I used to be a gamer

Seriously...don't laugh! Now I'm too busy with other stuff (though I still can spend the entire weekend parked in front of my PS2), but I still like to remember the good old days. Like when I used to read a lot of comic books...
I ran across Houston artist Mark Lyons's profile on TalentDatabase.com the other day and thought I'd share. Besides creating some awesome surreal artwork, his pen and ink drawings are excellent and superbly detailed. And what really caught my eye is that he illustrates comic books (a personal fave...my 2nd cousin used to pen The Amazing Spider-Man).

Mark has a comic book/graphic novel coming out this Fall called The Plague Doctor. To find out where to purchase his comics or any of his other artwork,visit his MySpace page or take a look at his Talent Database profile.

Summer images may wane, but words will not

Houston author Mugoux (said like moo-goo for your non-Frenchies) just published her first book Travels with William, which promises to be a great summer read. And just to tease, here's part of the excerpt from Chapter 2 found on her website:

A parade of glass cases stuffed with geometric pastry poufs saturated in honey and cream crawled along dingy, Pepto-Bismol pink walls.

“Let’s go in.”

“I don’t see any food though,” I whined. “Just sweets.”

William was entranced. He was being sucked in.

There was no one under 65 in the whole room and it was packed. Elderly ladies and gentlemen sat sipping coffee and clear fluids obviously not water. No one drinks water from glasses that small. The ceiling swooped up at least fifty feet and there was a dark balcony with tables that made a circuit around the perimeter. I imagined a man of 71 dressed in a dark mourning suit. He was concealed up there with his mistress of 58. He’d just come from the funeral of his wife. He was hunched over his mistress. He was trampling on her white wool coat that had fallen to the floor as he lunged for her, licking the cream from the corner of her mouth. Her coral lipstick streaked his shirt collar.

Travels with William is avilable at indie bookstores across the nation and online through the AuthorHouse Bookstore. Here in Houston, go to Brazos Books or Blue Willow Bookshop to purchase your copy. Cheers.

Four Eyed Monsters

You gotta watch this film. It's 71 minutes long, so pause it and let it load a bit before you view. Go surf their website for a while and then pop some popcorn, prop up your feet, and enjoy.

Join Spout | Buy DVD | Watch Video Podcast | Get Code

These guys aren't from Houston, but I posted anyway because I think this film is important. It will speak different messages to everyone who watches. I left my feedback as a comment. Let me know what you think too.

Cheers.

Who knew Barbie was a Badass?

Tie me up and call me Bettie...Page, that is! For those of you who collect jointed dolls, prepare to be punkd. Forget the pinky fru-fru stuff...these custom order outfits by Houston designer MIO are just plain H-O-T.

Along with corsets and swimsuits for jointed dolls, MIO also sells handbags, pillows, magnets, and more from her website.

MIO is a member of the Houston Craft Mafia, a local organization dedicated to supporting and promoting Houston-area crafters and business humans (I'm a member too!).

Cheers.