A quick doodle of Pat

Ballpoint pen and felt tips. No, it isn't anatomically perfect, but dammit that was a good day.

Another doodle thinking about things I could potentially put on a bowl, felt kinda trippy. I love Starman by David Bowie I'd play The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars LP on my scratchy record player at my mum and dad's house, I used to sing it a lot whenever me and one of my old flatmates got drunk. Kinda wonder about the body of artwork that album must have inspired. I remember the sleeve being quite boring.

Jacket Potato Man

Sometimes I like to post about things that inspire me, so I thought I’d introduce the internet to Jacket Potato Man. He is a hero and I aspire to be like him. He’s this charming old guy who always sells hot potatoes from a little gazebo on the street that is always in the same place.

Whenever me and the boyfriend go to visit him and buy his awesome potatoes and filling of choice, we always pay attention to everything he says and does and debate about what it is that makes Jacket Potato Man so awesome, and how he has managed to keep his business in an age where everything can be bought cheaper and made more efficiently by bigger corporations.

 Things I have learned about Jacket Potato Man are as follows:

1.       He has been baking and selling Jacket potatoes for over 20 years

2.       He always asks “how are you?” and never “what would you like?”

3.       He always keeps his hands busy with his work. He never stands around waiting to sell you something you don’t want.

4.       He gives you your money’s worth. He never ever skimps on the amount of potato filling.

One could learn a great deal about selling things and customer service by watching him. The guy is a natural. All he does is sell potatoes, but I’m pretty sure he’s a genius.

Bluebells? That are pink?

Started a painting based on the doodle I posted yesterday. Felt-tips, acrylic, and ripped up pieces of paper on 14" by 18" canvas. Not really sure if I'm feeling it tbh, still needs a lot of work.

Got flashbacks from the first painting classes I took at college when I was 16. Feel like I'm going back into uncertain goofy teenager mode when I paint.

New Project Idea

Removed the last of my shit that I want from my desk at university, including a fat-ass plaster mould for making perfectly curved ceramic bowls. Nearly broke my back carrying that shit home. Took a trip to the park in the afternoon and began working on simple bowl designs that I could sell over the summer.

Not really sure what direction to go, but I have a feeling that I don't want to compromise looks for something I think will sell better, because if they don't sell, all I'll have left is a bunch of bowls that I don't like and perhaps a mild sense of shame. That's why I don't think I'll make most of the stuff above, but it was a nice getting to start thinking some things through on this little endeavor of mine.

Also, here's a sketch of a bluebell, I think? I imagined they were bluebells anyways, but there's room for error.

Venture Capitalist Nick Hanauer

This video was initially banned from TED talks (one of my favourite websites, seriously they have some awesome videos) for being too political and partisan, but then released so that viewers could decide for themselves. Not entirely sure if I completely understand the economics behind it, but I think it's interesting never the less.

Sexual Correctness Gone Mad, by Martin Robbins

"Sexual correctness is a fundamental failure of journalism, and not just in the moralistic right-wing end of the press. I can't remember the last time I saw an informed discussion of porn in a mainstream news publication. Many of those touted as 'sexperts' simply aren't; a situation not helped by the craven attitude of bodies like the British Psychological Society. Features on alternative sexual choices, lifestyles or fetishes invariably resort to cheap smirks at the expense of its subjects; while journalists interviewing figures in the adult entertainment industry seem compelled to demand that they justify their 'aberrant' behaviour.

"We deserve better. We deserve editors and journalists who have some vague understanding of sex and sexual health, and can report it in a grown-up way. We deserve respite from the barrage of messages declaring that those whose tastes sit outside a narrowing mainstream are deviant; to be smirked at, stared at, or feared. I'm not convinced it's good for our collective sexual health if young men are brought up with the implied message that only certain types, shapes and even colours of women are socially acceptable to call 'sexy'. Aside from anything else, it's just really, really boring."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/the-lay-scientist/2012/may/15/1

Do it with a rockstar

http://soundcloud.com/amandapalmer/do-it-with-a-rockstar-surprise/s-rRB5s

Amanda Palmer's new song, need I say more?

While I'm on a poetry swing

Pretty by Kate Makkai

"This, this is about my own some-day daughter. When you approach me, already stung-stayed with insecurity, begging, “Mom, will I be pretty? Will I be pretty?” I will wipe that question from your mouth like cheap lipstick and answer, “No! The word pretty is unworthy of everything you will be, and no child of mine will be contained in five letters.
 “You will be pretty intelligent, pretty creative, pretty amazing. But you, will never be merely 'pretty'.”

I wish every girl and woman I know had been told this from the start

Guante- 10 Responses to the Phrase "Man Up"

Dear Internet,

Thank you for allowing me to watch this. I can almost forgive your past demeanors because This. Made. My. Day! If only every man and boy in my life knew those words.

love from Jess

Guante's website