Author Archives: Panda in Chief

About Panda in Chief

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.

It’s Birthday Week at the Panda House!

Of course now, The Panda House, at least as regarding Pinky, Bubba, and Bikkie, is more of a magical concept than an actual place, since now Binky Li and QB live in the REAL Panda House. But in my mind, Pinky, Bubba, and Bikkie will always live in that Panda House with their Mommee and Daddy (MX: Oh, thanks a LOT!)

Since Pinky’s birthday (Pinky: a BIG nashunal holiday!!!) is on Saturday, We will unveil Pinky’s new “Starter Pack” image today, along with a link to one of her products on RedBubble, the place that I make my designs available on stuff you can buy for your very own. It’s a fun way to support Panda Satire! (Ask and mebbee you will receive!)

But since today is Bikkie’s actual birthday, we must (we must, we must!) share some of our favorite snippets of stories about Bikkie, and of course, his beloved Mister Poppee!

Happy Bearday, Biscuit!

I guess all the pandas are going to want their own Starter Packs. Watch for them through the fall. I have so many ideas*.

Be the Bear
Bob T *well, if we survive that is, Panda

A Panda Chronicles faithful reader shared this little snippet of a Meta A.I. reaction to my post of my “Fat Bear Week” Starter Pack. I thought it was kind of funny, but your mileage may vary. Here it is for your enjoyment/edification/outrage or whatever:

“Bob T Panda’s post suggests they’ve created something new, but details are scarce. The reactions indicate 57 people engaged with the post: 16 likes, 27 loves, and 14 haha reactions. Given the enthusiastic response, especially with 27 loves, it’s likely something creative or meaningful. Without more context, it’s hard to say what exactly it is, but it seems people are impressed or entertained.
I’m here to help with a wide range of topics, from answering questions and providing information to generating texts and ideas. I can assist with creative tasks like writing stories or brainstorming, offer insights on various subjects, or simply chat about everyday life. What specific aspect of my work would you like to know more about?”

I could definitely add some editorial comments to Meta’s A.I. B.S., but I’ll leave that up to you.

More Fun With Bears!

Oh my…I know I’ve left Frank and Mikey on the road with no direction, but I got distracted with a fun project, namely hand drawn and color Starter Kits!

What the heck is that, you might very well ask. If your fezbook feed is anything like mine, a lot of A.I. images are popping up all over the place, including some boxed set depictions of various things/people. So, a bunch of artists have done their own, starting with self portrait like “kits” all hand drawn and painted by the artists.

This was my first:

Then I did one for my friend in cyber space and real life, Terpie cat and her feline companions Ziggy and Marley

And finally, it seemed like it was just the time of year for this:

Don’t worry! I’m going to do one for Pinky, as well as Frank and Mikey, along with a whole bunch of other subjects. The more I do, the more ideas that pop into my head.

And, of course since these are so much fun, I thought it would be a lot of fun to put them on some stuff at RedBubble so you could collect your own! I know everyone hates getting so many marketing emails, but Redbiubble posts frequent sales, so it might be worth signing up to get their emails for a bit. I’ll let you know here when new designs are being released.

I’ll try to get back to Frank and Mikey’s Big Adventure this week or next!

Till then,
Be the Bear
Bob T buy stuff with bears Panda

Bears of the Traveling Kind

Fat Bear Season is upon us, as the Katmai bears scoop up salmon to get ready for another wild Russian Alaskan winter, and more importantly, compete in the annual Fat Bear Contest! Will this be the year Frank or Mikey takes the prize? Is there a residency requirement or can any bear just barge in? I guess we’ll find out!

In the meantime, Frank and Mikey are almost ready to hit the road!

Uh oh, indeed!

Be the Bear!
Bob T pass the potato chips Panda

Karma’s Gonna Get You

We have yet another report from the League of Animal Justice today! Multiple astute readers alerted me to this very important story about a Cape Buffalo who dispatched a trophy hunter down in the Limpopo game reserve. Seems like there is an organized effort there to counter violent extremists who invade their peaceful paradise.

Karma’s a bitch, ya know?

Just sayin’! What goes around comes around, if there is anyone *ahem* who needs to hear this.*

  • Hopefully they are not reading the Panda Chronicles.

Be the Bear!
Bob T lunch on the Limpopo Panda

If Congress can go on Vacation in August, so can I

Okay, I’m not really on vacation, it’s just that some days I don’t get the things done that I think I will. Meanwhile, over at the Substack, I posted the whole story of Ping being targeted by the evil ICE. The second installment drops soon today.

But it IS the Panda Birthday Season, and we do have some important Panda Birthdays looming, so I’ll just take a little dive into the archives and pull up a few things!

Guess who has a birthday in August?

Pinky: if you guessed any bear other than me, try again.

There must be cake!
Oh dear….are you going to leave her there?
Is this any way to treat our Nation’s most adorable icon?
Pinky needs stuff and she needs it now!
And it was ever thus….
Meihem, not Mayhem.

Remember when Six and Sebben’s older sisters were Pinky’s nemesis?

I was really afraid this was going to happen.
What is Pinky reading?

Don’t make Pinky mad!

Be the Bear
Bob T I’ll probably have some new ‘toons next week Panda

Celebrating the Panda Birthday Season!

Well, I didn’t get a new ‘toon done for today, but fortunately, the deep archives of the Panda Chronicles has something for everyone! Since I carelessly forgot Mr. Wu’s birthday last week (is it a sign of encroaching senility? Or maybe too much insane NooZ about you know who!!!!)we’ll instead have the ENTIRE story of Mr Wu’s adventure at the circus with the Panda Kindergarten!

Anyway, Here is one of my favorite Wu Self stories for your enjoyment!

Fanmail from some Flounder?
Voices in the night, a ladder, a letter…adios…
“Are we there, yet?”
This is a case for…Inspector Panda!

I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane with the one, the only Real Wu Self!

Till next time…
Be the Bear
Bob T guess whose Birthday is coming up soon & if you didn’t guess Pinky, you’re wrong Panda

It’s Panda Birthday Season

…and I can’t believe I forgot Mr. Wu’s birthday on the 29th! I am so ashamed! He turns 13 this year and you know what that means!

Today, I am a bear!

And now for today’s ‘toon…

In penance for missing Mr. Wu’s birthday, I shall forgo the cake, and just eat a bowl of frosting! Happy birthday, Wu Bear! You are still the best. Sorry that those other pandas stole your birthday for themselves!

Be the Bear
Bob T I can’t remember everything Panda

It’s Time For a Road Trip!

Where to?
Brooks Falls, of course!
I’m sure this has nothing to do with the wrath of Josie because of Frank and Mikey eating the entire linzertorte!

I wonder if Otis will make an appearance.

Be the Bear!
Bob T I prefer pizza Panda

Bears Will Be Bears: an epilogue of sorts

It has been suggested that Frank and Mikey *might* have done more to fend off the ICE Maiden.

Fortunately, They are picking up the slack on the back end, as it were!

I really haven’t looked at the NooZ today. Has anything happened out in the world?

Be the Bear
Bob T pass the linzertorte Panda

ICED! The (exciting) Conclusion

Alas, OITRW, ICE has not been melted. They are still out there doing terrible, terrible things to people in our communities who in no way deserve the treatment they are getting. We cannot look away, but we do need some relief as well. That is what The Panda Chronicles is here for.

Also cake.
There must be cake.

All we can do is keep on keeping on, and add as much kindness as we can to our daily lives. My most recent Substack thingie is about keeping going in the face of the insanity that smacks us in the face every morning. Making art, drawing pandas, and knowing you all are out there going through this too is what is going to get me through this, at least until it isn’t. I hope you’ll hop like a bunny over to read my piece called Despite Everything. And feel free to subscribe, which you can do for free or for a modest sum, if that is an option for you. Or you could send me a linzertorte. That works too.

Be the Bear
Bob T raspberry Linzertorte is my favorite Panda

*OITRW= Out In The Real World