Mr. Humpty Dumpty

It's been a long absence, but hopefully it's been worthwhile as these images show. The first set is my first ever linocut comic. It's a pretty time consuming, intense process, so we'll see if I use it again (I'm looking at photo polymer as an alternative printing option for future comics). The set after is the same comic, but digitally colored. I was going to screenprint the colors, but due to technical issues, I set that aside for now. And besides, why should I be ashamed of the digital?

Graduate School-The Beginning

So, as many of you may already know, I have begun my graduate studies here at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD for short). In between running around and dealing withe the bureaucracy here, I've begun to produce some work. This isn't stellar or grand, just some stuff to get my feet wet and prepare for the bigger projects downt the road. Here goes...

I wanted to get my feet wet with a quick, small relief print, so I did a depiction of the Russian witch Baba Yaga, and her walking chicken house. I had a little bit trouble printing this since I was using an unfamiliar press, so I'm not sure if I'll continue to use it with future blocks.



My first screenprint! Many may recognize this as the Sandman himself, Morpheus, Dream of the Endless (a popular subject for me). I'm not really 'taking' the class, but am sitting in on the occasional lecture and demo to see the process, and then going from there.


And finally (drumroll..........) the layout for my first linocut comic. Just two pages, and no real dialogue or captions, but a self contained story nonetheless, using my ideas from the 'Street Scenes' series. Hopefully, this will lead to good things (and hopefully a thesis).
So, not bad for a month's work, no?

Illustration Friday-Match

I've seen a lot of creative uses for this weeks theme, so I hope mine can live up. Basically, I took two ideas, the literal match, and the 'matchmaker,' and combined them. I also dabbled with color on this one, which I typically don't do with my quick illustrations for IF.

The black line drawing was made with pen brushes, and then scanned to be colored with Photoshop, using the brush tool, and occasionally setting it to 'screen' and 'vivid light.'

Illustration Friday-Play

Just a quck drawing for Illustration Friday, using characters from a previous post ('Mindy's Midnight Monsters)

And if you're a semi-regular visitor to this blog, you may have noticed that my profile has gone through some changes. I've been in Minneapolis for the past two weeks, and in another two weeks school starts. The gods only know what will happen after that.

Skyline-Illustration Friday

These three images go along with my Street Scenes series, and are pen and ink depictions of the city center that the series takes place in. A combination of old myths, fairy tales, and actual buildings that exist in our own 'world.'

The series itself is at a standstill. I've begun reading Bill Willingham's comic 'Fables' (published by DC/Vertigo), and it bears some resemblance to what I've been trying to do. Although there are quite a few things that are different; Willingham is a little more literal in his storytelling, while I'm trying to be a bit more symbolic. Once I get this conundrum worked out, I do intend on continuing the series.

Proof of King Kong Engraving

Loosely related to Illustration Friday's Jungle theme, this is a proof of an engraving I've been working on based on Peter Jackson's version of 'King Kong.' The engraving was done on a 6x8 Resingrave block. I apologize for the shoddy printing; I don't have direct access to a press, so I'm pulling prints by hand using two different types of barens.

Recent Work

The images below are from a series of posters I just finished for the Americorps program here in Nebraska. The actual sizes of each are 24" x 36," and the graphics were created in Illustrator. Kind of a landmark for me since this is my first actual 'paying' illustration job.

Illustration Friday-Under the Sea

The concept isn't very original, but it is the first time I've drawn a mermaid (I think). I also want to experiment on this image with color, creating various effects in Photoshop, but as with every other Illustration Friday image, I'm too anxious to post it. Yet another project for the backburner!

Between Dreaming and Morning

The 'official' release date was a month ago, but I'm just now finding the time to post a full preview of my comic. At twelve pages, the best way I can describe 'Between Dreaming and Morning' is a comic poem, a scene in the life of a young woman, on a very strange morning. If you're interested in purchasing an actual copy of the comic, please contact me by email through my profile to the right. The comic is $2.50, plus $1 for shipping and handling.

Click the images below to see the comic:

Save the Internet!

As many of you no doubt know by now, a big debate is going on in Congress to gut Net Neutrality, paving the way for negative changes to the open and equal Internet. To help put a stop to it, contact your Congressional Representative, and sign a petition here

Thanks for your help! I'll keep you posted on developments.

Illustration Friday-Monster

Well, it's time for my semi-monthly contribution to Illustration Friday! I wasn't sure where this one would go; I was using a new kind of ink on a paper that I traditionally don't use for ink. That, and I'm not particularly use to the type of lighting that was used in the drawing, so the high contrast glare from the tv was an experiment for me. Overall, I'm pleased with where I ended up, but if I did it all over, I'd probably do a few things differently. But I could say that for everything that I ever did, right?

Blog-a-thon '06

It's been a while since I just posted anything non-concert poster related on the blog, so I thought I'd clue you in on the latest and greatest. There's a lot so here goes...


These are the first two pages of my upcoming comic 'Between Dreaming and Morning.' I'm aiming to have the comic printed by the end of March, so I'll let you know when it's available for purchase. In the meantime, I hope this is enough to get your interest...


If you've seen my previous posts, you know that I've been planning on some Kong illustrations for a while. Well, I'm finally making them...sort of. This drawing will soon be a 6x8 Engraving (done on Resingrave, instead of wood). It's just a drawing from a screen shot of the movie, not exactly what I was intending, but I figure it will be good practice for an engraving, which I've never done. If time, money, and materials permit, I'll do something on a much larger scale.




Of course, I can't finish something without putting something else on deck. These are some quick (and crude) sketches for my next comic 'The Half Finished Writer.' It's in the planning stages now, I have the text set out, and I've begun page layouts, but serious character design has yet to begin...





And finally, these are some of the latest images from the 'Street Scenes' comic. This project is somewhat in flux right now since I'm trying to finish other projects, and I'm having to revise some of the drawings, but I'm still committed to it...

Well, I hope you've enjoyed the marathon. Now, comment away...

The Nadas Concert Poster

Two in one month! Another poster for 1%.

Broken Spindles Poster

The latest poster for 1% Productions, done with Adobe Illustrator.

Illustration Friday-Page Sample with Cat

This is a page from one of those projects that's been on the backburner for quite some time, slowly simmering to perfection (I hope).

The story is about a young woman who's having trouble sleeping, and so she gets up, and starts reflecting. She eventually goes out onto her balcony for a smoke, and looks back in to see a different version of herself, one much happier and nurturing. I'll leave the rest as a surprise, but the main theme of the comic is renewal in a place that has become tired and withered.

It'd be hard to call this a 'comic book,' I think a more accurate description would be 'comic poem.' Right now I'm thinking of self-publishing as soemthing akin to a chapbook. Thoughts? Advice?

Illustration Friday-E is for...Eve

I've dealt with Eve before in some artwork, but this is a more traditional depiction/setting. Check out my posting 'New Street Scenes' for a more contemporary spin on her.

Batgirl Meme

I won't score any originality points with these Batgirl drawings, but I've been reading and reading about this whole Batgirl meme started by Andi Watson, and couldn't resist from participating!

KONG!

So, one of my latest obsessions has been the latest version of King Kong. I don't know what it is, but I love this movie, as soon as it was over I wanted to see it again (mind you, it's a 3 hour movie!) Well done, Mr. Jackson!

Of course, my fandom is going to seep into my artwork, and so here's my plan: a possible series of woodcuts with the feel of a 1930's poster, but with clear references to the new movie. I figure it's about time I move beyond the linocut and start dealing with woodcuts in serious way. And since I just sat down to work on this today, I don't have much more than these sketches. As always, I'll post new designs and sketches as they emerge.

Illustration Friday-Sea: "The Whale's Pest"

It's been a while since I posted something for Illustration Friday, but it also helped that I was a bit inspired by the theme for this week. Just a quick sketch, hopefully somewhat humorous.

Also, for those that have been regular visitors to my blog, check below for an actual Lost illustration I completed (finally!)