Bounce Bounce Bounce

Before the world went upside-down in 2020, I was invited to collaborate on a music video with my friends in Yacht Rock Revue for their song “Doobie Bounce” on their first album of original music, Hot Dads in Tight Jeans. It was a blast to make! I illustrated the lyrics on some 70+ overhead transparencies which the crew projected in sync with the music, as the band and crazy props were filmed in real-time. Silly fun with overhead projectors!

Check out the video (don’t miss the Easter egg for die-hard Gen-X MTV fans). I also highly recommend you get the album and read about the band in Rolling Stone.

Snail Mail Magic

Lately I have been exchanging letters with my second grade teacher, Mrs, Krueger, who was my earliest inspiration as an artist. We drew a lot in her class and we also read a lot of comics. Today, I received a letter from her filled with magical memories— it was a letter I wrote her in June 1980 as a fourth grader. At the time, making bookmarks was my jam as explained in the letter I wrote her.

It’s faded a little over the last 40 years, so here’s what I wrote:

Dear Mrs. Krueger,

I just thought you might like these book-markers that I made. I have been making alot of them. I will send you some more later. Please write back.

Your friend,
Liesl

I made her a Hagar the Horrible bookmark and what I think is a fancy ladybug with a top hat and cane. Both are dated 6/21/80 and signed, because apparentyl I was a pro even back then!

Note the amazing stationery with the koala wearing a babushka. I remember loving that stationery, so this is a clear reflection of how much I adored Mrs. Krueger.

And I love that she held up her part of the bargain and wrote me back! I couldn’t be happier to receive this today.

P.S. This is proof that we all benefit from the magic of the postal service in very special ways!

Mrs. Krueger bookmarks.jpg

Soup Surprise

Remembering Stephen today. He had a great story about waiting in line to meet Andy Warhol on the Diag in Ann Arbor. He took a can of soup to have Andy sign… and years later the can exploded, ruining the autograph. A very Andy kind of art moment. A very Stephen kind of story.

A Stone of Hope

Spent the day reading, listening, learning, and reflecting about Juneteenth. This piece is part of my learning process. More work to do.

And the Circle of Art Circles Around Again

Years ago I donated this painting to the Circle of Art, a lovely fundraising tradition in my hometown of Saline, Michigan. Each spring artists donate pieces that are then auctioned off to friends and collectors. The proceeds go to the Food Gatherers of Ann Arbor. My dear friend (and favorite human) Stephen Kerr was very involved in the fundraiser, recruiting many of his friends and former students to participate. We lost Stephen last year, but he tends to find lovely ways to say hello and remind us of all that is good in the world.

Yesterday, Stephen said hello!

Out of the blue, I received a text with this snapshot of a painting I made many moons ago. Very springy! Very happy! The text was from the art teacher at the elementary school where Stephen used to teach. I connected with him last fall when collaborating on a lovely tribute to our mentor Stephen. His name is Kevin and he was just reaching out to say that he and his young daughter had come across this piece I made, which they had acquired some time ago at the Circle of Art event. He told me it made his day to find it again; they had hung it on the wall in his daughter’s room. I let him know that they had made my day right back!

And that was Stephen’s way of making everyone’s day!