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June 08, 2005
I wanted good conversation and a spiffy title but all I got was this stupid t-shirt
I was thinking I might write about buffet today, but I'm still chewing on that one for the time being. Then, because Flea was asking for service industry stories, I thought I might instead write about a shoe store job I once had and the crazy sexual predator-types we had to put up with there. Then I thought perhaps I'd treat everyone to my rather strong and bitchy opinions about this, since it's so closely related to one of my favourite hobbies (although I'm trying to lay off the smut-talk because my whole family knows I have this journal). Oh, hi Dad!
But it's too damned hot, and I can't be bothered to put my thoughts into coherent phrases. We've finally arrived at those summer days that are so hot I have to force myself to eat lunch because I have no motivation to get up and get food. This morning the sky was overcast and the air was still relatively cool, so I ran outside and did as much work in the garden as I could before it got too hot. I had to come inside again before ten o'clock. Up until yesterday the fats had been clamouring to go outside, but now they're spending the whole day plopped on the floor with their bellies spread out like cowpies, because it's the only cool place to be. I just might join them there soon.
Instead I'm just going to cop out and show you some pictures of the t-shirts I printed last Tuesday night before we left for Athens (because what better time to break out a new craft project than the night before a trip when you're supposed to be packing?).
I printed these from old lino blocks with silk screen ink. The printing is kind of crappy but I don't care, it makes them look like those trendy fake-old prefaded shirts you see all over the place. This first one is from a print I made in a first year studio class, and it's me (I had braids back then, and some supercool cat eye glasses that were my gramma's when I was a baby) getting off an elevator with a bunch of creepy characters all stolen from German Expressionist woodcuts and paintings.
This image of Miss Polly Styrene with angel wings was done for a (insert chosen mid-winter holiday here) card that I intended to give to my friends at a holiday feast for orphans that I threw back at my old place in London. But while I may be the Queen of Grand Plans I am not their master, and grand plans usually end up trumping me. I served up a marvelous meal, everyone had a great time and the Polly Angel prints never made it onto cards; instead when my guests arrived the prints were still hanging to dry in the fireplace. People still took them, though.
I messed up the first time I printed the elevator block, so at Peter's suggestion I rolled over the whole thing with the inky brayer and made a black rectangle instead. I think it looks pretty good, and Pete wants a black rectangle shirt too.
Bad citing of sources
Recently I posted a few things that I neglected to give proper credit for, and may have caused some of you to believe I'm more talented than I really am.
-The cover for Pandora Living was made for me by Rob and posted here with his permission.
-The photograph from the top of Clingman's Dome, of a sunny mountain valley below the mist, was taken by Peter. I am a crappy photographer and would have wound up with nothing but gray had I tried taking those shots myself.
Posted by jodi at June 8, 2005 02:40 PM | categories: projects
Comments
I love the elevator t-shirt! The print looks like a book (or comic book) cover. Very nice.
Posted by: Daphne at June 8, 2005 03:16 PM
I absolutely love the elevator t-shirt. It's pretty sweet ass!
Ya know, nothing says lovin' like the gift of a silk-screened t-shirt. I'm just saying....
Posted by: Christiane at June 8, 2005 03:24 PM
Way cool shirts! I used to love to watch my friend in High School screen print, unfortunately I don't have an artistic bone in my body (well, that kind of artistic anyway!) so I've never given it a go, but I love the idea of printing!
You should put some shirts up for sale, I'd definately buy one (finances allowing of course!)! :o)
Anna
Posted by: Anna at June 8, 2005 05:14 PM
Hey Jodi, I have always loved that elevator print and WOULD LOVE to have one a t-shirt. I'll send you the t-shirt if you'll make me a shirt. Can you do white on black?
Posted by: Krista at June 8, 2005 06:39 PM
Looks like someone is sitting on a goldmine! I actually remember you printing those blocks. Well I remember the cat classes in any case.
Posted by: caroline at June 8, 2005 08:17 PM
well thats odd, I swear I just wrote something... Well, what I THOUGHT I said was that it looks like you are sitting on a goldmine. And that I remember those cat glasses. And I also remember looking at some of those prints...
Posted by: caroline at June 8, 2005 08:20 PM
HAHA, oops I see it... didn't load properly...
Posted by: caroline at June 8, 2005 08:21 PM
Ooh, you read flea too! I love flea... (you didn't used to post on the Ms boards way back when, did you?)
Posted by: crumpet at June 9, 2005 07:34 AM
Way cool shirt. Add me to the list of those who'd love to buy an elevator print.
Posted by: Kirsti at June 9, 2005 10:17 AM
We want elevator shirts! We want elevator shirts!
Posted by: alison at June 9, 2005 01:35 PM
Now I want to make up a story about the scene in the elevator. OR at least a caption. Something like "Kicked out of the elevator for being too cool." Or not.
I think that would be an excellent topic for whiskey cellphone night. I also think that woodblocking tshirts would be an excellent project for camp project day!
Posted by: Ghita at June 9, 2005 04:38 PM
Onto the bandwagon I go... Jodi, I love both the "elevator" and the "PollyAngel" shirt -- are you taking orders yet? Sign me up. The angel shirt looks awsome in the photo of you a few posts back.
Posted by: Emer at June 9, 2005 06:30 PM