Interview: 2/13/08
Sepiachord: Tell us about the extraordinary artist, Miss Oblivious.
Miss Oblivious: It all started from the groins of two teenage rebels. The Year was 1972 and I had been floating in oblivion since 1937(past life involving surrealists and handmade goods). It seemed the time was right to enter another human form thus Miss Oblivious was pushed through the thighs of a young Hungarian female in 1973.
My mom used to do my make-up
S: Where are you from? How long have you been in Seattle?
O: When my mother was 9 months pregnant my father had set his mind that I would enter this life in the state of Colorado, so they packed up their dogs and $88.00 striving for the land of bigamist and clear streams. Within months of my life we returned to my parent’s native land of California, were I resided for 33 years. In 2006 when I had enough of Silicon Valley and yearned for the NW lifestyle, I embarked on the journey with The Cap’n, two children, & a set of black cats.
Jr,High 1987
Me and my friends in school (Miss O in top right corner circa’88)
S: Tell us a bit about your family life.
I stem from a long line of Hungarian beauties, Armenian gypsies and British ancestry. My father was a surfer/biker dude! Covered from face to waist in tattoos (Ventura, Ca), he kidnapped me when I was two from the babysitters after my mother left him, then she captured me back with bribery, soon the two of us were hitchhiking to Alaska.
We stopped in San Jose, Ca and never left, she still resides there! I never saw my father again, we spoke on the telephone when I was 13-til his death when I was 19.
I grew up in the land of pro-skaters and pretend yuppies!
My grandparents were my role models and still are to this day they have both passed away but are forever looking over me as my guides in this land of turmoil and bliss.
My Grandma Esty in the 40’s way before Boy George had this look!
Punk saved my soul at the tender age of 6. I was in the SF airport and this girl enameled me with twin fins. I told everyone from that day on, I was going to be a punk when I grew up!
Miss O with Duane Peters & DeeDee Ramone
By the time 5th grade rolled around I had thick black eyeliner, sun-in bleached bangs and “Never mind the bollocks” blaring from my speakers.
Cap’n & Miss Oblivious
I somehow beat the odds. What seemed my destiny would lead me into the strength to climb and overcome any tradition. I actually went to college on my own and earned a degree in media arts.
My mother did her best, and I did my best to do everything I wasn’t supposed to do. She did support my individuality to an extent, she always said “Your just to much for this town”.
I now have two children and have been in a monogamous 9-year relationship! I feel that more than anything else in life; my children rule my soul, my creativity and my patience. Together they helped me see the light and gave reason to my existence.
The Cap’n has helped me become a better person and out of my effortless notions he has enabled me to see the best in myself. A trait just recently appreciated by Miss O. He is my biggest critic and longest running supporter!
Darby Jane & Sailor Hank (two of my best creations)
S. How would you describe your neighborhood of Seattle, Ballard, to folks who do not know about it?
O: “It’s where the punks go to retire”.
A retired punk!
S: Please tell our readers about your beautiful dolls.
My dolls started for fun, gifts and out of sheer insanity. I was never a doll lover as a kid. If there was ever a doll in my reach I cut her hair into a Mohawk and colored it with markers.
When I was 19 I woke up one evening from a long night of carousing and realized that dolls were one of the greatest things. I soon had many cracked and decrepit dolls in my collection.
Making them was the next step (over the edge) and had some friends come over and offer me top dollar for one, I realized that I had possibly found my niche.
 Darby Crash Doll  salty lover
S.what is your inspiration behind the dolls' unique look?
O: I love the underbelly, the low class heroes. Salty aged skinned fellas, milky powdered cheeks, toothless punks, neo-victorian mourning, and outrageously awkward queers.
I feel that spirits lead me into my most unique and original pieces. I make a lot of characters that could have existed a century ago in London or in the coldest depths of Eastern Europe. Vaudeville Americans involved with the Dustbowl glamour of life.
Dustbowl Tramp
Twin Peaks collection available in Northbend at Twededs Café’ where the show was filmed
S.Which doll is your favorite? Why? Who owns it now?
O:
• The Butcher doll (Circus Contraption) is one of my tops, Armitage Shanks owns
• Dustbowl gigolo doll that the Swedish Housewife now owns.
• The Love & War set of The Tiger Lillies, which is now in their possession.
The Butcher doll
Dustbowl Gigolo
Bloody Lily doll
S.What was the most unusual place that you set up to vend your dolls?
O:I choose to vend in peculiar locations. I want to be at the places were you would not expect to see a flying head doll with intestines flowing from the neck. Maybe Bop Street Records?
Angry Malaysian woman with intestines flowing as she flies through the air “A true myth in Malaysia”
S.What dolls are you currently working on?
O: I am working on a lot of merchandise for the Cancan Club. I am commissioned every month by this amazing man that has the largest Puf’nStuf collection in the Unites States so he keeps me busy with monthly installments. Spiritus dolls & soon Tarot dolls.
Two castaways with their dolls
S: Congratulations on reaching your 30th issue of your zine, Oblivious Nation! Please tell our readers a little about your zine's history and what it is about.
O: My zine started in 1994 as “Cunt Fear”, I was a lil femme dyke in SF and inspired by people like Lynn Breedlove, GB Jones and Kathleen Hannah. I managed a photo lab and figured why not start putting all the images I was capturing in a booklet to share with all my peers. It was well distributed through the U.S & Europe.
In 1999 I started to date a boy that went by the name Cap’n Oblivious and I soon became Miss Oblivious, which turned my zine in a different direction and the title to “Oblivious Nation”. I felt that so many of my peers and artist around me weren’t receiving enough recognition and that they needed to be documented!
I had already been in the scene well over 125 years and had seen a lot of talented people come and go. I felt that these were times that I knew needed to be recorded! Mostly my zine has turned into a journal of “true Underground Mishaps with Miss O”, so that my grandchildren and generations after me will know whom Miss Oblivious and her nation were.
I also contribute monthly rants to www.punkglobe.com
First Issue
Issue 30 available soon
S: What was your favorite article that you have ever published in your zine?
O: Wow I have to many to name! Each of them are special to me. Since I experience most things first hand they are all unique and heartfelt.
S: Who tops the charts as the most interesting people that you have featured in your zine?
O: I think every single person I have ever placed in my zine is the most interesting person! That is why they are in there!
  
S. What do you find the most challenging when creating your zine?
O: Folding and stapling.
S:If you were to compare the beginning of your career as a zine creator to the work you are producing today? How has the culture changed since you started?
O: I think it is the same but now we have the World Wide Web to meet each other, show the work and get your view out a thousand fold compared to 15 years and before. It seems that you don’t have to wait til you die to be noticed! I get so sick of hearing people say how much their life sucks or how they used to do this or they thought about doing that, just do it!
You are in complete control of your destiny.
Stella Rose I just photographed this lovely lady and she gives hope to the youth!
S: Tell us a bit about your photography. What got you started?
O: My grandfather was a well-established photographer, he would have to paint color onto his prints, and I grew up around a lens in my face. I always remember being fascinated with photographs!
That is how I was able to see some of my past ancestors and feel like I knew them from the stories I was told and the pictures that were taken before I was born, I would make my grandfather set up his home movies on the projector every chance I had. I’d beg him to play those gems.
Documenting my surroundings is a very important part of my what I do, and I realized this early on.
Photographs and writing stories is an enormous part of that!
S: Who have you shot recently?
O: The Castaways are regulars, Shanghai Pearl, Cowboi Ami, Patience, Tiger Lillie’s (Live),Stella Rose,
Faye “The Tattooed Psychic”,
The Bad Things, Miss Derringer
(these are just a few from the last weeks)
Ami& Shanghai
Xtal
Gods Favorite Beefcake
Bennihana
S: What kind of equipment do you use?
O: I am a strong believer that equipment isn’t the important aspect, it is more of whom is behind the device. But since you asked I use both digital & film. I have taken fantastic shots with an oatmeal box camera and with disposables.
Sink at Lobo Saloon
S: I am personally very excited to hear that you are starting another band! Please tell our readers about your latest band project, what you play and your future plans for it.
O: Faye “The Tattooed Psychic” and Miss Oblivious are embarking on another project. “Cochina Sirenas” in English “Filthy/whore Mermaids”. I am playing the musical saw, she the squeezebox. Faye will do most of the singing and I will participate my vocals on a few pieces!
It sounds like a soiled dove that has lost her lover at sea.
S: I understand that this is not your first band. Please tell us about your past bands.
O: I was creator and lead singer for a well-known Bay Area punk band named “Nag” and that is Nag with one G not two. I state that fact because another band started after us and were forced to add a G as to not be confused with us!
We were together for close to 5 years, played weekly and even did a mini tour. The Cap’n and I were staple members with rotating bass and drums every 6 months to a year! We recorded a bit but it was more of a fun- in your face- I don’t give a fuck what you think band. We were once titled in a publication as “The Germs of the millennium”.
Nag and The Flames on tour ‘99
S: What was your favorite band moment?
O: Playing completely topless in front of a sold out show! It was liberating and obviously influenced by one of my mentors “Lynn Breedlove” and “Richard Hell”,
Also, the night that the opening band ‘s lead singer had a fake penis that ejaculated, which I thought was real and refused to be out done so I broke about five dozen bottles on stage and rolled around in it the entire set!
I woke up in the morning with my legs covered in blood and shards of glass still inserted throughout my flesh! I was later told that it was the punkest show in SJ history!
Which I disagree with: they must have never seen a Diesel Queens set!
S: When will we be able to hear some of your new music?
O: As soon as it’s ready!
S: Besides the Zine, creating your dolls, taking photos, making music & raising a family, I *believe* I caught a glimpse of fine art, card making and sculpture on your site.... Please tell us a little about your artwork.
I am a manic individual, and inspired by most of my surroundings. Whenever there is an obscure moment, I like to interpret it in my own special way. I like to change up the medium of my expression to keep it fresh. Including some special/limited edition pieces.
Oblivious Painting
Hellin Killers granddaughter wearing some pants I made for her with an Octopus..
A sample of Oblivious Street wear
S: Will you ever consider doing fashion design, if you haven’t already?
O: Everyday is a fashion day to me! A lot of my clothing is altered to fit my ideal of how a woman should dress! These days when you can go to the mall and buy a ripped up, safety pinned dress. Self-expression is a true dying art of rebellious attire.
I see a lot of well-dressed youths and wonder if what they are wearing was mass-produced or if they put any of their own effort into their image!
To answer your question I have put three-dimensional images onto vintage clothing and bags. I am currently out of all those pieces.
I like fabricating, which I have done for over 20 years; I do help Herr Doppelganger to fabricate his costumes.
S: Besides being a fabulous artist, Miss Oblivious also does show promotion and works with several shows around Seattle. Please tell our readers about the current performances you are involved in.
My main promotions seem to be The Cancan (94 Pike) and Spiritus Live which includes my TV show with Faye “The Tattooed Psychic”…”Ill Famed Spirits TV”.
I have also been involved with Circus Contraption/Tentacled Sawfish personalized merch.
I recently went to Brooklyn with Tiger Lillies to sell TL dolls, and button packs. Which should soon be available at www.tigerlillies.com
S: Tell us ALL about Spiritus!
O: I discovered Spiritus in May 2007,through word of mouth. I was blown away by the accuracy and feeling of Faye “The Tattooed Psychic”.
We soon were collaborating on a few projects and I was asked to be Ring Mistress for the show. Which I am very honored to be a part of. Hands of Kali belly dance and give belly tarot readings, God’s Favorite Beefcake (part of Circus Contraption) perform before and after the show,
I will be adding in superb apparition history of Bell town in this season of “Spiritus”.
Which is located in Jewel Box Theatre the third Thursday of every month.
If you’d like a sample of what happens at “Spiritus” you can catch a glimpse at www.illfamedspiritstv.com episode 2.
We have a television show on channel 77 or online and the aforementioned website. Faye performs her medium/ psychic demonstrations and ghost hunts while Miss O creates short doll films. I also edit and film a lot of the show.
 
S: WHERE can our readers purchase your fine wares in Seattle? How about online?
www.paynecreations.org
www.myspace.com/missoblivious
www.etsy.paynecreations.com
www.myspace.com/obliviousnationzine
Zines: available at Left Bank Books in Seattle.
Australia at Sticky Zine store
Also subscriptions are available through paypal (paynecreations@yahoo.com).
$20.00 a year,
They are published bi-monthly and when I am not so busy monthly.
Dolls: Cancan Club every Saturday and Sunday night after the show
IHEARTRUMMage on the first Sundays of every month at Chop Sueys on Capitol hill from noon-4 p.m.
Majenta’s Diamond tattoo shop in Renton,
Schmancy Toys in Belltown,
Monkeyhouse Toys in Silver lake,Calif and
Soon on www.tigerlillies.com
S: Where can our readers buy tickets to the shows you are involved in?
O: Directly from the performers websites
Occasionally through brown paper bag.
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