Art Baby News

Art Baby News No.4 November, 2007

A whole year has passed since AB News #3! No, I haven't lost interest—just steam.

I recently got an email message from James Hartman who initiated the Global Sheep project in the 1990's—which effort was the inspiration for Art Babies. I had supposed the sheep project was dormant, but no—Mr. Hartman says his continue to pasture all around the globe. (If you don't get this, click the Global Sheep link at the left of this page.)

Now, for the news:

Lee Washalefsky, shown at left cavorting in the Vietnamese jungle, has returned from a year long world wide jaunt with husband John — Lee placed 15 Art Babies all around the globe.

Like here and etc. Despite signs saying "No Lady Upstairs."

Sue Harris in Florida continues to be a diligent AB worker, reporter and photo sender. Is this Sue twice or Sue and Storm?

"Hey Don, I placed my Art Baby at a computer terminal in the Ink People Center for the Arts in Eureka. I hope someone picks it up. Lia."

"Dear Don, I found #0025B, Censored, on a piano in the Egg Studio, Liverpool, England (placed by Karl) after participating in a lovely skinner Release Workshop (conducted by Karl). I have decided to keep the babies original name as not to confuse its little developing world. Love, Kate, Dance Student"

"Dunce, 0049, aka 'D' for Dubrovnik was placed in the porthole windows of the Split-Ancona ferry." Lee.

From Lea M-G in NYC, "Found Art Baby Know-H2O (0037B, with umbrella variety) in the yoga studio ... on the shelf above the toilet ... I will rename him Howard as it seems a good name for someone under an umbrella, and I quite like it."

"I placed my first baby! ... At the Lennox Mall in Atlanta Georgia on a bench beside the line for the Pink Pig ...." Ashley.

Found "Fred" at Cambria, California, "On a shelf at the bottom of the stairs at the Bridge Street Hostel ... we were there on a family reunion ... 14 of us ... Fred will be leaving Saturday for San Francisco then on a 10 day Alaska cruise ... Dawn Princess ... Fred may enjoy cruising, in which case, he may stay aboard ... but he'll also be going on a helicopter flight, and on a train ride ... so if he likes those more ... who knows? Fred appears to be rather a free spirit, with somewhat eclectic taste. He' resting just now ... in a few minutes into my flight bag ... thanks for introducing us" Beth.

"Placed in the Great Hall of the People, where we were greeted by Party Officials and other dignitaries ... another nine course meal." Claudia. Claudia at the Great Wall and AB #0081 somewhere in the Great Hall.

Another China placement: Red Diaper Baby.

"Found in a hiking shelter on the Appalachian Trail ... It was really neat to find my Art Baby." Sarah. (Sarah's 'trail name' is Rainbow Brite.)

"I found 'St. Sunshyne' in the ladies rest room at Scarlett O'Hara's Bar ... on the ledge over the sink ... I always wanted a baby — now I have one." New name? "I would never presume to rename a baby! What a fun project!!" Tania

"AB Left at Raadhusgate 18B, Old Fredrikstad, Norway. On the windowsill by a candlestick." Jill.

"Added a hat, gloves and socks and left it behind a picture of a little girl that is hanging in the lobby of the Celica Hostel in Djubljana, Slovenia." Lee.

"I still have one more baby (Dead Baby) waiting go be placed." Kate.

Placed at: Cairns, Australia. Circumstances: "Left with aboriginal artist Doongle in his studio/gift shop." Chris.

"I found it in the girl's dressing room of the ballet studio at Universidad de las Americas in Puebla, Mexico. I was getting ready for ballet class. I'm glad I'm in charge of one of the Art Babies." Karime

"Left in the desk in the lobby of of the Hotel Sant'Anna in Rome (fabulous hotel, by the way)." Francisca.

"Let go at the Hemlock Tavern at 12:45 a.m." Amy.

Circumstances: "Left in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the Walker Art Center at the audio controls where people can listen to alternative music." Lori.

"Four Art Baby youngsters, Jumpy, Celine, Zip Zip and Pothead, were placed in Puebla, Mexico. I hope some of these rug rats inspire a response." Karl.

"'Hungarian He-man' was placed in an art gallery next to the Ludwig Museum in Budapest. This is the greatest little gallery. The art is displayed inside a tower shaped building in rooms around the outside of a spiral staircase that starts out at a pool of water and ends up at a ceiling of stars. On the outside of the tower the staircase spirals around to an open area on top. Very good home for an Art Baby." Lee.

"My name is Viktória Istvánko I am writing from Budapest. I have found an Art Baby ... 'Hungarian He-man' ... in the Ludwig Museum ... still taking care of him as long as I cannot find the right place for him."

"So simple when you know what to do." Anonymous.

"My name is Willow Banks." Willow.

"Don, I have lost my Art Baby!! Do terrible mothers get second chances? Maybe I should attend parenting classes." Kate. "Dear Kate, Only the question of punishment remains. There are no precedents. As a contrite first time offender you might be approved for a replacement." Sincerely, Don.

Placed at: Varanasi, India. Circumstances: "In a multi-faith temple near a giant map of the Indian subcontinent made from marble." Robbie.

"Left at Rainbow Nail Salon." Joe.

"Placed in the Loreto Shrine, a really cool pilgrimage site, on the castle side of the Vlava River, Prague, Czech Republic. Lee.

"Id like to be an Art Babymamma. Can I get No. 0019 (Joined at Head)? Christine.

Placed, "On a window sill in the good company of catsup and other condiments at the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company ... the sweet waitress tried to return him!" Myrna.

"I've named it Poobitee ...." Peter.

Circumstances: "Left on a train between Como and Basel." Francisca.

"... in the restroom posed next to a fragrant candle, in the Yoga Works studio at 138 Fifth Avenue." Michael.

"Thanks for thinking of me." Batya.

"Another one hits the road! Abandoned on United flight 7225 from Des Moines to Chicago ... in the pocket in front of seat 7F." Amy.

"I normally ignore emails from people I don't have usual contact with." Amy.

"I can't wait for my baby to arrive." Dawn.

"I'm afraid I don't have time at the moment." Katie.

"I left her ... I miss her already." Willow.

"I forwarded your Art Babies email to about 400 people ...." Karl.

"At the only post office on the island of Molokai, Hawaii. I hope he found a new friend! That day celebrated my husband and my 5 year anniversary." Chi.

"This is fun." Missy.

"Left in the computer room at the London School of Economics." Ruth.

"Placed on the table where Ho Chi Minh and members of the People's Committee drafted Vietnam's Declaration of Independence in 1945 ... in the Museum of Independence ... It seems such an important place yet no one goes ... in contrast to the mausoleum where he lies against his wishes for all the world to gawk." Lee.

"Sweet, I want an Art Baby. " Joyce.

"I will dress him up cute ... to be found by someone very responsible." Bonnie.

"My Jail Bird baby (found in NYC) has brought much joy into my life" Nicholas.

"I'm not quite whimsical enough to want to participate in the Art Baby project." Marlene.

Best wishes to all. Remember to give thanks for friendship, comfort and small miracles. Sincerely, Big Baby Don.

PS: There are still a lot of dispatched AB's out there who have not been, or not been reported, placed. Remember, ultimately placing was what you agreed to do. If you did place your Baby but can't quite remember all the details, tell me anyway. If you have lost your AB you may confess and probably plea-bargain for a new one.

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Art Baby News No.3 Late November, 2006

Left: Sharon Dickenson who placed two Art Babies on Board the Dawn Princess off the coast of Mexico. Right: A new variety of AB? No, it’s Theo, Sharon’s grandson, who looks pretty happy about something.

Since AB News #2, last May, the Art Babies Project has been moving along at a comfortable pace. Mostly by the efforts of colleagues like you. I have not been pushing very much. Slow and steady wins the race. Especially as there is no competition.

As of today 113 individual AB’s of 73 varieties have been issued, 41 have been placed, and 6 have been found. A15 percent find rate for 41 placements seems quite good considering all the vicissitudes involved. However, I think we could do better in the placement department. (Give-a-ways to friends don’t count as placements.)

Karl Anderson is the top overall placer with a total of seven so far. Lee Washalefsky is tops on the international scene with five East European placements so far on her around the world trip. One, AB 0016, “Hungarian He-man,” has been reported found (see below). Good job Karl and Lee.

Left: Karl Anderson, top overall AB placer, inside an eyeball and with Dawn “lashes” Eshelman, also an Art Baby foster parent. Right: International AB wiz Lee Washalefsky somewhere in Eastern Europe

Sue Harris of Florida is our Ace Finder. Sue found AB 0035-A, “Susie Q,” placed by Belinda Taylor in Florida. Sue is the first finder to continue the effort into a second generation by requesting and placing her own AB’s.

Sue Harris with Art Baby 0062-B, “Mary-Lou,” whom she placed in a Cincinnati Skyline Chili Sign. No finder yet.

Here’s where Art Babies have been placed to date: In the USA a total of 24; England, India, Mexico and Switzerland, two each; and one each in Australia, The Czech Republic, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Slovenia. The Art Baby map is slowly being drawn.

An Art Baby makes a nice holiday gift. Order now for Xmas etc. Of course give an AB only to responsible friends.

Speaking of responsibility: Have you placed your AB yet? Have you reported the when and where of your placement? Sent in that photo you took? Told your friends and email acquaintances about our project? Maybe Lost your AB and not owned-up? (Kate Shaw recently admitted loosing AB 0062-A, a toasted variety. Because of her timely and forthright confession, Kate received only six months probation. Honesty is the best policy.) Let’s all rededicate ourselves, pull together and keep the Art Babies Project alive and growing.

Please let me know if your email address has changed.

More pictures to look at:

Two AB’s 0006, “Bucky,” and 0015, “Baby Jane,” touring San Francisco’s Chinatown last year with foster parent Amy Prine (note the tip of Amy’s thumb at left) and later communing with a small pig.

Left: Karen Revel placed AB 0030, “Bumpy McGee,” in the Krakatoa Coffee House in San Diego, California. Please note that Karen, and several others, enhanced their Art Babies before placing them. Good job, Karen. Right: AB 0013, “Port Hole,” looking as if he or she fell over board but actually was placed in St. Augustine, Florida by Bob Siegel. (More about “Biker Bob” in AB News No.1 below.)

Left: Lee Washalefsky attached AB 0034, “Baltic Rebirth,” to an unusual road sign outside Vilnius, Lithuania. (Husband John’s finger pointing. Note band-aid.) Right: Close-up of “Baltic,” a nicely enhanced pregnant variety.

Left: Belinda Taylor and her daughter Erin say goodbye to AB 0035-A, “Susie Q,” as they place her in a Tiki Hut at Daytona Beach, Florida. Right AB 0043, “Ms. Poland,” as placed by Lee Washalefsky in the botanical Garden at Krakow, Poland.

Left: “Hungarian He-man,” a lean variety, placed in Budapest and found by Viktória Istvánko in the Ludwig Museum. Right: The Celica Hostel in Ljubljana, Slovenia, a revamped military prison where guests bunk down in the cells.

Lee Washalefsky placed AB 0045, a cold hearted variety, in a hallway of the Celica Hostel (see above). Lee gave her a hat, scarf, gloves, boots and a new name, “Warm Hearted.” That isn’t a window but a framed photo of a girl looking out a window. Looking out for an Art Baby who might come her way?

Best wishes to all. Remember to give thanks for friendship, comfort and small miracles. Sincerely, Big Baby Don.

Flash! Just now, as we go to press, AB 0064-B, “Sunshyne” has been found in St. Augustine, Florida. That’s seven finds. Good work Sue and Tania. See the web site for details.

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Art Baby News No. 2 May, 2006

Two Art Babies have been reported found. No. 35; With Fish; Named Willie was placed by Missy Pfohl Smith of New York and found March 29, 2006 by Melissa in the dance conditioning studio at SUNY in Rockport NY. No. 61; Hiking; Named Dove was placed by Kelley Mullen of California and found May 5, 2006 by Sarah Mortenson in an Appalachian Trail hiking shelter in Smokey Mountain National Park, North Carolina. Dove’s new name is Dove Chocolate. Good work Missy and Kelley, congratulations Melissa and Sarah!!

89 AB’s have been issued to almost 40 individuals. Good.

But only 14 AB’s have been reported placed. Not so good.

What does it all mean? Well, two finds for fourteen placements is very good, a 14% return, better than I hoped for. However, two finds for 89 AB’s issued is only 2%, not so good. If all 89 had been placed we might have had a dozen or more finds, which would be great. We could add an impressive world map with dots on it to the AB web site.

So, presumably 75 AB’s have not been placed. Are people hoarding? Please don’t. The value of an AB is not likely to increase. They are replaceable. Free. The summer travel season is at hand. Take a trip. Pack your AB’s. PLACE your AB’s. Even if close to home.

There are now 65 varieties of Art Baby to choose from. Tell your friends to get an Art Baby and take it on vacation.

Visit www.faultlinestudio.com to see what’s new and to request additional AB’s.

Best wishes and happy placements, Big Baby Don

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Art Baby News No. 1 January, 2006

NO! NONE! ZERO! Art Babies have been reported found!!! Dear Foster Parents: Do you remember what you are supposed to do? Have you placed your baby! You don't need to wait until you can afford a trip to the Space Station or Kazakhstan. You are first responders in this effort. How are we to know if the Art Babies project has a life if you don't get out there and deposit your baby? Please re-read the instructions that came with your AB. End of lecture. PS: It may not be all your fault. I shouldn't have labeled you adopting parents. You are temps. If you think other improvements to the project and or better instructions are in order then please let me know.

Now, for all concerned and on a more comradely note, here is what has been happening:

As of January 10th 2006 Fifty-two Art Babies (including twins) have been sent to foster parents. I am very pleased with that number! They were dispatched to many locales, from Maine to Hawaii and Washington to Texas. So far California and New York have the most dense AB populations.

Here are two AB's enjoying a visit to an In-N-Out Burger somewhere west of the Mississippi.

However, only ten Art Babies have actually been placed! (See the lecture in the first paragraph above.) Here are some photos sent in by more responsible adopting parents:

This basic nude AB was enhanced with color and symbols of love, named "Pudding Baby" and "Anchored to a bull. bd. in Porter College dining hall at UC." in Santa Cruz, California.

This sporty pair took four Art Babies for a cross country bike ride and placed them all! See some details below.

This AB appears to be placed with care in a healthy environment, "Left on table at Sherry's Lunchbox," in Milton, Florida.

Here a doting parent, the main biker of the pair above, documents the apparent abuse of an AB, named "No Cell Phone" whom he had previously placed next to a Bible verse in pay-phone booth. Later he found the AB abandoned on a sidewalk! (see photo) He then re-placed him on a bench in front of Las Manitas Avenue Cafe," in Austin, Texas. Good work, Bob.

This AB, a Jail Bird variety named "Max," (no photo submitted) was, "Left at Rainbow Nail Salon," in Mountainside, New Jersey.

Here an AB, named "Sea Baby" was "Left on steps of Grace Church" in St. Augustine, Florida. Which seems like a propitious placement, but I've gotten no word of her being rescued.

This AB, Bucky, was "Let go at the Hemlock Tavern at 12:45 am." While I am pleased that the foster parent actually placed the AB, I'm not so sure AB's should be taken to such places (looks a bit promiscuous in the photo) or at such a late hour. But perhaps a caring, even if intoxicated, finder will discover him.

This Art Baby, a left handed variety, is our first known international traveler. Placed with an aboriginal artist, Doongel, in his studio and shop in Cairns, Australia.

There are now Fifty Four varieties of Art Baby ready for adoption from the AB Register. So far Port Hole, Horn Rim and Peg Leg have been the most popular with three versions of each being adopted. Do you suppose anyone will ever adopt, "Lean" or "In Profile?" My goal is a stable of one hundred varieties so your ideas for new kinds are wanted.

Well, despite my grumbling in the lead paragraph of this first issue of Art Baby News, I am pleased with our progress so far and I hope all of you dilly-dallys will get with the program and move us forward.

Finally, please encourage others to join the Art Babies project. Send a message to everyone in your email address book and tell them to visit www.faultlinestudio.com. Thanks. Best wishes for 2006.

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