The Misanthrope Specialty Co.

HOMELY FOR THE HOLIDAYS...

2011-11-28T11:29:00.000-08:00

This just in: The Misanthrope Specialty Co. is now taking appointments for Unflattering Portraits at Kid Icarus' upcoming Handmade Holiday show.

What's are these Unflattering Portraits, you axe? They sound familiar, and amazing. They are.

The Misanthropes have adopted Reverenend Aitor's mission to lovingly commit everyone's oft-ignored flaws to paper. No laugh line is too deep; no blackhead too small. Embrace your cold sore, under-eye baggage and bot fly cysts. They are a part of who you are and shouldn't be glossed over or ignored. For a nominal fee, you too can have have your turkey neck recorded for posterity.

This is an Unflattering Portrait

To book your portrait appointment: simply click on the comments section at the end of this posting and claim any hour that isn't already claimed. Couples, oddly enough, count as two persons, so please book two slots. Online sign ups are open until 11:00 pm, Friday December 2.

UNFLATTERING TORONTO
at Handmade Holiday Arts + Crafts Show
Saturday December 3rd 2011
St. Stephen-in-the-Fields
(103 Bellevue Ave)

1:00pm - Available
2:00pm - Available
3:00pm - Available
4:00pm - Available

All live portraits are done by donation. Pay what you can, or think it's worth. Sittings take about thirty to fifty minutes per person. Punctuality, by the way, is always in fashion. Please be aware that patrons arriving more than eight minutes late for their scheduled sitting may not be served.

* * *

FAIR WEATHER...

2011-11-20T12:46:00.000-08:00

(CRAFT FAIR, THAT IS)
by Reverend Aitor, Impressario:

The Christmas shopping season is already upon us. And while it had been decreed some time ago that the M.S.Co. was to all but pull out of the craft fair game, Christmas is a holy cash cow and the greedy Misanthropes are loath to relinquish their piece of the action.

promotional poster courtesy of Kid Icarus

And so, it's been decided that the Company would accept a very generous invitation from its new best buddies at Kid Icarus to partake in this year's Handmade Holiday extravaganza.

The one-day gift show grants Torontonians the opportunity to buy directly from local creators of high-quality handcrafted goods, such as paper products, poster art, soft toys, children’s clothes, knitwear, jewellery and more. Crafters flock from all parts of the city for a day of selling and swapping goods. Shoppers visiting the event are treated to mystery loot bags at the door, raffles throughout the day, and of course, a piece of artistry with every purchase they make.

video courtesy of Adil and Adam

This is one of those events that is so impeccably curated that the Misanthropes are left scratching their heads as to how exactly they managed to be invited to participate. Please note that there is a two dollar entrance fee. Five dollars if you wish to grab a mystery loot bag, while quantities last.

* * *

FRESH-SQUEEZED RENEGADE...

2011-09-07T12:23:00.000-07:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

promotional poster courtesy of Renegade Handmade

Citizens of Chicago: The Misanthrope Specialty Co. is heading to the Windy City for their final stop on the Renegade circuit. Let's make this one count.

The M.S.Co. Away Team will once again be sharing a tent with long-time comrade-in-arms and frequent travel companion, Sweetie Pie Press. You can find them at booth # 32, on Division Street (between Winchester and Wolcott), where they will be desperately hocking all manner of prints, handmade ephemera and a selection of original drawings and paintings.

photo by Reverend Aitor

And let's not forget the Unflattering Portrait Project. The Misanthropes will be at the ready to lovingly preserve your oft-ignored flaws for posterity. No laugh line is too deep; no blackhead too small. Embrace your cold sore, under-eye baggage and bot fly cysts. They are a part of who you are and shouldn't be glossed over or ignored. Sit down, relax, stop sucking in you gut and let your turkey neck swing proudly as one of the Company's qualified portraitists work their magic.

photo by Reverend Aitor

To book your portrait appointment: simply click on the comments section at the end of this posting and claim any hour that isn't already claimed. Couples, oddly enough, count as two persons, so please book two slots.Online sign ups are open until midnight, Friday September 9.

UNFLATTERING CHICAGO

at booth # 32

DAY ONE

Saturday September 10, 2011

Noon - Zueger

1:pm -Stacey T.

2:pm - Joshua

3:pm - Rachel

4:pm - Brandon

5:pm -Jylly Cortez

DAY TWO

Sunday September 11, 2011

Noon - Rachael

1:pm -Trish

2:pm - Phil and Noelle

3:pm - Phil and Noelle

4:pm -Timothy

5:pm - A.J.

And don't hesitate to tell your friends. Or, for that matter, your enemies. It looks like this might be the Company's last trip through Chicago for quite some time, so get your portraits while the getting's good.

* * *

DENIMED IF YOU DUDE..

2011-08-21T23:03:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

Let Lucifer logo A by the members of the M.S.Co.

This week, the Company finished up work on the a new logo for Indianapolis artisan clothier, Jerry Lee Atwood.

Jerry Lee's handiwork (photo courtesy of Jerry Lee Atwood)

Mr. Atwood is the founder and proprietor of Jerry Lee's (Mid)Western Wear; a one-man operation turning out some of the finest hand-made and embroidered custom western clothing since Nudie Cohn. The two parties' paths had crossed a few years back, during a previous Company tour. They hit it off off instantly, discussing the finer points of both antique typewriter and moustache maintenance. Since then, Jerry and his lovely soon-to-be wife, Jaime, have hosted the Company on its various crossings of the Hoosier state, providing the Misanthropes with a private and comfortable space to spread out and fulfill their Sunday protocols.

A one-man sweatshop (photo by Becky Johnson)

But Mr. Atwood divides his time among many compartmentalized interests. Presently, he is preparing to launch Let Lucifer, a separate clothing label for his line of rugged workwear. This is where the Misanthropes come in.

Steps in the collaborative creation of the logo

The Company has been hired to handle Let Lucifer's branding; designing the logo, tags, and sundry items for this new venture. And while things are still in their nascent stage, the M.S.Co. is excited at the prospect of seeing its work emblazoned on a leather tag, swinging to and fro on the back of a pair of indigo jeans down the streets of Indianapolis.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 20
Number completed: 14
Number inducted: 4
Carried over to next week: 4

* * * *

WHAT MADE MILWAUKE FURIOUS...

2011-08-20T21:24:00.000-07:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

The Company Away Team is planning a little trip through Milwaulkee, WI where local arts maven Faythe Levine has arranged for Reverend Aitor to spend an evening drawing Unflattering Portraits at Sky High Gallery.

Gasp in horror as your every pimple is recorded for pus-terity; reevaluate your aversion to Botox as your crows feet and worry lines eclipse you smile; etcetra as a bunch of other stuff!

(photo by Reverend Aitor)

To book your portrait appointment: simply click on the comments section at the end of this posting and claim any hour that isn't already claimed. Online sign ups are open until midnight, Thursday night.

All live portraits are done by donation. Pay what you can, or think it's worth. Sittings take about thirty to fifty minutes per person. Couples, oddly enough, count as two persons, so please book two slots.

Punctuality, by the way, is always in fashion. Please be aware that patrons arriving more than eight minutes late for their scheduled sitting may not be served.

UNFLATTERING MILWAUKEE
Friday September 9, 2011
Sky High Gallery
2501 S. Howell Ave.

6:pm - "midwesteditorialphoto"
7:pm - Marisa
8:pm - Available
9:pm - Caleb and Steph

10:pm - Caleb and Steph

* * *

(photo courtesy of Faythe Levine)

The event is being held in conjunction with the opening reception for These Things They Do, a collection of new works by San Francisco's Catherine Ryan. Also in the works is additional programming by Print Shop Forever and a trunk show by comrade in arms Sweetie Pie Press.

* * *

LINE DISEASE...

2011-08-14T23:02:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

The painting pictured above represents something of an olive branch. A public goodwill gesture from some of the naysaying members of the Company in Toronto to their Away Team counterparts.

"Please Come Back To Us: a public apology" by the M.S.Co.

In reviewing this summer's weblog posts, some of the Misanthropes grew concerned that their attempts to preclude the tour might end up being misconstrued; both by the Away Team and the reading public. They wanted it known that there is no true animosity between the two camps. Infighting is sort of what the Company is set up to do by design.

Indeed, from it's very inception, the Misanthropes agreed the Company should be a house divided against itself, mired in its own bureaucratic democracy. It's just more fun that way.

* * *

In unrealated news, sometimes the M.S.Co.'s membership finds itself in complete agreement.

photo by Tallulah Lastname

Last week, for instance, all camps agreed unanimously that it'd been too long since the release of a Company catalogue. Nearly five yeas, asamatterofact.

True to their fickle dilettantism, the easily distracted Misanthropes became sidetracked with new diversion and offshoots thereof, leaving the once monthly review of the Company's collective output to flounder. In 2003, The Misanthrope Specialty Co. Encyclopædic Catalogue, Illustrated, Monthly was scaled back to a quarterly publication, but even that became too much to live up to. It fared a little better as an annual before falling completely by the wayside in 2006.

Finally, the time has come to revive the all but forgotten publication.

 "The Killer" and its catalogue counterpart

A new Editor-In-Chief has been appointed to spearhead the Company's Publications Division. Assignments have been doled out, and now the company has begun the process of compiling a comprehensive five-volume catalogue of selected works from 2007 to 2011.

Unlike in previous incarnations, the new editions will not contain scans and photos of the original Archive illustrations. Instead, the Misanthropes have been busily re-creating their work in the slightly more simplified form of line drawings. Each collectively made original will now be reinterpreted by a single illustrator. Depending on the whims of the Misanthrope assigned to any given illustration, some reproductions may be more faithful to the original than others.

New drawings of old paintings by the M.S.Co.

It is not yet clear when the Catalogues will be published, and at what interval. For that matter, the Company has yet do discuss whether it will continue to put out new volumes with any regularity after the 2011 volume is complete and on the streets. Right now the Misanthropes are busily focusing on the task at hand.

As usual, curious readers are advised to stay tuned to this weblog for further details as they come to light.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated:37
Number completed: 20
Number inducted: 3
Carried over to next week: 7

* * * *

MY SoCal LIFE...

2011-07-24T23:04:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

It's official. Last week's motion to summon the wayfaring Misanthropes back to Headquarters' choleric bosom has been debated and subsequently quashed today. The Away Team's odometer will keep turning, us-stymied by the opposition. As a matter of fact the travelling contingent is extending its stay in Los Angeles, and now it's the Toronto-based coalition that's being called to join their colleagues across the the boarder. There is a gig in the works.

This latter turn of the tide stems from a liquid brunch earlier in the week with one of the Company's Hollywood patrons. It seems Mr. B, the owner of Screaming Hell Hogs Eat Shit and Die, wants to parlay the Company's visit into a private screening party and wants the Misanthropes in attendance. All of them.

(He who owns the Company's 35mm motion picture masterpiece (photo by Pepper, Polaroid by T-Bone)

Now, it isn't easy to convince all of the Misanthropes to drop everything, all at once, and pack their bindles, paid expenses or not. Especially now, with the post-postal strike backlog only just cleared up. But the visionary Mr.B knows how to sweeten the pot. He's enticed the Company with an exciting new commission none of the members could vote against.

The details still need hammering out between Mr.B's lawyers and the Company's legal department, but all will be revealed soon.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 34
Number completed: 19
Number inducted: 11
Carried over to next week: 2

* * * *

DEFICIT OF A SALESMAN...

2011-07-17T23:59:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

(*the killer) by the Men And Women of the Misanthrope Specialty Co.

While most reports from the road indicate the travelling Misanthropes are having a mostly good time, chasing their tails all over the United States, another tempest is brewing in the Company teapot.

This week's tumult stems from from the Accounting Department's audit of the Away Team's finances, weighed against the Treasurer's reports from previous M.S.Co. tours. A sharp decline has been noted in the Retail Division's profits, prompting the Company's Chief Financial Officer to raise a red flag of admonition.

Beat the recession with these Lydia and Rufus' new coupons. Now in circulation.

The recorded profits from this weekend's Renegade Los Angeles was no more than $17. Last week's yield in San Francisco -- historically one of the Company's most profitable shows -- was similarly discouraging. Across the board, this summer's tallies have hit record lows. Tabling and booth fees, along with the cost of fuelling the Company fleet keep escalating, but the moneyed hordes are not coming out to buy in the same numbers as in years prior. Not by a long shot.

Perhaps there is something to this double dip recession talk radio keeps prattling on about.

Whatever the causes, the Away Team's adventure is running a deficit. Naturally, those within the M.S.Co. who voted against the tour in the first place are seeing red. Today, a motion to cut the tour short was put forward. Furthermore, the Company bean counters are petitioning for a three-year moratorium on touring altogether.

Trade in this dollar for to save eighty cents on any goods and services at participating retailers

The proposed changes to the Away Team's agenda was hotly debated via teleconference, but voting will not be held until next week. Things being left where they were at the end of today's protocols, the out come of next week's vote is difficult to predict. In the meantime, the tour is to continue on it's current trajectory until further notice.

* * *

photo of mysterious project in progress by Cottonwood Fields

Also on the Company's plate, a slew of exciting commissioned work. Posters, books, portraits, schmatta and so much more. Things are getting busier every week, and the administrators at Headquarters is breaking a frantic sweat trying to coordinate the increasing workload with its wayfaring Stateside workforce.

Stay tuned to this weblog for further details as they arise.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 39
Number completed: 22
Number inducted: 15
Carried over to next week: 10

* * * *

POSSESSION OF STOLEN GODS...

2011-07-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

Notes to Headquarters
by T-Bone, Company Bailiff;
edited by Arthur Corey, Communications Officer:

"Among other things, I am mailing you a yellowing letter-pressed admonition. A reproach and accusation before the fact, thinly veiled as humorous and maybe folksy.

(photo by T-Bone)

"Because even the faintest impulse to shoplift had failed to cross my mind until I found myself poked in the ribs with this card, and because the proprietors of the general store saw fit to drag their god into it, I saw fit to steal the wretched thing.

(photo by T-Bone)

"As a matter of fact, I stole every one of the cards I could find in that musty emporium of China-made hillbilly souvenirs and mildly racist tributes to the nobility of America's Indian warrior chiefs.

(photo by T-Bone)

"The store is in direct cahoots with the motel here, and the cashier is a mean, lemon-faced old hen, doing double duty as the motel desk clerk. She'd tisked her dry tongue at us the night before, shaking her head throughout the extended check-in process once she learned Cotton and I were checking into one room, unwed. She'd seethed and judged us in false silence from behind the counter before turning to straighten the Barely Legal magazines on the rack behind her."

(photo by T-Bone)

* * *

L.A. FAKERS...

2011-07-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

(promotional flyer courtesy of Renegade Handmade)

The M.S.Co. will be hocking its handmade goods in Los Angeles this weekend, at the Renegade Craft Fair.

The outdoor extravaganza boast food, booze and hundreds of art mongers from all over the continent, along with hands-on crafty activities. So bring the whole family and stroll the sunny shanty-town of vendor tents clutching a beer in one hand and some sort of gourmet wrap or sandwich in the other; make a friendship bracelet, or whatever. Don't forget the sunscreen.

(click here for enlarged map)

You'll find the Misanthropes huddled in booth #170, along with sometimes touring companion, the Sweetie Pie Press.

And yes; Reverend Aitor will be on hand to scribble out Unflattering Portriats of anyone with the fortitude of self-esteem to solicit one, every hour on the hour. Gasp in horror as your every pimple is recorded for pus-terity; reevaluate your aversion to Botox as your crows feet and worry lines eclipse you smile; etcetra as a bunch of other stuff!

(portrait of the lovely Sara Guindon by Reverend Aitor)

UNFLATTERING LOS ANGELES
at Los Angeles State Historic Park
DAY ONE
Saturday July 16, 2011

1pm - Available
2pm - Available
3pm - Available
4pm - Available
5pm - Available

All live portraits are done by donation. Pay what you can, or think it's worth. Sittings take about thirty to fifty minutes per person. Couples, oddly enough, count as two persons, so please book two slots.

DAY TOO
Sunday July 17, 2011

1pm - Available
2pm - Available
3pm - Available
4pm - Available
5pm - Available

Punctuality, by the way, is always in fashion. Please be aware that patrons arriving more than eight minutes late for their scheduled sitting may not be served.

* * *

FREEDOM OF REPRESSED...

2011-07-10T22:41:00.000-07:00

by Heywood McGillicuddy, Chairman,
and Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

Exhibit A: Misanthropy

True to its name, the Misanthrope Specialty Co. is rife with pet peeves. This should come a surprise to none; the Company members all wear their curmudgeonry on their dirty shirtsleeves. Furthermore, it's reflected in much of their creative output and merchandise.

One gripe which inevitably bubbles to the surface after a weekend of peddling wares at a show is a lack of decorum by trigger-happy photographers. Much disdain has been expressed for those shutterbugs, be they amateur or professional, who sidle up to the Company booth and, with no acknowledgement of the presiding merchant, proceed to photograph the merchandise. Doubly so if the photographers in question take aim at the Misanthropes themselves.

Exhibit B: Double misanthropy

Obviously, not everyone is of the same mind, but it is the general sentiment of the Company that having a blog, and the fact that one's cellular telephone is equipped with a camera shouldn't be taken as inference that one has been issued an all-access press pass.

In response to this, the Company passed a bill some time ago, authorizing its members to respond to such lapses in courtesy in kind.

Old policy:"No pictures, please"

The preferred, though unofficial, implementation of this policy has typically consisted of the interjection of a single digit into the photographers' field of view. This method, however, has not been for everyone, so it was recently put to the Company to find a more passive alternative for the deterrence of unauthorized photography.

The solution was voted in today, and will henceforth be in effect at all subsequent shows, craft fairs, etc.

New policy: "Ten dollars, please"

Rather than becoming indignant, or pretending to do so for the sake of confrontation, the M.S.Co. has decided to put a price tag on unsolicited picture-taking. The Company will be happy to sell you the photos you just took without asking for a measly $10. Exact change is preferred.

As for those individuals with the good sense to introduce themselves and state their intentions before they start clicking away, the Company is usually willing to waive its fee.

* * *

In other news, the Company is cranking out drawings at full throttle.

"American In Peril" by the Company Away Team

The Away Team, in particular, has been quite prolific since it was granted partial autonomy during the postal strike state of emergency. Despite the logistics being stacked against them, given their lack of studio space, sleep, showers and regular hours, the itinerant Misanthropes have their cushy Toronto-rooted counterparts beat in terms of drawings initiated, completed, and even inducted this week.

"Stupid Garbage" by the M.S.Co. Away Team

Perhaps the touring members of the Company are more intune with eachother than those left bickering in the Bunker. Or perhaps their standards for what gets inducted are simply lower. Regardless of the reasons for the imbalance in productivity, this week's numbers appear to have ignited something of a competitive spirit between the two camps.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 47
Number completed: 30
Number inducted: 22
Carried over to next week: 10

* * * *

OREGON TRANSPLANT...

2011-07-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

by Rufus Spaulding:

The Company has arrived in Portland, Oregon, after an epic drive from Colorado, through the windswept planes of Wyoming, the martian landscapes of Utah, and the potato-littered fields of Idaho.

(This is exactly what it's like to be visit Portland)

For those of you unfamiliar with Portland, much of it is accurately summed up in the Portlandia television program, and we like it that way. Some of the denizens of the City of Roses will even admit it, though strictly off the record.

* * *

DENVER HAZE...

2011-06-29T07:48:00.000-07:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

The Misanthrope Specialty Co. will soon be breezing through Denver, Colorado, and is parlaying its visit into an evening of Unflattering Portraits, by donation, this Friday at Fancy Tiger.

To book your portrait appointment: simply click on the comments section at the end of this posting and claim any hour that isn't already claimed. Sign ups are open until midnight the night before. They take about thirty to fifty minutes per person. Couples, oddly enough, count as two persons, so please book two slots.

UNFLATTERING DENVER
Friday July 1, 2011
FANCY TIGER BOUTIQUE
14 S. Broadway
Denver, CO

7:pm - Available
8:pm - Sarah
9:pm - "Pink"

Punctuality, by the way, is always in fashion. Please be aware that patrons arriving more than eight minutes late for their scheduled sitting will not be served.

* * *

STRIKING IT BITCH...

2011-06-19T22:24:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

("Stupid Fucking Moron" by the men and women of the Company)

The wheels of industry are once again churning at the M.S.Co. The Europeans have arrived in Toronto, hunkering down with the others in the Company Bunker, and T-Bone and Cotton have joined up with the Away Team. This amalgamation of previously spread out Misanthropes into two distinct camps leaves the Company in a better position to ride out this protracted postal strike. The harumphing is subsiding.

Ofcourse, even with the consolidation of membership and amended protocols, circumstances still preclude the needle on the Company Catastrophometer from going all the way back down business as usual levels. Canada Post's indisposition cannot be ignored completely.

Online and mail-order purchase of Company wares remains unavailable

The exchange of certain supplies and sundry secret goods between Headquarters and the Away Team remains vital to Company operations. Relying on services of FedEx and UPS as alternatives, keeps the traffic flowing, but take their toll on Company coffers. These are also not viable alternatives when it comes to the Company's mail-order business and Etsy shop. The M.S.Co. retail division consequently remain closed.

* * *

The strike also calls for the revision many of T-Bone's plans, along with the Company's plans for him.

Portrait of the Company's intrepid Bailiff

With Mr. Bonaparte now tethered to the Away Team, the M.S.Co. regretfully announces the suspension of this year's instalments of his popular Notes to Headquarters travel supplement. Hopefully it doesn't need to be cancelled altogether. Last year's compilation of T-Bone and Cotton's adventures was a runaway hit with subscribers to the Company Espistolary Service.

Then there's the Motel Bible Project...

In a concerted effort to help T-Bone complete his mission, the Company has decided to adopt the project as an M.S.Co. subsidiary. Strategies are being devised to cover more ground, making up for lost time.

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

The members of the Away Team will henceforth endeavour check into separate motel rooms, or, when possible, separate motels, switching bibles out as per T-Bones specific instructions.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 39
Number completed: 25
Number inducted: 11
Carried over to next week: 5

* * * *

BOSTON SCREAM...

2011-06-15T09:01:00.001-07:00

by Rufus Spaulding:

The Company will soon be making its merry way back up North, to participate in this weekend's Bazaar Bizarre in Boston. And yes, before you ask, Unflattering Portraits will infact be available, live, on the spot, and by donation.

Come and find the Misanthrope Specialty Co. at booth #9. They'll be sharing a tent with the Sweetie Pie Press.

UNFLATTERING BOSTON
Sunday June 19, 2011
Union Square
Somerville, MA

1 pm - Available
2 pm - Available
3 pm - Lunch time
4 pm - Available
5 pm - Available

Punctuality, by the way, is always in fashion. Please be aware that patrons arriving more than eight minutes late for their scheduled sitting will not be served.

* * *

PEACH BLANKET BINGO...

2011-06-12T23:30:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

"Porthole View" by the M.S.Co.

The M.S.Co. is doing its best to work around the continuing labour disputes between Canada Post and the postal workers' union by reducing the need to mail work back and forth between the various members of the Company. The Miner's Prayer, and Montréal misanthropes have assembled in Toronto, and the European contingents may soon be on their way. T-Bone, too, is putting his side project on hold and is en route to rejoin the away team.

Protocols are also being reworked to circumnavigate reliance on the postal system. The Away Team and Toronto camps will henceforth operate, partially, as separate entities; holding on to a percentage of their respective illustrations for completion, evaluation and induction independent of the other team.

* * *

Unflattering Portrait of Tofu Baby

Down in the Peach State, the touring misanthropes had their hands full this weekend, representing the Company at I.C.E. Atlanta. Once the show was rapped up, the convoy headed over to Athens, Georgia to carry out their secret meeting and drawing session. They are holed up at Rancho Cocoa, hosted by longtime allies, the French Toasts.

Hanging out with Tofu Baby at Rancho Cocoa

Raul and Missy have built an impenetrable fortress of cuteness, candy, cakes, bunnies and cats. How they get away with all this adorable sweetness without making everyone puke is a mystery for the ages. Even the sourest of misanthropes can't resist the sugar-powered giddiness of Rancho Cocoa for long. As a result, it looks like results of this week's away team drawing session might boast a record number of uncharacteristically darling, even dainty illustrations.

Rancho Cocoa's  infectious joy is fuelled by equal parts cuteness and icing sugar

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 34
Number completed: 17
Number inducted: 7
Carried over to next week: 6

* * *

I.C.E. TO MEET YOU...

2011-06-09T18:22:00.000-07:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

Just a reminder to the citizens of Atlanta: The great big I.C.E. extravaganza takes place this weekend, and the M.S.Co. is en route to Georgia to ply its trade on an unsuspecting public.

INDIE CRAFT EXPERIENCE
June 11 and 12, 2011
11am to 6pm
Ambient Plus Studio
585 Wells St. SW
Atlanta, Georgia
Admission: $5

Although the misanthropes are no strangers to Atlanta, this will be the Company's first time partaking in the the activities at I.C.E. There will be vendors galore, music, and plenty of good eating. The Company will be sharing a space with fellow first-time I.C.E.-er, the Sweetie Pie Press. Be sure drop by booth 83, and buy all the buttons and M.S.Co. goodies your strongest man can carry.

(Indie Craft Experience)

And don't forget to book your appointment for an Unflattering Portrait. The Company will be drawing all portraits by donation.

* * *

HOLIEST OF WHOLLY...

2011-06-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

The Company away team has pulled up its stakes and and is on it's way South to Atlanta. But before leaving Columbus, they made sure to drop by Wholly Craft, to restock the shelves with all manner of M.S.Co. goods.

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

Wholly Craft was one of the first retailers to carry Company merchandise, way back when. Proprietor Olivera Bratich always been a pleasure to deal with, and has become a true friend to many of the travelling misanthropes, opening her home to the weary travellers and often providing them with a place to sleep and work.

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

The store is not just a purveyor of handmade goods, but a strong proponent of handiwork in general; hosting events, workshops in both crafts and business development, and fostering close ties with the community. Bratich is truly a business woman with a mission.

* * *

THIRTEEN WITH DISASTER...

2011-06-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

T-Bone and Cotton are in Nashville, Tennessee. They were briefly joined by an additional hand-picked team of rag-tag Misanthropes, sent by Madame X to aid in the carrying out of yet another offshoot errand. The extra manpower was dispatched once it was learned that T-Bone's mission in the Music City coincided with the emergence of Brood XIX; a loud-buzzing swarm of cicadas that rises up by the millions out of the ground every thirteen years.

(Brood XIX in action)

Also known as the Great Southern Brood, this is the largest brood of thirteen-year cicadas, they're out in record numbers this year. The air is lousy with them. After over a decade of lying in wait as underground grubs, they have finally emerged; taking to the sky in the desperate hopes of humping and laying eggs in these last few days of their lives.

An overnight accumulation of dead bugs under T-Bone's
porch light (photo by T-Bone)

The streets are littered with big dead bugs. They're flying into people's faces, and bumping feverishly into streetlights all night. Cicadas are dropping dead, mid-flight, or raining down from the trees like autumn leaves, and the Misanthropes are collecting as many of the carcasses as they can.

Just as was the case with the Company's collection of ball moss in Austin, many of the local are thankful for Misanthropes ridding their properties of this perceived eye-sore, going so far as to make a financial contribution to the effort.

(photo by Reverend Aitor)

But all this raking up of expired insects is motivated by more than some sense of civic duty. The cicadas are being boxed up and shipped back to the Company's MVSEVM.

Already, there are five kilos of cicadas are on their way to Toronto, and the Nashville expedition is still gathering even more more.Madame X, the MVSEVM's curator, has plans for this bounty of specimens. Big plans.

* * *

NIGHTS of COLUMBUS...

2011-06-05T23:07:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

(photo by Erkuden Sakana)

Canada's postal workers are on strike. And despite the National Post's groundbreaking article, wondering if, in the age of e-mail, texts, and twitter, anyone will even notice, the absence of mail does infact affect many, including the M.S.Co.

(The news)

With much of the Company's work in progress stuck in transit, this marks yet another week that the M.S.Co. has failed to induct a single illustration into it's archives. A real thorn in the sides of those members hung up on routine and craving the bureaucratic sense of completion that accompanies the christening of finished drawings and voting on which ones make the cut. Needless to say, this only adds fuel to the harrumphing at M.S.Co. Headquarters.

But it isn't just Company protocols being hindered by the strike. This month's shipment to the Company's mail-order subscribers is also being held hostage by the striking postal workers; as are various, prints, cards and commissioned portraits purchased from the M.S.Co. through its Etsy shop and various other channels.

Even orgonite dealers are being affected by the strike

Rest assured, the Company is taking measures to minimize the impact of this hold-up. The wheels of production do keep turning, despite delays in the postal system. In the meantime, however, the Company has closed down its Etsy shop until further notice.

* * *

Meanwhile, south of the border, the touring misanthropes have pitched their camp in Ohio. The away team is on a procurement mission, combing Columbus' legendary thrift stores for much-needed supplies, and stocking up on pipe tobacco at Smokers' Haven.

(pressed and sliced flakes of delicious, delicious tobacco)

This is one of the Company's preferred brick and mortar tobacconists. Owner Premal Chheda's passion is pipes, and his shop caters primarily to enthusiasts of the brier. There is even a workshop in the back, where pipes may be brought in for repairs and refurbishing, and celebrated pipe maker Bill Shalosky can often be found hard at work on his handmade pipes.

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

The Smokers' Haven gang was kind enough to bring the misanthropes in after hours. This week's away team meeting and illustration session was carried out in the indulgently smoke-friendly luxury of the the store's smoking lounge.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 43
Number completed: 10
Number inducted: 0
Carried over to next week: 27

* * * *

GIVE PEACH A CHANCE...

2011-06-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

(I.C.E. flyer courtesy of the Indie Craft Exchange)

That's right folks, M.S.Co. is coming to Hotlanta for the Indie Craft Experience, and bringing its Unflattering Portrait Project with them. What better way to spend a sweltering weekend than at an event acronymed I.C.E., sucking on gourmet popsicles, surrounded by all manner of handmade splendour.

More details on the event will be posted on the Company web log as showtime approaches, but in sign-ups for Unflattering Portraits are open right now.

(photo by Reverend Aitor)

To book your appointment: simply click on the comments section at the end of this posting and claim any hour that isn't already claimed. Sign ups are open until midnight the day before.

The portraits are done by donation. They take about thirty to fifty minutes per person. Couples, oddly enough, count as two persons, so book two slots. And punctuality is always in fashion. Patrons arriving more than eight minutes late for their scheduled sitting will not be served.

UNFLATTERING I.C.E.
DAY TWO:
Sunday June 12, 2011
1:00 pm - Sydney Huggins + 1
2:00 pm - Sydney Huggins + 1
3:00 pm - Kelsey C.
4:00 pm - Tofu Baby

* * *

THE SKYLINE'S THE LIMIT...

2011-06-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

The Company convoy has stopped in Louisville, KY, en route to Columbus, OH. It's a favourite pit stop for many of the misanthropes. A relaxing place to stroll around, restock and sample the various bourbons Kentucky has to offer.

(logo courtesy of Skyline Chili)

While in town, the hungry food tourists of the Company discovered a new regional culinary delight known as as Skyline Chili.

(photo of deliciousness by Reverend Aitor)

Technically, a Cincinnati restaurant chain, Skyline has made it's inroads into Kentucky. It is loved enough for its chili-based fare to be consider as local Louisville's own hot brown.

It's garbage food. But it's delicious garbage food.

Among the restaurant's signature dishes are the 3-, 4-, and 5-Way Chilies. In short, three variation of a plate of steaming spaghetti, smothered in secret recipe chili, covered in finely-shredded cheese. Best when accompanied by a chili dog.

(Skyline Chili 3-Way eating contest)

Named after the view of the Cincinnati skyline founder Nicholas Lambrinides admired from his first restaurant's location, Skyline's chili recipe is a tightly clutched family secret. It's distinct flavour has spawned a number of attempted imitations, giving rise to what is now regarded as Cincinnati-style chili; characterized by a thinner, differently-spiced sauce than that of it's better-known Texas counterpart.

* * *

WHOSE THE MOSS?

2011-05-29T22:46:00.000-07:00

by "Madame X", Head Curator of the M.S.Co. MVSEVM
of Natural and Artificial History:

(photo by Erkuden Sakana)

Today on the Company agenda, the preparation of new exhibits for the M.S.Co. MVSEVM of Natural and Artificial History.

(photo by Heywood McGillicuddy)

One of the benefits of having a greater number of misanthropes abstain from this year's tour has been the ability to not just to keep the MVSEVM open and running through the Summer months, but also to develop and advance the MVSEVM's programming and exhibits.

* * *

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

Also in MVSEVM news, the Austin expedition has yielded a treasure trove of indigenous epiphytic air plants. Known locally as ball moss, tillandsia recurvata is a member of the bromilliad family, and close relative of Spanish moss. Despite its moniker, it is not a moss but a flowering plant.

(photo by Reverend Aitor)

The stuff literally grows on trees in central Texas, affixing itself to the shaded interior branches and drawing all of its nutrients from the moisture in the air trough their leaves and stems, rather than from soil, or the trees themselves. Their roots serve only to anchor them in place.

Ball moss has an unfortunate reputation among many of the locals. They are erroneously thought to be parasitic, damaging the trees they grow on. Commonly regarded as an unsightly pest, nobody objected to the misanthropes coming onto their property and climbing their trees to fill shopping bag after shopping bag of ball moss. One elderly homeowner even thanked the team, going as far as to bring out a pitcher of sweet tea and offering the Company five dollars for their troubles.

(photo by T-Bone)

Headquarters eagerly anticipates the shipment of what T-Bone insists on referring to as "a mean case of ball moss."

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 18
Number completed: 8
Number inducted: 3
Carried over to next week: 3

* * * *

DOMY A SOLID...

2011-05-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

(photo by Cottonwood Fileds)

The Misanthrope Specialty Co.'s time in the silicone hills is drawing to a close, but the Company is leaving it's indelible stain behind. A little something for Austin to remember the misanthropes by.

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

Domy Books, Austin's impecably curated bastion of zines, special interest periodicals, art comics and video now purveys a select assortment of Company wares. The Company became acquainted with Domy's co-founder, Russel Etchen at last weekend's Renegade. They hit it off immediately, discussing bootleg releases of You Can't Do That On Television, The Vacant Lot, and the Hilarious House of Frightenstein. Truly the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

(photo by Reverend Aitor)

Domy Books also maintains a gallery space, in wherein sundry events and exhibitions are produced, highlighting the stores intersecting ideas and sensibilities.

Presently, the gallery is exhibiting As Above, So Below: The Art of the Secret Society, a breathtaking collection of traditional artwork and imagery from various American fraternal lodges. If you love all seeing eyes and mystical masonic iconography half as much as the men and women of the M.S.Co., you'd be wise to drop by Domy Books. The Exhibit runs until June 9, 2011.

* * *

THE REVELATION OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION...

2011-05-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

T-Bone and Cotton have broken away from the the Away Team. They are on a secondary mission, drifting from motel to motel in an effort wrap up T-Bone's mysterious five-year Bible Project.

Short of a a couple of mentions in M.S.Co. Subscription Service and a one-night airing at the 2009 Stay The Night exhibition, the Company's Bailiff has remained disinclined to disclose the details of his ongoing bookwork to the public. His reasons for this, are very much his own.

(photo by T-Bone)

As the project inches closer to completion, however, it's beginning to looks asthough the veil of secrecy may soon be lifted. Atleast that's what T-Bone seems to be hinting, lately.

* * *

MUG SHOT...

2011-05-24T09:44:00.000-07:00

by Rufus Spaulding, Cub Reporter:

(poster designed by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.)

Just a gentle reminder to those of you in the Los Angeles are: Levi MacDougall, patron and dare we say friend of the M.S.Co., will be performing his one man multidisciplinary experenece tomorrow at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

(music video courtesy of Levi MacDougall)

A paltry five dollars gets you in the door. That's less than the price of a giant cup of coffee.

* * *

And speaking of the Los Angels area. The Misanthope Specialty Co. will be in it this summer. Stay tuned to know when and more things.

* * *

AUSTIN-TATIOUS...

2011-05-22T23:46:00.000-07:00

by Tallulah Lastname , Company Clerk:

While the Toronto-rooted members carried on with business as almost usual today at Headquarters, the Company's touring contingent congregated in Austin, their post-Renegade workspace so generously furnished by Stitch Lab.

(Austin postcard mural photo courtesy of Becky Johnson)

The M.S.Co. will be forever grateful to Ms. Leslie Bonnell. Today's meeting in Austin was originally scheduled to take place in a sweltering parking lot until she rescued the itinerant misanthropes. The large, well-lit work tables of the air-conditioned Stitch Lab provide a far better work surface than the filthy hoods of the misanthropes' shitbox cars. Furthermore, Ms. Bonnell and her husband, Ron Marks, wound up housing part of the Company. Their generosity will not be forgotten.

(a clean, well-lighted place)

* * *

Unfortunately, and to the M.S.Co.'s chagrin, not a single illustration was inducted in the Company's collaborative archive this week.

(re-enactment of this week's meeting at Headquarters courtesy of Mel Brooks)

While this is far from the first time the misanthropes have come up empty after a drawing session, it has inspired more agitated harumphing within the ranks than usual. There are those among the misanthropes who objected to this summer's tour for the very reason that it would impede productivity.

And oft-used Company adage

Indeed, the I told you sos have it. Collaboration slows down when the members of the Company are spread out more than usual. Headquarters has to wait for the touring contingent's illustrations in progress to arrive in the mail before they can add their mark and pass it on to the Hindquarters staff in Montréal, and subsequently to the Company's European outposts. Consequently, voting on which completed projects -- are to be inducted into the Archives is also greatly delayed.

But this is of little concern to the So what?'s, who knew this would be the case and consider touring to be more valuable to the M.S.Co.'s evolution than a compulsive bolstering of the Archives.

A busy day at Company Headquarters

There are also those who argue that the irritated misanthropes hold too narrow a definition of productivity. A number of illustrations and projects were initiated this week; many of which may very well reach completion in the coming weeks. Today also saw the completion of four illustrations, which are awaiting judgment, along with a few of last week's finished projects. So perhaps today's labour was not entirely fruitless.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 16
Number completed: 4
Number inducted: 0
Carried over to next week: 10

* * * *

A MEAL FIT FOR AN UNFIT THE KING...

2011-05-20T16:27:00.000-07:00

by Talullah Lastname, Company Clerk:

No pit stop in Memphis is complete without an overpriced fried peanut butter and banana sandwich at the Rock & Roll Diner, right across the street from Graceland.

(photo by T-Bone)

The rich melange of savoury, sweet, and salty was a signature favourite of Elvis Presley's. Some of the misanthropes also opted for a side of bacon, given that it was another of the King's favourite snacks. The tour guide at Graceland informed the company that Elvis kept bowls of bacon around the house, for casual munching.

* * *

AUSTIN YE SHALL RECEIVE...

2011-05-19T01:53:00.000-07:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

(promotional artwork courtesy of the folks at Renegade Handmade)

Coming up this weekend is the first event of the Company's summer tour. The M.S.Co. hasn't shown it's ugly face in Austin in a few years, so be sure to drop by booth 45 and see how terribly the misanthropes have aged.

* * *

Oh, and the Unflattering Portrait Project is getting back in the swing of things on the second day of the show. Reverend Aitor and his gang of trained miscreants will be on hand to confirm your every insecurity. Drop-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended.

(photo by Reverend Aitor)

To book your appointment: simply click on the comments section at the end of this posting and claim any hour that isn't already claimed. Sign ups are available until midnight, the night before.

UNFLATTERING AUSTIN
Sunday MAY 22
1:30 pm - Available
2:30 pm - Available
3:30 pm - Available

Portraits take about thirty to fifty minutes per person. Couples, oddly enough, count as two persons, so book two slots. And punctuality is always in fashion. Patrons arriving more than eight minutes late for their scheduled sitting will not be served.

* * *

A CAR NAMED SUBARU...

2011-04-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

by Heywood McGillicuddy, Company Chair:

Out with the old...

The Sweetie Pie Press' kickstarter fundraising campaign closed yesterday, and we're pleased to report it's success. Through the miracle that is the internet, and the collective goodwill of friends and strangers alike, the Sweetie Pie Press 2011 Summer tour is back on track.

... In with the new.

The Misanthrope Specialty Co. officially tips its hat and twirls it moustache at those who purchased the Company-made goods donated to the cause. All of the Unflattering Portraits, the original illustrations, and many of the limited edition prints were promptly scooped up almost as quickly as they were offered. We thank you for helping us help the Sweetie Pie Press help itself.

* * *

CAR PIRATE SPONSORSHIP...

2011-04-17T23:05:00.000-07:00

by Talullah Lastname, Company Clerk:

Not long ago, on this very web log, the Company reported on the Sweetie Pie Press' recent loss.

"315 144.5 Km" by the men and women of the Company

The demise of Becky Johnson's car had taken an unexpected and sizable bite out her budget, putting her summer touring plans in jeopardy. Determined, she launched a fundraising campaign through the Kickstarter website.

In the hopes of raising the $6500 needed to get the show back on the road, the Sweetie Pie Press is offering a plethora of rewards incentives in exchange for pledges. The principal is not unlike PBS' sponsorship pledge drives, except that what the Sweetie Pie Press is offering in exchange for your support might be a little more appealing than Coronation Street tote bags or Dr.Who coffee mugs.

(Unflattering couple's portrait by Reverend Aitor)

As a matter of fact, the good Reverend Aitor has come out of hiding to offer up some very special incentives of his own.

Two lucky sponsors can opt to receive an 8 x 10" single Unflattering Portrait for a pledge of $50. Given that the starting price for a 4.25 x 5.5" portrait is $35, the Company feels this is a particularly good value. Also on the table, for a pledge of $100, is one 8 x 10" couples' portrait.

Perhaps of added interest to some is the fact that Aitor will undertake the portraits himself. He's been pulling back from the portraiture game, and turning down most requests for Unflattering Portraits since franchising the project to the M.S.Co. last summer.

"But Wait; There's More" by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.

After a little further deliberation at tonight's meeting, it was decided that the rest of the misanthropes would not be shown up by Aitor's goodwill gesture. Most of Company is very fond of the Sweetie Pie Press, and empathetic Ms. Johnson's cause. That's why the M.S.Co. is attempting to repay some of its karmic debt by donating some original artwork to the campaign.

Available for purchase via the Sweetie Pie Press' Kickstarter
Campaign.  Please click on the image for a larger view.

Rust In Pieces, Boris Carloff and 315 144.5 km are both 21.6 x 27.9 cm gouache and ink illustrations, commemorating the death of Ms. Johnson's 1987 Pontiac station wagon. They are each available for respective pledges of $89.99. The Company has also officially licensed a limited run of twentyfour signed and numbered prints of each for $24.00 a piece.
Please bear in mind that this fundraising effort ends on the 28th of April.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 30
Number completed: 17
Number inducted:6
Carried over to next week: 2

* * * *

RUST IN PIECES

2011-04-06T01:44:00.000-07:00

(A CALL TO ALMS)...
by Heywood McGuillicuddy, Company Chair:

"Rust In Pieces, Boris Carloff" by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.

He was a veritable Frankenstein monster. A 1987 Pontiac 6000 pieced together out of other dead cars -- and therefore christened Boris Carloff. He served the Company well, and he will be missed.

Boris in Arizona during the 2008 Sweetie Pie Press/Misanthrope Specialty Co. tour.
(photo courtesy of Becky Johnson)

Boris may not have been an official member of the M.S.Co. fleet, but he put in far more time and covered much more distance in the Company's employ than any one of the misanthropes' vehicles. He belonged to the lovely and intrepid Becky Johnson; proprietor of the Sweetie Pie Press, invaluable ally of the Misanthrope Specialty Co., and sweetheart to the Company's impresario, Reverend Aitor. Becky and Aitor toured North America on joint Sweetie Pie/ M.S.Co. ventures long before the days of the Company convoys.

Boris' door, paralyzed ever since his altercation with a drunk driver
in Chicago.(photo courtesy of Becky Johnson)

Despite the fact that he'd been running around with a bashed in door for years due to a scarcity of replacement body parts, Boris has been a real trooper. In all his years of faithful service, he rarely complained, and refused to show his age. Last summer, some of the misanthropes had the privilege of watching Boris' odometer turn over to 300,000 km on the way from Albuquerque to Los Angeles. It was a metric milestone, and heartily celebrated. But Boris was ailing.

Boris turning 300,000(photos courtesy of Becky Johnson)

Boris was finally showing signs of fatigue. He may only be twentyfour years old in human years, but that's closer to one hundred in car years, and seven years of crisscrossing the continent have taken their toll. Every effort had been made to keep him healthy and running. Had a fantastac mechanic looking after him. But now his oil tank keeps filling up with coolant, and the old boy just won't hunt anymore. It's time to put him down.

Outside of Kansas City, on the 2009 tour. (photo courtesy of Becky Johnson)

This sudden loss has come as something of a blow to all who loved him, but especially, both emotionally and financially, to Ms.Johnson, whose 2011 touring plans are now under threat. Having to purchase a new vehicle significantly ups the startup costs of embarking on another four-month roadtrip. But Becky Johnson doesn't take things lying down. Just ask Aitor.

The always resourceful Sweetie Pie Press is taking its campaign to the online funding platform known as Kicktarter, and you can be a part of it.

No donation is too small or too great. All manner of crafty rewards an incentives are being offered up to those willing to donate, and help raise the seed money needed to kick off this summer's Sweetie Pie Press North American expedition. The Company urges you to find out more about it by visiting the Sweetie Pie Press Kickstarter project page. And if you're somehow unfamiliar with the Sweetie Pie Press' escapades, Becky chronicles her travels on her blog.

Driving through Pennsylvania, or maybe Indiana. (photo by Reverend Aitor)

Becky and her blog have been an inspiring resource to many an aspiring craft-making bindlestiff. She has personally been a great help to the Company on its own travels. The misanthropes would probably never have begun their extensive touring had it not been for the example she'd set, lessons she'd passed on, and contacts she'd shared. We will not allow this bump in the road keep her from satisfying her raging wanderlust.

* * *

PUCES POOPED...

2011-03-06T11:47:00.000-08:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

The Toronto and Montréal branches of the M.S.Co. convened at Hindquarters this weekend, after a mildly disappointing couple of days of trying to peddle Company goods to an often empty room.

A post-POP breather (photo by Becky Johnson)

This new wintertime incarnation of Puces POP didn't quite measure up to the good-time frenzy of it's autumnal counterpart. And while attendance and sales can never be guaranteed in these, it is the Company's post-mortem opinion that better promotion and planning would have gone a long way. Throngs of attendees are easily steered into the market space when the event is run in conjunction with Pop Montreal. It's a giant festival, and people come from all over to participate and watch. But without the festivals coattails to ride, and in a less trafficked location, Puces Pop needs to work a little harder at attracting the public. Or even at informing people of its existence.

Completed title page for "Three Women On The Bus" by the men and women of the M.S.Co.

The drawing portion of this weeks' meeting was focused mainly on finishing up work for Pilot, and voting on which illustrations would make the cut.

One of the misanthropes' favourite things about working for Pilot, is the luxury of time they afford their illustrators. Assignments are given out well in advance of their deadlines. This grants the Company plenty of wiggle room for its collaborative process, as works in progress are mailed back and forth between its various members stationed across the continent and parts of Europe so everyone can make their contribution to the project.

The eponymous Three Women, as illustrated by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.

Also in Pilot-related news, the Company is also preliminary talks with Pilot's cock pit crew about a feature portfolio spread in the next edition. This is indeed a flattering prospect.

More concrete details will on the matter will be posted once the Pilot and M.S.Co. camps have hammered out all the details.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of illustration initiated: 30
Number completed: 17
Number inducted:6
Carried over to next week: 2

* * * *

LETTING THE GENEALOGY OUT OF THE BOTTLE...

2011-02-20T22:02:00.001-08:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

the Goikoetxea bloodline, as interpreted by the M.S.Co.

The Goikoetxea-Iturraspe family of Araba, Spain, have been longtime benefactors of the M.S.Co. Their patronage dates back to that brief period when the misanthropes were running their Sunday meetings out of the intensive care unit of a Pamplona hospital. Pepper and T-Bone shared the recovery room with the Iturraspe twins. They'd all been gored in the running of the bulls, and in the weeks that followed the members of the Company became acquainted with the twins and their visiting kin. The rest, as they say, is history.

The running of the bulls in Pamplona

Recently, Fernando and Carmen Goikoetxea-Iturraspe approached the Company with a project too enticing to pass up; a fully illustrated family album, detailing the strange history of both the Iturraspe's and Goikoetxea's converging ancestries. The Company has since been entrusted with shoebox upon shoebox of photographs, letters, documents and sundry keepsakes to sift through, interpret, and weave into a genealogical narrative.

(photographs courtesy of the Goikoetxea-Iturraspe estate)

It's the Family Day long weekend in parts of Canada. What better time to share some of the developments in this family-oriented endeavour? Stay tuned for more postings on the family history project as it continues to evolve.

* * *

(photo by Pepper and Heywood)

In unrelated news, the Company's Montréal contingent has been petitioning Headquarters to have the Misanthrope Specialty Co. return to la belle province in an official capacity. Indeed, the Comapny's autumnal hiatus and post-tour burnout resulted in the misanthropes sitting out much of the action there was to be had in recent months; leaving it's Québécois memebers to twiddle their thumbs on the sidelines. This week a unanimous decision was made to remedy the situation.

(Puces Pop flyer courtesy of the Pin Pals)

Puces Pop descends on the City of Saints next month, and the M.S.Co. is throwing its hat in the ring. This spin-off from the ever growing music festival turned international arts, film, children's festival and general cultural symposium that is Pop Montréal seems like too good a time to pass up. Further details will be released as the date approaches.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 22
Number completed: 15
Number inducted: 7
Carried over to next week: 5

* * * *

COCK-A-DOODLE DUDES...

2011-02-14T16:18:00.000-08:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

Alone of Valentine's Day? Come and cry on the Company's shoulders.

Today is the day. The Valentine's Day. And the Company has been working double-time making, selecting and hanging work for this evening's Clubhouse exhibition. Last nights meeting ran well into the wee hours. A number of new pieces were completed and voted on, and last-moment curatorial arguments pertaining to which older pieces belonged in the second floor gallery were finally settled. It turns out there is no shortage of art adhering to the themes of love, heartache and sexy times in the M.S.Co. archives.

Sexy Doodles line the Clubhouse maze wall

Then, ofcourse, there was the the persistent distraction of the Sexy Doodle Pads. Few of the misanthropes were able to resist filling in "just one more" of these strange naughty novelties. Indeed, there is a small faction feverishly churning out fresh doodles to this very moment. The Clubhouse doors are scheduled to open in a few short hours, and the maze wall doodle exhibit continues to expand.

As of noon o'clock this afternoon, the Company Clerk tallied one thousand eight hundred and fourteen completed Doodles.

And the hits just keep on coming.

Of those counted, almost half were submitted by contributors outside the Company. But the aforementioned Company doodle addicts have been working up a storm ever since, and contributions continue to trickle in. Already, the exhibition boasts more variations of that blank-groined pencil-toter than anyone needs to see. And yes, in the spirit of overkill, there will be blank doodle pads available for those wishing to participate in tonight's festivities.

* * *

What future film projects lie dormant in the Company vault?

Meanwhile, deep inside the M.S.Co. Bunker, thirty hours' worth of shot footage lies in a basement vault. Offcuts and leftovers from the editing of last year's motion picture extravaganza, Screaming Hell Hogs Eat Shit and Die.

The Company had various long-standing schemes to make use of the surplus footage, but first had to establish whether the reels rightfully belonged to the misanthropes or to the film's purchaser. Hell Hogs had been sold part and parcel to a private collector well before its completion, but the outtakes and assorted byproducts had not been considered and therefore no stipulations had been made for them in the purchasing contract. A lengthy correspondence between the Company's legal department and Hell Hogs' owner's attorneys ensued.

Some of the contents of the film cans

As it turns out, the extra footage is the sole property of the Misanthrope Specialty Co. The Company is free to do with it as it pleases "provided it does not use the suffix 'Eat Shit and Die' in the titling or promotion of any film, video, media or print project(s) that may result thereof." Fair enough.

Editing of the new, not yet titled, project is slated to commence next week. The project's parameters and objectives were hammered out at last night's meeting. The reels are to be reworked into a series of twelve films; each based on the story of one of Christ's apostles. A little something to release this coming Easter.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 18
Number completed: 8
Number inducted: 6
Carried over to next week: 2

* * * *

HEART and SOLD...

2011-01-30T13:55:00.000-08:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

"Menin Hertz..." by the men and women of the Company

As the great beast January draws to a close, the members of the M.S.Co. turn their jaundiced business eyes to Valentine's Day. A heart-warming respite from the most frigid winter month.

In its continuing endeavour to reclaim the kissy-faced Hallmark holiday for perverts everywhere, the Company has voted in favour of hocking their seedy wares at Come As You Are's ever-popular Erotic Arts and Crafts Fair. The misanthropes had a great time at last year's event and are very much looking forward to peddling their smut at the Gladstone Hotel once again.

(M.S.Co. perforated Valentimes cards to hand out to all your reprobate classmates)

Already, the Company's newly instated Manufacturing Division is hard at work putting together extra naughty message cards, dirty prints and risqué matchbooks for the show. Patrons can also expect a fresh batch of seasonal specialties, such as the ever popular Valentimes Goofy Cards perforated card sheets.

Erotic Arts and Crafts Fair
Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011. Noon – 8pm
Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON
Facebook Invite

Incidentally, for those who have been inquiring whether Reverend Aitor will be drawing Unflattering couple's portraits again, his answer is a resounding "Nope." Not this time.

* * *

"Drinking Because of You" by the M.S.Co.

Also slated for next week: the Company has decided to host Valentine's Day open house at the M.S.Co. Clubhouse. Expect the usual mix of live music, moonshine, readings, screenings throughout the day, along with an exhibition of original art revolving around the themes of love, sex, loneliness, and the like. The public is invited to bring their old love letters, diaries, and photos for show and tell and/or the heartbreak bonfire. There will also be a topically appropriate secondary exhibit for any and all comers to partake in.

(photo by Rufus Spaulding)

A routine dumpster-diving expedition recently yielded a motherlode of Sexy Doodle Pads. Thousands of them. What the Parkdale Animal Clinic was doing with so many of these, and why they were discarded is anyone's guess, but their loss is the Company's gain. The plan is to wallpaper the Clubhouse maze with as many filled-in sexy doodles as possible, but the Company can't do it alone. Inspired in part by Paper Boy's communal art wall exhibition, the misanthropes are opening up the project to the public.

One done, thousands to go. Won't you please help? (photo by Becky Johnson)

Complimentary pads have already been sent to the Company's subscribers in a supplementary mail-out. Anyone else interested in filling in some sexy doodles in advance of the Valentine's Day exhibition is welcome to contact the Company, or pick up a pad or two from the M.S.Co. booth at Saturday's Erotic Arts and Crafts Fair.

"St. VALENTIMES' HOME for the BROKEN HEARTED"
OPEN HOUSE AND MAKEOUT PARTY
Monday, February 14
M.S.Co. Clubhouse
Toronto, ON
Doors open at 2pm
Festivities begin in earnest at 9pm

As always, a modest supply of moonshine, beer and spirits will be available for purchase, by donation, but all are welcome to bring their own refreshments.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 29
Number completed: 20
Number inducted: 11
Carried over to next week: 1

* * * *

ALL THE SHINGLES LADIES...

2011-01-23T23:30:00.000-08:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary,
and Heywood McGillicuddy, Chairman:

(photo courtesy of Rebecca Baran)

Local hand model Serena Marie McCarroll, has her photogenic fingers in a lot of pots, and a number of neverending projects on the go. One of her ongoing obessions seems to involve the commemorating of the the time she came down with an ugly case of the shingles, back in 2009.

(illustration by Derek Erdman)

Several artists have been commissioned to capture or otherwise re-create Miss McCaroll's blistering discomfort. Pictured above are variations on the theme by photographer Rebecca Baran and illustrator Derek Erdman. What exactly is to become of the accumulated portraits remains nebulous at the moment.

Ofcourse, the only reason the righteously self-centred M.S.Co. is mentioning this here, on the Company web log, is that the misanthropes can tout themselves among the hired goods entrusted with the lucrative task of preserving Miss McCarroll's misfortune for posterity.

(portrait by the men and women of the Misanthrope Specialty Co.)

This seemed an ideal opportunity for the misanthropes to further hone their Unflattering Portrait skills, as the rest of the Company gradually takes some of the burden of Reverend Aitor's pet project off his shaky hands. A portion of the Company's illustration these past few weeks had been set aside to work on the Shingles Commemoration Project under the good Reverend's tutelage; first at Montréal Hindquarters, then Headquarters in Toronto. The Company's members in the U.S. and Spain have been carrying out their Unflattering Portrait correspondence course with Aitor in their free time.

(photo by Heywood McGillicudy)

The M.S.Co. has been a melting pot of its membership's respective styles and techniques almost from its very inception. Having worked so closely for more than a decade, a cross-pollination of aesthetics and influences is almost inevitable. Previously, however, it has been a gradual and organic group evolution; and scarcely perceptible. This is the first time the Company has endeavoured to have one member's idiosyncrasies eclipse those of the others'.

At the very least, this has been an entertaining exercise for the misanthropes.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 34
Number completed: 18
Number inducted: 4
Carried over to next week: 4

* * * *

KABINET FEVER...

2011-01-18T14:18:00.000-08:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

(photo courtesy of Leah Buckareff)

Psst! How would you fancy a sneak peek behind the iron curtains of the La Bastellerie gallery? Well, just scroll on dear reader. Scroll on.

(photo collage courtesy of Leah Buckareff)

Note little Leah in the window -- so cute!

The walls have been repainted, the shelves cut and the bell jars dusted. Now the anticipation is left to simmer a little as The Wunderkabinet No.2 prepares to unveil it's new collection of international curiosities. As mentioned previously on the Web Log, the Misanthrope Specialty Co. proudly counts itself among the motley crew of participants.

(photo courtesy of Leah Buckareff)

Unfortunately, circumstances preclude most of the misanthropes from crossing the pond to attend Friday night's opening jubilations. But the jet-setters among you, or those of you who happen to be in the greater Berlin area, are more than welcome to stop in at the vernissage. It promises to be a good time.

The Wunderkabinet 2

Opening Reception

Friday January 21

La Bastellerie - Lausitzer 13, Berlin

7 pm

("Mein Hertz..." photo by Erkuden Sakana)

And if you can't make it for the opening, fret not; the Wunderkabinet 2 runs until April 30th.

* * *

FAIR GAIN...

2010-12-20T07:54:00.000-08:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

(photo courtesy of City of Craft)

Last night the Company came together after wrapping up at another successful City of Craft. The holiday show remains one of the misanthropes' absolute favourites, and not just because it's strolling distance from the Company Bunker.

The Misanthrope Specialty Co. officially takes its hat off the organizers for an impeccably curated and tightly run ship, full of fantastic vendors, imaginative interactive installations, and interesting satellite exhibitions.

Kudos to the organizers . The Company will surely try to shove it's way into the fold again next year.

* * *

Arthur on location in Montréal (photo by Heywood)

With all foreseeable art shows and craft fairs done with until the spring thaw, members are proposing and cooking up all manner of new projects for the new year.

For starters, the question of what to do with all the left over footage from Screaming Hell Hogs Eat Shit and Die is finally being addressed. It's beginning to look asthough some new (or partially new) film projects may soon be in the works.

* * *

1965 Dymo magazine advert

It's been a very long time since the Company last held any sort of contest or giveaway. It is one of the Company's New Year's resolutions to remedy this fact very shortly. Honest.

Readers will have to wait for the specific details, but one thing is for certain: it will involve labelling tape. Labelling tape of the woodgrain variety.

* * *

photo of the museum's nepenthe ventrata by Anahí Coria

Though the Museum of Natural & Artificial History and offices at Misanthrope Specialty Co. Headquarters will remain open through the holidays, familial obligations have whisked most of the misanthropes away for the next couple of weeks. The Company's Sunday sessions have therefore been suspended until January 9, 2011.

See you next year.

* * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 20
Number completed: 14
Number inducted: 8
Carried over to next week: 2

* * *

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE BIZNATCH...

2010-12-17T07:53:00.000-08:00

by Rufus Spaulding, Cub Reporter:

(poster pile photo courtesy of City of Craft )

Hello Toronto. Tomorrow is the big day. City of Craft. Bring both your naughty and nice Christmas lists over to the Theatre Centre and come find us downstairs.

( map by Caitlyn )

* * *

And don't forget Revrend Aitor's Unflattering Portraits, upstairs, on the Midway.

( portrait and photo by Reverend Aitor )

He's fixing to retire the project sooner than later, so you're fools if you don't sign up while you have the chance. His portraits are in the American Visionary Art Museum's permanent collection, for Pete's sake. He's a big shot outsider artiste now.

* * *

MIDWAY CHIDE SYNDROME...

2010-12-10T18:47:00.000-08:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

Step right up, Toronto! Hurry, hurry, hurry! Suck in your guts and jut out your weak chins: the Unflattering Portrait Project is coming to City of Craft.

That's right, folks! The Reverend Aitor making himself available to the public for the first time since his triumphant return from Baltimore, where his portraits now hang in a place of honour, at the American Visionary Art Museum. Step right up!

Another satisfied customer!

Are you brave enough? Are you sufficiently strong of self-esteem to face his jaundiced eye and squeaky markers? Come and test your metal at the City of Craft Midway, where the good Reverend will be scribbling ugly likenesses all week-end, December 18 and 19. And unlike his unattainably priced mail-order portraits, all portraits at City of Craft will be done by donation! That's right, folks! Pay what you can! Or what you think it's worth! Hurry, hurry hurry!

Don't let this opportunity get away, ladies and gentlemen! Aitor has been drawing fewer and fewer of these lately, and has been mumbling threats about retiring altogether! Spaces are limited, so hurry, hurry hurry! Sign up today!

To book your appointment: simply click on the comments section at the end of this posting and claim any hour that isn't already claimed. Sign ups are available until midnight, December 17.

UNFLATTERING CITY OF CRAFT

DAY ONE:
Saturday December 18
1:30 pm - Available
2:30 pm - Available

DAY TOO:
Sunday December 19
2: 30 pm - Dayle & Nabil
3:30pm - Dayle & Nabil

Ever wondered what you'd look like if you weren't quite so gorgeous? Now's you chance to find out!

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen! Get your red hot Unflattering Portraits! One of a kind, custom made pieces of art created before your very eyes! Hurry hurry hurry!

* * *

PARLAY-VOUS?..

2010-12-06T05:30:00.000-08:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

Putting it all together (photo by Rufus Spaulding)

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and quickly gaining momentum as Christmas draws ever nearer on the advent calendar. Consequently, the misanthropes are working overtime, filling orders and cranking out inventory for the various retailers who stock Company-made goods, seasonal events, and sundry commissioned Christmas gifts.

Out of this chaos of sawdust, glitter and paper trimmings emerge some brand new goodies to stuff in the stockings of your lovedones.

"Gambling Christ is in Hot Water With His Bookies" a new offering from the company

The original "Gambling Christ Lands in Hot Water With His Bookies and Needs Your Help" emerged last March, as part of a series of drawings and painting about Jesus falling on hard times. Now, in an effort to help put the Gambling Christ back in Gambling Christmas, it has been resurrected in the form of an open edition 17.8 x 12.7 cm ( or 7x5" to our friends South of the border) archival print.

The original "Gambling Christ..." (photographed by Reverend Aitor)

As is the case with most M.S.Co. prints, "Gambling Christ" is reproduced in small, slighly varied batches, using the Company's own secret xerographic process. It will be available at City of Craft, or via the Company's Etsy store.

* * *

Meanwhile, over at Hindquarters, the Company's Montréal contingent is finally making good on and old resolution.

(photo by Heywood McGillicuddy)

With one foot in Québec, the Misanthrope Specialty Co. does a fair bit of business in Lower Canada, yet has been fairly lax in producing goods geared towards the significantly francophone crowd which frequents events like Puces Pop and Expozine. And while the Company fares just fine in French Canada with it's English cards and epistolary projects, it has long been argued within the ranks that further steps towards bilingualism are in order

Maintenant: en français!

It is in this spirit that the misanthropes are proud to release a new line of message cards, both sweet and obscene, en français. The first batch of which is being rushed over to Maison Kasini in time for their Mille Cadeaux event.

MILLE CADEAUX OPENING RECEPTION
Saturday, December 18th
372 Ste Catherine Ouest
3PM to 5PM

* * *

Speaking of resolutions, many of the Company members are calling for some changes to protocol, as there is a growing dissatisfaction with weekly drawing sessions being increasingly infringed upon by long nights of assembling inventory.

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 6
Number completed: 2
Number inducted: 1
Carried over to next week: 0

The numbers in this week's productivity report say it all. The making of new original work always suffers in the congregations leading up to ant given art fair, craft fair, or busy retail season. No doubt the subject will be hotly debated at next week's meeting.

* * *

BUTTON FLY TRAP...

2010-11-28T22:24:00.000-08:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

(photo by Arthur Corey)

Another instalment of the Company's subscription service is packaged up and ready to go. This month's mail-out includes a little something different: venus fly trap buttons. The Museum of Natural & Artificial History's Head Curator and Chief Botanist have been collecting and pressing the dead leaves from the carnivorous plant exhibit for some time, waiting for just the right project to come along.

Now, with the help of super-star buttoneer Sweetie Pie Press, the Company has begun production on a series of 1" buttons for the Museum's gift shop; many still contain the remains of the insects that met their untimely demise in the leafy jaws of the voracious dionea muscipula.

Audrey 3, the Company's pet fly trap (photo by Anahí Coria)

Naturally, these buttons are available in only limited supply. The traps are harvested only after the leaf dies, so as not to cause the plant harm.

* * *

dionea vs. caterpillar

Incidentally, many of the plans in the Company's carnivorous collection, including the fly traps, pitcher plants, and some of the sundews are soon to enter their winter dormancy. Visitors to the museum have two weeks to see the current botanical exhibit before the the hibernating plants are hidden away until the springtime. Plant feedings can be seen Saturdays at 3pm.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 29
Number completed: 19
Number inducted: 5
Carried over to next week: 0

* * * *

PILE of CRAFT...

2010-11-25T05:09:00.000-08:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

(promotional artwork courtesy of Craftland)

Just a head's up to our readers in New England: the Providence powerhouse that is Craftland Show kicks off it's month-long holiday shopping extravaganza tomorrow. The show is packed to the brim with thousands of hand made gifts by nearly 200 artists -- offering everything from screen printed t-shirts handmade clothing, one of a kind craft items to fine art pieces. Surely, there is something for just about everyone on your Christmas list.

M.S.Co. message cards, still warm from the dryer

Naturally, the Misanthrope Specialty Co. has its fingers in the pie. Look for select items from the Company's line of cards and ephemera, including the ever-popular messages on woodgrain.

(photo courtesy of Craftland)

CRAFTLAND SHOW
November 26 to December 31
Open 10 am to 7pm, 7 days a week
235 Westminster Street

* * *

DEUTSCH TREAT...

2010-11-24T20:55:00.000-08:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

"A Sure Thing" by the men and women of the Company

It seems the executive branch's goodwill mission to Germany has eventuated in the Company seeping it's way into the Wunderkabinet roster. The Berlin exhibition, held in La Basellerie, houses a rotating collection of handmade curiosities from parts near and very far.

The show's third incarnation is being curated by drone metal superstar, Leah Buckareff, and slated to open early in the new year. It will feature selected works from the Misanthrope Specialty Company's matchbook project.

What wonders lie hidden in the many drawers and compartments of the Wunderkabinet?
(photo courtesy of Leah Buckareff)

The matchbook project began in 2001, after Company members Rufus and Cotton converted to freeganism in an attempt to curb their rampant nicotine abuse. While the discarded and half-smoked cigarettes the desperate duo collected were smokes almost as soon as they were acquired, it wasn't long before they'd amassed a surplus of matchbooks and disposable lighters. The overstock of garbage pickings found its way into Headquarters and the Bunker. It was only a matter of time before someone at a Company meeting picked one up and began doodling.

(photo by Arthur Corey)

Keep your internets tuned to this weblog for more details about the Berlin exhibition as details arise.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 21
Number completed: 18
Number inducted: 6
Carried over to next week: 1

* * * *

A NEW SHOAT OF PAINT...

2010-11-14T23:21:00.000-08:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

The progression of one of this week's inductees, initiated at a previous meeting completed today

One can never be too certain what path a drawing will follow as it's passed around the room to be elaborated upon by the rest of the Company. Sometimes, a clear theme or narrative arises. Sometimes early on, sometimes part way through or not until the end. Influences can seep in from any number or sources and be subtle or overt, deliberate or incidental. Therein lies much of the fun in these Sunday collaborations.

"Punch Fight!" the finished product by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.

The nature of most of this week's drawings suddenly veered off in the same direction halfway through the evening, after one of the misanthropes mentioned their ancestral pig farm during the course of idle banter.

That her Nagy had raised pigs in Hungary wasn't news the Company; the exciting bit of information which had eluded the rest of the members in all these years of working together came in an offhand remark about the quality of their wool. It turns out these were no ordinary swine. They were Mangalica -- a breed of pig which like, like sheep, are covered in wool.

(The woolly pigs in action)

Few of the misanthropes had ever heard of such a wondrous animal and the revelation immediately coloured the rest of the evening's illustrations. Indeed, of the twenty-three illustrations completed tonight, no fewer than eighteen involved woolly pigs, fur-bearing trout and other novelty animals.

"Fig.17-b: A Bat Fucking a Pig" by the men and women of the Misanthrope Specialty Co.

It's a wonder this juicy nugget of trivia information hadn't come up before; particularly during the pig-obsessed period following the swine flu epidemic of 2009.

* * *

(City of Craft flyer design by Trip Print Press)

In other news, City of Craft returns to the Theatre Centre for another week-end extravaganza of all things hand-made; just in time for Christmas. The two-day event boasts a bustling market, art installations, workshops and demos for the crafty types, and now an interactive midway, purveying all manner of services and entertainment for one and all.

Meeting the shopping hordes at City of Craft 2009 (photo by Sweetie Pie Press)

This is, in the Company's collective opinion, Toronto's best holiday crafts and arts show, and the Misanthrope Specialty Co. is very pleased to announce it is once again getting in on the action. Doubly so this year: The Company will hocking it's array of cards, prints, and original illustration in the market while Reverend Aitor brings his Unflattering Portrait project to the midway fanfare.

City of Craft runs December 18 and 19 at the Theatre Centre. Stay tuned to this weblog for more details as they arise.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 29
Number completed: 23
Number inducted: 5
Carried over to next week: 2

* * * *

PLAYING AGAINST TYPE...

2010-10-24T22:46:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

"Talkin' Trash Behind Blood Ghost's Back" by the M.S.Co. Part of the new Clubhouse
maze wall (photo by Arthur Corey)

The Company is once again taking advantage of their absentee slumlord's chronic neglect and doing a little creative restructuring of the layout in the M.S.Co. Clubhouse. Plans include a permanent maze leading up to the gallery space, complete with all manner of traps and pitfalls.
All week, the misanthropes have been knocking down old walls and putting up new ones using scavenged, freecycled and generously donated building materials.

The Clubhouse maze, in progress (photo by Lydia Caulpepper)

Today, however, construction was put on hold for the Company's regularly scheduled Sunday conference. Still, a large portion of the drawing session was spent decorating the exposed drywall; the objective being to provide a little atmosphere for next week's exhibition.

* * *

Those of you regularly in attendance at Clubhouse events may have picked up on the trend of a new instrument appearing the Company Orchestra's arsenal with every exhibition. It turns out this upcoming show will be no exception.

Voting on the name for this newfangled instrument remains deadlocked (photo by Heywood MacGillicuddy)

The Company's Chief Engineer and Musical Director surprised their colleagues with the unveiling of their latest development: A line of old typewriters modified into a variety of odd-sounding musical gimmicks.

Some are electrical, some accoustic. There are seven variations in total, though only two of the Orchestra members know how to play any of them thus far. And with Hallowe'en only one week away, it appears the misanthropes have their work cut out for them.

(music for unmodified typewriters)

* * *

Typewriters in need of some Company love (photo by Reverend Aitor)

It should be noted that Company policy strictly opposes the wanton destruction of typewriters [article 289A-2002]. These particular instruments were made using parts from some of the irreparable machines the Company keeps on hand for spare parts.

* * * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 10
Number completed: 8
Number inducted: 4
Carried over to next week for completion: 4

* * * *

RHODE TO RICHES...

2010-10-17T10:28:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:
Though Hallowe'en has yet to come and go, it is already time for the members of the M.S.Co. to begin preparations for the Christmas shopping frenzy.

(promotional artwork courtesy of Craftland)

Among the motions passed at last week's meeting was the proposal to participate in the 9th annual Craftland pop-up department store. Consequently, most of this week's meeting was spent concocting an assortment of handmade goods to ship down to Providence, Rhode Island.

The Company busts out the embossing tape and sets to work on message cards (photo by Tallulah Lastname)

This will be the first time the Company will be peddling it's wares at Craftland. It's been whole-heartedly endorsed to the misanthropes by various friends over the years, so, after a bit of deliberating, the Company has finally decided to give it a go.

(photo courtesy of ann-dabney)

For those of you in the Providence area, Craftland runs November 26 through December 31. Stay tuned for further details as the date approaches.

* * *

THIS WEEK'S PRODUCTIVITY REPORT
Number of projects initiated: 8
Number completed: 5
Number inducted: 2
Carried over to next week for completion: 3

* * *

VISIONARY POSITION..

2010-10-09T03:05:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

The AVAM (photo courtesy of Judit Bosár)

Though the Company doesn't officially reunite until tomorrow's Sunday meeting, many of the misanthropes are down in Baltimore, showing their support for Reverend Aitor, at the opening of
the American Visionary Art Museum's new exhibition, What Make's Us Smile?

The Reverend wows them with his mubled ramblings about ugliness  (photo courtesy of thefrontrowe)

The Company is very proud to announce that the good Reverend's Unflattering Portraits form part of the museum's 15th anniversary show, curated by Rebecca Hoffberger, Gary Panter, and Matt Groening.

Matt Groening loves his Unfalttering Portrait (photo courtesy of the Baltimore Examiner)

The AVAM describes its exhibition as "a playful celebration of human joy", wherein visitors can romp through a warren of mini-galleries to explore different key aspects of humour. There's even a room dedicated to fart jokes throughout human history. It's been brilliantly monikered the Toot Suite, and features a surprisingly comfortably bench upholstered with self-inflating whoopee cushions.

Thats right: SELF-INFLATING (photo by Reverend Aitor)

Among the other featured artists Aitor's portraits have the honour of rubbing elbows with are Pedro Bell, Tom Wilborn, John Waters, Chris Roberts-Antieau, Patty Kuzbida, Anado MacLauchlin, and the late John Callahan. What Makes Us Smile? runs until September 4th, 2011 -- so if you find yourself in the Baltimore area sometime in the next year, be sure to drop by the American Visionary Art Museum.

the PBS News Hour has something to say about the show

* * *

* * *

INTERIM JOB...

2010-09-05T22:24:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

The misanthropes are all finally back in Toronto; just in time to watch the season change from summer to fall.

Back in the safety of Headquarters (photo by Reverend Aitor)

Tonight's meeting was held in the familiar comforts of Headquarters for first time in moths. After so many Sunday meetings held in parking lots, noisy restaurants, illegal squats, other people's homes and an array of sleazy motels, the Company members can once again appreciate the comforts this designated haven of leisurely toil. There a plenty of chairs for everyone, full kitchen and bar, and smoking is permitted.

(nametag and photo by Tallulah Lastname)

Ofcourse, today also marked the last Misanthrope Specialty Co. meeting before a belated, but much needed hiatus. After months of touring together, it is safe to say the Company members all in need of a genuine break, and some distance from eachother.

* * *

(poster by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.)

Among the loose bits of business to tie up before closing shop for the month was the completion of a few commissioned works, including a poster for Levi Macdougall's upcoming intimate evening. Those of you who both live in Calgary and enjoy awkward, understated comedy would be well advised to attend.

(Unflattering Portrait of Levi by Reverend Aitor)

This isn't the first time the Company has been hired to do Mr.Macdougall's bidding. A chance encounter at a party promptly grew into a budding business relationship, which is presently blossoming into something resembling friendship. Now the Company is invited to sleep on his many sofas whenever in the Los Angeles area.

* * *

NOTICE
* * * The Misanthrope Specialty Co. is hereby on hiatus * * *
* * * the Company reconvenes Sunday October 10, 2010 * * *

Please be advised that calls, letters and electronic mail to the M.S.Co. and it's members
are likely to go unanswered until such time
AND
The Museum of Natural & Artificial History will remain closed in the interim

* * *

(See you in October)

* * *

WALL TO SCRAWL MARKETING...

2010-08-30T23:01:00.000-07:00

by Heywood McGillicuddy, Chairman:

"Yukon Honeymoon No.2" by the men and women of the M.S.Co.

Yes, the Company is back in Chicago; now only days away from home. The anticipation is almost unbearably palpable.

As much as the members enjoy spending half their year living like carnies, they are also eager to sleep in their own lumpy beds, with their own lumpy lovers. There is also only so much time the misanthropes can spend cooped up in cars and motels together, breathing in eachother's b.o. day in and day out.

* * *

(photo by Rufus Spaulding)

It has been the Company's unofficial custom in previous years to open up the Clubhouse present a homecoming party and exhibition promptly after a lengthy tour. This year, however, the decision to push the usual summer hiatus back to September will keep the Company Clubhouse doors closed until October. Same goes for the Museum of Natural & Artificial History.

The M.S.Co. assures it's loyal friends and eager followers that it will make it up to them just a little further down the line. Yesterday's motion to host a Hallowe'en / Dia De Los Muertos party and event was passed unanimously.

More details will be forthcoming, pending further deliberation at next week's meeting. There are many a detail to iron out.

* * *

Paperboy's interim exhibition. A work in constant flux.
(photo courtesy of Paperboy Chicago)

Though Toronto audiences are going to have to wait, citizens of the windy city are invited to stand in awe at the Company's contribution to the impromptu group show at Paper Boy.

The misanthropes dropped by the boutique-slash-gallery's yesterday to the staff taping hurried doodles and half-finished sketches up in the gallery space. The scheduled exhibition had fallen through at the last minute, so the intrepid women of Paper Boy were mounting their own eleventh-hour show in its place.

Selected highlights from the art wall thus far (photos courtesy of Paperboy)

The doodles were only there to get the ball rolling. A basket of magic markers and a stack of virgin paper were place conveniently nearby, along with an invitation for one and all to complete the drawings, and/or start their own. It was too much to resist.

The Company spent the rest of the day gleefully scribbling in the gallery, embellishing on or otherwise defiling the groundwork the fine folks at Paper Boy had laid. This fast and loose collaboration was a refreshing departure from the more rigid and protocol-laden work the misanthropes had become accustomed to in their regular Sunday sessions.

The Misanthropes get in on the action (photo courtesy of Paper Boy)

Why not drop by and make your mark? The wall will only continue to evolve and expand over the course of the show's run.

PAPER BOY COMMUNAL WALL
September 1 to September 30, 2010
1351 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

* * *

Limited edition message card by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.

And while you're at it, why not check out the latest in M.S.Co. ephemera? The Company has restocked the store's inventory with all manner of freshly made goods, including a few limited edition cards made using some ultra-rare vintage embossing tapes.

* * *

B.C. BUDDIES...

2010-08-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

by Rufus Spaulding:

(photo by Rufus Spaulding)

Though still weeks away from home, the Company is back in the homecountry for the next little while, after a pleasantly uneventful border crossing into British Columbia.

(photo by Becky Johnson)

The Company's reasons for being in Vancouver are twofold: a round table discussion of secret business with their contact at Little Mountain, and the gluttonous consumption of ridiculously tasty sushi at suspiciously low prices.

How to eat sushi in the Japanese tradition

A deeply rooted Japanese population and the abundance of salmon, tuna, prawns and crab fished off the B.C. coast have made Vancouver the only city in North America where sushi joints outnumber burger shacks three to one. This abundance, means restaurants are forever competing to outdo each other by offering better quality sushi at lower prices. The sashimi-crazed misanthropes have been banned from more than one all-you-can-eat establishment over the years.

If only the members of the Company could get over this city's apathetic mock-liberalism and conservative hippie snobbery.

* * *

APP of GOD...

2010-08-04T04:07:00.000-07:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:
The good folks at levimacdoogall.com didn't waste any time putting the Company's work to good use.

(photo courtesy of Levi MacDougall)

The beta version of the Bullet in a Bible i-phone application is ready. Keep it near your heart. This little technological miracle fits right in your breast pocket -- so it's always handy when you're in need of some divine intervention.

* * *

FRISCO INFERNO...

2010-08-01T23:59:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

It's been another busy weekend for the men and women of the Misanthrope Specialty Co. Yesterday and today at Fort Mason were all-day affairs.

(photo by Matthew Wade Davis)

San Francisco marks the last of the big game craft fairs on the Company's summer itinerary. There is still another month of touring ahead, though, and the misanthropes were determined to lighten their load; freeing up some legroom for the long journey home.

(photo courtesy of Angelika)

Intent on riding itself of as much of its remaining inventory as possible, the Company hocked its wares to the shopping hordes like rabid costermongers. Luckily, this town remains as receptive as ever to what the misanthropes are pitching.

* * *

Once business at Renegade was over and done with, the Company found itself in a celebratory mood. Though there was still the matter of sitting down to todays Sunday protocols a well-deserved interlude was in order. After a quick show of hands, it was agreed that any further work should be preceded by the imbibing of silly cocktails at the Tonga Room.

(photo by Ted Mills)

The historic Fairmont Hotel once boasted a number of gimmick bars and restaurants; including a circus-themed cocktail lounge, and a merry-go-round bar. Today, only the Tonga Room tiki bar remains.

It's raining at the Tonga

Designed by one of MGM's set designers in 1945, this nautical wonderland features a floating stage and a fake thundersotrms. Rain pours down from concealed sprinklers every twenty minutes.

* * *

One drink lead to another and, seeing as the members were all assembled anyhow, the Company decided to hunker down where it sat, holding it's meeting at the tiki bar.

(portrait of Heywood by Reverend Aitor, Rufus Spaulding, Cottonwood Fields and an anonymous member)

One of the topics up for discussion was the The Misanthrope Specialty Co.'s taking over the reins of its subsidiary, the Unflattering Portrait Project.

With Aitor's eyeballs steadily disintegrating, and demand for Unflattering Portraits exceeding the amount of time he's able or willing to dedicate to the project, a proposal was put forth last week calling for the rest of the misanthropes to step up to the plate.

More like Reverend eye sore

Whether this is a temporary or indefinite measure has yet to be decided. In the meantime, the bleary-eyed Impresario spent the evening tutoring his peers in the fine art of unflattery. The goal is to preserve the integrity of the portraits' style and sensibilities whether they be drawn by the Reverend himself, the Company as a whole, or any one of its members.

Variations on a subject: Aitor's rendition of Matt Groening vs. Heywood and Erkuden's joint interpretation

To dispel any trepidation among those who have commissioned portraits on backorder, the Company assures that all portraits on Aitor's waiting list will be drawn by the Reverend himself. New commissions, however, may be taken over by the rest of the Company unless otherwise requested

* * *

PALMS SUNDAY...

2010-07-25T23:26:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:
The Company is in El Pueblo Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula on all kinds of business.

Today, the misanthropes pulled down their tent and packed up what remained of its wares after a victorious weekend at Renegade Los Angeles. The show has picked a up a fair bit of steam since. The more superstitious among the Company attribute the increase in traffic to a change of venue since last year.

(photo courtesy of Make Shop Live)

* * *

The Company carried out it's weekly routines in the home of some of it's dearest L.A. aiders and abettors Phil and Noelle.

It's always Christmas at Phil and Noelle's

There aren't enough nice things the misanthropes can say about these two. They left a sumptuous meal on the table for the Company to devour after a long day at Renegade, and a Trader Joe's bag full of the best homemade popcorn anyone has ever had the pleasure of snacking on.

T-Bone and Cotton were back on the Sunday roll call, having completed their Route 66 mission and delivered Screaming Hell Hogs to the film's purchaser.

* * *

Part of today's agenda included preliminary work on the Bullet in a Bible i-phone application.

The project was commissioned by triple-threat Canadian expat, Levi MacDougall, after a chance run-in between he and Heywood earlier this week. They were both in attendance at one of Bruce Villanch's fancy-dress parties and recognized eachother as fellow Torontonians. The rest will one day be history.

"The Library" video game from levimacdougall.com

With much of the design groundwork already laid out at the end of this evening's session, the Company's contribution should be Mr.MacDougall's fast hands very shortly. It shouldn't be too long after that before the application is unveiled in all it's glory.

* * *

I LOVE BUSEY...

2010-07-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

Notes to Headquarters
from T-Bone, Company Bailiff:

"The deed is done. We handed Hell Hogs over to Gary and his goons last night. The matter's out of my hands now. Finally. Amen.

"I'd been sent detailed instructions on how the transaction was to be played out. I had to be go foot, unarmed, and place the film cans in a trunk between the two O's in the Hollywood sign. Cotton accompanied me part ways but it had been clearly stipulated I was supposed to arrive alone. I deviated from the established trails. We had the sense we were being watched from afar.

"I hadn't realized access to the sign itself restricted. Fenced off and closely monitored by security cameras. In order to deposit the reels in adherence to the plan I would have to scale the fence, on camera, in broad daylight, negotiating my way over razor wire. Gary must have known this. I didn't doubt it. My blood began to ache.

"All the same, I'd agreed to the job. And things looked like they might work out with the help of my puertoricans. I had a leg over, then the razor wire snagged my sock. It only got worse the more I worked to get unhooked. A voice barked at me over the security loudspeaker. I'd been spotted trespassing and I was stuck there sure the police were coming to take me off in chains.

"An audience of thicknecked goons emerged. Some in uniforms. All of them hooting, chucking, snapping photos with their telephones. Even the voice on the speaker was laughing at me. Gary and Jake were there too. Applauding. I wanted to set them all on fire."

* * *

ALLS WONDERFAIR IN LOVE AND WORK...

2010-07-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:
The Misanthrope Specialty Co. is headed Southwest, after a thoroughly enjoyable weekend in Kansas.

(photo by Tallulah  Lastname)

The Company's executive branch was in Lawrence to forge a new alliance with Asteroid Head Art Club; a local art collective with whom the misanthropes had been maintaining a tenuous epistolary flirtation/antagonism. The two parties hit it off immediately, due mostly to a mutual love of Abner Jay. One thing led to another and pretty soon the rest of the available misanthropes were called down from St.Louis and Wichita for an evening of nightswimming and secret exploits.

(photo courtesy of Asteroid   Head Art Club)

Asteroid Head subsequently helped the Company gain entry into Wonder Fair Art Gallery; a far more spacious and better equipped space to hold this weeks meeting than the motel room the members originally planned to rent. As a result, the gallery now carries an assortment of M.S.Co. goodies.

* * *

It should be noted that much of the credit for Company's blossoming relationships in Lawrence goes to Sweetie Pie Press. It was via the misanthrope's long-time Toronto ally that the Company was first made aware of the goings on in Lawrence.

* * *

The Misanthrope Specialty Co. has yet another product to sell you.

(Message card made using vintage woodgrain Dymo tape)

It's been nearly three months since the Company hit the road. The temporal and geographic distance from loved ones has inspired the advent of a new limited release message card.

The I Miss You card, in embossed woodgrain tape on maple veneer will be available for sale at Renegade Los Angeles. Due to the increasing scarcity of woodgrain labelling tape, the run has been limited to twenty cards embossed with vintage Dymo brand tape from 1968, and another twenty on the company's own specially developed woodgrain tape. There are no plans for a second run until, possibly, the Valentine season is upon us.

(This one was made with the Company-manufactured woodgrain tape)

* * *

This week's drawing session has been was somewhat hindered by the unexpected loss of many of it Company's art supplies.

(photo by Reverend Aitor)

It seems a full day of the hot sun beating down on the the cars in which much of the Company's supply of pens, paints and paper stock were stored has taken its toll. Everything seems to have undergone a variety of heat-induced chemical transformations.

(photo by Becky Johnson)

Inks clumped, paints bubbled out of their containers, papers buckled and pens exploded. Even after everyone's respective kits and pencil cases had been sifted through, and the members got down to business, a number of pens and markers turned out to have sprung leaks. As a result, a number of this week's works in progress were unfortunately marred. Remarkably, though, a few were slightly improved.

The matter was put to a vote and agreed to curtail the illustrative portion of the evening. It was decided the Company's time and efforts would be put to better use bolstering it's inventory merchandise to peddle at next weeks Renegade show.

* * *

GROSS ANGELES...

2010-07-17T23:41:00.000-07:00

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:
Renegade Los Angeles just around the corner. The Misanthrope Specialty Co. is making its meandering way West, with a freshly made stock of goodies in tow.

As is usually the case, the Good Reverend will be there, too. Despite his failing eyesight, he's agreed to offer a limited number of Unflattering Portrait sittings the second day of the show.

Unlike his on-line portraits, which have set prices, live sittings are done by donation. Simply pay what you can, or think it's worth. Walk-ins are welcome, but those who wish a guaranteed spot are advised to schedule a sitting in advance.

UNFLATTERING LOS ANGELES
Day 2
Sunday July 25, 2010
1pm: Josh + 1
2pm: Josh + 1
3pm: Martin G.
4pm: Nathan F.

Appointments will be taken until midnight, the night before Renegade. To book a time simply click on the comments section at the end of this posting and claim any hour that isn't already claimed. Portraits can take between 40 to 50 minutes per person. Couples, oddly enough, count as two persons, so book two slots.

* * *

IN GOAT WE THRUST...

2010-07-17T15:29:00.000-07:00

Notes to Headquarters
from T-Bone, Company Bailiff:

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

"We were making excellent time but the jar was full, thanks to a long day of nothing but coffee and watermelon. We pulled into a truck stop far past Tucumcari to take a leak, top off the water jug, splash some water on our faces.

"Le Pi-Pi Jar"

"There was a vending machine in the men's room. Not an uncommon fixture at truck stops and gas stations, but this one dispensed particularly colourful array of condoms, cologne and assorted performance enhancers. Imagine the kind of night a fistful of quarters can buy you.

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

"The "Genies Delight" dispenser in particular caught my eye. Seventyfive cents buys you a shot at one of twelve different "politically incorrect novelties", so I called Cotton in. She loved it but immediately went into a feminist rant about the absence of such amenities in the ladies washroom. Apparently the only vending machines she encounters only offer perfume and menstrual supplies.

We never found out what the new "Bin Laden" condom is all about

"We pooled all our change together hoping to collect as many random surprise novelties as possible but the machine was either empty or not working or a dirty grift. We'd sunk two bucks and a quarter into it when a fourhundred-pound sow in a soiled cashier's smock busted into the washroom, with accusations of illicit activities. She refused to give us our money back. Instead, she threatened to call the police.

(photo by Cottonwood Fields)

"I manage to score some "Horny Goat Weed" while Cotton and the attendant were busy screaming insinuations about eachother's mothers. The packet contained two capsules which we gobbled pulling away from the truck stop. I didn't notice an increase in desire. Cotton complained about a spell of vomit burps for a a while."

* * *

WEST FOR SUCCESS...

2010-07-12T19:08:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

(photo by Erkuden Sakana)

The misanthropes awoke at the crack of noon, after a long and successful Saturday at the Shadow Art Fair. There was just enough time for a throughly overindulgent breakfast with friends at the Bomber, a heartily recommended purveyor for all your bacon and egg needs.
Then, bellies swelling with greasy bliss, the members shoved themselves back into their respective vehicles, leaving Michigan for Indiana.

(photo courtesy of  www.interstate-guide.com)

This was as close as the Company has been to the homeland in quite some time and the roadsigns for the bridge to Canada prompted an unexpected pang of homesickness in some of the members. The pull of magnetic North is a strong one, but there are still many miles to go before the caravan runs full circle back to Toronto in September.

(The members' homesickness manifested in Home Sweet Home #7)

* * *

Lounging at Jerry Lee's (photo by Becky Johnson)

Back in Midwest, the Company's Indianapolis friends had once again prepared a space for the misanthropes to hold their protocols, meeting and making session. It is an absolute luxury to have such accommodating allies scattered across the continent, providing auxiliary workspace, housing, homecooked meals and sundry resources along the way. These fine upstanders have become vital in the viability of touring for the Misanthrope Specialty Co.

* * *

(a proposed course plotted out for the next couple of weeks)

The Company has been vacillating between the Eastern and Central time zones long enough. It's time to blaze through Mountain Time and into Pacific as the Misanthrope Specialty convoy moves West to deliver Screaming Hell Hogs Eat Shit and Die to it's California purchaser, as well as to make its fortune at Renegade Los Angeles and Renegade San Francisco.

* * *

(photo by Rufus Spaulding)

In related news, the Company has agreed to contribute to Renegade Handmade"s web log. Those Chicago-based mavens of craft want to run a "road to Renegade" series of posts, chronicling the cross-country trip to the Los Angeles show.

* * *

YPSI CARAVAN...

2010-07-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

The Misanthrope Specialty Company is headed North, and zeroing in on the Wolverine State. Soon its unwashed hordes will descend upon Ypsilanti to take part in the Shadow Art Fair for the first time.

* * *

As is too often the case, Reverend Aitor will be at the table, carving out new territory for his Unflattering Portrait Project.

Portraits will be drawn just about every hour on the hour and are done by donation. Simply pay what you can, or think it's worth. Walk-ins are welcome, but those who wish a guaranteed spot are advised to schedule a sitting in advance.

(photo by Becky Johnson)

UNFLATTERING SHADOW ART FAIR
Saturday July 10, 2020
at the Corner Brewery
720 Norris St.

1:pm - Christine
2:pm - Adrianne
3:pm - Mark M.
4:pm - No Dice
5:pm - Olivia + 1
6:pm- Olivia + 1
7:pm- Peter B.
8:pm - Back Off
9:pm - Available
10:pm - Available
11:pm - Available

Appointments will be taken until midnight, the night before Shadow Art Fair. To book a time simply click on the comments section at the end of this posting and claim any hour that isn't already claimed. Portraits can take between 40 to 50 minutes per person. Couples, oddly enough, count as two persons, so book two slots.

(photo by Becky Johnson)

It should also be noted that due to time restrictions and the Company's general rules of decorum, parties arriving more than seven minutes late for their appointment will lose their reservations. Punctuality is key.

* * *

PILSEN BREAK...

2010-07-04T17:33:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

Though Chicago ally Rar Rar Press was generous enough to lend the Company a place to congregate, this week's meeting lasted all of five minutes before the misanthropes, so enticed by the acrid stink of spent gunpowder wafting in through the window, motioned to curtail the evening's agenda in favour of joining the commotion outside. It's the Fourth of July, after all, and the and the Company is staying in the Pilsen neighbourhood.

Anybody in Chicago will tell you that nobody celebrates firework holidays like they do in the Mexican neighbourhoods, and Pilsen, along with Logan Square, is the place to be.

The air was already thick with firecracker smoke when the Company convoy arrived Friday. Things have been whistling and exploding night and day, and there was a palpable feeling that residents were impatiently saving their best explosions for tonight. Few in the Company felt they could pass it up.

Most fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal in the state of Illinois. This does little to deter patriotic Americans from exercising their god-given right to lose arms. Just beyond Chicago's city limits is Indiana, with dozens of fireworks stores conveniently located right up against the state line.

* * *

Happy Independence Day, Chicago. Play safe.

HOT TIME IN THE OLD BROWN TONIGHT...

2010-06-27T00:13:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:
Chicago is calling. The Company is snaking its way North again, but not before stopping back in Louisville for a taste of hot brown -- a not so distant cousin, it would appear, of Pittsburgh's own turkey devonshire.

(Kentucky hot brown)

For the uninitiated, a hot brown is an open faced sandwich consisting of turkey, ham, tomatoes, pimento and shredded parmesan drowned in mornay sauce and topped off with bacon.

* * *

(photo by Reverend Aitor)

The misanthropes checked into the cheapest motel room they could find in the greater Louisville area for another Sunday meeting of protocols, tour planning and infighting before bedtime. A fair amount of time also had to be put into preparing merchandise for upcoming shows and store visits, as inventory has been decreasing steadily along the way.

A Party, Spoiled limited edition assembled print by the M.S.Co.

* * *

The final instalment in this season's Epistolary Subscription Service will be shipped out first thing Monday morning. Bowing to increasing demand, it was reluctantly decided this week that the number of available subscriptions for the coming season will be increased to ninety-nine.

portrait of the Company's beloved bailiff

Meanwhile, in an effort to tide the project's loyal followers over until service resumes in October the Company's Communications Officer will begin posting excerpts from T-Bone and Cotton's notes to Headquarters, here, on the web log.

(Route 66 map courtesy of playa.info )

The pair intends to break away from the main convoy after next week's congregation in Chicago. From there, they'll make the pilgrimage along their beloved Route 66 all the way to Los Angeles, where they are scheduled to deliver Screaming Hellhogs Eat Shit and Die to it's rightful owner.

* * *

TWISTER ACT...

2010-06-06T22:53:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:

(The great Renegade deluge of 2008)

Company morale began to sink steadily in the days leading up to Renegade Brooklyn. The weekend weather forecast looked grim, and growing increasingly bleak as Saturdays drew nearer. Once again, one side of the Company vocally begrudged the other side's decision to partake in an outdoor event.

(photo by Becky Johnson)

Luckily the predicted two straight days of thunderstorms turned out to be little more than five torrential minutes this afternoon, followed by another brief moment of light sunshiny drizzle. Braced for much worse, the members made short work of battening down the hatches.

Once it became obvious that the rain would quickly pass and that the floating rumours of a tornado watch for the five boroughs began to appear exaggerated, tensions finally began to lift. Members were promptly dispatched to the Turkey's Nest -- a nearby establishment known for serving potent margaritas in large to-go cups -- to procure celebratory concoctions from the Company.

(photo of margarita travel cup courtesy  of Marmie's  Weblog)

* * *

In the evening the Company reunited at the new secret hideout after showering off what everyone had initially assumed to be suntans. It had been been discovered while packing up at the show that everything exposed to the MacCaren park air was now covered in a thin film of velvety bronze filth.

The Company sourly wiped park scum off its merchandise while conducting this weeks meeting.

* * *

Today's drawing session was inspired by the surprising number purportedly unacquainted yet mostly German-accented patrons who stopped by the Company's tent over the course of the weekend. They all enquired about the Company's now out of print comics.

(excerpt from "Time to Die" by the men and women of the Company)

Indeed, it's been a long time since the release of a Misanthrope Specialty Co. comic book. Improvising comics as a group gradually fell by the wayside over the past few years, for no reason in particular. This weekend's reminder stirred up enough nostalgia within the ranks to set the originally scheduled projects aside in favour of cooking up a new comic book.

(detail from "The Adventure of Quad Part 2" by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.)

The results of the evenings' doodling include a twelve-page sequel to The Adventure of Quad, the promising first chapter of a psychological eroto-thriller, dubbed Time To Die, and a hatful of other strips to be completed at next week's meeting.

* * *

SQUAT NIGHT IN THE CITY...

2010-06-02T11:07:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary;

Iconic shitty coffee in ironic pretty cups

Company members have been arriving in New York from their respective hiding places over the past few days. Some have found floors and couches upon which to rest their weary heads. A lucky few have even scored guest rooms, but many potential hosts are often overtaxed with all manner of visiting acquaintances during the summer months and there is no room at the inn for some of the misanthropes, let alone enough workspace to accommodate the entire Company. This is where the Company Location Manager steps up to the plate.

The Company's temporary Brooklyn offices

This anonymous individual is saddled with the task of arriving at Company destinations ahead of the pack; securing shelter, a base of operations, and often scouting out food and entertainment options for the collective.

Once again, she has proven her incomparable worth; gaining entry into an surprisingly inhabitable abandoned rooming house and single-handedly preparing a live/work space for the essentially homeless peers.

A little electrical handiwork

Though the gas remains shut off, she has managed to procure electricity and get the water running. It then befell on the Company's Minister of Acquisitions to furnish the apartment with some seating, work surfaces and sundry small necessities. Luckily, New York is a garbage picker's goldmine -- though it should be noted that any curbside treasure should be thoroughly examined for bedbugs. They've become something of a local scourge in recent years.

The Company's accommodations, all cleaned up and awaiting some furniture

With hardwood floors and the rat shit swept away, these free Brooklyn digs have become a a formidable base camp. The entire Company is celebrating by throwing a slumber party tonight.

BYOB.

* * *

EATING HUMBLE MAGPIE...

2010-06-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

by Reverend Aitor, Impresario;

Attention Massachusetts, The Misanthrope Specialty Co. is furthering inroads into New England, staking new territory in the city of Somerville.

An assortment of hand-made Company goods may now be procured Magpie, local purveyors of shiny things for your nest.

(photo courtesy of Magpie)

* * *

RHODE RAGE...

2010-05-31T20:21:00.000-07:00

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary;

Unwilling to pay inflated holiday prices for a motel room to work in, the members of the Misanthrope Specialty Co. came together in the parking lot at a Rhode Island welcome center, conducting yesterday's Sunday meeting outdoors.

(the Company prepares for its parking-lot meeting)

As is often the case in periods of touring, the roadside meeting was a busy one, with members struggling against time and road-weariness and a lack of proper workspace to conduct business and to produce a satisfying amount of quality work. Time-sensitive commissioned work sometimes eludes completion before the eleventh hour on tour.

(Illustration by the Men and Women of the Company)

Though it isn't the way the Misanthrope Specialty Co. likes to operate, the Company managed to Complete and submit it's illustrations for Pilot Illustrated just under the wire.

The illustrations will accompany Erich Mulhall's short story in the next issue, due to be released early in this fall.

Mr. Mulhall at work

* * *