Who is LuLu?
LuLu by Kathy Crabbe
Lulu was created when I was in graphic design school in the early 90's. My best friend Jamie and I created alter egos and mine was called LuLu. I also really needed a friend during crazy alone times to keep me company so I drew LuLu as a cartoon with friends: Zippy and Hermès (the cat). She became my inner child.
Within one week of graduating from design school I had moved to Montréal, got engaged and moved to Corona del Mar, California!
I was lucky enough to devote myself full time to my inner child; LuLu. She is my child. I never gave birth to a human child and knew I never would. I knew that my creations, my art and my pets would be my children.
So, when LuLu was 'born' in design school I was also, in a way, following in the footsteps of my paternal birth grandfather whom I had not yet met. His name is James Simpkins and according to Seth the cartoonist he was the creator of the most well known and beloved Canadian cartoon character of the twentieth century in Canada; Jasper the Bear. I had known my grandfather's work since childhood as one of his illustrations was on the back of a beloved children's book I owned.
LuLu in Laguna by Kathy Crabbe
I met Jim, my grandfather several times before he died. I found my entire birth family when I was 27. James was still drawing in the senior residence when I met him for the last time. He had a wall devoted to cartoons and I was on there with my art! His room was filled with Jasper memorabilia; statues, books, videos, etc and a drafting table where he worked, just like mine. He proudly showed me my photo and work on his cartoon wall. He was still cartooning; putting up nasty funny cartoons around the residence to try to get folks to stop smoking.
LuLu was my nod to him—from one cartoonist to another—although I never considered myself a cartoonist. I didn’t work with narrative or storytelling… or did I? I told this to my dear friend recently, and he told me to look up the lyrics to the Waterboys song “Trumpets” (whom I just saw in L.A.—woot!) and then try to tell him I didn’t do narrative!
Kathy Crabbe at St. Lawrence College, Canada
I have been telling stories—creating narrative—my whole life, and LuLu is the story of my inner child growing up. And now she is leaving home. How can I ever let her go? But it is time. It is past time.
"And to be with you
Is to find myself in the best of dreams
Your love feels like trumpets."
~ The Waterboys, "Trumpets"
Blessed Be,
Kathy Crabbe
LuLu Design by Kathy Crabbe
Only 4 days left to gather any LuLu treasures that speak to your heart.
End of an Era Sale
70% Off with code: LULU
Sale ends Nov. 28, midnight, pacific time
*With each purchase you choose a free print — a thank you for 30 years of support.*
LuLu Sails by Kathy Crabbe
LuLu Design by Kathy Crabbe (bio)
About Kathy Crabbe
I channel healing magick through my work as an artist, soul reader and creator of six divination decks. Dividing my time between California and Canada, I travel by caravan to mer-faerie cottages lovingly hand built by my beloved Mark and myself.