The Dorkiest Post Ever

Well, maybe not... but it comes close.
This is the favicon for this page I made today! If you notice at the top left in your browser, it no longer has the "Blogger icon, but a small, somewhat indistinguishable icon of St. Francis scowling! So now when you FAVORITE this site (hint hint!!!) you'll be able to recognize its distinguished je ne sais quois from other blogs. What a horrible name: blog. Maybe I'll draw a picture of a blog. Blog. Bllllooooooooggg.

Yes, the dork factor is on 11 tonight.

And if you bribe me, I'll design one for your site!

The Big ChAIR

M Lamar presents: The Lynching Tree

Here's a flyer I designed for the Sidewalk show on Sunday. I'll be on visuals (on deck?) 9:00 sharp, not gay time... I'll see you there!

Patti Smith

One of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Patti Smith performing Horses and Hey Joe on The Old Grey Whistle Test "before she hit it big" (ha!) in 1976.

Wait for It... Wait for It!...

Gettin' ready for THE BIG RELEASE!!!
That's right, folks... we're weeks away from the first issue of Invisible Empire!!!

The Cute and the Profane

I hope everybody had a great holiday in the snow or sun.

I ate lasagna... just like Garfield!!!

Ahmed, My Friend

My friend Ahmed draws these little characters... I tried to do one but it's not round enough and doesn't have enough shape. For some reason the scanner cropped it all funny-like. But I think it's kind of cool...?

I've been super sick lately

Fabulous, Dahling

Why is this season of Project Runway soooooo boring?

It's Coming!!!

Out with the old and in with the old!

I Hate

I hate

ReBats

Everybody has a messed up Bats they eventually do. I decided to get mine out of the way so that nobody asks for one at the next con.

Happy BDay, Mandy!

I didn't have time to sketch today... it's crunch time for comic books!

But I did this for my friend Mandy... 'cuz it's her birthday!

And now I'm off to Heather's!!! C U there!!!

LOVE LXVE LOVE LXVE LOVE LXVE LOVE LXVE

Karlheinz Stockhausen; Kontakte

Karlheinz Stockhausen recently left this planet. If you're not familiar with his work, here's a music video that someone made for his composition "Kontakte."

He's on the cover of Sgt. Pepper's. Fifth from the left on the top row (right next to W.C. Fields).

He was a pioneer in music techniques we take for granted now (sampling, pretty much anything you can do on ProTools...).

Perfect soundtrack to the snow storm.

Art

I went to the SVA open studio today. One piece that my friend Sunita did is going to be hung in their gallery! Way to go!!! It was awesome.

Strike Like a Cobra

I've been following this WGA strike very closely. What a crazy month it's been. In the end, we need to support artists, no matter how little we may have in common. Why? Because there is a war against imagination in this country.

If the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie makes the same as the last one in DVD sales (approx. $ 5million) guess how much the two screenwriters recieve? (Answer to come in next post!)???

Thunder Bums

How would you love to be in a band called The Thunder Bums? Seriously?

This comic has no relation to any living persons, especially graduates of RISD who play drums in noise bands with names like Thunder Bums and publish expensive "art" books.

Weird on the Roller Rink

Don't ask me... I just draw 'em.

More Unsavory Characters

So James Kolchaka's American Elf is now completely free (but you can still register and get extra goodies) and I realized that it's actually a webcomic that I like. I usually associate web comics with bad art and a ton of video game references... but really it's anything published on the web (like this here ONLINE SKETCHBOOK!). So I figured, maybe I should try it out. Just simple, quick stream-of-conscious WEB COMICS! Let me know if you like it... We'll see how long it lasts!http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

Let's Talk Pollution

Let's Do Lunch

Need a storyboard artist? Anyone?

INTERESTING TIDBIT of the DAY:
Storyboards were invented by Walt Disney! The most innovative animator? Is it any wonder Hitchcock was a great artist, and David O Selznick did almost 100 watercolor sketches of Atlanta burning in Gone with the Wind?

Snow

Here's hoping it sticks

The Funniest Running Joke in America

This is common knowledge, but I love charts... so here it is (in my best Ralph Steadman!). A conglomeration of Zogby, Gallup, CNN, Fox (yes, Fox News), NBC and other sources. Bush's approval rating hit its highest point after 9/11, around 87 percent. It is now between 24 and 32 depending on who you talk to. I believe Congress is around 11. Luckily we have a fine selection of candidates this year, including people that want to continue Bush's plan and people who don't want to continue the Bush administration's plan but don't really have a plan. Here's a novel idea: PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING! Try it out?

A Poodle, a Doodle and Be a Brit Different

In other news, BAClog 3: The Mock-Brit Music Issue came out! That was fast, you crazy kids! What are you on and why aren't you sharing? I read it and it's all fantastic. Sam Random's Supplication to St. Bono is amazing, Mark Gurarie's "The Solo that Saved the World" begs to be read aloud in your best cockney, "Fear and Loathing on the Bowery" by my good friend R. A. Tumas reminded me of something to detailed to talk about here, Calvin Matthews' "Keeping Up With the Cools" is awesome.

Look for it around Bushwick... or write to the addy at the end ot this;

The e-mail that was sent out:


So BAClog no.3: the mock brit music issue is now widely available in a few locations around Bushwick, Williamsburg, and Manhattan. It fits in your pocket without folding, creasing or bending, like a regular sized magazine that has somehow, magically been shrunken into a convenient smaller format. Our website, www.BAClog.org will have it, as well as no.2, the letters issue for your mouse clicking pleasure by the end of the week. Props go out to Kim Venable, for the fabulous cover design, as well as Mary Johnson for the creation of our very first BAClog(o). Props out to Lil' Lay-lay on the block, ya heard. In contrast to the arc of most rockers careers, the critics feel this issue is better than our early work. In addition, we are currently looking for benefactors and patrons, to help defray the costs of printing. Don't worry, our non-profit status is pending, you'll be able to write-off the $2 donation. We will gladly stuff your SASEs with any and all issues we have lying about here. Send correspondence of this sort to:

The BushwickArtistConsortium
475 Hart St. office #2
Brokeland, NY 11221

Our next issue, due out January 1, 2008 will be "the Future Obsolete," and we are welcoming submissions for it and all future editions. Send us gaelic prose, poetry, impressionist drawings, photos of polaroids, Mitt Romney's dirty underwear, cassettes, commodore 64s, and of course, laser-discs. Or just, something really, really good. Thank you all for letting us take you apart. Err, I mean, 'thank you for taking part.'

Marty Robbins

It's been a while since I did one of these "Dusty Trip" portraits. I couldn't resist this Marty Robbins album with THREE pictures pasted together almost accidently. The small one looks like it's about to be eaten! This was when Marty's 'stache was boss.

What a Difference a Nose Makes!

When thinking about character design, the nose is one of, if not the most important elements. Think about The Flintstones (which loosely informs this picture). Fred's big honker as opposed to Barney's slender pointer. What personality traits show up in a nose? Think about celebrities who get nose jobs. It used to be very small, pointy styles. Then streamlined, upturned poo-sniffers. Now cute button noses are actually "in vogue."

Think about your favorite cartoon character... what does their nose look like? Is it miniscule like Garfield's? Baguette-like as per Wiley E. Coyote? Perhaps it's the only real feature, as in Peter Bagge's Buddy? Ren or Stimpy? Perhaps there is no nose... Marvin the Martian, or duck characters (to some extent! They have a bill...). Or maybe a weird bump like Casper? Villians love pointy noses or super-curly nostrils that they can wrinkly in disgust.

The nose is important because it's the feature that will remain constant with your character. The eyes scrunch, widen and close, the mouth contorts more than any other, the ears are usually visible one-at-a-time or covered by hair, but the nose is the center, visible in profile as much as symmetrical views. For a more realistic approach, look at Pedro Almodovar's women. They all have unique, interesting noses and their personalities are often reflected in different ways because of it. I can't make this stuff up, folks!

Anyways... here's a quick sketch simply based on size. I took away the "Homer" shadow just to make the second nose appear even smaller. Easily father and son (big nose=age?) as much as plastic surgery:

FIRST FULL PAGE!!!!!!!

So as a thank you to everybody for supporting Toppled Idols... I'm putting up the first fully finished page from Invisible Empire!!!

November has been the most successful month... and the HALF YEAR ANNIVERSARY is coming up!!! Great things are in the works, so sit tight and be prepared for awesomeness to come!

And keep checking the skies!!! Or Toppled Idols, whichever's closer.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE! I couldn't do it without your support!

An Imbalanced Relationship

Was Paula Abdul right?

LIQUID SKY

One of my all-time favorite movies. If anybody knows the artist that did the original poster, please let me know.

Chip Kidd, Eat Your Heart Out

At first I was trying to do a Peter Lorre type guy, but ended up with this. Ron Serling, or Dragnet shyster... I dunno, I just post here!

Fake Punk Flyer

fly
This is a fake flyer for a fake band I did for a piece I'm writing. It might appear in the next BAClog; Bushwick Area Consortium publication. But it might not! In which case... I'll reprint it here! The band is called Latexx Venjenz.

That Ol' Razzle Dazzle

"Look sharp and act blunt, kid."

Pretty on the Outside

A nod to Dave Sims, for some reason. I think my drawing skills are improving, because even with "conventional" pens, I think my crosshatching looks better than it did, say, a year ago. It's my stick-to-itiveness. Or stuff.

Yay! Giant head monster!

Music Makes the Bourgeoisie and the Rebel

Madonna has some crummy lyrics...



This is a mix CD insert for my pal Oliver. Rather than some other stuff I drew today, I thought this was kind of cool 'cause it was the music I was listening to while I was drawing. Plus, you have to click on it to get a closer look... so it's, uh, interactive... yeah.

AND if you're on last.fm, you should add me!!! http://www.last.fm/user/amazingstories/

Hand Jive

Happy Tofurkey Day!!!

Dreaming of Sushi

Guitar Hero 3

I played Guitar Hero for the first time. It's pretty fun, but difficult if you are a musician because you want to PLAY THE SONG instead of push 5 buttons. But it's cute.

Here's an illustration (I haven't put any color pictures up in a long time!). God bless Photoshop.

Time to Change the Filter

One from the sketchbooks... It don't get better than mutant frogs!

Wrap It Up

Who doesn't love mummies?

Flyer for Spike Hill Show

Well, I didn't draw it, but here's a flyer I designed for a Sunday show at Spike Hill. I don't know Rick Snyder, but Soft Black, Elizabeth Devlin and M Lamar are all amazing. So you should come! (click on it to see it big... I love film grain!)

LOVE LXVE LOVE LXVE LOVE LXVE LOVE LXVE LOVE

It's Bristol, Bitch! + Nib MADNESS

So I just got BRISTOL BOARD, which I should've started using eons ago. The ink just rolls off the pen into perfect pictures... unique yet familiar.

On another note, if anybody has any tips on using these crazy nib pens (I think they're used for lettering?) PLEASE let me know. I tried to use it for lettering and it turned out looking, uh, less than great. But it does make a great border! Here's a picture:



What are these KRAZY pens for??? I've got a couple that will rust if I can't use them!

LOVE LXVE LOVE LXVE LOVE LXVE LOVE LXVE LOVE

The Tables Have Turned

I love how bored the bulldog looks while the hydrant sprays him... I think I should redo this and make it clear what's actually going on... it's a little cramped?

Cute Scary Things

After "Cute, Sad Things" I'll open another store called "Cute Scary Things" full of recalled kid's toys. I'll make another killing (no pun intended!).

Cave Girl

Is this how the dinosaurs died???

I Love Ink

a lot a lot

Big Head

Big heads are usually associated with pride, ego and brashness...

Me Being Interviewed

I got asked a few questions at the event... unfortunately lost forever to a system malfunction (sci-fi speak for fuck-up). It was cool hanging out with indie comics people. Indie Spinner Rack; thank you. And special thanks to Julia Wertz, who I didn't really get to talk to because she was bartending, but makes really awesome comics and just moved to NY from SF (like me! kind of)