Hello again. As the result of a minor accident a few days ago, I'm currently on a little bed rest and also on a little Vicodin. Yes, I'm all pilled up at the moment so please forgive me if this posting has the loopy sensibility of a Paula Abdul- American Idol critique. I'll explain my mishap more in the next Real Housewife recap, but for now, I would simply like to share a couple drawings of the ladies from Grey Gardens. My very nice and dare I say quite handsome reader Joe commissioned me to do an ink drawing of each of the Edies for his very nice and dare I say quite handsome partner Rick's birthday. Joe asked that I draw the actual women, not Drew Barrymore or Jessica Lange.
That's the real Edith "Little Edie" Bouvier Beale. I had set my TIVO to record the 1975 documentary and the '09 HBO version which aired on the same night. I'm not sure if I messed up or if my TIVO was simply being a prankster as it recorded the '75 documentary in Spanish. ???? Sadly, I don't hablo espanol so I still haven't seen the original. I did however watch the recent HBO, Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange release and Lord have mercy--- those gals were bat shit crazy, yet lovable. It was fascinating seeing how that elegant mother and daughter who at one time held so much promise ended up living such reclusive lives in that previously gorgeous house. As the years went on, that home Grey Gardens became basically a landfill of antiques and filth. Raccoons crawling over piles of garage throughout the home, cats peeing everywhere, and the walls rotting away....... It's also hard imagining being one of their neighbors. Being down-wind of that in the summer must have been beyond gross.
That's the real Edith "Big Edie" Ewing Bouvier Beale. Everyday I scour through my TIVO's guide preview in hopes of catching a re-airing of that 1975 documentary and when I do finally find it, fingers crossed that it records in English.
Thanks Joe for having me draw these and a Happy Happy Birthday to you Rick!
Both drawings are ink on hot pressed watercolor paper. Please click to enlarge.
If you enjoy looking at my drawings online, the next step would be having one or two or three in your home. Interested? Click on over to my etsy shop and take a gander. And your credit card. :) Much appreciated!
Fantastic! I just love these, I wish I had thought to commission them for my mom; she and I (how very apropos) have fallen in love with the original and the new version. You especially captured Big Edie perfectly.
I ended up having to watch the doc on Youtube here:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=CE9D79A0EAE9A62A&search_query=gray+gardens+documentary
Not as good as on TV, but worth it, trust me.
Posted by: Loryn | May 03, 2009 at 08:24 PM
wow! these are beautiful. nice work!
Posted by: shane | May 04, 2009 at 09:42 AM
They have to original doc on netflix if you are interested....
Posted by: Dee-Dee | May 04, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Oh God, I love the glasses! You have perfectly expressed the batshit!
When you watch the original make sure you have your honey and ben & jerry's with you as it is unrelentingly depressing. It might be better in Espanish.
P.S. Hope you have a speedy recovery!
XOXOXXO!!
Posted by: Vern | May 04, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Great sketches! Hope you mend quickly!
Posted by: Jenny | May 04, 2009 at 12:55 PM
You are amazing. I am not familiar with originals, but thanks to Loryn I was able to YouTube it. Rick is a lucky man, and Joe - what a great gift. Gilmore, I didn't know you take requests. It's given me an idea for myself :0 BTW, still waiting patiently for the pics you were going to email me. I knew you were PS, but not a hospital bed. Feel better soon.
xo
Posted by: Virginia | May 04, 2009 at 01:49 PM
I hope you are feeling better David.
After reading your post this morning and checking out the youtube link from Loryn, I spent way too much time watching the documentary on the ladies. They are fascinating women and you did a wonderful capturing them. I especially like little Edie, she looks in your drawing like she is just dreaming of what could have been. I think Big and Little Edie are far more interesting than any of the housewives. BRAVO! to you and Happy Birthday to Rick the lucky recipient. Thanks for sharing those with all of us.
Posted by: maggie | May 04, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Nice drawings! the one of Edith is my favorite drawing you have ever done... such detail! (Sorry Vickiiiiii). Can I order that Edith drawing with a side of vicodin.... just kidding :)
Feel better!
Posted by: deena | May 05, 2009 at 06:53 AM
Joe and Rick are two of my besties and I know that they were both so excited about the drawings! They look amazing!
Posted by: Kacee | May 05, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Oh, sweetie, feel better!!!! Sketches are gorgeous as always. Take care and I hope all is well soon.
xoxoxo
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa B | May 05, 2009 at 10:43 AM
A Vicodin and cabernet recuperation is the best kind.
Posted by: jimmy | May 05, 2009 at 05:10 PM
I don't know if you know this but you have an ad from the National Organization for Marriage appearing on your blog. Pretty weird & disturbing.
Love your blog, btw - esp. the Housewives drawings. More, more please - I missed you this week!
Posted by: Terry | May 05, 2009 at 09:53 PM
I missed u this wk. Get better. Now to critiquing. OMG I am obsessed w) Grey Gardens story. It is sad with so much promise Lil Edie had and being held back by her mother. That HBO movie is awesome. Drew did a pretty good. thanks deedee am reactiving my netflix account just to see the original documentary. I do like that at least in the end, Lil Edie (albeit she was almost 70) realized her dream, was freed, got to travel and perform.
Posted by: Borg Queen | May 06, 2009 at 06:49 AM
You absolutely must Netflix the original Grey Gardens. I promise, the first viewing you'll be alternately amused, horrified and fascinated - wondering how these women lived this way and why they would show it to the world. Then you'll watch it again, and you'll watch the extras with the fabulous Mayles's and you'll grow to love these woman and their unique view of the world. And then you'll watch it again, and again and again. It is mesmerizing and pyschological study of co-dependency and family dysfunction like you've never seen.
God bless Little Edie. She was a staunch character indeed just looking for the Libra man in the very best costume for the day. I heart her.
Posted by: Austinite | May 08, 2009 at 10:30 PM