Odds and Ends

It's pretty typical of my working process that I start to many things at once so here are some drawings for various projects. I also have three paintings started, two comics, and about four etchings. Not organized in the slightest. The batgirl/deer is and idea that I "borrowed" from Ms. Sarah Jackson, she is a wonderful person and probably won't stab me for it.

Afterthought

So here we go. Progress. I've been beating this thing to death for weeks now slaving over the scraping and burnishing to get just the right range of tones. I'm not completely satisfied but I'm moderately satisfied, Marcusspeak for "it doesn't make me want to stab myself" Here is a detail view for people who enjoy such things:

Beat Down

I've been slaving away on etchings and monoprints for awhile and I haven't posted too many new works so here goes. There should soon be a flurry of visual activity for you enjoy or ignore at your discretion. This is a very subtle portrait of the main character of a comic I've had kicking around my head lately. I've got a chapter or two written out long hand so I should be ready to get going soon.

sketches and equipment odds and ends

Here are a few character sketches for a new comic I've been considering. I actually wrote a big chunk of it before drawing anything which is an unusual working method for me. I think it's got some good parts but time will tell. kind of slotting it at about 200 or so pages so It could take forever and a day since I'm squeezing it in with so many other things.





These are the greatest pen tips I have ever used in my entire life. The line quality control is almost magical. I no longer want to live without them. They are Nikko brand Japanese tips. If you are serious about ink drawing hunt them down.



I spent the last couple of weeks building a vacuum press for serigraphy. I got the plans from Andy MacDougall's screen printing manual which is chocked full of tips about screen-printing and has the added bonus of not being written in the sixties. It works wonderfully and was pretty inexpensive to build. Junior, one of my students, has named this press "Neal"

Socially Acceptable

The right life coach can make even the most grueling social engagements a breeze. get a move on before all those beautiful ladies find a more legitimate suitor.

I haven't been slacking, honest. I just have a million things have finished and I am too much of a control freak to show any in progress stuff. Happy Valentine's day suckers! I'll be relaxing in my darkened skull lined cave mocking your happiness. Bwhahahaha!

For God's Sake Think of the Children! (and my image)

does a good deed "count", in a metaphysical sense not a concrete one, if it involves shameless pandering, proselytization, or preening self promotion? all of the above?

They still need a shitload of help. Red Cross donation page

Keep in mind there are a lot of people already working to make it worse : http://www.zmag.org/zvideo/3323

a short history lesson: http://www.zmag.org/znet/viewArticle/23623

Apparition

"This place is filthy. The grossest office I've had to work in since I had to do all those volunteer hours in dental school. I guess the community health center is an easier place to work off a DUI, than the county jail, but dear God! The smell from the mouths of some of these hobos smells like a septic tank accident. in a pet cemetery. in July. I was standing there heroically suppressing my gag reflex, when this . . Thing appeared. It was singing the saddest song I ever heard. Singing was probably the wrong word more like vibrating, sending out a pulse of melodic depression masking the deepest tragedies the human mind can fathom. I'm too afraid to ask what it wants"


Lately, I've been gripped with stomach churning awe that quickly becomes self-loathing when I read Pim and Francie by the reclusive weirdo/genius Al Columbia. He makes me feel like an insect trying to fly to the moon. Oh, well I bet I could beat him up.