Tag: Drawings

The Last Drive ~ John W. Howell

On By ResaIn Book Review199 Comments

The sequel to “Eternal Road” once again has Sam and James traveling through time in a 1956 Oldsmobile.

Sam (Samantha) is an Angel Emissary. Her current mission: Find Ryan, a recent soul and his guide, Eddie. They have gone missing. Lucifer is suspect for their disappearance.  To aide her on the mission, she wrests James from his eternal home.

DISCLAIMER:  There are no gowns in this story, per se.

Resa – John, I drew Sam as her angel self. I mean, when she’s not out on missions, she would be in her angel wear. I hope you approve of the drawing. (I don’t see wings)

John – I love Sam’s Angel self. I think it is exactly what she would wear around the cloud so to speak. She doesn’t have wings so that was a good call.
Resa – To me, Sam is the star of the 2 books. I mean, if the books were a movie, I think Sam would have top billing over James. Ryan and Eddie are co-stars. What do you think about that?

John – Yes, Sam is the star. She is the glue that holds both stories together. James could be a co-star and Eddie and Ryan featured players.

Resa – Also, now that I’m into drawing Sam, I got an itch to draw her in a mid 70’s style casino gown. Yes, I know she never wears one when they go to the Bellagio, but she could, in a time warp thing. I can’t remember if she wears one in the previous book, when they go to Vegas?

John – In the previous book she did not wear a casino gown but I know she would love one. I think if they had had the time she would have insisted on getting one. Sam can be anywhere she wants at anytime.

Resa – I like that! Sam’s main ace up her sleeve is time eternal.

Forever, Sam’s seven letter word falling across a triple word score, as she, James, Eddie and Ryan attempt to outwit their underworld opponent, the biggest cheater this side of Niflheim aka hell.

Speaking of hell; John affords no comfort as Satan tries to trick Sam, James, Eddie and Ryan, by placing them in some of the most horrific times and places man has ever known. The price of a ticket back to paradise? Ryan’s soul!

Resa – I know you worked out most of the time travel mechanics in the first book. The idea of not disturbing the “time continuum” I get. I learned that in the old Star Trek series. However, there are many other time travel issues, in both your books “Eternal Road” & The Last Drive.
Did you make a chart, when working things out?

John – I do not have a chart on the time travel rules. The basics are pretty simple. You cannot alter the future when in a different time period.

Resa – How did you figure/rationalize the logistics?
Was it all worked out in book one? Or did you have to work out some new time travel ideas & issues in this book?

John – The issues in the book were handled one at a time given the circumstance at the time. For instance if James or Ryan tried to save Karen after she was hit by a car then they would have altered the future. In the same manner if James and Ryan stayed at the scene as witnesses the same thing would happen.

On the time travel question every scene in The Last Drive was worked out on it’s own. Figuring the logistics took some thought but the rule about not disturbing the future was the guide.

For example the team considered that they should try to save the people on the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. The rationale that the intended target (The Capital ) was never hit was used. All those lives lost had repercussions on families left behind so to save them would have altered those repercussions. This is how each was thought through.

Resa -I see you can obtain an object (ie cell phone) in one time frame, then take it to another time frame.

Could Sam obtain a piece of fabric from ancient Rome, and take that to Las Vegas? Then could she obtain a dress from Las Vegas and combine the fabric and dress into one garment? Then could she wear that garment in another different time and place? Or, even combine that with say jewelry from that third place? Could this go on ad infinitum?

John – Sam can haul anything from zone to zone as long as she can get it before the dump to a new zone. She can’t haul stuff from heaven but the zones are fair game.

Resa – John, I’d like to post this on “Art Gowns”, but need as many gowns as possible. As you can see I have drawn Sam in: an Angel gown, a Las Vegas gown, A Roman Colosseum Gladiatorette gown, a Tea Time on the Titanic gown and a 1912 Ball gown.

John – You are the best, Resa. Thank you for what will be a beautiful thing.

Resa – I listened to a podcast that featured you. It was quite good. Some asked about a sequel. I ask what about a prequel?

John – A prequel is a great idea. You’ll hear another idea on the broadcast that may have legs too.

John turned to writing as a full-time occupation after an extensive career in business.  John writes thriller fiction novels and short stories. He has written 7 books.

To read more about John’s books and awards, click on his photo.

All of John’s books are published by Keewaydin Lane Books.

Visit John on his BLOG

Click on the cover of “The Last Drive” to go to John’s Amazon Page.

Rupert Valentino Joins DracGoth & Etagloc

On By ResaIn Gowntoons, Princess Blue Holly107 Comments

When AGMs Shey, Dale and Gigi vanished into thin air, Princess Blue Holly sprang into action.

She peered into her Tangle – Heart.

It showed her an image of OtherWorld. She saw DracGoth and Etagloc, marionettes at the feet of the SheyGoth effigy.

Rupert Valentino had imprisoned AGMs Shey, Gigi and Dale in a cage. The plan was to turn DracGoth and Etagloc back into normal monsters, and divvy up the AGMs amongst themselves. PBH listened in on their conversation.

DracGoth – You idiot! Moron! Nincompoop! You left the incantation on your coffee table? You’re no 13th cousin of mine.

Rupert – Knock it off, will ya! I told ya, I’ll just slip back through “Nowhere and Nothing” to Earth, grab the incantation offa the coffee table and vavoom, I’m back here.

Etagloc – Hissss… hack, cough…. can ya pick me up some smokes before ya vavoom? COUGH… hissssss. 

Rupert – You idiot! Moron! Nincompoop! I’ll think about it.

With that, Rupert took off!

Knowing Rupert Valentino would transverse through “Nowhere and Nothing”, PBH changed outfits, and tucked 2 magic peach blossoms from AGM Dale’s magic peach tree into her bustier.

Sure enough, in the middle of “Nowhere and Nothing”, Princess Blue and Rupert Valentino (a legend in his own mind) came face to face. He accosted her with a knife.

Rupert – What’re you gonna do now, Blue Holly? Attack me with your feeble poisonous whip? This knife will be the end of it, and you.

At that moment, Blue Holly took out one magic peach blossom, placed it in the centre of her palm, and blew it at Rupert.

Rupert began going through a series of demented changes. While PBH waited for the full effect to take hold on Rupert, she slipped into a new outfit.

AGMs Marina and Holly were modelling Art Gowns from the Classic Collection.

Marina was modelling “Belle Grâce“, Timothy’s dedicated Art Gown.

Holly was modelling her very own dedicated Art Gown “Velvet Tango“.

Rebecca was thrilled how the gowns fit so perfectly.

“Girls, it’s going to be a magnificent show! Ahh, there’s nothing like the classics. RR should be here shortly to try on “Cleopatra Capriccio“. Then, as soon as Blue Holly rescues Shey, Dale and Gigi, I shall continue gown selections and try ons!

Suddenly, there was a new presence in the room. A three armed woman stood blocking the doorway. Thing is the door was gone!

Bezella – I’m here to be an Art Gowns Model!

DracGoth – What the hell is keeping Rupert? He shoulda been back by now!

Etagloc – Ahhhack – hissss He better remember my smokes! COUGH!

PBH – “Hello boys! Waiting for someone?”

Having delivered marionette Rupert to the SheyGoth effigy, Blue Holly took the second magic peach blossom from her bodice. She blew it at the caged AGMs. In a blizzard of peach blossoms, they were freed and on their way back to earth.

PBH raced through “Nowhere and Nothing” to get back on Earth, before the AGMs arrived.

Back on Earth PBH morphed back into her alter ego. Ms. Rosso threw on a simple house gown. She proceeded to the Art Gowns room, for her fitting.

Sacré bleu! The door was gone, a mirror in its stead! Now what, she thought?

RR could hear the blizzard of peach blossoms bringing Shey, Gigi and Dale back. She’d have to think about what to do later. The AGMs were about to land!

Princess Blue Holly & Rene Rosso characters © Resa MeConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter – Since May 2019

Music selections by Holly Rene Hunter

Visit the AGMs on their blogs! Holly – Dale – Shey – Marina – Gigi

Nature Pics © & courtesy of Timothy Price. Visit Tim at Off Center Not Even

Visit Rebecca on Lady Budd & link to her other blogs from there.

In case you missed the first episode of their most recent adventure:

Glamour – 1940’s Movie Star Style

The Necromancer’s Daughter – by: D. Wallace Peach

On By ResaIn Book Review344 Comments

Monarchy, religion, culture and love collide in ancient China’s warring society. All come to rest upon the shoulders of Aster, a gentle soul content in her life. At the start of this tale, her dead infant body is stolen from her mother, the  Queen of Verdane. Aster is brought back to life by Barus. Barus becomes her father, the only one she knows & loves.

Resa – Why &/or how did you come up withe the name Aster?

Peach – That’s an easy one.  She’s so pale that she reminded Barus of the white asters that grew in the meadows around his home. I imagined that when in bloom the flowers almost looked like snow.

Resa – I just have to ask, ” When did you discover the idea of “necromancy” … that it could bring people back to life?

Peach – Great question! Necromancy is (or was) a real thing, and the earliest records date back to the 3rd century, AD. Christian priests and scholars were some of the first to record attempts to “reanimate dead people or foretell the future by communicating with them.” So, it’s been around a long time, and I’m willing to swear that the desire to communicate with the dead continues today. Ouija Boards are a modern example, and some people make a very good living channeling departed souls.

Peach – In modern fantasy, most necromancers are evil and scary, involved in black magic and creating monsters. My mother didn’t want to read the book because she thought it was about cannibals. Lol. It’s a stereotype that I flipped on its head with Barus and Aster.

Resa – Did you make up the ritual? The mixing of herbs… the incanting…. the bleeding? Or did you read about it somewhere? Are there aster flowers in the potion?

Peach – The ritual was my own fabrication though I incorporated pieces of rituals that I found on the internet. It’s amazing what you can research there!
The herbs used in necromancy don’t include asters. The ones in the book are real poisons. The toxins have medical uses, but can easily be lethal. It’s another instance of that fine line between good and bad. It’s all about intention, isn’t it?

Resa – Above is an outfit I think the Queen of Blackrock could dress Aster in, when she is a guest there. However, I’m jumping ahead. Aster must get there first, and it’s a difficult journey fraught with perils.

Fortunately, she has the help of Joreh, then Teko. Oh, and I love all the hair on the men. Okay, not so much the beards, but all that long hair be it snarled, in a ponytail, braid or grey. I confess I have a huge crush on Teko.

Peach – I like long hair on men too. Ha ha. And not beards so much either, but it’s not like these guys get a chance to shave, so beards it is.  And Teko is a fan favorite, Resa. He was so fun to write – a barbarian imbued with honor, misleading simplicity, and astute wisdom. He was full of surprises even as I wrote him.

Resa – There is a black & silver Dragon, who has bonded with Aster. It seems like a simple bonding, until the final legs of the journey to claim her birthright. What gave you the idea to use dragons?

Peach – In the Chinese legend of Kwan-Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, there’s a dragon. She encounters it on the road while carrying water, and she isn’t afraid. The dragon admires her goodness and kindness and gives her a gift of a well so she won’t have to carry water anymore.  Just the mention of a dragon was enough for me to include them in the retelling of her story. ❤

Resa – On her journey, Aster encounters “Nightlings”. Are these like fire flies? Or are they little birds? I’d read a small portion of the book when they were encountered. In my mind I saw them as a sort of flashlight, leading Aster through darkness.

Peach – Ha ha ha.  I saw them in my mind’s eye as insects actually but large ones, the size of hummingbirds. They’re like dragonflies but they light up during dusk. I think Joreh mentions in the beginning that they’re insects, but I mostly leave it up to the reader’s imagination. Your question intrigued me.

Resa – I gotta tell you, I was wearing a thick, oversized lumberjack shirt while reading about the snow, the cold, the freezing, the deprivations of winter beyond winter. A couple of nights ago, when I put the story down for dinner, my hands were so cold my fingers were icicles. I’m chalking it up to that you are such a great writer that you can describe me into being cold.
❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️
Peach – LOL, Resa.  I probably was wearing a coat when I wrote the book… last winter.  Our cabin is hard to heat when it gets especially chilly outside. 🙂 I’m so sorry about the cold fingers though! 

Resa – I have a question about Aster’s raiment once she has reached Blackrock. Aster is cleaned up and dressed in rose, cream and violet silk with a blue sash sleeveless blue robe/w dragons on the hem. Her hair is in a tall knot. This description is not as brightly colourful as the citizens are dressed.  Am I correct in summing up that her outfit in Blackrock is a less richly hued  than the one she wears at the Gates of Whitehall?

Peach – I can so tell that you’re a wardrobe and gown designer! Your questions are wonderful. Generally, the queen of BlackRock has selected pastels for Aster, in Blackrock and at the gates of Whitehall. The queen thinks she’s too deathly pale for anything the least vivid. She also doesn’t trust Aster’s fashion sense, so everything coordinates regardless of how Aster puts the layers together.
The gowns are similar to the Hanfu style of Chinese clothing, lots of layers of silk and long flowing sleeves. There are wonderful images on the internet and lots of variation. The tall hairstyles were typical of Chinese royalty back in the day.
Resa – I imagined I was the Queen of Blackrock’s designer, so I had access to all silk, threads and jewels. I designed an outfit with Aster. There is an aster pattern down one side of her sleeveless kimono, and she wears fresh asters in her hair.
❄️
Peach – Love it! Wow. Resa, that’s beautiful!  And I just ADORE the idea of you as the designer producing Aster’s dress for the queen. How fun to have you in the story!
❄️
Resa – OH! You never described a headdress. Would I be out of order to include one?
❄️
Peach – Isn’t that funny? Lol. Please do whatever you want with a headdress. You’re the designer. ❤❤❤
 Resa – I would have loved to draw Aster on her horse, but that could have added MONTHS to the drawing.
Inside the Gates of Whitehall, Aster is weak as a kitten, yet regal. I saw her using something to hold onto. I came up with obsidian cat statues. There are the wild cats mentioned throughout the journey, so I thought even though you never described these statues, it’s not totally out of context.

Peach – The drawing is beautiful. And the cat statues look great the way they frame her. I totally defer to your artistic impulses.
❄️
Resa – You are not just gracious, you are a true fan of the creative nature.
❄️
Peach – And your reviews are just amazing!  I LOVE them. I can’t wait to see it all come to life. Thank you so much for reading my work and for your wonderful drawings.
❄️
Resa – My pleasure!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

A long-time reader, best-selling author D. Wallace Peach started writing later in life after the kids were grown and a move left her with hours to fill. Years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books, and when she started writing, she was instantly hooked.

In addition to fantasy books, Peach’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of the arts in her local community, organizing and publishing annual anthologies of Oregon prose, poetry, and photography.

Peach lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s rainforest with her husband, two owls, a horde of bats, and the occasional family of coyotes.

Visit Diana on her blog!

You can buy D. Wallace Peach’s books on:

Amazon US~~~Amazon UK~~~Kobo

All pics of street art taken by Resa – 2019 – 2022

Toronto, Canada

This is one fabulous story!

Outtakes

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Dragon (manipulated) – from a mural by Allan Bender John Nobrega & Stacey Kinder

All other street artists unknown

Princess Blue Holly vs Chainelle

On By ResaIn Gowntoons, Princess Blue Holly172 Comments

“Dahlings! I’m sick with worry about the AGMs.”

“I look into my Tangle-Heart, and it’s dark, save a guiding moon.”

“Chainelle was quite riled by the AGM mermaids fashion show. True, it worked to bring her to the surface of her black underwater cave in the Gulf of Mexico.”

“However, instead of coming out of the black, she sucked the Art Gowns Models  into it. Dale, Holly, Gigi, Marina and Shey are sticking together, but they are not sure what to do next.”

“The last thing I can see is Blue Holly diving into the black and Rebecca Budd – Art Director, tumbling past her.”

Blue Holly watched as R.B. spun down, down, down and further into the dark. PBH couldn’t see anything anymore, so she used her iridescence  power.

Although PBH could see better, she did not see another iridescent light sneaking up behind her.

It was Chainelle, about to attack from the rear!

Suddenly, MerSin appeared out of the black. “Princess Blue, flee with the AGMs! l’ll take care of Chainelle! You spared me once, and now I repay my debt to you.”

“You thrashed me with dragons, then let me live. I’ll threaten to gnash Chainelle with a thousand claws. In the end, I will spare her. I became a more benevolent sea monster due to your kindness. I believe Chainelle will also find power in love and mercy!”

Blue Holly swam using her hydraulic speed power. The AGMs & RB were clinging to her strong red hair, all the while.

“Dahlings, the Tangle-Heart is sending a hopeful message! The AGMs and RB are headed home.”

“I’m sending a song to help guide their way!”

“It seems there is one last issue. When Chainelle whorled Rebecca into her black cave, she caused RB’s magic Bamboo to freeze over. You walked through the Bamboo to turn into mermaids. How will you turn back?”

“Swim into the Rio Grande, and channel your Magic Trees!”

As the AGMs channeled their trees, they returned to their normal human selves, the frost on Rebecca’s Bamboo melted and all was well again.

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There’s nothing like a beautiful sunset to top off a happy ending. Resa’s tree was content knowing that all were safe, and a new fashion show would be in the planning tomorrow.

Princess Blue Holly & Rene Rosso characters © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

All music selections by Holly Rene Hunter

Visit Dale – Holly – Gigi – Marina – Shey

All tree and nature pics © Timothy Price from Off Center Not Even

Visit Rebecca! 

Princess Blue Holly in Erebos

On By ResaIn Gowntoons, Princess Blue Holly115 Comments

After a successful Jazz Age fashion show, Blue Holly’s Tangle- Heart showed her a perfectly rosy pink magic tree sanctuary. She decided to see for herself.

She put on her new Sunny Day Super Hero outfit, for the occasion.

However, when she arrived, the perfect rosy pink was being swallowed slowly by darkness.

Looking to another horizon, the dark sky was giving up a portal. The moon marked the spot. Did the AGMs need to be rescued, again? Their beauty was a curse!

Slipping into her invisibility outfit, she slid through the portal. PBH was shocked to see her old enemy from Super Hero College. It was the insulting shape-shifting spirit, Chainelle; who had managed to usurp the spirit of R. Budd.

PBH took some time to eavesdrop.

“Why is everything so dark and murky?

“Atmosphere!”

How am I here?  Why am I here? ”

 “You aren’t here RB, only your spirit is here. Your lumbersome body is asleep in its bed. You are here to Art Direct a fashion show for the Live Nitoop Network. It will be broadcast over the entire Netherworlds.”

“It’s all Baby Bat SheyGoth’s fault! I was merely planning to usurp her spirit, as payback for her affair with DracGoth.  Then I saw that hack, Rene Rosso, hosting the worst fashion show ever.”

“The spirits of the AGMs are backstage, getting dressed in fabulous gowns that I designed. I’ll be shape shifting into mine.”

“Dahlings, welcome to the end all of fashion shows! I’m Chainelle your glorious producer and designer of all the Zombie Theme Gowns you see here tonight. Take it away Rebecca!”

“Thank you, Chainelle! It is with great disconcertion  that I present the AGMs in fashions from Erebos.”

“First out on the runway is Gigi. Gigi looks totally not amused.  You can’t see them, but the heels of her stilettos are actual stilettos.”

“AGM Holly can barely walk in this prisoner style gown with brick heavy tail. These bondage gowns are quite popular here in Erebos.”

“It’s not AGM Shey’s fault that Drac Goth left Chainelle for her. Nonetheless, she’s stuck here with the rest of us.”

“Check out the accessory of chain, crosses, skulls and spikes. These cost a small fortune in blood, apparently.”

“Marina’s gown is replete with a live snake chained to her arm. Good work, Chainelle!”

“AGM Dale feigns happiness in this, erm, treacle sweet gown designed by you know who.“

“Next out on the catwalk is …Blue Holly in a gown!!! Yay!! Pack it up girls, we’re going home!”

“Hello Chainelle. First send the AGMs and RB’s spirits back to their beds! Then I’m going to thrash you”

Chainelle went wild, shape shifting into a new gown every half second.

“That’s hardly a fair fight. What’s say I send the AGMs & RB back, and we meet for a showdown?”

“Fine! Where and when?”

“Gulf of Mexico, by the coral off the coast of Texas. Tomorrow, noon!”

Blue Holly looked into her Tangle-Heart, and could see the AGMs & RB on their way home.

“Okay, coral…. High noon!”

Rene Rosso spoke to the AGMs & RB from Nowhere & Nothing World, her go to  place when dealing with Netherworlds denizens, and their prisoners.

“It will be night when you get home. It will be dark on the way.” Here’s some night travelling music to keep you safe.”

“Hack …my foot! Just to let Chainelle know, as a professional Diva, I can change gowns, hair and make-up in one minute: and I don’t have to shape shift!

Princess Blue Holly & Rene Rosso characters © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter – Since September, 2019

You can visit the fabulous AGMs on their blogs!

Gigi – Rethinking Life,  Holly – House of Heart, Shey – Smexy Historical Romance, Marina – Art Towards a Happy Day & Dale – A Dalectable Life

Visit Rebecca on her Podcast Blog– From here you can link on to one of her other fab blogs

❦ All magic tree and nature photos courtesy of & © Timothy Price – Off Center Not Even

🤍 A Dream 🤍 of Paper

On By ResaIn Thank You134 Comments

Welcome Dahlings! The AGMs & I are here tonight to help Resa thank Timothy from Off Center Not Even.

I know I look amazing. I can’t help it! I’ve been heavily filtered. Unfortunately, the colours are not as Resa meant them.

When supply chain issues affected the stock of art supplies in Toronto, Tim & Holly – House of Heart started a swear jar to buy a gift of art supplies, & mail them to Resa. If she is not home, she can later pick it up at her post office.

I hear you RR! She can’t order on line, because if she’s not home, the delivery guys just leave the package on the step. Never mind porch pirates, Resa lives by a busy streetcar transfer stop. Hundreds of people are out there every day.

“That’s true, Marina! Recently, she couldn’t find paper in the weight & size she uses. So she did this pencil & smudges drawing of me around old paint blots.”

“Still, none of us get new gowns without drawing paper. Here comes the dream! It’s  Drawing paper, a REAM of it, seen here posing beside the new Art Gown (for Shey). It’s about 60% done. AGM Dale, what do you think about that?”

“Holly, I’m feeling 100% wicked about it!”

“Especially when you factor in a roll of Resa’s fave paper, two pads of the same paper, two dozen HB pencils, scads of water colour pencils and two kneadable erasers!”

“On top of it all, Tim threw in a gift of LED lights, so Resa can try getting the colours more how she means them.”

AGM Shey was thrilled, as she had just got a Lamé gown. She insisted on being photographed in it.

The lights are fabulous, dahling, but we need a new make-up artist. The one from the Coop knows how to work with my face. Can we make that happen?

Of course dahling! Only the best, now that we have lights.

Ribbons of sand run through her red hair. The moon streaks the sky with flecks of gold. – based on words from a poem by Holly.

Dear Tim,

You’ve gone beyond the call. I can’t thank you enough! I’ve been taking pics for days. I want everything to be perfect for this thank you, but there’s so much to learn. We will have to settle for perfectly imperfect. XOXOXO

Tim, RB here via Skype. I wanted to be here and celebrate with Resa, RR and the AGMs. I have no idea where I am, but I am art directing a fashion show for Live Nitoop Network, apparently. If you see PBH, can you pass this on for me?

HELP!!!

A Tangle of Sunflowers

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Art, Tribute116 Comments

Dahlings I love you all more than ever! It is with a heavy heart that I have postponed tonight’s fashion show. Instead, Art Gowns offers a Protest Post against all war anywhere, anytime.

The Sunflowers and colours are for Ukraine, and all its people fleeing, dying and defending. AGM Holly has written a special poem.

Thank you, Rene! I’m honoured to be here, and join in this protest.

“Hello, Art Director R. Budd here. We had a mind blowing show ready to go, then this beyond horrid war materialized. So, instead of the catwalk, the AGMs are out on the sidewalk protesting. PBH is MIA. There are reports that she has been spotted in Poland.”

“AGMs Dale and Gigi are working the protests in N. America.”

“AGMs Marina and Shey are working the lines in Europe.”

Peace and love! I’m Boogapony Holly. Ms. Rosso has asked me here tonight to present a song of my choice to protest war. After all, I am GLAM’s poster child whose spirit resides in the 60’s and early 70’s.

I’ve chosen Edwin Starr’s song “War”, performed by Bruce Springsteen. You tell me what is most powerful; the preamble & end shot, the song itself or the performance?

Boogapony and Rene Rosso characters © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

Since January 2018

You can visit the AGMs on their blogs: Holly – House of Heart, Dale – A Dalectable Life, Shehanne – Smexy Historical Romance, Gigi – Rethinking Life, Marina – Art Towards a Happy Day

All photos of Sunflowers generously provided by ©  Timothy Price – Off Center Not Even

Visit Rebecca Budd on one of her many blogs. Better yet, check out her podcasts on Tea Toast and Trivia While there you can find links to her other fab blogs!

Working Spy 300

“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” – 2022

On By ResaIn Happy New Year141 Comments

This New Year is about light and life.

Happy New Year! Boogapony Holly here in my best “Iron Butterfly” colours! I’m ponying on down into the light of 2022 with you all, while RR, the AGMs & R.B. are on holidays.

Perhaps you just need to take it easy, and let the light shine on you?

Or you’ve decided to climb for the stars!

The light of life can be found in your inside garden.

Or find it, in your outside garden.

Wherever you find it, bask in it!

Photo © Stephanie Tudin – Model P. Matheson in Mystic Lake

You’re in “The Garden of Life”. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”

⭐️ FYI ⭐️

This is three and a half minutes of song & 14 minutes of music jam, with a psychedelic light show. What else could one ask for?

Well, that was long enough for me to do a costume change! For everyone who is not the “Iron Butterfly”  type, I’d like to introduce a song completely from the other side of the stars.

The Age Of Aquarius is defined as “an astrological era believed to bring increased spirituality and harmony on earth.” Start dates vary. However, whether it began 0n the vernal equinox on March 20, 2021, or December 2020, the astrological ages last approximately 2,150 years.

Boogapony Holly character © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

Since January, 2018

OtherWorld Redux

On By ResaIn Gowntoons148 Comments

Princess Blue Holly’s Tangle-Heart guided her to a back window accessing OtherWorld’s tower.

Peering out the only window facing onto OtherWorld, PBH could see DracGoth with Evilomlap Etagloc. DracGoth must have helped Evilomlap escape his imprisonment in a picture frame! Using super hearing, she eavesdropped.

EE – Hissss – This OtherWorld you made is a bit creepy, Drac. Hiss, cough, cough! It’s so dim and dank.

DG – I disagree, Evil. I find it very pleasant down here. I can’t stand all the light and colours up in the real world. That’s why I need SheyGoth to move down here.

EE – Why can’t you just be happy with the effigy of SheyGoth I made you? Hack, cough, hiss!

DG – We used it to crash the Art Gowns fashion show, and suck the colour out of the real world, but all she does here is sit on her throne. Ain’t nothin’ like the real thing, Evil!

EE – You really think Blue Holly will…. COUGH, hiss, come here trying to rescue colour?

DG – Of course, and when she does I’ll demand SheyGoth in exchange.

EE – Hiss, cough, and where is the colour hidden?

DG – In the effigy, obviously! Mwahahaha!

EE – Mwaha… hack, hack, hiss…hahaha!

Blue Holly could see that DracGoth had worked some half dead black bamboo into his drabscape. She got an idea. Using her Tangle-Heart, she contacted Rebecca Budd’s Black Bamboo on Tim’s Magic Tree Sanctuary.

She instructed the Bamboo to have the Art Gowns Models wander through and miniaturize them; then filter them into OtherWorld via its bamboo. She knew from her Tangle-Heart that once the AGMs left OW, they would return to normal size.

Hello boys!

DG & EE – What the… Blue Holly and puppets?

First, that’s Princess Blue Holly to you! Only my good friends call me Blue Holly. Second, these are not ordinary puppets. I had the AGMs miniaturized. I thought we could work out a deal. Come closer, look! They’ll put on a fashion show for you!

DG – How did you get in here?

We filtered in through the black bamboo

DG – Evil, burn down the bamboo so they can’t escape!

EE – Done! 🔥

You idiots! There’s more than few ways in and out of here. You’re burning down your own home for nothing!

– Wow! These look good Drac! Hissss, cough! I’ll take Gigi!

“In your dreams Evilomlap!”

DG – I’ll take AGM Marina! I’ve always wanted to play with her.

“I’m with Gigi! In your dreams DracGoth!”

EE – Fiesty little things, eh Drac? I’m taking AGM Holly!

“I’ll be in your worst nightmare!”

Not so fast! First restore colour to the real world, and I’ll give the AGMs to you. It’s a good bargain. If the AGMs were full size, do you have any idea how much their gowns, make-up and hair would set you back?

DG – Evil?

EE – Let’s do it!

DG – Done, “PRINCESS” Blue Holly! It will take an hour for the colour to return completely!

Looking into her Tangle-Heart PBH could see the first bit of colour slicing through the grey.

Then the Tangle-Heart showed her Resa’s Tree. Although heavily frosted with grey, there was no doubt colour was returning.

DG – I’ll grab AGM Dale! She’ll look cute with SheyGoth and Marina.

Dale said not a word. NOW! said PBH! Whereupon AGM Dale, aka Thunder, created a thunderstorm that grew darker and darker; louder and louder.

As much as she loved DracGoth, he could not get away with stealing the world’s colour. She would not be coerced. AGM Shey thrust an arm into the black of the storm. Using her SheyGoth, she broke the inky dark into millions of swirling fragments.

The swirling black fragments turned red, then became Princess Blue Holly’s long red hair. Using her hair, the miniature AGMs climbed into the tower. They escaped out the back window.

When the thunderstorm passed, DracGoth and Evilomlap found themselves as prisoner puppets of the SheyGoth effigy.

EE – This is horrid! HACK, hissss. cough. I’m going to run out of cigarettes, soon!

DG – Cigarettes? What about our dreams of possessing the art Gowns Models?

Hello Boys! I’m an effigy of Rene Rosso. Blue Holly sent me here to brighten up your drab world, and sing to you about dreams, forever!

Colour is restored to earth. Rene Rosso has vowed that the next catwalk will showcase the Art Gowns Models in full colour.

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Princess Blue Holly & Rene Rosso © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

Since May 2019

You can visit the AGMs on their blogs. Just click on their names. Every one is hot! Dale – Holly – Marina – Gigi – Shey

All photos courtesy of & ©  Timothy – Off Center Not Even

Thank you Rebecca

A BIG SHOUT OUT TO: Brian at Equinoxo 21 Thank you for thinking of us!

A Tangle of Scribbles

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Events, Art Gowns Tribute126 Comments

🌹Dahlings, welcome to “A Tangle of Scribbles”!  Rene Rosso here presenting Art Gowns’ third Tangle Tribute to Tim from Off Center Not Even, for his gift of pencils & other art supplies for One-Eye.

 I now hand over the mike to our Art Director Rebecca Budd. Rebecca has single-handedly brought back the fad of Palazzo Pants, aka, “the gown of trousers”.

Good evening! During the great pencil drought of 2021, One-Eye had no other course but to do a line of Art Gowns scribbled in black, blue and red ballpoint pen. It’s an exciting collection, so let’s check out the catwalk.

AGM Marina had the first fitting. Being the artistic type, she chose this wild “Why do I have to draw ballpoint scribble gowns?” venting style.

Although AGM Shey lost weight from all the DracGoth 3 am visits , it was good news during fittings. She was the only one who could get into this one shoulder, side tail, super slim scribble-off.

I’m Thrilled to present our special guest, 🌟Lala LaSwirl🌟! Spokes-Singer for the AIDAS & good….ah..erm… friend of Rene Rosso. Lala really knows how to rock a scribble gown with scribble boa.

AGM Dale goes Hollywood in this snazzy and unsuspected array of thunder scribbles.

Heeeere’s Holly! This sweet AGM chose a back and forth arrangement of scribbling, with scribbled floral accents.

Gigi, the cat’s pyjamas, is an AGM class act. She’s featured here in this asymmetric hip line featuring gradating scribbles skirt, and scribbled hip bow.

🎼 Now,  on to tonight’s music  entertainment! 🎼

Hello dahlings! I’m honoured to be wearing the first scribble gown that was created. Of course it was designed especially for me!

I’m also thrilled to be doing a cover of “The Look Of Love”. My favourite rendition is the one by the most amazing, Diana Krall.

“Unfortunately the red, black and blue ballpoints ran out of ink, just as my gown was being scribbled up.”

“One-Eye was forced to use pink, turquoise and purple gel pens. I just love it! I feel like singing!”

Rene Rosso character © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

Since September, 2019

Rene Rosso, and all of the AGMs welcome Charlotte Hoather – Soprano into our special world of Gowntoons! We want you to know that you can buy Charlotte and George’s  “Songs From Our Balcony” A++++++ album. Just click on  the pic of Charlotte above, and you will be in their shop at Apple!

The AGMs names are the hottest. No kidding! Click on your fave and go visit!

Holly – House of Heart–  Gigi – Rethinking Life– Marina – Art Towards a Happy Day – Shey -Smexy Historical Romance– Dale – A Dalectable Life

Click on Rebecca, and visit one of her blogs!

A FEW WORDS FROM ONE-EYE

The art supply store near me, perhaps the biggest in Toronto, has been a Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard for a year. A high quality pencil is important to me. I mentioned to AGM Holly that I was down to my last low quality pencil, so she & Tim started a swear jar. Within a day they saved enough for Tim to buy me all these pencils!!!! 😉

Tim went beyond the call, and bought me an array of lead types. He sent me red watercolour pencils for RR & PBH’s hair – pink & turquoise for Lala’s upcoming gowns – black, white and ochre, (mine are down to stumps). I got 4 kneaded erasers, 4 pencil stump holders and a special coffee cup, for my coffee when I’m drawing.

Also, since November the shops in Toronto have been closed, except for 2 weeks in March. Things going well, they will reopen with 15% capacity, hopefully in a week tomorrow. I’m sure shelves will still be bare for awhile.

🎨 With this wonderful gift, I will be able to hold out for quite awhile! 🎨