Ellie

I kinda took the summer off from producing work and spent most of my time thumb nailing ideas, creating concepts and began working out a few graphic novel and children's book ideas. Then I had some router issues, a scanner dilemma, an agent fiasco, a fruitless job hunt and hundreds of other things that really shouldn't have distracted me but alas... I'm back now.

Over the next couple days I'm going to just throw a few things at you from some of the different avenues I've been exploring.

First up, this is the main character for a children's book I'm in the early early stages of. Basically, I have the best title ever and a few character designs. Not really what you'd call a book just yet, but it will be.

This is Ellie.

She is a straight up caricature of mine and my girlfriend's crazy little lady. She will be getting into some sort of adventure or trouble... or ... other story idea.

I was originally going to use this character (or one similar) for one of my graphic novels, I still may I'm not 100% sure which story is which just yet. I started with a longer form comic idea and then a children's book idea popped into my head and I've been ironing things out ever since. There's a lot of back in forth in my head. I think the beagle graphic novel still needs to be told... but i think it'll have to be a little less cute.

Just to give you a quick walk through of my thought process...ahem... graphic novel about a dog, a dog in a forest, hundreds of other character ideas, no plot, some semblance of a plot, a shadow monster, OH great children's book idea about two dogs, do that instead, no plot, thoughts about what a children's book should be, what's the message?, what's the lesson?, back to thinking about the graphic novel, kinda got a great idea working its way out, then out of left field... what if i change the dog to a person, still in a forest, there are creatures with no eyes, and all sorts of religious allegory... and so on. Basically I have three crazy stories from one idea and i cant keep it all straight. ugh.

Oh well, until I sort out some of this insanity I'd like you to meet the real Ellie.

currently reading: "Preacher" by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon

currently listening to: Brand New- "Daisy"

Business cards from yester year

Hey folks, I made it home alive from my cross country trip and now I'm shaking off the rust and getting back to the drawing board.  I've worked a bit on the Alice in Wonderland piece but that I'm taking my time on that one, lots of fun reference and lots of planning it all out.  My baseball drawings are underway as well.  I started with CC Sabathia and its coming along, I hit some speed bumps but I'm ironing them out.  I need to stop just jumping into finishes without really planning out the page.  I tend to do that a lot with personal pieces and its dumb.  Always thumbnail kids.

I'm also tinkering around with a cd review illustrations for the new Eels album (which is amazing) and while I was doodling  I came up with a cool Counting Crows idea, so I figure I'll work those up at the same time and fingers crossed things work out.  I'm thinking I'm going to try and be a bit looser with those, maybe even get away from the digital coloring.

Since I dont have much new stuff to show you at the moment, I figured I'd post some old business card designs I did a while back. The first two are for a friend's upstart company, I wasn't sure which version I liked better so I posted both.  The last card was for a bed and breakfast ran by folks with the last name Coffey, so I went with a coffee theme GET IT?! Graphic design and I aren't the best of friends but I'd say we're buddies. 

Also, be sure to keep checking Peculiar Bliss for some random little doodles from me and a slew of other great artistic minds.  I wont be double posting anything, so what you see here wont be there and vice versa.  Double the fun.

currently reading: "Bone" by Jeff Smith

currently listening to: Eels- "Hombre Lobo"

upcoming projects

I'm currently working on a couple of projects at once.  The first is a baseball drawing, i may do a few of these to really drive home my obsession with the Yankees.  The first is moving along pretty quickly.  CC Sabathia is up first, then probably Jeter and we'll see where I go from there.  Joba? Swisher? Burnett? Tex? Arod? the possibilities are endless.

The second project is something I started a while ago, got frustrated with and put on the back burner until recently.  Its a very large vertical piece featuring all the characters from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.  I hit a few road blocks when i first started the piece but i recently came to some solutions and I'm eager to finish it up.  I think it could be my best work to date. 

Here is a couple little tastes to wet your appetite.  These are unused versions of the White Rabbit and Cheshire Cat.  I drew these up but realized I needed to switched them around to fit the piece better.  The rabbit is pretty similar just in a different pose, the cat however is going to be way different aka it wont suck as bad as that one does.

I really want to dive into these piece but as of tomorrow I'm hoping in a mid 90s Saturn and driving cross country for a few weeks.  I plan to sketch a lot on the trip and when I come back I'm going to dive right back into all these projects and post a lot of road trip drawings as well.

In the mean time be sure to check out the new art blog I'm contributing to Peculiar Bliss.  I've posted a few new doodles over there, and plan to keep pace with all the other great artist who post there as well.   enjoy.   

currently reading: "Solanin" by Asano Inio

currently listening to: Kevin Devine- "Brother's Blood"

Sub-prime

After months of listening to NPR talk about the sub prime housing market, I decided to do my part to help the world economy... but instead I  just drew this quick sketch.  For some reason a wonky house in a bear trap seemed to make sense and sum things up in my head.  I really enjoy the semi-cubist feel of this and will continue exploring some more drawings in this style.

currently reading: "Escapo" by Paul Pope

currently listening to: Eels- "Daisies of the Galaxy"

Figurer Drawings

It's been a while, and from now on I'm going to be updating on a regular basis.  My years between updates phase has ended.  To make up for the horrible lack of posts I'm overloading you with 17 of my favorite figure drawings I did over the past year.

currently reading: "Swallow Me Whole" by Nate Powell

currently listening to: Hold Steady- "Stay Positive"

Passive/Aggressive

Oh god... I'm horrible.  I totally forgot about this whole blog thing.  If I ever said I'd update this regularly I apologize.  I'm awful.  I started this thing so it would force me to keep track of what I've been doing and to force me to keep doing what I've been doing, and so far its really not living up to its intent. 

Anywho, I hope to right that ship.  I'll start posting sketches, thumbnails, rambles, doodles etc. just to keep the flow going.  And if (when) I start slacking off again I'll start posting some of my favorite figurative work from recent adventures in naked people drawing just to hold you over.

But before I get to all this bigger and better stuff, I figure I should post the final versions of the Obama v. McCain pieces I started showing you folks earlier.  You'll notice I never posted a Hillary piece... and honestly I wish I still had to do one, I supported her. But wouldn't you know it, my cartoons are more politically in tune than I am.  Ah, politics... you're a fickle bitch. 

But alas... here is the final image I've oh so cleverly entitled, "Passive/Aggressive"

currently reading: "Chiaroscuro" by Troy Little

currently listening to: Death Cab for Cutie- "Narrow Stairs"

Barack Obama

I've been waiting to see who the democratic nominee would be so I could finish up my little presidential candidate diptych.  However, if Pennsylvania doesn't solve things, which it surely wont, we could be waiting until August for an answer.  So, in lieu of sitting around until then I opted to just draw up both Obama and Clinton.  I've had this Obama sketch done for about two weeks or so and was sitting on it for no apparent reason, but I decided it was time to post it. 

 The McCain sketch I was happy with after my first try, Obama here took two tries to get right.  And from the look of things Hillary will be taking at least three.  I should get around to a good Hillary sketch this weekend, honestly I will, I swear.

Here is a quick rough color comp.  for your viewing pleasure. He's still lacking arms and a concept but those things will come soon enough.

currently reading:  "It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken" by Seth

currently listening to: Sun Kil Moon- "April"