May 2022 #ToadartChallenge: 'Nic Cage' theme winners
“I am not a demon. I am a lizard, a shark, a heat-seeking panther. I want to be Bob Denver on acid playing the accordion.”
We began our monthly #toadartchallenge back in February, as a way to have some fun, stay connected to our artists & writers, and spur on local creativity. It’s gone swimmingly, and as usual, things heat up most when we go for all out ridiculous. A prime example is us choosing “Nic Cage” as our creative prompt- prompting, in turn, incredulous eye rolls on one hand and a record number of enthusiastic submissions on the other.
One of our ultimate goals is to get Nic Cage to visit Joplin. But in the meantime, we’ll settle for this outstanding collection of unique works:
-1 poem
-1 audio production
-1 creative movie synopsis
-1 editorial/illustration combo
-1 handmade puppet
-6 original illustrations
All of these are included below.
Check them out, and if you keep up with our social, you’ll see our forthcoming announcement about a Nic Cage themed exhibit in collaboration with Bookhouse Cinema!
WINNER: Alek Miller
Alek wrote up an original fiction piece: a noir-ish, campy, action-packed fever dream of Nic Cage references. He then recorded audio, edited, and produced it into a 7 minute theatrical novella: certainly one of the most unique Toad submissions we’ve ever received.
Alek wins a Nic Cage poster, a VHS copy of “the Rock”, and a $25 gift card to the local spot of his choosing. Congrats, Alek!!
listen HERE:
EDITORS picks
#1- Kendy Peavler: Cameron Poe puppet
Kendy Peavler is our first editors pick, nipping at the heels of Alek’s piece with an original handmade puppet based off Nic Cage’s “Cameron Poe” character from the 90s action classic, “Con Air.”
If the Toad never accomplishes anything greater than having inspired someone to create a Nic Cage puppet… this toad still dies happy.
Cameron Poe puppet, created by Kendy Peavler
#2: Nate Billings: The Prophecy of Unbearable Weight
We always love to see what this longtime Toad contributor has to offer… he certainly did not disappoint when he jumped into his first ever #toadartchallenge. Nate’s piece is twofold: original illustration, and accompanying written piece that sits somewhere between epic poem and editorial in form.
Runners up
We had to pick winners because, well, that’s how challenges work.
But- truly- we absolutely loved every submission we received. We think you will too, so keep scrolling to see them all:
Artist: Aubrey Prunty
Artist: Sandra Ruddick Darr
Artist: Veronica Carr (how many references can you spot)?
(untitled poem)
By Deb Livesay
When you lose your self and you lose your stuff
you spin in place and when you stop,
Honey, you’re Nicolas Cage.
With your crazy hair and your
crazy eyes and your extended,
pleading hands, you’re Nicolas Cage.
With your spastic movements
and your rambling monologs
and your explosive
unfocused passion –
you’re bat poo crazy Nicolas Cage.
And before, you were
Jack Nicholson.
And before, you were
Al Pacino.
And before, you were
Charlie Sheen.
Now, praise be!
Honey, you’re Nicolas Cage.
Artist: Nathaniel Toines Thomas- Nic Cage Spider Man
Artist: Lou Stine
Cage ’n’ The Rock
By Rebecca Haines
Goodspeed was a mild-mannered lab rat, living a simple life…
Listening to the Beatles, making sweet love to a pig-tailed prom queen and driving a beige Volvo …
When suddenly, San Francisco needed the best chemical weapons specialist.
He took his three weeks weapons training, a gun and a wetsuit – a good puke – and teamed up with a 60-year-old wrongfully incarcerated British intelligence agent … and former OO7 – named Mason.
But he cut Cage some freakin’ slack, and together they toured Alcatraz to take down an elite team of U.S. Marines to rescue 81 hostages and defuse 15 guided missiles armed with VX poison gas. Goodspeed did have a prosperous journey … eventually.
The Marines would take pleasure in guttin’ you, BOY! Shame. On. Them!
But Goodspeed handled each elegant string of green pearls, shot his gun and launched a Marine out of a window with a rocket. How do you like how that shit works!?!
As the government reigned down an airstrike and a long needle of Atropine pulsing in his heart, Goodspeed launched his green flares to signal a victorious mission. He saved every one of the hostages and the city, but he had to report Mason’s body vaporized … oh yeah, absolutely.
Riding off into the sunset, forgetting Maui and declared a vandal of a church – who knows how many priceless answers Goodspeed found.
Artist: Kevin Hinojoza