Warhol Diaries

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

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...

... 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

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

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

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

(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!

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

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.