Las Vegas Chronicles: Flame-Haired Fairy Tale Lady

She was short and stout, shaped like a small fire hydrant, a flame of red-orange hair burned atop her large head. She was the most interesting and colorful person in the crowded streets of the Las Vegas Strip at that moment. Her face was unique and her green eyes were breathtakingly beautiful. She ambled over to the fake stone Italian fountain and perched her circular body on the rim. Her tiny feet dangled as she focused on her text messaging. She began to look like a cross between Humpty Dumpty and the Red Queen. I noticed the gaudy facade of the Venetian Hotel behind her and the whole scene transformed into a fuschia-tinted fairy tale. I whipped out my sketchbook and a handful of colored pencils, and began quickly sketching the scene.

Since she was texting, she kept still over a long period of time. I took advantage of her long pose and started a second sketch using pen and focused on greater detail of her face. Worried she might move, I grabbed my camera and snapped a few shots of her. Suddenly, without warning.....

She caught me and gave me a look (see above). I blanched and then reddened as I fumbled with the camera to make it look like I was taking shots of scenes behind her, but she quickly got up and left the scene. That's okay, the photo I took of the background after she busted me turned out....

...perfectly because it reflected the dark and twisted fuschia-tinted fairy tale I mentioned earlier.

Comments

[Psychochick]

I love how you are a total weirdo like me. I have a tendency to stare while observing and get that same look from people.heh

[Knox Bronson]

love that last pic. so glad you are back! xox kb

[lynnster]

I always had a hunch the Heat Miser was actually female...

[jen3921]

It's one thing to draw a picture with funny commentary; it's another to actually print their photo and make fun of them. At least with the drawing, the people could be almost anybody. A photo cannot be denied. This is mean and it now makes this website not so palatable.

Lampooning celebrities who at least are asking for the attention is one thing; but preying on innocent people is another.

Please, no more photos.

[14]

I'm not making fun of her, I'm celebrating her. I'm sorry you see it as "making fun", but I saw her as the most interesting person I saw all day and found her quite beautiful.
Sorry to lose you as a reader.

xoxo
14

[ChaosByDesign]

Brillient Renders
I'm surprised you didn't actually make her red hot hair into a match head....burst full of flame

XOXO

L

[jen3921]

Thanks for the apology and of course, you're forgiven. I understand your viewpoint and you really are a talented artist. I would hate to lose seeing your work!

I'm still gonna stop by... :)

[melanie]

You are hysterical. I like the drink sitting next to her. She does indeed have beautiful eyes.

[Sweet Subversion]

She looks like my former psycho boss, "Atilla the Cunt" - however the hell you spell it.

[Cynthia]

She definitely has some beautiful eyes, those are amazing! And I kind of love her hairdo too. The background you photographed is super interesting.

I generally agree you shouldn't post photos, but she is actually very pretty in the photo. Your drawings were just cartoons that used her as an inspiration. I would hope she wouldn't be offended because she has some great attributes and you gave her props for them.

[Vern]

She must have thought you were Paparattzi, they must be after her all the time.

[Maya]

You are an amazing observer. I really love your way of drawing, catching the unique shapes, not loosing any of the characteristic details at the same time. Just love it.

[Bionic Squirrel]

Now that was a fantastic story, both in text and images. The need for a photo in this specific situation is pretty obvious to me. It fits right in and adds to the telling of exactly what happened.

Although I do understand jen3921's point, it never fails to bother me when people are so quick to point the finger and criticize and condemn, threaten to never return, and even claim to "forgive" when the artist simply explains where the reader has misunderstood. I think we all need to remember that we are guests at this site. 14 has the right to post anything she likes, and we can take it or leave it. I don't think it's really up to us to tell her what she should and shouldn't do.

Usually it's all for nothing, since a second reading of the text usually reveals (as it would have in this case) that the accuser blatantly misunderstood the artist's intent.

The work is wonderful. Photos included.

[Sweet Subversion]

Yes, I am an awful human being ... but if you look like that, you belong here. This is your fate.

There are plenty of times during the course of my life that I would have easily wound up here as well.

Vern, your shit is hysterical. Be my friend.

[fast eddie]

I wonder if she was texting the brother Snow Mizer!

[Vern]

Sweet Subversion,
It would be my absolute pleasure to be your friendy! And Thank You for the Sugar.
XOXO
Vern

PS-LOVE your name!

I wonder if she acts and has done Cat on a Hot Tin Roof before.

Your sketches are awesome, as always! You are a master of colour!

[14]

Thank you for all your very kind compliments. Very, very much appreciated.

xoxo
14

[jen3921]

Bionic, I clearly understand this is 14's website. I know I am a visitor and therefore was striving not to come across as strongly condemning, just honest. And she apologized, so I naturally forgave (I wasn't trying to be sanctimoneous, just nice).

14 does allow comments, so I assume she would welcome all commentary, good and bad. 14, please tell us if you feel otherwise and I'll oblige your decision. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy your art. :)

[Bionic Squirrel]

Jen, please understand that I'm not trying to give you a hard time. That said, my point was that when someone says "I'm sorry you see it that way", it's not an apology. It's just another way of saying "It's unfortunate that you see it differently than it was meant." Your forgiveness was not necessary.

[Sweet Subversion]

Vern, you have made my day! Sorry I am a week late!
SS

[El Bastardo]

Hahahaha. Busted!!!
Btw, damn, i would be proud to have a sneaky shot taken and then drawn for this site as long as i wasnt grabbing my crotch or picking something! :)

[javelin]

hehe, I love your honesty... reminds me of a lady in the doctor's waiting room I felt I had to draw one time. I really like this, especially that first sketch-- it captures the essence of all those glimpses that inspire art. Something about the convergence of shapes and people and how time doesn't stop.

[paul]

I've enjoyed your site for several years but am disappointed to see you resort to this sort of violation. You have no right to take photos of private individuals and post them onto public websites, not even for "art." Your story could have been told without it and all you have really accomplished with it is to open her up to humiliation and mockery.

[Holly Viola]

I dont think it's mean. Look at her... you know she went home and kicked her dog.

Keep doing what yer doing!

Hollibird