Stitched Portraits: Sarah Silverman

(b. Dec. 1, 1970) For her political ads, Jesus is Magic, and the biting satirical commentary that is her stand-up (including a brilliant bit in the documentary, The Aristocrats), Sarah Silverman is one of my favorite comedians. She's like a glittering shit.

Sarah Silverman (and coy smile):

Stitched Portraits: Shirley Chisholm

(b. Nov. 30, 1924) The first African American to run for President of the United States (and female too). At the time, 1972, she had campaign portraits with her picture that just read, "Outrageous!"

Fittingly, last Friday was the same day that I saw John Waters' Christmas Show at Lupo's. Recently he has talked about voting for Chisholm twice in the '72 election. That is right, he felt that she needed the votes so badly that he was willing to commit voter fraud to give them to her. I love that story and I love her - a trailblazer and a voice for the poor.

Shirley Chisholm (strong and proud):

Stitched Portraits: Viola Smith

(b. Nov. 29, 1912) One of the first female drummers, she played for a swing band - The Coquettes - in the 30s and 40s. She was excellent and killed it behind her kit. Later, she became a spokesperson for Zildjian. Still playing, Viola turned 100 last Thursday and I must thank a Powersful friend for the tip.

Viola Smith (at 100):

Stitched Portraits: Tomi Ungerer

(b. Nov. 28, 1931)

Children's books, anti-war posters, and erotic art.

Tomi Ungerer was an enigma on American culture of the sixties and seventies. There was a distrust from the public of a man who simultaneously wrote and illustrated children's and erotic books -  never mind the posters he created in protest of the Vietnam war (The image of the Statue of Liberty being shoved into a mouth was one of the more tame) For this trichotomy of a human being hailing from the Alsace region of France, life in the U.S. became trying in the early seventies. His books were frequently banned and purposefully not given to children. He eventually fled to a farm in Canada and lived for many years off of the land, farming and eating the livestock. He wrote a wonderful book about this time called, Far Out Isn't Far Enough, and a documentary of the same name was released this year. His style is unmistakable, his humor is rich, and he is one of my greatest heroes.

Tomi Ungerer (Classic pose):

Stitched Portraits: Christina Applegate

(b. Nov. 25, 1971) Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead is one of the best of its kind. And it was Christina's role in this film as a teenager pretending to be a grownup pretending to be a fashion designer that served as one of my inspirations. Plus, if I was a cute blonde I would totally date the hot dog vendor in a bowtie.

Of course, most of my peers will know her as Kelly Bundy, the ditzy bombshell from Married With Children. I was not allowed to watch this show as a kid (but I did anyway).

Christina Applegate (incredulous glare from DTMTBB):

Stitched Portraits: Candy Darling

(b. Nov. 24, 1944) A Warhol Superstar. A Transsexual. And Beautiful.

Candy Darling (with candy):

Stitched Portraits: Miley Cyrus

(b. Nov. 23, 1992) "Hannah Montana is Miley Cyrus," said my wife to me one night while we were watching a film that had nothing to do with either of these persons. She was feigning a waking state and probably had that bit of news somewhere in the subconscious (teaching at a middle school does things to your brain...). The timing of this statement has always caused us pause for giggles and aided in the decision to choose young Miley as the subject for this Black Friday portrait. That, and the public shaming she gave to Urban Outfitters president, Richard Hayne, for his monetary support of Rick Santorum. I liked that. It was pretty cool.

Miley Cyrus ('Milin):

Stitched Portraits: Claiborne Pell

(b. Nov. 22, 1918) On Thanksgiving I wanted to stitch someone I was truly thankful for and Pell grants helped me pay for school. So on a personal level, I am thankful for his work to make them possible. But I'm even more thankful for the reason that the grants were created. They were made available to prisoners to give education where it was needed most. He also helped to establish the NEA and NEH, advocated for mass transportation, and yes - he was a Rhode Island Senator for six terms. Rhody Represent.

Claiborne Pell (looking forward):