Kembra Pfahler "Femlins" For Playboy (Photo)

When Frank approached Chapter 46 curator Steve Olson to do a Chapter, it was definitely because of his status as a living skateboard legend, but also because of the large and richly textured network of associates who were happy to call themselves his friends. The assortment of interviews Steve collected for Chapter 46 made for an issue groaning with real-life cultural fables, and as with all Frank Chapters, you can check it out online here.

One of those interviews was with a woman by the name of Kembra Pfahler. As the lead singer of The Voluptuous Horror Of Karen Black, she's transformed into a half-mythical creature whose creative powers have helped shape the underground New York creative scene as we know it.

We just came across photos at The Hole NYC of a photo series they debuted called Femlins by Kembra Pfahler and Andrew Strasser, featuring the girls of Karen Black re-enacting the renowed Playboy cartoon characters.

Femlins were cartoon girls created by comic artist LeRoy Neiman for Playboy in 1955 to accompany the jokes page. The name is derived from "female" and "gremlin", a mischevious black and white female who wears only opera gloves, stockings and high heels. She's also portrayed as being only a few inches tall, drawn interacting with life-sized items like shoes and neckties.

Karen Black has taken the Femlin from the page and brought her to life, as you can see below. If Kembra captures your attention (more like kidnaps it at gunpoint and holds it hostage), her interview with Steve Olson in Chapter 46: Steve Olson is a trip you should probably take.