hillary: i see you

eight days until the election

hillary: 

stay focused. 

ignore the nonsense.

it's about a better future.

me: 

stay focused. 

ignore the nonsense.

it's about better art. but...

i'd like a better future too.

and i think 

(hope, dream, wish, believe) 

it's on its way.

Maps are art, we know that. Here they're also political...and gongoozle-worthy. The simple installation is a pleasing next to the busy, information-packed pieces. Each map is connected by shape and color. And we must ask: why is that particular section highlighted, blocked out? We step closer. Different places. We step back. But familiar, every one.

Horacio Zabala, Mapping the Monochrome

hillary: i see you

Have you ever been on the receiving end of aggressive name-calling by the opposite sex?

I have, many times, and it always hurts.

On occasion, it's also bolstered my spirited or helped me dig in my heels so my voice would be heard. In other moments, my male counterpart didn't have to call me a name to hurt me. He just had to assume a loud or condescending tone of voice, cut me off mid-sentence, or argue with me about something minor, trivial, inconsequential. For me, the voice, the words, the conversational style are everything when I consider whether a man respects me or not. Even standing taller, stepping closer, imposing on my personal space doesn't rattle me like verbal confrontations with a pushy, rude, arrogant, or scary guy. The thing is, words matter.

It's been several days since the third debate and Trump's "Nasty Woman" slur continues to make news. On one hand, it's become a badge of honor and has inspired many good jokes. On the other, women everywhere are pausing and remembering a time when they were the target of harmful comments or labels. In the end, there are a few things girls and women can do to maintain personal power.

1. Vote. Preferably for Hillary.

2. Be informed. If you need more information about Hillary and the idea of female power, Michael Moore's film Trumpland is a good place to start.

3. Be you. And that means....

Being as persistent and serious as you want to make your point.

Being as big and loud as you want with your laughter and joy.

Being as passionate and intense and emotional as you want when standing up for what you believe.

Ladies, gals, women of all political stripes, this is our time. Don't tune out or give in to apathy or frustration. Go learn what Hillary has done and will do for women and the people women care about and care for. Go learn why we need a Nasty Woman for President.

*photo credits, Harper's Bizarre, CNN still photography, NBC News still photograpy

smalls: neat, little shit

smalls /smÔls/   noun   1. term used by collectors to describe neat, little shit

Today's Small: cheap and fancy, vintage rings purchased 

alongside dubble-bubble gum, candy necklaces, and jolly ranchers on

cross country family road trips

rainbows: everywhere

a rainbow of reds

hillary: i see you

on a lighter note...

hillary: i see you

Dear Lady Voters,

There are 23 days until the election, and if you've tuned out, it's time to tune back in. Even if it's only for the 27 minutes it takes to watch this week's call to action by Michelle Obama.

If you've heard about Michelle's heartfelt speech, but haven't seen it, I'll tell you that once you see and hear Michelle you'll realize why none of us can continue looking the other way while the opposing candidate makes excuses for and jokes about his hideous behavior in the now infamous bus video where he degrades women. Never has there been a more important time for both women and men to say enough is enough. And, Lady Voters, it's up to us to stand up, stand tall, and prove to the entire world that American women, regardless of their political leanings, will unite and demand decency and equality. Because this is not one moment in time for the Republican candidate. This is a deeply embedded character flaw and no one running for President should say, "I'm sorry, but..."

There are no buts about it. Saying it is wrong, laughing about it is wrong, and his on-going degradation of the women coming forward to say it happened to them is not only wrong, but disgusting. Further, by dismissing it as locker room talk, he disrespects men.

So, what do we do?

Well, in this political climate it can feel scary to share your opinion or correct a misguided statement. But Lady Voters, please do not let fear quiet your voices. The most powerful tools we have are our brains, hearts, and voices, and if those are in good working order, we'll be okay. By good working order, I mean that one must be informed with facts (brain), confident in their position (heart), and practiced at graceful delivery (voice). And if you happen to be someone who isn't convinced Hillary deserves your vote, but you want to speak out against the antiquated and oppressive woman-shaming, I encourage you to research Hillary and both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Here's the truth...

Democrats (and Hillary) are for sensible, active government, because sensible, active governments help people prosper. Democrats (and Hillary) are for equality for all, because we may look, sound, love, or worship differently, but we're all human and deserve the same opportunities. Democrats (and Hillary) are also for lifting everyone up, including and especially women, who serve as the majority of caregivers for the aging and caretakers of children, all while adding value to workplaces and propelling the economy in creative ways.

All I can say about the Republican platform is that it contains principles that divide, control, and help only a few. Their ideas are outdated, especially when it comes to women.

And please (please, please) don't fall for the fiction that that Hillary is untrustworthy and has even turned on girls or women. I promise you, I've done the research and in her personal and political history, she hasn't stepped on other women to get ahead. She may dismiss accusations with an air of coolness or ignore allegations, but that's because the claims are nonsense and she is drive to focus on the important things that need to be done for our country. Just remember this, she may play to win, but she isn't corrupt.

And this, I believe, is why Michelle, 17 years younger than Hillary, is driven to defend Hillary's candidacy. In Michelle's generation, our differences began falling away because good ideas mattered more. In Michelle's generation, glass ceilings existed, but women were rising, and fast. And because Michelle's generation lies between Hillary's and that of her daughters, her perspective is unique.

In one direction, she looks back and sees older women putting on armor and assuming a tough or manly persona to achieve success. In the other, she looks forward and sees young women just being themselves to reach their goals. In essence, Michelle's speech thanks the bridge that carried women over. And now, women voters must show their gratitude to past generations too. By discussing the truth, outing the lies, and casting ballots for the most qualified candidate in presidential history. Who happens to be a woman.

tenderness. where is it?

hillary: i see you

The summer issue of Ms. Magazine featured an important article titled The Gender Gap. In it, they prove that women can rule the vote and sway any election.

At this important juncture, with 29 days until the election and the opposing party's candidate trying to incite disdain between and infighting among women, females of all political stripes must refuse to turn on each other.

In the end, if you are or have a mother, sister, wife, or daughter...if you are a friend of women...please cast your vote for Hillary Clinton. No one in recent history has more drive and ability to promote gender equality and equality is good for the whole family.

Republican women, Independent and Green Party women, women who've never voted, Democratic women welcome you to this movement. You're our sisters and we're looking out for you too.

smalls - neat, little shit

smalls /smÔls/   noun   1. term used by collectors to describe neat, little shit

Today's Small: a handmade, miniature Spanish Colonial house as keepsake box

i mean...

It's been months since I wrote about a book I adored and ogled. Not because I haven't read or seen any books deserving of gongoozler love, but because a full schedule limits the time I have to write all the things these books deserve to have said about them. 

Recently, though, I moved into a new studio space and began unpacking loads of items I haven't seen in a year. Suddenly, I had a book in my hands that could be described simply while still getting its due. It seemed appropriate that this book reignite my book love series.

Surf to Skate - Evolution to Revolution Volume 1

It's easy to gongoozle a book with a unique shape and size, but Surf to Skate also includes snippets of history and enlarged photographs of unique skateboards from the 50s and 60s. More than that, the most wonderful thing is that this art book has soul. A coolness, a freedom. Like skateboarding itself.

In real life, vintage skateboards look a bit like this:

They can be pretty beat-up and gnarly. Unless one spends some decent cash for mint boards. Personally, as a not-so-serious collector, I like to see where previous riders put their feet or clipped a curb or scuffed the tail when tipping on a tight curve. It gives me the same feeling I get when I see the hand of an artist in their work. I connect instantly, human to human, and I know the work...or in this case, the board...better.

This is one reason I like Surf to Skate by Stanton Hartsfield and Jason Cohn.

The authors curated boards that clearly belonged to skaters. Skaters who loved and honored their boards. In the photographs, we see the wood grains and stains, construction, and graphics in great detail, but not in a perfect, never-been-ridden way. This elevates my collector experience without having to invest in expensive boards.

Photography - a Nash Goofy Foot skateboard

History - the story of the Wards Department Store board

Graphics - Dominion, out of Canada, puts their spin on art

When I was a kid, there were several skateboards in our family. Cheap plastic ones in an array of colors and one sturdy, heavy-gauge aluminum version in shiny, electric blue. Some neighborhood friends had wooden boards or longer sidewalk surfer boards. None were fancy or expensive. We were just middle class kids hanging out, hot-dogging, practicing this trick or that. Once the 80s hit, skateboard culture exploded and I caught the fever. I loved the boards, the fashion, the style. I didn't ride, though, or even have my own modern board. So, why did I gravitate toward skating? The coolness, the freedom? Sure. That's skateboarding's legacy. But it was also the simplicity.

Me and a board. Push off, pump the leg, glide. Fresh air all around, wheels turning, whirring, clacking on the pavement. I can actually feel myself moving forward, hear it. Riding toward my future. And the truth is all one has to do to conjure this sensation is to see a board. Which is why Surf to Skate stopped me in my unpacking tracks. I had to take a minute and sit down and remember that

getting where I need to go can be a pretty simple ride.