‘Smokey Bookie’. Pencil drawing by Koldo Barroso, 2009
It’s a real honor for me to introduce you to your new Kooky Pet Workshop: Smokey Bookie
His real name is Misty but he likes to be addressed as Smokey Bookie. “Smokey” because, when he uses his capability of vanishing away like a ghost, his fluffy tail becomes smokey. “Bookie” because all he likes to do is to read Western books. He’d like to be a famous cowboy like Buffalo Bill and Calamity Jane and ride horses in the Wild West, but every time he gets excited he just starts vanishing away in foggy cloud of smoke. What else can you tell me about him, dear Pet Creators?
- This Signed 50 Limited Print is now available at the Store.
I wanted to say that it’s been really fun for me to do this Kooky Pet. As you know, I was born in Spain. My wife, Naomi, she’s from Colorado and when we first met she thought my “Spanish world” was probably too different from her Western heritage. She was quite surprised to hear about my childhood references: “Bonanza”, “Rin Tin Tin” and “Daniel Boom”. I used to watch them on the TV every week and I even wore their costumes. I had this sheriff costume with a badge and everything and I got pretty amazed when Naomi told me her grandpa Leland used to be a real sheriff! I later had the opportunity to visit in Westcliffe the building that used to be a jail where he worked.
So American culture was already very strong in Europe in the 60′s throughout the wonderful TV shows. Some of my favorite toys where Indian and cowboy plastic figures, forts and Indian tents. I spent a good part of my childhood thinking I was one of them, so doing this drawing brought me a lot of good memories and that’s why I wanted to thank you for bringing them back to me.
Smokey Bookie has been created with the following reader’s ideas and suggestions:
- The head of a cat (Zoe)
- Wings that looks like a book (La Donna)
- Parts of it’s body turn to smoke (Amir)
- Reflective and dreamlike eyes (Cyn)
- A pair of cow horns (Brett)
- Cowboy boots (Aiyana)
- Ten-gallon hat (Carolyn)
- Evil sting eyes (Christine)
- Smirky smile (Miss Jody)
- An apparition (Steven)
- A scaly pet (Yelena)
- Reflective (Germinational)
All of these contributors will enter a giveaway of a signed hatercolored print of the most popular Kooky Pet of the month which will happen on the 15th of August.
“La cabeza parecía de gato, con excepción de las orejas, que eran caídas, como las de un sabueso.” (parte del animal soñado por poe, en el libro de los seres imaginarios de borges)
i think it counts as one thing (a contrast), but if not, this is it: just the head of a cat, the ears of something else.
This pet should feature wings, that looks like a book, as we have written them into our life….
Zoe, thank you so much for the Borges text, I love that book. I also love Julio Cortazar’s Cronopios and Famas!
The head of a cat with book paged wings will do.
i don’t know the cronopios y famas! i will look for it, thanks!
This creature can make parts (or all) of it’s body turn to smoke when needed
the eyes should be reflective and yet dreamlike
a pair of cow/buffalo horns please.
Aiyana – cowboy boots
Carolyn – ten-gallon hat
Thought we’d try to throw you for a loop by adding a little southwest flair.
:0) :0)
Eyes: while reflective and dreamlike, should have an evil sting, that makes the gaze menacing.
A smirky smile… perhaps this pet has a secret?
Is it possible to create this little kooky pet as an apparition?
Steven: everything it’s possible if you really want it. But, “apparition” can be interpretated in many different ways…
Welcome to the new Kooky Pet makers: Amir, Cyn, Brett!
I want a scaly pet – scaly like a pine cone. That does not prevent one from flying, right? Because I want him to be able to fly too.
I’d like some part of this kooky pet to be mirrored, or reflective.
That is all.
I was thinking about it being ghost like, that’s what i meant by “apparition” (sorry for the confusion)
Yes, Steven, of course I understood you but… how do ghost work? ball and chain? white sheet with holes? Anyway, I was just kiding, I’m sure you´ll get your apparition
I love his book wings, and his tail, but I think the best part is that he’s vanishing from the middle out!
Our absolute favorite – or do we say that about all of them. Aiyana thought that you must have seen her cat, as Smokey Bookie looks just like Ms. Kitty. We thought we might have requested a bit more than was possible, but once again you did it.
I love his smokey tail and smiling eyes.
oh, this one is my absolute favorite of all the pets, ever! that is the best cat head i’ve seen, he has a fantastic expression
the cowboy get-up and horns, and the smoky tail and disappearing belly, he’s fantastic! i love him! great job!!!
and the wings! i love the wings!
this one would be a great character for a book.
the eyes are wonderful they seem so simple but convey much, the expression is wonderful over all
We’ll pardoner, you done went and did it again with that thar good drawn’ thing! I sure would hate to have a showdown with that critter..because i’d draw my iron and be ready to shoot and he would go an disappear! That, my friend, would leave me all vulnerable and stuff.
:O),
Seriously, wonderful colors and expressions. Thanks, once again for allowing us to be a part of your creation.
I’m talking to Smokey Bookie and he is telling me to ask you:
-What are the book paged wings for?
-Why does he vanish away when he gets excited about being a cowboy?
-What are the shinny scals for?
He won’t tell me and says you would know better…
HOla Koldo tus personajes son fantasticos… pero Smokey Bookie me parece un ser especial,y una puerta al más estilo bar del oeste en el fondo… ??? impresionas como siempre Koldo un saludote grande
I’m currently preparing the Kooky Pets Book and I’m contacting all of you in order to give you credit for contributing in the creation of this Kooky Pet. There’s a few people whose email address I can’t reach.
If you’re one of these and would like to be credited please contact me asap:
-Zoe
-Amir
-Cyn
-Carolyn
-Christine
-Miss Jody