Halloween 2012, Part One

H A P P Y   H A L L O W E E N

   The other night, Jeaux and I were invited to a Halloween party by my friend, Sasha, pictured above as Enid!  She also provided these sweet polaroids.  You should check out her blog, The Holy Nail.  This lovely woman knows her nail art and she is such a bad ass.  Looking forward to spending more time with her. 

   I really LOVE Halloween and try to go all out every year.  Last year, I was Sally Bowles.  This year, Jeaux and I were channeling In The Realms of the Unreal.  More on that later!  

  Jeaux and I have something fun coming up on actual Halloween that I cannot wait to tell you all about!  Until then....

your friend,

ava

  

  

Henry Darger

Source

January 1, 1971. I had a very poor nothing like Christmas. Never had a good Christmas all my life, nor a good new year, and now…. I am very bitter but fortunately not revengeful, though I feel should be how I am…’

—H.D.

(Art: Cat-Headed Blengin, date unknown.)

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Another thing on my wishlist is a book on Henry Darger's work.  I can look at his creations forever, and I'm always finding something new.  There is so much of his work that when I look up his images, I end up discovering a piece I've never seen before. Amazing. What a story this man had. 

Here is more about him here.   I've mentioned before that his work would make really interesting tattoos.   I still dream about getting something done, but I have to limit my options.  That is going to be tough.  If you still haven't seen In The Realms of the Unreal, you must make that one of your resolutions.  It is one of the most beautiful documentaries. 


Sad he never had a good christmas.  Lets all try to have a joyful one, and a happy hanukkah + new year! 


your friend,


ava

Vivian Girls

Copyright Ava Alamshah 2011

I had no idea about Henry Darger until Jeaux pointed out one of those ridiculously expensive coffee table books showcasing his abundant paintings. We were at that Skylight Books continuation next door & among the sea of books, zines, and knick knacks, there was the Darger book staring right at me. The cover alone was so beautiful and when I opened the book, I was confused as to why this guy drew little girls with penises. It wasn't until I saw "In the Realms of the Unreal" that I found out about this man, who was basically a loner all his life. His innocence startled me & I believe that was the only way someone could paint the way he did. There is no irony in his work. Its just pure, from the heart and it became his world. I envy that sort of creative freedom.  I'm currently thinking about my next tattoo, which would be Darger inspired. It would help if I had this.   

Here's a little something from a band named after those loveable little ladies.

your friend,

ava