The text relates to ideas I've been turning around in my head about the way we negotiate our identity through consumer goods. It's the same thing I was thinking about when I did Possessions, in a way, but in this case I was thinking in particular about my new car. I love my car, but I think it's entirely possible that it's more charismatic than I am. After all, it's got an advertising budget, a cultural aura, and a well developed narrative script. Me? Not so much.
The other day I was trying to figure out how to cook a frozen meal without a microwave. I went to the manufacturer's website and discovered that my pasta primavera was not just a meal, it was a lifestyle. And it comes with yoga, environmentalism, and a commitment to Reaching One's Personal Goals. Check it out. Thanks to the magic of the internet, my pasta primavera can even email me with daily reminders about my personal goal. Makes the rest of my food seem like it just doesn't care enough to go the extra mile.
New Romance is bigger than my other drawings, and the slight increase in scale meant that the image took forever to finish. Each letter took at least two days. I like the letters, but I really like the bugs. They seem innocent to me.
Which is not to say they're not going to sting you, but if they do, it won't be because of your "lifestyle choices."
I don't vouch for the mouse.
