This week in the Blogerati Files, Crumpled Caitlin

Describe your blog in 10 words or less.
Art and Illustration straight off the mean streets of today.

Why did you start your blog? Blogiversary?
My blog was launched in January 2006. I wanted to use a blog as a platform to showcase my artwork that would otherwise go forever unseen. Currently I can't afford an official website, so this is the next best thing.

How long have you lived in Toronto?
I have lived in Toronto for nine years and consider it my home.

What's the funniest/strangest thing that has happened to you in Toronto? Did you blog about it?
My "strangest things that happened in Toronto" list is extremely long, which is one of the many reasons why I love it here. The stranger the better, I say.

Crumpled Caitlin covers many aspects of my Toronto experience, most recently working as an exotic dancer, which was pretty darn strange.

What are some of the changes in Toronto that you have seen in your lifetime?
Over 9 years I have noticed a major demographic shift in the neighbourhoods and all social aspects of the city. I recently moved back to Parkdale (Roncesvalles) after living in the east end for six years.

There is now a large group of couples/ families raising very young children in this area which was never here before. I see babies everywhere!

Downtown nightlife and culture has shifted to encompassing younger generations than myself. I see time passing through these changes.

What era, day or event in Toronto's history would you like to re-live and why?
I missed the first punk-rock wave that passed through Toronto. I also missed the original rave scene and many other cultural going's-on that have transpired. I would've liked to be more involved in many creative communities.

Can we believe everything you post on your blog?
Pretty much. I try not to write too much to detract from the pictures, as I think words can be misconstrued a lot of the time.

Has blogging changed you or enhanced a personality trait?
No. I've always been pretty crumpled.

Do you have a favourite post from your blog?
A few artwork posts are stronger than the others, both compositionally and contextually. You can get a sense of this from any artists portfolio: what their strengths and weaknesses are.

Some of my illustrations are stiff and over-worked, which are two qualities I try to avoid.

Have you had your 15 minutes yet?
Yes and no. I have had some good days in my life but anticipate better ones in the future.

Ever met a stranger who already knew you through your blog? How was that?
I posted a sequence of images based on some songs by the punk-rock piano player, D.J. Lebowitz (from San Francisco.) Somehow, he found these online and contacted me to say he like the drawings. That was pretty neat!

Who are your fav bloggers?
There is an endless source of art blogs out there that are amazing! Most outstanding is Drawn! the blog featuring artists from all mediums, both digital and traditional. You can find a zillion links from their site.

Also, I frequently visit the Toronto Comic Jam. Their posting board is an excellent resource for events and networking in the local community.

Have you ever had a question you wanted to ask random people throughout the world?
What boggles my mind is that it seems like a large bulk of humanity doesn't think about the bigger picture.

They never ask themselves, "What's it all about?" How many people actually look up at the stars and really wonder, or even care?

I have been asking people this question throughout my whole life, mostly because I don't know the answer.

Anything else you'd like to add...
Like the internet itself, Blogs are a super-cool democratic tool for people to voice their thoughts and ideas. It is an open arena where anything is possible!

I'd like to thank blogger.com for providing me with this free and easy tool through which I can express myself creatively and connect with others. Modern technology isn't such a bad thing after all!