Category Archives: Union Square

After Fall, I will Rise Again!

It’s starting to happen. The clouds are parting and stores are ordering again. And that’s gotten the gears turning in me to produce new Jesus magnets for 2022. 

Charly 2021

You see, the manufacturer in Hong Kong who’s been making my magnets for the last 20 years simply stopped responding to emails. They just disappeared. Granted we haven’t spoken since 2018, and I know a lot of companies have vanished since this whole pandemic fiasco began. But this was serious. It took me years to find these guys. And ftr, there’s still ZERO die-cut magnet manufacturers in the U.S. able to take on Jesus Dressup, and it’s for the exact same reason they wouldn’t 20 years ago – Subject matter. No joke, It’s even gone so far as to have one sales guy agree to the job, accept my deposit, then a week later return it exclaiming, “The owner saw the artwork and said- No way. Please don’t contact us again.”

Lucky for me though, ever since it blew up back in ’04 I’ve been on the receiving end of spam emails from other manufactures wanting to steal my business away. 100% of them from China. So in a moment of clarity a couple months ago I remembered all those emails, searched gmail trash and responded to every single one. Some of which were literally over a decade old. And wouldn’t you know, one responded. So I checked them out through my broker, exchanged samples and art, and now we’re back in business! I’ll have 3 new JDU’s by 2022. I’m very excited.

I’m additionally pleased to say I’ve been drawing a lot. Every single day. Drawing, and hanging my art up around town. Even selling something every once in awhile too. It’s the only thing that’s kept me sane through the last three long, lonely years w/zero social life. Whitehall Michigan is no playground for a middle-aged atheist/artist with a Google search result like mine. Thus all this time not developing relationships with other humans is spent on these lone art classes.

That said, I’m planning my first escape from this town to Chicago in October. I need to get away, visit my brothers’ families, friends, and whoever else I can get to. The yearn is strong. I can’t explain how much so, but I’m thinking most everyone can relate to this by now so I gotta stop whining. I get it. I’ll shut up.

dreadlocked white man

Last but not least, I’ve gotten a handful of updates for a few NYC familiars from the park. Shaggy sent me the photos below of Roman (video), Jeremy & Kevin Carpet, who seem to all be doing fine. And depending on how far your NormalBobSmith memory goes back, this morning I got an email from Noah (video), my cohost for the original version of NoBS Radio I was doing back in 2005 & 06? He’s got a GoFundMe for a new van. I thought those of you who remember would be happy to know he’s okay, but needs a dollar. Also, his Facebook.

FacebookTwitterRedditShare

Book Nook’s Normal Bob Holiday Display

Book Nook inviteYou’re all invited to the Normal Bob Art Reception at The Book Nook in Montague the evening of the eve of Christmas Eve – Dec 23rd. There’ll be food, friends, family and festive fun for all!

If you can’t make it then, stop in any time between now and January 5th, 2020.  The Book Nook is such a lovely spot. My stuff looks right at home there.

And if Montague Michigan isn’t anywhere near you,  I also have plans to bring an entire retrospective of my artistic life from the 90s to present day to NYC in April, so stay tuned for more news on that. It’s all very exciting.

I look forward to seeing those who can attend. This is exactly what I’d like to do a lot more of in the near and distant future for my art.

Art Therapy

Ruth Bell model
Ruth Bell pen & ink portrait

I left New York for simplicity & solitude, and boy did I get it! If you want to talk about the utter standstill of a social life, that’s exactly what mine has become. To combat the effects it could be having on my well being I’ve gone back to the sketchbook + Adobe Illustrator.

Pouring my emotional void into this creative outlet is the way out. It’s been a strange discovery to have avoided really sinking my teeth into art for this long then reminding myself what I can actually do in this medium. As a result I’m vowing to make this another one of those redundant habits I’m unable to pull back from to the point where I over do it. That is my immediate, important purpose.

Amazing Strangers Wendell iconThe next creative endeavor I’m finally getting around to now that the summer’s through is editing more of that footage from my month in NYC. I’ve posted about a half dozen new vids from that trip, and I’ve got somewhere around a half dozen, possibly ten more to come before I run out. But don’t expect those all to be posted over the next few weeks. I’m giving myself the whole winter to mull everything over and intend take my time on. It’s important each new post is up to snuff.

As for my next return to New York, I have no idea at all. My thought right upon leaving was to never go back again, or at least a 5 to 10 year hiatus. I will never move back, most likely. Christ, I miss my friends there though.

You’ll notice in videos to come over the next several months, I’m abandoning the park more than usual and pointing my camera into different surroundings and new strangers, acquaintances and friends. My dream is to start pursuing with my camera other subjects which fascinate me to no end, and I’m hoping 2019 allows for that.

As for the Trump and Jesus magnets, they are still available & moving well. I’m always looking for new stores, so if you know of them in your hood keep me informed.

The New Original

Jesus Dressup crownhanger logoThe big news this week is the arrival of the brand NEW & awesome Original Jesus Dressup 2018! It was 15 years ago when the first Jesus Dressup came out, and the comparison of that one and this one is striking.

The 2003 Original & the 2018 Original comparison
The 2003 Original & the 2018 Original comparison

By eliminating the text at the bottom, utilizing all of the spare room on the page, and a die cut that’s right to the outline of the of art I was able to get nearly double the number of clothes items on a set!  I’m just so thrilled with how perfect it came out. It’s everything I ever wanted Jesus Dressup to be.

JDU die cut comparrison

If you know of a store in your area you think might carry these on their shelves, or if you yourself are interested in selling these, please contact me for wholesale information.  Or if you just want to get one to play with by yourself in your lonesome, here ya go!

The Original Jesus Dressup fridge magnets ($15) include a hula skirt w/coconut bra, Marilyn Monroe dress, mermaid's tail, selfie stick and a wide variety of hats, shoes, pants and everything inbetween
The Original Jesus Dressup fridge magnets ($15) include a hula skirt w/coconut bra, Marilyn Monroe dress, mermaid’s tail, selfie stick and a wide variety of hats, shoes, pants and everything inbetween




Amazing Strangers Wendell icon

As for my Union Square visit, I was there the entire month of May, and I’ve still got a lot of footage left to share with all of you. I spent time with Inna, Shaggy, Alexa, Tabatha, Erica Mancini, Ricky Dale and a whole bunch of of others that I’m looking forward to getting up online. I do however plan to take my time with each of these vids so you’ll just have to be patient. I don’t want to rush things.