Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Is He helping With The Presents Too?
Today's Strip
And so we end this years Christmas story to begin our New Year shenanigans. Bernie Sims is a Saxophonist who the band brings in when needed. They last considered doing that here
And so we end this years Christmas story to begin our New Year shenanigans. Bernie Sims is a Saxophonist who the band brings in when needed. They last considered doing that here
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Christmas 2009 14
Today's Strip
Well, that ends the Christmas story for this year. Hope everybody had a very pleasant holiday.
Well, that ends the Christmas story for this year. Hope everybody had a very pleasant holiday.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Christmas 2009 07
Today's Strip
Jabez Dawes I took from the Ogden Nash poem, "The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus" Still a Jack in the Box, still doing hard time.
Jabez Dawes I took from the Ogden Nash poem, "The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus" Still a Jack in the Box, still doing hard time.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Christmas 2009 02
Today's Strip
What can she do? Besides sic mythical ogre's on you... If only Kevin knew the meaning of "Rhetorical Question".
What can she do? Besides sic mythical ogre's on you... If only Kevin knew the meaning of "Rhetorical Question".
Monday, December 14, 2009
Christmas 2009 01
Today's Strip
Well here we go again with this years Christmas story! Kevin got the gift certificate Bian is using here so is understandably very nervous.
Well here we go again with this years Christmas story! Kevin got the gift certificate Bian is using here so is understandably very nervous.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Well, I like Him.
Today's Strip
We last heard about the beginning of Mr. Ying's relationship with the "hot psychopomp" here.
We last heard about the beginning of Mr. Ying's relationship with the "hot psychopomp" here.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Plato The Cat Girl
Today's Strip
For anyone who is wondering, Blossom is dressed as Plato the the title character from Edgar Allen Poe's "The Black Cat"
For anyone who is wondering, Blossom is dressed as Plato the the title character from Edgar Allen Poe's "The Black Cat"
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
It's Not Spying... We're Eavesdropping!
Today's Strip
Yet another example of the eternal question... Which is greater... Olive's self importance, or her utter cluelessness?
Yet another example of the eternal question... Which is greater... Olive's self importance, or her utter cluelessness?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
District 9
Well I finally saw it. Not all that bad. I don't think I'll be going giving it a gold star or anything. While I am glad of a Science fiction that is not just an action film with accessories I need them to do more a film not following formulae.
Anyway as it as been said many a time it's essentially using aliens in Johannesburg as a metaphor for apartheid and I suppose refugee camps as well. As the film starts with a nearly identical premise to Alien Nation only they take it from the South African Perspective, which means put all of the alien refugees into a camp, that quickly turns into a slum.
They explain away why culture stays mostly unchanged is that one all of the technology that the aliens have only work with their DNA, and two all but two of the Aliens we encounter seem to be a marginally sentient drone caste. Based on this you wonder how the heck they got so much tech (that wasn't working) down off the ship.
Anyway it does the usual things about corporate greed and man's inhumanity. It occurs to me that a nice clean professional laboratory in the right context would be far more terrifying than the borderline abattoir they drag the protagonist too once he gets infected by the "prawn" dna.
So anyway for a dramatization to our first exposure to an alien species (technically two species as there are these scorpion creatures that the "Prawns" use in cock fights) It's pretty well done, and uses the documentary format very well.
Anyway as it as been said many a time it's essentially using aliens in Johannesburg as a metaphor for apartheid and I suppose refugee camps as well. As the film starts with a nearly identical premise to Alien Nation only they take it from the South African Perspective, which means put all of the alien refugees into a camp, that quickly turns into a slum.
They explain away why culture stays mostly unchanged is that one all of the technology that the aliens have only work with their DNA, and two all but two of the Aliens we encounter seem to be a marginally sentient drone caste. Based on this you wonder how the heck they got so much tech (that wasn't working) down off the ship.
Anyway it does the usual things about corporate greed and man's inhumanity. It occurs to me that a nice clean professional laboratory in the right context would be far more terrifying than the borderline abattoir they drag the protagonist too once he gets infected by the "prawn" dna.
So anyway for a dramatization to our first exposure to an alien species (technically two species as there are these scorpion creatures that the "Prawns" use in cock fights) It's pretty well done, and uses the documentary format very well.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Can I Haggle
Today's Strip
The shock jock rant that Kate is complaining about came from Tom Leykis. I heard it back when I had a ten hour delivery job and I was listening to a LOT of talk radio. In my defense this was before he decided brain dead ex fratboys were his only target audience.
The shock jock rant that Kate is complaining about came from Tom Leykis. I heard it back when I had a ten hour delivery job and I was listening to a LOT of talk radio. In my defense this was before he decided brain dead ex fratboys were his only target audience.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
You Don't Need My Flowers
Today's Strip
For a while I couldn't decide what Nancy and Paul would be singing when they were forced up to the stage. I ended up mangling Streisand.
For a while I couldn't decide what Nancy and Paul would be singing when they were forced up to the stage. I ended up mangling Streisand.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Two Really Long Weeks
Today's Strip
I had the Department Of Minor Nuisances mess with the time stream in order to get as much bang for their buck in catching up with their paperwork, but I don't think I ever figured out how long they were gone in real time. For a while I had been saying a month... But two weeks is funnier.
I had the Department Of Minor Nuisances mess with the time stream in order to get as much bang for their buck in catching up with their paperwork, but I don't think I ever figured out how long they were gone in real time. For a while I had been saying a month... But two weeks is funnier.
Monday, September 7, 2009
So Why DIdn't You Call Me?
Today's Strip
Sometimes the problem of real time versus comic time sneak up to you. The way the story was going it almost caught me by surprise when I realized that, not counting the Halloween party, Paul and Nancy hadn't talked for a year after "the development in their relationship"
Sometimes the problem of real time versus comic time sneak up to you. The way the story was going it almost caught me by surprise when I realized that, not counting the Halloween party, Paul and Nancy hadn't talked for a year after "the development in their relationship"
Friday, September 4, 2009
Dragon Banner
Just finished a paying gig. It's the banner for a Lawyer's blog on business relations with China. The title of the blog is China Branding Blog. The original concept was to have a red chinese dragon on one side and a green western dragon on the other. Unfortunatly, while I had a good execution of that one, it really didn't work. While the western dragon shows up in heraldry and everything, it's not the cultural icon that the chinese dragon is. Anyway we finally went with the Chinese dragon and replaced the other dragon with a panda. It came out pretty nice though the final version had to be radically reformatted for the final version. Anyway I'm still using this previous version for the Portfolio. Hope you all like it.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Fugestate
Today's Strip
They say in most writing books, never say someone is the best speaker, artist, writer. The reason for this is there is no way you can show anything that will match up. Normally with Brian I'm off the hook since math is so abstract and I hardly ever have to show his work. However every now and then he has to talk about it. The trick is to make it sound like he's talking a mile over your head but there has to be enough actual words there so it isn't pure gibberish. Most of Brian's rant is me paraphrasing an article on replicator equations... THe scary thing is that it almost makes sense.
They say in most writing books, never say someone is the best speaker, artist, writer. The reason for this is there is no way you can show anything that will match up. Normally with Brian I'm off the hook since math is so abstract and I hardly ever have to show his work. However every now and then he has to talk about it. The trick is to make it sound like he's talking a mile over your head but there has to be enough actual words there so it isn't pure gibberish. Most of Brian's rant is me paraphrasing an article on replicator equations... THe scary thing is that it almost makes sense.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
U-District Artwalk.
Well I did the Art walk last night. I'd "done" it before doing illustration demonstrations over at the Dreaming. But this was the first time I actually walked and looked at the various displays. The first was some of the photography of my friend J Kovach, of Feral Sky Studios, at Gargoyles. The second was at Upper Playground, a new high end t-shirt shop, that was showing the works of Alex Pardee. Most of his work consisted of very bizarre surrealist cartoons, very well done though.
It was the first time I had ever checked out Upper Playground since it had first opened up a couple of months ago. It was crowded and lively and I got myself stuck in an unmoving line to see the exhibit. Just as I was beginning to get very annoyed I realized I was standing in the autograph line.
The really depressing thing is that between this and J's opening is this is the closest thing I've gotten to going out for a night on the town.
It was the first time I had ever checked out Upper Playground since it had first opened up a couple of months ago. It was crowded and lively and I got myself stuck in an unmoving line to see the exhibit. Just as I was beginning to get very annoyed I realized I was standing in the autograph line.
The really depressing thing is that between this and J's opening is this is the closest thing I've gotten to going out for a night on the town.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I Wonder If It Has Any Weaknesses
Today's Strip
I've been waiting to do this one for years. A very rough version of this strip has been in my file for nearly as long as I've done the strip with Lisa trying to foist off the kitten. The problem was the rest of the story didn't really work for me. It only clicked for me when I added Blossom to the cast which changed the entire political dynamic of Lysistrata, and it was much more in character for Blossom to want the kitten than Lisa.
I've been waiting to do this one for years. A very rough version of this strip has been in my file for nearly as long as I've done the strip with Lisa trying to foist off the kitten. The problem was the rest of the story didn't really work for me. It only clicked for me when I added Blossom to the cast which changed the entire political dynamic of Lysistrata, and it was much more in character for Blossom to want the kitten than Lisa.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Friday Museum Sketches
Okay, today we have a little quickie I knocked off last weekend almost on a whim. This is a D'mba headdress, A monument to motherhood of the Baga people from the coast of Guinea-Conakry in West Africa. I still have trouble imagining anyone wearing it for more than ten minutes at a time since it looks as if it ways at least fifty pounds and you can only see out of tiny eye-holes around the figures collarbone which I had to have pointed out to me.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Where Do You Take Out Of Town Guests?
Today's Strip
I'm sure all cities in the world have a similar phenomenon. But here in Seattle the only time we EVER do the Underground tour in Pioneer Square is when we have guests from out of town. It's nearly the same with going up the top of the Space Needle but at least there's a trendy restaurant up there.
I'm sure all cities in the world have a similar phenomenon. But here in Seattle the only time we EVER do the Underground tour in Pioneer Square is when we have guests from out of town. It's nearly the same with going up the top of the Space Needle but at least there's a trendy restaurant up there.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Ponyo
Well I went and saw a sneak preview of Hayao Miyazaki's Ponyo on the Cliff, or just Ponyo according to Disney marketers, and it was very much up to the master's usual standards. It is very much going back to the simplicity of his works specifically for children like Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service.
Artistically it was amazing. All of the backgrounds were done in pastels which reminded me of the use of watercolor in Lilo and Stitch. The animated figures clashed against the background slightly but not enough for me to have had a problem with it. I can't help wondering if they could have fixed that by running the cells through a special filter or something similar.
One small nitpick I had with it was after the spectacular entrance of Ponyo as a human child running on the backs of a tsunami in the shape of giant fish, the ending felt anticlimactic in comparison. That's okay though. Miyazaki's quiet meditative scenes are just as good as his spectacle's.
If I had one real complaint it was that the closing theme left a nearly inextricable earworm.
Artistically it was amazing. All of the backgrounds were done in pastels which reminded me of the use of watercolor in Lilo and Stitch. The animated figures clashed against the background slightly but not enough for me to have had a problem with it. I can't help wondering if they could have fixed that by running the cells through a special filter or something similar.
One small nitpick I had with it was after the spectacular entrance of Ponyo as a human child running on the backs of a tsunami in the shape of giant fish, the ending felt anticlimactic in comparison. That's okay though. Miyazaki's quiet meditative scenes are just as good as his spectacle's.
If I had one real complaint it was that the closing theme left a nearly inextricable earworm.
Hummingbirds!
Today's Strip
We don't know the details about the Hummingbird Incident but it seemed to have a lasting effect on Gage.
We don't know the details about the Hummingbird Incident but it seemed to have a lasting effect on Gage.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
System Troubles
Sorry it looks like the strip is down for the next day at least. Apparently it's not just me it's all of the sites my webmaster hosts. It's just frustrating that it happens the day I'm crowing about strip number 1000
1000 Strips!
Wow. You know when I first thought I needed to do a month's worth of strips for an attempt to syndicate the strip I couldn't believe I could do it. After that I had a similar belief about 100. After that I stayed pretty jaded until 500 strips but now... Wow. Ultimatly it's like being a shark, you stop swimming you die.
Anyway it's been a wild ride and with any luck the next thousand will be even better.
Anyway for the strip lineup from right to left is as follows: Nancy, Kris, Paul, Kate, Brian, Michelle, Janet, Laurel, Lisa, Blossom, Gage, Francine, Hsin, Åke, Lori, Mr. Zhu, Mr. Ying, Sam, Shilo, Fedya, Olive, Annie, Frank, Scylla, Ogre, Mr. Mookherjee, Falani, Border Guard, Tara, Rowan, Bian, Richard Okubo, Conal, Liam, Kestrel, Dora.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
It Must Suck To Be You.
Today's Strip
Frequently when Kate complains about her "bad luck" she gets very little sympathy from her friends.
Frequently when Kate complains about her "bad luck" she gets very little sympathy from her friends.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Door to Door Evangelism
Just got off from being polite to two very sincere Jehovah's Witnesses. I freely admit I was off my game having just woken up barely a half hour before. I"m not getting into where I stand one way or the other on belief but if someone's trying to sell Christ to me they are not doing themselves any favors by immediately going to the back of the book. (though seeing how far they were able to stretch the meaning of the Whore of Babylon quote (while leaving out the line "Whore of Babylon) was rather amusing)
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Your Boss Had a "Pleasant Evening" Too?
Today's Strip
The staff of Lysistrata and Dunsany's appear to have trouble getting quality dirt on their employers' date. Seen here.
The staff of Lysistrata and Dunsany's appear to have trouble getting quality dirt on their employers' date. Seen here.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Gothica 1
Today's Strip
I have a confession to make. I did this story specifically to pad my strip buffer. A friend had been looking at the Fran and Olive do filing bits and said you know, you could have one of them walking into the back of the storage unit and start walking past trees, i.e. Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. My first reaction was "that's silly". My second reaction was, "That's silly and I can crank it out in two days." Anyway, forgive the diversion and enjoy.
I have a confession to make. I did this story specifically to pad my strip buffer. A friend had been looking at the Fran and Olive do filing bits and said you know, you could have one of them walking into the back of the storage unit and start walking past trees, i.e. Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. My first reaction was "that's silly". My second reaction was, "That's silly and I can crank it out in two days." Anyway, forgive the diversion and enjoy.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Vacation Pictures
Well every body, I'm back from Maine and despite the nearly constant rain had a great time. Wouldn't you know it you spend most of your trip indoors because of the weather and what part of the country is having great weather? Seattle!. Any way I thought a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July was to share my four vacation pictures. I didn't do a fraction of the number I wanted to, because of the afore mentioned weather, but these three came out nicely.
The First picture is the view from the dock of the Darling Marine Center on the Damariscotta river, the second the ancient graveyard in the middle of the woods nearby and finally the third is the view from my uncle's house in Littleton, New Hampshire.
Hope you like them.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Army Satchel Kind of Kills the Effect.
Today's Strip
At first I played with a punchline regarding O'Henry's Gift of the Magi but decided against it.
At first I played with a punchline regarding O'Henry's Gift of the Magi but decided against it.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
You Were Wearing A Wig
Today's Strip
The last time Paul and Nancy talked she was dressed like this. I think we can forgive Paul for missing the new hairstyle.
The last time Paul and Nancy talked she was dressed like this. I think we can forgive Paul for missing the new hairstyle.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Well I'm Off To Maine
Well my three hour countdown to finish packing and getting everything ready before I head to Seatac. I'm off to Maine to spend some quality time with the folks and recharge the old batteries. I always come back thinner and feeling a whole lot smarter after a week of dinner conversation with a PHD and smaller servings.
I'm looking forward to several projects I have planned, mostly painting forests and coastlines as well as see how far I can get in rewriting an idea for a space opera i've had kicking around.
The only downside of course is the actual getting there part. The flight is a redeye starting at ten. Which means around four hours of sleep tonight PLUS jet-lag. On top of that I'm not the biggest fan of flying.
It's not a phobia, mind you, it's more a case of letting the imagination get the best of you. Thanks to a very bad made for tv movie in the eighties I was paranoid about hijacking LONG before 9/11. And I can think of more ridiculous scenarios a lot faster than my rational side can shoot them down. I think it's the giving somebody control of my life for an extended period of time. I have perfect faith in the pilot's ability and I know a crash is statistically as likely as a bus about two miles away from me careening out of control and keep careening in such a way that it eventually careens its way to me walking on a sidewalk. But in that extremely hypothetical situation I'm able to leap into a bush to get out of it's way.
Silly, I know, but there you are pre flight jitter. A fear of being out of your element for a week and thinking of all the things that can go wrong no matter how ridiculous.
Anyway I should be fine and even enjoy the trip, and I'll try to post some pictures. Otherwise see you all in July.
I'm looking forward to several projects I have planned, mostly painting forests and coastlines as well as see how far I can get in rewriting an idea for a space opera i've had kicking around.
The only downside of course is the actual getting there part. The flight is a redeye starting at ten. Which means around four hours of sleep tonight PLUS jet-lag. On top of that I'm not the biggest fan of flying.
It's not a phobia, mind you, it's more a case of letting the imagination get the best of you. Thanks to a very bad made for tv movie in the eighties I was paranoid about hijacking LONG before 9/11. And I can think of more ridiculous scenarios a lot faster than my rational side can shoot them down. I think it's the giving somebody control of my life for an extended period of time. I have perfect faith in the pilot's ability and I know a crash is statistically as likely as a bus about two miles away from me careening out of control and keep careening in such a way that it eventually careens its way to me walking on a sidewalk. But in that extremely hypothetical situation I'm able to leap into a bush to get out of it's way.
Silly, I know, but there you are pre flight jitter. A fear of being out of your element for a week and thinking of all the things that can go wrong no matter how ridiculous.
Anyway I should be fine and even enjoy the trip, and I'll try to post some pictures. Otherwise see you all in July.
Water Color of Discovery Park
I decided to throw in some of my occasional watercolors into mix. Watercolor, at the moment, is my primary non-virtual medium. I like it first because it is extremely portable and second because since it is such an forgiving medium where mistakes are VERY hard to correct, being good at it is something you can take smug satisfaction in.
For some reason though no matter how good my pieces are, and trust me I have some of them in my portfolio, I have a difficult time considering them anything more then sketches. Most of the reason behind this is a lot of them are... a good chunk of them are concept art for assorted story ideas and the rest of them are these...
In my frequent out door walks i like to bring my watercolor kit with me. Doing these pictures are good because the force me to hyperfocus on various objects and thus take in all of the details, as well as being a "running weights" kind of practice. Every now and then this produces something really good. However most of the time, like in this painting of the bluff in Discovery park, they can be charitably considered abstracts.
Here's the real thing for comparison (though I had a clearer day and Rainier was not hidden by the haze.)
Friday, June 12, 2009
Friday Museum Sketches
Okay back from a too long hiatus sketches from the Seattle Art Museum, or in this case the Asian Art Museum up in Volunteer Park. Today's sketch is from their permanent collection of Indian sculpture. One thing I really like about this exhibit is that they've opened up a little bistro there so along with the overpriced sandwiches you have a table and chair to draw at. Because of this I've come out of this room with much better drawings than the usual affair where you have to work standing up with your sketchbook balanced as well as you can manage as you draw...
Anyway, today's sketch is from a stone relief of Siva and Parvati, from Khajvraho done in sandstone in the 11th century. You can see the original here.
Mister You Better Be Worth It.
Today's Strip
Nancy and Michelle first inflicted that dress on Kate here. Other than this rather forced nod to continuity I really have no excuse for Kate to act out of character and participate in this bit of cheap fanservice.
Nancy and Michelle first inflicted that dress on Kate here. Other than this rather forced nod to continuity I really have no excuse for Kate to act out of character and participate in this bit of cheap fanservice.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
I'm All About Sacrifice.
Today's Strip
I can't help noticing, in strips like these, Is how the limitations of strip time and strip continuity come back to bite you. Since a strip only allows you what is on average five minutes of time a day, time does weird things and there's only so much you can do about it. As far as the strip is concerned the last time Paul and Nancy spoke was Halloween 2008, the last time they went out together was a year before that watching the final game of the World Series. Heck one year I was almost relieved that I wouldn't be able to do a Valentine's Day story line because as far as continuity was concerned it would mean that Valentine's day had happened twice in one month. As time goes by you learn to imply that time is passing and that there are things going on off camera, but the problem still comes up as a stumbling block more times then I'd like.
I can't help noticing, in strips like these, Is how the limitations of strip time and strip continuity come back to bite you. Since a strip only allows you what is on average five minutes of time a day, time does weird things and there's only so much you can do about it. As far as the strip is concerned the last time Paul and Nancy spoke was Halloween 2008, the last time they went out together was a year before that watching the final game of the World Series. Heck one year I was almost relieved that I wouldn't be able to do a Valentine's Day story line because as far as continuity was concerned it would mean that Valentine's day had happened twice in one month. As time goes by you learn to imply that time is passing and that there are things going on off camera, but the problem still comes up as a stumbling block more times then I'd like.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Look Mommy! A Bear
Today's Strip
Just realized I hadn't done anything with Mitzi For a while.
The funny thing with this strip is nearly the moment I put it in the can I happened to see the headline about Urban Phantom. Which made a liar out of the mom.
Just realized I hadn't done anything with Mitzi For a while.
The funny thing with this strip is nearly the moment I put it in the can I happened to see the headline about Urban Phantom. Which made a liar out of the mom.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Rhapsodies is on Amazon
Well here's a bit of exciting news Lulu, the print on demand service I do my collections on, just worked out a deal with Amazon which means Rhapsodies is now on Amazon which means better visibility!
So what are you waiting for, come get your copies of Where Do You Want Your Drummer?, AKA: Havana Sunset, What Happens on the Road, and my one experiment with science fiction, Sasha: Slower Than Light, today!
And even if you can't buy today reviews and ratings are very much appreciated!
So what are you waiting for, come get your copies of Where Do You Want Your Drummer?, AKA: Havana Sunset, What Happens on the Road, and my one experiment with science fiction, Sasha: Slower Than Light, today!
And even if you can't buy today reviews and ratings are very much appreciated!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Folklife: Day Four
Well this is the end. I think I was getting just a little burnt out in the end so I didn't crank out quite as many as the last few days but heres what we got... Peruvian Dancers from the AFrican ConXion Project 09, Hank Veensta and Friends playing old time fiddle music, some young jugglers out in the Fiddler Green, and finally the Rum Rebellion, punk folk from Portland and all of their fans.
And Of Course You're Stefan
Today's Strip
We first met Stefan, albeit unnamed, with Kate when attending the opening of a new night club called Dunsany's.
We first met Stefan, albeit unnamed, with Kate when attending the opening of a new night club called Dunsany's.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Folklife: Day Three
Okay here's today's batch. First Papa String and Brien “Bobo” McMullen from Eugene based Conjugal Visitors. Then a girl playing guitar outside of Key arena. After this I have some dancers. First a trio of step dancers who were performing with the McKassons, a contemporary scottish fiddle band, and some women dancing to a cumbia piece performed by the Michael Carlos Band. Finally a few sketches from a capoeira demonstration. I confess there were a lot of liberties taken here. As there is so much movement going on here all of the figures are combinations of several different poses.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Folklife: Day Two
Okay, other then a braving the crowds and sun, it was a very good day. I created a lot less duds which either means I'm getting better or I took less chances. Anyway the line up today consists of Albira dze Muningia a west african percussion group. Liddy Voetberg a fiddler, who normally performs with her family group, The Galway Ramblers, a celtic group from Galway Ireland, and the Bobs a very funny a cappella group.
I also did some sketching of various tango dancers. The sketches of the dancers you see here are sort of a fusion of different people. They were just moving too fast. By the time I had worked out the pose the models were halfway across the dance floor.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Folklife: Day One
Okay got a good start with the first day of Northwest Folklife. Lots of good music lot's of good people watching and of course lots of good material to sketch. I think I'll consider today as warm up. There were a few duds in the mix which I think I'll keep to myself, but otherwise I think I did okay.
Today's line up include Christopher of the Wolves, a sort of Didgeridoo one man band, members of Unkle Nancy and the Family Jewels, musicians from Ockham's Razor a really kick ass celtic band, and some girls dancing to Ockham's Razor.
How Much Business Can We Loose in Fifteen Minutes
Today's Strip
For everyone keeping up, Kevin got the gift certificate for Lysistrata here and he's been trying to spend it or has missed the opportunity to be at the store when certain junior clerks are working ever since.
For everyone keeping up, Kevin got the gift certificate for Lysistrata here and he's been trying to spend it or has missed the opportunity to be at the store when certain junior clerks are working ever since.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Extreme Sketching in the U-District
This weekend was the first of the Seattle street fairs. It was pretty good summer weather so it consisted as the first salvo in my on going seasonal battle with sun burn. Anyway one thing I like to do during these public events is something I like to call "Extreme Sketching" that is to say drawing moving targets. The trick here is to get the basic pose down as quickly as possible, work in the details as you go along, and pray that your memory fills in the gaps. These are hardly ever any good for obvious reasons. But it's a very good exercise (kind of like running with weights on) and often yields material for much better drawings. ANyway, I didn't get as many done as I would have liked, these events are getting much too crowded. But I think these three came out quite well. Unfortunately the only ones I got the info for this time was a duo called Raw Corn who I enjoyed very much (You've got to respect anyone who plays John Wayne and Pink Floyd back to back.)
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
I Need Someone to Gloat At
Today's Strip
Well with the Baseball underway I figured it was high time to bring back the Night-Gaunts
Well with the Baseball underway I figured it was high time to bring back the Night-Gaunts
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
It's a Step Up.
Today's Strip
To make sure everyone is up to speed Blossom recomended Fran and Olive to Brian here for reasons that were not related to her being a nice person
To make sure everyone is up to speed Blossom recomended Fran and Olive to Brian here for reasons that were not related to her being a nice person
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
And This Year's Tax Story Begins
Today's Strip
Since I"m keeping Brian pretty busy right now, this year's tax story is mostly spoofing spaghetti westerns starting with a fun one called Django:
Since I"m keeping Brian pretty busy right now, this year's tax story is mostly spoofing spaghetti westerns starting with a fun one called Django:
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
But We Have a Brass Section!
Today's Strip
I not enough of a fan to know how often Johnny Cash used trumpets but they worked really well in Ring of Fire.
I not enough of a fan to know how often Johnny Cash used trumpets but they worked really well in Ring of Fire.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Going Galt
Today's Strip
Sometimes the opportunity to play with your conservative friends' heads is simply irresistible.
Sometimes the opportunity to play with your conservative friends' heads is simply irresistible.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
She's Recovering From The Party
Today's Strip
I couldn't say if the Inaugural Ball was traumatic for Kate but just remember it ended like this.
I couldn't say if the Inaugural Ball was traumatic for Kate but just remember it ended like this.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Rhapsodies at 900
It's funny, I was obsessing so much about getting my two week buffer back I didn't even notice that I hit the 900 mark. Now all I have to brace myself for the final sprint to 1000!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
New Rhapsodies Collections Available
Good News everybody! I've just completed the first three collections of rhapsodies. So what are you waiting for? Order your own copies of Where Do You Want Your Drummer?, AKA Havana Sunset and What Happens on the Road...
Monday, March 16, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
So All Us Mere Mortals Can Understand
Today's Strip
In case people are keeping track, Rowan first appears here and just a few strips later we find that yes she can take Brian with ease.
In case people are keeping track, Rowan first appears here and just a few strips later we find that yes she can take Brian with ease.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Watchmen
Well, I saw the movie adaptation of Watchmen at a special preview last night and I am happy to say it is I was not disappointed. I admit that I went into the theater with pretty low expectations so I'm afraid that any opinions I have are probably badly effected by the soft bigotry of low expectations. It's interesting that none of my concerns were about how the director would treat the genre or willfully trample on the subject matter because it was originally a comic book. No, all of my concerns were based on how to cram all of that material into two hours, in my perfect world Watchmen would be a 12 episode HBO series. But anyway it was much better then all of my fears suggested. Yes it still felt like watching cliff-notes but I went in knowing that was unavoidable. Director Zack Snyder does a very good job lovingly recreating the most of the most memorable imagery in the book and throws in tons of minor little details that will award multiple viewings. Certainly there were several pragmatic changes to the story, but nothing really egregious. I suppose I could complain about how he increased the level of violence from the book and wonder about his obsession with slow motion shots but that would just be another example of me nitpicking. Instead I'll dwell on the things I liked, such as the opening credits/expository montage done to Bob Dillon's "Times They are a Changing".
Monday, March 2, 2009
Technical difficulty
Oops, had it pointed out to me that I had mislabeled a couple of archives so Monday's strip appeared on Sunday, etc... I just fixed the problem but if anyone is wondering why today's strip just got replaced with yesterday's that's what happened.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday Museum Sketches
Okay this ones an old one. From Seattle Art Museum's permanent collection; A wooden statue of a seated Guan Yin from the Song Dynasty (12th-13th Century) You can see the original here.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Great Charter School Debate
I decided to do a finished version of yesterday's sketch. I'm not sure about the pitcher of Coke, but otherwise I think it looks okay.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Drinking Liberally "Debate"
A little visual reporting of the events at the Seattle Drinking Liberally this evening. Recording a rather heated debate between Chris Mitchell and Stephen Schwartz the topic was the viability of charter schools in the Seattle School System. Feel free to critique but keep in mind that it is a little tricky drawing moving targets.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Witty
Today's Strip
Keeping in mind Francine is one of the only people in the world Bert could be "witty" to.
Keeping in mind Francine is one of the only people in the world Bert could be "witty" to.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Friday Museum Sketches
Alright for this week's sketch we have a statue of Saint Luke the Evangelist at the Seattle Art Museum done in fifteenth century Brussels. This one of my favorite pieces at the museum. It has a forced perspective that makes it very difficult to get right despite several attempts at sketching it. This one is probably as close as I've gotten to a decent representation.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
You Remember Me?
Today's Strip
Richard's talking about the Fundraiser which culminates in this. When I first wrote that storyline the notes after that point read "and then Brian REALLY screws up" But when I finally got to that point I couldn't for the life of me think of anything. I decided to treat it like a noodle incident scenario. Having said that it's fun to drop hints about what could have happened.
Richard's talking about the Fundraiser which culminates in this. When I first wrote that storyline the notes after that point read "and then Brian REALLY screws up" But when I finally got to that point I couldn't for the life of me think of anything. I decided to treat it like a noodle incident scenario. Having said that it's fun to drop hints about what could have happened.
Friday, January 30, 2009
I Don't Want ANY Publicity!
Today's Strip
Which brings us to the return of Richard Okubo, the Bruce Wayne of the Rhapsodies world, (minus the tights (I think)) He has been described, by Kate, as the one who can stick it to the man because he is the man. Kate first meets him at a state fundraiser. Since then he has appeared to have an interest in Kate
Which brings us to the return of Richard Okubo, the Bruce Wayne of the Rhapsodies world, (minus the tights (I think)) He has been described, by Kate, as the one who can stick it to the man because he is the man. Kate first meets him at a state fundraiser. Since then he has appeared to have an interest in Kate
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Perks of Being an Officer
Today's Strip
For a while I was worrying how to handle Conal. I had flat out said that his holiday leave ended at New Years and I wanted to spell out that he had shipped out. To a certain extent I probably shouldn't have worried. He's a secondary character and I probably would have gotten away with him just disappearing for a year of more but I think this covers things nicely.
For a while I was worrying how to handle Conal. I had flat out said that his holiday leave ended at New Years and I wanted to spell out that he had shipped out. To a certain extent I probably shouldn't have worried. He's a secondary character and I probably would have gotten away with him just disappearing for a year of more but I think this covers things nicely.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Drinking Liberally Regulars
I'm a regular at the Seattle Drinking Liberally It's lots of fun banging heads with fellow policy wonks. For fellow Seattleites it's at the Montlake Ale House on 24th Ave E. Anyway back on the topic... A couple of weeks ago, when I had nothing to contribute to the conversation at hand, I started to sketching some of the regulars. Anyway I thought I'd share. The line up here consists of David Goldstein AKA Goldy of Horses Ass, Darryl Holman of Hominid Views, Joel Connelly of the Seattle Post Intelligencer, and Stephen Schwartz of Seattle Jew.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Friday Museum Sketches
Okay, today we're back to the roman with two details from a first century frieze, "Relief Showing the Reading of Auguries and Declaration of Sacred Vows" from the Louvre. You can see a photograph of the original here.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
She's Wearing The Same Dress!
Today's Strip
Kate First met Mrs. Tully when she chose the wrong person to rant at at a state fundraiser. We quickly learn that Mrs. Tully was NOT amused (and probably isn't that pleasant a person to begin with.)
Kate First met Mrs. Tully when she chose the wrong person to rant at at a state fundraiser. We quickly learn that Mrs. Tully was NOT amused (and probably isn't that pleasant a person to begin with.)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Martin Luther King Day
Today's Strip
Having done the "I have a dream" speech last year, I decided to go with a quote from his Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech. I quite like this one.
Having done the "I have a dream" speech last year, I decided to go with a quote from his Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech. I quite like this one.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Friday Museum Sketches
Okay, for todays sketch we have a detail from Ghiberti's Adam and Eve Panel from his Gates of Paradise in the Florence Baptistry. As a cartoonist, I'm very fond of this piece. By the positioning of figures and angels, the sculptor does a masterful job steering our eyes accross four scenes from the story of Eden; the creation of Adam, Eve, the temptation and finally the expulsion from Eden. One could almost consider the Gates of Paradise as a renaissance comic books
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Return of Kris
Today's Strip
It occurred to me recently that even though she's supposed to be a prime mover in the plot's background, and most of the cast is terrified of her, Kris has only appeared in twenty strips and nearly one third of these appearances were in assorted dream sequences. With any luck I can begin to rectify this.
It occurred to me recently that even though she's supposed to be a prime mover in the plot's background, and most of the cast is terrified of her, Kris has only appeared in twenty strips and nearly one third of these appearances were in assorted dream sequences. With any luck I can begin to rectify this.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Bussing Drama
Well I had a bit of unexpected entertainment on the way home. I had done all of those errands that had to be done before Seven before all of those stores closed and I was in one of those what do I do next kind of modes. All of the food of the dinner persuasion I had at home were all frozen solid so I was seriously considering getting take out. However whether I got something in the U-District or Lake City was very much dependent on when the next bus came. So I walked to the nearest bus to see when the next 72, my usual bus back to Lake City, would come. I found that there would be one in a minute and another in a half hour. While it occurred to me that a half hour was the perfect ammonite of time to run over to my favorite teriyaki place but I was tired and wanted to get home. Anyway the first half of the ride went as normal as I tried to think which was better logistical choice teriyaki, fried chicken from QFC, or Wendy's which was when the bus stopped. THe bus driver said that there was another 72 stopped in front of them and she would see if she could help and then nothing. After what felt like ten minutes people started getting off the bus. I held out thinking if there was nothing the bus driver could do to help she would have to move on. Finally the bus driver announce that she might be stuck there all night and it would be best for us to move to the nearest stop. As I got out I saw that the other bus was stuck all right and blocking the entire street. In a bit of snarkiness it occurred to me that the bus driver could have mentioned this a bit earlier. I walked from the bus to my apartment, a walk that took about 45 minutes, i played the if game; if i had taken the bus that was a half hour later they would have been detoured around the other bus and would already have my supper. Two other 72s passed me on the way home. I'm ashamed to admit that I flipped one of them off. At that point I saw no need to wait for another bus. I was mad and it has always been my experience that after you loose your temper it is best to burn off as much residual adrenaline as possible if you want to get to sleep that night, a brisk 45 minute walk to get home is perfect for that. THough I did finally stop for teriyaki on the way.
Friday Museum Sketches
Okay, today's sketch is a detail of one of the centerpieces of the Seattle Art Museum's collection; a Thunderbird mask by Kwakwaka’wakw artist Calvin Hunt
We're Bigger Than The Noise Of Can Openers
Today's Strip
For a little while I wondered if the punch-line "bigger than can-openers" would be enough. While obviously it's sometimes necessary to spell things out, I prefer to keep it down to a minimum because it can make certain phrasings come off as stilted and unnatural.
Also it's nice to make it clear the band doesn't spend ALL of its time lounging around the practice loft.
For a little while I wondered if the punch-line "bigger than can-openers" would be enough. While obviously it's sometimes necessary to spell things out, I prefer to keep it down to a minimum because it can make certain phrasings come off as stilted and unnatural.
Also it's nice to make it clear the band doesn't spend ALL of its time lounging around the practice loft.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
You Think I Should Trust Him Outside of a Submarine?
Today's Strip
I was a little worried about this one. Annie may dote over her younger son but that shouldn't mean she's delusional. Also I finally managed to squeeze in some extra exposition regarding Conal's background.
I was a little worried about this one. Annie may dote over her younger son but that shouldn't mean she's delusional. Also I finally managed to squeeze in some extra exposition regarding Conal's background.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Friday Museum Sketches
Okay we're back I've been very lazy lately, sorry. This week's sketch comes from the RISD Art Museum in Providence Rhode Island. I always enjoy spending a couple of hours there whenever I'm visiting my parents. It is a small collection but has a very general and very good selection. This is one of my favorite paintings there; The Salon d'Or, Hamburg by William Powell Frith. This one was a fun challenge as it's one of the first times I'd tried to copy a crowd scene and I'm afraid I was more than a little rushed doing it. But all in all it was a rewarding exercise.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year Everyone
Today's Strip
Yeah what she said.
In case your wondering who the background Party goers are... The man talking at Lisa is Enrique Dunham we last saw him when Brian was helping with the taxes at the local homeless shelter. He's active in a lot of the causes Kate is and Kate couldn't think of a good excuse to not invite him. Behind them we have Kestrel who's nearly a regular character now standing behind her is Barbara Haley, a friend of Kestrel's who hasn't appeared in the strip yet. They are talking to Lydia who owns the Toile de Peau Tattoo parlor accross the street. She hasn't appeared in the strip yet either but I have my hopes.
Yeah what she said.
In case your wondering who the background Party goers are... The man talking at Lisa is Enrique Dunham we last saw him when Brian was helping with the taxes at the local homeless shelter. He's active in a lot of the causes Kate is and Kate couldn't think of a good excuse to not invite him. Behind them we have Kestrel who's nearly a regular character now standing behind her is Barbara Haley, a friend of Kestrel's who hasn't appeared in the strip yet. They are talking to Lydia who owns the Toile de Peau Tattoo parlor accross the street. She hasn't appeared in the strip yet either but I have my hopes.
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