Sketches and Stories

Haiti Relief

2010-01-21T22:09:00.005-06:00

Hello world! As many of you have heard, the earthquake in Haiti has devastated millions. Much help is needed and now is the time for the human race to show that it can help itself survive. Many of you have probably already helped in one way or another, but for those who haven't yet gotten around to it, I have decided to give some incentive for your help!

For the next week, I am offering a free watercolor painting (your choice of subject matter (I guess kinda like a commision)) for a donation of $10 dollars to your choice of charity. Here's how:

1. Pick an charity to donate to online.
2. Donate via their website.
3. Send me an email (jehucampos@gmail.com) with a screenshot or copy of your reciept showing you donated $10 or more. Include your painting request in the email, along with an address I can ship it to.
4. I'll paint it and mail it out via USPS, at my cost.
It's that simple. You provide help in the relief effort and get a painting as a thanks!

Here are a few organizations that accept online donations.

World Vision (www.WorldVision.org/Haiti)

Save The Children (click here for Haiti donations page)

Clinton Foundation (click here for Haiti donations page)

You can also find plenty other organizations via Google. Again, remember this is for direct relief of millions having very hard times, and many of us can help. Hopefully I will be painting for months to come! We can make a difference!

Paintings will be 4x6 watercolor/gouache on Arches 140lb Hotpress paper.

First Flight, Pg 9

2009-12-22T20:16:00.002-06:00

The End! But where is he going? Why is he flying an airplane? WHAT IS HIS NAME??? Stay tuned for future adventures!
Also, you can read the whole thing here!

First Flight, Pg 8

2009-12-20T11:53:00.002-06:00

Almost done! Read the rest here!

First Flight, Pg 7

2009-12-17T21:33:00.003-06:00

THAT WAS CLOSE, HUH? Read the rest here!

First Flight, Pg 6

2009-12-15T22:37:00.004-06:00

BRACE FOR IMPACT! Read the rest here!

First Flight, Pg 5

2009-12-13T11:55:00.002-06:00

OH NOES, SOMETHING IS HAPPENING! Read the rest here.

First Flight, Pg 4

2009-12-11T11:56:00.002-06:00

Take off! See the rest here.

First Flight, Pg 3

2009-12-08T20:32:00.002-06:00

Page 3 makes me realize this looks kinda incomplete without background paintings... Anyone want to help with that? You can find the rest here.

First Flight, Pg 2

2009-12-06T17:30:00.002-06:00

The rest of the pages are here.

First Flight

2009-12-04T23:57:00.002-06:00

I made this comic a few months ago. I call it "First Flight."

This is page 1 of 9. Click to see higher res.

I'll be posting the other pages every other day, although the rest can be found here if you are the impatient kind. Hope you enjoy it!

SketchCrawl Numero Vignt & Go

2009-11-23T00:01:00.007-06:00

That means number 25 in spanish, french, and japanese!

Alex and I went to the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens hoping to meet other sketchers, but unfortunately didn't run into them. We spent our time at the Japanese Gardens! Some peekatures of my sketches (click for embiggening):

Where The Wild Things Are - a personal interpretation

2009-10-21T20:45:00.008-05:00

It's been over a year since I've written in this blog, but seeing as my "official" website is down, I've come back to blogging on the blogspot.

First things first: this post won't be a review of the film, nor of the book. If you want to know whether you should spend the money to go watch the film, don't ask me. I did, and in my opinion, it was worth every penny of both mine and Alex's ticket purchase. Instead, this post is my personal analysis and reconciliation of the book, the movie, and myself.
The wild things in Maurice Sendak's book are scary. There is something about the way the creatures are drawn that gives me chills, even disturbs me a little. Max encounters them fearlessly, however. They are his wild things, created from his imagination. He subdues and rules over them, befriends them and plays with them. In the film, the wild things are, by contrast) very lovable. Still giant monsters, their representation in three dimensions, their expressive faces, and their distinct personalities makes them each very easy to empathize with. Their voices, however, bring them to life. The inflections in their manner of speaking, subtle changes in their tone, and masterful reading of the script can all be praised as marvelous acting, but it was the frantic, desperate cries and dialogue which makes them true wild things. I found myself getting teary-eyed as each one's character was revealed, because in them I saw and heard the wild things in me.
In Spike Jonez's film, these monsters were blatantly and unapologetically the monsters found inside each and every one of us. Our primal anxieties, fears, insecurities, all manifested in their rawest, most concentrated forms. These are the emotions that come from what scientists would call the reptilian part of our brain, our basest instincts. We live with these everyday, yet rarely stop and look at the wild things within, often letting them romp about our lives, building up fortresses, instigating chaos. These traits are hidden in the characters in the original children's book, but as I watched the film, something resonated within me as these monsters' tempers flared, as they broke down crying, threw their tantrums, and withdrew within themselves.
It was clear to me within the first few minutes that the film was not going to be a film for children, but rather a film for the child within all of us: a film that forced us to explore the wild things within ourselves. These concepts might be lost on children who do watch this film. Sadly, many children these days aren't brought up to understand their wild, dark side. It frightens me often when I teach (yeah, I kinda teach) and find that most of the kids would rather be playing their mindless video games than exploring the fascinating natural world, the infinite cosmos without, and the infinitesimal cosmos within. Could much of what is diagnosed as behavioral disorders very well be due to an ineptness to tame the wild things within? Perhaps instead of drugs to correct behaviors we could encourage a conversation with the wild things, perhaps they will make us their king? If the the wild in us is the remnants of an ancient brain, then perhaps reason and creativity, the products of an evolved brain, can rule over these emotions?
But neither book nor film ends with harmony between the king and the wild things. They both explore what is perhaps our inability to contain the monsters. Echoed throughout the film is the idea of endings. We are reminded that the sun dies, that rocks erode to sand, to dust, and, "and then I don't even know what comes after dust." That which is most solid in our lives will someday crumble; that which is most constant will someday cease. I was personally reminded of the death of my faith.
In an interview on NPR's Fresh Air, Spike Jonze explained to Terri Gross that Maurice wanted him to make something personal. "You can't care what anybody else thinks, you just got to make something that's personal to you," said Maurice. This, I believe, is the true heart of art. There are, and no doubt will be, countless conplaining that the film strays drastically from the book. On the contrary, Jonze argues that he just went deeper into what was presented in the book, reading between the hatch lines, if you will.
So do I recommend this film? If you are willing to explore the depths of your darkest emotions, cry a little, laugh a little, then this film is right for you. If you want a cookie cutter film with a happy ending, perfect resolution, and nonthreatening ideas, go watch something else. As for me, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey through night and day, in and out of weeks, and almost over a year to where the wild things are.

A small sketch dump

2008-03-26T22:42:00.003-05:00

A girl playing the Wii. I wish I had one.
The model called it "The Sleeping Guard,".
These are sketches in preparation for a team animation project due in a couple of weeks. I am really excited! I hope this animation turns out fantastic and I get a job because of it. COME ON, CAUSALITY!!! These first Homer ones are when I was warming up.
These are when I realized Homer is harder to draw than he seems to be.
And lovable Lisa Simpson. At first, she was really tough(top left), but once I learned the inner shapes and proportions, she became really fun to draw(bottom left AND right!!!)!

I swear I'm still alive!

2008-03-19T18:10:00.003-05:00

Today I had some extra time at school and decided to draw up some "digitized" comics with photoshop and my trusty 4x5 tablet. This is what I came up with. It's a random story that popped into my head as I drew, so I most likely won't come back to it (unless it takes me somewhere I don't expect (which it might) (maybe)).Page 2 is very confusing. I can't tell what's going on if I try looking at the pictures, so it's going to change if I decide to keep working on this story. But I like the last panel. :3

Amazing Artist Alert!!

2008-02-10T01:41:00.000-06:00

I just ran across this blog linked over at Cartoon Brew. Amazing artist with wonderful, intriguing works. James Jean produces a definite must-see style of art, rich in line with beautiful figure renderings, so if you are on the web, swing by his neighborhood.

You know you're tired when...

2008-02-08T11:50:00.002-06:00

your cat starts giving you animation advice.

What's all this, then???

2008-02-05T23:54:00.000-06:00

I hadn't drawn one of these in a while. Quick comic of the day.

Aunt Tisip: Asian

2008-02-05T23:11:00.000-06:00

Anticipation, also. This is what I came up with. This, I confess, was harder than it looks. Body mechanics and motion, combined with perpective and timing, are very taxing both on my mind and on my hand. Not to mention the pencils. ANYHOO... it was really fun to make. Credit to Vera Brosgol on the character, and YES, I did it because it's cool...

Also, I just remembered I need a background... it'll be fun background drawing practice!!! -_-,

Sketchamaroo! (Also, zombies do it for the lulz)

2008-01-31T00:46:00.000-06:00

Did I make up that word? If I did, that should totally be a club I'll start... So it's kinda late. I learned all sorts of awesome gesture methods today from Sheldon Borenstein over on his YouTube channel. I've taken the process he teaches and am running with it. These are a couple of pages of sketching that I did tonight. There is an interesting story about a drunk and a zombie that came of out of an "on demand" gesture session. It was a very fun exercise. I hope you find it as humorous as I did while drawing it. It starts on the top right of the second page and ends on the fourth.

A transformation.

2008-01-29T09:51:00.000-06:00

Just stepping it up a notch. Gotta get hundreds of times better than this.

It doesn't really mean anything. Do you see something?

Yet another bouncing ball...

2008-01-23T00:11:00.001-06:00

I'm hungry and I've got a headache...

This plays much better in full screen. It's kinda awkward in the small window.

Class early in the morning.

SketchCrawl 17!

2008-01-19T19:12:00.001-06:00

DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW!

2008-01-19T00:09:00.001-06:00

IT'S OFFICIALLY SKETCHCRAWL DAY! Here in Texas, that is. I need to sleep to get up early and draw. This is something I'm excited about. I hope to meet new people who can help me along the path to awesomeness.

In the meantime, I've been working on this animation for class. Yes, the bowling ball is alive. It is moar fun that way.

It needs some tweaking, but since this is only half of the project, I'd rather finish roughs of both and then fine tune. Don't want to drive myself mad.

Oh, and in case you missed it, here is an updated version of my first one.

A sketch...

2008-01-15T20:49:00.000-06:00

Inspired by Brian Baum. He was sketching all sorts of wonderful creatures and people and it inspired this.
I need to draw more... oh, wait... that's my homework!
Gotta go finish some drawings for class. I'll post some of what I draw later.
On a very related note, though, the 17th World Wide SketchCrawl is this Saturday, the 19th. I've been trying to organize it, and we'll be making a decision shortly, within the next day or so. If you're reading this, you should join us. Yes, you!

LOOK! IT MOVES!!!

2008-01-13T20:57:00.000-06:00

It's a bouncing ball!

It's not quite finished, though. I need to add a roll at the end for accuracy.

EDIT! It's updated with the new video.

I'm getting there!

2008-01-10T22:19:00.000-06:00

My traditional animation professor worked with Michel Gagne!!! I've loved his work since I first saw his piece in flight! I try to keep up with what he's working on, and I was thrilled when our professor played his short "Prelude to Eden."

Must finish this semester with flying colors of awesomeness!!! Look forward to my animations and character designs and photos of 3d designs and paintings I owe people. Sorry I haven't finished then yet :( . Soon though!

Goodbye 2007, Hello 2008

2008-01-06T22:48:00.000-06:00

Over the break I haven't really kept up with internet, but seeing as the break is over and I have to find myself in a pattern of regularity in order to function at peak efficiency, (also, my recent visit of insomnia (hello, old friend!)), I was going through the old Google Reader and found a page of essays (linked by Enrico Casarosa) by several prominent figures about what they had changed their minds on in 2007. I've read through some of them, and I find them interesting and thought provoking.
I myself changed my mind on many things. From science to faith to art and beyond, 2007 has been a year full of revelations, epiphanies, decisions, and affections which leave me a completely different person than who I was a year ago. I don't have a good feeling about 2008, as I was telling Aaron, but I'm going to work twice as hard, because life won't live itself, and make the best of even the bad this year.
So I say a belated farewell to 2007, and as 2008 pick up into swing, you'll see my knuckles turn white as I make my way to 2008.

Bleh...

2007-12-30T20:35:00.000-06:00

I've got nothing to show over this break. NOTHING!!! Except a half baked idea for a video game and a story I've started thinking about. I've got some sketches made, but that's about it. :( Tomorrow I might do something about it.

Just checking in!

2007-12-22T10:35:00.000-06:00

You must go buy a copy of Kazu Kibuishi's "Amulet: The Stonekeeper" as soon as possible. Beautiful art, engaging writing, I was wanting to turn it into a video game. Good stuff.
I've been so lazy, I need the semester to start back up again so I can return to a schedule of productivity.
*edit*
Woo, I have the first printing of the book!

Huzzah for arts!

2007-12-06T23:19:00.000-06:00

First of all I'd like to thank everyone who put in a good word for me. You know who you are. I couldn't have done it without you. :)
Secondly, I'd like to thank the artists from whom I took images to create this collage. Jen, Chris, Kazu, and Carson are all amazing artist and I hope to one day meet them and tell them how much their work has both inspired and encouraged me.
The painting was displayed at the UTD Arts Fall Festival and comes down on the 9th (Sunday), so if you haven't already seen it in person or seen it displayed, make sure you head down there soon and check it out.

Painters! A Product That Delivers

2007-12-04T18:21:00.001-06:00

...is exactly what I discovered this week. "The Master's" Brush Cleaner and Preserver is a nifty little compound that, as the lid promises, "Keeps Brushes Like New." I had recently bought a few Winsor & Newton Series 7 brushes, but seeing as how these are really fine, expensive brushes, I was hesitant to use them unless I knew how to take proper care of them. I researched the subject and found that there are special cleaners, so I took another trip down to Asel's and discovered this little wonder. It even promises to restore brushes!
So I put it to the test and found that it doesn't lie! I cleaned all my brushes and even restored hard oil brushes from the beginning of the semester that I thought were useless! While it didn't completely restore the shape of the neglected brushes, the bristles are now clean and soft and ready to touch the canvas again.
Look at all those clean brushes! (And no, they are not paying me. They should, though.)

The Contract

2007-12-03T10:09:00.001-06:00

This is the final project for my Intro to Computer Mediated Communications course. Not completely happy with it, but proud that inking is done 97% with brush! (#4 round red kolinsky, I think) For more information on the horrible truths about modern copyright laws, check out Lawrence Lessig's lecture on free_culture.
Click on the images to enlarge.

(8"x10" in on bristol)

Voila!

2007-11-30T17:44:00.000-06:00

This is a photograph of the finished painting. I hope people like it. It seems to be getting a fair amount of applause from the people at school. To think that at the beginning of the semester I didn't like to paint...

I plan to make some more paintings of original images soon. I am going to be teaching myself watercolor painting over the break, hopefully. I've failed miserably at it before, so let's see how it goes.

It's a Thanksgiving Day Miracle!!!

2007-11-26T18:02:00.000-06:00

So the most exciting thing to happen over the Turkey Break was the rescuing of 5 puppies. Regrettably, the 6th of the litter had not made it by the time I arrived where the puppies had been abandoned. Rescuing them and then nursing them (which was the hardest thing I've ever done) was a highlight of this year.
My little brother video recorded the adventure and put together this very...creepy?...video.

My sister now owns one of the puppies. It's weird, though. Having nursed them, I feel responsible for their ultimate "destiny," for lack of a better word. Anyways, I hope they survive.

What do you want to be when you die?

2007-11-23T20:30:00.000-06:00

I found this very entertaining video showing the many facets of th business of death over at The Fabulist. I decided that when I die, I want to help the environment, so just bury me as soon as possible with no preservatives in a cardboard box in my local forest.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you,

2007-11-15T22:44:00.000-06:00

The Baron!

As he surveys his barony, he remembers the old land, his would be Baroness, whom he lost but in his memories. This is home now, Baron, this is home.

I'm almost done!!!

2007-11-15T11:06:00.000-06:00

Click to enlarge!!!

Just a few more contour lines for the background and the Ellis image.

The Studio!!

HUZZAH!!!

2007-11-14T21:28:00.000-06:00

I am getting the kitten!! ^_^!!!!!

Sad day...

2007-11-14T17:23:00.001-06:00

I'm not getting that kitty. But I'm looking for another one.

I'm getting a Kitty!

2007-11-13T22:46:00.000-06:00

Meet my future kitten! I'm picking him up tomorrow! It shall be a happy day!

Don't tell my apartment complex!

Painting's Progress!

2007-11-11T21:04:00.000-06:00

I didn't do much tonight, but I'm getting close to almost done.

An actual painting!

2007-11-11T16:48:00.000-06:00

This is a photograph of a work in progress. It is a 24"x30" painting of a collage of several images I found on the internet. Credits for found images go to Jen Wang, Kazu Kibuishi, Chris Appelhans, and Carson Ellis! This is being painted for my foundations of painting course.

I'll probably post another update tonight after another bout of painting! This is actually funner than I thought the final project was going to be.

DANG IT! I missed SketchCrawl Again!

2007-11-11T01:09:00.000-06:00

Okay guys (ESPECIALLY YOU, ATEC PEOPLE!!!), I want to organize a meeting for the next SketchCrawl. If you don't know what it is, go to their website and see. If you like to draw, fancy yourself a drawer, or just like to doodle stuff you see, this is for you!
Since we missed the latest SketchCrawl, we have about 2 months to organize one for the Dallas area! What does this mean? It means that if we want to participate in this world wide event, we need to know who out there is interested. ATEC (or AP or AH) people, you would probably enjoy doing this! And if we can get a group to just hang out and sketch during the next sketchcrawl, that would be amazing (and probably really fun!).
I know this is fed to my facebook notes, so if any of you ATEC (or other art majors) are interested, leave a note comment (here or facebook) or send a message. If there is any interest, we'll start a facebook group.

This one's for you...

2007-11-08T22:37:00.000-06:00

Tess! Today's was written around the premise of drawing Tess's hair. I like how it turned out, but constructive criticism is welcome. This is the second Last Chance. Tess, I hope you like it!

Le yawn. It's bed time. I'll post this to DA tomorrow.

Photos, for a change

2007-11-08T00:02:00.000-06:00

Some recent peekatures. Drawings from Starbucks signs I did. My favorite is the Italian Roast one. I drew VENICE!

Kinda the daily?

2007-11-05T21:59:00.001-06:00

Here's two to think about...

The Daily 007, from 6/10/07

2007-11-04T12:11:00.000-06:00

I like this one still. This is a smaller version of a previous project. I should get the large one completed...

Hurray, I got it done by the time I said I would. Today I used brush and black india to ink the strip. My hand shakes too much, and thus I have squiggly lines. I need to work on steadying those hand muscles. Today's also taken from an idea I had last fall. Here is today's Daily:

This week I might be doing a five day long narrative, depending on whether I get it written out today or not. If not, expect it for next week. I'll try my best.

That narrative sucked.
Oh, by the way, I've started adding the text I originally wrote on the facebook.

NEW COMIC!

2007-11-04T11:50:00.000-06:00

I've started a new comic strip, much like the daily, only not so daily. I call it Last Chance, for many reasons. Here is the first one!

The Daily 006, first released 6/09/07

2007-11-04T11:42:00.000-06:00

Silly one I had come up with a year or so before I made it into a daily:

Yeah, I know it's late. I was going to have it done at around one, but I was stolen from my drawing. Anyways, this is a rather silly one from an idea I had last summer. I don't know what to think about the execution of it (I tend to err on the "it sucks, make it better," side). But here is today's instructional comic for all you indie rockers who can't afford a ~~turntable~~(*edit* phonograph is what I meant to say. I have been corrected by the indie rockers) because you bought a mac:

Tomorrows will be out early! Possibly still in the morning hours. Notice I still have 20 minutes left! HA! Take that, time!

Copper Is Back!!!

2007-09-03T12:13:00.001-05:00

Kazu has posted the newest Copper comic over at Bolt City! It's been a WHOLE YEAR since the last one, and fortunately we are promised one for October. Go check it out if you haven't already, and don't forget to read the archives if you are new to Copper.

The Daily 005, originally released 06/08/07

2007-08-29T19:59:00.000-05:00

Today is perhaps the first comic I was really happy with. This is perhaps because I like the art and the narrative.

Today's comic took a while to think of and draw. I broke a couple of pens and came to the conclusion that pigma microns are really crappy liners. My trusty Staedtler came through though. And here is the first multipanel Daily, far better than any of the previous strips (in my opinion).
Woo!
*Edit*
Oh yeah, I had something else to say. Working withing 3"x7" space is really challenging. Not only must I steady my head to make good linework, but actually fitting everything I have to say within that small rectangle takes alot of thinking and brainstorming. I am benefitting from this exercise!

The Daily 004, originally released 06/07/07

2007-08-27T22:25:00.000-05:00

This is one about the part of my dream when I couldn't let go of the things that drug me away. Those balloons carried me so far.
Original text:

"Thank you for all the kind messages and notes! I've been encouraged to keep this up. I'm glad you've enjoyed the last few strips, though they were really not my favorites at all. Thanks! Here's today's comic:

Single panel comics are too easy, as in they are not challenging me to find creative ways to tell short yet complex narratives. Also my attempts to make non-seqiutor strips add to the complications. I will attempt multi-panel comics soon, maybe even tomorrow."

The Daily 003, originally released 6/06/07

2007-08-26T20:57:00.000-05:00

This is about when I started working at Starbucks. I swear this really happened!

The Daily 002, originally released 06/05/07

2007-08-25T15:24:00.000-05:00

This is about little things with big meanings and history attached to them. Besides that, only one other person would really know what it is about.
Original text:

"Yeah, these comics are rather trite and contrived. This is the point of this excercise: to develop a stronger writing style and to develop strong imagery and art. Here's todays strip.

Maybe I should give myself a 30 minute time limit on drawing and inking the art. I wrote this one in a really short time, too, without much thought, when I saw the little black spider."

Steve Hamaker, color artist for Jeff Smith, tutorials

2007-08-24T19:53:00.000-05:00

Steve Hamaker works on coloring pages for Jeff Smith, and he's amazing at it. He has recently posted the first video in what he plans to be a series of video tutorials on YouTube. It's an informative short with the basics for digitally coloring a traditionally produced comic (i.e., paper and ink). He explains the relationship between the linework, the importance of black and white versus grayscale, and the color, explaining the effectiveness of working in layers. A good intro to coloring in you need a place to start.

The Daily 001, from 06/04/2007

2007-08-24T19:21:00.000-05:00

The thing I remember when I first wrote this comic was that I felt ostracized, looked down upon. Yeah, kinda depressing, but I made this little thing.
Original text:

"I'm trying to get into the habit of disciplining myself is several aspects of my life. One of them is my drawing and writing. To solve this issue, I have started a new strip simply entitled, "The Daily," in which I will draw and keep memoirs. So far, it's conceived as a non-sequitor, but that might change, as does daily life.

Enjoy.

Obviously publishing on Facebook notes will decrease the quality of the image, so I will work on formatting it so that it does look so bad...
*Edit*
I guess you can click on it to make it bigger."

After a long hiatus, I bring comics!

2007-08-24T19:08:00.000-05:00

Here's the deal. Sporadically throughout the summer I wrote a comics I called the daily. You might be asking yourself, "Sporadically? Daily? Sporadically daily???" Yeah, it started out as a daily offering mostly as a practice of my writing and my art. However, busy-ness kicked up and I was struggling to write and draw and sleep at some point during the week, so it tapered off as the summer drug on. But, in an attempt to be productive (rather, to seem productive, as I have been working on several story lines, that in hindsight hinders my productivity) I am posting all of them here daily as an archive. As an added bonus, I will throw in the original commentary of the piece PLUS a retrospective commentary. Like a DVD set! The first one in a few minutes!!!

The Lemonade Girl

2007-06-08T15:17:00.000-05:00

This drawing was made on the day the last entry was published. Bleh. I like it. I totally stole Jen Wang's style for this one.

You can see through to the next page because I didn't tear the page out of the sketchbook. Maybe more to come soon. Check out my facebook notes for my daily comic. Maybe I'll put them up here too sometime.

I love her style!

2007-04-28T12:13:00.000-05:00

Jen Wang is an amazing artist with a great style of drawing. One of my favorites, and an influence on my work. Check out this short comic by her. It's beautiful.

Click on it to see the whole of it. Hope you enjoy it.

Character Inks

2007-03-11T23:27:00.000-05:00

Character Sheet

2007-02-14T13:10:00.000-06:00

This is the character sheet I made for my preproduction course. Eh, not my best work.

I have been working on thumbnail sketches for the story. I'll get the first chapter done, and post one page a week. I don't know when they will be colored though, so expect a black and white image.

Comics!!!

2007-02-14T00:42:00.000-06:00

I got to meet the McCloud family this past Monday! I am amazed at how the whole family is as much a part of the tour as is the talk. Winter asking for someone to teach her to purl (which she found and learned!), Sky with insightful comments, Ivy was very friendly, and of course Scott was funny AND informative. A very friendly family. I wish them luck and safety on the road.
I bought a copy of Daisy Kutter today, and have been reinspired! Yesterday and today, I have tried to draw but was not able to. I felt like Peter Parker in the second movie, afraid I had lost my powers, but not really realizing why I can draw and why I WILL draw.
I will be up all night working on a paper. Hurray coffee!
Also, i'll be working on a character sheet for Emma and Ishmael for my preproduction class. Of course, this is what I'm looking forward to the most tonight. The world is developing well in my mind and on my sketchbook, and I am contemplating the story. So far, I've written how the siblings make it into this magical world. I don't have a name for it yet, though.

SKETCH DUMP 07!!!!!

2007-02-12T00:00:00.000-06:00

Or, at least a few weeks of 07.

This is who I am.

2007-02-02T10:05:00.000-06:00

In human terms: unforgivable. I am a despicable man. I am a detestable person. My hands have spilt the blood of others. My body committed more grevious sins than most. My depravity gave birth to perversity, and that perversity killed. It maimed. It makes me unforgivable. The body and bloody of one cries of the guilt and of the shame of mine. With that guilt I will die. With that shame I won't make ammends. She stands and accuses me, and I plead guilty. I stripped her of dignity, and I brought her down to nothing. I stole a portion of her soul which did not belong to me. I sinned against her and against God.
There is the blood of another. He who was not sinful took this heinous crime that I committed and made it his own. We sinned against him and crucified him. With all our sins, he died, his blood trickled to the ground, and there, beneath the cross, it also speaks. When we murdered him, he forgave us. His blood points up to the cross and tells me he took my sin; he became my sin and removes my condemnation.
I am Cain. I have murdered and the Lord has found me guilty. My shame is too much to bear. But the Lord has been gracious. He has blessed me with forgiveness, when I did not deserve it at all.

I do not deserve it at all.

I was thinking about it when I heard this on the tele:

2007-01-13T11:54:00.000-06:00

From the Travel Channel:
"The west coast attracts all the fugitives and refugees of the US. Portland ends up with the sort of most disturbed people."

Luke 5:27-32 tells the story of Jesus calling Levi, AKA Matthew:

27After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, "Follow me." 28And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.
29And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 31And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

Jesus tells me to follow Him, and he calls me to Portland. There are the people Jesus came, died, and conquered death for: the rejects, the socially outcast, the fugitives and refugees who need a place to rest, and Jesus is the rest we all long for, whether we know it or not.

Preproduction class

2007-01-11T00:19:00.000-06:00

I am luckily in the storyboarding class. HURRAY!!! I have not drawn more in that short amount of time. Hopefully, this class will get me closer to where I want to be artistically.
Soon, I will post the work from that class. Also, I'm required to have a deviant art account, so I'll link it in a few days. Any ideas for a name for my deviant art account?

Art and God

2007-01-04T08:18:00.000-06:00

To say beautifully and render wonderfully the works of the Creator, the plan of the Redeemer, the awe of the King Jesus, this is why we were made. Worshippers for Jesus. We all worship, whether we believe it or not. We worship drink, we worship sex, we worship knowledge, we worship ourselves, wasting our time finding lasting satisfaction worshipping created things, when we were made to worship God the Creator. Art is a form of worship, poetry is a form of worship. It is for this reason that art strives to beautifully render the world, the creation, and the pain. We then worship the art, we house it, we buy it, we sell it and value it highly, yet secular artists are some of the most depressed people there are, with suicide rates among the artist community being higher than most other occupations. But what if we were to stop worshipping the creation of art, and instead, worship the Creator through art? The beauty of our Creators plan, the flawlessness of His sovereignty. Only worship of him through the method God created us to enjoy will satisfy us, and yes, it is hard work. It's not going to flow easy, and inspiration will only come from many hours of work. Artists were created by God, and we're still under the curse, and we still have to work hard to eat, and we still have to suffer, but it is in that suffering that He speaks to us tenderly, and it is in that dry wilderness of the soul that he fills our mouths with cool water.

Sketches for my Big Project

2006-12-29T13:09:00.000-06:00

This is Isaac. He is a small boy. Click to see full.

A Ladybug

2006-12-03T01:13:00.000-06:00

I drew this with a pencil at Jacobs apartment tonight, after a few hand sketches. He gave me a sheet of bristol so I made this. Enjoy! I might go back and tidy it up and maybe color, although I might use the original as a practice canvas for oil painting. Click to enlarge.

Comic ADDstravaganza!!!!

2006-11-29T23:11:00.000-06:00

I lack the ability to concentrate on a single project, so I will be posting these comics I am going to try to get published on the UTD Mercury. They are about life as a commuting student at UTD. They will definitely venture out past just that aspect, so look forward to hijinx and danger!

I am also working on finishing Imaginary Stitches and starting a new story tentatively called "The Elevator," and also working on concept art for the book I will be writing. That one is my grand project that will take a couple of years, seeing as it requires research, and many many many sketch books. I will be keeping people informed.

From the best show ever...

2006-11-28T13:01:00.000-06:00

Found this today. Colin Meloy either taking my phone or giving it back.

That's my hand!!! Wooo

WOO!

2006-10-29T16:51:00.000-06:00

Okay, so it has been a few months since my last post, and not much has happened besides a really really really good show.

I got to see The Decemberists here in Dallas this past wednesday. Needless to say, the show was amazing, as the band itself. The latest album, The Crane Wife, is perhaps the bands most well-rounded album, having a circular, epic feel that leaves wanting to listen from the beginning once it is over.

Colin Meloy, with his prowess at the art of showmanship, made the show a spectacle to be seen. Even though my guest to the show didn't quite appreciate it as much as I did, my appreciation for the show was worth the entire 40 dollars I paid. I can proudly say Colin Meloy made a phone call from my phone to my sister during the show and sang part of "The Culling of the Fold" into it. IT WAS AMAZING!!!

The next page of the comic might go up over Thanksgiving, once I have free time. I'm looking forward to that. Either that, or I will cut this particular story short and write stand alone stories.

Time to relax.

2006-09-06T17:52:00.000-05:00

I have not even started working on the next page of IS. But be assured that before long you will see the next issue. In the meanwhile, I have been sketching alot. I am ridiculously tired right now though. I built a pinhole camera and have been having fun with that. Also expect some product photography! Right now, I need a drink.

2006-09-03T20:24:00.000-05:00

I started my Teach For America application yesterday. I can't believe it. Last year of my undergraduate education. Life hasn't turned out the way I thought it would, but rarely anyone's does.
I am torn between applying for the big city that never sleeps or a rural area in South Dakota Native American reservations.

WOO WHO!!!...?

2006-09-01T21:28:00.000-05:00

Here is page three. Enjoy! Page four will most likely be a week from now.

EAT THAT POOR SELF-IMAGE!

2006-08-31T17:54:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, I can say, was productive.

2006-08-30T21:38:00.000-05:00

Comic was inked, scanned, arranged, flattened, colors removed, ready for painting. Photogram ideas floating around my head, fixed the light leak on the bellows to my new (to me, anyways) camera, taught Jacob and John how to set up the dark room, and John was there for clean up. Went and picked up Days We Would Rather Know, a collection of poems by Michael Blumenthal. Amazing, go pick up a copy. The way things are going, time will run out for me before I finish life. Imaginary Stitches is tearing out my stitches. This is, however, a lesson in writing. I need to write in images, and make each one meaningful, and make every part essential. Perhaps every page in this comic is essential, but I feel it moves too slowly. Maybe that's just the me that wants everything fast speaking. I need to slow down and breath and go to sleep soon to wake up, bright and early, to go learn to be a poet, and come back and paint all day long. Paint Paint Paint! Comic might be done tomorrow evening. As long as I don't die, it will be here before the weekend!

AAAGHH!

2006-08-28T20:52:00.000-05:00

I am so behind schedule for the comic. This week, although I will try my hardest to get it done as soon as I possibly can, seems to suggest that the release of page three will not be until Friday. I am so tired. I've been up since six and working pretty much non-stop. I got home at around 7 and have been organizing my room as a studio and bedroom. At least I have an internet connection now. This will make uploading things easier. Huzzah!

Today's thing to think about...

2006-08-24T16:47:00.000-05:00

I need to talk about Vera Brosgol some more. More specifically, her one page work in Flight Volume Two, "Salmoning."
There's plenty of times I always wonder if I'm going down the right current, or if I took a wrong turn somewhere, and I can't turn back and go the right way. Well, besides the deep philosophical implications of this work, the work is truely Vera Brosgol creating beautiful work.
Go buy Flight, all three volumes so far, and read all the rest of the stories. I can't promote this series enough. So go buy them.
Click on the title for a link to Vera's "Salmoning" from the Flight 2 preview site.

The now deleted idea...

2006-08-23T20:54:00.000-05:00

Was total bullcrap. I'll be working diligently and producing artistic works with literary value no matter how much time they take, although you can expect something weekly.

Page 2!

2006-08-23T20:33:00.000-05:00

Page two, still on wednesday, as promised. I need to start working on page three immediately to get it done on time for early wednesday next week. Without further ado...*artstuffs partially contributed by the talented Claire Brown.

2006-08-23T01:57:00.000-05:00

So Far, So Good.

2006-08-21T18:50:00.000-05:00

Page two progress is going great. Scanning right now. I'm much happier with the new drawings, and I even had time to do a sketch! I drew this and then played with some prismacolor pencils, so I didn't color all the hair. This took about 3 minutes. I hate coloring in hair by hand.

I can't get no satisfaction

2006-08-21T13:35:00.000-05:00

...from looking at page two, so I am going to redraw it and rescan it. I'll be working on this all day today, so late wednesday (afternoon or evening) might be when page two will go up. Hopefully I will be happy with it.

Quick drawing of the day!

2006-08-20T21:39:00.000-05:00

I drew this today, pencilled and inked, trying to draw something heartfelt. I don't know about anyone else, but there is something about public transportation, listening to music, and holding hands that makes my heart hopeful. Someday. Well, yeah, this is kinda cheesy, but I'm a pretty cheesy fellow.

I'm back!

2006-08-19T01:04:00.000-05:00

The last couple of days have been hectic. Miserable, I might even go as far to say. But I've started page two and should pencil and start inking tomorrow. I do, however, have class from 9 to noon, so I should be going to sleep soon.
I'm looking forward to "Project: Romantic." You can find a link to a preview by clicking on the title of this entry, or clicking here. My favorite page is Part IV of "Kingdom Animalia Illustrated."

Sometimes you see things that make you laugh at the heart break you've been through, and that helps. But enough emotional talk.
I am nearly finished with the comic paintings I'm doing of Claire and Caroline. They are the actual real life incarnations of Shelly and Amy, respectively, from John Allison's Scary-Go-Round. Seriously. So I might take them to the imaging people before I give them the paintings, or if that fails, take them up to school and use the copy stand. I'll have to get good slide film and scan them on my computer once they are developed. I will not, however be putting them on here, for I think that takes away their value. Caroline will be posting hers on her myspace, however.
With that said, I can't wait to recieve my copies of Flight 1 and 2, and I'll have to re-order volume 3 since it got water damage tonight. Grr!

It's Wednesday!!

2006-08-16T08:02:00.001-05:00

And as promised, here is page one of Imaginary Stitches. Expect page two next week.

Something good to listen to.

2006-08-14T21:55:00.000-05:00

The broadcast I heard this last saturday of This American Life on the radio was perhaps the most touching program I have ever listened to. "Last Words." This is all I can say about it. Go listen to it. You can find it here. Although morbid, powerfully thought-motivating.
Expect to see a comic on death after Imaginary Stitches, the first page of which will go up on Wednesday, and a new page will be added every wednesday after that.

The First Story's First Page.

2006-08-13T23:52:00.000-05:00

I finally got one page of the first story completely drawn, inked, scanned, and colored. Scanning took longer than I though it would take, mostly because i had a very hard time lining up the parts of the scan. My flat bed scanner has a recess where the glass is, and when the top is closed, the flattener pushes part of the board in and it creates a curve, distorting the scan. then it's nearly impossible to the all the lines to match up. I finally got it to work by scanning in two parts, not using the flattener, and putting part of the board on the outside of the scanning area. I spent a couple of hours in this step.
The first story I've decided to illustrate (my mom used this word for what I'm doing, I liked it better than comicking) is Imaginary Stitches, one of my better short stories. I wrote this one last summer. If you have read the story, good for you, but if you haven't, you'll get to see it in living color!
Anyways, I haven't yet decided a schedule for the comic (although for sure I've narrowed it down to one update a week, at least for now, as it takes me forever to get a single page done. I might increase to two a week once I get the hang of it), and I'm still working on ideas for an actual website for the comic. I don't want to put up the first page yet though, maybe tomorrow. In the meanwhile, here is a sneak preview at perhaps my serial comic, which will be a factual account of my life. Seriously. (Character based on me, although I did take some flattering liberties.) Click to GRANDITIZE IT!!!

2006-08-11T16:31:00.000-05:00

This is another test. I was messing with creating the lines in their own layer, and checking how color was going to work. This was done using the trackpad on my powerbook. I definitely need a drawing tablet. I might have to go buy one right now.

I might as well get started.

2006-08-11T15:15:00.000-05:00

Today I purchased a copy of photoshop and a scanner, which will double as a tool for my photography and my comic art. I haven't started coloring yet, but I scanned one of my test drawings and tested photoshop's ability at removing blue lines. It works.

Seeing as I am not going to school for drawing and classical animation, I have taken it upon myself to learn from others by reading what they have to say and seeing all the wonderful works. I, being the sappy sap that I am, have fallen in love with Vera Brosgol. I did not know this until today, but she is the author of "Return to Sender," a wonderful comic that was never finished. I was first introduced to the comic last year when Sarah showed it to me. I also found out Vera drew the "Skeletor Tries His Luck" sketch, which was Sarah's AIM icon for the longest time. Who would have known I'd considered Vera Brosgol as one of my top favorite artists. Check out her art and animation at www.verabee.com.

The point of this entry is clear. I am going to start inking "Imaginary Stitches" (and continue drawing it) as soon as I get a desk, which should be this weekend. If not, I'll keep on working on the floor.

Classes start next Thursday. I'll be buying a large format camera soon, and cheap 35mm film to do those annoying introductory assignments.

Stay Tuned.

Coming to a Blog Near You!!

2006-08-10T17:16:00.000-05:00

My latest endeavor into the realm of the arts has been one that I've been wanting to do for a while, but only until a few days ago had the time and funding to start. Well, half start.
I recently started creating graphic short stories (as in comics, not the bad kind of graphic) based on my short stories I've written over the last couple of years. That's only half of the project, however, as the other half is creating a comic that I update regularly. This probably will not go up until I have made several episodes, after which I will have gotten the hang of making them, and will be able to post them twice a week and keep up with the production of new episodes. This, of course, involves time to write, time to storyboard (or plan a layout, since comics are pretty much fully fledged storyboards), pencil, ink, scan, and color in photoshop. I expect this to take up a large portion of my time, which unfortunately, still being in school (one more year!!), i might not have enough of. Also I lack a scanner and a copy of Photoshop (both of which I plan to buy as soon as I recieve money from the school).
Also, on my lists of projects (forced upon me, but which I will complete fully willingly) are the assignemts for the two photography classes which I am taking. I am in the process of buying a large format camera (also waiting for school money), which will be an excellent way to be able to divide my time between the two classes. I hate having to take out an unfinished roll of film because I need to change from color to black and white, or vice versa. So expect great things from those projects as well.
Third on my plate for this fall session, I will be writing poetry. I plan to incorporate this poetry into both my other projects (if it is any good, I have not taken a poetry class before, except what we went over in middle and high school for a week each year). There will be photographs based on my poetry, and maybe even comics based on it. I guess we will have to wait and see.
This, along with work at Mad Science, is probably all I will have time for this fall. I don't plan on socializing much, unless of course I meet a special lady, in which case be prepared for works inspired by her as well. But until further notice, all works will be inspired by my ex, Sarah Ferguson. Yep, the Dutchess of York. Nothing like a little heart break (coupled with a few martinis, or course) to get the creative process rolling.

Music

2006-08-10T16:41:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had an album that when you listen to it, it is as if the artist was writing the soundtrack of your life? Everytime you listen to it (which is as often as possible), you find yourself relieved that someone's situation is the same as your own. And you listen to it over and over. As soon as you buy it, you listen to it on the way home, and at home, you put the cd on your computer and let it play on repeat. As you fall asleep at night, you let it lull you to sleep. And in the morning, it is the first thing you hear, and it invigorates you, whatever the songs may be about, whatever you have been through, this constant reminder of that event that affected you so deeply, a death, a break up, the music helps heal you. You realize that someone else has been through this, and you feel comforted by the fact that your heart is not the only broken one. Do you have an album like that? A song which captures your soul?

A True Story

2006-03-24T04:48:00.000-06:00

I was not born into a wealthy family. For most of my life, I grew up in a home that struggled to get by. It wasn't because my dad was lazy, or because my mother did not keep a budget well. My dad is actually one of the hardest working people I know. He was a Baptist preacher, but worked as an electronic technician during the week. My mother spent our income wisely. We always had food on the table, and we were always warm in the winters. No, we struggled because we always seems to have luck against us. I mean, I was raised into not believe in luck, but as life would have it, something always happened to set us back.
The summer before the fifth grade was one of the worst I remember. My dad had been offered a job at a church a long way from the town we had grown up in. Moving there would change everything. New schools, new friends, new attitudes on life. The church had arranged for a parsonage, but before we could move in, it had to be remodeled.
After several weeks of staying with an old lady from the church, the house was nearly completed. We moved all of our belongings into the house. A problem with the plumbing meant anyone who needed to use the bathroom would have to walk to the church. For my mother's sake, we stayed at the lady's house one more night.
It was on the television, in the papers. Reports of arson, a house burned down.
We lost everything. Literally, up in smoke. All of our belongings were scorched: clothes, furniture, memories, our bright future. We had nothing but what we had with us. But we survived. We did not live a life with any luxuries for years. We accepted charity, my father took a job as a janitor at the school I attended. He always had a smile on his face. I cried late at night sometimes.
We lived in the housing projects for a while, we could not afford electricity for a few months. We borrowed the neighbors and paid them with what we could.
Eventually, we would be able to afford a small mobile home, and a rented lot in a trailer park. Sometimes we could not afford food, and we did not qualify for assistance from welfare, since both my parents were employed. My mother worked as an assistant at the county offices, filling out documents, running numbers. My dad did not want to mop floors anymore. He took the biggest risk of his life. He quit his job and attended the university in town full time. Now all the financial burden was on my mother. I thought my father was lazy, I thought we was being irresponsible. My mother spent hours at work, making barely enough to get by. Most of our food came from the local food pantry. My dad bought expensive books and sat around reading them for long hours. I resented him. He did no work. I cried late at night sometimes.
My father graduated from school when I was a freshman in high school. Four years had gone by since we moved from our comfortable life near family, near old friends. In all those years, we were never hungry. We were never cold in the winters. At last, my father had completed his schooling. When he started, he barely could speak english. He had trouble communicating, and sometimes he still does. But he graduated with a degree in sociology. He found a job as a counselor for underpriviledged children at the elementary school my little brother attended. Throughout all of this, our parents never enrolled us in this program. We were poorer than these at times, but there was hope at the end of the dark tunnel. both my parents were employed, and we managed to get by, buying our own food, our own clothes.
My parents are getting along well today. They still live in the trailer, but we recovered after those long, painful years. Thinking back, I cry late at night sometimes. We made it. We made it.

I love a girl who burned my heart down. As the walls of my heart crumbled into glowing embers on the bare floor of my soul, I became enraged. I had built that love up, I nurtured it from it's weak, infantile days. And now it smoldered, ashes blowing up into the air, a pile of soot, black and soon cold. As I grew to accept this pillar of nothingness, something I did not expect happened. A phoenix. In it's eyes was a dim glimmer. A revived hope. Although everything I had was lost, here is a new chance, a clean slate. My love for her is stronger than it was, a renewed emotion. So I wrote her a letter. I wrote her my heart, I wrote her my secret. The clouds of smoke that once blackened the sky were gone. I would do anything to make this last. I still wait for a response. I still wait.

ever night

2006-03-14T00:42:00.000-06:00

The small rectangular window
let's me see this machine's wing.
Outside the sun is setting
red, like crying eyes.
I last saw you on the other
side of the world. The sun rose
from cold, windy eastern skies
yellow, like your hair.
The words you said are with me still.
The touch of lips to lips gone.
And you interred lie sleeping,
black, in ever night.

the kids were sick.

2006-03-12T21:15:00.000-06:00

the kids are sick
they cough in bed.
they toss and turn.
fevers cause images
in their heads to burn.
the kids are sick.
their sheets are wet
with sickly sweat.
and I? i wait.
burning foreheads.
the kids are sick.
the sun rises
and bodies are still
and everything says
they're sleeping, so still.
the kids were sick.

A short story that I am writing right now!

2006-02-28T22:34:00.000-06:00

"I never really thought it would be this hard." Melissa took of her apron and threw it over the recliner. Several pens fell out of the pocket.
I picked up the pens. Two of them where Bics with blue caps, and one of them was a novelty pen I had bought her on my trip to Seattle. "You just have to tell them what you think." I put the pens into the apron pocket and hung it on the coat rack.
Mary had wavy blonde hair, and when she worked she put it up. When she got home she would untie it and wave it around to untangle it. "The thing is, I can't." She ran her fingers through her hair.
...
to be cont.

Another Rant

2006-01-25T18:47:00.000-06:00

Today I will rant about the objectivity of women in today's society. In particular, I will bash the AXE company, since it has been brought to my attention that their advertising not only puts men in a fantasized control over women, but that this power is granted by a spray which can be bought at the store for about five dollars. Are there really men out there who think this way? Are there really women out there who let themselves be portrayed in this way? Why don't the good guys and girls say anything about this? Why is this company putting out commercial after commercial? Are there people actually buying this product for the reason that it was portrayed? Are there people who buy this product, despite of the way it is advertized? Why support this product, and this portrayal of women as an object? I don't know about you, but I know I will not purchase this product, or any other product which degrades the equality of man and woman. That is all.

It's sad, really.

2005-12-31T15:48:00.000-06:00

It has been said that I look like a madman with my short hair. It's horrible really, but it's true. I have even been compared to brad pitt! It's true, just look at the picture. Crazy.

Brad Pitt in "Twelve Monkeys"

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I look even crazier than that. I hate it. So much for "professional."

Birthdays?

2005-12-22T01:05:00.000-06:00

I wish I was little again.