alphabet. SO, he also asked me to collab with him on it. SO, I said, "A'ight". SO, it's gonna happen. SO, in no particular order, posted here, somewhere, hopefully everywhere, you'll see... my concepts for PEACE, A thru Zed...

YES WE CAN

2008-09-15T10:47:00.003-04:00

I think I may have posted or twittered that I am an Obama Mama. Well, I am now making it officially known starting with Barack Obama's incredible "YES WE CAN".

So, it may or may not come as a surprise that I'm dedicating the next fifty days to letting my vote be public. One of the first and easiest things I am going to do is make it known online by making regular posts here and adding some of my persuasion's political flair to my websites. Did you know that there is a whole media area on Obama's site that contains all kinds of logos, images, and information for tricking out? I can't wait to use more of them!

If you want to do the same, check it out at www.barackobama.com/downloads And, if you do create something, can you please comment below and share with a URL or something so I can see it too? Thanks, that'd be amazing!

Love,

Christine

. . . the reason our campaign has always been different is because it's
not just about what I will do as President, it's also about what you,
the people who love this country, can do to change it.

That's why tonight belongs to you. It belongs to the organizers and
the volunteers and the staff who believed in our improbable journey
and rallied so many others to join.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no
matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can withstand the
power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will
only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. We've been
asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against
offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been
anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible
odds; when we've been told that we're not ready, or that we shouldn't
try, or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a
simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people.

Yes we can.

-- Barack Obama

Romantica

2008-09-10T14:00:00.004-04:00

Jamie S. Rich done gone and posted the rest of our ol' Romantica sketches+words! Hop over to his blog to see:

ROMANTICA 1: A CERTAIN ROMANCE
ROMANTICA 2: ANOTHER SUITCASE IN ANOTHER HALL
ROMANTICA 3: YOU MUST LOVE ME

Thanks for taking the time to share these, Jamie. >MWAH!<

One More Time

2008-08-29T09:04:00.001-04:00

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone.

xo.

A Certain Romance

2008-08-27T11:06:00.003-04:00

Jamie Rich has just revealed on his blog a kind of time capsule of some old things we'd sketched together, my drawings, his words... way back from 2001:

While digging through an old back-up disc today, I found a long-forgotten project that never quite happened. The basic gist of it is, back in 2001, Christine Norrie was posting sketches to her website. If I recall, it was on a daily basis. Somewhere along the way, one of us had the notion that I would answer these sketches with sketches of my own. The process was simple: I would look at her drawings and write whatever came to mind. Short, to the point, just whatever they inspired.

He's posted as much of the art as he could find, which is a pretty great thing since I don't have an record of that work is, including his original poetry from the exercise. It's amusing and somewhat embarrassing to see one's humble beginnings. Often, you're either struck by the amateur ignorance (I could do so much better now!), but at least admire the courage it takes to put your full heart on paper (I could never do better as then!).

Jamie's also added as a funny supplement, some of the original doodles I'd mail him when I turned in (often very late) my artwork for the Hopeless Savages series. A running joke of Jamie depicted as a dog. I do recall that I'd tease him about being a hound because if I recall, he often seems to be mixed up with the ladies! Ah, my friend, some things just don't change.

Hop over to Confessions 1 2 3 to reminisce what could have been!

comicky portraits

2008-08-25T21:58:00.004-04:00

Remember way back in April when I was one of five speakers on the panel discussion Publishing Graphic Narratives for The Women’s National Book Association and Friends of Lulu? And, you totally went to it and was in awe of Jessica Abel, Judy Hansen, Charlie Kochman, and Dan Nadel... but, somewhat confused by my own silly antics?

Well, the amazing T. Motley not only was there, but he did some sketches of us! Brilliant! I think we should have more of our press done via ink illustrations as opposed to camera... I love it love it love it.

[click HERE to view larger]

Do the Hustle!

2008-08-22T10:54:00.003-04:00

Dance is part of rehabilitation at Philippine prison
--International Herald Tribune

In 2004, as a security consultant to the provincial government (his older sister, Gwendolyn Garcia, is governor), he was brought in to address problems at the prison after a series of riots. He recommended that the almost 2,000 prisoners be moved from an ancient stockade, which had been built with a 200-prisoner capacity in mind by the Spanish, whose colonial rule ended in 1898. The prisoners were transferred to a new, larger facility.

Garcia also fired dozens of jail guards for corruption, installed an enhanced security system, broke up gangs, banned guns and the use of cash (opening bank accounts for inmates) and enforced an exercise regime that in the past year evolved into dance classes.

Garcia said that what had been weekly outbreaks of violence have subsided, inmates' health has improved and recidivism rates are down dramatically.

Dance "gives the inmates something to do, something they can be proud they're part of," Diokno said. "It lets them know that they can be productive, that they aren't useless scum of society. This is rehabilitation already."

Send in the clowns...

2008-08-19T09:48:00.006-04:00

What is divine intervention? What is coincidence and what is karma? What is it when you are confronted with what seems remarkably more than just a random occurrence in your life? I'm not religious and do not enjoy speculating over matters beyond my control, so I don't know the answers to this. But, what I do know is that when strange things happen, I embrace them to the fullest degree!

Over the past couple days, I've been deeply troubled by some personal matters. It's one of those situations where you are pretty sure there's not going to be a happy outcome, so you must find some way to be delicate about painful and sorrowful issues. I'm fine, it's just one of those things.

Yesterday, I'd finally grown weary of chewing over my dilemma and decided to pick up my young daughter from summer camp and we'd go to The Central Park Zoo as a cheer-up. About five minutes into our ride uptown, the train makes it's scheduled stop at 28th Street and about twenty clowns board our car. Clowns with bright wigs, full make-up, big floppy shoes, billowy pants, and giant red noses.

My first reaction was of panic, having been traumatized by the violence of The Dark Knight. But then my daughter smiled. The clowns were silly. They honked their noses. They gave us stickers and a balloon fashioned into a dog. They made us laugh. Wonderfully moved by this sudden circus in our midst, I asked where they'd come from. One of the girl clowns tilted her head and looked up wistfully and said in a sweet voice, "We just got back from Wall Street. Those guys are so sad and we decided to cheer them up."

I've never been much entertained by clowns, but this was pretty amazing. And, if this is performance art, it's the best thing I've ever witnessed. Wherever this troupe went, people were amused and a part of their day became extraordinary. I know ours was.

Young Folks

2008-08-15T11:06:00.004-04:00

You guys know SuperForest, right? Well, it's only about my favorite blog! The members, based all over the world, post daily items as a catalogue of sustainable achievements, not just in the jaw-dropping arena of science and forward-thinking philosophies, but in the everyday human feats of goofiness and joy.

A couple weeks ago, founding SuperForester Jackson had posted a bunch of youtube clips of his favorite whistling tunes. Feeling inspired by it, and the amazing and thought-provoking dinner I had with him on Tuesday, I've ganked his post to share here for Dance Party Friday-- SUPERFOREST: Whistling Songs!

As well as two additional variations on the song Young Folks. A collaboration and a remix. Because, that's what I feel when I am within SuperForest, an incredible creative hive of collab/remix of diverse ideas based in honesty, peace, and sustainable behavior. That is cool! And sexy! And fun! How lucky are we to have SuperForest? So very.

Peter Bjorn & John

Peter Bjorn & John & Kanye

Peter Bjorn & John & Mike D & MCA & King Ad-Rock

Some Kind of Love

2008-08-12T11:36:00.003-04:00

Norma Jeane, 9x12 grey marker and sumi brushpen sketch

Here's a warm-up sketch I did last night before settling into a few hours of work. I think I'd mentioned before that Marilyn Monroe is very difficult for me to draw, so I like to take up the task as a challenge every now and again.

Perhaps I've also had this type of bombshell visual on my mind because I just spent the last two weeks watching the first season of the spectacular series Mad Men. I've never been so delighted and saddened in all my life! If you haven't seen it, and you like the things you see on this blog, I strongly recommend it. And, if you happen to have AMC, can I please move in with you for Season Two?

Though, further back in the month, Marilyn may also have been on my mind after reading The Misfit's Bobby Steele write recently in The Villager on why 'Die Yuppie Scum' is hate speech.

----------------
Now playing: The Misfits - Some Kind Of Love
via FoxyTunes

Picnic in the Summertime

2008-08-01T09:04:00.004-04:00

We're trippin' on the 90s here at Casa Spookoo... could be my cold/flu in the summertime or the fact that Cat and I went to the Angelika last week and caught The Wackness. A coming-of-age film set against the backdrop of 1994 New York (though the film-makers really only make that awkwardly apparent in the first thirty minutes) about a boy, the hot girl he digs, the hot girl's stepfather who buys weed from the dope-dealing boy, and his mixtapes.

The soundtrack kicked in a kind of rewind of the mind and I was recalling 1994 St. Louis, my apartment behind The Hi-Pointe and Theatre, and my black Honda Civic Hatchback (SI engine) constantly playing Deee-Lite's Dewdrops in the Garden. Having hit my twenties, I no longer belonged to any single scene or clique, I floated along with them all. An afternoon with the punkabillies at Hullabaloo, then up to Chicago with the ravers, or at home chilling with my mutton-chopped hip-hop-centric boyfriend.

I'm still a social floater and I love it. Getting to meet and know all kinds of different folk, getting the opportunity to do diverse things! Me and you! Do something new! Let the silly nostalgic clips inspire and have a great weekend!

Can I kick it? (Yes, you can!)

Bryant Park

2008-07-29T10:55:00.003-04:00

girl reading, sketched 6/24/08

Bryant Park contains six flower beds planted seasonally with 100 species of woody shrubs and herbaceous perennials and 20,000 bulbs and twin promenades bordered by London plane trees (Platanus acerifolia) which can grow up to 120 feet in height. The Lawn is planted with a rye/fescue/bluegrass and is as long as a football field (300 feet) and 215 feet wide.

This is my favorite lawn in all of New York. You don't need a blanket or anything, you just walk out into the wide green sea, kick off your shoes and jump in.

----------------
Now playing: The National - Baby We’ll Be Fine

Graphic Novelist

2008-07-25T11:26:00.005-04:00

"After reading Christine's books Cheat and Breaking Up, it occurred to me that she's doing a modern-day take on romance comics. Inspired by her work, and by classic romance comic imagery, I set-up the photo..."

-- From Seth Kushner's New York Graphic Novelists project.

Oh, I am back in town and am entrenched in the camp that is not-attending-San Diego-Comic Con. Since my return home from holiday two weeks ago, I've been keeping busy with urgent home projects and bouts of extreme laziness. I just love the summer and the city too much to do anything but lounge in cafes drinking sangria, take naps in the park, and curl up with paperback books! In a dreamy daze, I've been doing some small sketching and career speculating, having high hopes to work on new comics, perhaps another graphic novel on the side, occasional painting... le siiigh...

xoxo,

--christine

Bon voyageee!

2008-06-13T12:15:00.002-04:00

Despite many obstacles, our office has officially moved into it's new space. It only took me hollering at smartass people and my mighty muscles of steel, but we did it! Also, I had an excellent MoCCA last weekend and a surreal time at the WFMU Seven Second Delay Party. I'll catch up with photos, links, and whatnot on that soon.

Until then, I'm leaving all stress and laptop at home and am leaving tomorrow for a well-deserved rest on the gulf. Will be back in a week and will miss you lots in the meantime.

xoxo.

Bringing sexy back...

2008-06-02T19:53:00.005-04:00

I'll be at the MoCCA Art Festival this weekend! Sitting at my normal tables in the large back-room, against the windows, on the ground floor. I don't have anything really new, possibly something in the works, who knows? If I have time to price and sort, my very fashionable Breaking Up original art pages will be available for purchase. But you can stop by and say hello and see my usual slew of graphic novels and trades, slightly modified versions of last year's tees, and some other art.

Haven't seen the Sex & The City movie yet since I decided to do a casual marathon of the whole show, an episode or two before I crash at night. Of course, I loved it when it aired, I was addicted to the New York antics and the stylings of Patricia Field. However, watching it now as a thirty-something it's a totally different experience. No longer is the question, which character do you identify with, but knowing the answer is you can relate with each person's issues because in some, and sum, they are all you. And, the show is so incredibly well-written, in its effort for each episode to tackle a sex/relationship issue while maintaining growth and a steady narrative through the seasons.

Especially Carrie and her emotional entanglement with Mr. Big. When she's hurt and suffering, Sarah Jessica Parker has this gesture where she droops her shoulders, pitches her head forward, in miserable defeat to this guy who rules her heart and common sense. Which I understand, I was stranded with Chris Noth in Penn Station, under the big departure/arrival board and it was quite discombobulating. Maybe also because I have this notion that Big is actually retired NYPD Detective Mike Logan.

‘Sex and the City’ Box Office Explained: They're Superheroes

Hollywood's "mystified" response to Sex and the City's $55 million opening weekend — who knew women liked to see movies with their friends? — proves once again that despite being more than half the population, women are still a niche market in the movie business. After helpfully identifying which moviegoers contributed to SATC's success ("women"), bewildered Hollywood number-counter Paul Dergarabedian added, "This was to women what Indiana Jones and Star Wars, let's say, are to men." The only people who aren't surprised at SATC's summer-blockbuster numbers are women — who've known all along that Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte are, in fact, superheroes. No, not the kinds of female superheroes invented by men for men, vinyl-clad fantasies like Electra or Catwoman. The women of SATC don't fly or have awesome weapons or even drive very often — but they do save each other from bad guys.

The media frenzy leading up to last week's release of SATC — in newspapers, magazines, and “dudeblogs” — provided every possible critique of the fabulous four, as though the movie were a study in social realism, or an Austen-like movie of manners, or (depressingly often) a nightmarish horror show with men as its victims. But early in the film Candice Bergen, as Carrie's imperious Vogue editor, Enid, nails the movie's real aesthetic when she asks Carrie to pose for the magazine's pages as a 40-year-old bride, saying she's the only woman her age who could do the shoot "without the Diane Arbus undertones." Superheroes exist outside the laws and boundaries the rest of us have to abide by; while men want to see themselves flying and fighting, women are more interested in pushing other limits. How old can you be and still be hot? How many times can you break up and still be in love with someone? How many hours of the day can four working women conceivably spend together?

Pointing out that Carrie could never afford her apartment, let alone her wardrobe, is about as useful as questioning Robert Downey Jr.'s ability to create cold fusion in a cave in Afghanistan — it misses the point of the movie entirely. Why is it okay for Iron Man to collect expensive cars but materialistic for Carrie to collect shoes? Surely her carbon footprint is the smaller of the two. Politely, we don't ask what the Hulk says about American men and their relationship to rage, so why should we tolerate attacks on Samantha's legendary libido? Sam Jones is no more a real cougar than Dr. Jones is a real archaeologist, but they're both good summer fun. So wise up, Hollywood, and start giving us some more female superheroes. And please, take a hint from Sex and the City, and dress them in Vivienne Westwood, not vinyl.

—Annaliese Griffin

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Now playing: Suede - She's In Fashion
via FoxyTunes

D.A.N.C.E.

2008-05-30T08:46:00.003-04:00

Brilliant video, brilliant week here in New York City! The sun has been out in full force and I've got tan lines all ready to show for it. I'd spent a sunny Sunday in Staten Island's Snug Harbor gardens, a Monday sidewalk cafe lunch on Houston Street with my sister, then the rest of the week is a bit of a blur, I'm sure due to being drunk on sunshine.

I'd started my comic pencils, I think the first time in a year that I'm working in full 11x17. It started off slowly, but I'm getting the knack again and am full speed ahead. One of my most favorite things in drawing stories is getting to choose what the characters are going to wear. Unlike the hipsters in today's video, I've opted to place our heroes in chic lodge-wear. Our superstar is wearing a John Varvatos-inspired coat and, I've got the sidekick in high-heeled boots!

(The girl on the left is wearing snowboots inspired by Puma's El Roo and Texture boot, the chick on the right has on my leather vintage boots I got from Flying A last fall.)

One, I know I feel pretty powerful when wearing kickass heels, and honestly, the argument that it's 'not realistic' just goes out the window when you're talking action/adventure fiction. Plus, if you're a super-heroine that can't manage heels, maybe it's time to hang up the cape. Wouldn't wearing a stacked wedge or stilettos be one of those Danger Room trials? Spikes on shoes can be a real weapon! For fighting villains and romancin' dudes...

Anyway, happy Dance Party Friday and happier weekend filled with golden rays!

Heartbreaker

2008-05-23T08:59:00.003-04:00

Mimi is a must in my mix. I think a thousand horrified comic fans are surely going to speed by this post, but hold up! It's an amazing dance track to get your Friday going and surely you can't say no to concession staff doing flips, an animated Mariah, catfight in the ladies' room, and dudes getting their comeuppance?

If only I could get the Office 54 gents to back me in the video's opening dance routine for our MoCCA table, but with only two weeks to pack and move our studio to Office 34, work on my special mini-comic, getting merchandise organized as I listen to Mariah's new album, I sadly doubt it's going to happen. Next year!

This week, I got glowing approval on my current comic project's thumbnails and have moved onto penciling the pages. We'd also delivered another job's project work-list, mock-ups, and storyboard, and I'm in chat with an editor to read a graphic novel script that sounds extremely promising. Cross your fingers for me!

With so much accomplished, the sister and I went out to Sandbox Studios/SBX Creative's ICF benefit party. In addition to supporting their efforts to provide education in photography to kids, we heartily enjoyed looking at art and catching up with the ladies. As the DJ turned out 80's tracks on the turntable (I never in a million years thought I'd hear Fleetwood Mac's "Everywhere" pump out of massive speakers), I thought to myself, "Oh, this must be nostalgia night for the 30-somethings..." Then Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative" came on and all the 20-somethings went nuts dancing. "It's not nostalgia, it's retro-hip!"

I have been aware that the 80's style had been the thing for awhile, but this was something else. I saw the chic move into early 90's with guys actually sporting the Kid 'n' Play gumby hair wearing Afrika medallions earnestly doing the 'running man'!! What a night to forget my camera, I've no evidence to show you the amazing thing that is the 90's except for a bonus Mariah video featuring ODB...

Rock Steady, Baby

2008-05-16T07:43:00.006-04:00

What it is, what it is!

Wish that video were full-sized, but you get the idea. It's Friday! Yet, I feel the week is somehow beginning instead of coming to a close. Maybe it's because I've finished up twenty-two pages of thumbnails for a crazy fun story I'm working on and am terribly excited to get to next phase, had lovely meals with long-time friends... or, it could be I'm still pretty silly from the champagne and courvoisier I had at the LRG/Courvoisier event last night. If you're down and around the Lower East Side, you can see my CV art hanging on the wall at Reed Space. As well as a LRG designed Wii and a CV Napoleon military jacket. Yes.

I'll be in Brooklyn tomorrow for a knight-themed birthday party, but YOU should go to The Dance Parade!

Let's DANCE!

2008-05-09T11:33:00.002-04:00

Even though I work most everyday, weekends too, the end of the week still feels so good. And it's been a long one with organizing and retrenching the ol' website, planning out summer to winter schedule, and mucho sketchin' and illustratin' goin' on. Not to mention it was my little bee's birthday and we seriously got our party on downtown and in Brooklyn. I was sore the next day!

Anyway, it's Dance Party Friday, and tho I may be wearing my wellies I will pretend I have my red shoes on.

Viva Cheat Italia!

2008-05-05T23:14:00.002-04:00

My little graphic novel Cheat, published in 2003 by Oni Press and edited by Jamie S. Rich, has been translated to Italian.

This is the first and only book which I'd written and illustrated myself... and after five years on the shelf, it really shows. Which isn't to say that I'm not proud of it, I really am. Even though the art is crude and the dialogue stilted, I think it bears a mark for the type of emotional story I wanted to tell (and still tell-tale again). A woman's drama of burdened relationships.

Well, I never get tired of looking at Kelley Seda's design/color treatment of my cover illustration and I'm hoping that the romance language can only lend the book a bit more authenticity! If any of you out there are fluent, here's a review from Fumetti Di Carta - Garage Ermetico:

I DISEGNI

Delicati, dolci, malinconici. Disegni tracciati con uno stile personale, che paga con grazia gli inevitabili debiti con altri e più famosi artisti per poi giungere a una sintesi che contiene in se', contemporaneamente, una gran delicatezza e una certa forma grezza che aggiunge fascino al segno.

Le grandi vignette in cui non compaiono persone pare trasudino una sorta di ineluttabile stanchezza.

...come diavolo fa un disegno a "trasudare ineluttabile stanchezza"?!?... Chissà.
Forse, al di là della sacrosanta soggettività grazie alla quale ognun vede ciò che vuole e ciò che può - e sa - forse, si diceva, i disegni della Norrie riescono a trasmettere la malinconia e l'instabilità caratteristiche di un'intera generazione.

E' come quando si è in una stanza vuota, che non si conosce bene e della quale non si conosce a fondo l'abitante: ecco che guardando gli oggetti che compongono l'ambiente, respirandone l'atmosfera stessa, ci si fa un'idea, giusta o sbagliata che sia (ma può esistere in questo campo un'idea "sbagliata"?...) delle emozioni che hanno dimorato o che ancora dimorano lì.
Christine Norrie coi suoi disegni riesce a trasmettere questo tipo di sensazioni in modo forte.

I bianchi e i neri sono usati morbidamente per conferire particolari emozioni, per aumentare l'intensità di un momento; tanto bianco smarrisce, molto nero rende pesanti le emozioni vissute in quell'istante, la loro alternanza comunica l'insicurezza e l'instabilità, i fraintendimenti e le illusioni destinate a rimanere deluse.

Un cenno alla bellissima copertina - che si può ammirare a colori nella sovracoperta e in bianco e nero sulla copertina sottostante - la cui figura principale ricorda le giovani donne protagoniste dei romance/love comics pubblicati da Marvel e DC negli Anni 60 e 70, mentre il design generale di Kelley Seda impreziosisce il tutto con suggestioni neo-liberty.

-- di Orlando Furioso

Concepts & Film

2008-05-05T12:44:00.002-04:00

Two of the commercial shorts I storyboard'd, Handsolo and Usan/PUMA, have just shown...

This has prompted me to put together a page of some of the things I'd worked on to my website--> http://www.christinenorrie.com/concepts.html More art to come as I try to find what hasn't been wiped from The Great HD Crash of '08.

Jump On It!

2008-04-25T11:10:00.002-04:00

My awesome sister, LIL' C, sent me this insanely great clip. I hope it makes you as happy as it's made me!

We've had an exhausting week here at Office 54 with Comic Con, Comic Con friends, and Comic Con parties. Not to mention our regular adventures -- we had lunch at the incredible Hearst Building yesterday and toured the Cosmopolitan Magazine office! I'll have a full report of our afternoon of fashion browsing and vah-jay-jay talking...

Anyway, it's Dance Party Friday, go put on your fave dance tracks today and feel the love!

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Now playing: The Sugarhill Gang - Jump On It
via FoxyTunes

I Love You, Australia

2008-04-25T10:56:00.003-04:00

From Maiabee to Baz Luhrmann, there's never been an Australian that I haven't met and adored...

Most NBA players complain when their teammates ignore them, Andrew Bogut just creates new teammates.

EVENT: Earth Fair

2008-04-22T09:17:00.001-04:00

EARTH CELEBRATIONS FOR EARTH DAY
Interactive Environmental Art Project at the NYU EARTH DAY STREET FAIR

Earth Celebrations: Reduce your Carbon Footprint Parade Scroll
Participants invited to make paint from fruits and vegetables
& add their footprint to 100 foot-long Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Parade Scroll

Earth Celebrations: Reduce your Carbon Footprint Parade Scroll will be created as participants are invited to add their footprint to a giant scroll of flags and then paint their footprint with homemade paint participants can help create from fruits and vegetables. Included will be messages of what participants aim to do to reduce reduce co2 emissions, as well as inspirations from their experiences of the natural world. It will be put together throughout the New York University's Earth Day Street Fair and will culminate in a parade of the scroll through the event.

The NYU Earth Day Street Fair will be held on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22nd , in Greenwich Village, at Washington Place between Greene St. and Washington Square East. Volunteers can participate creating their footprint flags and making paint form fruits and vegetables for the Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Parade Scroll from 10:30am-2:30pm. Parade of the scroll is at 2pm. Volunteers for parade needed by 1:30pm at our table.

TO VOLUNTEER CONTACT: EARTH CELEBRATIONS
(212) 777-7969/ mail@earthcelebrations.com
Volunteers are needed from 9:30am-2:30/3pm.
Meet at the Earth Celebrations table/booth at the fair

http://www.earthcelebrations.com

Earth Celebrations is a not-for-profit organization in New York City, dedicated to fostering ecological awareness and reviving the arts at the center of community life. Earth Celebrations innovative environmental and arts programs include: theatrical pageants, exhibitions, performances, art & ecology/puppet & costume workshops, partnerships with schools, community centers, gardens, and numerous organizations. For 15 years Earth Celebrations produced the popular Rites of Spring:Garden Pageant and Winter Pageant on the Lower East Side, which engaged over 5,000 participants annually, and led to the preservation of many of the community gardens on the Lower East Side and throughout New York City.

EVENT: New York Comic Con

2008-04-19T10:17:00.003-04:00

For the few of you actually on the internet today, who are attending NYCC tomorrow, I've two panels for KIDS DAY on Sunday:

A Parents' Guide to Buying Comics for Kids
12 - 1 pm --- Room 2D06-07

This panel will explain to parents how to select and support their children in their hobby of comics reading. Join Chris Duffy (Nickelodeon Magazine), Michele Gorman (Getting Graphic! Comics for Kids, Getting Graphic! Using Graphic Novels to Promote Literacy with Preteens and Teens), Alexander Danner (Character Designs for Graphic Novels), and Jann Jones (Senior Coordinating Editor for the DC Universe).

Comics for Girls
2 - 3pm --- Room 1E03

This panel will answer all the questions you've ever had about finding the perfect comics for girls. Join Barbara Slate (Angel Love, Archie, Barbie), Mike Pellerito (Archie), Allison Barrows (Pre-Teena, Goofyfoot Gurl), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules), Buzz Dixon & Marlon Schulman from RealBuzz Studios (Serenity, Goofyfoot Gurl), Raina Telgemeier (The Babysitters Club).