So I was really tired and didn’t want to go to bed yet, knew that tv was a waste of time and knew that I should be working on art. So begrudgingly I plopped myself down, started scratching around on my tablet and out fell a sketch. Partly based off a really old doodle, partly based on a portrait tutorial, and partly strange looking – mostly a way to burn an hour or two. Maybe it will get more finished, maybe it won’t. But 2 in as many days? Unheard of.

In addition to that I had noticed earlier today the google ads at the bottom of my site. Apparently something on my site broke google’s head and made it think that putting lesbian singles and the second coming of christ had something to do with…the hell if I know. In any case, you can take a look at the screenshot here.

I wonder if there’s a midnight bloggers club around here…

It’s been a while, but sketch is back. It’s a bit awkward I noticed shortly before uploading but better than the nothing that has come before it. A simple figure study that started getting some accessories as time became short before sleep began calling me. The legs were an afterthought addition, as I scooted the entirety of the image up and tried to lend it a bit more completeness. This also reminded me that you should never start a figure by drawing a head, rather make a spine and work your way out. I’ll consider it a light work out for the tasks I have ahead of me.

Goals ahead of me include trying to redevelop my design sense, start pumping out character concepts like never before and try to nail dynamic anatomy to my forebrain.

Also received an action shot for my shirt:

That’s one stylin’ visor and two scoops of weird.

Another movie night has come and gone and I’m flat out tired. Partly the goings on of the weekend have worn me out and knowing that I have a class to go to on Monday nights gives me the false impression that my weekend is already over. Sure I have the entire day to mess around, but just knowing that something lies ahead of me kind of puts a damper on the idea of a day off.

Things that are currently on my plate include a graphic novelization of one of Sven’s stories, namely endgame. The idea of putting together a cohesive work for the hell of it gives me something to look forward to finishing, but I haven’t gotten much off the ground yet as far as artwork. Since the story is based in the mostly real world, and in mostly present day I just don’t get too many awesome ideas for visuals. Largely I haven’t been drawing much lately and that’s really taken the edge off of my ability to design in general, and I’ve never put together anything as large as a graphic novel in scope so it’s a rather large undertaking for a student/full time employee. Being able to finish something of that size and having it done in a quality that’s somewhat better than average should be the equivalent of getting a bachelor’s degree. It would be really nice if I could just present a body of work that proves I’m competent, maybe take a few exams that test my knowledge in art related subject matter and be granted a degree based on the merit that I have lived, learned and produced. When I think back to when I was meeting with one of the advisors for UMKC’s art school I can’t help but remember the way she warned me that the art program wasn’t one people actively seek out. Undergrad seems to have lost all meaning when you look at it. It’s become just another high school program that allows you to focus more in one area but still dilutes it with enough meaningless classes that an employer would hardly care what your degree was in. Arts & Sciences covers a hell of a lot of ground.

I was reminded this weekend of what it feels like to be politely ignored. The foremost example would be a call I had placed to an old friend. We seemed to be having a good chat then the call had dropped on my side, and I tried to call again if for nothing else to say goodbye. There was no answer. I left a half-hearted message and didn’t get a call back. Next time I’ll know to invest my time in someone who’d genuinely like to hear from me. Then again I thought that’s what I was doing this time.

At least Crank, Irish Fest, and the Party Dream will be here next weekend. That’s something I can get behind.

It’s Been Emotional

So I’ve got a new picture over on myspace and it seems to have elicited a singular reaction of shock with various stabs at what’s on my eyes, and all from the more fem of males. Condoms, meat eyes, or nipple tassles. It’s one of those. I favored it being a bit unsettling, and it seems to have had the desired effect.

I’ve been experiencing a problem lately where I can’t seem to get a good free moment. I work all day during the time I’d typically get things done, and when I get away from the grind I’m surrounded by people practically non-stop until I get to sleep. Being an artsy type, I need time to work on things, and time doesn’t present itself when I’m on the move. I realize that this problem should soon alleviate itself starting next week when I and the rest of my power trio go back to school, and I certainly hope that is the case. I never seem to have a moment to sit and doodle, finish a half-started Pulp Heroes, or scratch away at my Wacom for endless hours like I seemed to in the past. I have art in me that needs to work itself out and if I created the opportunity for that to happen any number of things might follow. I don’t necessarily want to make art for the result of profit, but I’d see that as a wholly beneficial and really damn convenient side effect. Maybe I just feel that I’m at a stage in my life where I really need to legitimize myself or forever flounder about in the winds of career and financial limbo. If asked where I see myself 10 years from now I don’t want the answer to be along the lines of ’still saying that I’m an artist, but you know, I’ve just been in a drought for a while.’ Although if that’s the case, maybe I should take it as a sign.

And signs are a different topic entirely. But, to touch on it, if you are presented with an unexpected opportunity that could change things now, but could be saved to achieve a later goal, do you take it as a sign that this opportunity should be seized upon now, or do you choke the spark of the fantastic out of life and hold fast to the path you’ve set for yourself?

And to go back to the beaten horse (or is it dead?) I’ve ordered more shirts, and will be printing them (hopefully) this weekend. So if you know anyone who’d like one, I’d be happy to provide.

If your art is done, Johnny get your gun
Join the rank and file, on your TV dial

I love it!

So the shirts are on sale, ready and waiting to be purchased and shipped to those who pre-ordered. Unfortunately at current I don’t have any extra stock to spare since I did a very limited run to get the hang of things. I’d post the link to purchase here but I fear I might get orders that I won’t be able to fill for a while. But if you’re interested in purchasing one in the near future go ahead and shoot me an email so I can make one for you. And for those of you I’ve contacted, buy your shirts so I can continue doing things like this.

I’d like to give personal thanks to Mr. Hand and Mr. Scratch for their assitance in the printing process, and I’d also like to thank everyone who has shown support for this endeavor, especially the ‘rents and the Columbus crew. Much Love.

More non-shirt related posts to follow in the coming days, as my non-student days wind to a close and I start back to school this coming Monday, plan to redouble efforts on Pulp Heroes, and make some normal art for a change. I’d also like to try to make a new template for the site, as this one is a bit buggy, and feels a bit cramped to me. It’s always something with this guy.