A Casey Update For You

Hey everyone!
I bet you're wondering how my new life is going.
Fair enough, you are human thus naturally curious for information to further expand your mental horizons. Groovy! So here is what I've been up to:

Still working at Universal Studios as a caricaturist and really loving it.
My co-workers are great, and for some reason almost all of them are in awesome shape.
I thought artists were suppose to be pasty, gooey nerds, but no! We have trained fighters, professional wrestlers, former gymnastic teachers, weight lifters, black belts, and so on. So I guess I'm working on getting with the program. Been doing the gym for a while now and toned myself up a bit. Lost within a range of 15 pounds and I'm going to keep at it. All part of the new Casey life.

But starting your life over can be a bit pricey. No big, but it does mean I'll be second job hunting for a while just to cover the bills during the off season. Darn those potential consumers and their totally justified frugality in response to an unstable economy.

I've also met some incredible people out here. Fantastic friends who have been helpful and generous and sincere, and I couldn't ask for better folks then that in my new life. But I'm also missing a lot of my old friends. Like my friend Alicia, her husband Dan, and their baby Lily who are all like family to me. Also, my friend Joe who used to take me to the monthly Minnesota Roller Derby Girls event which was more then 8 dimensions of awesomeness. And my friend Joel who's been there for me during some rough times, which I will always be grateful for. And so many others! My new life has really brought me a lot of realizations about the kinds of people I have in my life. And during this festive and love-inspiring holiday, I wanted to make sure my loved ones knew I appreciated them in ways I could never express in full. Thank you for all your support and have a great Christmas! (or whatever you celebrated)

And with that, a collection of photos for you involving my recent adventures.


















(A recent caricature I did of a guy with a fun-to-draw face)


















(Sitting at a booth at work, feeling a bit chilly. Sure beats Minnesota!)


















(The Thanksgiving Spread at the Coffman family home)


















(...And the beautiful view from the back yard!)


















(Casey and Casey, being a bit silly but still enjoying the view from the dock)


















(Meeting my 6 year old internet penpal at Downtown Disney, along with her husband. Can you see him?)














(Mini golf with Manda and Adam!)














(And of course, silliness was had)


















(A Mario cartoon, for giggles)














(A painting of... A naked mole? Hey, it's fun for when I'm bored. You cannot judge me!)



















BONUS PICTURE (See the incredibly awesome and hilarious going-away present my friend Kristen made for me! Click this link HERE to see it)

Well, that should hold you guys for now.
Be sure to check in once in a while for updates.
Hopefully soon I'll have more art to post.
It's been hard to make time for it, I must admit.
But be sure there will be some soon!

Best wishes,
CBC

TDAY

Here to wish you a great Thanksgiving is the wise and all-knowing albino toad who was sitting outside my apartment, the worlds biggest grasshopper nearly the size of a twinky, and the most detailed rendering of a ninja turtle I can do.





















































Best wishes,
CBC

Florida Digs

There has been a lot on my plate as far as moving to a new home and starting a new job goes. But I'm back online! I got into my lovely new apartment around the end of last month, and I started up work at the beginning of October. Still learning all the tips n' tricks of the new work place, but my new co-workers are a real funny bunch of guys who have been making my whole transition pretty great. And they are all really talented too, and a nice inspiration to be around.

Moving to Florida meant that I had to do some major spending on new furniture, since my old place had nearly none. A new 7 piece red living room set and a new wooden kitchen table and chairs has my new digs looking totally boss. Also got a bookshelf. Can you believe I didn't have one before? I can't. That's crazy.

So without further distractions, I give you the photo updates of my new (super rad) home!








































































So far things are going amazingly for me here. I'm feeling good about my new life and I'm excited to see what surprises are waiting for me!

That's all I have time for at the moment, but hopefully I can post more updates soon.

-CBC

Last In Midwest (The Epic)

We have a few topics to cover folks, so sit tight!
First I'd like to tell you guys about a story of heroism.
The tale of tales that is one of my many turtle-saving adventures from the old employee parking lot. It all started one day walking up the pathway from the lot to the back of the theme park...

"What a fine day!" I think to myself as a stroll passed the 2-way road with teenagers and ecuadorian park workers driving in for the morning. "But what is this up ahead?"

As I approach the stirring patch of grass to my right, I see a hole in the ground with something emerging from it. Some several things in fact, and to my surprise I found myself surrounded by baby turtles!
















There where almost 20, perhaps more wiggling and stumbling out like adorable little drunk and blind monsters. "What to do!" I panicked, looking around at my feet at all the tiny critters. "I don't want to be late for work, but I can't just leave them here!"

That's when I remembered my years of ultra hippy Waldorf training. All that being-one-with-the-universe and loving all creators and tree-hugging hoopla washed over me like a giant wave of righteousness and I immediately knew what I had to do. That's when I reached for my breakfast.

In my work bag I had a smaller bag (and if you know me, you know I tend to carry a lot of bags inside other bags) and in that smaller bag were two breakfast sandwiches from Burger King. I emptied the contents of the smaller bag containing my sandwiches into the bigger one, and began plucking the little baby turtles like blueberries in a field. And if you've ever done that, you know how much of a pain (and how long) that can take. Before I knew it, I had nearly filled my Burger King bag full of baby turtles. It looked like a scratching pile of horror movie gold in there, and it couldn't of been creepier or cuter.


















About 20 feet away was a small pond by the parking lot I had been releasing my other saved turtles in. As I dumped the little guys on the edge of the water, I looked on much like a parent does when they dump their little ones out of a dirty used Burger King bag into the world.


















Feeling good about myself and the universe and all of it's creators (yadda yadda), I hiked back up the path with a strut to my stride and a glow in my heart. But what's this? I look back to the nest and I seemed to have missed one! But I was already running late, and I just couldn't go back, so I sadly slumped to work feeling like I had abandoned a comrad in battle. Would be survive? Baby turtles amost never make it to the water, especially when it's mothing is a big dummy and lays her eggs next to a road to a parking lot. What would become of my straggler!

I finished the work day having nearly forgotten about the morning adventure. Distracted by my friend and co-worker Paul, chatting about artists and cocktails and something about macaroni (I don't remember). The following work day, however, my memory was awoken by the sight of two teenage girls starring at their feet on the pathway to the park. "PLEASE!" I cringed as I thought to myself "Do not be starring at a baby turtle!"

The girls walk away as I approach. I see the little black dot. It's my little stragger, and he's... Moving? He's ALIVE! And a while 10 or more feet from where I last saw him? What a trooper! I imediately picked him up and brought him to the rest of his family. Surely he will be showered with popularity as he gathers his bretheren around for tales of endless persute, and an epic score of having flown in the air by the assistants of a mighty pink and squishy being. Surely he will be the envy of his clan.


















And it was only then had I felt complete and at peace. And I knew I had done the right thing. Sure, the theme park might have to suffer an over population of turtles now, but at least they where cute at one point. Though I find it only fair to mention, for these little fellas look adorable now, they are indeed (as far as I can tell) snapping turtles. And uh, yeah... Not so cute grown up. Oh well!

That should cover my deep and considerate earthly work for the next few months. Next on the list is all about my new haircut!

Here is me before, with brighter and longer hair (with much damage) as I'm sipping my 2-for-the-price-of-1 rita at my favorite mexican place Pancho Villa.


















I went to the MoA the other day and got a cut. Sure, it might of been about 2 inches shorter then what I asked for (and showed, with photos) but I'm not too worried. I'll grow into it, so that way it will last longer. Also, I went a little darker and redder with the color. not too much though. Something new and nice for the big move.


















And speaking of the big move, I have about a few hours left before the internet fairy comes and takes away my magical internet box, leaving me internetless. Then I will officially be without computer, music, tv, video games, and books. It's all packed folks, and we start heading out tomorrow. As for the rest of my night, I'm spending it with my friend Alicia and her husband and baby, and some pals of ours. And it's like I said, this is me feeling homesick for one of the first times in my life. It's a new feeling that I'm not entirely tickled by, but it means that this place and the people in it where enough of an impact on my life to spark a new concept for me. I'm going to miss them, because I care about them and hope them all the best. Hopefully it won't be the last time we see each other, and now they all have a great excuse to take a vacation in Florida (not that one really needs to have their arm twisted on THAT idea).

So farwell Minneapolis, Minnesota. Goodbye midwestern life. And take care internet universe, for I'll be without you the next few days and when you all hear from me next, I'll have flipped the switch to Casey's World: 2.0.

Party time (excellent).

With love,
CaseyBugCreations

Queens Of The Park

The other day I was sitting in my work chair at a caricature booth at the park. I was bored and waiting to draw someone. As I watched for funny looking folks walking by, I noticed a pretty chubby young black boy walking by once in a while. He had really big ears that stuck out of his head, and were pierced with diamonds. "What a face!" I thought, hoping that he might sit down for me later that day.

As time went by I forgot about the boy and started talking to some potential costumers who were curious about pricing. When I wasn't looking, the boy snuck a seat in front of me right as I was about to tell the other folks to sit down. I shrugged my shoulders and got ready to draw him. His mother came to me on my left side and told me it was going to be a black and white picture, our cheapest deal. I nodded with little enthusiasm, but as I put my pencil to the page she stopped me. "Can' you do themes?" she asks. "Sure, what did you have in mind?" She looks up at her son and then back at me. "This might seem strange but... Can you draw him as a drag queen?"

I looked over at the boy, who was about 12 years old, and he looks at me and says "Yes! I'm a drag queen!" I took a few seconds to think about what was going on. I address them both and say "Okay, so we're talking ball gowns and flowing big hair and pretty sparkly accessories... Right?" I wait to be corrected, and the mom answers "Yeah, something just like that sounds good. Is that okay?" I look back at the boy and pick up my pencil. "Absolutely!!"

Making conversation as I took my time drawing my mini-draglet costumer, I ask him if he's ever seen RuPaul's Drag Race. For those who don't know, this is a reality show on Logo that's similar to America's Next Top Model. Instead it's hosted by RuPaul and it's all drag queens. 50 times better then Tira's show, plus loads of laughs. To my delight, the boy is a fan. For the rest of the drawing we talked about our favorite drag queens from the show. His mother told me he watches it on the computer at grandma's house. Even mom was into the show. The boy told me he wants to design fashion, and when he's old enough he wants to work at the big popular gay bar in the downtown area (The Gay 90's). He was such a happy and enthusiastic boy, and a great costumer.

As I lifted the drawing to show him, his reaction was already in play. Manicured and painted designer nails flashed in a moment as he raised his hands to his cheaks, gasping like a newly crowned Miss America. He loved the picture! I drew him with long lashes and big hair, along with his arm raised up behind his head in a sultry feminine pose. A ruffling one-shouldered gown with a heart broach and matching necklace and earings seemed to be just the right thing to draw. His mother love it too.

Later that day he returned to thank me for the picture. I told him it was a pleasure to draw. Surely, that's a once-in-a-lifetime thing to happen in a job like this. And I wish I had a picture to post but I didn't have my camera with me. I remember his face farely well so I might draw him again, but for now I'm writing out the story.

It's days like this I realize how much I love my job!

-CBC

PS: Check out RuPaul's Drag Race on Logo online!! [Rupaul's Drag Race Link]

One Day At A Time

Today we made our promises to each other based on an unknown world of opportunities. It's not about who will blink first in this staring contest, but about what you're prepared to do if someone closes their eyes and opens them again to find that it's game over. But when you truly care about someone beyond any sort of reason or logic or moral values, you can't help but look them in the eye and say "I know you lost but here is your consolation prize" knowing fully that it's what you would have given them no matter what the outcome. I guess that's what they call being screwed. But putting your guard down for a moment can bring you a lifetime of new and exhilarating emotions and so, I suppose it can be worth it. It's the big gamble they idolize in their fancy-pants romantic comedies and romance novels. Where would the media be without that kind of venerability? If anything it would make my job a little less interesting, since people love controversial figures so much.

But I digress, because what's important is the heavy weight that's been lifted off my shoulders. At least for now. I can move forward knowing that if all that's been sacrificed is for lost, I'll be found again. And in turn I can tell myself that I won't deny a good thing if it comes my way, because moving on and living your life is about taking those kinds of chances. After all, it's how I get into these messes. And as long as we have our promises to each other, the world seems a little less like a terrifying place. Almost livable.

So think of me fondly in this limbo, as I transition from one completely different life to one I have yet to meet. With a pretty picture of me and a funny drawing, remember that I'm more then just an endless fountain of attractive imagery. Instead, remember that I'm a girl of promises based on an unknown world of opportunities.





















(Jon Souer Photography 2008)






















(Airbrush/marker/pencil drawing)


Love always,
CBC

More Noodle Dumpage

Here are some more poor cellphone quality images of things I've been working on here and there.




















(My nephew Ethan)




















(My sister as a toddler)




















(My current self caricature for work)




















(Not a drawing obviously, but it's a cute photo of me and my friend's daughter Lily out at the park on my day off. Goofing around while waiting for the train.)

-CBC