As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, the book is limited to only 100 signed and numbered copies (over half already sold). Each comes with an original Polaroid and if you purchase a copy during the signing at Shine, I will take a personal Polaroid for you to take home with your book–I’ll even photograph your ass, but then I might want to keep it.

If you don’t come out for a book, at least stop by to say “hi” and see what the fine ladies at Shine have been up to and support this cool establishment. And as we all know by now, Polaroid has stopped production on our beloved Polaroid film. The type of film I use has already ceased production and what is left is what you can find on the shelf. I was struck by the sad reality of this a couple of weeks ago when I was in New York. I inadvertently shot all the film I had and ran all over Manhattan looking for more. I went to at least 8 or 10 Duane Reades, Metro Drugs and other places until I finally found one single pack of film. So that being said, it looks as if we’re truly near the end of the magic. I did have the foresight to stock up and have enough to hold me over for the better part of a year, but I still can’t help but know that I only have 636 exposures left before I have none. At that point it will be high time that I really learn how to use a manual camera properly.

JAMIE CAMPBELL

A friend just emailed this to me…Li’l Girl’s gone totally viral.

Today I was tickled pink when a package arrived with not one, but THREE different Kitty Wigs! And,yes, you say things like “tickled pink” when pet wigs figure into the situation. Jarvis and Chuy watched curiously as we “oohhhed” and “aaahhhhed” over each hairpiece. I think they knew that the wigs were really theirs….thankfully, they are small dogs and the cat wigs worked fine for a few quick portraits.
Julie Jackson, is also the creative force behind the amazing Subversive Cross Stitch! In our short Q & A, she reveals a future project for our little canine friends who are currently wig deprived! Interspersed are the first batch of photos I took w/ Jarvis and Chuy modeling they awesome new Kitty Wigs!

DEFEKTO: How did this incredible project come to be?
JULIE JACKSON:I thought of Kitty Wigs totally out of the blue, really. I think I started searching Flickr for “cat wig” one day at random and was disappointed at the lack thereof. So I came up with the name and finally got it off the ground last December 1st.

DEFEKTO: Have you been finding that people really need kitty wigs in their lives?
What has been the response to all of this?
JULIE:The response has been completely overwhelming, I had no idea. Most of it was luck and timing, but we sold wigs every day in December, got lots of press from around the world. Then the wigs were on Anderson Cooper’s CNN show, Graham Norton’s BBC show, The Tonight Show bought one, though I don’t think they’ve used it on-air yet, Harper’s
Bazaar Japan bought three for a photo shoot… the latest wave of interest has been from Japan. I’m having a really hard time keeping them in stock.

DEFEKTO: There is a certain vanity about cats. Do you find that they like getting dressed up and that it makes them feel more special?
JULIE: Absolutely. Cats really do love the attention. As long as you take it slow and woo your cat with the idea of the wig and photos and treats, they just love it. If a cat is resistant, it’s usually just because you’re moving too fast or catching them at a bad time. That’s why I went to the trouble of selling the wigs in tins that latch — to keep them curious between sessions.

DEFEKTO: Do you think there are certain breeds that are more attracted to wig wearing?
JULIE: I’m partial to Siamese. They’re such attention hogs and, if you’ve lived with one you know how insistent they are on interaction. So, in my personal experience, Siamese are suckers for dress-up.
DEFEKTO: How many different wig styles does Kitty Wigs carry and how did you decide on the wig styles that you currently sell?
JULIE: Right now we sell four styles: Bashful Blonde, Pink Passion, Silver Fox and Electric Blue. I thought that was a nice variety, plus these were all fairly easy to get in larger numbers. Though that’s still kind of tricky. I had hoped I’d be introducing four new styles by now, but I
have to get a handle on the whole process before I can expand.
DEFEKTO: Any larger dog-sized wigs planned for the future? I guess that would be an off-shoot called Doggie Wigs…
JULIE:Yes - actually, we have the domain already for huawigs.com — for the chihuahua enthusiast. There’s already a large demand for this, and I can see it’s going to have to branch out for bigger dogs. Dogs need style options, too! I need about four more arms and a couple of helpers — or at least an investor — to do all the things I want to do with this idea. We’re working on it (well, not the arms, but the other stuff)!

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Now playing: 101 Strings - Flameout

Saying nice things about people, makes me think of Sarah Williams who has turned Metro Gallery into such an important Baltimore venue. She has been doing fantastic work with the space and runs it with so much passion, so try to get out more and stop in at Metro when they have an event that sounds good to you. Thanks to Sarah, I have a couple of things planned for Metro this year, so watch out…we are going to kick ass!SARAH WILLIAMS

I’m also writing this blog because I’ve extended the deadline for pre-ordering my book to Feb. 29th…so get yours NOW…orders have been rolling in and these books will sell out, so if you want one you better get it now…I won’t be printing any more of them.

Book info HERE.

Go, COUGARS!

Every single Polaroid I shoot from today until the end of the production line is going to be amazing. I’m already working on a Baltimore-centric project which will hang in the Metro Gallery in November, but I am also going to be putting a lot of work on my drag-trans-cd-tv project (and any other label you want to put on the Transgender lifestyle).HEKLINA
SUSHI

I have always loved drag queens, trannies and anyone who lives their life the way that they feel that they think it should be, whether it goes against the grain of what is expected or assumed. This project is a celebration and a big fucking High Five to that.SOPHIA LAMAR

If you want to model…now is the time. I have lots of wigs and clothes in the trunk that my Aunt Martha left me. The resulting photos will be published by a major publishing house next year.

Every home…every room in every home needs art. YOU yourself could sit down and make your own art and hang it on your wall and point to it proudly whenever you have a guest and say, “Look! I made that.” If you can do it–do it! If you don’t feel like you have whatever it takes to make art…support those that do. Art is affordable and makes you happy!

There is no denying the importance and happiness that art can bring into your life…I know I must sound like a pre-school teacher to some, but I think the “art thing” needs to be hammered over a few heads.

Look at the amazing art that is readily available to you. These are just a couple of friends whose work I admire and whose work will make your home feel more like a home.
Duane Dugas Rocks. His work is fresh, sexy and clean..even when it’s dirty. He sees what we overlook…the ordinary is suddenly quite fascinating, lush and desirable. If you’re still not convinced, even Nerve.com loves the guy. Get signed prints for CHEAP! ABOVE: Photo by Duane Dugas
Momi Antonio-Barnes is another friend who is always impressing me with her skill, sharp design sensibilities and constant output. Check this interview with her at The Charm City Craft Mafia. Visit her Etsy shop Space Moderne!
Donal Ely is a great illustrator with a distinct style all his own. He does like skin, arm pits and sexiness…who doesn’t???! Erykah Badu loves him…so should you. Check his site and/or email him for custom card design or illustration work.
ABOVE: I LOVE this illustration by Donald!!

Stephanie Gioia is a Baltimore jewelry designer who has lots of work available at her Etsy shop…and she is offering free shipping until June ‘08!

Screw Christmas…why wait for a reason to buy art or hand-made crafts…IMPROVE YOUR LIFE NOW.

AND THIS VIDEO JUST MAKES ME HAPPY…SO WATCH IT.

I hate when cuteness is shoved down my throat, especially when the thing that’s trying to be passed off as cute is about as adorable as a case of syphilis. There were more than enough grown-up Osmonds, we didn’t need another one. Especially this one.
LITTLE JIMMY, UNDERFOOT AND BEING RIDICULOUSLY CUTE
There is something about “powerhouse” child singers that strikes me as utterly inappropriate and intolerable. Just see and hear for yourself. Jimmy Osmond had no business singing “Day-O”…it is horrifying, yet undeniably mesmerizing.
From the Insufferable Child Singer mp3s culled from the Defektive Music Archive.

From his 1975 LP Little Arrows
Jimmy Osmond: “Day-O”