The painting above, based on Winston's 2008 Halloween costume, is the work of ANTM Cycle 12 contestant Allison. I kinda got the feeling she was reading my stuff (via another ANTM girl, which...yeah, fraternizing with the talent is potentially problematic), so in my recap of the recap, I not-so-gently hinted that I wanted the sketch of a bloody-nosed Tyra that she did. Weirdly, the following week, she emailed me just to say hey, and I was all, "AHEM! I saaaaaaid I wanted that sketch." She gave it away to someone on the set, but she promised to make something else for me. I suggested something Winston-oriented (I wanted to experience the space dust of worlds colliding), and lo and behold a few weeks later, this is what she has come up with.
I probably don't need to say that I love it so, but I do. This is the single best material thing that has come out of my work on the Internet. My favorite thing about it is how utterly bizarre it would look to someone who hasn't seen Winston: a painting of a smoosh-faced cat wearing a hat and wig and stole and dress, as inspired by E.T.'s Halloween costume. What a wonderful thing!
No, sorry, that's my second favorite thing about it. My favorite thing about it is that Allison painted it!
There's a lot more of her creativity on her Flickr. To paraphrase the hushed words of Little Edie Beale, when you consider what's going on today, and then you compare Allison, she's very gifted. She really is. She's very gifted.
My own life feels more complete now that I know this exists.
Awesome.
Posted by: Jasmine | May 06, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Oh my GOD. That is so ridiculously awesome. Her work reminds me of Marilyn Manson but sweeter. But yeah, that painting is soo frame-worthy.
Posted by: Lia | May 06, 2009 at 12:37 PM
oh man! she's even more officially my favorite this season now.
Posted by: sarah | May 06, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Hee! That's all I got.
Posted by: Miss Lisa | May 06, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Please do an interview with her Sheena style. I want to hear you two talk about everything, but especially what it's like to be a meme and on ANTM.
Posted by: Steven | May 06, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Um, that's AWESOME! Allison is my favorite this cycle, and perhaps ever on ANTM.
Posted by: Emma | May 06, 2009 at 01:17 PM
AHHHHHHHHWESOMMMME!!! !
Posted by: Lisa | May 06, 2009 at 01:21 PM
Is that a subtle Winston nosebleed I see?
Posted by: Aaron | May 06, 2009 at 01:26 PM
I love this! So Jealous!
Posted by: me | May 06, 2009 at 01:30 PM
Did she give Winston a little bloody nose too? I think it's awesome she did that for you, it's just missing Rudy dressed up like Elliot =)
Posted by: Cheryl | May 06, 2009 at 01:33 PM
I agree with Steven, an interview is in order!!
Favorite. Top Model. Ever??
Posted by: Surabaya Johnny | May 06, 2009 at 01:40 PM
Soooo freakin' cool.
Her art is wonderful; I checked it out a few weeks ago when someone mentioned it in one of the comments threads. Very imaginative, very distinctive. Great stuff!
Posted by: Rana | May 06, 2009 at 01:50 PM
OK A. How the Hell did I EVER miss the post of Winston and Rudy dressed up as E.T. and Elliot.
B. Allison is awesome. My favorite now. I have someone to root for instead of being bored and waiting to see who the Top Model In Action is.
Posted by: Dandy Darkly | May 06, 2009 at 02:00 PM
This is hella amazing. On so so so many levels. Yay Allison, Yay Winnie, Yay Rich!
Posted by: emmysuh | May 06, 2009 at 02:02 PM
OK, and I just went to her Flickr and love her work. You're right (as usual), she is really talented.
Posted by: emmysuh | May 06, 2009 at 02:04 PM
That's too awesome. She really captured his smooshy essence. This girl's got a future ahead of her - a lot of her stuff puts me in mind of Harold Town: moody, witty and macabre.
Posted by: spazmo | May 06, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Is he supposed to be sporting her weave? HILARIOUS! :)
Posted by: V | May 06, 2009 at 03:37 PM
BEST CONTESTANT EVER!
Posted by: Amanda | May 06, 2009 at 04:02 PM
I third the interview comment, btw. At least if not like Inside the Reality Studio, then by phone or something.. (Texas..?)
Allison is amazing.
Posted by: V | May 06, 2009 at 04:20 PM
looks like watercolors, that's really good!
I love it, I'd wear that on a t-shirt.
Posted by: steele | May 06, 2009 at 04:26 PM
winston is amazing. allison should win antm this cycle. winston always wins, in life in general. kudos!
Posted by: sam | May 06, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Agreed, this is probably the most amazing thing I've ever seen materialize out of this blog. Nice one!
Posted by: Qbot | May 06, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Adorable! I think Allison is my all-time favorite.
Posted by: Deanna | May 06, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Totally agree on the interview with Allison idea - if she'd go for it, I say hell yeah.
That picture is the greatest thing ever.
Posted by: Lea | May 06, 2009 at 05:38 PM
Worlds are colliding....and I love it!
Posted by: Rachel | May 06, 2009 at 06:14 PM