My good friend Joanna Ebenstein of Observatory has kindly asked that I come up to chat with you Brooklyn types. I'll be doing an illustrated lecture and demonstration entitled "Nature as Miniaturist: An Illustrated Survey of the Bogs of Southern New Jersey." See you on August 5th?
~W
A MATTER OF SOME GRAVITY
This week, I've been posting dispatches from my recent trip to Southern Florida. One of our stops was at the famed Coral Castle, whose construction remains something of a mystery. Click here to see a demonstration of the uncanny three-ton gate, which is balanced perfectly on a Model T Ford axle. Enjoy.
~W
A CHANGE OF ADDRESS
After seven years, I have ended my dwindling activities on Livejournal. I may be done with the blogging business for a while if not indefinitely, since I'd like to turn my attentions to more productive enterprises such as writing books and enjoying daylight. Nevertheless, I have established a new home should I weaken and succumb to my old habits--which, to be honest, is quite likely.
~W
Some thoughts on being yourself, given at PS122 in New York. This piece was performed for Mashinka Firunts' multidisciplinary show, Semiospectacle, which featured the divine Vaginal Davis.Art in America's review of Semiospectacle can be read here.
~W
DOWNLOADABLE CARE SHEETS
For those interested in growing carnivorous plants: I have posted care sheets for Venus Flytraps, Sundews, and Pitcher Plants at the bottom of the Tutorials Page. I hope they may be of interest and/or use to some of you.
~W
REPORTS OF UPSIDE-DOWN BOOKS HAVE NOT BEEN SUFFICIENTLY EXAGGERATED
Occasionally I receive emails from readers who report buying a copy of The Affected Provincial's Companion only to discover that the book's cover is upside-down. Naturally, this pleases me to no end, and I tell those who receive or buy one of these curiosities to enjoy their "Limited Australian Editions". Imagine the curious looks one of my readers would get if they were reading their upside-down copy in public (and if you think you garner curious looks for reading it, imagine the looks I get for being it).
I've been aware of this production irregularity for some time now, but I refuse to bring it to my publisher's attention. Such a development couldn't have been more welcome as far as I'm concerned, since a request from me to have some of the books in the print run to be intentionally bound upside-down would have been a rather hard sell to the editors and sundry powers.
I had designed the book to be an outer expression of the book's sensibility, so I could not be happier with such a serendipitous development. After all, whimsy is as whimsy does.
~W
FLAG DESIGNS NOW AVAILABLE
Flag art for both the Limp Panthers and the United Shires can now be downloaded in pdf form:
To learn more about both, go here and scroll down.
~W
MR. DEPP BUYS OPTION RIGHTS TO AFFECTED PROVINCIAL'S COMPANION, VOLUME ONE
I've received a very welcome, long-awaited email this morning from my trusty agent. I can finally announce what I have known for well over a year: Infinitum Nihil, Johnny Depp's production company, has bought the option rights to the Affected Provincial's Companion, Vol. 1.
I had to hold my tongue until the official announcement, which was just released in Variety--first page, I'm told:
I'd like to offer my sincerest thanks to my friends at Regal Literary, United Talent Agency, Infinitum Nihil, Initial Entertainment Group, and Warner Bros. Most of all, I thank the public for going to see Pirates of the Caribbean--I can assure you the proceeds have been well spent.
(Additional note: I am now scheduling auditions for groupies and/or mistresses. No experience necessary, as I have none myself. A winsome, wholesome pulchritude and the ability to keep a secret a must. Snug knit sweaters and pencil skirts a plus. Accepting applicants of a zaftig build on a case-by-case basis.)
