This is 182nd in a series spotlighting pigs from the Big Pig Gig Public Art Project taking place in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport. Find past pig profiles at cincinnati.com.

        If you want to be cool today, you're not cool anymore. You're “phat.”

        Artist: C. Pic Michel, Madisonville, and the Kids of Youth Opportunities United. Ms. Michel works with Y.O.U. at-risk kids. She is a painter and sculptor. Her works are displayed at Originalities in Hyde Park Square. “I make a living as an artist and share it with the kids.” The artist's work can be seen at her Web site; www.cpicmichel.homestead.com.

        Sponsor: Cynthia and Rick Mulhauser for Youth Opportunities United.

        This pig's pen: Court Street at Main. The Phat Pig will be auctioned on eBay, Nov. 2-9.

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        You were inspired by: Phat is a modern day kids' word for cool. I wanted to design a pig that the kids thought was cool. Phat is wearing sun glasses. He has a backward baseball cap. He's wearing a big puffy bubble jacket. He has cool gym shoes. His jeans are coming down a bit in back.

        About 14 kids between the ages of 8 and 14 helped me paint it. We took over the director's office and put the pig up on a table in there.

        What's the pig idea? He's a hip-hop character. In the shadows of his design you can see shadows of hip-hop and rap singers performing.

        You want people to look at this pig and think: I want them to appreciate the kids, their own style and their own little culture.

        Completing the project took: About eight weeks.

        What's the matter?: Outdoor latex.

        Your high on the hog was: Watching the kids come in and say “I can't,” and watching them walk out and say “I did it.”

        Pig peeve: None. I fully expected the sun glasses to get stolen and they did. Twice.

        Best pig tale: The only thing on the pig that is about me is that he's wearing two different colored socks. I haven't had my socks match for over 10 years. I just got tired of matching them.

        The materials cost: $200.

        If your pig starred in a movie, who would you cast to play the role? The kids each have their favorite stars. I'd get in trouble if I just named one.

Furniture unfurled
Winterize roses to deter damage
To do this week
Concert review
Homes for the holidays
Next weekend rich in folk art, crafts
Pig Parade: Phat Pig
In the know
Get to it