Thursday, September 18, 2008

Willie's on its way...

what day is it? no, Willie's molie is well posted but I had quickly scanned these before and not done anything with them - it's hectic here, the credit crunch effect!



the nude didn't scan well - I got some new polychromos. got tired of the standard tin acid house assortment so went and got some individual colours, lots of greys, sanguine, and dull green. a much improved collection but downside is they don't scan so well.

I discovered that Hector Zazou has died (no, I didn't know who he was either - apparently the french's world music version of Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel). I also discovered that the Zazous were a post-war French youth cult, with a penchant for heavy outdoor clothes, big shoes, swing and bebop music, Clark Gable moustaches (women optional), and rolled-up umbrellas. Not only that but the delightfully named Edelweiss Piraten (pirates) were a pre-war youth cult evolved as a liberal alternative and in opposition to the strict conformity of the Hitler Youth. Sadly, they were severely persecuted in turn by the Third Reich and then the Soviet victors. The Piraten liked fresh air, mixed company, skimpy shorts and camp-fire music. Don't say Moleskine Exchange isn't educational! ha ha.

footnote: those readers thinking of forming bands might want to know that The Edelweiss Pirates has been used for three separate bands already but, as far as I know, The Zazous is still up for grabs!

9 comments:

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Very cool pix, love those doodlevilles. And the nude looks very cool, so it must have been fantastic before it didn't scan well. I like it!! Love the magnified hips like a really wide angle lens.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I have been madly using my Polychromos pens but am already wishing for more colors. Not enough violets and purples either. No lavender. Not enough earthy tones, not enough pinks.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

These are really nice. It's sad that we don't get to see them all in person. I don't know what it is about holding the mole in my hands and flipping through the pages--

Your work is cool and you have a super imagination.

Ian russell said...

thanks, Mary. yes, there'll come a time when you just need to expand the selection of colours. luckily, they are available separately and it's like being a kid in a sweet shop or ''candy store' again! they do some great pinks and reds like 'rose madder' (wonderful name, like a girl in a candy store).

sorry, The Zazous are a band too - from Oakland, CA. if you're interested, and they don't sound too bad, here they are

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I like the picture of Les Zazous in the sardine can. And Kissing cousins sounds nice.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

They don't have those polychromos pencils here, locally, anywhere I've found yet, so I have to order them on-line, can't just walk in and pick out some pretty colors--and the POSTAGE is prohibitive! Phew!

Mike Kline said...

Great job! Love the Doodle,,, Oh crap what was it the "Doodlezones?" Nice!
Okay! The nude was rockin sweet too.

steve said...

I'm enlightened Ian, thanks to you. These are all gorgeous and it's good to see a return to your Doodlevilles.

Andrea said...

Wow Ian! Nice work here, I am happy to see doodleville. I have to say I just had your book and your pencil work is exquisite! I love the delicate colors you create.