Spitting Image: 2 Dollars And 15 Cents

Back in 1995 when I was about to become a Freshman in high school, the movie Tank Girl came out. Not having read the comics I went into watching it with a clear mind and although some didn’t like it, I loved it! I know, I know I obsess over 90’s nostalgia from my teen years but this film had a little bit of so many things I love and well it still does.

From the raddest soundtrack (which was compiled by Courtney Love) to the campy fun of surviving the apocalypse (in 2033) while also befriending Mutant Kangaroos aka Rippers (one played by Doug Jones whom we all know I adore) to fighting off Malcom McDowell as the evil villain… I mean it really is my apocalyptic dream come true. It also made me discover the incredible artwork of Jamie Hewlett that created the characters that the movie was inspired by.

However the part I love most about Tank Girl is Rebecca Buck aka Tank Girl herself played by the wild and wonderful Lori Petty! I don’t know what I love more..her hilarious smart ass remarks, her I will kick your ass, can and will attitude or her incredible collection of thrown together outfits and hair styles that change every time she appears in the movie. So I decided to take all those things I love about her character and wrap them into one art piece. I guess you can say 2020 also inspired me as the perfect time to knock this one off my art bucket list. I call it “2 Dollars And 15 Cents”….

This art piece was done in pencil, charcoal, colored pencil and chalk pastels. My dream now is to one day meet Lori and be able to gift it to her.

Are you a fan of Tank Girl the movie and comics? Then pick yourself up a print of this art piece or even a custom made to order t-shirt in my Amazon shop. Prints will soon be available at Closet Collectibles in Crete IL one I do a restock and drop off. Be sure to also see more of my portrait work in the Spitting Image section of my Portfolio site!

Stay Spooky & Magical,
LDG Nicole

Everclear 20 Years – Still Sparkling Never Fading

This post might not be directly about a piece of my art work but it’s something I want to share because like art, music has gotten me through life’s hurdles. I might not create music but I appreciate the ones that do.  And as you know part of my experience as an artist has also been being a promotional and merch band guru…. so for me music and art go hand in hand. So with that… lets talk about the incredible night we had on Friday!

I can go on and on here and tell you how Everclear’s music has affected me since I was in junior high. How seeing them for the first time in 1995 was one of the best shows I had seen when I was younger. How I use to have stacks of Spin and other rock magazines that either had Art Alexakis on the cover or just had a little interview article inside . How even at the age of 36 I still rock out to their albums like I am in my high school bedroom. But being able to tell the band that myself was the ultimate for me!

We went to the Sparkle and Fade 20th Anniversary Show at H.O.M.E Bar and it was incredible. They played the ENTIRE album and then some. I am surprise I had a voice the next day as I was screaming along word for word. When I told my friend Trisha (who has known me since high school) about the show she told me she could imagine it cause every time she hears Everclear she still always thinks of me.

This is a photo Frank took of me from our booth. I am literally standing on the platform over the crowd ha ha. Not about to miss a second of it.

Needless to say I was in my glory like I was the first time I saw them back in 1995 and it was even cooler to be able to tell them that. They decided to hang out at their merch table after the show to say hi to fans. I had already gotten a shirt earlier before the show started (made sure to get the one with all the tour dates on the back so it was nostalgic 90’s “I rock this shirt proudly because I was at the show” ha ha. Remember those days?) but was not going to miss the chance to at least say hi to them. And on a splurge I totally bought the Sparkle and Fade record despite already owning the CD. I really wanted to have something for them to sign and since this was so unexpected I was not my normal prepared self. They also don’t do ticket stubs the way they use to back in the day and I wanted to be able to wear my shirt so no go for signatures there. So I thought this is something I have dreamt of since I was younger and despite the mark up on the album I told myself “buy it or you will regret it”. So I did. I also knew it would be a great way to remember the unforgettable time I got to hear this entire album live.

As cool as the signatures are to have as memorabilia nothing will compare to the photo my friend Ellie captured or me with Art!!!!!!!!

If only I could go back in time to tell my younger self “be patient” that this would happen to me in my 30’s. Even so I don’t think I would’ve believed myself. I know sometimes we get star struck but this actually meant so much to me to be able to tell the band how much their music has gotten me through some of the toughest and greatest times of my youth. They also really loved my Jane Lane shirt ha ha.

Me and my handsome husband at the show

Stay Spooky!
LDG Nicole

Spitting Image: Please Vote for my Portrait at Creative Allies!

Garbage is doing a 20 Years Queer Tour art contest. My portrait that I just completed was perfect for this contest however it did not fit the size requirements. Well I wasn’t about to not enter (especially after the killer show we experienced Saturday). So I did a cropped/edited version of the portrait just for the contest.

The deadline to enter was yesterday and my entry just posted today due to the site having technical difficulties. I am already way behind as far as getting my entry exposure for votes. Please, please, please go to this link and vote for my entry and then share this link all over your social media or anywhere on the internet that will help spread the word that I need more votes to give my piece a fighting chance. Don’t forget to email it to your contacts too!

VOTE HERE: https://creativeallies.com/creations/3sn4/contests/1057/create-artwork-inspired-by-garbage

A little comment love on my entry page won’t hurt either but is not mandatory.

Feel free to reblog this post as well!. The key is to vote and when sharing telling others to do the same! Anything will help!

Thank you my Freaky Fanatics! It’s people like you that take the minute out of your day to do something like this that support HUGE way! Love you all!

I leave you with some memorable photos from Saturday’s Garbage concert! A Sweetest Day indeed!

Stay Spooky!
LDG Nicole