AUSTIN-TATIOUS...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

(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...

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

* * * *