Working For Yourself: A visual tour

My perception is that people think working for yourself is like this:

When actually, it's a bit more like this:

Here I am checking my email.

Saying yes to last minute projects,

and basking in the freedom from a normal 9-5 job.

This has been a public service announcement, paid for by the council of people who never leave the house because they're on a deadline.

The Hairy Maiden, dog photos, Crafty Wonderland photos

Tonight I used the Shark Steam Cleaner I got for my birthday (ahem, check your calendar for that one) at the art studio and let me tell you, it was gleaming after a steaming. I've been there for almost one year, and I'll level with you that though I have swept, I have NEVER mopped the studio.
So now it's clean, and I sat down to use some watercolors, which are apparently my new thing.
I made this Hairy Maiden for my friends at Dovetail Bakery:

Let's see what they think. Here is a plain version for us:

I'll try to have prints of this soon, in case you'd like a
Ms. Hirsute U.S.A. 1922 of your own.

Here is a close-up of my Crafty Wonderland booth. The doilies were a hot ticket item this year.

This is on the last minute of the last day, after a week of working with wild abandon which culminated in fourteen hours of selling. I am wearing an orthopedic mitt.

And lastly, these two jokers who come to work with me, glad to have a nice clean studio floor upon which to set their dog bed.

Good Night!

xoxo
n.g.

Writers In The Schools Invitation

Hi there-
I wanted to show you this invitation I created for the Writers in the Schools (WITS) fundraiser coming up in December:




This is the rough, preview version so I apologize for the weird white parts,
but the info is still the same, in case you are interested in checking them out! Tax deductible donations all go to bringing professional writers into all Portland high schools. Very cool!

xox
n.g.

Look at what we found in the pantry

Hi There.

I have one of the best interns in the world - one Lindsey Huerta, Organizing Expert.
She did a bang up job of organizing my pantry room, which I would like to show you.



BEFORE


AFTER


(Note: the before picture may or may not have been from google image searching the word "Hoarders")


I can actually walk in there!
If you look at the upper left corner, you can see a box of Masters & Original Drawings.

Here are some things I found:


A SIGN FROM WHEN I WORKED AT THE FEMINIST BOOKSTORE & WOULD BRING BEIJA TO LOUNGE WITH ME BEHIND THE (GATED) COUNTER.



SOME COMICS DRAWN IN-CLASS WHILST TEACHING AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM IN GRESHAM



CLICK TO ENLARGE



THE PHONE NUMBER OF A REALLY FORWARD GUY I MET IN KINKOS ONE NIGHT, WITH ACCOMPANYING QUOTE ...(NA= narcotics anonymous) .



AN AUTOGRAPH FROM DAVE OF DAVE'S KILLER BREAD



TEENAGE MISOGYNIST COMIC DRAWN FOR BITCH MAGAZINE



PRICE LIST FROM A 2006 ART SHOW AT THE HALF & HALF



SELF PORTRAIT FOR AN ART SHOW AT READING FRENZY (2008?)


Thank you, Lindsey Huerta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zine Symposium Photos, New Zines, more!

DUDES!
I just posted 8 original dog doily drawings on Etsy, as well as my 4 new zines!













I'll be posting more doilies and some hand-drawn tote bags this week.

The next message I think needs to be emphasized a few times:

SUBSCRIBERS BE PATIENT, WE ARE ASSEMBLING YOUR PACKAGES THIS WEEK.
SUBSCRIBERS BE PATIENT, WE ARE ASSEMBLING YOUR PACKAGES THIS WEEK.
SUBSCRIBERS BE PATIENT, WE ARE ASSEMBLING YOUR PACKAGES THIS WEEK.
SUBSCRIBERS BE PATIENT, WE ARE ASSEMBLING YOUR PACKAGES THIS WEEK.


******************************************************************************



In the meantime, while we all wait for more doilies and thick subscription packages in the mail, here are some photos from the Symposium:



I was manically driving all over town to get Gocco supplies after messing up the one and only bulb/screen set I had whilst trying to make the cover for the new Dogs & Doilies Zine! (Thank you Mr. Bland)



On day 1 of the Symposium I met a dog. A small shih-tzu puppy who was very docile and had very human-like hair!



I hosted Zinester's Feud (think Family Feud) at Floating World Comics.
Sample Questions:
NAME THE MOST POPULAR METHOD OF BINDING A ZINE
NAME SOMETHING THAT MAKES A ZINE LOOK BADDDDD
NAME THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A ZINE





DAY TWO
I tabled with Meredith & Claire of When Language Runs Dry, the chronic pain zine.
Pictured: Meredithto my right and "My Acquaintance" Jeb to my left



End of Day Two

Note: I also had my "ASK NICOLE, AMERICA'S SMARTEST GIRL" sign out and was giving advice at the Symposium for $1.
I'll be posting the questions and answers on my advice blog very soon!

xoxoxoxoxoxoox
n.g.

Recent Pet Portraits & Commissions

Two, Nay THREE New Prints

Apparently, I'm going buck wild with new prints.

Ostriches


and a Self Portrait

Check them out!

World, Have Your Say

Hi.

Are there any images of mine that you wish would exist in print form?
A particular calendar page you wish didn't have the month printed at the top, or perhaps something you've seen in a book or on my website?
Have your say!
Please tell me in the comment section!

xoxo
n.g.

Write Around Portland Benefit!

Hi Friends, I am decorating a journal which will be auctioned off at this benefit for Write Around Portland, a nonprofit offering writing workshops and resources to under-served populations.


XY&Z is a word art extravaganza.

XY&Z is an interactive evening of words.

XY&Z is Write Around Portland’s 10th Anniversary fundraiser

and celebration.

Join us Saturday, October 3rd at Design Within Reach
1200 NW Everett in the Pearl
7:30pm – 10:00pm

Featuring classic word games—and some new games created just for XY&Z—in a gallery of modern furniture with great music, great drinks and great people. Silent auction of journals designed by authors, artists and lumaries, including:



Dave Eggers, Author

Beverly Stein, Former Multnomah County Chair

Cory Schreiber, Chef & Author

Rebecca Pearcy, Queen Bee Creations Founder & Designer

Storm Large & The Balls, Rock stars

John Brodie, Artist & Owner of Le Happy restaurant

Charles D'Ambrosio, Author

Nicole Georges, Zinester

Matt Love, Author & Oregon Aficionado

Lynn Penner-Ash, Penner-Ash Wine Cellars

Charles Froelick, Froelick Gallery

...and broadsides honoring ten years of Write Around Portland’s writers created by ten amazing book artists.

All of the proceeds support Write Around Portland’s unique model of writing workshops coupled with published anthologies and community readings.



Tickets at $50, $100 and $250 on sale now. For more information or to order by phone, call us at 503-796-9224.

December is totally Insane. What was I thinking?

I'm Home from Tour!



NJG CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER & DECEMBER:



Through November- Autumn Sweater art show at Fontanelle Gallery in Portland.

Purchase one of my fall pencil drawings, or just peruse their current show.





November 24 @ Ash Street-
Njg is singing with improv metal duo Palo Verde and playing The Typewriter.







Up Through December- NJG Prints at City Hall's Print Show

December 4th Opening event and tabling (with prints & calendars for sale)5-7 pm
City Hall - 1221 SW 4th. Portland, Oregon



December 10th - My Birthday. Gifts accepted here.



Dec 13- Reading at Guapo Comics with Jesse Reklaw & Friends!


Dec 14- Handmade Bazaar at P:ear . NJG will be there from 12-5 p.m. with calendars, zines, books, stuffed animals and vegan treats.






Jan 18- Reading at Powells City of Books with Cristy Road and Rhiannon Argo





READ ABOUT NJG this month:

ArtXX Magazine feature interview



INVERT(E): Magazine feature interview with NJG and Cristy Road



The Zine Yearbook 2009

BITCH Magazine Noir Issue : Out Soon!

some dates

MAY 2008

Invincible Summer Vol. II official Portland Release Party & Art Opening
at Reading Frenzy
921 SW Oak Street
6-9 p.m. First Thursday

APRIL 2008

Reading &
Invincible Summer Volume II's New York Release Party!
with
Tara Jepsen
Michelle Tea
Rhiannon Argo
Nicole J. Georges
4/25/08
at St Marks Poetry Project

MARCH 2008

Reading at the IPRC in celebration of the IPRC's 10th Birthday (!) there will be a reading by
Nicole J. Georges
(reading new material)
Clutch McBastard
& Shawn Granton
3/18/08
7 p.m. Free
917 SW Oak St, suite 218