Jessica Herman

An adolescent boy who wears a bandana over his ponytail and a red-and-white Hawaiian shirt points to a line drawing of George W. dressed as a cheerleader, filled in with colored-pencil and glitter glue, above the President's own quote , "We spent a lot of time talking about Africa, and we should. Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease."

Bush is nowhere to be found at Barbara's Bookstore, but his likeness is posted on every wall of Barbara's back room for the one-night exhibition of art accompanying the release of "The George W. Bush Coloring Book" by Garrett County Publishing. The coloring book is full of Karen Ocker's illustrations of known and obscure statements by Bush, and the exhibition includes seventeen artists' interpretations of an Ocker image.

"I think it's very honest and anxiety-relieving," says the book's publisher, G.K. Darby, about the event. "It's like George W. wrote the book. I mean, it's his words."

Despite plenty of food and wine, some visitors eagerly await the night's climactic ending, when the book's publisher announces the winner of tonight's coloring contest of a Bush illustration. The handful of submissions hangs on the wall. An undeniable standout is the page covered in bird excrement. Darby selects a subtler Bush-bashing version, one with illustrated horns and a mouth dripping blood, as winner. "That birdshit one is the best one. I'd like to buy that," retorts an onlooker.

(2004-06-29)

Also by Jessica Herman

House of house
It's surprising to walk into Gramaphone Records on a ninety-degree Wednesday evening and not feel suffocated
(2004-06-16)

The Vintage Life
A guide to the city's fashion finds
(2004-05-18)

Shopping around
Hockshop, the multi-functional clothing and arts business, is holding a twenty-hour farewell sale
(2004-05-18)

The cool hunt is on
Urban Remedy sends its members weekly newsletters on events or updates on fashion, beauty, music, film--generally anything related to lifestyles and free deals
(2004-05-12)

Fraying and finishing
(2004-05-05)

War zone
(2004-04-27)

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