Anne Belov paints, writes, makes prints, and is the founder of The Institute for Contemporary Panda Satire. You can find her paintings at the Rob Schouten Gallery and Fountainhead Gallery, her cartoons on The Panda Chronicles, and her new book here. She also writes regularly for The Whidbey Life Magazine, a free journal of art and culture on Whidbey Island. Her main regret in life is that there is no MacArthur Grant for Panda Satire.
Is there anything like summer camp? I mean…is there anything good about summer camp? I guess it depends on who the campers are and who are the counselors…
I’m still trying to get back into the swing of things here back at The Institute for Contemporary Panda Satire. I think I’m finally in the right time zone, but my schedule is not quite back to normal yet. Did anything happen while I was gone? No…never mind…I don’t think I want to know.
Be the Bear, Bob T denial is my middle name even if it doesn’t start with “T” Panda
I was….um…busy making cakes for pandas so I don’t have the next episode of what’s happening at Camp GrandMei ready for you. I did, however, sweep and mop my studio!
Here are some favorites from Panda Birthday Seasons past!
The forces of Meihem are only barely in check.There must be cake!Bai Yun and Lun Lun Discuss MotherhoodPP: um, dis is not going to interrupt my presidential campaign, is it?Mr Bun has a question, daddee.Is anyone having the flashback to the wicked fairy not being invited to Briar Rose’s christening party?
Still one of my all time favorites!
I hoped you enjoyed this trip down panda memory lane! Now, let’s have some cake!
Be the Bear Bob T I wouldn’t say no to ice cream Panda
Word Press (or probably their version of A.I. gave me a writing prompt that I thought was kind of funny:
If you had to be an animal for a week, what would you be?
Um…duh? Also, only for a week?
But I digress. Before I went off on my globe trotting adventures, I started a story about Pinky’s twins being shipped off to their grandparents for an undisclosed length of time. (Mei Xiang: EXCUUUSE ME? WHAT length of time did you say????) You can read the first installment HERE, because it’s been a little while…
We now return to our story…
We are finally having a little rain here, which is a good thing since it’s been so dry. Our thoughts go out to our friends and neighbors in the north, who are having yet another summer of fire and smoke. I hope you are able to evade the flames and stay safe.
It was very nice to be away and avoid the nooz as best I could, but alas. I am back and reality has come crashing down, although I am trying to avoid the anxiety spiral. Pandas help. So does the adorable little Linh Mai (sp?) heffalump at the National Zoo. She is almost as cute as a panda!
Till next time,
Be the Bear Bob T aren’t they the cutest little pandas? Panda
I think on Thursday it is the Meihem’s 13th birthday, and then Pinky’s newest twins, Four and Five have birthdays coming up later this week. (I think?) On the 29th it will be Mr. Wu’s 14th birthday! How can this be? I remember when he was a baby!
“Wu calls his dance, ‘Ode to a Weaf’ “
Just in case you were feeling sympathetic toward Minch McTurtle…
Two headed, two faced…why is he still here?
I am still getting my disoriented self back in the correct time zone so please forgive this disjointed post.
Here is something for the Meihems!
Mr Wu speaks out!If you think that maybe elephants never forget, they have nothing on pandas.Is this any way to treat our Nation’s most adorable icon?
Where we have Meihems, Pinky is sure to be involved. Or is that Meihem always follows Pinky?
I hope this holds you till I am able to hit the panda desk again!
Be the Bear! Bob T still easing back into Pacific time Panda
So, I have been on a top secret mission to Iceland and Scotland, but alas, there are no pandas remaining in Scotland, although I did see a cow or two that looked like they might be distant relations. I was attending an art retreat, about an hour outside of Edinburgh. It was fabulous! As soon as I get organized (ha ha ha ha ha!) and scan the drawings I did in my sketch books, I will share them, most likely over on Substack, where I am Friendly to Bears. (because of course I am.)
So, it was Tai Shan’s bear-day this week, and he turned 21! But I was not making panda satire back when he was a cubby so I only have a couple references of him in the ‘toons.
This is one of my favorites:
oops.Oh Princess Pinky, mom has a trick or two up her paw, I think…Beware, the power of the paw!Pinky answers difficult questions from the press in her own way.Could Mama Mei Xiang really be contemplating letting Pinky loose on the pandy kindy?Never say “No” to a Pinky!
I knew there was a reference somewhere about Tai giving Pinky her magical wand!
Anyway, back to work next week with some new ‘toons for your enjoyment!
Be the bear, Everyone! Bob T waiting for “IT” to happen Panda
Everyone knows the party isn’t over till you can sit down and re-hash it!
And that’s how Six and Sebben got their names! I’m not entirely sure that the attempting poofing didn’t have some long term effects…
All’s well that ends well, right? RIGHT????Bears will be bears
Wasn’t that fun? Here’s a few other favorites from the archives…
But some pandas go both ways!It’s so hard to be cool when you still live with your mom.
Mr Wu wellness cubbie exam with the green ball is one of my all time favorites!
what will the panda kindergarten do next?
Well, I hope you enjoyed this extended dive into the archives! I’m pretty much done with the work for my upcoming paint show, and returning from a much needed trip, so I expect there will be new ‘toons shortly!
Be the Bear Bob T I hope Mittens didn’t burn down the country in my absence Panda
Now where were we…oh yes, Pinky arrives at the Naming Day Party of Six and Sebben, uninvited and MAD….
Won’t someone save these innocent little pandas???Oh Bubba! Be careful!!!!Did Pinky just poof her little brother? Stay tuned!But all the power in the world is nothing compared to the power of Mommee!Bubba: wait! why am i in trubble?I think I see a slight resemblance to a Pinky tantrum…just saying.
Oh my…I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mommee Mei so mad at Pinky! ‘Toon in next time for the exciting conclusion! (Can we take more excitement? I don’t know…)
How could I have forgotten about this story? It gets better!
You know where this is going, don’t you?We’re not looking….…baby pandas! You’re getting baby pandas!!!!Ruh Roh…She who must be obeyed… The hero of our tale emerges…
Pinky at her Pinky-est! Bubba emerges to save the day… WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT????
‘Toon in next time to find out!
Be the Bear Bob T hitting all the classic stories Panda
Remember when Six and Sebben had their Naming Day Party?
But first… One of my favorite ‘toons! (Bubba: not MINE!!!)
Bubba flunks “cake”Will there be cuppycakes?Wem call our liddle tale, “Being Endangered is Such a Curse!”Ruh Roh…Commence propeller spin…now!Don’t pout, Pinky!Pinky: Why do I always have to do all the hard stuff?
well! I wonder what happens next? ‘Toon in next time and find out!
Be the Bear Bob T hey where is my invitation Panda
As I finish up my work for my upcoming show, I find I need to lean on the archives a little bit more. Of course that means you get a BUNCH of ‘toons instead of just one, so not all bad!
Let’s see what bubbles to the surface…
Back in the before times…
What happens at the debate, states at the debate…Uh oh. Is Bubba about to rat someone out?
sigh…if only…
Whoever could it be, to see Pinky in her lair?Oh Bubba! What were you thinking?Just what kind of deal is Pinky making?
Didn’t anyone tell Pinky if you have to cheat, you’re not winning? Hmm…
Um…I had some fluff in my eyes….What goes around, comes around…
