One of my most talented art students let me vandalize her hat. Someday, when she’s famous, I’ll put this on my resume.

Sometimes I wear cargo shorts, and sometimes I fill the pockets with markers and paper, and sometimes I doodle while I’m out. I made these one of those times.

Hate is relative.

The Welsh Valley Middle School community recently teamed with one of Philadelphia’s most prolific and preeminent artistic visionaries, Isaiah Zagar, to create a monumental work of art. The project was spurred by a generous grant from the Lower Merion Education Foundation and further supported by LMSD administration, Welsh Valley Student Government and the Home & School Association.

Most every student worked to embellish Zagar’s original composition by creating, placing and polishing each individual tile. In addition to embodying communal harmony and the collaborative process, the work serves as a celebration of the life of a fallen student and friend, Sean King. Just like the installation dedicated in his name, Sean’s impact will continue to beautify and inspire for many years to come.

Guests: Peter Cortner (Dag Nasty), Bevan McShea (The Phoenix Veil) & comedian Rachel Bensen

Topics: Female Comedian Problems, Bobbleheads, Hobo Overkill, Comforters, Bad Roommates, Annoying Marathon Runners, Popcorn Cooking Tips, Cheap Trick, Fugazi, City Gardens, Punk Shows, First Punk Bands You Loved, Dinosaur Rock and Bands You’ll Always Go See.

Playlist: “Dag Nasty,” “Under Your Influence” and “All Ages Show” by Dag Nasty. “A Novel Idea” and “Fathers” by The Phoenix Veil.

Play Now: http://www.usedwigs.com/pod/podcast95.mp3

iTunes: Download, Listen and Subscribe

Links:

• @rachelbensen
• The Gerunds
• The Phoenix Veil
• Rock-afire Explosion
• Bun E Carlos Coffee
• Fugazi
• Bad Brains
• Randy Now and City Gardens
• Scott Reynolds
• JFA
• You’re Gonna Miss Me
• Toy Cannons
• Damon Hamilton Project

I dyed these chairs because Jesus died on the cross. Allegedly.

Here’s the story behind the art under people’s behinds.

Yesternight, I shared a story about sharing my art. Then, I shared my art by hiding it under the chairs in the audience. I’m like a slightly heavier Oprah.

My 4-year-old son and I encountered this man, with intellectual disabilities, on the street this evening. He was enthusiastically handing out treats to every passing kid. My son was thrilled and I was moved. He is, and will probably always be, my fondest Easter memory. If you make fun of him, I will kill you.

Happy Easter.

Tempera & Oil Pastel on Paper • 24″x18″ • Student Work

In 1993, the powerful words of African American poet, author and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou, were blended with the brave imagery of the late Multicultural American painter, Jean-Michel Basquiat, to create a stirring children’s book, titled Life Doesn’t Frighten Me. In 2012, a balding middle school art teacher blended that book with 8th grade art instruction to create a stirring blog post, titled Life Doesn’t Frighten Me.