author...illustrator...guerilla artist
author...illustrator...guerilla artist
She lives at the end of my street next to a quiet debris litered laneway that leads into the alley. It is not known for sure whether she is indeed an actual witch or if it is merely a neighborhood rumour. She can be seen hobbling down the street in the late mornings, the rickety wheels of her grocery cart making occasional scraping noises along the sidewalk. He cart is usually filled with various canned goods, the kind that sometimes make up the bulk of the diet of those who are old and lonely. Meals where the most minimal of preparaton is required, spagetti, sodium laden stew, potted meats. Her left eye remains transfixed on the sidewalk as she shuffles, I do not think she can see out of her right eye.
Posted by kerismith at October 14, 2005 12:40 PMoh! do meet her! she'll probably turn out to be the most precious gift in your new city!!
Posted by: m-s on October 17, 2005 04:18 PMFantastic drawing! Love love love your style :)
Posted by: Jojo on October 17, 2005 12:54 PMHA!!! oh, yeah...probably can salmon too! With her left eye fixed on a computer screen in the darkness of her house..mahaaa..the mad blogger...
ALWAYS love your posts and drawings...
Posted by: PJ on October 17, 2005 11:22 AMWhether this is fact or fiction this is a sad series of observations about a person who can be seen in any town. It's easy to forget that these are living people due some consideration and too often ignored. I'll keep this in mind for next time thanks to your words and drawing.
Posted by: johnL on October 17, 2005 07:35 AMTee hee! This is a character that should go in a book. I LOVE to imagine ornate stories for the people I pass in my neighborhood or every day down town. Thanks for reminding me that this is a pastime rich with creative rewards.
Posted by: christina on October 16, 2005 11:41 PMhehe! *love* this illo!
This is so delightful. I swear it looks like me and my dog, though! hee hee
Posted by: Pink FiFi on October 15, 2005 05:16 PMA delightful painting and story behind it. It reminded me of a homeless man I see walking the streets daily here, he's always dressed in the same nice shirt and slacks with his bed roll on his cart in a hurry somewhere, probably seeking shelter out of the sweltering heat. I often wonder what happened in his life that brought him to this point.
Posted by: Cindy Lee on October 15, 2005 11:23 AM. . . yes . . . what is her story? she was once young . .. was she beautiful? who was she loved by? where did she turn corners in her mind, her heart? where did she soar? what decisions did she make that led her to the end of the alley? what people still come to her in her dreams? how does Life speak to her? what makes her giggle? what is her favorite thing that ralph does? what does she miss most about being in the thick of life? was she ever in the thick of life?
Posted by: katherine on October 15, 2005 09:43 AMAbsolutely love this... I knew this lady even before I read your characterization of her (uh-oh, I guess I'm guilty of "profiling"!)
I will say this about her: there is much that lies below the surface: anyone who wears stripy socks at her age is ok in my book!
Hi Keri - I love this drawing. Fantastic! It makes me curious about her story: whatever this lady’s state of mind and situation is, her dog seems like a pretty happy puppy. She’s chosen a cheerful red leash for him, even though she dresses herself in drab colours. Maybe she pours all her attention into taking care of the little guy... Who is she? What is her life like? What is she thinking when she prepares to go for her daily walk with Ralph? She rouges her cheeks before she goes out, why? How has she come to this place in her life...
Posted by: Kim on October 15, 2005 09:34 AMThat is a great drawing!
Posted by: mike Schwartz on October 15, 2005 02:45 AMWow this one is super. I just love the lettering too.... and the glow around her... and her curling locks
Posted by: Gayla on October 15, 2005 01:19 AMThis drawing is just delightful. I'd love to see you do more of this kind of stuff. I bet you could create amazing children's books.
Posted by: patricia on October 14, 2005 09:00 PMthis looks like the cover to an awesome children's book. hint, hint, hint...
Posted by: Cynthia Silvestri on October 14, 2005 06:47 PMYeah it's unfortunate that so many canned foods are sodium laden. It's like they think people are too lazy to salt their own food to taste. One of my favorite foods is vegetarian chili but I avoid it because it has like 50% of the recommended daily allowance of salt. Yeesh. I think I'll go drink a big glass of water on that.
p.s. Your illustrations rock my world, lady!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: :) on October 14, 2005 05:32 PMis this lady real? if so, i'm curious if you've ever had an interaction with her (if you've ever said hi or tried to make eye contact).
but perhaps she's just a creation.
Keri, I saw this on Penelope's Draw-A-Witch & wondered who did it. I love it! And, as always, I love reading your blog...I check in with it almost daily. It often provides inspiration & encouragement.
Posted by: Annie I on October 14, 2005 02:10 PMI am a new reader of your blog. I delight in your references to CBC (I fall asleep listening to it every night)and your use of the letter "U" (colour) that drives spell checkers crazy.I sense a kindred spirit.... where is the "home" you refer to. Thank you for your blog - reading it helps my muse surface in times of need.
Posted by: Patricia on October 14, 2005 01:42 PMThank you for reminding me that it's Halloween, and reminding me of the love of Halloween: the magic, the mystery, the kind of darkness, the potential for story that makes me feel like a kid.
Posted by: an awfull serious girl on October 14, 2005 01:33 PM