Tag: rabbit

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FANGIRL

Remember: It costs nothing to encourage an artist, and the potential benefits are staggering. A pat on the back to an artist now could one day result in your favorite film, or the cartoon you love to get stoned watching, or the song that saves your life. Discourage an artist, you get absolutely nothing in return, ever.

Kevin Smith

All year I braced myself to turn 57. Until 4 weeks before I turned 57 when I realized I was actually going to be 58. I then needed a real pick-me-up, yeah howdy.

I have never used the expression “yeah howdy” until the sentence above. It’s a weird time for me. Anyway, I saw that Kevin Smith was going to be at GalaxyCon. I actually called it “GalaxyQuest” until 4 weeks before the actual event. I’m starting to see a pattern emerge here …

I ACTUALLY PAID TO SEE THIS. DON’T JUDGE.

I love Kevin Smith. I like his movies, yes – but it’s his TALKS that never fail to hit me in the feels. I remember watching an interview that turned into him just waxing philosophical. For almost an hour. The primary gist was “Never give up.” And part of it was about not being too old to start.

“KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON!” — BUDDY CHRIST. PROBABLY.

Well … I’ve already started and wavered – but I’ve started.

So one fine day, Kevin Smith liked a Regarding the Secret Life of Rabbits’ comic tweet! A super hero mash-up, in fact. Yeah Howdy!

As an act of gratitude I made a comic of Sam and Silent Bob.

And he RETWEETED IT!

AAAAAAAAAAAAA

and then it was picked up by some Hollywood website!

AAAAAAAAAAAAA

I went viral for a hot second. I mean, if you consider a tweet getting retweeted by a celebrity and some attention from a Hollywood gossip website going viral. Alas, fame still eludes me. Although, for $8.00 a month Elon Musk will let me have a blue checkmark!

I decided I wanted to meet this man. Kevin Smith – not Elon Musk.

NO.

I bought a “for $$$ get something autographed” ticket. The big day arrived. I cosplayed as … well … you know … That Lady.

Ok, it really wasn’t cosplay. I always look like That Lady. Kevin Smith was in a curtained-off booth, hidden from view. It was all very mysterious. Apparently mystery makes my palms and upper lip sweat. “OH. NO.” I thought to myself, “I HAVE A HAG HAIR.”

*Hag Hair: the thick black hair that sprouts on a person’s top lip or chin when their estrogen level crashes. Usually the thickness of a corded rope.

SERIOUSLY, I CAN LASSO CATTLE WITH THESE THINGS.

My turn! Kevin Smith smiled and extended a hand to shake mine. I looked at his hand. I looked at him. I blurted out a startled, “Oh!” and shook his hand. I am smoothe as silk.

I put “SAM AND SILENT BOB” in front of him. His hands lightly slap against the table.

“YES!” He looks at me, “I remember this!”

ME: You liked one of my tweets and I did this one to thank you!

KS: YES!

ME: <complete fangirl delayed reaction> OHMYGODYOUREMEMBER?!

KS: YES! <indicates comic> IS THIS YOU?!

ME: YES!

KS: THIS IS GREAT!

ME: OHMYGOD!

We seriously stood there exitedly yelling in each other’s general direction. Kevin Smith actually acted as geeked out about the comic as I was over him.

He shared that he had forwarded it to his daughter (the person I was actually focused on back then because – bunny mom) and she apparently found it … HILARIOUS.

I then explained my following grew because of that. I got a fist bump and he put his hand on his heart and said, “I love that.”

So FINALLY we get around to the signature and I haven’t once thought about that ebony serpent poking out under my nose.

He wanted to know whom to make it out to … “Could you make it out to my rabbit, Sammy?”

He put his hand out again. I looked at said hand again. I looked at him again. I blurted out a startled, “Oh!” and shook his hand again.

ME: Ok. I’m going to go cry now.

KS: Awwww. Don’t do that!

But I did.

I came away from this experience with a couple of things:

A. How does a person do as much as he does (podcast, comics, movies, speaking, autographs, publicity tours in general)? Everyone wanting and taking a little piece of you. How does he not lose his mind?

and

B. I never told him my name. He only knows Sammy.

If you wait long enough, everything you hope will happen, will happen. It just requires patience. It doesn’t require money. It requires patience and longevity. If you wait long enough in life, patience and longevity will absolutely deliver it to you.

Kevin Smith Again

Yeah Howdy.

PS. Don’t wait for someone else to make a way for your dream – make your own way.

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GHOSTESESES

I currently reside in an old 1900 farmhouse.

The beacon of light is my studio

It’s in God’s Country, Ohio.

Pure Gold
Moo! Moo! Now I want some hay!
God’s Country

The neighbors are pretty friendly too.

Mr. Tibbs
[I am friends with all 7,334 cats]
Deez Nuts
Very personable chickens
… except maybe for this guy
It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Whilst cleaning one fine evening, I gazed beneath my stove and discovered a dead body! A. DEAD. MOUSE. BODY.

DUN-DUN-DUNNNNNNNNN

The scene was horrifying. I mean, what exactly happened here?! Why under the stove? Why under MY stove? Was it an accident? Murder? Suicide?

Whatever the circumstance, my house now has a GHOST MOUSE. As fate would have it, there were also LIVE mice. They were squatters and were pretty active squatters at that.

THIS is why “under MY stove”

It comes with the harvest-time territory: plow the fields, the mice find new digs. Not one of those 7,334 cats offered assistance. Immediately I researched “Mouse Landlord Rights: The Politics of Eviction” and found this:


The CaptSure Original Humane Mouse Traps, Easy to Set, Kids/Pets Safe, Reusable for Indoor/Outdoor use [take breath here] for Small Rodent/Voles/Hamsters/Moles Catcher That Works. 2 Pack (Small)

The following is no exaggeration:

And when I multiplied the above equation by 2?

MR. WHISKERS
MRS. WHISKERS
THE WHISKERS’ NEW RESIDENCE
[I wave and yell, “Hi Mr. and Mrs. Whiskers!” Whenever I drive by. Don’t judge.]

If you are in need of a catch-and-release that actually works so well it’s stupid, here is an Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/UPGRADED-CaptSure-Release-Reusable-Hamsters/dp/B073GRKG88

Reusable-Hamsters … HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Anyhoo

To honor the dead Grampa Whiskers (?) [I am assuming he died of natural causes unless there was a hefty life insurance policy involved] I acquired this Grampa Whiskers (?) cast iron door stop memorial. Enjoy the bunny molt and chewed walls as well.

“Rural Home Security” is seen in the corner

SIX MONTHS LATER

The lights began flickering on and off.  Sometimes they stayed off and I would have to go flip the circuit breaker to get them on again – only to have them flicker and go out once more. “Where is your circuit box?” I’m sure you’re asking. I am so glad you asked.

Ain’t that some bullsh*t?!

But I digress …

We all know what causes these flickering lights:  GHOST MICE. Well, it just so happens I own a Ouija [an Ouija?] Board. For mice. I dialed up GHOST MOUSE.

“Mr. Ghost Mouse, are you flickering my lights?”

The room was silent as the planchette began to move! E-G-R-E-G-I-O-U-S
At least I think that’s what it spelled out. The lights were flickering and Mice Ouija boards are really freaking small. 

Egregious: “shocking” My god. A message from the beyond! FLICKERING LIGHTS / SHOCKING! Wait …
I walked to the hardware store for a new switch and replaced it. And now all is well.

on top of MY stove

*This post is dedicated to one of my favorite comics illustrators, LIZ CLIMO:

She gets it

–THE END–

PS. Fluffy says “Hi”

Yo.
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Where’s my TV box? (that’s Ohio for Television Remote)

Ahhh~ those reticent little creatures called “rabbits.” So demure. So quiet, As rabbitron.com states:

RABBITS ARE QUIET
They are good pets for apartments, as no one will ever complain about the noise from your pet.

  • Is this the face of “Demure”?

As an aside, I have to stop them right there. I’m sure the article goes on to reveal more, but let’s face it … being a human servant to these beasts, I can honestly say that no, no one will complain about the noise (per se) in my building unless it’s about me yalping because I have just experienced a surprise attack of being bitten on the toe. (or other body parts).

  • She preys upon my vulnerabilities.

“Wear a pair of pants around the house!” They said.

  • Cloaking Device Deactivated

Or the all-hours-day-and-night of vacuum time combining the clinking of turds with the squealing of the vacuum as that one stinking piece of hay gets stuck sideways and I have to tear the hose apart to fetch the faithful hook (taped coat hanger) to fish out said offending piece of hay.

  • That satisfying turd sound until …

But I digress.

Civilians “know” that rabbits ARE good pets for apartments. Absolutely. The managers should not even charge extra for them! Rabbits are small, harmless and take up such little space!

The rest of us know that we will NEVER get that deposit back. Well, the joke’s on them! I didn’t want that deposit back anyhow.

  • Sammy sits proudly upon my deposit check
  • What happened to the rug to cover up the chewed carpet

But I believe this is a diversionary tactic. This isn’t about the chewed up carpets, baseboards, tile flooring, walls … This is about something far more sinister:

The Lagomorphs’ collective personal vendetta against modern technology. These seemingly innocent lovelies are doing their best to hold humanity back. Oh, yes. You can hide the cords, spray the cords with a bunny-safe deterrent, wrap the cords, cover the cords. I know. I KNOW. But these determined (but adorable) evil geniuses will find a way.

I present to the court: Exhibits A, B, C, D, E, and FFFFF

  • Death to holiday lights!
  • Classic Black tape decorates the floor
  • Full Festive Red adds life to the (now) dim room!
  • The main light source is housed in its own cage these days
  • The vacuum is particularly tasty
  • WHAT. Gah! Dangit. Where’s the tape …

*A special shout-out to the beautiful hand model.

The exhibits above don’t even include all of the USB cords!

  • The ones that look like this —
  • and this.
  • Only six?!

SO. MANY. USB CORDS.

Let us not forget the missing buttons on the television remote.

In fact, I can’t even find the remote. One of them threw the remote. It’s probably stashed with a third of my art supplies that are missing. But what does it matter when your cable looks like this?

FUN FACT: When getting a replacement at the cable company I was asked: Cat or Rabbit?

My GOD. It’s a conspiracy! Or should I say —

  • CATspiracy!!
    DUN DUN DUN DUNNNNNNN

[ Well. No. I now find that I should NOT have said that. ]

They SHANT WIN this war! My cords will prevail! (I have next-day shipping).

You know what though? — perhaps all of the above could be used to deter people who impulse buy/buy without researching rabbits! Let us all turn to merriam-webster.com and bow our heads:

Definition of lagomorph. : any of an order (Lagomorpha) of gnawing herbivorous mammals having two pairs of incisors in the upper jaw one behind the other and comprising the rabbits, hares, and pikas.

They have the makings of a horror movie!

Then present this truth:

::DROPS MIC::

PS. I found the remote. It has half a button missing.

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El-ahrairah

‘El-ahrairah, your people cannot rule the world, for I will not have it so. All the world will be your enemy, Prince With A Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first, they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.’ And El-ahrairah knew then that although he would not be mocked, Frith was still his friend.

Richard Adams ̶ Watership Down

I recently took part in a charity auction called HOPAPALOOZA. Proceeds went to the Ohio House Rabbit Rescue. Each artist was given a large rabbit (a surprise, I know). Then it was up to us to paint it how we saw fit. Of course, I cannot simply jump into a project. I must overthink a project.

The following is my project statement and photos of the journey (and peanut gallery comments).

El-ahrairah fell into pride. Believing himself and his people to be the strongest in the world, he heeded not the warning of Frith. You can probably heap on a bit of vanity as well. He also paid the price for this folly. Frith confronted him and proclaimed that he would not be mocked and cursed El-ahrairah (see opening quote).
Frith is, however, still a friend and allowed for methods of escape and preservation.

I easily relate to El-ahraira. Aren’t we all fallen spirits?

Frith

Frith is an Old English word meaning “peace; protection; safety, security.”

Inspector Lance
Bare-Boned
Black Gesso
My assistant masking out lines
A lovely earth toned mix
Oooooo
Detailing in my Pajamas

My piece is a stylized El-ahraira : a symbolic examination (and reminder) of what it is to be “human”.
Our humanity is symbolized by the Earth-tones and structure of the guiding lines (our need for order and architecture).
What may not be recognized in this piece is the black base-coat symbolizing the Black Rabbit of Inlé (our mortality) – and yet it IS visible. It is the very linework of the character as well as the red inner shadow of El-ahrairah’s eyes.

And there he is. My assistant, DeLaney Paige, lent his extraordinary talents in ideas, painting, support and analysis. I say “analysis” because DeLaney explores the heart and soul of a thing. He is genuinely a gifted art teacher in the truest sense of the word. He also makes me laugh which is a BIG plus in my studio. So is singing ToTo’s “AFRICA.”

I BLESS the rains — BLESS.

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WHICH WITCH



Myth is the primordial language natural to [the] psychic processes, and no intellectual formulation
comes anywhere near the richness and expressiveness of mythical imagery.
– Carl Gustav Jung
Be it known that I am not shy about sharing my horrific obsession with Mythic Arts and Symbolism.
Carl Jung is LIVID!

RAGING

I also go on familial adventures through ancestry.com. In these ancestral jaunts, I have found that I come from a line of interesting folk. One of which is Cassasndra Southwyck. She was a rebel Quaker among Puritans, was kicked out of the community for sticking to her Quaker ways and her children were put up for auction to pay legal fees.

Provided Southwyck was the first recorded white woman auctioned into slavery – except no one would buy her (There is a Country song in here somewhere). She married a Gaskill. The couple is documented in the infamous Salem Village Witch trials as witnesses against the charges of witchcraft. They tried to save lives. They didn’t.

The Gaskill line leads to more witchy shenanigans in the form of Pennsylvania Dutch Powwows (a Christian Healer/Conjurer). And that line leads to my Grandmother (a Powwow herself) who, well, leads to me (not a Powwow). In the course of all of this, I am also reading up on my Celtic Roots (My name sake and all), and the Midwifery/Witchiness involved. Apparently, these folks stick together.

ONE OF MY ANCESTORS?!

The symbolism for Rabbits and Hares is endless and fascinating. They represent the gamut of humanity. Different cultures focus on different aspects. In America’s past, Rabbits and Hares were considered “familiars” for witches. How appropriate!

A RABBIT AND A GASKILL

It is believed this “devil-connection” was surmised from the Celtic beliefs surrounding the little ones. My stronger Celtic interests provide more hare symbolism than I can write here. However, I want to share this gem:

In Ireland, it was said that eating a hare was like eating one’s own grandmother — perhaps due to the sacred connection between hares and various goddesses, warrior queens, and female faeries, or else due to the belief that old “wise women” could shape–shift into hares by moonlight…

It was believed that rabbits burrowed underground in order to better commune with the spirit world, and that they could carry messages from the living to the dead and from humankind to the faeries.

The Symbolism of Rabbits and Hares
by Teri Windling

I read the above quotes out loud in my living room and one of the other humans responded:
“You’re a shape – shifter! That explains a LOT.”
For the record, It’s called “Menopause.”

I dwell in a rather droll household.

So, you may ask (maybe you didn’t, but I digress), what is it Raging Bunnies takes away from all of this research?

Well… allow me to show you:

WITCH AND HER FAMILIAR
Yes, that is me and one of my lovies (modified pink Chuck Taylors inclusive)

For more on Mythic Arts, this is a fantastic place to start:
THE ENDICOTT STUDIO

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APOCALYPSE

Apocalypse Meow [Cat Shit 1]

Based on the Apocalypse Meow Graphic Novel in 3 Volumes by Motofumi Kobayashi
(Yes, I have all 3)

As an illustrator and rabbit-lover, I cannot begin to express my overall nerdiness over this first release of CAT SHIT 1 from 2009. The plans are still in production for a 12 episode series. I was both horrified (for a number of reasons) and taken over by an overdose of “omg the bunnies are soooooo cute” all at the same time.


VIOLENCE – STRONG LANGUAGE

TRAILER

MOVIE TRAILER

Found this looking for the above

OMG THIS IS SO SAD