Every site, every page, every paid advertisement on every search engine is suggesting another way to ” Lose that belly fat “, ” 10 tips to a flatter belly “, ” Free, easy rules for a flatter belly”. Does anyone believe this? Like the birds on Hitchcocks’ telephone lines, these ads seem to pop up in one place or another and now that I’m bringing it to your attention, try to avoid seeing one.
And they’re about as free and easy as the Nigerian chain letters.
I actually think a little belly fat makes for a more inspired model to draw from: meet the goat man-
My favorite spot for a little belly fat, actually exists right here:
” I don’t care if your tummy IS a little round, I love you and want you to come out and play with me”
If those ad people want to strike a chord with a burgeoning market, they’d re-address their focus to the world of bloggers and painters who sit most of the day and re word the come-on to read:
” Follow this easy tip for a tiny butt “
Bet they’re reading this now………..
Tags: Cloud puppy, drawing, hoax, Lose belly fat, sketching, ubiquitous marketing
Asheville: The North West of The South East 
March 6, 2010 at 12:31 pm |
OMG! When I first saw the ad at the TOP of your post, I thought you had caved in and gone commercial.
Thank dog you’re still painting (and photographing the cuteness).
March 6, 2010 at 12:40 pm |
So you’ve seen them everywhere too Terry? Although it does seem to get one’s attention, doesn’t it?
Thanks for stopping by ( and YOU never have to worry about needing those easy tips ! )
March 6, 2010 at 1:30 pm |
Well! Now aren’t these a couple of lovely drawings?! More! More!
I don’t think the local VI population has been taking those ads too seriously yet. Or if they have, the “tips” being offered are totally ineffective. Those ads must be generating revenue, though; otherwise they would quickly disappear. I’m afraid that says something about the vital social issues of greatest concern in our popular culture.
March 6, 2010 at 1:53 pm |
Thanks Don- seems the pencil has been a better friend than the brush lately. Ah, but they’re all fickle.
It’s not just the local starch fed populous that’s ignoring the message, just look around the airport in Miami or Dallas, or Queens.
Here’s my plan: flatten the belly, enlarge the IQ.
Whaddya think?
March 6, 2010 at 1:38 pm |
This type of ad is why I TOTALLY ignore advertising. But I admire your drawings. And sense of humor. And devotion to the animals!
March 6, 2010 at 1:55 pm |
Thanks for dropping in again Linda. I’m with you. I purposely ignore and will never buy anything that irks me in an ad.
I stopped at your blog again this morning and found some wonderful drawings and watercolors. You are surely diverse.
March 6, 2010 at 1:51 pm |
Yes, I have noticed those ads are EVERYWHERE! Have you ever clicked on one of them? I’ve always wondered what lies beyond if once actually clicked on the ad….. Have you done it? I’ve always been afraid.
Glad you are working on the goat man. I was struck by that photo when you first showed it in your last post and thought to myself….Hmmmm, there’s a Bonnie painting there.
What is UP with that dog and cat???? They are too, too funny.
xoxo
March 6, 2010 at 1:56 pm |
Did I hear “Tiny Butt”? Is there an 800 number? Oh, just joshing cuz in past year I have lost a lot of weight and most of it came from the nether regions and now when I see my tiny butt naked, all I can think (you’ll be proud of me) is a dog, what are they called, not a sharpie cuz that’s a pen silly, but let me google quick and get back to you…tick tock…”Shar Pei”! Here’s a look at one, http://www.lasharpei.com/LaurensSharpei.jpg.
My tiny butt is not this cute, however.
Oh, yeah! Your drawings! Mmmmm….good.
March 6, 2010 at 2:06 pm |
OH Pat, crack me up why don’t you. A sharpie. Indeed.
But that dog as cute as it is, does not hold a Milk Bone to the ( what is the opposite of nether region? ) visage that is adorably yours. And luckily we interact with the public with our faces and not our nethers.
You’ll get in any closed door.
March 6, 2010 at 2:00 pm |
OK Carol- a confession. Yes, I did it once. For research. I took one for the team.
They are all different packagings of the same underlying bullshit that anyone desiring to lose a few pounds already knows: shut your mouth, cut your portions and move your ass.
Harsh.
But, come on, people, do you really think that there’s an easy way to do anything valuable?
Angel and Cloud sitting under a tree
K-I-S-S-I-N-G
I love you, do you love me?
Sometimes I do, now let me breathe.
March 6, 2010 at 9:08 pm |
😉
i love my dog’s underbelly, too.
Paz
March 6, 2010 at 10:08 pm |
Flat tummies, tiny butts and fat heads. We are an alien species.
The dogs think we’ve got it all wrong and suggest that satisfying tummy rubs and butt scratches will save the world. They might be right. As usual.
March 7, 2010 at 12:23 pm |
In Dog, I trust. All else have to work a little harder to prove their point.
March 7, 2010 at 7:27 am |
I saw that at the top of your post and thought at first that your blog had been hijacked….since I see that damn thing everywhere. Glad that was not the case. 🙂
That’s a fantastic sketch you have there (why is one on blue and one isn’t?).
Rumi has the most adorable little bit of belly fat. It’s softer than the rest of him.
March 7, 2010 at 12:25 pm |
The blue was a tweak of Photoshop to flatten the contrast without losing the pencil lines. I decided to leave it- it had the appearance of a toned canvas.
I suspect I must be annoying Cloud to orders of distraction – I can’t resist the way she lays belly up, paws curled and the billboard that says ” insert nose here, human”.
March 7, 2010 at 7:32 am |
P.S. I think Cloud could lease her ears to SETI.
March 7, 2010 at 8:35 pm |
I love these drawings! Yes, this man has presence and I’m glad you’ve drawn him.
You’re very brave to have clicked on one of those links! Thank you for telling us what happens.
There isn’t anything cuter than a puppy’s belly, that’s for sure. More drawings. More paintings/mixed media work, and more pets, please!
March 7, 2010 at 10:17 pm |
Melinda- it occurred to me when I clicked on one of those ads, that I might be opening some cyber portal of perpetual spam, but I was so curious to know what it is that makes people believe this stuff.
I still don’t know.
Thanks for the cheerleading in all categories. It means more than you might think.
PS- the more pets part is very very easy to fulfill……..
March 7, 2010 at 11:47 pm |
Your animals are so cute.
Yeah, you can get the answers to the belly fat “secre” if you lay down a credit card.
March 9, 2010 at 11:29 am |
Thanks Mary- that little one is a total distraction. Not because she’s mischievous. She’s just so uniquely cute, I find it hard to focus on other things.
Excuses, I know.
But really.
March 8, 2010 at 2:19 pm |
I’m with you. A bit of a belly is a lot more appealing to draw than a stick figure. And I like the way you handled the sitting man. Did you win the goat?
March 9, 2010 at 11:31 am |
Bill, having been in a painting ditch, drawing was a good way to keep my eyes from forgetting how to see. I think it was a good idea- I’m working on a piece now that’s about 75% painted and what HO? I haven’t scraped it clean yet.
I didn’t buy a raffle because I knew for sure I’d win. And you can’t have one goat, all my animals come in twos. Two goats? I’d never paint, or clean, or cook or leave the premises.
So, no, I didn’t win. Or maybe I did.
March 9, 2010 at 2:32 pm |
A lot of people are looking for the easy quick fix
… and if they send me $100 I will tell them the real secret to losing that excess tummy fudge and bottom dwelledge! hee hee!
March 13, 2010 at 4:59 pm |
I’m smiling once again, Bonnie… Between your wonderful humor and your fabulous pictures.. you always enchant me.
I LOVE the marks you’ve made on this drawing to inform yourself of what you are planning… So good to see!
Happy painting!
March 21, 2010 at 12:26 pm |
Thank you Marian- I always love reading your comments. Even when I’m far more inert than I should be, you motivate me to get cracking at the easel again.
March 14, 2010 at 11:47 pm |
Hi, I just surfed in from… I dunno, somewhere. Just saw the heading on your post and thought “Oh no! Just when I start using WordPress, that damn ad appears!” I see it everywhere… and wish it would go away!
Love your dog and cat (your cat in its hideaway is making an awful face at the dog!)
Have browsed some of your posts – like them. I’ll return!
March 21, 2010 at 12:30 pm |
Welcome oldbird, but really there’s nothing absurd on your blog. Just had a look at your photos, and very lovely and obvious appreciation of flowers and footed friends.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comments.
March 15, 2010 at 4:54 pm |
“Secrets” – why do we fall for that word, or for the word “tips”… they have become THE words to make one click on a link or buy the newest book… and if there were an EASY way to lose ANYTHING we wanted to lose, someone would be rich beyond measure!!! Okay – I’ve had my rant now and feel MUCH better! You have made me feel much better, too, Bonnie, as I almost gave in to clicking on one of the belly fat ads. I broke out in a sweat and had to slowly back away from the computer. Thanks for taking that hit for the team!!! Now, if only people would focus on relaxing with art and pets, the world would be a much happier place where belly fat would melt into the background of importance where it wouldn’t even be noticed! Your blog makes me laugh, smile, and generally feel happy. THANK YOU – and thanks to Cloud and Angel!
March 21, 2010 at 12:34 pm |
Joanne, and reciprocally, you make me laugh too. Taking one for the team! Ha.
Isn’t there a disparate and nutty, contradictory message in all the media? A diet and exercise on one page, recipes for Death By Chocolate on another, and teenage girls bemoaning how fat they are. When I hear a gal in the next fitting room shot out that ” this size 2 is too big, don’t you have this in a ZERO, I think there’s something not right.
What size do you have to be to be a ZERO? Wouldn’t you just cease to exist and need perhaps a burial shroud instead!!!!!??
March 20, 2010 at 9:33 pm |
So you play with the pets, get everyone riled up, and then you go draw. SOOO, that’s how you get the energy and movement into those wonderful drawings…
Do they get along? The kitty always looks annoyed or is that the calico in her?
March 21, 2010 at 12:35 pm |
Sharon, you sure know your kitty language. Cloud wants Angel and Angel really wants little to do with her. But the two girls seem to work it out.
It makes for great picture taking though.
March 25, 2010 at 8:54 pm |
LOVE the horses
March 26, 2010 at 12:33 pm |
Throw monkey wrenches, make art, treasure friends. Brillian. Love your blog.
March 26, 2010 at 12:56 pm |
Thanks so much Tina for leaving a note. I checked back on yours and loved what I found. You can read it there.
Please stop by again, as will I.