HOMELY FOR THE HOLIDAYS...

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:

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...

(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...

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

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.

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.

*  *  *

WHAT MADE MILWAUKE FURIOUS...

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.

* * *

L.A. FAKERS...

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)

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, Friday night.

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.

* * *

BOSTON SCREAM...

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.

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 book two slots.

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.

* * *

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

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.

* * *

GIVE PEACH A CHANCE...

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

* * *

MUG SHOT...

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 YE SHALL RECEIVE...

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.

* * *

LETTING THE GENEALOGY OUT OF THE BOTTLE...

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

* * * *

HEART and SOLD...

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

* * * *

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE BIZNATCH...

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...

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

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.

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!

* * *

PILE of CRAFT...

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

* * *

A NEW SHOAT OF PAINT...

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

* * * *