Drawings from the Chicago Zine Fest 2015

Hello, again! Early last month Lemon o Books attended the annual meeting of the Midwest chapter of the International Tree Killers Union. Just kidding! It was the sixth annual Chicago Zine Fest, but the event was held in a beautiful, old union hall this year.

I've been lucky enough to have exhibited at this fabulous event every year, and I love the experience. You can read a comprehensive write-up of Saturday's exhibition from Broken Pencil Magazine at this link (featuring my smirking face). Thanks to all the organizers, exhibitors and attendees who make the Chicago Zine Fest possible.

Here's some fantastic drawings that some kind folks created for The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music project:


This handsome gentleman is wearing a regal cape reminiscent of Madonna's hair. The drawing was done by the incredible Trevor Grabill of Flat Mountain Press. A gentle piece of advice: Give Trevor all your money, cover your walls with his prints and fill your bookshelves with his zines.


This is Madonna's childhood cat who is rarely credited for inspiring the Material Girl's earliest popular hairdo. Drawing by Rebecca Dols.




Two sad men kindly drawn by a visitor to the fest. 💔
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And finally, here's a drawing by Liz Mason of Caboose zine and Quimby's Bookstore who has been telling me for years that she doesn't draw. This lovely rendition of Glenn Danzig suggests otherwise! Heartfelt thanks go out to Liz and all the other drawers for these wonderful post cards. You all truly make The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music possible.

Anyone interested in acquiring Lemon o Books' sundry paper souvenirs can see our catalog here and read ordering instructions here. Have a wonderful summer, Internet!

From the Mail

The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music is one of several projects from Lemon o Books, and sometimes folks love those other projects and aren't very interested in these hairdo things. Which is fine; that's why there's so many flavors of ice cream. But if their rationale is that they aren't interested in pop culture or music, I feel the need to point out that that has never been the focus of this project! The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music is an invitation for anyone and everyone to scribble their names on the marble busts of celebrity culture. We are punching holes in Monets!

I love these drawings that some kind folks sent to my p.o. box. Thanks to the drawers, Jack and Charlie!


By Charlie, age 8

By Charlie, age 8

Drawings From The Chicago Zine Fest, 2014

I journeyed on Saturday from Milwaukee to Chicago to represent Lemon o Books and The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music at the 5th annual Chicago Zine Fest. I've attended this amazing event each year, and as always my deepest thanks go out to the organizers, attendees and exhibitors for making this day one of the highlights of my calendar.

Thanks also to the kind folks who submitted drawings to the Famous Hairdos of Popular Music project, which is closing in on its own anniversary- six years, hundreds of drawings, and eight books. I hope you enjoy these portraits as much as I do! Let's keep doing this.

The Wolfman Meets The Bride of Frankenstein

The Wolfman Meets The Bride of Frankenstein
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From Lemon o Books, publisher and instigator of The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music project, this is our newest publication. Follow this link for more images and information on obtaining a copy.

Thanks for looking!

Drawings From The Twin Cities Zine Fest, 2013

Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis.

For the second year in a row, I made the trek from Milwaukee to Minneapolis, Minnesota to represent The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music and Lemon o Books at the Twin Cities Zine Fest. It was an exhausting but fulfilling day. I met a lot of great people and received these five great drawing for The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music project. Apparently, Danzig is big in Minnesota. Maybe it's the long, dark winters.

Thanks to the festival organizers and attendees and thanks as always to the drawers who make this project possible.







In other Lemon o Books news, we have a new book and CD entitled Bodies of Water. Check it out!

Famous Hairdos of Popular Music: Volume Eight

The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music
Volume Eight: Elvis Presley
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Since 2008, The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music project has collected drawings from hundreds of individuals-- friends and strangers, children and adults, with the simple idea of celebrating the creativity of average people inscribing their personal visions on icons of celebrity culture.

Followers of this blog know that almost all of these incredible submissions can be found right here, but many of these drawings are also collected into small booklets. I strive to make these books as beautiful as possible, and I think this newest publication, dedicated to drawings inspired by Elvis Presley, is the most beautiful yet. This is the eighth collection of drawings, disguised as a celebration of Elvis’s hair, but this book, and every volume before it, is about the many people who drew.

More images and information, including how to obtain a copy, can be found here. Thanks for looking, and thanks as always to the many drawers who have made this project a reality.

Drawings from The Chicago Zine Fest, 2013

Saturday March 9 was the fourth annual Chicago Zine Fest . I've attended each year, making the trek from Milwaukee to the Windy City, selling Lemon o Books' projects and soliciting drawings for The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music. The festival grows bigger and more popular each year, but the organizers put on a more organized, inclusive, and welcoming show each time. Thanks to them, to all the zine fest attendees, and thanks as always to all the drawers who donate their talents to this project.

Here are some wonderful hairdo drawings. Enjoy!

Flowers Every Day

New from Lemon o Books!

A small zine commemorating everyday flowers. Much more information, lots of images, and info on obtaining a copy of this new book here.

Chairs of the Uppper Midwest

The latest project from Lemon o Books, Chairs of the Upper Midwest. Visit lemonobooks.com for photos and info on obtaining a copy. This is a fun one!

Drawings From The Milwaukee Zine Fest 2012

The fifth annual Milwaukee Zine Fest was held on Saturday, and I was in attendance representing Lemon o Books and soliciting drawings for the Famous Hairdos of Popular Music project. Thanks to the festival's organizers, everyone who attended, and deep thanks as always to anyone who has ever made a drawing for this project.

Here's the day's doodles, starting with a bevy of Madonnas:

I think I was told that this is supposed to be Rick Moranis. By Jason Ludtke.





The above drawing was done by a man standing and holding a small child. It's both a horse and a human face and should appear in psychology textbooks for generations to come.

The next one was done by the small child mentioned above.



The above postcard was signed on the back by Shane Matthias. Thanks, Shane!



I had a great day once again at The Milwaukee Zine Fest. Thanks again for the drawings, everybody, and until next time, thanks for looking!

Twin Cities Zine Fest 2012

Above: The view from the parquet, Twin Cities Zine Fest

On Saturday September 22nd, Lemon o Books made the trek from Milwaukee to Minneapolis for the Twin Cities Zine Fest, held at the Powderhorn Recreation Center in beautiful Powderhorn Park. Personally, this amazing event was also the public unveiling of the newest project from Lemon o Books: Real Fake Clouds. I had a great day, met some great folks, and traded and sold some books. I also received the great drawings below for the Famous Hairdos of Popular Music project.

Thanks to the festival's organizers, exhibitors, attendees, and thanks as always to anyone who has ever submitted a drawing. Thanks for looking!