Gennie

I really love banter. Two of my favorite shows growing up were 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' and 'MASH'. Why? That witty, quick back and forth of banter. I was so depressed when I realized that these were just lines performed by genius actors with perfect timing because I had hoped as a little kid that if I worked hard enough, I could be that quick with my commentaries as those t.v. idols of mine.

I get a lot of that out of my system with 'Fairview High' and most especially did with episode 5, 'Bottle Blonde'. My character Gennie, the genie (and subsequently the whole story line) would've never have existed had I not been listening to Christina Aguilera's song 'Genie in a Bottle'. It's a cool, cool song and I really thought she was pretty cute - when she was first out on her own and still had a tad bit of that wholesome, 'Mickey Mouse Club' air about her.
It was on the radio and I suddenly went to Google Images and started drawing her. From there, the story just blossomed. For fans of that episode, I wrote that whole story in one evening. It just kind of flowed from me - again, getting a chance to write some 'banter'. Also a note of trivia (and it may be obvious to some): the chant that Gennie does to grant his wish is that melody from Aguilera's song - you know "Oh Oh Oh Oh-oh".

As I was asked earlier (in the post below), I am also influenced by Al Hirschfeld, the famous caricaturist, and his work was a big help with Gennie. I had a lot of fun with those curls and wisps of hair and smoke.

Here's the first drawing of her that launched a character that is too fun to write and draw for. Hope you like!

Aaron