That’s the name of the balloon that lives in this trailer that I painted for Fergie just in time for Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 2018. This is at Balloon Fiesta Park; that’s the Sandia (watermelon) Mountains which I painted on both sides of the trailer. Sometimes when the sun sets they light up pink. The Manzano (apple) Mountains are just south of them. That’s Sandia Pueblo casino/hotel on the left there. That’s Fergie on the right. There have been three balloons of that name, those three that are together. The one in the middle is the one Fergie took me & my son Zerek on our first balloon flight in Roswell. Next to them is Zerek’s balloon, Monkey See, Monkey Flew, which he no longer flies (he’s got a new one). The other balloons on this & the other side are those of some of Fergie’s friends. Fergie has a lot of friends; more are coming, it’s a work in progress.

This is what I did instead of comics last week. Bridesmaid wineglasses. It’s a thing. They are usually done more cartoony, with acrylic enamels (enamel just means it dries hard & glossy). I used 1-Shot sign-painting oil-based lettering enamels, the stuff I used to paint the fronts of funhouses, mirror mazes, & darkrides for over 30 years. I printed out their selfies, stuck them inside the glasses, & traced them. I’m used to painting girls ten feet tall, so their faces are like a foot & a half (18″). These faces are 2 inches high. It was challenging; I had to break out the frog-hair brushes. I do know how to work that stuff, but/& it was not easy. But by golly, they actually look like them. Reportedly, they all wept with joy upon seeing the finished product. What can I say? I have my moments, & no, I’m not looking to do any more of them. I won’t do your dog either.