What I do when not talking to you ...

Afri-kill

jeanie — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 18:03:14 GMT

Gotta make this short - burning through the last few minutes of internet time in Nairobi. Along with tons and tons of live animals out in the Serenghetti - I saw zebra carcasses and tons of skulls from wildebeasts and waterbuffalos and even an elephant!

Showing some art

jeanie — Fri, 12 May 2006 16:14:25 GMT

It’s been years since I was last in an art show. I am so bad at going out and promoting myself. So when someone contacts me to participate, I make an effort to put together something to display. However, I always want to do more, add more details make things more grand that it’s easy to never finish a piece. It’s hard to say something is done and fine, I always want it to be more perfect. Somehow I was able to get four pieces completed and whisked away to the gallery. I created a new style of two-headed mouse that is different than the ones I have been doing for years, and this one is displayed in a circus theme with the ringmaster presenting. I wanted to keep adding more and more “flair” kind of like the Winchester Mystery house I want to keep adding. Also I was working on unicorn-ish mouse and called my friend Jeff in Russia to get some information on some of the native people in Siberia for research, and I must give him credit for the wooly idea for the Siberian horned mouse. I’m not much one for self promotion, this is about as much as I do to tell people I got art out there… So, hey – I got art out there… Oh, they have a page about the gallery and the show here: http://www.myspace.com/decoupage

Frantic creativity

jeanie — Mon, 08 May 2006 18:07:10 GMT

I was asked to be in an artshow, which is great, because I just don't go out and promote myself and look for opportunities, so it's important to strike when offered. This one came when I was already frantically insanely busy. My plate already overflowing, I piled on more. Not only that but, there was only 2-3 weeks time to prepare all new creations to display! It's a sideshow themed show which is perfect for me, and I am spending every waking minute building little dioramas for my little creatures. I'll get some sleep next week.

mucho multi-tasking

jeanie — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 21:19:35 GMT

I just moved, things are still in boxes. I'm taking a class, and seem to have tons of homework. On top of that, it seems like every shop that carries my critters is asking for more -- and -- I just got approached to include some of my art in an artshow on circus sideshow type things (and they need them in two weeks!!!) It's like that old commercial where the housewife has all these tasks swirling around her head and she cries "calgon, take me away!" So I've been spending every moment that I'm not using my hands to make more cotton armitures for my meeses. While sitting in class, on the bus, and most impressively, while laying in the dentist chair getting my teeth drilled. I've been making them for so long, I don't even need to look - and my dentist is totally cool with what I make, and having the lap full of cotton was fine...

Not forgotten

jeanie — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 16:36:51 GMT

Yesterday, I was downtown getting some new eye glasses, and, completely oblivious, I was staring out across the street. I was staring straight at the 1906 earthquake fountain. I've wandered by it a million times. Only occasionally remembering that its there. (Same with the golden hydrant). There were colorful flower wreaths and bouquets of flowers in the fountain, and the statue itself has been restored to be much nicer than I remember over the last 20 years. Even when the ground shakes, you just can't leave this city.

Good Deeds

jeanie — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 22:53:01 GMT

Last year, after the hurricane, I put some of my goodies on eBay and donated all the proceeds to a local charity in New Orleans. eBay has a pretty neat program that allows you to find charities and donate part of your eBay sales to them. It was really nice that they went for a higher amount than my regular auctions and in some small way was helping out for the disaster. Today, in my e-mail I got this note: ++++++ Congratulations, mouseangel! To recognize and thank you for your commitment to helping others through your eBay Giving Works listings, you've been awarded a DonorsChoose gift certificate worth $80! At DonorsChoose, public school teachers propose resources that their students need to learn. Please spend this gift certificate to fund the proposal that speaks to you. Think of it as a shopping spree for students in need--where everything is free! Best of all, you'll hear back from the kids in your classroom and know you've had a direct impact on their lives. On behalf of all those you help, we thank you for making a difference! ++++++ Basically it was $80 that could be “spent” on a huge list of schools and programs needing funding. I’m a bit of a science geek, so I went looking for something science oriented and that hadn’t had many donations. I chose to support a geology class for a grade school in North Carolina. I thought it was really cool of eBay to add donations to programs like that!!

New Digs

jeanie — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 21:27:58 GMT

After eight years in my underground, inlaw apartment, I've moved. With the bright and sunny new place, I live in chaos. All of my stuff is hidden and tucked away in boxes. I have a list of orders waiting to be filled, and I can't find half of my supplies. The room where I am setting up my workshop has this inset sort of faux closet with tons of shevles - which should hold everything - but everything is just a little off. There is no such thing as "standard" for containers so things that used to work for organization no longer do. Hopefully, once it's set up, I'll have a really nice place to do all my art!!

Offensive content

jeanie — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 04:31:20 GMT

As you know, I sell my mice on eBay. Today I had a HUGE bump in views - but only of one of my pieces. It was the Pope. Then I started getting questions "from potential buyers." One question "Is this mouse REAL? If so I shall pray for .." Another "R U crazy to reduce the Pope to this?" My first though was immediately reply with some snappy response. Some of my thoughts: Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to ask a question about my art. I'm really encouraged when people write to me - it inspires me to create more. Oh, and thank you for your prayers, they are greatly appreciated. We no longer use the term "crazy" because it has bad connotations, the term is mental illness and yes I have been battling with it for some time. Making this art is the only thing that keeps me sane. Of course, I didn't end up responding. I don't need to fuel the fire. So I rant here instead. It's obvious to me that some religious group found the listing and said "HEY EVERYBODY THIS IS REALLY OFFENSIVE YOU MUST LOOK AT IT NOW!!!!" Why, why do people feel the need to go out of their way to look at something they already know is going to offend them? There should be room for everyone. I don’t go out of my way to show people things they don’t want to see, but some people really want to dig and find things to point out that they don’t like. What’s my point? That’s a good question. I don’t really know. I want to make my art and know that not everyone will like it. They don’t have to look. I do worry about people imposing their moral values on me, instead of letting me choose my own values. Tirade end.

Self Promotion

jeanie — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 04:22:20 GMT

I've got a bunch of things up on eBay - http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZmouseangelQQhtZ-1 This as close as I ever get to blatant self promotion... Even if you don't need any mouseadermy, you can always forward the link to your friends. I get alot entertainment from people's reaction. This year I did some neat little fairies and angels.

Don't look at me!

jeanie — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 20:23:38 GMT

This morning I had an e-mail waiting for me from a “reporter” who wants to interview me for his magazine The Globe. Being an artist that works with dead animals you might think I crave attention, but I really don’t. I really kind of like being as quiet as a mouse and making my little creatures because it’s something I like to do. I had a good idea about what sort of a publication the Globe is, and 30 seconds of internet research certainly confirmed it. Even though it’s national and is readily available at supermarket check out stands from Ketchikan to Key West, I have no interest being the whacky story sandwiched between gossip about Brad and Angelina or Michael Jackson’s pet monkey. People tell me that any publicity is good publicity, and I suppose that’s true – it’s just not me. On the other hand I also recently received a request from a publisher who is putting together a book called “Cool Hunting” that wants to include my work as part of a listing of unusual products and things. I am considering submitting some of my work for that, it sounds less obnoxious. Who’da thought I’d be concerned with obnoxiousness.

The web and my personal universe.

jeanie — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 20:25:33 GMT

This morning there was a message waiting for me from a friend who has moved off to New York City. He was looking at things on the web, and found someone who was talking about me! http://www.coolhunting.com/archives/2005/11/jeanie_m.php And yet another person popped up outta the blue, someone I haven't heard from in years found me (actually here on tribe). I still find it surprising how from one seemingly random event to another the web keeps connecting me with people I already know!!

What I learn from teaching

jeanie — Mon, 31 Oct 2005 22:21:14 GMT

A couple of times a year I teach a class on taxidermy – with mice. Surprisingly, the classes always sell out, and are always in demand. The students are always a very interesting mix of people and interests. I’ve had a married couple who look for interesting things to see and do, a couple of girls who worked at the zoo as insect wrangles, artists who want to incorporate parts into their art, someone who wanted to make their own sideshow freaks, a 12 year boy and his aunt, collectors of oddities and weird things, people who want to mount pets, people who have ideas for squirrels and rats, and people who just though it would be fun. Most of the time, I spend running from student to student, so I don’t get to chat all that much with the interesting and diverse bunch. Every so often I’ll get a note or some little random thing from someone who has taken the class, and that’s always kind of fun. From my most recent class, I received an e-mail from a student who was very interesting, and sent me some links to artists she liked, which were very interesting. It reminded me of all sorts of artists and things that I thought she might be interested in, so we started to exchange links for artists, places visited, and interesting articles. It reminded me of people like Joel Peter Witkin, The Brothers Quay and the Ossuary in the Czech Republic. I really enjoy learning about new things, and always enjoy exchanges that expand my knowledge and interests! Here is a link to one of the artists she showed me: http://www.whiterabbitstudio.com/gallery4.html The “photo art” is very nice.

The kindness of strangers.

jeanie — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 21:56:31 GMT

Last week I posted that I was listing one of my goodies on eBay for the hurricane victims. I can't tell you how suprised and amazed at the response. One of the early bidders is a Tribe friend, rnizanzchk, who has been posting on behalf of some organizations (including one for musicans that is pretty cool). I want to thank her for her bids (thanks Tracy!) Most of all I wanted everyone know that the final value of the auction was $139!!! Not only that, but there were many bidders that kept pushing the price up. I'm thrilled and honored that people are willing to donate so much for my art for charity!!! I think this is inspiring enough to do another auction. There is a whole lot of need out there, and this is a great way to help!

Sur-real-ity

jeanie — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 06:38:16 GMT

I don't know what's weirder: Fritz Lang's 1927 Masterpiece "Metropolis" is on a random tv channel, I haven't left the house in 2 days, or is it that I am surrounded by mice in wedding gowns? Some days working on my art seems to go much quicker and be more productive than other days. I feel like I've been sewing tiny suit coats and veils for days and days. As summer comes to an end I can look forward to my favorite holiday of halloween and can start making little vampires, devils and other tourtured creatures.

Buy a dead mouse for charity?

jeanie — Mon, 05 Sep 2005 06:01:24 GMT

I've been spending alot of this weekend working on my art. I have lots of orders to fill. I did decide to pull one of my critters and put it up on eBay and give all the proceeds to a local charity in New Orleans. I considered listing an animal charity, but thought it might look in bad taste (I'm sending a check to the humane society for the animals), and instead went for a local medical group that provides free medical assistance - which will be needed for quite sometime. Here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7180910466&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1 If you've liked my critters, or have friends who would like one, wouldn't this be a good one to bid on? I'll post the final price when the auction ends.

I'm a tourist attraction.

jeanie — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 23:14:53 GMT

The mission has become pretty hip. People come for the trendy bars, the fancy restaurants and the boutique shops. One of the shops that everyone seems to have to see is Paxton Gate, part gardening shop, part natural history, all curious. When you walk by and peer in the window you're likely to see anything from exotic tilandisias to a giraffe head. They have been very good to me, and allow me to bring in whatever critters I can create. I even have my own display hutch. The hutch is nestled deep in the store, so if you were to wander in, you'd already be in awe of the displays of skulls, and forged jewelry and unique gardening tools and exotic teas. I was in the shop the other day dropping off some goodies and chatting with the staff when a group of girls came rushing in. One of the girls took her companions straight to the mouse display and excitedly started showing of the tiny treasures. It was like she was letting her friends in on a secret. They oooh'd and ahhh'd and giggled. Then the girl proceeded to direct her friends off, on the next "only in San Francisco" stop on the tour. One of the staff leans over to me and says that this happens all the time. People love the mice, and love to show them off to outta towners. I always find this a bit weird. I tend to be pretty anonymous, and every once in a while I am reminded: "oh my god, you're the mouse girl" yep, I guess I am.

Creativity revisisted

jeanie — Wed, 20 Jul 2005 04:16:31 GMT

When I got home tonight I was working on scanning images of my mice for my website. I ended up pulling out old boxes with some of my photography. I'd forgotten some of the work I used to do. My major at art school was fine art photography, which is hard to believe these days as I never pick up my old camera and I'm a luddite with the digital stuff. I'm going to have to grab my camera and get out of the house. Look at faces, hillsides and cracks in the sidewalk. This photo was taken alongside a dirt road in Monument Valley, Arizona. The color of the rocks - the blue sky - the dry scrub brush that dotted the arrid plains was so stunning. Even 20 years later it still has impact.

Trolling for inspiration

jeanie — Tue, 19 Jul 2005 22:09:11 GMT

I used to spend time in old used book stores, looking at various books of odd bits of trivia, forgotten fairytales and the required fortean mismosh. Now, with the web, you come across all sorts of stuff: http://www.eaudrey.com/myth/seacreatures.htm And find reasonably interesting people who are more than willing to share their work, ideas and insanity. I was looking at antique toys that lead me to artists who work in automata to this guy: http://www.stevegerberich.com/thinking.html Other things that I like, and in some strange way get incorporated into my brain, and therefore my art, are quietly represented on the web. If you don't know what you are looking at there is nothing to see. Look beyond and its something... http://www.infiltration.org/drains-stclair.html

Mix and Match Parts.

jeanie — Thu, 14 Jul 2005 20:00:10 GMT

A couple of days ago I went back to see what was new on my friend Stephen's website. He has added all sorts of new images and even some video clips. The discovery channel contacted him for a series they were doing on gross jobs, and filmed him picking up and skinning a road kill raccoon - classic!! Of course, this turned out to be beyond what the tv producers thought would be "educational" check out "too gross for TV: http://www.spaternite.com/frame/frames/fr/fr_video.html Stephen's work is amazing. He has a vivid imagination and the tools to make things real. We've been friends for many years and I'm always thrilled with his new works. When travelling across country many years ago I stopped in Akron and we chatted over waffles about collecting road kill and making art. Check out his site, and you'll be a fan too!! http://www.spaternite.com/index.html

What's New Pussycat?

jeanie — Fri, 24 Jun 2005 00:07:19 GMT

***A short break from talking about dead mice and other art projects*** Last night, Cole and I went to see Tom Jones at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland. I love Tom Jones, I think at this point, I’ve seen him live more times than any of my favorite Brit Pop bands. The Paramount is a beautiful Art Decco theatre and is in beautiful condition. It seemed like the light might also be vintage, as some of the lighting was multi-colored bubbles and purple and green streamers of light. We were so far up in the balcony I wasn’t sure what we’d see. I sure saw the sweat and even all the panties. The last time I went to see Mr. Jones, was at the Fillmore and while we were in line we decided to pick up tickets for the upcoming VNV Nation show we were going to see. I pondered if anyone else would see both Tom Jones and VNV Nation, and from the looks of the crowd they must have been at least one other group who would see both. That got me to thinking about all sorts of shows I’ve seen. I’ve seen very very few shows in big auditoriums. That thing at Coachella has to be the biggest er, music event I’ve ever done, and I waited until I was 40, I think I should have done that when I was young and stupid. I saw one show at the Shoreline one of those radio station things. One show at the Cow Palace – Rick James, Cameo and the Chi-lites. Mostly the largest venue was something like the Warfield, where I’ve seen more bands than my brain can hold: The Jam, Ministry, Urgh-A music war (Magazine, Dead Boys, The Members, Pere Ubu…') The Clash, Kraftwerk…' Other random bands I’ve seen; The Slits, Voice of the Beehive, Ivy, Souxsie, Blur, The Ramones, Ride, Hair Cut 100, The Cure, Throbbing Gristle, Grand Master Flash and the Furious 5, Cabaret Voltaire, Young Marble Giant, db’s, Meat puppets, The Specials, Teardrop Explodes, That Petrol Emotion, The Replacements, and a whole bunch more…' Maybe someday I’ll rant about my drumstick collection. Now, the funny thing …' I am 100% sure I’ll go see Tom Jones again. I’m not so sure I’ll any of the bands from my youth again …'

Jumpin' Jevhovah!

jeanie — Tue, 14 Jun 2005 19:31:18 GMT

The other day I got a nice e-mail from the Zymoglyphic museum that my mousealope gift was on display on the aquitisions page. Lo and behold, it had already been linked elsewhere. Thank god, and probably the devil too for the internet!! Everyone can find their niche. Who was it that snagged the dead mouse head mounted on a placque? The jevhovah's witness(es). If you scroll down to the bottom of the page you'll see it. Maybe it'll be in the Watchtower next!! http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/92169/1.ashx

Mouse my Ass!

jeanie — Wed, 08 Jun 2005 06:27:44 GMT

Sometimes I am surrounded by little parts. When I cook, I try and use everything. End pieces of veggies for soup stock, left over hambones for jambalaya. So it makes me nuts to toss perfectly good parts of mouse. When I was making the little mousealope heads I pondered about making little rugs or other projects.... I got the image of "the one that almost got away" - its a taxidermy mount you see listed in catalogs sometimes. The back end of a deer mounted as if it's running through your wall. My ass is a little more creative; so I framed it.

Gettin a head

jeanie — Tue, 31 May 2005 23:43:03 GMT

A couple in Anchorage saw some of my work online and asked if I did special orders on meeses. Sure, you want a couple, no problem .... they ordered 15 mousealopes!!! That's a lot of little heads for me. I shipped them off the other day and they seemed very pleased. They tell me some of them will be decorations in a new cabin they are building and some of the others will end up as gifts. I wonder if they are going to hand these out like toasters at the bank.

Connecting the world with dead things and junk.

jeanie — Wed, 25 May 2005 17:29:29 GMT

A couple of months ago I was clicking links and exploring some of the groups on Tribe. It was the Wonder Cabinets one, it had a listing for the Zymoglphic Museum, and a link for the page. A collection of oddities and creations filled the site. They even listed an open house for open studios in the not too distant future, and it was near by!!! I went down a few weeks ago and perused the dioramas, colletions and various treasures hidden in the sunny suburbs. Delicate bits of decay were lovingly arranged to create unknown worlds. Quite a fun little treat. In addition to Jim's own work, he also has on display collected treasures which really makes for a wonder cabinet. I'm always happy to find people quietly creating beauty out of decay, flotsom and other found bits. http://www.zymoglyphic.org/galleries.html In addition to the museum's own collection, this site has a great source of links to other wonderful things.

Accid-dermy

jeanie — Mon, 16 May 2005 22:33:44 GMT

I was accidentally included in a press release for the Minnesota Rogue Taxidermy Association. Long story short, they confused me with another girl from SF who also is working with mice (and took my class). Being spring and a time I try and ramp up more projects, I actually had pieces on hand that I could send to be in their upcoming show this week!!! http://www.roguetaxidermy.com/index.php They seem like pretty nifty people, and the group included "that girl that does the squirrels" people keep asking me about.