Part 1 is here, but you can keep reading if you want to!
It should be noticed easily by most folks that I am not a very strong writer, much less less when it comes to writing text out. I saw that I had only two options.
Be bummed out, but try how to learn how to write and establish myself as a mediocre artist AND writer with very little fun to be had in such a short period of time
See this as an opportunity to do my favorite thing: collaborate with someone! Someone who is both an excellent writer AND writer of text. Enter, my dear friend Chessie!
Years before, Chessie collaborated with another writer (ceo kasen) and wrote an incredible fan-fiction about a literal Hard Boiled detective My Little Pony called Starlight Over Detrot and it's available here. I don't care if you don't like My Little Pony, this story is full of wonderful world-building, commentary about cities, spaces, people, money, power, and greed. Truth be told, it's so dense I haven't finished it yet but I read a little almost daily and it brings me so much joy. The writing is FUCKING SOLID and I am blown away with how stellar the writing is, and I'm not just saying this as a friend. I mean this as I think she should be writing stories and publishing them because Chessie's voice is so uniquely compelling. I digress.
A few months ago, Chessie had discovered and purchased a vintage calligraphy set at a thrift store. Something about Chessie: she truly does learn new things quickly, with discipline, passion, and love. Over the cousre of a few months, she began to to practice every day with different techniques, tools, and found a groove for creating real world calligraphy. Using powers of YouTube creative content, she taught herself many more techniques and processes to reinforce her success.
Because planning is not really a thing I am good at, I approached Chessie on the subject without much of a plan. Somehow, she managed to step and and take this idea and really elevate it. Using the magic of Discord, we messaged between all the busy regular-work-life-stuff to make this happen. After several conversations (that I am sure was awful for her because I can be so disorganized), Chessie made a better story than I intended. She had acutely acquired alliterations for the peg leg pickle pirate story. Getting the physical papers from Chessie, however, was an adventure.
It had been so hot in Madison that grass was yellow and dying, the air was regularly polluted with wildfire smoke from Canada. On this day, we got an incredible downpour of warm, penetrating rain. Of course, I was taking the bus. Chessie and I were to meet at a downtown Ramen establishment.
My little umbrella got overwhelmed it rain, it was barely better than having none at all. I can't explain it, but the rain was coming from all directions, it was being splashed everywhere, and I wasn't even outside in it for more than three or four minutes. The umbrella did very little in the way of keeping my feet and legs dry during this short adventure to the ramen shop. My shoes/feet and legs up to my thighs were completely soaked. Once I arrived, Chessie was, as usual, way more prepared for this encounter. She had perfectly prepared the papers to prevent any penetrating precipitation. Enclosed in a plastic tote, were the completed and final words for the pickle pirate story.
Not only did Chessie deliver a perfectly wonderful story, but the calligraphy was also stellar. The paper practically glowed as the words put together this cohesive and lovely story that was beyond my nonsensical first draft. While we exchanged pleasantries, Chessie enjoyed some very spicy ramen and I enjoyed finding that the Department of Revenue was asking for nearly $1000 in estimated taxes. By enjoyed, I really mean minor panic. After this revelation, as always, Chessie is the voice of reason and calm (I dealt with it and things turned out to be fine, but it was a process that took place weeks after this). I got these beauties home and began installing them onto the canvases for hanging. See more in Part 3!