Kells

Sunday was Detroit's 59th St. Patrick's Day Parade!

Last year was my first time attending. I watched a local Irish punk band, Stone Clover, play at PJ's after the parade went by and ate at Mudgie's after that. I had also ran into someone I hadn't seen in a while, and was able to get pretty drunk since I wasn't driving.

This year I wanted to do something a little extra weird.
I wanted to dress up as bushmaster and outlaw Ned Kelly

If you know a thing or two about Irish lawlessness abroad, you might have heard of Ned Kelly. Not originally from Ireland, he was part of the first generation of Irish-Australians to colonize the island continent back in the mid- to late-1800s.
Ned's adolescent life included crime here and there. It was common in the impoverished communities trying to colonize the area. Despite trying to walk the straight-and-narrow path after several incarcerations, local authorities already had him labeled as a criminal and pinned crimes on him that weren't of his doing. They would also go out of their way to make his life and life of his family hell. They didn't like him, so they tried to make him and his family their whipping boy. His father was a criminal convicted of stealing livestock to resell in other markets and was sentenced to "transportation" to Australia from Ireland, so the likelihood of his criminal involvement increased and the prejudice was passed down. Ned ends up becoming more of an outlaw later on, but they really didn't leave him with much choice.

There's been many films, a few songs, as well as some paintings dedicated to and telling of his exploits.

Ned Portrayed by Mick Jagger. Directed by Tony Richardson, 1970. Source: IMP Awards

Ned Kelly, painted by Sidney Nolan, 1975. Source: Nicole Alexander

Here's a photo of the man himself.

Taken the day before his execution. From Wikipedia.

Heath Ledger as Ned Kelly in the 2003 film adaptation, directed by Gregor Jordan.

Heath with Orlando Bloom, who plays Joe Byrne. Source: Rotten Tomatoes 

Source: Motion Picture Armourer

 Source: Buried Cinema

The armor you see in the movie poster, the Sidney Nolan painting, and the still frame above is the icon of the story. It was one of the earlier examples of body armor, and the policemen he faced with his gang (who were also armored) were not prepared for it.
In the Gregor Jordan's 2003 adaptation, it is alluded that Ned was inspired by pictures of Japanese Samurai armor.

Ned's armor, preserved at the State Library in Victoria. Source: NFSA National Treasures

I decided I would make some fake armor in the same style out of painted cardboard to help celebrate the Irish occasion, as well as stand out so I could get noticed and start talking to people about my available creative talents, my different social networks, or other more Irish things.
The idea is pretty much the same as sign carriers they have outside stores except that I was promoting myself, and I was able to pick (or in this case make) my costume.

I made a couple changes to make it a little more personalized.

THUG LIFE painted on there like 2pac's tattoo is really more of a joke. I knew people would recognize and get a kick out of it, but in seriousness, a lot of what Ned Kelly did after the police came after him would be considered very thug life-like.

The D and clovers shouldn't really need explanation.

I added a dryer sheet mouthpiece so I wouldn't have to smell the paint fumes. The base coat of gray and several of the designs were done with spray paint.

When you feel like your online game is underrated...

I don't really feel as bad as some people do about self advertising. Any time you see an advertisement, it's paid for by whatever company the ad is for. So all ads are self-advertised all the time. It's just how the game works, and it's how you get your name out there. I felt like this was an opportunity, so I took it.
It wasn't the best time for this particular idea just because of how cold it was. While I was outside my coat was on most of the time. Ned is also usually shown wearing a coat over his armor.

photo credit: Megin Bradford

People really got a kick out of it. Most of them didn't know who Ned was, but now they're going to go look him up.

photo credit: Megin Bradford

photo credit: Megin Bradford

photo credit: Megin Bradford

My best friend Megin (Instagram: @killinthekat) who was my entourage and photographer.

We spent a good portion of time at McShane's, on the corner of Michigan Ave and Trumbull.

The parade:

Family goals:

Irish step-dancing

Afterward we stopped into several places off of Michigan Ave downtown. There were tents with music, bars and booths with beer and liquor, and food available to absorb it.

I, again, ran into another person I haven't seen in a long time. Megin saw a former coworker she doesn't see as often, but we had both seen him not that long ago where he works at.

These guys had ladies of all ages dancing. 

photo credit: Megin Bradford

The armor eventually grew to be more uncomfortable, especially trying to sit. I eventually took it off. I still stuck to my costume persona though. I thought I looked a bit more English with the hat, but it went with the vest so well.

Now that I've been Ned, the beard is coming off soon.
I haven't had a completely clean-shaven face in a few years. I haven't really needed to have one. I'm looking for new day jobs though, and I like changing things up after a certain point.

Here is my Daily Sketch for that day:

From the Irish Book of Kells