Some weeks ago I bought copies of two novellas by my friend and co-blogger Andrew MacLaren-Scott. 'Sample 717' and 'After the Lady Lord' chronicle the adventures of Edrid and Adrig, two superior beings who are scientists native to a distant civilization that is ruled by women - known as the Lady Lords. As scientists, these two could probably best be described as anthropologists, and Sample 717 could best be described as planet Earth.
Adrig, the elder of the two by several hundred years, has become enamored of our world mostly because Sample 717 has many slim and beautiful women who don't generally order men to do their every bidding - unlike the Lady Lords. The Lady Lords, who are built like Mack trucks, take great pleasure in terrorizing their puny men, even to the point of forcing them to drink a concoction called testosterjuice whenever they're feeling a bit 'broody'. You get the idea.
Adrig and Edrig decide to make a trip to Sample 717 in order to enjoy the sights, promising the chief Lady Lord (a brute from the sound of things) they'll return with a virile football player for her entertainment. They attire themselves in the only Earth clothing they have available - some 1970's gear that Adrig had brought back from an earlier sojourn. Their travel pod carries them to Earth where nothing goes quite as they planned.
Now it's not every day someone I know publishes a book or two, and while these aren't likely to cause anguish to any Nobel candidates, they did provide for an entertaining afternoon. The picture here is my interpretation of Adrig (the tall one) and Edrig's (the other one) elation when they visited a pole dancing class.
Thanks, Andrew.
♡
Hey, I've got the same blue-striped pants in the closet somewhere! Doesn't sound like the Lady Lords are much of an improvement over what we have now, just switching genders in power. I for one am all in favor of men stepping aside and hand the reins over, we've shown no real improvement in several thousand years.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of when the UK elected their first woman PM, Ms. Thatcher turned out to be as bellicose as any male leader.
As always, fabulous watercolor. The two time voyagers look quite smugly satisfied.
I think what it come down to is to have sanity tests done on whoever decides to run for public office (or sit in the big chairs at head offices for that matter). Mrs Thatcher proved beyond doubt that gender has little or nothing to do with wisdom.
DeleteGlad you like the picture :)
Delightful artwork, Susan, and an intriguing story! I agree wholeheartedly with SFM's comment.
ReplyDeleteThanks, as always! It was fun to do as well, Marja-Leena.
ReplyDeleteWonderful Susan - thanks very much.
ReplyDeleteI'll work on something else a bit more serious to get the attention of the (other) Nobel candidates :)
PS - May I have your permission to show it on my books page with full attribution to you and a link to here?
DeleteHi Andrew - glad you like it.
DeleteI well know it's not a quest after the Nobel for Literature
that's been your prime interest all these years, but
Physics might be a possibility, eh?
and in answer to your ps - Yes, of course, I'd be delighted.
DeleteThe Nobel Prize in Nonsense is what I'm after Susan (and thanks for the permission)
DeleteThe Committee ought to rename Obama's Peace Prize that.
DeleteI wonderful representation of Andrew's characters in crime ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Cherry. Nice to see you've been by to visit :)
DeleteI would like to make a meaningful comment, but I can rarely get past how beautifully realistic your artwork is. It is wonderful down to the merest detail.
ReplyDeleteYou know I always appreciate anything you have to say in regard to one of my posts, Tom. For me, drawing and painting have long been a major source for instilling calm.
DeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to both of you, it seems as if it is a perfect match of imaginative story and illustration to go with it. Best wishes
Thanks Lindsay. Andrew's story provided a pair of characters that simply had to be drawn.
DeleteWill definitely put the book on my winter reading list. I believe I saw Crow a few days ago in western Maine. I am not sure if he was going to or headed from an adventure. I could have been wrong. Perhaps he is still in Bollywood?
ReplyDeletethe Ol'Buzzard
Glad you enjoyed it, OB. Yes, you may have seen Crow on his way home. Was he still holding his umbrella?
DeleteThe corners of my mouth started an expedition to my ear-lobes . . .
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say other than the idea proved irresistible ̄\_(ツ)_/ ̄
DeleteWhen the film rights get sold I'll insist that Susan gets first offer as set designer.
ReplyDeleteDoes Steven Spielberg visit here? (He should)
Let me know when and where, Andrew, and my manager will be in touch.
DeleteYou know my manager, don't you? His name is Crow.
You mean a close encounter?
I think Crow would get along well with Adrig and Edrig. Hmm... Do lady crows do, eh... branch dancing?
DeleteNot so sure about Spielberg - he has the money but does he have the talent? I may play hard to get with him. Let him make the running.
Alas, the is no Lady Crow. My friend is the last of his ancient race.
DeleteIt appears we have the same opinion of Mr. Spielberg.
On the other hand... A Bollywood production?
DeleteAh... I see many dancing ladies and shiny steel poles (nice)... and many huge Lady Lords a wobbling around too (not nice)...
Well, it appears Crow let his hair down once in recent memory..
DeleteThe very idea of the poles bending under their weight scares me.
You read the books. You visualize the characters. You draw their pictures. Fascinating process, susan.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs for Hallowe'en, susan. Best regards to Crow. (Crow is your manager? How did that happen?)
This was pretty much a one time effort, Rob. I promise not to try the same with the Brother Karamazov.
DeleteI hope yours is a fine Halloween too with visits from many costumed children.
Crow agreed to be my manager only in the case of major movie deals :)
Very best wishes from both of us.
Andrew sent me over, knowing that I had followed Adrig and Edrigs' exploits through his blog. Thank you - and big, big smiles.
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted to see you took his advice, Sue. The books in their entirety turned out to provide even more amusement than they did in the serialized form Andre posted. It's always good to know I've encouraged someone to smile.
DeleteHow marvelous to bring the characters to life as you have!!! It is wonderful, Susan. If I were Andrew I would feel supremely honored that your art fleshed out his amazing characters. :)
ReplyDeleteAs a pair of very silly characters on an out of their world adventure the temptation to draw them came as a surprise to me and Andrew both. I'm glad to see you've been by again, Lydia :)
DeleteAndrew is indeed honoured, Lady Lydia
DeleteWhat a fabulous storyline... your painting of Adrig and Edrig is perfectly in keeping with my imagery as you described them. and love the acrobatics and the slender beauties doing tricks. haha, how fun! seems you've having lots of fun with your painting these day! much lovexxx
ReplyDeleteIt was a very silly and entertaining story that got me to draw and paint this one. You're right that I've been having much more fun painting these days and I'm glad it shows :)
Deletexoxo
Ha...I tried Pole Dancing once......but she stepped all over my feet and my toes hurt for days.
ReplyDeletesorry I have been missing.
That reminds me of the guy who said he saw a sheep
Deletepole dancing. It turned out he was in a kebab shop.
I hope you've been having a good time.
Stepped on your feet?
DeleteDancing with a Pole as in a lady from Poland perhaps?