[kick]pigeon

This is a comic I made about an acquaintance in Kosovo and his golden retriever.

Photos by Juan Elizondo and music is Mississippi Halfstep by The New Time.

I’m often inspired by The Underdog, so I wrote this poem a while back about the most tragic Underdog in circulation. I’ve been wanting to create a watercolored animation version of this– I already have the beautiful voiceover, courtesy of my good friend, Gil. But in the meantime, here’s the words.

“The Penny” by Melissa Reese (2009)

No one wants a penny.
That’s what they all say.
That’s why there are many
In the dish for patrons’ pay.
You see ‘em take the nickels
And a quarter never lingers,
But no one takes the penny
From the change jar with their fingers.

And though the penny’s hated
By its users and its peers,
And though the value’s faded,
(Blame inflation o’er the years!)
A penny has the merit of the noblest of men,
But the penny’s underrated
And the penny never wins.

So while the cent’ll sit there,
Say a prayer for those whose take
That one will grab the copper knight
Who never caught a break.

I made this from puffy long-sleeved top: It was like Seinfeld’s puffy shirt meets an elementary school art teacher. I like it tucked in, but I also think it works as a tunic.

After a couple vintage revamp projects, I decided to take a stab at a pattern of my own with some fabric that I got in Hong Kong a year ago. It’s a super thin cotton with a white cotton lining. I still need to hand-stitch the pink trim.