The Story Behind This New Series

Fighting for Truth, Justice and an Early Bird Special

You know that meme “Whatever you’re doing today, do it with the confidence of a 4 year old in a batman suit”? … Well, these ladies said, hold my purse.

I’m not saying Nana is Batman, I'm just saying no one has ever seen Nana and Batman in the same room together. Also, go listen to the theme song of the 1966 Batman TV show. It starts out, and I quote, "Nana Nana Nana Nana Nana Nana Naaa ... "

There are no coincidences.

I loved working on this painting, using an AI image created by Polly in Wonderland as reference. Polly is an artist and poetess, living in Ukraine. I’m not sure how to describe Polly’s work, exactly. It feels like a nostalgic world that is slightly “off” from our own, as if it’s a different timeline or a parallel universe, or maybe even a retconning of our own past. Her alternate reality is beautifully absurd (and I mean that in the nicest possible way). They’re like if the movie "Pans Labyrinth" had a baby with "the Wizard of Oz", or like what you’d dream about after eating too much cheese.

You absolutely must go check her out. IG: @polly__in_wonderland website: www.pollyinwonderland.com

…

You’re still here. I meant check her out NOW! Go on. I’ll wait.

…

See? Worth it, right?

Tho, I didn’t expect you to take quite so long to get back to me. (Rude).

I stumbled across Polly’s work after googling "How to be a badass old lady". Or “Fifty ways to die a hero over Fifty” (This is me, working on myself, because my insurance doesn’t cover therapy).

Then I read an article called "10 Second Career Ideas for Retirees" and was shocked to find, vigilante crime fighting wasn’t one of them! They left that out? It’s like they’re TRYING to make a mockery of internet journalism!

Sheesh, I'm starting to think these internet lists (aka “listicles”) are clickbait, and don’t actually contain any well-researched or helpful information at all. 😡

Anyhoo, Polly’s images of old ladies in pink batman costumes make me laugh … Like, of course old ladies can be superheroes! They are, indeed, the Heroes Gotham needs.

I have sooo many thoughts about this duo, just out there fighting crime in their pink batsuits and orthopedic shoes. And what, exactly, do they get up to at night? I bet they beat up able-bodied assholes who park in handicapped spots (Is there anything more villainous?) But do they hit people with their pocketbooks, or do they use a disappointed, withering look to subdue the punks? (That was my mom’s superpower, and “the look” was all me and my brothers needed to behave in public).

Do these bat-ladies also have a butler who was a former British Intelligence agent who invents Batarangs and stores them in their utility-belt/fanny-pack, along with some prune juice and Wurther’s Originals? I have so many questions.

Whatever the case, I would join their gang. We’d meet up every Wednesday at the Justice League where we’d plot the downfall of our enemies, then play cards while watching The Golden Girls.

So if you, like me, have always dreamed of becoming an eccentric-billionaire-vigilante-crimefighter with a butler and fashion accessories that include a grappling hook and some Werther’s Originals hard candy, you might enjoy these new paintings.

Thanks for following along!

cheers,

Karen