Sepiachord: Tell us about the
extraordinary artist, Miss Oblivious.
Miss Oblivious: It all started from the groins of two
teenage rebels. The Year was 1972 and I had been floating in
oblivion since 1937(past life involving surrealists and handmade
goods). It seemed the time was right to enter another human form
thus Miss Oblivious was pushed through the thighs of a young
Hungarian female in 1973.
My mom used to do my make-up
S: Where are you from? How
long have you been in Seattle?
O: When my mother was 9 months pregnant my father had set
his mind that I would enter this life in the state of Colorado, so
they packed up their dogs and $88.00 striving for the land of
bigamist and clear streams. Within months of my life we returned to
my parent’s native land of California, were I resided for 33 years.
In 2006 when I had enough of Silicon Valley and yearned for the NW
lifestyle, I embarked on the journey with The Cap’n, two children, &
a set of black cats.
Jr,High 1987
Me and my friends in school (Miss
O in top right corner circa’88)
S: Tell us a bit about your
family life.
I stem from a long line of Hungarian beauties, Armenian gypsies and
British ancestry. My father was a surfer/biker dude! Covered from
face to waist in tattoos (Ventura, Ca), he kidnapped me when I was
two from the babysitters after my mother left him, then she captured
me back with bribery, soon the two of us were hitchhiking to Alaska.
We stopped in San Jose, Ca and
never left, she still resides there! I never saw my father again, we
spoke on the telephone when I was 13-til his death when I was 19.
I grew up in the land of pro-skaters and pretend yuppies!
My grandparents were my role
models and still are to this day they have both passed away but are
forever looking over me as my guides in this land of turmoil and
bliss.
My Grandma Esty in the 40’s way
before Boy George had this look!
Punk saved my soul at the tender
age of 6. I was in the SF airport and this girl enameled me with
twin fins. I told everyone from that day on, I was going to be a
punk when I grew up!
Miss O with Duane Peters & DeeDee
Ramone
By the time 5th grade rolled
around I had thick black eyeliner, sun-in bleached bangs and “Never
mind the bollocks” blaring from my speakers.
Cap’n & Miss Oblivious
I somehow beat the odds. What
seemed my destiny would lead me into the strength to climb and
overcome any tradition. I actually went to college on my own and
earned a degree in media arts.
My mother did her best, and I did
my best to do everything I wasn’t supposed to do. She did support my
individuality to an extent, she always said “Your just to much for
this town”.
I now have two children and have
been in a monogamous 9-year relationship! I feel that more than
anything else in life; my children rule my soul, my creativity and
my patience. Together they helped me see the light and gave reason
to my existence.
The Cap’n has helped me become a
better person and out of my effortless notions he has enabled me to
see the best in myself. A trait just recently appreciated by Miss O.
He is my biggest critic and longest running supporter!
Darby Jane & Sailor Hank
(two of my best creations)
S. How would you describe your
neighborhood of Seattle, Ballard, to folks who do not know about it?
O: “It’s where the punks go to retire”.
A retired punk!
S: Please tell our readers
about your beautiful dolls.
My dolls started for fun, gifts and out of sheer insanity. I
was never a doll lover as a kid. If there was ever a doll in my
reach I cut her hair into a Mohawk and colored it with markers.
When I was 19 I woke up one evening from a long night of carousing
and realized that dolls were one of the greatest things. I soon had
many cracked and decrepit dolls in my collection.
Making them was the next step (over the edge) and had some friends
come over and offer me top dollar for one, I realized that I had
possibly found my niche.
Darby
Crash Doll
salty
lover
S.what is your inspiration
behind the dolls' unique look?
O: I love the underbelly, the low class heroes. Salty aged
skinned fellas, milky powdered cheeks, toothless punks, neo-victorian
mourning, and outrageously awkward queers.
I feel that spirits lead me into my most unique and original pieces.
I make a lot of characters that could have existed a century ago in
London or in the coldest depths of Eastern Europe. Vaudeville
Americans involved with the Dustbowl glamour of life.
Dustbowl Tramp
Twin Peaks collection available in Northbend at Twededs Café’ where
the show was filmed
S.Which doll is your favorite?
Why? Who owns it now?
O:• The Butcher doll (Circus Contraption) is one of my tops,
Armitage Shanks owns
• Dustbowl gigolo doll that the Swedish Housewife now owns.
• The Love & War set of The Tiger Lillies, which is now in their
possession.
The Butcher doll
Dustbowl Gigolo
Bloody Lily doll
S.What was the most unusual
place that you set up to vend your dolls?
O:I choose to vend in peculiar locations. I want to be at
the places were you would not expect to see a flying head doll with
intestines flowing from the neck. Maybe Bop Street Records?
Angry Malaysian woman with
intestines flowing as she flies through the air “A true myth in
Malaysia”
S.What dolls are you currently
working on?
O: I am working on a lot of merchandise for the Cancan Club.
I am commissioned every month by this amazing man that has the
largest Puf’nStuf collection in the Unites States so he keeps me
busy with monthly installments. Spiritus dolls & soon Tarot dolls.
Two castaways with their
dolls
S: Congratulations on reaching
your 30th issue of your zine, Oblivious Nation! Please tell our
readers a little about your zine's history and what it is about.
O: My zine started in 1994 as “Cunt Fear”, I was a lil femme
dyke in SF and inspired by people like Lynn Breedlove, GB Jones and
Kathleen Hannah. I managed a photo lab and figured why not start
putting all the images I was capturing in a booklet to share with
all my peers. It was well distributed through the U.S & Europe.
In 1999 I started to date a boy that went by the name Cap’n
Oblivious and I soon became Miss Oblivious, which turned my zine in
a different direction and the title to “Oblivious Nation”. I felt
that so many of my peers and artist around me weren’t receiving
enough recognition and that they needed to be documented!
I had already been in the scene well over 125 years and had seen a
lot of talented people come and go. I felt that these were times
that I knew needed to be recorded! Mostly my zine has turned into a
journal of “true Underground Mishaps with Miss O”, so that my
grandchildren and generations after me will know whom Miss Oblivious
and her nation were.
I also contribute monthly rants to
www.punkglobe.com
First Issue
Issue 30 available soon
S: What was your favorite
article that you have ever published in your zine?
O: Wow I have to many to name! Each of them are special to
me. Since I experience most things first hand they are all unique
and heartfelt.
S: Who tops the charts as the
most interesting people that you have featured in your zine?
O: I think every single person I have ever placed in my zine is
the most interesting person! That is why they are in there!
S. What do you find the most challenging when creating your zine?
O: Folding and stapling.
S:If you were to compare the
beginning of your career as a zine creator to the work you are
producing today? How has the culture changed since you started?
O: I think it is the same but now we have the World Wide Web
to meet each other, show the work and get your view out a thousand
fold compared to 15 years and before. It seems that you don’t have
to wait til you die to be noticed! I get so sick of hearing people
say how much their life sucks or how they used to do this or they
thought about doing that, just do it!
You are in complete control of your destiny.
Stella Rose I just photographed
this lovely lady and she gives hope to the youth!
S: Tell us a bit about your
photography. What got you started?
O: My grandfather was a well-established photographer, he
would have to paint color onto his prints, and I grew up around a
lens in my face. I always remember being fascinated with
photographs!
That is how I was able to see some of my past ancestors and feel
like I knew them from the stories I was told and the pictures that
were taken before I was born, I would make my grandfather set up his
home movies on the projector every chance I had. I’d beg him to play
those gems.
Documenting my surroundings is a very important part of my what I
do, and I realized this early on.
Photographs and writing stories is an enormous part of that!
S: Who have you shot recently?
O: The Castaways are regulars, Shanghai Pearl, Cowboi Ami,
Patience, Tiger Lillie’s (Live),Stella Rose,
Faye “The Tattooed Psychic”,
The Bad Things, Miss Derringer
(these are just a few from the last weeks)
Ami& Shanghai
Xtal
Gods Favorite Beefcake
Bennihana
S: What kind of equipment do
you use?
O: I am a strong believer that equipment isn’t the important
aspect, it is more of whom is behind the device. But since you asked
I use both digital & film. I have taken fantastic shots with an
oatmeal box camera and with disposables.
Sink at Lobo Saloon
S: I am personally very
excited to hear that you are starting another band! Please tell our
readers about your latest band project, what you play and your
future plans for it.
O: Faye “The Tattooed Psychic” and Miss Oblivious are
embarking on another project. “Cochina Sirenas” in English
“Filthy/whore Mermaids”. I am playing the musical saw, she the
squeezebox. Faye will do most of the singing and I will participate
my vocals on a few pieces!
It sounds like a soiled dove that has lost her lover at sea.
S: I understand that this is
not your first band. Please tell us about your past bands.
O: I was creator and lead singer for a well-known Bay Area
punk band named “Nag” and that is Nag with one G not two. I state
that fact because another band started after us and were forced to
add a G as to not be confused with us!
We were together for close to 5 years, played weekly and even did a
mini tour. The Cap’n and I were staple members with rotating bass
and drums every 6 months to a year! We recorded a bit but it was
more of a fun- in your face- I don’t give a fuck what you think
band. We were once titled in a publication as “The Germs of the
millennium”.
Nag and The Flames on tour ‘99
S: What was your favorite band
moment?
O: Playing completely topless in front of a sold out show!
It was liberating and obviously influenced by one of my mentors
“Lynn Breedlove” and “Richard Hell”,
Also, the night that the opening band ‘s lead singer had a fake
penis that ejaculated, which I thought was real and refused to be
out done so I broke about five dozen bottles on stage and rolled
around in it the entire set!
I woke up in the morning with my legs covered in blood and shards of
glass still inserted throughout my flesh! I was later told that it
was the punkest show in SJ history!
Which I disagree with: they must have never seen a Diesel Queens
set!
S: When will we be able to
hear some of your new music?
O: As soon as it’s ready!
S: Besides the Zine, creating
your dolls, taking photos, making music & raising a family, I
*believe* I caught a glimpse of fine art, card making and sculpture
on your site.... Please tell us a little about your artwork.
I am a manic individual, and inspired by most of my
surroundings. Whenever there is an obscure moment, I like to
interpret it in my own special way. I like to change up the medium
of my expression to keep it fresh. Including some special/limited
edition pieces.
Oblivious Painting
Hellin Killers granddaughter wearing some pants I made for her with
an Octopus..
A sample of Oblivious Street wear
S: Will you ever consider
doing fashion design, if you haven’t already?
O: Everyday is a fashion day to me! A lot of my clothing is
altered to fit my ideal of how a woman should dress! These days when
you can go to the mall and buy a ripped up, safety pinned dress.
Self-expression is a true dying art of rebellious attire.
I see a lot of well-dressed youths and wonder if what they are
wearing was mass-produced or if they put any of their own effort
into their image!
To answer your question I have put three-dimensional images onto
vintage clothing and bags. I am currently out of all those pieces.
I like fabricating, which I have done for over 20 years; I do help
Herr Doppelganger to fabricate his costumes.
S: Besides being a fabulous
artist, Miss Oblivious also does show promotion and works with
several shows around Seattle. Please tell our readers about the
current performances you are involved in.
My main promotions seem to be The Cancan (94 Pike) and
Spiritus Live which includes my TV show with Faye “The Tattooed
Psychic”…”Ill Famed Spirits TV”.
I have also been involved with Circus Contraption/Tentacled Sawfish
personalized merch.
I recently went to Brooklyn with Tiger Lillies to sell TL dolls, and
button packs. Which should soon be available at
www.tigerlillies.com
S: Tell us ALL about Spiritus!
O: I discovered Spiritus in May 2007,through word of mouth.
I was blown away by the accuracy and feeling of Faye “The Tattooed
Psychic”.
We soon were collaborating on a few projects and I was asked to be
Ring Mistress for the show. Which I am very honored to be a part of.
Hands of Kali belly dance and give belly tarot readings, God’s
Favorite Beefcake (part of Circus Contraption) perform before and
after the show,
I will be adding in superb apparition history of Bell town in this
season of “Spiritus”.
Which is located in Jewel Box Theatre the third Thursday of every
month.
If you’d like a sample of what happens at “Spiritus” you can catch a
glimpse at
www.illfamedspiritstv.com episode 2.
We have a television show on channel 77 or online and the
aforementioned website. Faye performs her medium/ psychic
demonstrations and ghost hunts while Miss O creates short doll
films. I also edit and film a lot of the show.
S: WHERE can our readers
purchase your fine wares in Seattle? How about online?
www.paynecreations.org
www.myspace.com/missoblivious
www.etsy.paynecreations.com
www.myspace.com/obliviousnationzine
Zines: available at Left Bank Books in Seattle.
Australia at Sticky Zine store
Also subscriptions are available through paypal (paynecreations@yahoo.com).
$20.00 a year,
They are published bi-monthly and when I am not so busy monthly.
Dolls: Cancan
Club every Saturday and Sunday night after the show
IHEARTRUMMage on the first Sundays of every month at Chop Sueys
on Capitol hill from noon-4 p.m.
Majenta’s Diamond tattoo shop in Renton,
Schmancy Toys
in Belltown,
Monkeyhouse Toys in Silver lake,Calif and
Soon on
www.tigerlillies.com
S: Where can our readers buy tickets to the shows you are
involved in?
O: Directly from the performers websites
Occasionally through brown paper bag.
