From the Mail

Here's a wonderful drawing sent into The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music P.O. Box from Philadelphia, PA last week. Thanks to Tim from Low Level zine!

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. 💔
❤


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!

New Hairs

"Eyebras"


Here is a fabulous new drawing submitted to the Famous Hairdos of Popular Music by Erin, a talented and busy artist who took the time to craft this great picture of Madonna. Thank you to Erin!

And thanks as always to all past and future drawers. The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music project would not exist without you.

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 Milwaukee Zine Fest, 2014

On November 8th, The Milwaukee Zine Fest celebrated its sixth year at the Polish Falcon in the Riverwest neighborhood, a bright, balmy bulwark of self-published weirdness against the oncoming gray of Midwestern winter. Already the days are getting longer again. Let's remember a great weekend in November.

Here's some great drawings that folks made for me that day. Thanks to them. Thanks to the organizers, all attendees, all the exhibitors. Thanks!

From the Mail

It's been quite a while without new drawings here at The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music.
Some might say too long.

Others might say not long enough.

I say, "Here's some drawings that arrived in the mail. I think they are wonderful."

"Elvis Purrrresley"

"Weird Elvis"

New Hairs

The above hairdo drawings were created by my former roommate and talented ceramicist Dana Childs while he was staying in Milwaukee for the 48th annual NCECA Conference, exhibiting his work in two separate shows. Needless to say, these goofy drawings may not have been the most notable part of his Midwestern sojourn, but I love them. I'm always grateful to receive drawings for The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music, and it's always great to see my buddy. Thanks, Dana.

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.

From the Mail

On the day after Christmas this fabulous drawing was waiting in The Famous Hairdos P.O. Box, having traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The post card is signed on the verso in exuberant script, "Happy Holidays! ♥ Madge."

Thank you, Madge, for this great yuletide gift. And thanks as always to all the drawers past and future who keep this project going all year 'round!

From the Mail

Here's a great drawing retrieved from the Famous Hairdos of Popular Music P.O. Box a few days ago. Signed on the front by Will Dinski and postmarked in Minneapolis, the drawing got a little scuffed in its cross-state travels, but to me that's the magic of this project. I journeyed last month from Milwaukee to Minnesota, and then this fabulous drawing followed me back, and now, through the wonders of the Internet, it comes into your home.

Thanks to Will for drawing and mailing his work, and thanks as always to all drawers past and future!

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!

From the Mail

On a rare Saturday off of work, I trekked to the Famous Hairdos P.O. Box and was rewarded with this incredible postcard drawing. The artist, k.g., wrote on the verso:

"I'm bad at art. Thanks for making me realize I have no idea what Gloria Gaynor looks like."

As for the first sentence, I heartily disagree, and with regards to the second, it was my pleasure. In a parenthetical postscript, k.g. further wrote, "And I gave her a cape [because] I messed her shoulder up." I'm no expert, but I believe disguising messed up shoulders was the reason for the invention of the cape, and I think this particular cape looks especially nice. Thanks so much for the drawing!

Famous Hairdos of Popular Music: Volume Eight

The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music
Volume Eight: Elvis Presley
______________________________

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.

From the Mail

Here is one of two postcard drawings sent to The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music from Oak Park, IL last week. Thanks as always to the drawers for sending in their work.

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!

From the Mail

Here are two new postcard drawings collected for The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music project in the last week. They're both pretty crazy and awesome, but one featured a pentagram on the verso and the other a sticker for Alley Cat Allies. Can you guess which one was which?

Thanks for the mail and the great drawings, Jim and Tina!