four drawings from the notebook I keep in my coat pocket

Floating

There's a new place in Portland called "Float On" that has sensory deprivation tanks. There's been some studies showing that floating in sensory deprivation tanks can improve creativity and mental clarity, so they're doing a project where they let artists float twice for free. After the second float, the artist creates an art piece inspired by their experience. After a hundred artists have done it, they're going to publish a book. I just finished my piece. It's something I vividly saw during my second float. I highly recommend trying this some time, if you've never done it. It's a fascinating experience. It's an amazing way to step outside of your life and spend ninety minutes in a surreal and relaxing state. If you're an artist in Portland, I'd recommend getting in on this project. I'm trying to get all my artist friends to do it so we can take over the book! www.floathq.com

Russian Dolls for Secret Acres

Chris Beckett, Color artist at DC comics, commissioned all the Secret Acres artists to create pieces to a Russian Doll set as a Christmas present for Barry and Leon, the awesome gentlemen that publish my comics.

Leon just sent me this group portrait of all of them together. It was awesome to see what everyone did. It makes me want to do more collaborations with everyone. From left to right: Edie Fake, me, Joseph Lambert, Ken Dahl, Sean Ford, Minty Lewis, Mike Dawson, Sam Gaskin, John Brodowski, and Eamon Espey.

Cosmic Action Dog

My friend Jesse Reklaw gave me one of his altered action figures. Now I can choreograph epic action sequences when I'm taking a break from drawing! Read Jesse's weekly comic at www.slowwave.com

The Understanding Monster (preview #1!)

I've been working on a story that I've been hoping to turn into an ongoing comics series.


Figuring out how to get the story to the point where I can actually start from issue number one and begin releasing it regularly, has been a new and strange process for me.

Lately, whenever anyone asks me what I've been working on, I end up giving abstract and evasive answers. It's been hard to tell if its actually turning into a real comic or if I've been on a madman's quest.

The story's been working it's way through a long phase where I've been pretty sure it might be an unreadable mess. Also, the ongoing need for rent and food money has been causing some suspenseful and distracting thoughts. Illustration work and gallery shows have been squeaking me by, but it can be scary.

I suppose the goal of any artist is to be able to connect their imagination to reality in just the right way. I'm trying to make this imaginary job I've made up for myself into a real job without losing touch with the fact that I'm really doing this because I love the craft.

Trying to bring this story together has been mirroring everything else in my life. I've been trying to live and function in the world in a way that feels responsible, while at the same time attempting to let my imagination run completely wild. It can feel like racing in opposite directions simultaneously.

I've been going to work everyday. My New Years resolution has been to keep regular hours (something I have trouble with) and stay as focused as possible. It's already been paying off.

Just yesterday, I felt like I arrived somewhere new with it. The contents of the first issue are finally starting to gel. I don't want to say too much about it yet. The story has lots of weird Science Fiction, personal Myth, and Fantasy elements to it. I've been trying to access the feeling I used to get reading comics as a kid and remember the kinds of stories I used to make up in my head during that time.

It's also a Ghost Story. For awhile I was calling the comic, "The Quiet Family", but I've gone back to the original title I had for it. The Quiet Family still plays an important roll in the narrative though. There are stories within stories.

There's lots of goofy Horror elements to the story as well. I want this comic to be a vehicle that will allow me to explore anything that fascinates or scares me, while at the same time allowing for in-depth character development and world building.

I feel like I'm in way over my head, but creating something that feels impossible, an inch at a time, is the most satisfying thing that I can think of to do with my art. I'll post more about my progress soon!

Wish me luck!

It Hatched!

Happy New Year!!

This is a New Years card I made for the Toonseum in Pittsburgh. www.toonseum.com . It seems like an amazing place. Hopefully I'll get to visit sometime.

I'm feeling really excited about this coming year. I'm going to work hard to make 2011 my most prolific year yet!

shapes

I made a few wooden cut out ornaments for family this Christmas, thought I didn't get to make as many as I was hoping to. Next time I want to make tons of them. Shapes for everyone!