Everything Works Out/Has a Cost

"Everything Works Out/Has a Cost"
Pen & Colored Pencil on Paper, 11" x 14"
by KK Remus (c) 2020

IT'S TRUE!  Everything works out, and everything has a cost.  These two truths hit me hard within this last year, but they changed me for the better.

The drawing above illustrates, if you will pardon the pun, that everything does indeed work out.  I began with no concept of how the finished product would look.  All I knew was that I wanted to build a composition around the two phrases, arranged in "crossword puzzle" fashion, with one shared letter between them.  I chose "R" as the common letter, but I could have chosen "S." That would have would have led to a completely different drawing, but it would have worked out!

I could give many more examples--gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, grief-inducing, potentially life-threatening examples--of how everything worked out this year, but I want to keep this short and focus on the drawing.  So, let's move on to the "cost" part of the equation...

The only real "cost" of making this peice was time. I already had the materials. I spent two to three hours per day over 4 days.  Maximum time: 12 hours. Each hour filled me with joy and freed me from distress.  

Furthermore, this time expenditure did not prevent me from doing anything "more important."  This was exactly what I needed to be doing.  If I got tired, or didn't know what to do next, I put the sketch book away, knowing that the next time I picked it up, I would know what to do. Faith and the love of art guided me.  

The benefits far outweighed any cost. The final drawing makes me happy.  I hope it makes you happy too!

 

Ghost Bust

Definition of Ghosting informal: the act or practice of abruptly cutting off all contact with someone by no longer accepting or responding to phone calls, instant messages, etc. (Merriam-Webster Online)

The ghost of boobs past will haunt your dreams forever...

Mr. Stump

The Shortest Illustrated Children's Book EVER!

by Karen Kay Remus (c) 2018

"Mr. Stump," Ink & Colored Pencil on Paper by K.K. Remus (c) 2018

The END!

Afterword:  I drew this from life, while sitting by the edge of a river.  I saw a stump that looked like a man's face.  I envisioned a book-length story, chronicling the adventures and thoughts of Mr. Stump, but the drawing became so time-consuming, that I ran out of gas and stopped.  How much can a stump do, anyway?  By the way, he had moss on his "head" which looked like hair, and he appeared to be a very deep old soul who had seen it all--if only from one vantage point.

Poultrygeist!

"Poultrygeist!" pen on legal paper
by Karen Remus (c) 2018

Who's the Boss?

Or: "Oh We Will Have Such Fun."

"When I Am No Longer Your Boss." Pen on ruled paper
By Karen Kay Remus (c) 2018

One of my readers said that he didn't "get" the "comic" above.  That's because there's nothing to "get." It's just a weird drawing with a  non-sequitur caption. 

However, considering the improbable positioning of the street lights together with the caption might lead one to mildly amusing thoughts.    For example, if one light is addressing the other, which one is "speaking?"  

I've asked  some people, and they are divided.  Some think that the one on the right is the boss, because it's "looking" over the other one's shoulder, "observing" its work. Others say the one on the left is the boss, because it's "leading" the way.

Either scenario is absurd, because the lights are bolted to the ground.  How would one "boss" the other, and how would they "have fun" once their business relationship was dissolved?  Would they flash on and off?

If there truly are an infinite number of universes, then this is just one possible scene from one of the placidly bizarre ones.

Devil Sauce!

"Devil Sauce," 4.5" x 4.5," pen and colored pencil on paper
by Karen Kay Remus (c) 2018

It's hot

It's mean

It's unclean

It's a hot mess

It's ketchup that fell from grace

It's...Devil Sauce!

one squirt, and you'll hurt. TM

100% All-Noxious Ingredients!

Including but not limited to: Fire Ant Venom, Thorns, Pits

The Colonel's "11th Secret Spice," Bat Piss, Naturally Shed Tarantula Exoskeleton, 

Blood Wort Extract, Lava, Crocodile Egg-Yolk Puree, Irradiated Beet Juice, Burn Barrel Extract, Industrial Smoker Station Concentrate, Sun-dried Black Widow Egg Sack Remnant, Fungal Char, Recycled Organic Clot Wads, Liquid Pain, Red Dye #666

(warning: prepared in facility that also processes peanuts and fish balls)

Guaranteed to make anything taste like Hell

or your money back!

$1.00 per gallon while supplies last!