The New Order(s) – by Charlie Macias

Okay, here’s the plan. Little Devil #1, I think we need a new push to get certain buzzwords back in the current vernacular. We need to heighten our profile. I’m thinking food. I’m thinking “deviled-ham,” “deviled-eggs,” and “deviled-food cake.” Get on it. I want to see these items on every restaurant menu available!

Little Devil #2, you know what term I like? I like “throw a spanner in the works” - which the British use for “screwing up.” You know, “throwing a monkey wrench into things?” Now I want “the devil is in the details” to become BIG!!! I want heads of state putting this into major speeches!” I want this to be THE catch-phrase of the millennium! I want it to be found in the next techno-industrial-post-disco-extended dance mix hit!!!

Little Devil #3, I’m getting kind of sick of Hell. It’s SO old-school. Too much heat, fire and brimstone and all that. I want our new headquarters to be cool and hip. Mellow. You look into some prime oceanfront property in Malibu. Toots sweet, I want it yesterday!!!

Hide and Seek – by Charlie Macias

It’s a new game for her. The young men find her attractive. But now she just rests, cooling off.  One uses so much energy when one flirts! But she likes it. She giggles to herself. It’s no longer about swimming the fastest or being bumped into the pond.  Now the boys want to catch her.

It’s one of those perfect times.

She senses that a big change is happening, but she hasn’t quite figured it out completely yet. Still she’s aware enough to take time and think this through.

It’s so relaxing to be just under the surface of the water. She is enveloped in a coolness that may represent the calm before the storm.

Jaguar Therapy – Pt. 2 – by Charlie Macias

Psychiatrist: Long time no see.

Jaguar:  Yeah, I know.

P: Where you been?

J: I had to retreat to the jungle for a while. Think some things through.

P: “Things?” Like what?

J: Remember how I groused about those feral hogs having their own TV shows?

P: Yes.

J: Well, for the most part those shows are gone.

P: Okay, that should make you feel better, no?

J: You’ll never guess what’s replaced the pig shows.

P: What?

J: The mythical creature Bigfoot! Sasquatch!

P: I don’t understand.

J: Exactly! They now have a WEEKLY show about an animal that DOESN’T EVEN EXIT!!!! To make matters worse this show is repeated like twenty times during the week! It’s re-run more than Seinfeld, for God’s sake!!!

P: So, they got rid of the pig shows – and DID NOT replace them with shows about jungle creatures…like you. Instead they now do shows about a creature that doesn’t even exist.  My my.

J: In-fricking-credible.

BIRD: I will attack this cat while he’s in his despondent state.

Stealing from Paul Simon! – by Charlie Macias

For this observation I'll take from Simon and Garfunkel, circa 1966, and "Dangling Conversation.” Was Paul Simon looking at his fish tank and imagining underwater friends when he composed this song?

The first set of lines in the song mention the ocean's roar. Then he cites "still life water color," "sun shines through a curtained lace (think of refracted light through the waves)," and shadows that wash the room.

“Maybe" the mermaid and the seahorse are discussing Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost (as in the song). "Maybe" they're discussing whether the theater is dead or not (as in the song). Maybe they're discussing some Disney Broadway play they're "right for" – NOT in the song. Did that mermaid cartoon go that route yet?

Magic Mountain - By Charlie Macias

Wouldn’t you rather see her face on a mountainside rather than that of good ‘ol George Washington? Apparently, Abe Lincoln is some sort of vampire-killer of note so I guess we’ll keep him up there.

She could be a distraction, you know. I’m driving round the bend in the countryside then WHAM! Look at that gorgeous woman! Oops, took my eyes off the road and hit a tree!

This is another “one with nature” piece from Doris (see March 2011). It’s interesting that this and the aforementioned piece are nightscapes. More relaxing? It’s more mystical at night? To emphasize a dream state?

It’s important that this work comes off as a dream since the woman can truly ONLY dream of being one with nature this way. And One With Nature would never really want to gouge out and carve up the landscape – especially with a monument to oneself.

The Devil May Care – by Charlie Macias

What the hoo-ha is going on here?!! This is outrageous! How can she reverse all my evil-doings?! She’s got some nerve wreaking havoc and making things pretty!

They don’t cover this type of activity in Satan 101. Can I banish her from hell?!! If Lucifer gets a load of this I’m off that summer fishing trip, for sure! Does somebody have the number for the Hades Hotline? I need some help!

#&@%* Influences – by Charlie Macias

Ha! Little Devils! Little devils whispering in her ear.

Many of Doris’ works show someone or something trying to be of influence. In this case it’s the little devils. You know how I feel about Doris’ malevolent fairies (Oct. ’11). She’s also depicted other “authorities:” more devils (March ’10), bird-mongers (May ’11), jaguars (June ’09), and mermaids (last month).

If you are weak, less-assured, or easily manipulated you better look out. You better be mighty careful. You’re constantly being targeted, tested by seen and unseen forces. These may be human or otherwise. Are you losing free thought? Are you losing control and self-direction?

There are many forces that want you to be just like them: advertisers, consciousness-benders, fashion-setters, religious leaders. Do you know the difference between a positive force and a negative influence? Do you know when to say enough is enough? Can you tell when you’ve crossed the line?

And what is the line?!

Doris, why must you raise so many questions?!!