"but I have moved on to drawing and painting, which now dominate my artistic life."
"This book is a celebration of my cake and fondant art phase of life"
And what a fantastic phase it was! Just check out her “Jack Frost” cake above! I was so inspired, I drew the “Jacquie Frost” Art Gown below.
I’m just learning how to do white, so did a rendition of icy-blue white with window frost effect.
Of course there’s more to the book than cakes! There’s recipes and background history of both how fancy desserts and their recipes came to be, with a focus on:
Christmas Cakes
Okay, so that’s another kind of cake, but it is Christmas soon, and I just had to show off Robbie’s Tiered Rainbow Fairies Christmas Cake!
Which leads me to another Art Gown drawing inspired by the above cake; The Rainbow Fairies’ Art Gown.
Robbie says – “The ice cream fairies cake is a very happy one for me.”
If there is anything that could be constructed out of gingerbread, Robbie has engineered it.
To the left is her gingerbread Chapel.
To our right, is her gingerbread Windmill.
There are a lot of gingerbread creations in the book, but these two are the inspiration for my Gingerbread Art Gown, below.
Ginger models the Gingerbread Art Gown.
This lovely 100+ page book can set you up nicely for the oncoming holiday season, or any celebration that comes your way.
About Robbie Cheadle
South African author, photographer, and artist, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated four poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies. .
Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
OR – Just click on Something Fancy above, and go directly to its Amazon page!
Something Fancy is available in book or ebook formats!
You can find her books on Amazon sites around the globe. Just search “Robbie Cheadle” for children and youth books – “Roberta Eaton Cheadle” for adult books.
I fell in dog love with Copper when I read, Copper Boy (Ever So Gently, also in King Copper)
"His white choppers shine as if they've never caused any commotion.. never mind when he attempted to eat the barbecue!"
Somehow, to me, animal love is proven with those words. I was always asking about him, and one day drew him. It is my first and only animal portrait.
When Copper crossed the “rainbow bridge”, Lauren was heart broken. Concerned with how the healing was going, I asked a few questions.
Resa – In the book you say it was 4 months after Lucky Girl was gone, when you adopted Copper into your family. It’s been a bit longer than that since Copper passed. Are you thinking of adopting another puppy/dog?
Lauren – We will most likely adopt another dog in the future, probably an older dog that needs a loving home. But we’re not ready yet. As I mentioned in my book, every one of our family dogs has been special. Yet, it was in Copper’s amber, soulful eyes where I felt a deep connection. I’m doing better with occasional teary moments, but still grieving his passing. I wish I could hug him again, you know…
Resa – Yes, I know. I feel the same about my cats who are gone, especially my baby Jeep. (& Johnny & Pupkin & Cabbage & Mom & Potato)
Lauren – My mom passed shortly after Lucky Girl, and my kids were home and then leaving for college. Life was busy; dynamics were different, so after a few months, I was ready for another furry family member. And we’re so glad Copper trotted into our lives. Copper was also the first dog where we had to make that heart wrenching decision, and even though it was the right thing to do, it was the hardest decision I’ve had to make.
Lauren – I wanted my son and daughter’s support from out of state via phone, and of course, my husband, Matt, was with me, but ultimately, it was up to me. The emergency vet was very compassionate. She told us that she would support any decision we made, and she had told many pet owners “no” before. But she knew Copper would suffer tremendously if we prolonged his life, and the thought of him suffering shattered my heart as well.
Lauren – Though it still wasn’t easy, so before I decided, I looked at her, crying my heart out, saying, “I don’t want to be an adult right now. I want you to tell me what to do.” I knew it wasn’t her decision to make, so I nodded my head. Matt was silently emotional sitting in a chair, and I sat on the floor with Copper’s head on my leg while he peacefully left our world. I buried my face in his fur and sobbed like I’ve never sobbed before. After that fateful day, my husband and I needed some time to let our emotions settle. As our daughter says, “We need to give ourselves grace.” Recently, I heard in a movie, “Love is worth the grief.” It truly is… So, I don’t know the timeline, but we’ll know when the right time comes. ♥️
Resa – When Copper passed, you fell on your pen, and wrote King Copper. Can you put into words how writing was a catharsis? Did you go through stages, a journey, as you wrote?
Lauren – I had written several fun poems when Copper was with us, so when he passed, it felt natural to write through the grief. Instead of moping around the house and crying all the time, my grief found a destination in poetry form. Writing kept me busy, kept me focused to the end of a poem, and then another was inspired. Sure, I had down time to fall in a chair and simply cry for a few minutes before I ‘got up again.’ But those times didn’t consume me because of the writing.
One More Moment
A dog barks in the distance causing me to pause, it sounds like Copper’s a wild imagination longing for one more moment
Lauren – I can’t say if there were stages, but it was an emotional journey that felt like I had been sucker punched. I’m grateful to be a writer so that my grief had a place to go. I can’t imagine what those days, weeks, and months would have looked like without being able to put my emotions down on paper. Before I knew it, a poetry collection had evolved, and that’s when I decided to pay tribute to Copper in book form. I’m so glad I did, not only for me, but for my family too.
Resa – Where do you find yourself today, your missing of Copper, now that the book is out there and people have been reacting?
Lauren – My book has received beautiful and touching reviews, so it’s heartwarming to know how Copper has touched the hearts of those who have loved and lost a pet. Many friends have fallen in love with Copper, and that warms my heart. He didn’t know how lovable he was. He didn’t know how handsome or regal he was, but all 80 lbs. of him was pure unconditional love.
In some poems, Copper writes to Lauren
ALWAYS BY YOUR SIDE
I see you dry your tears; how sad you seem to be. Please know that I am here, but I'm also feeling free.
- Copper Boy
Lauren – I’m emotional as I type. Sigh…I’m just grateful for the reception my collection has received. And I hope my poems provide comfort for those who are also grieving the loss of their dog or cat. Life is part joy and part loss then comes acceptance. This is what King Copper is all about. We know he’s frolicking in lush, green meadows with our dogs who had previously passed and he’s not in pain anymore. Knowing this allows acceptance in our minds because he lives in our hearts forever. 🤎🧡🤎
I only have1 drawing of Copper, so I did my best with it for this post
I spotted this being painted while passing in a street car. I waited 3 days and returned.
The painting was not quite finished, and there was a cherry picker blocking the bottom. It was a sunny day, but I was in a mighty blue mood. Some rain had fallen in my life.
I waited 3 more days, and returned to the yellow and blue painting, like sun and rain, to me. I could heard this song. I had been hearing it for 3 days.
I mailed Holly and told her I found a painted poem. I sent a couple of pics and asked did she have any sun and rain poems? Any yellow and blue poems? She sent 3 poems, and a song.
September Rain The rains come late; vanilla yogurt clouds deepen to ripe blueberry. Twirling harlequins of wind sweep upward through the lush crowns of Lindens where birds weave wicker, dried stems, and waxy feathers, dripping pearly dew onto overgrown gardens. Higher, squirrels shelter in rattan dreys, inky shadows among mottled rays that dance on puddles and glistening blades, the potpourri of life.
~~~ Holly Rene Hunter
One was not a rain on a sunny day poem. Rather, she sent flowers on a sun’s shore.
FLOWER GIRL
Where are you my love? Chasing shadows along sun swept shores?
Turbulence has exfoliated the rosy blush from my cheeks. When we speak our words drift away on the wind.
If you should change your mind I’ll be waiting by the garden gate flowers in my hair.
– Holly Rene Hunter
It Feels Like Rain
The earthy scent of petrichor clings to our skin, overflows my eyes, slips down our cheeks to mingle with salty lips. We know how it feels to swim in sun drenched rivers, to touch the moon and feel the sear of the sun. Your song fills the sky with falling stars. But mine bring the rain… I bring the rain. It feels like rain… You know it feels like rain.
The Tate Museum says “The term underground art is used to describe a subculture of art, like graffiti art or comic strip art. Wiki says ” any form of art that operates outside of conventional norms in the art world, part of underground culture.
Resa – Matt, what do you say to those definitions?
Matt – Either definition works. The wiki def is more encompassing to include **Poetry Chapbooks one of which I get in the mail & **Zines(which I was also part of in the 90’s) which surprisingly still exist.
All I did was turn into an alley and was instantly transported into the past. The newest graffiti was 15 years old.
Mr. Natural?
Underground Comix and Publications
COMPARE THE MR. NATURALS
Having recently had a comments chat with Matt aboutunderground comix, I was like OH, Matt would love this alley. I sent him a couple of pix, Mr. Wonderful and the one below.
Matt – Oh cool, those look like the work of Ralph Bakshi & R.Crumb.
Resa– Matt, the R. Crumb work was obvious to me, but I honestly didn’t know who Ralph Bakshi is. I looked him up and was wide-eyed that he directed the Fritz the Cat movie and that Fritz is an R. Crumb character. I guess you knew that?
Matt – My life used to revolve around watching as many movies as I could, I was aware of Fritz the Cat the movie but because it was X-Rated it was never readily available in any movie rental house. Wasn’t until Blockbuster Video did mail rentals in 2004 when I finally had a chance to see Fritz and other cool controversial Bakshi films like Coon Skin & Heavy Traffic.
Resa – When did you discover these 2 artists? How did they influence you?
More characters from the alley
Matt – In regards to Bakshi, I had a book called The Psychotronic Encyclopedia of Film from the 80’s that introduced me to a lot of films that were far from mainstream, and I remember reading about Fritz the cat. This same book introduced me to the early films of John Waters, too.
As for Crumb maybe the late 80’s early 90’s ? I used to frequent comic shops and had an extensive collection of mainstream & underground comix. The underground comix were tucked away and you had to ask to see them. I bought a few that featured the work of R. Crumb.
I can’t pinpoint how these artists were an influence. Influence is strong word. I wrote a 3 part post on artists I admire but that’s not the same as influence. I suoppose there are times when I am trying to push the controversial button with some but not all of my work.
Resa – I loved The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers comix. Were you also a fan of Gilbert Shelton? Did his work have any effect on you?
Matt – I became a fan of The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers pretty recently. I just really dug the humour (pot head no less, coming from a never used square like myself)
Resa – You said you get a Poetry Chapbook in the mail . Is it a particular author or publisher? Do you consider online Chapbooks an underground art form?
Matt – I subscribe to punkpoet.net by an author/artist named JB who occasionally snail mails out haiku comics for free. I love getting old school mail. I’ve never come across an online chapbook, unless you mean a poetry blog but it can’t be on a platform like WordPress, it has to be it’s own thing.
There’s still lots happening with **Poetry Chapbooks. Click on the pile beside to learn a bit about them and their history!
Resa – So Matt, please tell us about your experience with Zines? If it’s online, is it still a Zine?
Matt – Again I suppose blogging could come across as a Zine but I don’t know I don’t see using the internet as a means of going against conventional methods to be considered underground in any way. In the 90’s I was active in submitting poetry to multiple small press poetry zines as well as publishing my own (which included comics and short stories as well as poetry.)
**Zine (short for “magazine” or “fanzine”) A self-published booklet created for personal expression. Their history spans from the 1920s Harlem Renaissance, to the 1970s DIY Punk scene, and beyond.
Matt – Sadly I don’t have any of the 6 issue run of “Toxic Shock and other abnormalities of the inner being.” Yeah, quite a mouthful for a title, it was co-edited with 2 different people the first 5 issues done in 1992 with Rob H. and the final 2 done in 1995 with Sara M.
*Some libraries collect Zines. The Boston Public Library has more than 945 Zines.*
Graffiti
“If the paint is not from a spray can, it’s not real art.”
Resa – Supercilious words from hard core graffiti artists, but when it comes to graffiti art and much wall art, I think there’s truth to that. What do you think about that, Matt?
Matt – As opposed to what, like a wheat paste up ? Is Graffiti truly art? I find myself drawn to character based graffiti over throw-ups and tags. Essentially I prefer what is known as street art, ya know.
Resa – Above is a pic of a bunch of tags and throw-ups, from Graffiti Alley. I look at the entire composition, and it looks like a community art piece to me. Does it look like art to you?
Matt – No, to me it looks hella sketch. Like I’d be looking over my shoulder every minute to make sure I wasn’t gonna get jumped.
A common classic style of graffiti art is writing, aka burners or lettering.
Resa – The building owners in Graffiti Alley welcome the graffiti. However, if it’s not welcome, if it’s vandalism, is it art? This includes tags, cartoons, lovely artworks or burners .
Matt – Vandalism is vandalism. Any unwanted piece is just plain wrong in my book. Does the crime deserve a hefty penalty to include jail time ? No I think it should be a misdameanor with a hefty fine. But again, vandal graffiti is definitely more befitting as being classified as underground.
Artist: Nick Sweetman
Resa – If there is no underlying political message, is it “true” graffiti art?
Matt – I don’t see that as being a necessity to make it “true” art. Art is pretty subjective, ya know.
An artist acquaintance recently smacked a paste-up on my home. Paste-ups come in many styles.
Paste-up by Andrew 01
Resa – I know it’s not on a wall, but I adore some of your art that seems a paste-up style. Am I right to think that, based on the examples below?
Matt – I suppose maybe you could say that about collage in general but I wouldn’t go as far as to say my work is a pasteup style, because I hadn’t heard of that term until I saw it on yours an another U K. graffiti blog I follow.
Resa – A lot of the alley graffiti artists are Tattoo artists by trade. Are tattoos underground art?
Matt – Tattoos were definitely once Underground, but not anymore. I don’t know when it shifted but I recall only shady characters had prison tattoos and with military personnel it seemed to be a right of passage. Eventually that shifted into metal/punk bands.
But now in the present ? It’s gone mainstream. Hell half the people at my job, which is mostly populated by women, all sport one or more tattoos.
I enjoy the images below. They convey a lot of movement, and feel like a fusion of graffiti street art (not graffiti tags & throw-ups) & cartoon art.
Some of Matt’s art reminds me of street art, some his own unique brand of cartoon art..
Many say AI will be the end of human created art forms for commercial purposes, and beyond.
Could survival instinct drive creators and their arts Underground?
I do not consider Murals to be graffiti art. I consider them to be wall art.
Resa – So, Matt, I found this mural the other day. The colours were fab, and I liked the Day of the Dead theme.
Click on the pic to read about why residents and mural artists are upset about “Fake Art “
Resa – Something bothered me about the art, so I checked around on line when I got home. Turns out it’s an AI generated image printed on a film and applied to the wall. My heart sank.
Muralist Sarah Blostein quickly noticed inconsistencies. Elements like the teeth, hands & guitar strings looked like an algorithm created the work rather than a human artist.
Resa – My 2 part question is -In your opinion, (1) Can any of the arts and its creators survive AI on a commercial level?(2) Is there a possibility of a Renaissance Underground Art movement on the horizon?
Matt – I don’t freelance on a commercial level to be able to answer that question. As A.I. art is less than perfect, I initially was against it, but sometimes use it to accompany poetic work on my blog. As of now I don’t see it as a major threat. As for a Renaissance? Possibly if creators become fed up with how irrelevant they become.
Matt did 3 articles on artists he admired. I chose 4 who have not previously been mentioned in this article, and asked him to comment on them.
ROY LICHTENSTEIN
I was aware of Pop Artists when I was in high school in the 80’s. I was also an avid comic collector. I loved that Lichtenstein didn’t just recreate comic panels with his own wry humour in the thought & dialogue balloons of the character but he also recreated the dot printing process in large format. That aspect of his work made me interested in trying creative techniques. I wish I still had it But I did an ode to Lichtenstien Medium sized acrylic painting and injected my own weird sense of humor into the thought balloon of the woman in distress.
GARY LARSON
Larson’s The Far Side the petfect example of a twisted sense of humour. I’d say both my written and drawn sense of humour was derived from an appreciation of this short lived syndicated comic.
TIFFANY ARPDALEO
Tiff’s art I am in love with. I have a few prints as well as clothing of her abstracts. I tried abstract painting, but they always came out like a mess as opposed to a work of art. I wish I could lay down paint like she does. I am a super fan and super impressed by everything she does.
SALVADOR DALI
Dali being a surrealist was just the epitome of being weird in my opinion. But I didn’t just like his paintings I fell in love with the french surreal silent film he made with Luis Bunell. Un Chien Andalou or An Andalusian Dog. That scene of a close up of a woman’s eyeball being sliced with a straight razor, the sfx from that time period were incredible and a bit of an influence of the short films and animations I made.
Underground Films
Curious, I found Un Chien Andalou,and watched it.
Resa – So Matt, I enjoyed this 20 minute silent film. With all the death, blood and gore in so many popular action films, Iv’e been desensitized. Yet, the eyeball slicing scene is crazy shocking. Why do you think that is?
Matt– I think it’s because of the time period of which the film was made. Practical effects have always been superior to me over C.G.I. What (slicing the eye of a dead slaughterhouse cow) they used to create that illusion done in extreme close up no less, is quite jarring.
Resa – However, I’m not sure I understand the film. What do you make of it?
Matt – It’s meant to be nightmare. To push buttons in people. It is made without a narrative on purpose.
Resa – I searched underground films on line. I was shocked at the results: Pulp Fiction, Fight Club, The Matrix, Mulholland Drive and others I consider big budget films.What do you say to this?
Matt – I saw that so called list of ” Underground” films on IMDB.com but the true definition I found through further research is as follows:
Underground film refers to a category of motion pictures that diverge from mainstream commercial cinema, prioritizing personal artistic vision over broad audience appeal. Often characterized by low budgets and unconventional techniques, these films typically emerge from independent filmmakers and are distributed through alternative venues. Underground films frequently tackle taboo subjects, exploring themes of sexuality, politics, and the supernatural, often using experimental styles that distinguish them from more commercial offerings.
Resa – I thought at least The Blair Witch Project would be mentioned. Apparently that is considered an experimental film, but not underground. Do you think“The Blair Witch Project”is an underground film?
Matt – The actual filming style of Blair Witch, absolutely. But unlike most underground films it became a massive commercial hit, so not entirely ya know.
Andy Warhol made over 600 underground films between 1963 and 1968.
Resa – Sleep is apparently one of, if not the most famous of Andy Warhol’s underground films. What do you think of it? Of Andy’s underground films in general?
Matt – I think they suck. Sleep is a 5 hour film of someone doing just that. A tedious and boring film. I’d rather watch any film by Underground Auter Kenneth Anger which can be at times tedious as well but at least there is variety in his work.
Matt – I met underground filmmaker John Waters 4 times in my life.
Resa – OMG! How did I miss John Waters for this post? Love his films. He was more Underground at the beginning, but even his later more commercial films held much quirkiness.
Matt – I auditioned for the Ricky Lake version of Hairspray in ’87.
Resa – Okay , now that is just plain cool. I shook his hand once. I was in an admiring crowd.
Matt – I met him at a showing of my favorite film of his Female Trouble in 1996 in Philly. He was guest speaker at a local arts business expo in 2004 as well as a talk he did in 2010.
Resa – When I saw Polyester, I laughed myself sick. Divine was hysterical. The budget was as low as the set’s ceiling. The boom mic showed in most shots.
Matt – The dude is filmmaking hero of mine.
Here are 2 of Matt’s underground films I enjoyed and you might, too.
Matt – Ronald was the 3rd and more polished part of a trilogy of shorts I made with some friends in 1987 & 1990. This film from 1999 was an experimental improv film made with local actors & my late parents.
Running time 5 minutes.
Resa –I really like Remembering Ronald, Matt!Suffocation, below, is completely different, and I liked the message.
Matt–The story is about a guy bummed about not being able to get with various women and feeling all depressed till he is visited by a future self and given a scarf that helps relieve his depression.
Some stood up for what they believed in. Some were targeted by hate. Some died young from disease. We walk among you. We will NOT be eradicated. Some of us have become Ghosts, but no matter how hard you refuse to see us, we will remain, Alive, Heard & Seen
DanAntion has a weekly Doors Challenge that is very popular. However, as a busy person I’m thrilled he has an Annual Doors Challenge. This was my second year participating, and it was more fun that the first year.
Recently, wandering the urban forest, I espied a patch of colour. Turning the corner, a stunning autumn hued tarn with hikers appeared.
Instantly, I thought of Lauren Scott, and her love of country hiking. The next thought was “Isn’t she writing a children’s book? It must be almost finished.”
Well, I asked her. Turns out YES! Cora’s Quest is just released! As we are having an endless postal strike in Canada, I purchased the EBook.
The Blurb
Cora is a curious fawn who loves spending time with her parents. On one beautiful day, they stroll deep into the wilderness. They trot along on the trails, and Cora finds other animals fascinating. They skitter and fly around her with joyful purpose. Every unique sound catches her attention, stirring her curiosity to discover just where that sound came from. But suddenly her delightful family day takes a turn that begins to test the courage inside of her…
I know Lauren is unhappy with how the Ebook formatting came out. She got one from amazon. I got mine from Kobo. Yes, it is not perfect, but it’s all there.
Geared to 2- 5 year old children, this sweet and loving story, complete with enchanting illustrations by Chris Mendez, is the type of book a child might want to hold, carry around or even take to bed.
fading light, moonrise day and night come together our past, our future
Welcome to the final stop of the Simple Pleasures blog tour!
Liz –Thank you, Resa, for hosting me for the final day of my blog tour for Simple Pleasures: Haiku from the Place Just Right!
Resa – My pleasure, Liz!
Florida Vacation
Liz -Today, I’m taking your readers to Cold Hollow Sculpture Park in Enosburg, Vermont. The park features dozens of sculptor David Stromeyer’s large-scale abstract metal sculptures spread over 45 acres of hay field.
Resa – I am thrilled about getting to feature David Stromeyer’s art, with your book of images with Haiku. I’ve chosen to use all of the options you sent. FYI readers – the names of the sculpture is below its photo.
Ngozi
Cold Hollow Sculpture Park
Liz – I first visited the park site with my dad in the early 1970s, when he was counseling someone who lived in the area. I remember that the sculptor lived on the property in a barn that had seen better days, which I found the epitome of counterculture cool.
Lost in the Roundabout
At that time, Stromeyer had two, maybe three, sculptures completed and displayed. I vividly remember the one he’d created out of the tank of a smashed milk truck. The sculpture made such an impression on me that twenty years later, I included it in a short story.
Rock-in Sphere
Slice Rock
Banded Rock
Jumoke
Primavera
Da-jo-jo
Ensemble-4+2
Resa – Liz, I thoroughly enjoyed your book, and have selected my 2 fave Haiku for this post.
Elizabeth Gauffreau writes fiction and poetry with a strong connection to family and place. Her work has been widely published in literary magazines, as well as several themed anthologies. Her short story “Henrietta’s Saving Grace” was awarded the 2022 Ben Nyberg prize for fiction by Choeofpleirn Press.
She has published a novel, Telling Sonny, and a collection of photopoetry, Grief Songs: Poems of Love & Remembrance. She is currently working on a novel, The Weight of Snow and Regret, based on the closing of the last poor farm in Vermont in 1968.
Liz’s professional background is in nontraditional higher education, including academic advising, classroom and online teaching, curriculum development, and program administration. She received the Granite State College Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018. Liz lives in Nottingham, New Hampshire with her husband. Visit Liz on her blog!
Graffiti Lux Art & More 
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