Some Thoughts on the Internet

What do you think about Catbaby?

My status on Facebook has asked people to respond to Catbaby--what you think of it, why you think it exists, are you scared of it, etc. So far, these are the responses I've gotten.

"I think Catbaby is everything that is super popular about the internet. Namely: Babies and kittens. Our somewhat creepy obsession with them... think of Catbaby as the emerging deity of The Internets." - Zack W.

"It's a widdle pussy who needs wuving." - Andrea M.

"I honestly picture this real baby with this cat~face. in a high chair." - Lara M.

"Catbaby strikes me as a creepy but kinda nostalgic figure, like a stuffed animal from childhood that turned into a pedophile." - Becka R.

An Adventure in Tee-Tagging: Part One

So this evening in the beautiful Pittsburgh rain, I went on a tee-tagging spree throughout Squirrel Hill and Shadyside--two of the most affluent areas of the city. I left Taintees with the URL of this blog and a catbaby sticker embroidered on the tag at the following locations:

1) The GAP

2) Victoria's Secret

3) American Apparel

4) Avalon

5) J. Crew

It was a little scary dropping off the tees (or rather, inserting them into the circulation of clothing at each store). The most difficult of all of these was Victoria's Secret because they hardly have any clothing on display to begin with--only sexy lingerie. Of course, I found a solution to this problem...

It was thrilling and relieving to get rid of some of these shirts and release them into the world, even if they do end up in the American Apparel dumpster.

Verlan Taintees

The owner of Verlan Boutique on 735 Copeland Street in Shadyside, asked me on Facebook if I could sell him some tees for him to sell at his shop. I just gave him 10 tees: half Lynch Infinitees and half Orgy Mountain tees. He's probably selling them for over $20 each (woah!), but you should check them out when you have the chance. Verlan has a lot of work from artists and print collectives throughout the country, as well as many local artists.

The whole Taintee thing has grown so much over the course of the semester. I would never have guessed. It's great, I'm not complaining, but it's been stressful. Not only does it take time to print the shirts and design the screens, it is tough keeping up with individual orders, who owes me money, and getting the shirts to people. I'd estimate that I've printed 100 or so shirts and sold most of them. I'm not sure if I have turned much of a profit, but I've done alright--covered the cost of materials at least. Plus, I can say that I am a fashion designer. It's a cool feeling to see someone wearing a shirt that you made walking around. It is an effective way of promoting oneself as an artist and to get the work out into the world. Thinking outside of the box is another way of putting it. The white-wall cube gallery is a thing of the past in many ways. The cutting-edge art of today is on the streets, on merchandise, integrated into the general public. People have access to the Internet, which has endless information. Needless to say, new media and the Internet have redefined the art of today.

Huckabee

Hyuck, hyuck, hyuck! We're sitting on Mike Huckabee's beady eyes! I forgot that he existed. He was one of those presidential candidates who had his 15 minutes of fame and then almost vanished. I wonder what he is doing at this very moment...

Open Studio Day

Open Studio Day at Carnegie Mellon College of Fine Art was a BIG success! I sold all but one of the "Catbaby" shirts, and most of the blue and gold "Orgy Mountains." Not too many people made the Cheesy Choice, (my newest design), but that's okay because I only made a few. I met a lot of interesting customers and made some trades with other artists who were selling stuff. One customer was wearing a Mexican poncho and looked like Michael Caine. He told me that the orgy shirt was heteronormative. I guess he has a point... there are only two examples on the shirt of any gay people. Next time, I'll make a shirt of entirely gay people. Despite his qualms, the poncho guy bought a shirt using only Sacagawea dollar coins.

The sad thing is, I won't be able to continue this little business endeavor for much longer -- I'll be in Valencia, Spain next semester! Fiestas en la noche! Still, I have an etsy.com shoppe http://www.etsy.com/shop/eezzil which has the latest inventory and pricing info. To spend your money on my shirts, visit my etsy shop. Free shipping!

TAINTEES current inventory

After a couple selling sessions, here's what's left of the Taintee inventory.

"Catbaby Truth": 11

"David Lynch Infinitee": 10

"LOVE YOU, FUCK YOU": 1

"Orgy Mountain": 7 (on white), 6 (on black), 5 (on blue) 2 (on purple)

Spend your money on these! They're worth it! Great gifts and conversation starters! Who needs an introduction when you're wearing a one-of-a-kind Taintee?