Denny’s Adventures in Allee Willis’ “Willis Wonderland” (Part 54 – August 2010)

Submitted by denny October 28th, 2010
Certifikitsch Winner

“Pickles Is The Best Dog”. This cup and saucer was made by “Bubbles the Artist” in tribute to Allee’s dog “Pickles” who is no longer with us.

Pickles.

The saucer.

Cup and saucer.

Go bubbles go! This is Bubbles the Artist’ commendation from the City of Los Angeles.

2 Responses to “Denny’s Adventures in Allee Willis’ “Willis Wonderland” (Part 54 – August 2010)”

  1. Allee Willis

    My alter ego, Bubbles the artist, made about 25 little cappuccino cups and saucers of my number one favorite dog I ever owned, Pickles, who did spectacular tricks with metal salad bowls. It’s a sin that this was before the YouTube days. I filmed her doing her tricks, many of which were taught to her by celebrities, but the footage is really dark and grainy and none of it gives the impact of what really went on. Her most famous trick was pushing the bowls, mostly anodized aluminum 1950s bowls, but going from little cream cups up to giant punch bowls, into the swimming pool and retrieving them before they sunk by holding onto the edge of the pool with her paws. There were hundreds of them and she could sink them in order of size and amplitude. She also wasn’t colorblind, which supposedly dogs are. I could yell out red, blue or whatever and that’s what she would go for next.

    When Java technology first came to the web, a movie of Pickles pushing her bowls was one of the first things ever done with it.

    I was on a TED panel once with Dr. Jonas Salk, who invented the cure for Polio. When we were introduced to each other he told me he was very familiar with me. I figured it was because of my songs, art or early web work but then he said to me, ‚Äúyou’re the one with the dog‚Äù. He had heard from a bunch of people about Pickle’s incredible brain.

    I painted Pickles’ head in the center of the cup so that when it sat on the saucer you would still get the full dog.

    I especially love the Certificate of Commendation awarded to my alter ego, Bubbles the artist, as she doesn’t really exist yet got a big nod from the City of Los Angeles.

  2. denny

    I wanted to see a pic of Pickles when I was there but didn’t want to “go there”…….

    Big love to Pickles!