Since discovering Holly and her poetry, years ago, I keep finding her & her poems painted on walls, in alleys, on garage doors, in the market and Graffiti Alley.
This bleak alley went on for a mile, at least. Suddenly … beauty, like a Holly poem.
"Don't tell me what the poets are doing
Those Himalayas of the mind
Don't tell me what the poets been doing
In the long grasses over time"
But my heart can thank Holly, and all the wonderful poets I have found on WP.
“She called herself Lil, but everyone knew her as Nancy”
Hi, Blue Dude Raccoon here, with an Alley Gallery tale that will tune you in and turn you on!
It all began last summer when Nancy (great, great, great, great, great & about 55 more greats) granddaughter of Rocky Raccoon began wandering the alleys taking pics of humans on garage doors.
Teagan R. Geneviene via Night Cafe
Made aware of this, kits in their late teens rebelled. They struck out into the alley spraying graffiti over the images of humans,
and churning up general mayhem.
Their mom’s, dressed in their finest matching period gowns, discussed the issue over tea.
Teagan R. Geneviene via Night Cafe
They actually thought of asking Gideon Bibbel to help. He was the largest scariest raccoon ever. He was so big he lived in an abandoned warehouse, and took up all the space.
Unfortunately, he terrified the wee tiny ones, so they decided against it.
One night after a gig, the Jazz Racs, a local raccoon jazz band who played for humans, parked their car in an alley, after a gig.
Teagan R. Geneviene via Night Cafe
The kits spent half the night spray painting the car, while everyone slept.
Something had to be done! The mom’s decided to consult Big Purple, the wise old leader of the Trash Can Clan.
Simple he said. The Kits need to be Jazzed Up. They need to channel their emotions creatively.
Teagan R. Geneviene via Night Cafe
So, after making the Kits clean the paint off of the car, they all head down to the Jazz Cafe.
The Kits were wowed!
The Kits all decided to learn to play instruments, and start a band.
A couple of months later (Raccoons learn very quickly) they played their first gig,
… and their happy mom’s showed up to dance.
Teagan R. Geneviene via Night Cafe
Pics taken by Resa – 2024-2026
Toronto, Canada
The Artists:
For anyone who hasn’t guessed, I began this tale with inspiration from The song below.
AI was not used in the writing of this post.
Post Script:
Toronto is known as the "Raccoon Capitol", which is why there is so much raccoon street art in the city.
When Teagan, a most creative & whimsical writer, included the image of Raccoons having tea in gowns in a post, I got quite a chuckle out it. So I asked Teagan if I could include it in my annual raccoon street art post. Not only did she say yes, but out of the blue, in kind & generous spirit, Teagan did up more raccoon whimsy and sent it to me.
I think it looks like Amy… a healthy Amy with full cheeks.
She had full lips, tattoos, dark-lined mascara eyes and often a big flower in her hair.
She held her chin behind her wrist, at times.
Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong wrote I Heard It Through the Grapevine in 1966. The next year, Motown stars Gladys Knight and the Pips had a #2 Billboard Hit with it.
In 2006, Amy and Paul Weller did a fabulous live version. I love the juxtaposition between Amy’s brave blues/jazz vocals and Paul’s straight ahead performance.
I drew Amy a couple of years ago for Holly and my series on Rock Stars.
You can check out the article on Holly’s House of Heart!
For over 20 years, an inherited first edition (1957) sat upon a shelf in the den. I now share the gorgeous illustrations by Vera Bock, and a bit about her.
When my love swears she is made of truth, I do believe her, though I know she lies ...
- The Passionate Pilgrim
Vera’s illustrations follow the passage of the Sonnet or Poem that inspired her.
If he be dead, - O no, it cannot be ...
- Venus and Adonis
Born in St. Petersburg, Vera Bock (1902 – 2006) fled the Russian Empire with her family. “Vera and her family caught the last train out of Russia before the Revolution started;” Via Siberia to China, then Japan, they arrived in San Francisco in 1917.
And nothing 'gainst Time's sycthe can make defence Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.
- Sonnet XII
Vera’s mother was a Russian concert pianist, her father an American banker.
Not Marble, nor the gilded monuments Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme ...
- Sonnet LV
Living in London and Paris from 1919 to 1921, Vera trained in woodcutting, manuscript illumination, printing and photogravure. This added to her training in painting and drawing. From 1922 through 1923 she appears to have trained in Switzerland.
Tired with all these, from these I would be gone, Save that, to die, I leave my love alone.
- Sonnet LXVI
Vera’s 1924 passport application and the 1925 New York State Census stated her occupation was artist, no longer student.
Love's not time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come ...
- Sonnet CXVI
From the early 1930’s, when she illustrated Depression Era posters, into the 1960’s when she illustrated for many magazines, newspapers and books, Vera was in demand and very busy. In the 1970’s and on, she continued on a slower pace, illustrating books.
Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty, Youth's a stuff will nor endure.
- Twelfth Night
Circa 1973 (perhaps later) Vera married her late sister’s husband, George H. Kaestlin, who died in 1981. Surviving him by 25 years, she passed away at 104 years of age.
But, ah, who ever shunn'd by precedent The destined ill she must herself assay?
In 2016 The last surviving member of the Bock family, Alice Tischler (niece), donated a large collection of Vera’s original book illustrations, and more, to the Farnsworth Art Museum.
According to Bob Forrest Vera loved cats, big time. She dedicated the pictures in the children’s book below.
“To My Cat Serka, who, with all the dignity of his eighteen and one half years, so graciously, sometimes, consented to pose for them – the pictures in this book are respectfully dedicated.”
“It is signed “V.B.” and has a paw–print below it.”
COMMISERATIONS TO ALL MY AMERICAN FRIENDS, ON THIS 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11
Looks like this underpass art will take 1 more post to complete.
MEDĒIO is the artist, and he was so lovely. Monkyi whose art I will share in Scattered V, introduced us. He was kind enough to chat with me for about 15 minutes.
The art extends along the wall, well past the actual underpass.
As this is one of my fave pieces, I’m sharing 3 more pics below.
There’s 3 pics of this very cool Graffiti Lux below.
This artist likes to paint tea parties. I have seen & shot a few now.
Love the blue streak on the cheek.
Gotta have cartoons and madness represented in street art!
Some finishing touches were added to a few pieces. I got most, but want to double check. Those will be in Scattered 5.
Not sure if that is Andrea or Catlin below, painting the above.
I have been a fan of Bunso’s work for several years now. However, I just don’t get the painting in the slideshow below.
The image actually unnerves me somewhat.
Not sure what this says, but I think the yellow says – INSIGHT?
Fell in love with this stamp, so have to include a mini slideshow.
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