I'm back!

Well.

I'll admit straight off, that I was reluctant to post over my remembrance of Nabut post. At least not without art to show. So, here we are.

Death of a Friend is done. First, I'd like to thank Andre Zero for the great story. I learned a lot with this piece. The first thing is to buckle down and get the thing done. I mean, a year is wayyyy too long to complete something like this. Aside from the reader's perspective, I think my art changed too much during the process. Also, I rushed bits and I'm not happy with that. I'm sorry, everyone.

The next one will be better and faster, I promise this.

And I don't break promises.

Speaking of the next one: the next one will be a bit late. Andre Zero and Science Girl have moved to Washington D.C. Science Girl got her PhD in Biology (woot!) and now has a job at the N.I.H.. They're still in the process of moving, with Andre Zero flying back and for until August to finish work for his old job. So, he won't have time to write for a while, unless I really cajole him. We're gonna miss those guys and not just because I need a good writer.

I actually helped Science Girl get her PhD by providing some illustrations for her presentation. Check 'em out. Mice and mouse noses!





Speaking of mice, back in Janurary or so, I did a piece of Missile Mouse fanart for Jake Parker. I'm pretty proud of it. What do you think? The poster to his left, I'm really happy with. It's optimized for four-color, full-bleed tabloid screen print just in case...



If you're jonesing for Arkonbey comics, never fear. I've got a small comic for Sweet Enemy in the works and I've got some other comic-related art projects in progress. Right now I'm working on The Page 100 Project based on a cool idea by Jason Turner. You take a book, turn to page 100 and do that page up as a comic page. I've got three different book pages going. One is fully pencilled and two are finalized sketches. Stay tuned.

In other comic news, I'd like to publicly thank Snab and Ladybug for the fantastic and quite surprising gift that arrived at our doorstep last Friday. A largeish box filled with stuff from the Stumptown Comics Fest! Sweet Enemy and I were in comic heaven. And the thought of the sweetness of the gift makes me smile even now.

Thanks Snab.

That's all for now. But, more will follow.

Listening to while posting: "Fire" by the Rebirth Brass Band

Nabut-1995(?) - 11:00 March, 11, 2010

Not sure how something so small could carve a place in our hearts so large.

We'll miss you, Bug.

DoaF update!

I'm still working on Snab's commission. I know, I know. But, it's damned hard! Why couldn't you have suggested something easy like Rambler did? What did she ask for?

"how about something involving tea, yoga, and either a carnival mask, an avocado tree, or a camp/bonfire? Extra points if you can fit in a veiled reference to LotR.

Could that be more vague? Too bad I didn't scan it before I delivered it.

I'm still working on it, Snab, don't worry. To placate you, or possibly, to bug you I've updated Death of a Friend. Getting close!

Listening to while posting: Secret Agent Radio on Soma FM

Art!

This weekend was an art weekend. Man. Turned off the computer, cranked the tunes and drew. I finished my last two commissions; one for Rambler and one for Snab. However, looking at Snab's today, I realize it's just not good enough, so I'm doing it over.

That's just how I roll, baby.

The one for King Ben is done. I'm just waiting on something else I want to send to make an appearance (so I can send both at the same time). The fourth was for a Famous Artist Whose Work I Really Like. There was, of course no pressure involved in that one.

I also finished a piece for a contest called Bearfight!. I heard of it from BT Livermore's blog. There's no money, but if I get accepted, I get into a book and get a free book. I hold very little hope of being accepted, but it would be really awesome. The deadline is March 10th, so I bumped it up to bust it out. Yo.



I'll be working on Snab's commission tonight. I promise! Then, onto Death of a Friend pages 18 and 19.

Listening to while posting: "Ronnie's Racing School" By Glitter Mini Nine

random art and real life problems

Sorry, but Death of a Friend will be later than I want. I pencilled up the next two pages, but then dealing with our very ill cat took precedence.

She's sort of okay. Her hyperthyroidism is acting up and she may be going blind. It's heartbreaking to watch her pace around as though she's looking for something. She hugs the walls and almost bumps into everything. Word to the wise: If your animal is on meds for a condition and the vet has you giving him/her a pill or med-infused treat, unless your vet tells you DO NOT crumble the treat into the animal's food. Unless that animal is going to scarf up the entire portion, it won't get the recommended dosage and my have a relapse. Like ours did. I feel pretty darn guilty.

Anyway.

Here's a sketch I found while cleaning the house today. It's from a few weeks ago and shows my rendition of a Martian from the Rocco Vargas universe created by my favorite artist Danial Torres. Now, the way that Torres portrays Martians may, at first glance, to seem a bit of a 'minstrel show' look at race. But, I don't think he intended it as racist. He only has a few non-whites in his works, but his universe was intentionally the lily-white 1930's Buck Rogers-style 'future' (the stories take place in 1983 and he wrote them in 1987, get it?). The hero is absurdly masculine with a gigantic chest and lantern jaw, women swoon except for the kick-butt Asian warlord-girl. The most prominent Martian is Samson, Rocco Vargas' servant/valet/sidekick/best friend and their relationship is tighter than worker/boss.

However, it's always easy for us whites to say, "oh, it's all in fun", but I think this is all in fun, or at least tongue in cheek and is neither racist nor misogynist. Have any of you read any Rocco Vargas graphic novels? What do you think.

Anyway, here's the sketches of a Martian girl. I changed the nose to look a bit more alien:




I also remembered that I did an Illustration Friday piece with a Torres Martian girl back in '07. It's here.

listening to while posting: my poor cat stumbling around the room.

Update compromise

Ok, guys.

I have an idea. I'll post the updates to Death of a Friend incrementally.

However, I will recommend that you wait until I post the final update. If you want to check, by all means, check, and I really hope you like it. But don't blame me if you find the emotional impact is lessened.

I must also ask you, if you comment, don't be a-spoilin'. 'Kay?

Here's the update

Listening to while posting: "Page One" by Lemon Jelly

Process!

Here's the most recent iteration of the potential collaboration with Sweet Enemy. Some things are working, but some aren't. I'm not entirely happy with with the woman's forward foot and may change it. Her expression has been proving elusive. Most of the time, when trying to get her to be looking down with an affectionate smile, she ends up looking as though she is smiling in that way that people do when they'd rather be somewhere else. I've been re-working the page so much I think it's time to pull out the tracing paper.



I'm also not sure of what to call it now. I thought of a student and teacher, but SE wanted their relationship to be more ambiguous. What do you guys think?

The next two pages of DoaF are ready to go, BUT, I'm debating whether to wait and post the last ten pages all in one go as it's going to be a page-turner. What do you, my loyal readers, want?

Listening to while posting: "Darling, be here" by Bodies of Water