SPOOKOO by christine norrie

The Apollo

2009-04-24T10:19:00.003-04:00

WHERE STARS ARE BORN AND LEGENDS ARE MADE! That's me on stage at the legendary Apollo Theater fervently wishing upon Harlem's Tree of Hope!

Steve Wonder (at age 12!)

Ruth Brown

Patti Labelle, Little Richard, Rev. Al Green, Mavis Staples

Rev. Al Green

The Fugees

Gorillaz

Earth Day

2009-04-22T18:47:00.006-04:00

The chick and I received a lovely gift of a Dietz Lil' Wizard Lantern recently and what I had thought was going to be a for-emergency-when-zombies-attack device has now become a lovely little way to light our home and hang out peacefully for a short bit.

It started with our participating in Earth Hour one Saturday night, and since then, we occasionally turn off most of the electrical stuff in our urban apartment and light the lantern (with Klean-Heat). Everything goes quiet and the flicker of small fire casts an interesting range of emotions in us, from silly, to serious, to thoughtful, to happy.

This is what respecting our place on Earth means to me. And Earth Day is my religious holiday where I spend a little extra time thinking about this respect and how I can improve and do better in The Green Age.

People often ask me about 'living green' and how to do it-- is it recycling, buying local, changing to CF light-bulbs or what? It's all of those thing, of course, but in my opinion, living green is just trying to live sustainably, in balance, with our natural resources.

It also doesn't mean going back to the stone age, it's merely adjusting, altering, and looking for alternatives to the oil-based status quo by asking curious questions about what we consume, from the essentials to the frivolous, about our food, playthings, trash: what is it? where did it come from? where is it going to go?

We have an abundance of knowledge and resources to meet the demands of our culture, to simply help our planet, it all just takes silly, serious, thoughtful, and happy minds and hands.

Love and Peace,

--christine

SKETCH : The Teds

2009-04-21T14:34:00.003-04:00

Last night's warm-up drawing in a the ol' moleskine. It's a study composed via a photograph from the book The Teds:

"East of Barking, in the Summer of Fifty-four, on a late-night train from Southend to London, someone pulled the communication cord. The train ground to a halt. Light bulbs were smashed. When the train eventually reached Barking, police arrested a gang dressed in Edwardian suits.

In March of that year, a sixteen-year-old youth had been convicted at Dartford Magistrate's Court of robbing a woman 'by putting her in fear'. Said the Chairman of the Magistrates:

'There are a lot of things and so-called pleasures of the world which demand a lot of money. You tried to get hold of money to pay for ridiculous things like Edwardian suits. They are ridiculous in the eyes of ordinary people. They are flashy, cheap and nasty, and stamp the wearer as a particularly undesirable type.'"

Record Store Day

2009-04-17T15:09:00.004-04:00

Well, you know how I love a little vinyl! So you know I'll be out for a bit to support my local vinyl peddlers tomorrow... Rebel Rebel, Bleecker Street Records, and Bleecker Bob's for some sweet singles, long long-plays, and hip two-disc collections!

RECORD STORE DAY | SATURDAY APRIL 18

Saturday is Record Store Day, a chance for the increasingly rare indie retailers to self-promote with new releases and rare performances.

Stop by Other Music for events including a Bob Dylan breakfast listening party, afternoon D.J. sets by Telepathe, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Grizzly Bear, as well as a live show by Bill Callahan.

Get in the D.I.Y. spirit on Friday night by catching ****** Jeans at Market Hotel. The Pennsylvania group with the salty name “makes an ungodly racket,” writes Amanda Petrusich. “But there’s a force behind its pummeling: the frontman, Matt Korvette, sings funny, ennui-laden songs about the banalities of contemporary living.”

Like the fact that there are fewer and fewer record stores.

-- MELENA RYZIK, The New York Times' Urban Eye Weekend

This fantastic holiday is not limited to New York either, you can find out if your area is participating by going to RECORD STORE DAY / venues.

Happy weekend, much love and peace!

--c.

Women Rule

2009-04-08T13:11:00.012-04:00

About a week ago, I was fortunate enough to attend the screening of Frontrunner: The Afghan Woman Who Surprised the World, a documentary film about Dr. Massouda Jalal. A woman who ran for president. In Afghanistan.

Needless to say, though you know I must, it was a tremendous story. This woman's certainty and bravery took her from war-torn impovershed towns to another, to campaign for and amazingly claim voting bids from tribal blocks, inspiring individuals and communities to speak and advocate for basic rights. This, in a culture that concludes that women should not be allowed to hold any kind of power, let alone political strength.

The election took place in 2004 and Dr. Jalal did not win the election, of course, Hamid Karzai did. However, it's important to note that despite a "mishap" in the voting process (what should have been semi-permanent inks used to mark a voter's thumb proved to be immediately washable and removable) Dr. Jalal placed sixth out of sixteen in the final tally.

This is a great achievement for her country and societies everywhere in that women must not only have the right to sit at the political table, but should be absolutely present. That is the point and fundamental message from WOMEN RULE, an incredible advocacy group led by the incomparable Virgina Williams, who produced and brought the film to life. Support also comes from VITAL VOICES, investors in celebrating the leadership and contributions of women.

There was a discussion at the end of the film and it was remarkable to hear Dr. Jalal converse among colleagues about the topics affecting women and Afghanistan. Two particular points that made an impression on me... One, she stated that the Afghani people welcome President Obama and are grateful for the additional troops being sent as they provide much needed security and construction in much of the rebuilding that needs to be done.

Two, she spoke of her fearlessness in activism which is rooted in her desire to have a meaningful death, in other words, to live a meaningful life. The question was posed during the Q&A portion of the event and put forth by none other than SuperForest's Jackson Nash... which you can read in it's entirety here--> SuperForest Celebrity: Dr. Massouda Jalal

Thanks to SuperForest in providing access for me to attend the event at the incredible Paley Center for Media, but also the great opportunity to shake hands with Dr. Massouda Jalal. I will never forget that I got to be in the presence of her and her powerful words, she who is the former Minister of Women's Affairs for Afghanistan, a woman holding a doctorate in two medical fields, and a wife and mother of three.

Earth Hour

2009-03-28T20:58:00.001-04:00

Turn Your Lights Down Low

2009-03-27T13:27:00.008-04:00

EARTH HOUR is tomorrow, from 8:30-9:30pm. Turn your lights off for an hour to conserve, preserve, and think about our lives on this planet...

Happy Weekend!

Peace and love,

--christine

Stand By Me

2009-03-20T09:16:00.004-04:00

Musicians across the world singing together via Playing for Peace

All-boys choir at Albert Hall via the BBC

John Lennon in New York

Today, I woke up and made a cup of coffee. I took a little stroll through the internet, and as per usual, I took a right at SuperForest. There I discovered a new blog and took a left at Gems Sty. A recent post featured an amazing video that really brightened my morning, as did the unexpected snow shower on this day, The First Day of Spring!

Well, I left my apartment and took many rights and left on an early errand thinking about the song... the Ben E. King classic Stand By Me. Beautiful rhythm, upliftng lyrics, excellent song right? How wonderful that it can endure and transform so many!

From "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music" featuring musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it travels the globe, to The BBC series The Choir's 100 strong, all boys choir at the Royal Albert Hall (I extra-love that they have incorporated Sean Kingston's excellent mash-up/remix Beautiful Girl). And, of course, John Lennon's version from his excellent 1975 album of covers Rock 'n' Roll which I had recently been listening to a lot.

Happy weekend!

Love and peace,

--christine

PS. For those of you who are as traumatized as I am from the use of Leonard Coehen's Hallelujah in WATCHMEN, may I offer an antidote... the song played to clips from the incredibly fine film STAND BY ME. Trust me, it helps.

WATCHMEN sample it, loop it

2009-03-06T15:01:00.011-05:00

Crazy old tune from Pop Will Eat Itself. A tribute to Alan Moore, comics, music, film, and all kinds of nerdery... and an amazing Obama/WATCHMEN poster art/remix I spotted on my way home at the West 4th Street subway.

(click to view larger)

And, big thank you to iFanboy for adding me to their comprehensive Twitter Comic Book Master List! You can go there and check out all the slick amazing comics artists and writers who are sending out their 140-word missives. And, if you would like to follow my silliness and updatery I am http://twitter.com/christinenorrie

Happy weekend!

Peace and Love,

xo, christine

NYC GRAPHIC

2009-03-03T09:52:00.002-05:00

Love and Style: Christine Norrie on Romance and New York City
by Christopher Irving, photos by Seth Kusher

Christine Norrie sits at a long table in her studio in Manhattan’s Fashion District, a petite Eurasian woman in a gray shirt with white stars printed on it, a maroon scarf wrapped around her neck, her black hair pulled back in a ponytail, and points out a pair of sneakers hanging from a light fixture.

“That’s one of my studio mate’s,” Christine says as she then points to piles of shoeboxes stacked on a wooden shelf hanging from the ceiling. “We have, maybe, 300 pairs of Adidas, Reebok, or the original Air Jordans right here.”

And that’s how the interview starts, as a conversation of pop culture and music (Norrie counts The National as one of her favorite bands) that evolves into a chat about comics, motherhood, love, and life in general…

Happy Birthday, Jackson

2009-02-28T12:04:00.004-05:00

This is a birthday shout-out to mi compadre Jackson Nash, who I am so glad was born this day. He works crazy hard via SUPERFOREST... building and creating and bringing wonderful things to us such as:

The Humanifesto * Thoughts on the American Recovery and Reinvestmant Act * Adventures in business travel * Fantastic drawings * Quoting from SKINNY LEGS AND ALL * The Save a Seed Coalition * Going to movie premieres * Oh, and beyond historical Presidential Inaugurations * The Jackstrap * Buddy Holly's Rave On * Being a fine actor * The Peace Alphabet * Caring enough TO DO!

You are an incredibly thoughtful, whimsically fun, and deep thinker and all these fine qualities make SUPERFOREST and the world a better place... (Give your mom a shout-out for bringin' ya here!)

Peace and love.

--christine

vinyl DANCE CRAZE

2009-02-27T13:58:00.008-05:00

Did you know that vinyl record sales are UP? I'm not into the music scene as much as I used to be, but I certainly smile whenever I hear about how vinyl is not going away.

From a small amount of research it seems that young folk like the format and use it for mixing and sampling... and of course, there's the nostalgics like me who are pleased to see that Urban Outfitters is now selling a nice and very cute Crosley record player in their shops. And, in the New York real estate craziness of my neighborhood of Greenwich Village, where cafes are closing down and corporate retail spots taking their place, we still have five record stores all within blocks of each other still selling wax!

There's something very thoughtful about putting the needle on the record, listening to that hiss, and then kicking back and taking it all in. Staring at the oversized album art and being mindful of flipping to side B. So meaningful to listening to music this way... at least for me.

Hope you like today's Dance Party Friday selection.

Happy weekend...peace and love,

-- christine

Dream dream dream...

2009-02-25T12:38:00.006-05:00

It's so hard to believe that February is almost over! And, can you imagine that in just two week's time we'll be changing the clocks for Daylight Saving? I feel like I haven't gotten anything done, but when I look back at my calendar and see that everyday is filled with appointments, things have been crossed of my lists, I've actually done a lot!

Then I reminisce about recent events... New Year's, my birthday, The Inauguration, New York Comic Con, Chinese New Year's, Valentine's Day, President's Day... and life's everyday wonder and realize that I have been accomplishing so much, especially in ideas and dreaming. Cataloging and sorting my thoughts, laying out words, drawings and art.

I just had the great fortune of receiving two wonderful sketchbooks as gifts from two remarkable people, within two days of each other. It wasn't planned and neither knew of it; but, one sketchbook is a Moleskine and the other is a Moleskine-inspired from Club Monaco. And they are the same exact size! The red one I am using as a small personal comics-journal and the black one I am using for everyday on-the-go note-drawing.

Anyway, I love them and keep them both close by, at all times, constantly scribbling. Thank you, Catherine. Thank you, Jackson.

Love and peace,

-christine

PS! You guys, I missed a bunch of comments due to 'comment moderation' and I am so sorry! I've disabled it and will go though and respond as soon as I can... xoxo.

So In Love!

2009-02-20T18:47:00.005-05:00

Last weekend, I was out shopping for groceries, innocently squeezing organic mangoes, when O.M.D.'s 'So In Love' comes on the store's sound system. I'm pretty sure I have not heard that song in over twenty years!

It was such a surprise to the usual 80's marketing mix... you know, the one to target my generation into a state of sweet maudlin-inspired blissful shopping? Which I would like to say does not impress nor control my spending! But, I'm wondering if you can tell me if this particular slate of tunes is specific to New York City, or is it like this everywhere?

Following are three instances where I'd been thoughtful about the music I was hearing while shopping...

SONG: OMD / 'So In Love'
STORE: Trader Joe's
THOUGHTS: This place is really crowded, but everyone's so gracious about it. I don't think I've ever experienced so many 'excuse me' and 'pardons'. Is it the music? How civilized! Do not forget to buy chocolate and orange juice.

SONG: The Smiths / 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now'
STORE: Union Square Barnes & Noble Cafe
THOUGHTS: Oh shit, they're playing 'Hatful of Hollow'! I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour, but heaven knows I'm miserable now... I need a drink. Then, book-shopping.

SONG: New Order / 'Ceremony'
STORE: Brooklyn IKEA
THOUGHTS: I want to buy more picture frames. Swedish meatballs. And all these mattresses.

WISDOM

2009-02-18T12:22:00.003-05:00

Each one of us can be an oasis of peace. —Desmond Tutu

Inspired by the idea that wisdom is the greatest gift one generation can give to another, award-winning photographer and filmmaker Andrew Zuckerman interviewed, photographed and filmed 50 of the world’s great writers, actors, artists, designers, politicians, musicians and religious and business leaders of our time. He posed seven questions to each of his subjects—all over 65 years of age—and their candid responses offer uniquely inspirational and often surprising insights.

This project is one of the most beautiful and wonderful things... it's moved me utterly, to the point I now think about these compelling people, fascinating portraits, and amazing pearls of wise words ever constantly.

The website for the project is fantastic too, you can view all the portraits, read more about the project and view lots of little video clips delving into Andrew Zuckerman's making and creating of this incredible thing. I absolutely loved the 'Making Of', 'Exhibition', and 'News'....

WISDOM

Peace and Love,

--christine

Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T11:33:00.005-05:00

It is the day of love, the day of amor! Whether you are in or out of love, an in-between cat, or whatever... today is the day to celebrate romance and the belief of love and the magic. If the music is groovy it can free your soul!

I've been listening to The Lovin' Spoonful for about four days straight and I can't get enough. However, given that it's Valentine's Day, I feel as though I should listen to something a little deeper... so I've spent all morning listening to Johnny Cash and June Carter duets. I don't think there's a more beautiful song than 'If I Were a Carpenter'... I weep!

What are you listening to on this day of hearts and flowers?

Groovie Ghoulies

2009-02-13T14:23:00.003-05:00

Happy Friday the 13th! On this day of bad luck, jinxes, and curses, I give you the Groovie Ghoulies...

A fun little California band that is sadly no longer together, but who gave us many fun records and shows. In the above clip, they perform 'Devil Town', 'She Gets All The Girls', and a fantastic cover of Billy Bragg's amazing song 'A New England'.

And for all you lovers who are celebrating Valentine's Day early, 'The Tunnel of Love'!

Happy Weekend! Don't cross any black cats and certainly don't scratch on that eightball...

Peace and Love,

--christine

selling art

2009-02-10T10:27:00.003-05:00

In an effort to clear out the studio, spring clean, and make space (and a little scratch!), I'm going to start clearing out my original art.

I've put up my BETTIE PAGE on eBay as an experiment to see what's worth selling before I go all out and open/create a web store. So keep checking back to view what all's I'm putting out on the market. And, if you're interested in this piece, you've only got seven days to nab it!

Bettie Page :: original art :: eBay listing

SAVE A SEED

2009-02-06T10:49:00.004-05:00

Today I bring to your attention The Millenium Seed Bank and the effort of SUPERFOREST to raise funds to preserve one SINGLE seed species.

The cost is $3,000 and we have all ready raised a third of it. The only thing I am asking of you is to either donate a wee tiny bit of your precious money -OR!- your valuable time and internets and join the Save A Seed Coalition.

Meaning, would you mind ever so much blogging about this effort? Simply:

1. write a post on your own blog about The Millenium Seed Bank (you can copy my words if you like!)

2. please include SuperForest's MSB Save a Seed url ( http://teamsuperforest.org/superforest/?tag=millennium-seed-bank )

3. email SuperForest the link to your post (superforestnyc(at)gmail(dot)com. ), or add it in my 'comments'!

Happy weekend!

Peace and Love,

--Christine

“The Millennium Seed Bank Project is an international conservation project coordinated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Launched in the year 2000… its purpose is to provide an “insurance policy” against the extinction of plants in the wild by storing seeds for future use. The storage facilities consist of large underground frozen vaults preserving the world’s largest collection of seeds.

In April 2007 it banked its billionth seed, the Oxytenanthera abyssinica, a type of African bamboo.”

“But the cooling of the global economy is threatening to freeze the whole project. All it takes is 2,000 pounds to save one seed, and with at least four species of plants vanishing every year, conservationists believe this is an excellent value.”

love love love

2009-02-05T13:26:00.000-05:00

THE NATIONAL

2009-01-30T09:34:00.004-05:00

Tired and wired we ruin too easy
sleep in our clothes and wait for winter to leave

APARTMENT STORY

LIT UP

MISTAKEN FOR STRANGERS

ABEL

MR. NOVEMBER

The Parting Kiss

2009-01-24T20:52:00.008-05:00

HUMID seal of soft affections,

Tenderest pledge of future bliss,

Dearest tie of young connections,

Love’s first snowdrop, virgin kiss!

Speaking silence, dumb confession,

Passion’s birth, and infant’s play,

Dove-like fondness, chaste concession,

Glowing dawn of future day!

Sorrowing joy, Adieu’s last action,

(Lingering lips must now disjoin),

What words can ever speak affection

So thrilling and sincere as thine!

-- Robert Burns (1759-1796)

Since U Been Gone

2009-01-23T10:09:00.005-05:00

Kelly Clarkson / 'Since U Been Gone' at LIVE EARTH
After eight years, I can breathe for the first time. I can read the newspaper without clenched teeth. I can view speeches and not want to throw things at the screen. I can listen without cursing every other moronic statement. I can discuss policies without shame and embarrassment. That loser's gone!

Last night I had the great fortune to see Will Ferrell's brilliant send-off to The Former President in "Your Welcome America. A Final Night with George W Bush". Ferrell reminds us of the many bizarre events we've lived through and reveals new intel... filling in the blanks such as GW's AWOL. Some true... some not true! It's spectacularly funny to have pointed out how idiotic this country has been... but there were moments for me, when I was terribly sad thinking how we allowed this administration to tragically pull us down in the mire of chaos and catastrophe.

Ah, memory lane. The marches with my newborn baby, the camaraderie of protesting, all the incredible street art. Here's some of my better photos of that time...

But, a brighter day has come... Happy Weekend!

Peace and Love,

--christine

SPOOKOO + SUPERFOREST

2009-01-22T11:59:00.007-05:00

In the interest of a new year, and for those new to my lil' blog, I would like to provide you a brief summary of who I am and a small statement of what a SPOOKOO is. First, I'm an illustrator and writer. This is how christinenorrie.com describes my work:

Christine Norrie has been working extensively as an artist, writer and designer since 2000. Her primary interest is communicating via comic book illustration for the graphic novel format, as well as short stories and serialized publications. Her unique style has led to projects in other media and industries in creating concept art, storyboards, fashion graphics, and book cover jackets.

Her most noted works include her original graphic novel Cheat , the Oni Press series Hopeless Savages, and the teen drama Breaking Up published in 2007 by Scholastic/Graphix.

Dubbed “a natural storyteller” by Publisher’s Weekly, Norrie has earned two Eisner nominations, A Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Nomination, and a 9th Panel and New York City Comic Book Museum Award.

She works and lives in New York City.

All of these things are true of my career. Yet, here at SPOOKOO, I'm also a single mother of an extraordinary four-year old little girl. I'm a peace and eco-activist, not just in my Greenwich Village community, but also on the internet. Proud friend of so many amazing individuals, who are worldly and diverse and loving. Oh, I also really like music, food, and movies. I'm a silly person that really digs sharing and advocating life ideals... for The Common Good.

In particular, the incredibly positive collective SUPERFOREST.

This movement was started by my good friend Jackson Nash... I'm quite proud to say I was there when he planted the seeds on paper with drawings and writing. He experimented with many ideas, over the months we chatted about all the changes, and here now after a year and half, there's an incredible site devoted to the human environment maintained by a smart global team of bloggers.

The truly exciting part of this is seeing the impact and growth in such a short space of time. The new redesign is beautiful, and seeing Jackson's videos and report of actually being at The Inauguration is not only amazing, but I'm beside myself knowing he's using that opportunity to maximize and inform his mission.

My part in SUPERFOREST has always been artistic support and this year will be no different. Much like SPOOKOO, I know we will evolve and keep creating new things for me and you... and have lots of fun throughout!

Peace and love,

--christine

[Oh, and uh... SPOOKOO is the name of my cat. A stray St. Louis alleycat I'd rescued back in 1993. He was just a scrawny black kitten I'd ever-so-cleverly named 'Spooky' and as I got to know him, his name had come about from a strange story I'd made up about him being from some outer space existence aboard Satellite Spookoo. And there you have it.]

At last...

2009-01-21T10:58:00.004-05:00

Times they are a-changin'. And we start now.

Right after I stop bawling my eyes out! Jeez, I was doing so well yesterday, just a might bit weepy after the oath. I celebrated with friends, drank champagne, hugged and kissed my loved ones. Then lovely emails in the evening and went to bed feeling just fine.

Woke up this morning, watched the First Inaugural Dance and my eyes started to seep. On my way to the West 4th Street station, I decide to listen to the OBAMA playlist I'd created during the election, walking by happy people reading newspapers exclaiming PRESIDENT OBAMA, the waterworks in full effect.

A couple hours later, and a tissue box later, I'm realizing we have the upper hand in creating a world for the common good. We have a president who can lead. A government that we can stand behind and who will stand behind us. If we choose it, if we get involved, if we open ourselves, and work at it.

The transition has ended and the new administration has begun. CHANGE.gov is our resource and we can now join President Obama at WHITEHOUSE.gov.

Peace and love,

--christine