Dzumer Tsitsipaws #B353145 Sketchbook/Project Brooklyn Art Library

Last February, on a stormy day, just like today, they wanted a new dog when I was angry and did not want any more dogs, I wanted to be free of taking care of something and go on adventures instead.

We ride for hours in the middle of nowhere, and soon understand what the man meant 

about the GPS, "That ain't gonna work."

I've never been this close to a prison before. So, do we turn around? Do we call?

Well, we're here, we might as well go on an adventure and take the muddy road to the right.

Sort of, hoping we don't get shot as we hear large dogs barking like there's a prison break.

But, we find the house that's selling the puppy. Sort of, darn it. 

Now, we'll have to get a dog, and the dirt, and the mud, and the fleas, and then 

have to get home by five to let the thing outside. 

But, oh, they are cute. 

I wasn't expecting them so little. We've always had large dogs. 

Even in a small package, big brother is bullying the runt of the litter.

The little runt is ours. We pay for him and gosh he's cute. 

He has a sweet disposition, more timid than those other mini-brutes.

I want to snuggle him up and take him home in my pocket. What is wrong with me?

Oh my gosh, I want that one too.

Turns out, hidden in the pocket of the seller, is the true runt of the litter, because the little sister made it with the helpful care she received. 

Not all folks on long backwoods next to graveyards and prisons are actually scary people.

Our guy likes the little sister because she's not beating him up.

I get to cuddle with him all the way home. He seems relieved to not be chewed and teased, so he relieves himself on me. We are prepared for this and brought another blanket. 

What he's not prepared for is this waiting at home.

Or this.

And one of these too.

And a mom who will do a lot of this to him. Poor guy.

The cats debate - it could be a hamster? Doesn't smell like one. 

Flying squirrel? Hmmm, maybe we should taste it to decide?

He needs to grow into his dog collar.

And he does! The kid is a natural. A born model. An athletic agility dog too!

A method actor. Basically, a star.

Zaney tells the tale and writes the blog.

And they become two Bro-misters.

 And all of it will appear in the Sketchbook/Project book number #B353145. 

Theme: A Visual Short Story of the Day we Met. 

The Global Art Project at Brooklyn Art Library
Dzumer Tsitsipaws is his alias. We at home call him Bing.

And of course, upcycled leather art journals are selling like hotdogs in 

Eva Graalman's Closet at Re-Invintage!

Building a Better Wall

The artwork on the Friends of the Linebaugh Library bookstore wall began in 2010 when we convinced James Owen that we really needed one of his Amazing Dragons to spruce up the joint.

We bring in authors and illustrators to our schools and some of them arrange a stop at our Wall!

 At first, they were intimidated by that dragon! 

The bat doesn't want to be eaten by the dragon, but he's managed to survive since 2013.

So, he'll be okay. N. D. cupboard is storing all the information since 2016.

Brian Pinkney wasn't worried. The drummer boy and the dragon became friends.

Shannon Messenger is unaware how close that Chris Rylander's shark nears.  

However, it will be posed forever in time as never being eaten.

2018 Artists at the Wall - Shannon Messenger

 We thank all those Best-selling Authors and Illustrators for making our little hole-in-the-wall bookstore a fun place to visit. And were sorry we missed a few along the way due to scheduling restraints. Well, y'all will just have to visit again.

Christmas Closet

We love old keys and door locks. Often, we have to barter at Restoration Station to get more parts, as well as being on the hunt for good old junk.

It all starts with a bit of work. We cut apart old leather coats and purses and upcycle them into one-of-kind journals. Most of us, have the claws for it. Kind of amazing that one old coat could make each journal turn out unique.

Some are big, some are medium and some are small. Some are colorful and some of the

best ones are moody dark Time Lord looking stuff.

So much glue, so little time.

We rather like the ones that turn out odd. This one is a postcard journal sketchbook with Christmas stamps and a hint of a Fossil purse. If it doesn't sell in the closet  (no one understanding our vision) then we are just as happy, because then we will take it back home and turn it into our own art journal and fill it with sketches, and glue ephemera galore.

We throw in other cool junk in the closet.

Oh, if you don't know, we sell our journals

at Re-Invintage, the coolest shop in Murfreesboro. 

 Right now, we are going with a whole lot of red and green to get in the Holiday mood.

Every journal should have the right festive attire.

Miss Mimi Management tells "the grey panther" what to do.

And, guess what -  he does it!

 For he is the Time Master.

 Meanwhile, these ladies, Terry and Sherry are working on new projects
to add to the rest of the store.

But, we think the Closet is the best bit.

 Vintage printer blocks, upcycled journals, cat art and bookist chairs and toys.

Have a Great Holiday. And keep Art Journaling. It's good for the soul.

And, it might get you through the Holidays with the Rellies.