Brooklyn Zine Fest and Brain Frame performance

Whoa! This is going to be a wild and great weekend! 

I'll be tabling my birthday this Sunday at the Brooklyn Zine Fest and then performing afterwards for BRAIN FRAME. "Sparkle Puss, the Vajazzling Cat," will be making a real life debut and will be giving DIY directions on how to vajazzle on the cheap. Not to be missed! 

I'll let these great fliers dish out all the relevant information... 

 

KBG Bar- Easter Sunday Comix Reading

C.P. with scary looking Easter Bunny

WUZ UP! Spring is finally here!

 Newest news is that I'll be reading at the:

Annual Easter Comix & Graphic Novelist Night

 March 31, 2013

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

KGB Bar 

85 East 4th ST, NYC

 

With Sam Henderson, Gretta Johnson, Jesse Reklaw, Karl Stevens and Lauren Weinstein... 

Hosted by Robyn Chapman  

 

 

2013!!!

Biscayne Bay adventures in December.

Whew! 

2012 is over! What an insane year of everything completely devastating, wonderful and everything in between. A true test of strength and resilience, the formal calendar year is over and another one starts anew. It's time to powerhouse in 2013 and I'm more than ready for this upcoming year, which seems to be quite full of opportunity and adventure.

It's high time to admit though, that I'm a terrible blogger- seriously. No real shame about this, but I don't post frequently enough and things get really backlogged... which then makes is difficult to sit down and write about everything at once. I've been meaning to post the following things for awhile now, but I was sucked into Miami Art Basel world and then trapped working in a couple museums this month (installing some pretty great exhibits, if I can say so myself). In all this cash money work, there's not much time right now to be that involved in any personal art projects per se, but at least there is a new band that I've started with some amazing folks. Currently, these new practices (and the music recorded during them), are ruling my universe. I'm not the kind of person who listens to music on the train, but I've taken to rocking these recordings, working the parts out in my head. So exhilarated for this band- it's particularly nice to come back to music refreshed, ready to make the kind of music that I've been wanting to make for years now. If you like The Ex or Dog Faced Hermans (two inspirations shared by the band), then this might be more up your alley, for sure....

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MOVING ON TO THE LIST! From newest to oldest news...

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I'll be reading (or doing some kind of projected presentation) on March 12th at Bluestockings (here in NYC) with Nicole Georges and Cassie J. Sneider. Nicole and Cassie are touring in support of Nicole's new graphic novel/ memoir Calling Dr. Laura, which I'm excited to check out. Pretty sure that it starts at 7pm and I'm guessing that I'm first (but you don't want to miss any of it) , so try to make it on time if you can.

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"This book is just so raw, it's right..." 

Awesome little interweb video with a spot on description of Those Fucking Unicorns, by Sy Wagon, which is the latest Pegacorn Press release. Last Gasp is my main distributor for Pegacorn Press and that's cause they rule!

Love the censor dots on this...

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I was invited to read at this awesome event at the University of Chicago, but unfortunately, I can't make it. Being a fan of special collection libraries though, I would if I could:

My Life is an Open Book: D.I.Y. Autobiography, is an exhibit celebrating zines, primarily autobiographical works produced by women representing the 1990s to the present day. Future Tense, one of the first official Pegacorn Press publications is being exhibited, which is really rad!!

February 22, 2012

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

1100 East 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

Reception begins at 5:30pm. Readings begin at 6:30pm.

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I did an interview about a year ago with Melanie Maddison, a UK based feminist extraordinaire, for Pikaland, which is an international art and illustration blog. Since then, Melanie has interviewed more badass ladies and compiled it into Colouring Outside the Lines, #6. A really thick zine, besides myself, it features a laundry list of great interviews with such ladies as: Lauren Denitzio, Fly, Megan Kelso, Chandler O'Leary and Jessica Spring, Allyson Mitchell, Summer Pierre, Lindsay Starbuck, and Anke Weckmann. 

It's an amazing zine and I highly recommended getting a copy while you can, particularly if you're looking to hear more about personal processes, the inspiration fueling all the artwork and what makes all these ladies "tick."

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One huge project that I've been negligent to post about is the 2013 calendar that I designed for the Sylvia Rivera Law Project here in NYC. They're a completely amazing organization that help low income and people of color who are trans/intersex/gender non-conforming get access to services they need. They do so much important and necessary work that it would be impossible to list it all, but another really important aspect of the SRLP is that they help people who are incarcerated. The calendar was designed mainly using art made by imprisoned PAC (Prison Advisory Committee) members and it was a pleasure to spend time with these works and format them into a collection that's more accessible to the larger public. (Some of the collages I created were comprised of art made by PAC members who are in the same prison, but who are separately locked up in solitary confinement and have never had the chance to meet face to face.) 

Unfortunately, I didn't print the project and the offset printer we ended up using was "highly problematic," but that didn't ruin the spirit of the larger picture and all the incredible work that the SRLP does. If you'd like to order a calendar or have some money that you'd like to donate to the SRLP, you can do it here: 

http://srlp.org/get-involved/merchandise/

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Isn't that enough for now?
There's definitely a laundry list of other projects and news in the works and I hope to post them soon, when things are more confirmed...
Until then, HAPPY 2013! 

XOXO,

C.P.

2012 is almost over!!!

2012 is wrapping up and what a better way to conclude the year (the one where everything was supposed to END), then to release a couple more publications via Pegacorn Press?

Above are a couple pictures of the completed 2013 Paquita Calendar and of Those Fucking Unicorns, by Sy Wagon. I'm overjoyed to be able to print and re-release this for Sy, who is not only a complete "babely" genius, but she's also someone that is continually inspiring, both artistically and in the day to day, "real life," kind of way. 

Those Fucking Unicorns is a mini-publication that is definitely not kid friendly, or for anyone who is not sex friendly in general (lots of cocks in this). Just a little FYI for any potential unicorn lovers who just are into anything that has unicorns in it- this is XXX material, straight up.

To sum it up even further, this is what I have to say about the release of both of these projects...
"It's all about love for the ladies and a better understanding on what exactly unicorns do in their spare time to help the transition into 2013, the year where all the previous problems in the world are supposed to disappear..."

Yeah, I'm turning into a crystal loving freak-a-zoid, but that makes for better art, right?

Hoping to update this blog more than, uh, two or three times a year... hopefully...

Happy 2013!!!

XOXO,
C.P.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/carolinepaquita

What's been going on...

It's been hard to keep track of what's been going on, simply because there has been WAY too much happening this year. I'm in a bit of a backlog of posting things and now that it's feeling like summer, I wonder when I'm going to have time to do it all. So, in kind of a random order, here's what's been going on, from the most depressing to the least...

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Carl Edward Kern, III. 1942-2012

First and foremost, my dad, who had been terminally ill, passed away on April 25th.  I was en-route to see him, but he passed peacefully in his sleep, before I even got on my first plane in New York. Airports are never fun places to deal with anything, but turning on your cell phone as you land (for a layover) and finding out that someone died, just plain sucks. There's nothing like balling your eyes out and hoping that TSA won't mess with you because someone has reported, "a young woman suspiciously crying." Ok, I wasn't really worried about that, but let's just say that no matter how you hear about it, death is just so hard, even when you think that you're prepared for it. I never imagined the sense of sorrow that I'd feel and how difficult it would be to not be able to talk with my dad anymore. It's only been a little over a month and I feel like I've barely scratched the surface of how much I'm going to miss him, particularly because he was such a completely unique individual. He had friends from all walks of life and his generosity was felt by many in his 70 years. A true, "one of a kind," he will be terribly missed by many. If you're into such things, you can read his obituary here: http://carlkernmemorial.blogspot.com/

In the tradition of his wild styles, instead of a funeral (since he had donated his body to science), he wanted us to have a "Thunder Run," and a party at the Black Cloud Saloon at Thunder Gulch, a biker camp that he really liked. So, on May 20th, about 20 cars and 6-7 motorcycles gathered at high noon to parade to the Gulch and it was really, really sweet. I followed his wife Joan who was driving "Big Red," in my dad's "Rat Rod," which has a keg for a gas tank in the bed of the truck. I'm not one for cars per se, but driving that truck around helped develop a new appreciation for classic cars. I'm sure that my dad got a kick out of all of us making loud noise and throwing back a couple beers in his name. 

The "Rat Rod," and "Big Red," at the Flagler Beach Justice Center.

Flowers from John Boehner, no joke. My dad's twin is friends with him and he had them sent them to the memorial party. Craziness, but it was still a nice display of flowers to have at the Gulch.

 My dad passed away two days before Becca, my little sister, graduated college. While it's been super hard for her to concentrate with everything going on with my dad's health, she did it! I'm super proud of her and know that my dad was too. She's hoping to get into the Peace Corps by next year, as she wants to follow in his footsteps. He did re-forestation work in Chile with them in the early 1960's, and while it was a significant part of his young adulthood, it also helped him become bilingual. Keep your fingers crossed for her and in the meantime, congratulations Becca!

No more school, little sis! Hooray!

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In non-family news, one thing that I've been the most excited about is the fact that I got to have a couple things in Sandor Katz's new book The Art of Fermentation. Some small drawings of bacteria I made for him (specifically for the book!), were used as border illustrations on the cover and throughout the inside. My ROGUSZYS print was also included in the full color photo/art section and that just about made me cry. The book is SO GOOD. If you're into fermenting, or just into making food in general, this new epic adventure into all things delicious must be added to your personal library. At close to 500 pages, it's an incredible odyssey into a delightful and delectable world.

 Sandy is one of my top ten most inspiring people I've ever met, easily. About five years ago, I sent him a package of art, in the hopes that he might want to trade for a copy of his last book, Wild Fermentation. I had been dealing with recurrent MRSA staph infections and his book played a large part in helping me become more healthy by balancing my body through foods, particularly fermented ones. Soon after writing him, a package showed up with an autographed copy and our pen pal relationship began. 

It was only last year that while in Tennessee visiting Caeleb (coincidentally, my good friend and his assistant) that he had us over for dinner. He treated us to many insanely great fermented goodies, including LARDO! (I still dream about that- it was soooooo yummy!) His garden, complete with gigantic amaranth, inspired me to grow some of my own this year, so every time I see my amaranth seedlings, I think of Sandy and how much I love him. A true gem, a wizard of fermentation! 

GET THE BOOK!!!

Bacteria border in The Art of Fermentation.

ROGUSZYS print in top right. Copies will be available again soon via my Etsy store.

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 T-shirt design for  The City Reliquary's 8th Annual Bicycle Fetish Day.

When Bill Scanga asked in regards to a possible t-shirt design for the 8th Annual Bicycle Festish Day, "Does Womanimal ride a bike?" I laughed out loud. Of course, Bill! I love the Reliquary and after they've hosted Pegacorn Press release events for several years now, it only made sense to help them out with a drawing. 

If you haven't been to the Reliquary, I strongly, strongly recommend checking it out at least once- you will not be disappointed!

Bicycle Fetish day was great fun and everyone brought out their crazy awesome bikes. In particular, Chloe's new touring tall bike (made by Greg, with a lot of help from Johnny Coast) is amazing and a real treat to look at. Chloe and Greg are about to ride TWO of these bikes all the way to Minneapolis, so if you see them on the way there, give them some high fives, as well as some snacks and water- I'm sure that they are going to need 'em.

Tall touring bike- made in Brooklyn! Unfortunately, the cute, non-water-proof suitcase is not being used for the trip.

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Posters printed for the lovely Erin Markey, who was on this year's Sister Spit tour with Brontez.

Oh man, this lady is super funny and if you haven't seen her perform yet, you really need to. It was a real pleasure to get to live with her for a couple weeks this spring, before I moved into a new place. This lady can make you laugh, HARD.

(P.S. If you haven't checked out Brontez's (FAG SCHOOL #4), you most certainly should. It will blow your mind, over and over!)

  

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Erik and I installing the new girls- April 2012

 Bees, bees, bees. It's that time of year again and since my last colony died in December, it was time to get another one in April. Unfortunately, wax moths got to my stored boxes, so I had to cut out all my comb and start all over again with foundation. It was the second time that I had cleaned up wax moth mess in less than six months and it's just plain gross, even for a veteran dumpster diving, trash picking, composting lady like myself. Only positive thing you can do with the wax moth grubs is feed them to your chickens!

The new hive is doing well, despite finding a queen supersedure cell last week. In a hive inspection a couple days later, we saw a queen, though I'm not sure if it was my original queen, or the new virgin queen. This is where I love the internet and the fact that I can just read about the topic to a new level of confusion.  The possibilities of what the hell is going on in my hive!? For all you beekeepers out there who are wondering if there were recently laid eggs and new larva in the cells... yes, there were. So in a week or so, I'll check again and see if there's interruption in the brood pattern and if we can't diagnose what exactly is going on in those brood boxes. The mystery continues until then...

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 Whoa, this is an epic post- apologies for the length. Before I forget though, on June 16-17th, I'll be in Chicago for CAKE (Chicago Alternative Comics Expo) and was asked to be a part of the panel discussion, "Start Your Own Micropress." COME BY!!! Mike Taylor and I will be tabling together and it's bound to be super fun...

Photos of some of the tabling/events so far this year:

Cristy Road and I at the Feminist Zine Fest in February.

Whoa- Gabe really made the Pegacorn Press rack for Al Burian's reading at Desert Island in April.

Pegacorn Press at the Brooklyn Zine Fest. Photo by Jon Nally.

"Remembering the Taste," Essential Hues show at Wayfarer's in Brooklyn.

Detail of, "Remembering the Taste."

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 Til next time.....

XOXO,

Caroline Paquita

Essential Hues closing hangout, tmrw! 5/13

Last chance to see the Essential Hues group show featuring new artwork by Caroline Paquita, Adee Roberson, Sam Lopes, Caitlin Rose and Anna Luisa Petrisko.

Come chill with us from 3-6pm and enjoy the artwork or perhaps take a piece home with you? Many of the pieces are sliding scale & affordable.

BYOB. CHILL. ART.  

1109 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn

Free reading this Saturday------>>>

"What We Do Is Secret" 

Free Reading May 5th, 2012, 4-6 p.m. 

at the Essential Hues show at Wayfarer's Studio

Readers: Kat Case, Terry Clifton, Brontez Purnell, Cristy C. Road, Max Steele, Jessica Strang, Joseph Whitt

Where: Wayfarer's Studio, 1109 DeKalb @ Broadway, Brooklyn (J train to Kosciuszko or M train to Central) 

When: Saturday, May 5, 2012 4-6 p.m, SHARP. Not punk time. Get here on time, enjoy a cocktail, and don't miss any of our fabulous readers. 

Why: A collaboration with our friends, who are showing in Essential Hues, a collaborative group show featuring the work of Adee Roberson, Anna Luisa Petrisko, Caitlin Sweet, Caroline Paquita, and Sam Lopes. The exhibit includes paintings, works on paper, sculpture, textile art, video, and more. The show will be up until May 13th, 2012.

Kat Case is the English Department Coordinator and Creative Writing instructor at a public high school in Brooklyn. She lives a secret life as a trashy fiction writer on the streets of Lower East Side of Manhattan. She just returned to writing a monthly column for Maximum Rock'n'Roll magazine, resuming her role as the wildass feminist columnist after a 5-year hiatus. She is the editor of the duct-tape-bound fiction zine Snapshots which she's published sporadically over the past 10+ years. She holds an MFA in Fiction from New College of CA and an MA in Education from CUNY. She is currently trying to find time to finish a novel about a Beat woman artist who stored her dirty underwear in her unplugged freezer.

Terry Clifton is a project from the Projects, from the Ghettoest Ghetto of the Ghettos: Brownsville, Brooklyn. Neva Ran Neva Will. Led by her ancestral roots and her spirit, she is the great-granddaughter of a Southern Hoo Doo Priestess with a magic of her own. Destined to give back and get back what was taken back, she is the founder of the nonprofit organization, Sports Against Violence Through Education, and she holds a Bachelor's degree in Urban Science Education. A lead teacher at a public high school, she was awarded the 2011 Award for Classroom Excellence by NYC Public Schools Chancellor Walcott. Nothing concerns her more than building a bridge to close the academic Achievement Gap.

Brontez Purnell was just voted one of the Out 100. Who reads Out? Gay yuppies like the ones he used to serve burgers and blowjobs to at three a.m. at a diner in the Castro. An Alabama native, Brontez "escaped" to earn his "fortune" in the yuppie provincial town of San Francisco. Since, he's shot music videos and thrown bitter one-liners on the streets of the Bay where he rules every scene and fits in nowhere. Brontez does it all. He is a writer (Maximum Rock'n'Roll columnist, FAG SCHOOL fanzine editor, Sister Spit 2012 tour Featured Reader, Radar Writer's Retreat 2012 Fellow), musician (Younger Lovers, ex-Gravy Train!!!), and dancer (Brontez Purnell Dance Company lead choreographer). He's currently finishing his debut novel Johnny, Would You Love Me if My Dick Were Bigger?

Cristy C. Road is a 29-year-old, Brooklyn-based Cuban-American illustrator and writer who’s been contributing to queer arts, punk, writing, and activism communities since 1996. In all her creative endeavors, she blends the inevitable existence of social principles, sexual identity, and mental inadequacies to testify to the beauty of the imperfect. Road published a zine, Greenzine, for ten years, and has released three books: Indestructible, Distance Makes the Heart Grow Sick, and Bad Habits. She’s currently collaborating on a Tarot Card deck with the award-winning author, Michelle Tea; writing a graphic memoir entitled Spit and Passion, and playing in her band, The Homewreckers.

Max Steele is a performer and writer. He has presented work at the New Museum, Deitch Projects, Dixon Place, Envoy Enterprises, PPOW Gallery, and the Queens Museum of Art. In addition to writing the psychedelic porno poetry zine Scorcher, his writing has been featured in Dossier Journal, Spank, Philadelphia's Institute of Contemporary Art, East Village Boys and Birdsong.

Jessica Strang was born in Alabama, and makes a meager living writing on the Internet under various pseudonyms. When she's not too burnt out, she also writes fiction. She's a past recipient of the Florida Suncoast Writers' Fiction Award, and her work has most recently appeared in her computer's hard drive in a folder labeled "Stuff."

Joseph Whitt is a Brooklyn-based artist, writer and independent curator. His work has been featured in exhibitions and events at various venues (CRG Gallery, Deitch Projects, PPOW, Envoy Enterprises, Starr Space) and his writing has appeared in numerous publications (Art Papers, ArtUS, K48, Useless Magazine). He is currently working on a book titled T.M.I.