Uno Kudo: October 2011

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Who is Uno Kudo? Tracey Lander Garrett

They say that vampires are just mythical creatures, now popularized by campy presently-popular romance novels, but prior to the mayhem that was Stephanie Myers and True Blood, the most popular sometimes-fanged creatures in our circle, was and is Tracey.

With creamy, porcelain-like skin, snaptastic wit and even at times scissor sharp incisors, she makes you wonder if maybe...just maybe...? As fascinating as that may be (which believe me, it can be, especially when you know her), it doesn't even come close to measuring up to what and how she writes.

Who is Uno Kudo?

Uno Kudo is Tracey Lander-Garrett

Your poem is called "The Tin Man's Lament." Tell us about your interest in the Wizard of Oz - in other words, why the Tin Man, and not Dorothy, the Wizard, or even the Wicked Witch?

I have always found the Tin Man the most interesting character of Dorothy's companions in the film. I mean, sure, as a little girl I admired those sparkly red pumps that Dorothy wore as much as any other, but her haplessness was never all that appealing. As for the Wizard, he was a a disappointing phony, and you know, we've already got Wicked to tell the Witch's story.

The Tin Man--forgotten in the woods, frozen due to rust, struck me as a particularly lonely and brave character. He's the one with the ax, after all.

He needs oil to move--and has no heart? But he loves Dorothy all along quite well without one. It's love in return he needs, I think, whether in the form of well-oiled care, or actual reciprocal romance. I imagine he'd prefer both. I know I do.

Tracey Lander-Garrett was born in the Village of Sleepy Hollow on a dark moonless night. Some of her favorite things are vampires, Dungeons & Dragons, and avocados. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, four cats, and lots of books. She is working on her second novel and currently teaches in the English Department at Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York City. Tracey has had works published in Long River Review, Brooklyn Review, and Mid-America Poetry Review.

Tracey Elsewhere

Facebook

Monday, October 10, 2011

Who Is Uno Kudo? Joseph T. Penaloza

Joseph is an interesting character.

He is the kind of guy who likes to sign his name, "Joseph" to every comment he makes. When asked, "Joseph, why do you sign your name to every comment you leave?" his response is to tell you that he doesn't want to do what every one else does.

Fat chance of that.

Whether it is illustrating a photograph of Uno Kudo member, Tracey:

or sketching another UK member, Aaron Dietz:

The last thing that Joseph T. Penaloza should fear, is being like anyone else. We are lucky to have him as a member of the Uno Kudo Team.

Who is Uno Kudo?

Uno Kudo Joseph T. Penaloza

From his earliest moments, Joseph liked to draw.

Whether it was school buses on the garage wall (which was severely criticized by his Mama) to nekkid women in the fruitless pursuit of drawing perfection when figure drawing (not in the pursuit of said nekkid women), he wanted to capture the images he had seen. Think of it like that neolithic cave person who drew those animals they hunted on cave walls. Bet their Mama approved of that.

Drawing and illustrating are powerful ways to communicate an idea, especially when done correctly and right side up. Someday Joseph will branch into such things as oil painting, use that forlorn industrial design degree or maybe illustrate graphic novels about zombies and vampires and monsters, but for now participating with this group of talented, caring and ribald people like Vincent daddy is an opportunity to break out of the "go to work, go home from work and watch bad reality television" cycle.

Worthwhile endeavors such as Uno Kudo affirms that belonging to a community such as this tells him he belongs to a unique tribe and finding a home for himself.

Why does Joseph sign off on his comments on the Facebook one might ask?

In my advanced age it is important for me to remember my name. I also have a tendency to look outside of myself, but not in that scary out of body type experience.

My motivation for art is based on what I see and thinking if that would make a good picture. The picture is mostly done inside my head so that when it comes time to make some sketches to work out details, I'm not spending gobs of time searching for a theme.