It’s tough to be angry when you’re hooking up art as a prize for this week’s photo contest winner, someone who has always been supportive and kind.
Congrats, AZMouse for the most creative scenarios on the tourist photo. Since AZMouse is an avid animal lover with two dogs and two cats, the prize is a polka-dot dog-cat, created with kindness and joy.

AZMouse's new RynArt polka-dot dog-cat/Ryn Gargulinski
Now the photo contest post is going to quietly disappear lest it wreak havoc when we least expect it, like during my next vacation.
Thanks to all who participated in the contest – every entry made me chuckle.
Gratitude also goes out to readers and fellow bloggers, such as Renee Schafer Horton, who came to my defense. I’m still unsure what to think of other bloggers who initiated hateful, personal attacks or jumped on the mega-hit bandwagon with false accusations and less-than-positive posts. Oh well. Like a wise man once told me: “F it.”
Creating art is one of the best ways to deal with emotions. You can use it to enhance joy or rid yourself of hatred, despair, disgust and rage. Just don’t work with sharp metal during the rage.
Reviewing my portfolio, it becomes clear when I used art to help me through a difficult situation or to celebrate something beautiful.

Illustration Ryn Gargulinski
A bad hair day

Art and photo Ryn Gargulinski
Recovering from solicitors

Art and photo Ryn Gargulinski
That bumblebee sting

Art and photo Ryn Gargulinski
Enduring screaming kids at a theater

Illustration Ryn Gargulinski
That vegetable attack

Art and photo Ryn Gargulinski
Celebrating bats in early morning or while walking the dogs at dusk
What do you think?
Have you used art to purge? What did you come up with?
How do you get rid of emotions or celebrate something grand?
Mornin’ Rynski! So nice to have you back…Yeah, I used ‘art’ to purge some excess anger a couple of times. I recall one instance when I destroyed an F4U Corsair balsa wood model it took almost a year to build. Quite proud of my patience and creativeness-obliterated it in seconds. I don’t remember why I was mad in the first place, but I sure remember how mad I got at myself for being so irrational! I believe your creation aspect is much more beneficial.
Mornin’ RadMax – thanks for sharing your experience and welcoming me back. I learned to hang artwork up high or use heavy metal and thick chains so they DON’T get destroyed in a rage (haha). Maybe next time you are angry you can rebuild the model?
Sadly, this type of model is very intricate and delicate, while the hammering it took was not. It is dirt nappin’ in a landfill somewhere.
dirt nappin!
Just curious: what was Azmouse’s winning caption for that photo?
Hey Carolyn,
I’m giving her the prize for her overall efforts, as she came up with a number of hilarious scenarios. Sawyer and Phoebe agree and insisted on picking this entry from AZMouse as their winner:
How about, all three guys are actually friends. They’re here from Cuba, visiting their great friend, leftfield, to let him know how their mutual buddy, Fidel, is doing.
The smiling guy, with his hand on his stomach, loves American processed foods and feels so happy to be in the states. The guy with the map, which he got from leftfield, shows areas along the mexican border where they can help leftfield leave water and food for the illegal immigrants. The Cubans are happy to help their friend leftfield.
But, the guy in the back, having now been exposed to American processed foods and helping illegal immigrants get food and water, is in serious, deep thought. He is contemplating staying in the United States, with the help of leftfield, to pursue his dream of becoming a world renowned model, instead of being forced to be a figure skater in Cuba.
…Sawyer and Phoebe like this scenario because they, too, know the joy of processed foods, especially those faux chicken jerky things for which they nearly bite off my hand.
I’m a muse!
You are!!!!! You’re so inspiring, leftfield!
Thanks leftfield. I owe it all to you and your stories over the years….
I’m teary, I’m so happy!
ryn…might be old news but when did the mural get graffitti’d in the alley next to sharks…near 5th and broadway maybe? a travestiy!! the culprit should be found and publicly caned like that jerk kid in singapore a few years ago.
haven’t seen the travesty. i will be forced to leave the house later today – i’ll swing by and check it out. see what i can find out.
Hurray!
I love it! Can’t wait to show everybody my new art.
Thanks Ryn.
my pleasure! thank YOU! I’ve e-mailed you delivery options. Let me know what works.
I’ll check my email…I’m so excited! Thank you! It’s a beautiful do-cat, and so happy!
oops…dog-cat. lol
Congratulations to you azmouse for your creativity in writing that caption, and kudos to you Ryn for your lovely dog-cat prize art.
thanks, carolyn.
and thanks for being a supportive fellow blogger – with really great dating blog ideas! if not this morn, one is coming up Thurs…but I won’t say which one as I shall keep you in suspense (haha).
Thanks Carolyn. There were so many things that picture seemed to say.
It’s true, a picture’s worth a thousand words.
Are there any second place prizes, or consolation prizes or beginners prizes, best mention maybe? dirt nappin’
Hey A. Farley – I asked judges Sawyer and Phoebe about honorable mentions and they said OK, but only to entries that mentioned the Desert Museum…
Congrats AZMouse, dog-cat is divine! I especially like her (I think it’s a her, given the eyelashes) key-hole kinda nose, spots, and her little hippo-like legs. With the exception of the spots, and bright coloring, it reminds me of a kitty we once had. She sort of looked like a loaf of bread with stumpy legs.
Ryn, I LOVE your ‘carrots are evil’ illustration. I’m quite fond of carrots, but this one would make me think twice if I was looking to pull out a cutting board.
Thanks Marie! I’m very happy about it, and I agree, it looks like a ‘she’. Ryn’s art is so much fun. I loved her Ryn-chimes she made once too.
Now…what to name dog-cat??
Thanks, Marie. Esp. like your likening the dog-cat to a loaf of bread. She is! Your carrot comment also made me laugh. I am also fond of carrots but I must have had a bad experience. I don’t recall the story behind that illustration but it may have been from when my aunt was on a diet and ate too many baby carrots instead of potato chips and she actually turned orange. If anything, I’d say Brussels sprouts are more evil, as they are like eating tiny brains.
Glad you remembered the RynChimes, AZMouse. I wonder what names they ever got.
Congrats, az! Great stories. Fiona? 🙂
Fiona?!??
Esmerelda?
LOL!!!
Right over my head! lol
Okay, keep the cool names coming….
Esmerelda….wasn’t that Sam’s Aunt on Bewitched?
Endora
One of my agaves in my backyard is named Esmerelda. She’s the one that gets eaten least by the pack rats, so I think Esmerelda is a strong name.
Fiona reminds me of a soap opera character, but it’s also a nice choice.
Rats in your yard Rynski? You need a catdog…
So, do we go with Esmerelda or should we keep thinking about the perfect name?