Holy mix of pop culture, Batman! For those of you wondering WTF I'm talking about... yesterday was Hunter S. Thompson's birthday (if he were still alive), and I'm sure anyone with a pulse and TV knows that tomorrow is the release of the latest and greatest Batman flick–The Dark Knight Rises. To understand why these two events work so beautifully together, one must read (or at least WATCH) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. From the book:
The car suddenly veered off the road, and we came to a sliding halt in the gravel. I was hurled against the dashboard. My attorney was slumped over the wheel. "What's wrong?" I yelled. "We can't stop here. This is bat country!"
–Raoul Duke, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, by Hunter S. Thompson
You NEED to read the book.
Anyway, I've had this Ralph Steadman (the artist who illustrated Fear & Loathing)—slash—Fear and Loathing idea on my list forevvvvver (Chris is a major major major fan), and I figured what better way to do it than a Bat Country/Batman mashup, much like my Dexter/Dexter mani named He's Got a Way With Murder. In that manicure I took the Dexter (the beloved serial killer) logo, and an illustration of him in the style of Dexter's Laboratory (the cartoon) and combined them to celebrate the beginning of a new season of Dexter. (Speaking of Dexter, could you believe the Season 6 cliffhanger?! Season 7 premiere can't come soon enough!)
If you're not familiar with the art of Ralph Steadman, it's messy and well... slightly psychotic. (and creepy awesome) The best way to understand it is by seeing this:
I did the Ralph Steadman bats on all the fingers except the middle finger, where I did the batman logo in the style of Steadman, with splatters/drips.
So there you have it. An explanation of WhyTF I did this manicure. And now, without further ado, the manicure you've all been waiting for...
And who could resist doing a Fear and Loathing manicure without taking a picture of it WITH the book. This is a First Edition of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and the first gift I ever gave to Chris!
I used:
Black: American Apparel Hassid
Topcoat: Seche Vite
We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold...
I haven't said it in a long time, but I ADORE YOU!!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteBack at ya, lady!! :-D
DeleteAwesome design.. love it !
ReplyDeleteAKA ReaderRita
ReplyDeleteSOOOOoooo neato!
First of all: yipee-BATS! My favorite creatures...
Secondly, add Ralph Steadman & Hunter S. Thompson- and what's not to love?
You are the coolest. Seriously.
:-P So nice to see you back!!
DeleteGlad you like 'em. Not sure I'll ever take this design off. lol
As I write this post, I am working on my own Batman mani AND pedi for the marathon I'll be seeing tomorrow. That being said, my mani/pedi is downright put to shame next to yours! Yours is FAB!!! I love it and wish I had those skillz (yes so much skill-wise it requires a "z"). :)
ReplyDeletelol the Skill'z' thing cracks me up, because Chris says the same thing.
DeleteWhat are you doing for YOUR Bat-manicure?!
love the movie, need to read the book. one of my favorite designs from you :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, the movie is the book almost word for word. lol Great book though...plus, being Chris' gf means that I know ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the trivia about the movie/book/Steadman/Thompson too. He's obsessed. His cat's name is Hunter S. Tomcat.
Deletecrazily stunning! love how the bats are cropped and composed!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! :-P
DeleteThanks Amber!
ReplyDeleteAwesome nails!
ReplyDeleteWhat great! Did you know you're very talented? I love how you manage to create time after time such pretty little paintings on your nails.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this manicure!
ReplyDeleteYou are incredible!! I've been waiting for some batman nail art all week and this was just terrific.
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing mani! Love all superhero nails but this is such a far cry from the clinched pop-art logos! Really great!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and this is just an amazing mash-up. Awesome job!
ReplyDeleteHiiii girl !!!
ReplyDeleteIn France we call this movie "Las Vegas Parano" a crazy crazy crazy movie !!!!
Love what you do with your nails !!
XOXO