Stitched Portraits: Mel Blanc

Looney Tunes. Entire cast. Need I say more?
When I saw his name on the list of birthdays, I was done looking.

Mel Blanc (with Tweety Bird Twinkle):

Stitched Portraits: Danny Elfman

With an Elfman score, any film is transformed into a playful and frightening place.
Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands would have been very different without their memorable sounds and orchestrations.

Although I feel so strongly about his role in Burton's films, I fought myself about doing this portrait. His music is lush and beautiful, but he really isn't... The thing that excited me was his role as Bonejangles in Corpse Bride. I kept that character in mind when making this picture and I knew it was right as soon as I sewed the teeth...

Danny Elfman (and creepy smile):

Stitched Portraits: Patch Adams

Health is defined by happiness. Patch Adams defied logic by illegally caring for the sick and did so with this idea in mind. Many interesting people born yesterday, but his cause is like mine, only his is better.

Plus, this is something we share in common. Well, I at least share it with his fictional self.

Hunter Patch (in colors):

Stitched Portraits: Vincent Price

When people ask me who my favorite actor of all time is, I say Vincent Price. I could listen to him say anything. I've even sat through some of his worst films just to see what he will do. Of course it's not just due to the fact that he has an unmistakable presence on the screen - He was also an extensive collector of art, a hilarious person (as evidenced here), and willfully sharing of the spotlight with Muppets.

Vincent Price (classy to the end):

Stitched Portraits: Margaret Wise Brown

Such an influential figure in the world of children's literature, 'Brownie' literally wrote over one hundred books. She was also crazy awesome. Upon receiving her first book royalty check she went to the nearest flower cart, bought all of the flowers, set them up in her home, and threw a party for all of her friends to enjoy.

She is, of course, known for writing Goodnight Moon, but I like to remember her as an editor at William R. Scott, attempting to get Hemingway and Steinbeck (unsuccessfully) and Gertrude Stein (successfully:see The World is Round) to write children's books. And I love this one of hers' the most...

Brownie (all wild eyed and staring into the distance):

Fabric Dolls: Sendak the King

Maurice Sendak was one of my greatest heroes. His stories and drawings will forever inspire me to keep doing what I love. Upon his passing 2 weeks ago I quickly got to work on this project in order to memorialize a man who has earned a rest from this life.

I'll eat him up.

Here he is with crown and wolf tail, Maurice the King:

Stitched Portraits: Morrissey

You're the one for me...

After spending my High School years brooding and listening to the Cure, it wasn't until I got older that the Smiths took first place in my life. Now that I am a husband and a father, Morrissey's solo work has become the voice of reason on any given day.

Just think about those silly dances. Search his video catalog and enjoy them all for their absurdity and wistfulness.

Morrissey (the elder):

Stitched Portraits: Fats Waller

On a day of birthdays that include:

Albrecht Dürer
Alexander Pope
Henri Rousseau
Manly Wade Wellman
Robert Creeley
Al Franken
Mr. T
Marc Ribot
Judge Reinhold
Kevin Shields
Blake Schwarzenbach
The Notorious B.I.G.

and
Fairuza Balk

I was glad that a guy like Fats Waller exists, all full of charm and ebullience...

"I really hate you, 'cause your feet's too big"

Fats Waller (classic):