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.

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!

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 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!

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!

From the Mail

Below are some incredible drawings found today in the Famous Hairdos of Popular Music P.O. Box. These Swamp Thing-looking portraits were anonymously sent from Carol Stream, IL. Thanks to the drawer for creating them and sending them in! Below each drawing, I've included the note that was written on the verso of each postcard.


"MOMMY."


"G.L.O.R.I.A.
 L.
 O.
 R.
 I.
 A."


"SNIFF IT."


"ANOTHER CHUNK OF BURNING LOVE."

Thanks as always to all past and future drawers for making this project real.

From The Mail

Here are some great new drawings from Houston, Texas for The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music project . Thanks as always to all the contributors!

From the Mail

I received this great, funny rendition of The Material Girl in The Famous Hairdos P.O. Box today. It arrived in a wonderful package from Michigan sent by Mr. Ron DelVillano. The package also included four of his books of comics, including three issues of his series Usual Tapes. The books are handmade but also very spare and controlled, achieving a really nice balance. They're billed as "pieces of memoir and other things", and while I'm not usually drawn to memoir, as the series progresses he seems more and more willing to experiment, with nice results. Thanks, Ron.

Ron will be one of the first people to receive a copy of the next volume of The Famous Hairdos of Popular Music, which should be done by the end of this week. Check back here very soon for more information about this newest book.