A World Where the Strange Is Beautiful and Art Comes Alive
Frankie & Jasper
Frankie and Jasper is a novel that I began writing. Although I am 10,000 words in, I would still say that the book is still in it's infancy.
I began last July and wrote for a few months during the summer, but then put my work on hold when the school year resumed and I went back to substitute teaching and graduate school work.
However, in light of recent events, I will now resume my work on it immediately, and look forward to posting new artwork.
Here is a collection of what I have so far, including an excerpt from the book itself.
Meet Frankie
Frankie is a level headed, yet slightly unaware individual. She floats through life, oblivious to the societal rules of engagement that seem to come naturally to many.
Her life is directed towards her passion, dancing. Frankie gets swept away in the currents of the ocean of the music. Her body reflects her entrancement.
Relaying her feelings and emotions that are kept bottled deep inside. She feels a torrent of passion and energy as the music pervades.
She will need all of this passion, energy, strength and endurance as the world around her quickly crumbles.
Meet Jasper
This was my first illustration of Jasper, done with watercolor so thick it looks like acrylic.
He is a black Maine Coon and best friend of Frankie. While providing both emotional support, as well as random "treats" (dead mice) for the most part, he has been known to be extremely protective of Frankie.
Haunting Messages
All around Frankie, trash and graffiti are everywhere. Disturbing images and signs get put up that raise the hair on Frankie's neck.
The more that people get upset, the less she wants to involve herself. So she has retreated into a state of seclusion, unaware of the events that have been unfolding around her.
Creative Weapons
As the world devolves into chaos, Frankie very quickly realizes that she needs to be able to protect herself.
She utilizes the tools around her, and makes her own unique weapons. Including tying keys and locker locks to the ends of her flow rope. Best for shredding skin, and breaking jaws.
Frankie
I thumb through my contacts and open Aunt Theresa’s name, pressing the green dial button. For a split second, the call tries to connect, but then drops before it has a chance to connect. Not willing to give up, I tried my Mother next, but was met with similar results.
Normally, I would have blamed my phone. But the image of families cramming their cars full flashed through my mind, and the truth landed heavy in my chest. The networks were down. Questions swirled relentlessly, each one carrying consequences I wasn’t ready to face.
Monster began to whine with the urgency of an animal caught in a trap, deeply betrayed that I’d chosen my phone over his food. He yapped at the air, hurling high-pitched, anxiety-soaked demands until I finally gave in and went for the dog food container.
I plunge the blue plastic cup into the container, scooping until kibble spills over the rim, then dump it into Monster’s oversized dish. I give him another scoop before returning the cup, snapping the container shut and locking it.
Suddenly, I felt eyes on me. My heart lifted as a pair of glowing green orbs appeared beneath the dining room table. There, as large as Monster, sat an enormous smoky-black Maine Coon. Jasper’s gaze was striking—emeralds suspended in a swirling haze of shadow.