tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79225986814595424452024-02-19T02:52:32.036-08:00General Theory of Creativity"Everything is creative."The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-59473724670636793882012-06-11T16:12:00.001-07:002012-06-11T16:12:21.211-07:00Bureau of Drawers Quarterly, Vol. BThree months ago, many members of the illustrator collective that I am part of, the Bureau of Drawers, combined forces and produced the first volume of a free, downloadable, digital anthology of comics and art. At the time it occurred, I was otherwise occupied by work and new baby stuff, so I didn't submit anything. I ended up regretting the decision when I saw what an impressive collection it was, and vowed to participate in the next volume. Last week, <a href=http://thebureauofdrawers.blogspot.com/2012/06/bureau-of-drawers-quarterly-volume-b.html>Volume B</a> was released, and I am proud to say that I was able to contribute three of my new "Lesser Legends" illustrations this this volume. <br />
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If you haven't already, be sure to check it out. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45TCEQgJgDmROp9PO89VWbVkF2Bjqr0iCVakcTVQpV7B1SNkJbWPaKiLhQ2V6S4WF-EFS3DcGnDohdhV4Wk5XksockdjY14b7ye5QpBVQDrWdjBTsFzLZh66igrZMhyphenhyphenSeE5-IpjGQ_pw/s1600/00_COVER.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45TCEQgJgDmROp9PO89VWbVkF2Bjqr0iCVakcTVQpV7B1SNkJbWPaKiLhQ2V6S4WF-EFS3DcGnDohdhV4Wk5XksockdjY14b7ye5QpBVQDrWdjBTsFzLZh66igrZMhyphenhyphenSeE5-IpjGQ_pw/s400/00_COVER.png" /></a><br />
<i>The cover, by Amanda Robinson.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKRq1mcGwWOXmBRwxO3uHaF6LoZulMEV7F53XzuAXCsg7O90Q-9VIszbBbXLCfYTzbZHc_8qa0NfET81Nujmi9hvasd9A3v3hWPljf4Eiq2S4JLcIDhvjXjhRf60W68R0OAZXe5xfPdo/s1600/Bestiary_Tyler+Hill+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKRq1mcGwWOXmBRwxO3uHaF6LoZulMEV7F53XzuAXCsg7O90Q-9VIszbBbXLCfYTzbZHc_8qa0NfET81Nujmi9hvasd9A3v3hWPljf4Eiq2S4JLcIDhvjXjhRf60W68R0OAZXe5xfPdo/s400/Bestiary_Tyler+Hill+2.png" /></a><br />
<i>One of the three illustrations I contributed.</i><br />
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Be sure to check out the whole thing <a href=http://thebureauofdrawers.blogspot.com/2012/06/bureau-of-drawers-quarterly-volume-b.html>here</a>! It's easy to download, filled with wonderful art and 100% free! Enjoy!<br />
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<br />The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-5670608572694105242012-03-14T08:52:00.000-07:002012-03-14T08:52:47.194-07:00KerzemaidFinally wrapped up December's <i>Lesser Legend</i>. I'd actually ended up drawing her three times before coming up with an illustration (and way of handling the Christmas lights) that I was happy with. I'll hopefully get February's <i>Legend</i> up in the next week or so.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlbw2X9dIZlYa7x4k4ucvpUlEeLyXel5Ws1B2KCrBCLcHQUQetNqhnGRjYeX1JPrT2Vdy1P5o1BG-6rPDejnCCGHybvesib5KVyma6xFyiLYe9XISMwQgq0-orG4KjOpPrXDDZW5ShzQ/s1600/Kerzemaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlbw2X9dIZlYa7x4k4ucvpUlEeLyXel5Ws1B2KCrBCLcHQUQetNqhnGRjYeX1JPrT2Vdy1P5o1BG-6rPDejnCCGHybvesib5KVyma6xFyiLYe9XISMwQgq0-orG4KjOpPrXDDZW5ShzQ/s400/Kerzemaid.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<blockquote>The wandering, ethereal Kerzemaid,<br />
with her candle-covered crown,<br />
though she is unapproachable,<br />
you may spy her on the edge of town.<br />
<br />
When the nights are darkest,<br />
and snow is in the air,<br />
she illuminates the deepest woods,<br />
wax running through her hair.<br />
<br />
But in recent years this maiden,<br />
she has quite often found,<br />
that her candles are inadequate,<br />
with all the Christmas lights around.<br />
<br />
But rather than be defeated,<br />
she will only be made stronger,<br />
the Kerzemaid now has lights of her own<br />
<br />
...if only the cord was a little longer.</blockquote><br />
Also, if you haven't already, I highly suggest you head over to the <a href="http://thebureauofdrawers.blogspot.com/">Bureau of Drawer's blog</a>, and download the first volume of our new, quarterly e-publication. I wasn't able to participate, because of the usual list of excuses, but I think that everyone else did an excellent job, and it's already received favorable write-ups from sources as varied as The Strangers' Slog and Comic Book Resource. Check it out!The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-17586732705019277692012-02-14T21:38:00.000-08:002012-03-14T08:53:09.793-07:00BagbogThis is actually January's "Lesser Legend." I'm redrawing December's, and she'll be along shortly (hopefully).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEENC-PMwpmRgegnMm0I63WeLIO2DPdnAXQqfArMUvXWDJhuVsI5txD3B7406UlRdz-m3LImvxPYgVDK17SIeyIMbYogCcGVFT-YOveandpeY-kiVDe8hiLuyM3brlrakl211gxlahNU/s1600/Bagbog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 315px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEENC-PMwpmRgegnMm0I63WeLIO2DPdnAXQqfArMUvXWDJhuVsI5txD3B7406UlRdz-m3LImvxPYgVDK17SIeyIMbYogCcGVFT-YOveandpeY-kiVDe8hiLuyM3brlrakl211gxlahNU/s400/Bagbog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709233058909495522" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-style:italic;">Some beasts want to eat children,<br />
others take the old, <br />
some feast on the feeble, <br />
and others on the bold.<br />
<br />
Some monsters sink mighty cruise ships,<br />
and others burn down towns,<br />
still others laugh and cackle, <br />
and look like malevolent clowns.<br />
<br />
Some phantoms lurk under beds,<br />
and others in the woods,<br />
some rob you at knife point,<br />
and make off with your goods.<br />
<br />
The worst creatures like to cause pain,<br />
in your joints or in your head,<br />
that’s often much, much crueler<br />
than the ones that make you dead.<br />
<br />
But not the shaggy Bagbog, <br />
though as fearsome at its seems,<br />
it does not wish to hurt you,<br />
it has much nicer schemes.<br />
<br />
It simply wants your old toys, <br />
forgotten for the new,<br />
it wants to love and care for them,<br />
and watch over them for you.</span><br />
<br />
When I was little, I was one of those kids that got really upset and stressed out when I realized that one of my toy's had gone missing. I think the Bagbog is my attempt to come to grips with that. Much nicer to think that my toy is out there being loved and played with by some benevolent beast.The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-50240013164478298482012-02-05T21:10:00.001-08:002012-02-05T21:12:52.937-08:00Boldly into the Future!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV91g5kV2ZCSa9P4ANE0dYIXNhau_mrkTYCtj8Uk8wbzH9PUBxBFRokfc6d6i7VJwGX90ZS5AHDZO2yhS3ZHH8gbVn-unuVOwn9ZrhnvEFpr-0VGgJ8bYMdw-_6-DYaWzhKBe8fLZ2BR8/s1600/front_NewYearsCard-01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV91g5kV2ZCSa9P4ANE0dYIXNhau_mrkTYCtj8Uk8wbzH9PUBxBFRokfc6d6i7VJwGX90ZS5AHDZO2yhS3ZHH8gbVn-unuVOwn9ZrhnvEFpr-0VGgJ8bYMdw-_6-DYaWzhKBe8fLZ2BR8/s400/front_NewYearsCard-01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705885688391812402" /></a><br /><br />For the last several year, I've made a holiday card to send out to our friends and family. Unfortunately, with the new arrival in the family, and a generally hectic schedule, things got away from me a little bit. So, this year we ended up sending out Happy New Year's cards. I guess, if nothing else, it's one way to have your cards stand apart from the crowd.The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-46450617595476710202011-12-01T14:28:00.000-08:002012-02-14T21:43:22.548-08:00The Gobbler<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHncDHHNHS6pdqRgjVQ5TsmLjIwCxIwNtfzKpzmyau89SImBmycwbe5-Q_xrDcD-rvfQOa3vQWT4721ipGPvl2EC_0rtfukKfrdfCgtHux0C3NiDpK-B41udXPPokjH6GJ_3OP8ON3jo4/s1600/Gobbler_nopoem.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHncDHHNHS6pdqRgjVQ5TsmLjIwCxIwNtfzKpzmyau89SImBmycwbe5-Q_xrDcD-rvfQOa3vQWT4721ipGPvl2EC_0rtfukKfrdfCgtHux0C3NiDpK-B41udXPPokjH6GJ_3OP8ON3jo4/s400/Gobbler_nopoem.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681291127624454738" /></a><br /><br />The second in what I'm planning (read: hoping) will be a 12-part series, the Pumpkin Smasher Basher being the first. These <span style="font-style:italic;">Lesser Legends</span> are a group of seasonal characters who live in the shadows of the Big Guys, like Santa and the Easter Bunny.<br /><br />And, the poem to go with him:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Gobble, gobble, gobble<br />On that first Thanksgiving day,<br />when the Puritans and Indians<br />did bow their heads to pray;<br />One ungrateful fellow claimed<br />he had nothing to be thankful for,<br />Oh, turkey and gravy he did not like<br />and even cornucopias were a bore.<br /><br />Gobble, gobble, gobble<br />This did not go over well,<br />and either a witch or wise man<br />cast a nasty spell;<br />He grew a beak, could no longer speak<br />and with feathers from his back,<br />he was not forever hungry<br />if only for a snack.<br /><br />Gobble, gobble, gobble<br />If it’s your next Thanksgiving meal,<br />and your favorite course goes a missing,<br />then the Gobbler’s made his steal;<br />He lurks and hides in cupboards, <br />or under the kitchen sink<br />and hopes to make off with<br />a little stolen food and drink.<br /><br />Gobble, gobble, gobble<br />So let this be a lesson to you and you<br />best be thankful on Thankgiving, <br />or the Gobbler will<br />EAT YOU TOO!</span>The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-30515233981269715492011-10-28T16:53:00.000-07:002012-02-14T21:43:40.831-08:00The Pumpkin Smasher BasherHere's the illustration that I did for the Bureau's Annual Halloween Show at Cafe Racer. This year's theme was "Bad Omens," but I ended up having an idea jump into my head sort of last minute and had to get it out on paper.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswikWOeqyEhoCbaov3_VkI_RQCQ55tby26zn2cW9l9lY3iRg04uJ5BD6WdmhEQ1W54NCfNtNJq1HVQcSLeZbeT5qSRXWsVHLKjlzzuNfzollhlIV78IISNNB_IPF2Kj5ADHJ8-7HPjt4/s1600/smasher_basher_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswikWOeqyEhoCbaov3_VkI_RQCQ55tby26zn2cW9l9lY3iRg04uJ5BD6WdmhEQ1W54NCfNtNJq1HVQcSLeZbeT5qSRXWsVHLKjlzzuNfzollhlIV78IISNNB_IPF2Kj5ADHJ8-7HPjt4/s400/smasher_basher_sm.jpg" /></a></div><br />Even in my teen years, I never really understood what the appeal of pumpkin smashing was. Taking things that other people (often children, or their parents) cared for and smashing it out of some sort of sense of misdirected rebellion. So, I was amused by the idea of creating a mythical character called the <i>Pumpkin Smasher Basher</i>: A giant pumpkin-headed monster who sneaks up behind pumpkin-smashing youth and -in turn- bashes them of the head with a giant wooden hammer. The poem I wrote to go along with him goes like this:<br /><br /><i>The Pumpkin Smasher Basher<br />is a naughty sort of beast, <br />He sneaks up behind bad children<br />when they are expecting it the least.<br /><br />He’s a protector of all pumpkins<br />and Jack-O-Lanterns too, <br />He likes to surprise the children<br />and not just with a “Boo!”<br /><br />When they lift the pumpkins<br />to smash them on the ground,<br />they best check behind themselves<br />or the Basher’s hammer will go... POUND!</i><br /><br />Anyhow, I like the idea, and hope he ends up standing proudly next to the Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-91573012330718862182011-06-15T11:20:00.000-07:002011-06-15T11:30:11.228-07:00Economy of Line revisitedThe Bureau's "Economy of Line" show, last Friday, was great! Good turn out, and it seemed like both my fellow Bureaucrats and the people visiting the gallery where all having a great time and really enjoying the results. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYEUx5QQxpQAV4yENWJJx3aJRfw2HnHHW3VzKaYwN6ahTvQ0LyKkUYcC5Uvr3rzPvDBsoH51cEvu4OzTHYFtlky6x-SOEpY9SZBfSpt-V0OLMdTDMhUL7IcPROjGmA-NTo2aPwi946lM/s1600/P1000159.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYEUx5QQxpQAV4yENWJJx3aJRfw2HnHHW3VzKaYwN6ahTvQ0LyKkUYcC5Uvr3rzPvDBsoH51cEvu4OzTHYFtlky6x-SOEpY9SZBfSpt-V0OLMdTDMhUL7IcPROjGmA-NTo2aPwi946lM/s400/P1000159.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618514452098256002" /></a><em>Early in the evening, the walls are still bear, the artists are hard at work, and people are beginning to trickle in.</em><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0CZVenQegK2tmQx7rrbIzw7USSRqRKGr4YBlOOO1hXMORoCX4T4Gdry2bVw0RbdfPLzyGvk8Z5FzQWjSj0OIyinvz2Qal3CWbcUd__HTzz6sH18QuyOJiC5VKvpfAl99JLF30p7J5ms/s1600/P1000161.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0CZVenQegK2tmQx7rrbIzw7USSRqRKGr4YBlOOO1hXMORoCX4T4Gdry2bVw0RbdfPLzyGvk8Z5FzQWjSj0OIyinvz2Qal3CWbcUd__HTzz6sH18QuyOJiC5VKvpfAl99JLF30p7J5ms/s400/P1000161.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618514463406585554" /></a><em>As the night goes on, more art goes up!</em><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqQaT7hipUfCbhP7BvujW-l5eGXWwNGwfIwjlrSd3N8WyZBP80_OjltvrgGTbOWanZcVDN_ZE1dlfKzYbeZSyeTw3LLsla0QBd44QW4dQOqESTuN7xgOowZZrjwn6l9eHy_YcusLgxEE/s1600/P1000174.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqQaT7hipUfCbhP7BvujW-l5eGXWwNGwfIwjlrSd3N8WyZBP80_OjltvrgGTbOWanZcVDN_ZE1dlfKzYbeZSyeTw3LLsla0QBd44QW4dQOqESTuN7xgOowZZrjwn6l9eHy_YcusLgxEE/s400/P1000174.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618514465984623282" /></a><em>A couple of hours later, the walls start to fill up, as does the room.</em><br /><br />For my part, I ended up drawing underpants. Lot's of underpants. It started with a cartoon of a rabbit in underpants, and moved on to a variety of different creatures, including an alien in underpants... my one sale of the evening.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Y6NcS9NaqsTkgJyGf3n5HMVwZTpQI2HomRsfCPomFazrwdN-1rAvCXUne_flyv_Sr-Ohr4ybl_4u57WwQ-7P_MPDZdyxBE3B4Dc7Os23S5_5_97k_USa_j61afrJbjUyn0aNrcCOZIU/s1600/underpants_series.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Y6NcS9NaqsTkgJyGf3n5HMVwZTpQI2HomRsfCPomFazrwdN-1rAvCXUne_flyv_Sr-Ohr4ybl_4u57WwQ-7P_MPDZdyxBE3B4Dc7Os23S5_5_97k_USa_j61afrJbjUyn0aNrcCOZIU/s400/underpants_series.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618515498416873362" /></a>The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-6079381125912617942011-06-01T08:22:00.001-07:002011-06-15T11:20:08.581-07:00Studio (206) and Economy of LineRecently, I contributed a piece (hint: it's the illustration in the previous entry) to the <a href=http://www.gallery206.net/>Gallery (206) Project</a>, and last night the piece had its big opening. A re-purposed phonebooth, each of its 19 glass panels contains and original piece of art by a local artist, and inside, it contains an audio piece in the phone receiver and art by 206 other local artists in the "phonebook." <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGnjQlBkkFNt7mug03LZ8jEG8axFZRMNBtLqQxPPd8t-mtcVCm-rbY_OpWOMizaW-QvEqhm2zNGZeUKZeguGnmntWulCimvYmadYm2kdXafg48kohMU4GLDCw4RDrgM3zCuwOZBEff50/s1600/IMAG0278.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGnjQlBkkFNt7mug03LZ8jEG8axFZRMNBtLqQxPPd8t-mtcVCm-rbY_OpWOMizaW-QvEqhm2zNGZeUKZeguGnmntWulCimvYmadYm2kdXafg48kohMU4GLDCw4RDrgM3zCuwOZBEff50/s400/IMAG0278.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613274204336461906" /></a><em>Crappy cellphone image of the booth, I'll upload better images when I get the chance.</em><br /><br /><strong>Edit!</strong> New photos!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpCTILLv9V9KSWEcITk_kFj4SELznJVaDc-ZrSV8BpRly20tETgtwhSNjb8YjAavnRoy6pl2wNOweVT3CKjdCFeE05_MbqfpsP6gliDUFoqKoSQ_Z9nEZfDnDpvaBWsK6DeXj4Pe8KC0/s1600/P1000128.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpCTILLv9V9KSWEcITk_kFj4SELznJVaDc-ZrSV8BpRly20tETgtwhSNjb8YjAavnRoy6pl2wNOweVT3CKjdCFeE05_MbqfpsP6gliDUFoqKoSQ_Z9nEZfDnDpvaBWsK6DeXj4Pe8KC0/s400/P1000128.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618511965727436610" /></a><em>Here I am, standing in the phonebooth. Please, disregard the odd look on my face. Hmmmm...</em><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPecaUQavPsS0mSEZuQygEgtcgdfG6z5Mj7OR9xtG8bnA2FEosDwDgOJDBm3wnuvq90Nradnp57qkjUc2T7O29vzA4O-wXkO5xkX023valiHrXljSP2-NZWew6TK0cozn-ex1VHx-nuGI/s1600/P1000130.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPecaUQavPsS0mSEZuQygEgtcgdfG6z5Mj7OR9xtG8bnA2FEosDwDgOJDBm3wnuvq90Nradnp57qkjUc2T7O29vzA4O-wXkO5xkX023valiHrXljSP2-NZWew6TK0cozn-ex1VHx-nuGI/s400/P1000130.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618511974773254642" /></a><em>The phonebook, open to my page. I still want to go back and check out the phonebook again when I have more time. Such a cool piece. I'd love ot have a copy.</em><br /><br />Anyhow, it turned out pretty amazing. I only had a little time inside the booth, but looking through the phonebook, both the art and its presentation was excellent. Finger's crossed that project organizer, <a href=http://www.toddjannausch.com/>Todd Jannausch</a> considers making copies of it available for sale, because I'd love a copy to fill through at my leisure. <br /><br />I'm not sure how long the gallery will be up (or how long it will last when exposed to the roving hordes of Pioneer Square), but try to check it out if you have the chance.<br /><br />Looking for another opportunity to see my work and see the work of other amazing Seattle-based illustrators? Well, look no further that the Bureau of Drawer's upcoming <a href=http://thebureauofdrawers.blogspot.com/2011/05/economy-of-line-at-urbanlight-studios.html>Economy of Line</a> one-night show. To quote the press release:<br /><br /><blockquote>UrbanLight Studios and The Bureau of Drawers are proud to announce "Economy Of Line", an all-new, live-drawing event and gallery show running one night only during the Greenwood-Phinney ArtWalk, June 10, from 6pm-10pm.<br /><br />"Economy of Line" will feature twenty artists from the Seattle-based art collective The Bureau of Drawers creating original art on the spot and before the very eyes of visitors to the Greenwood Collective's UrbanLight Studios. All art will be for sale, and the artists will be working out in the open to meet and greet all attendees. Watch us build a gallery show while you watch - the walls will fill as the night carries on.<br /><br />Artists participating in the evening include Lillian Beaty, Breanne Boland, Nikki Burch, Sean Closson, Sara DeRosier, Tom Dougherty, Scott Faulkner, Nico Feliciano, Tyler Hill, Justin Ison, Jon Morris, Marc Palm, Sean Robinson, Lawrence Ruelos, Mark Stockbridge, Stevie VanBronkhorst, Tom Van Deusen and Adam Watson.<br /><br />Join Urbanlight Studios and the Bureau of Drawers during the Greenwood-Phinney Artwalk on June 10 for a night of live drawing like no other!</blockquote> <br /><br />And here's the poster, designed by fellow Bureaucrat, <a href=http://ape-law.com/jonmorris>Calamity Jon Morris</a>:<br /><br /><img src=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG_QCSK4tAKTJ85HAUgk9iJzUuU8ORv4_HjuSY66VWjMkBlF-RUXvo9HUP8mAPSVhtrtKDgs2v-xIpYZXDfsY-vUkyOgxVz4KWHNNdzgT-N3o0gqj50lKJQL8I_bIiH5tAaHbpurgECU/s640/economyofline.png>The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-23762908353538744862011-05-04T14:51:00.000-07:002011-05-04T15:16:58.398-07:00"Daffy Dervish"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoOn7wtjckUXuZ741Nhvb7JcBfG-xu5XHdWs7DIBlYYXPPEdhh21_UUwhQCpiauuypun_BvNa8ERe4qiR7M8Mbp3zx3BT0eIgA5SYb-YcszsdRYSYM2aUWQsGz3C2RND9VJkjuJvFoq4/s1600/daffy_dervish_400.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoOn7wtjckUXuZ741Nhvb7JcBfG-xu5XHdWs7DIBlYYXPPEdhh21_UUwhQCpiauuypun_BvNa8ERe4qiR7M8Mbp3zx3BT0eIgA5SYb-YcszsdRYSYM2aUWQsGz3C2RND9VJkjuJvFoq4/s400/daffy_dervish_400.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602982197056921890" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Client:</strong> Gallery (206)<br /><strong>Description:</strong> Illustration created as my contribution to a collaborative installation art piece.<br /><br />If you want, you can pretend its some sort of commentary on "East vs. West" or "Religion vs. Popular Culture" or "Old vs. New." But, the reality is that I just sort of thought it would be kick to draw a dervish plowing through a bunch of early Disney knock-offs. "Whirling Dervish" was a term that, when I was younger, used to conjure up the image of the Warner Brothers' Tasmanian Devil. So, it just sort of amused me to draw an actual dervish stepping into that roll.<br /><br />Anyhow, as I mentioned this will be featured in an installation piece sometime -presumably- later this year. (I'll post more details here, as I know them.) But, I was happy enough with this drawing that I wanted to share it now.The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-75049292808660824332011-03-16T10:46:00.000-07:002011-03-16T11:03:13.909-07:00'09 Wine Label: Secret CellarsAs some of you no doubt know, in addition to illustration and design, I also make my own wine. Which, of course, means that I get to design the labels too. Some of my earlier labels are featured elsewhere on this blog and on my portfolio website. But, I thought I'd share this years label, for the <em>2009 Secret Cellars Syrah</em>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj479XrOoVtfii3lC8Kr18RPfGFhVejsJKXQ7n3LyKbWqee2Cd5kqxKPG3JRUER27y3dHx4vaHJ1R8WWIvAwl8gefBq7lU8vMNOXIB5aWNObyL5huf8fznafDYhYjRhVdOTkKubJvDGypg/s1600/secret_cellars.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj479XrOoVtfii3lC8Kr18RPfGFhVejsJKXQ7n3LyKbWqee2Cd5kqxKPG3JRUER27y3dHx4vaHJ1R8WWIvAwl8gefBq7lU8vMNOXIB5aWNObyL5huf8fznafDYhYjRhVdOTkKubJvDGypg/s400/secret_cellars.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584737474413923794" /></a><br /><br />The "secret cellars" is a reference to the wine-making room that my dad and I have been building in the back of mine and Sarah's detached garage. It's still a work in progress, but we are happy with how its coming along. The owl is a plastic barn owl, which we've been using as our unofficial mascot since we started making wine in my dad's basement. The wood texture is from one of the walls of the room.<br /><br />And, for good measure, here's a photo of the whole "family" featuring (from left to right): 2006 Round the World Red, 2007 Ranger Rick Red, 2008 Stella Rose's Stellar Red and the previously mentioned Secret Cellars.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyMFcEX1aL_zfuTJZv7ZW1dcJj4p0yigGkB3xCvCQjF9UTo51gSuEa7iLipdLH23Khnwj0_12kbsKx9Kuy4crVKaRKhLj7uqJZ7FIy7tPiH29CbklEOEV6TTFNYnsZfuFozC93wJ0OGY/s1600/P1160714.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyMFcEX1aL_zfuTJZv7ZW1dcJj4p0yigGkB3xCvCQjF9UTo51gSuEa7iLipdLH23Khnwj0_12kbsKx9Kuy4crVKaRKhLj7uqJZ7FIy7tPiH29CbklEOEV6TTFNYnsZfuFozC93wJ0OGY/s400/P1160714.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584738650062009250" /></a>The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-7672811588131247512011-02-16T10:50:00.000-08:002011-02-16T12:22:42.000-08:00Failed Tales of Romance: Step-By-StepA little less than a year ago, I did a "Step-By-Step" entry here, where I walked you all through my process as I created a vector illustration of a dancing woman (read it <a href=http://generalcreativity.blogspot.com/2010/03/dancing-women-step-by-step.html>here</a>). Because I thought that was an interesting exercise, and because I recently did an illustration for a Bureau of Drawers' Valentine's show that had a little less-than-conventional creation process, I thought I'd do another post here today. While my first Step-By-Step was more technical in nature. This one ended up being more of a conceptual exercise. If nothing else, it will help show how each drawing is different, and how drastically process can change from illustration to illustration.<br /><br />For the the Bureau's <a href=http://www.fantagraphics.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5464&Itemid=94>"Lovesick"</a> show, which will be showing at Fantagraphics Books through early March, each artist was challenged to create a piece that dealt loosely with the idea of unrequited love. So, with that in mind, I set to work...<br /><br /><strong>Idea #1: St. Valentine</strong><br />Right out of the chute, I became fixated on the idea of doing some sort of religious icon, that reinterpreted St. Valentine. So, looking at Wikipedia's entry on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Valentine">the saint</a>, I noticed this list of his "attributes":<br /><br /><blockquote>birds; roses; bishop with a crippled or a child with epilepsy at his feet; bishop with a rooster nearby; bishop refusing to adore an idol; bishop being beheaded; priest bearing a sword; priest holding a sun; priest giving sight to a blind girl[1]</blockquote><br /><br />Seeing that, my idea was to create an illustration that incorporated as many of those concepts as I could easily include, but which otherwise ignored a lot of the traditional trappings of Catholic images. Sort of a alternate universe take on St. Valentine. This was the sketch that came out of it:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1sFD98hS2Movrl8cT-6YNDATcRS_9T5MJCOWKybGp595hMbgYzD8kN2MlWSIIUMo_sZLBkhoH6LT8wlQHOmHe-BSFr2CoAFpMg3cHrZipJGtHyIFXZum0l9WV64jzc8-KxU3WFG5-2k/s1600/s_valentine.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1sFD98hS2Movrl8cT-6YNDATcRS_9T5MJCOWKybGp595hMbgYzD8kN2MlWSIIUMo_sZLBkhoH6LT8wlQHOmHe-BSFr2CoAFpMg3cHrZipJGtHyIFXZum0l9WV64jzc8-KxU3WFG5-2k/s400/s_valentine.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574365151083616386" /></a><br /><br />Now, technically, there was a lot that I liked about this image, but -in a moment of clarity- I realized that A) it was getting too esoteric and B) it really didn't have anything to do with unrequited love. So, back to the drawing board...<br /><br /><strong> Idea #2: I Heart... Ew.</strong><br />While inking the illustration above, I began to realize that it wasn't working, so in the back of my mind another concept started to roll around. I became more and more obsessed with the idea of taking a traditional Valentine's phrase, and -at the risk of falling into a black hole of puns- give it a twist. <br /><br />First, I considered the idea "Bee Mind" and was going to draw a picture of a lobotomized bee. But, again, probably too esoteric. Then I started to consider a play on the old "I Heart You." Ewe? Maybe I could do sheep? Or, maybe, ew.<br /><br />This led to this picture of a little girl (based roughly on my daughter) being grossed out by a floating eye and heart.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPm9_LAcunm3aU1Hy30VdsGJdKAR7_qEEmc-fPJj-QSGQUkOD4f_pd27S-rRSLVClDrkpmN22leXrQPUTefzRQOGbaSByKLBVd0oAQDan6FHrcANSdRohWR_pUb9TF_rUn9JMyFOUAzk/s1600/ew.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPm9_LAcunm3aU1Hy30VdsGJdKAR7_qEEmc-fPJj-QSGQUkOD4f_pd27S-rRSLVClDrkpmN22leXrQPUTefzRQOGbaSByKLBVd0oAQDan6FHrcANSdRohWR_pUb9TF_rUn9JMyFOUAzk/s400/ew.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574366990002987746" /></a><br /><br />Again, there were things I liked about it. But, at the end of the day, while I did like the opportunity to figure out how to draw realistic hearts, I felt like the overall layout wasn't quite working and the idea wasn't quite coming together. Plus, again, not really dealing with unrequited love.<br /><br /><strong>Idea #3: Modern Love</strong><br />So, this was the next thought process I went through:<br /><br />Why is love so often unrequited these days? Is it because people are hardened to each other? Is it because today's dating scene is considered so difficult to navigate without being trampled on emotionally? If so, would a traditional cupid have any sort of chance? Or, would cupid need an upgrade? What would a modern day cupid look like?<br /><br />Perhaps that sounds a little too much like a <em>Sex in the City</em> voice-over, but still thus was born this picture:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnA4Qwe_8kewq5tC9ZyxAQKCQp5jh50TBVNbIpUShoMs6k897aT3P8FQBI7mZ_cYTTVp9uH0PXgwjvMzz1dinuw1BkR7-BOE4-fDKsGcnQYYeeuZXEeQNsP-9Zb0oJywfUY35khk7HTI/s1600/cupid.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnA4Qwe_8kewq5tC9ZyxAQKCQp5jh50TBVNbIpUShoMs6k897aT3P8FQBI7mZ_cYTTVp9uH0PXgwjvMzz1dinuw1BkR7-BOE4-fDKsGcnQYYeeuZXEeQNsP-9Zb0oJywfUY35khk7HTI/s400/cupid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574369018771613906" /></a><br /><br />Gone is the nearly naked baby, now suited up in military camouflage, a utility vest and foam-dome hat. His dainty bow replaced by a state-of-the-art compound bow. If love is a battlefield, at least he's now equipped for it. <br /><br />OK, this idea I felt had some wings (sic). But, after thinking about it some more, and a little side-long advice from a fellow Bureaucrat, I began to feel it was to... to... well, obvious. I wanted my piece to be something I felt no one else could create, and there was something a little too close to Hallmark card material for me here.<br /><br /><strong>Idea #4: A Robot Raised My Baby</strong><br />My next idea was to take the idea of unrequited love, and sort of try to turn it and look at it in a different direction. <br /><br />What is one of the most pure forms of love? Well, arguably, its the love felt between a parent and newborn child. I suppose one could argue that newborns don't truly know how to love since they are still developing, but anyone who's been a new parent and held their new child knows what I'm talking about. (OK, just work with me here, I'm a father of a 2-year-old with a new baby on the way... so this is just the universe my mind lives in these days. Allow me that conceit.) <br /><br />If that is the symbol for pure low, what symbolizes the inability to love? Well, if you turn to science fiction, you find an easy answer: Robots. How many science fiction fables hing on robots inability to feel emotions? Lots. <br /><br />So, if babies represent pure, unconditional love and robots represent the inability to love, then it stood to reason that pairing the two was a good representation of unrequited love. The baby folded into the robot, obviously in love with its robot parent. The robot, meanwhile, is ably nurturing the baby, but -in the end- cannot love it. Which resulted in this drawing:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNnSJrD1MkHk4XLwgLnNyJ_adaiOSCoJe0kXmFxEa_vZKDHjxpAXgI5LN17tbLnSeLK1p4DKPoJcSG5vndRZsua405MIdoDEprZ0b3tZMtUSgRZfmdw90oTmTgkEn52WY6owCG3F6ako/s1600/robot_baby.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNnSJrD1MkHk4XLwgLnNyJ_adaiOSCoJe0kXmFxEa_vZKDHjxpAXgI5LN17tbLnSeLK1p4DKPoJcSG5vndRZsua405MIdoDEprZ0b3tZMtUSgRZfmdw90oTmTgkEn52WY6owCG3F6ako/s400/robot_baby.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574373805952553298" /></a><br /><br />Again, I liked this drawing and idea. But, I was concerned that it would seem to sentimental. Or, without me there to defend it, would a lot of my thoughts not really be readily apparent or just seem flimsy? Again, it just didn't seem to hold up on its own.<br /><br />So, with four failed concepts, and only a couple days left to the show, what should I do? Well, in the end, I decided to follow a potentially disastrous plan and...<br /><br /><strong>Idea #5: Combine Them!</strong><br />What I had in my hands were four flawed concepts for illustrations about love. For failed tales I'd attempted to tell. But, maybe, together they began to tell a bigger and more complete story. Maybe, like an anthology, when put together the sum becomes greater than its parts. The tales cover for each others weaknesses and allow the strengths to shine. That was my concept at least. I'll leave it to you to be the judge because...<br /><br />I had a cover to draw!<br /><br />Taking the idea of old school anthology comics, like the ones below, I decided to create a "vintage" comic cover in which each of these four stories would get a small place to live.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HP07EgwYICuXMeGKpp3SHV90DX-ms2pXZUU6rPVa0lt7pFYy5oMxmNYfHWJsuQGTsA-yetWXM9rnkZzHhkWun9MXz4gNtSHmKMyPMhlBNiiJ-7WFS-KANdII0D7dSpgA__htXXVJ0so/s1600/example_covers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HP07EgwYICuXMeGKpp3SHV90DX-ms2pXZUU6rPVa0lt7pFYy5oMxmNYfHWJsuQGTsA-yetWXM9rnkZzHhkWun9MXz4gNtSHmKMyPMhlBNiiJ-7WFS-KANdII0D7dSpgA__htXXVJ0so/s400/example_covers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574376721929351986" /></a><br /><br />Using covers like these as my inspiration. I scanned my four original illustrations, brought them into Illustrator, and assembled them all into one rough piece along with some basic comic cover elements (like the Comic Code stamp) and title text. I deliberately kept this rough, because I knew I'd want to heavily redraw it, but at the same time, wanted a loose guideline to follow. Here's what it looked like up to that point:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5th9b189Rh6XvmRGgYoMFfSEBzMj5E0pM1fjrtAYT2OC3WNZqQ4b4cI2Jc4I6pFr8ZI1xsq23zA6O3WOQ-Z1RgwETzGMgEg7mWyAn1xkPpBsIOC1zHBaeh21zIDGziNd36fe25MprEU/s1600/valentines_cover_rough.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5th9b189Rh6XvmRGgYoMFfSEBzMj5E0pM1fjrtAYT2OC3WNZqQ4b4cI2Jc4I6pFr8ZI1xsq23zA6O3WOQ-Z1RgwETzGMgEg7mWyAn1xkPpBsIOC1zHBaeh21zIDGziNd36fe25MprEU/s400/valentines_cover_rough.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574377845216310722" /></a><br /><br />Printing this out, I fired up my light table, and began to redraw it. Some portions remained pretty true to the original version (like the robot, baby and St. Valentines), but others changed fairly significantly. The "Ew" got dropped, and the little girl got aged a bit to avoid too many babies on the cover. Meanwhile, cupid got stuck into the middle of an aerial battle scene, poor kid. I also added some background elements, redrew some of the type in more stylized letters (like the inexplicable, yet oddly appropriate "Chinese restaurant"-style type for St. Valentines title). <br /><br />With it redrawn and inked, I then set out coloring it. Early on, I'd decided that I wanted to use a limited color pallet. Though old comics were my stylistic starting point here, I wanted this to also be its own thing, and not just a homage. So, limiting myself to black, gray, pink and red ink, I eventually ended up here:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURsKiCGyXzJaMiyuqL0X1nOAeT_heCgGS53KpXRsBu7cnRXM4SL6Oxc9-mz5gNgPa42ANwtnzWMVeJWpkzbvyBwOJUn3dpJeirVM1ZWUt2wBsadxCDpvYT2NaxxL-kjyLMWbmdWyyUpk/s1600/romance_color.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURsKiCGyXzJaMiyuqL0X1nOAeT_heCgGS53KpXRsBu7cnRXM4SL6Oxc9-mz5gNgPa42ANwtnzWMVeJWpkzbvyBwOJUn3dpJeirVM1ZWUt2wBsadxCDpvYT2NaxxL-kjyLMWbmdWyyUpk/s400/romance_color.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574380281417156018" /></a> <br /><br />And that, framed, is what is now hanging on the wall at Fantagraphics. If you enjoyed reading this, I recommend you stop by there and check it out in person. I generally try to not make excuses for my art, but I do want to qualify the above image by saying that my scanner is dying a long slow death, and I don't think the above scan really does it justice. So, see it in person, if you can. Plus, there's a lot of other great art up by my fellow Bureaucrats.<br /><br />Anyhow, I hope you <em>did</em> enjoy reading this. I'm not saying this is my most favorite drawing ever, but I do think it will always hold a special place in my heart, since I spent so much time living with it and working through it.<br /><br />Happy Belated Valentine's Day.The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-36422801093763123432011-01-13T10:50:00.001-08:002011-01-13T10:52:49.784-08:00Holiday Card 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnMNo3H2K1JiJKZmo6yz4jcZUBW76jLxTzVB6vacilFF4eeCZsGv87JG9hQVwUrmxLjHqSAduVUrZo60nNIYLpiNFl7HkexslxHrGtXZ-dVKCZG7YMnJEXJXheXPf9-Dqfy1oNgSjZ-w/s1600/front_Xmascard.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnMNo3H2K1JiJKZmo6yz4jcZUBW76jLxTzVB6vacilFF4eeCZsGv87JG9hQVwUrmxLjHqSAduVUrZo60nNIYLpiNFl7HkexslxHrGtXZ-dVKCZG7YMnJEXJXheXPf9-Dqfy1oNgSjZ-w/s400/front_Xmascard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561744978628664834" /></a><br />This year (or, rather, last years) Holiday Card. Another family picture, based roughly on a photograph taken by my wife, Sarah... with her added in.<br /><br />Happy Holiday's, everyone!The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-46519789993843731172011-01-06T12:49:00.001-08:002011-01-06T12:54:19.942-08:00Empty Bowl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZqXq9vnVBFdRoOrtGmTVP2ypYhvEYnhFNVJdNlAsFQqfi7GfGp_73Nes51SB9R14v8cg01TIaKehMN6gRt90vODcVNegkZecRpi1mp5N_yHmfImMQXN8wzJ7G3_WARh3SIMJ-4pMQ0I/s1600/bowl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZqXq9vnVBFdRoOrtGmTVP2ypYhvEYnhFNVJdNlAsFQqfi7GfGp_73Nes51SB9R14v8cg01TIaKehMN6gRt90vODcVNegkZecRpi1mp5N_yHmfImMQXN8wzJ7G3_WARh3SIMJ-4pMQ0I/s400/bowl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559178008842033266" /></a><br /><br />Apologies for the somewhat blurry phone-photo, but I thought this was worth sharing. Last night me and some of my fellow Bureaucrats took part in the Empty Bowls fundraiser. If you haven't heard about it, basically potters create bowls that other artists then paint. These bowls are then fired, sold to people, and filled with a nice soup dinner, with proceeds going to the Ballard Food Bank. You can read more about it <a href=http://www.seattleemptybowls.org/>here</a>. <br /><br />I don't think I've tried painting something that will be fired in a kiln since, like, High School, so who knows how this will turn out (if I see the final results, I'll post them here). Still, a fun evening for a great cause.The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-65888074461366936612010-12-15T12:41:00.001-08:002010-12-15T12:44:48.810-08:00ORS 2010 Holiday Card<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZdXHYoZV23-NkAsFQ6Ht4AD0McBa_UhjfVMuKIwfAOIgPqplqxtmIo_7Ufc8oMN2S-fTPuRO8sE7F2gK4Ak7DFRP-bTwt1OWdzAtnnthS3KVr15boUrgvoCq7ZQbVV3ZCpl-2SPZUSA/s1600/ORS_card_outside_FINAL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZdXHYoZV23-NkAsFQ6Ht4AD0McBa_UhjfVMuKIwfAOIgPqplqxtmIo_7Ufc8oMN2S-fTPuRO8sE7F2gK4Ak7DFRP-bTwt1OWdzAtnnthS3KVr15boUrgvoCq7ZQbVV3ZCpl-2SPZUSA/s400/ORS_card_outside_FINAL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551012036635672418" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Client:</strong> Organizational Research Services<br /><strong>Description:</strong> Annual card created for the Seattle-based consulting company, Organizational Research Services. Each year, they provide me with a quote, and I create a card which incorporates that quote and a self-created image that ties together with it.<br /><br />2009 card <a href=http://generalcreativity.blogspot.com/2009/12/ors-holiday-card.html>here</a>.The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-32942699554967757162010-12-15T12:32:00.000-08:002011-01-13T10:55:32.897-08:00The Mummified Ghost of Dr. Frankenstein's Vampiric Werewolf Witch from the Black Lagoon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuaKWbzX88nlk8MGU__lxQJ6EPFPj2RFXOKwTFu75DlCyAbAEfz08kIto7xjKX0toEdILboKqwOYb_J-g8FcsIFe6P3QrPxVNhW20AHuX5FaZ00xfDec5Os8KDxwjKgkYxqxM0LeSZMM/s1600/werewolf_72dpi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuaKWbzX88nlk8MGU__lxQJ6EPFPj2RFXOKwTFu75DlCyAbAEfz08kIto7xjKX0toEdILboKqwOYb_J-g8FcsIFe6P3QrPxVNhW20AHuX5FaZ00xfDec5Os8KDxwjKgkYxqxM0LeSZMM/s400/werewolf_72dpi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551010869442295650" /></a><br />This is a couple months (and an entire season) late, but here's the illustration I did for the Bureau of Drawers' "Monster"-themed Halloween show at Cafe Racer. I figured that, if one type of monster was scary, combining them all into one mega-monster would be horrifying. Right?<br /><br />Right?The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-76527417334435062662010-10-06T15:03:00.000-07:002010-10-06T15:19:07.064-07:00COMBO #1: The other piecesIn my previous post, I posted one of the four images that I created for the UrbanLight Combo #1 gallery show. Today, I thought it was about time to show off the other three prints, titled <em>ABC</em>, <em>GHI</em> and <em>JKL</em> respectively.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eaTSsca7VUs5M0GZ-24uAGNriNn5YlMjyyUgL8WDpVghEvJAlv5GmagvZilpXJhHPm8gZ1W2-HoOamYpIOz5EcqgTwL5KzVQP5oqk4DNF4b4C83ZcfS5A7rGIEN7WCyKijaJXsg2MbQ/s1600/ABC.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eaTSsca7VUs5M0GZ-24uAGNriNn5YlMjyyUgL8WDpVghEvJAlv5GmagvZilpXJhHPm8gZ1W2-HoOamYpIOz5EcqgTwL5KzVQP5oqk4DNF4b4C83ZcfS5A7rGIEN7WCyKijaJXsg2MbQ/s400/ABC.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525058192767726258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2aIhh5_NMUSePwtvsOsPgsiMhbMVcqgTyRfMmVp7ee-exQ7IqVsXNhz3p_-zlsDDhvYc4AHrCZRNSWmIJLQMglXASx4xcf8dTl6grRiuftoS_-zECQMyNxc4uSQC887dFM0-iDx-rhY/s1600/GHI.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2aIhh5_NMUSePwtvsOsPgsiMhbMVcqgTyRfMmVp7ee-exQ7IqVsXNhz3p_-zlsDDhvYc4AHrCZRNSWmIJLQMglXASx4xcf8dTl6grRiuftoS_-zECQMyNxc4uSQC887dFM0-iDx-rhY/s400/GHI.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525058196367125826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFGbizc6W7Wb2unWh8MMLlhrpNv6IHoMviw8MLbRcD8ZG-YAL2mCBOrq3M5aeKbhfgK3A7zy6MO7gq5CBzmxeTuAgdL_GtuXw0E7OSSMMcZkeuZa8ROJuuMzy_CqeecTKwONJohcgkKY/s1600/JKL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFGbizc6W7Wb2unWh8MMLlhrpNv6IHoMviw8MLbRcD8ZG-YAL2mCBOrq3M5aeKbhfgK3A7zy6MO7gq5CBzmxeTuAgdL_GtuXw0E7OSSMMcZkeuZa8ROJuuMzy_CqeecTKwONJohcgkKY/s400/JKL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525058207320198850" /></a><br /><br />As you've probably correctly guess, these four illustrations are part of a set which spans the entire alphabet. For each, I found a word for each of the three letters (five letters for the last piece) and then constructed an image which incorporates those words. Just because that wasn't heavy-handed each piece is one of the colors of the rainbow.<br /><br />There will eventually be four more illustrations in this series. Those four illustrations have been draw, and were included in the coloring book in the <strong>Combo #1</strong> box, but I haven't colored them yet. I hope to do this sometime in the near future.<br /><br />Did you miss the <strong>Combo #1 Show</strong>? Well, that definitely wasn't your last chance to check out some of my art and the art of my fellow Bureaucrats! In fact, this Friday, at Cafe Racer, we will be hosting a special "Monster" themed show: <strong>The 1st Annual Monstrous Halloween Art Show!</strong><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcVxTdICKlcg-EVeY_AM1Afbw8CzEaGVkEPXu47hyphenhyphenAtvTnQdww1Z9Y8Md90sgE4HrRvn-04pq5_LR-ayWnwFN5ubOsu9Uh227GIbfxKtGrYRmFc4UQZi6WHCyNWIi_lpMPsDUK_rKUWc/s1600/halloween_racer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcVxTdICKlcg-EVeY_AM1Afbw8CzEaGVkEPXu47hyphenhyphenAtvTnQdww1Z9Y8Md90sgE4HrRvn-04pq5_LR-ayWnwFN5ubOsu9Uh227GIbfxKtGrYRmFc4UQZi6WHCyNWIi_lpMPsDUK_rKUWc/s400/halloween_racer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525060114395873058" /></a><br /><br />For this show, I will only have one piece. But, unlike the four pieces in the UrbanLight show, which will all giclee prints, this is will be a hand-drawn and inked piece.<br /><br />Anyhow, details about the opening are on Dalton's flier above. Hope to see you there!The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-31760464537298501462010-09-10T12:12:00.000-07:002010-09-10T12:20:34.352-07:00COMBO #1 show at UrbanLight StudiosTonight, for one night onle, me and my fellow Bureaucrats will be holding a gallery exhibit at Greenwood's UrbanLight Studio. This show, which will feature a number of pieces of original art as well as live drawing sessions (get an original drawing, for only $1!) is in support of the Bureau of Drawers first group release: <strong>Combo #1</strong>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFOreIWn_vwrmCO7TEag6KCf1l_Dwd56WQ8JS-NI7yemAkN849Xt-j8TgMXt5-ioMaE8dMVg6aN2QxKl4CyvCrV4UufCYxbq8OFwielfwDPLLc_fPD6GUGV8dwmjh9X_5tl3dI7AKTrM/s1600/comboFLYER.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFOreIWn_vwrmCO7TEag6KCf1l_Dwd56WQ8JS-NI7yemAkN849Xt-j8TgMXt5-ioMaE8dMVg6aN2QxKl4CyvCrV4UufCYxbq8OFwielfwDPLLc_fPD6GUGV8dwmjh9X_5tl3dI7AKTrM/s400/comboFLYER.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515366008072996370" /></a><br /><br />Combo #1 is a veritable grab-bag of original comics and similar pamphlets created by 16 members of the Bureau. You'll be able to buy this little treasure when it makes its debut tonight at our show. <br /><br />In addition, many members of the Bureau will be showing original art and prints drawn from or inspired by their submissions. I'll be displaying 4 prints, including this images below, entitled <em>DEF</em>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qP6JljvSvkZltczTqAoDhvu6Gv9XMaeLw_HZDtZRMqy9iWrUNh60gh4Y36cXBgrUnvzuLcPDxF8wXur27K4C2JlN7qp7iQL1YnpX7BcdZcQTphVc4AE9y4lsudfqvwsedurdsLEIaDY/s1600/DEF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qP6JljvSvkZltczTqAoDhvu6Gv9XMaeLw_HZDtZRMqy9iWrUNh60gh4Y36cXBgrUnvzuLcPDxF8wXur27K4C2JlN7qp7iQL1YnpX7BcdZcQTphVc4AE9y4lsudfqvwsedurdsLEIaDY/s400/DEF.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515366483722891682" /></a><br /><br />Here's all the details you'll need to find us!<br /><br /><strong>COMBO #1: Gallery Show and Release Party</strong><br />Featuring the Bureau of Drawers<br />Friday, Sept 10<br />6-10PM<br />UrbanLight Studios<br />info@urbanlightstudios.com<br />8537 Greenwood Ave N<br />Seattle, WA (206) 913-2834 <br /><br /><em>See you there!</em>The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-84569223136382667152010-08-24T14:39:00.000-07:002010-08-24T14:46:19.510-07:00SAM Remix appearanceTo quote myself on Facebook:<br /><blockquote>Do you like Fun? What about Art? Music? Me? If you answered "yes" to at least one of those things, you should come see me and the Bureau of Drawers at the Olympic Sculpture Garden this Friday. We'll be drawing. Outside. Starting at 8pm. I'll say it again: Fun.</blockquote><br />The Bureau of Drawers, including me, will be engaging in some public illustration this Friday at the Olympic Sculpture Garden as part of <a href=http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/calendar/eventDetail.asp?eventID=19012&month=7&day=27&year=2010&sxID&WHEN>SAM Remix</a>. I'm really excited that we are part of what should be an exciting night of art and music. The whole line up sounds interesting:<br /><br /><blockquote>* Houston-based artist Trenton Doyle Hancock discusses his brand new installation for the PACCAR Pavilion<br />* Enjoy SunTzu Sound’s cosmic blend of urban cultures and organic rhythms.<br />* Truckasauras rocks the party with an explosive lo-fi live set.<br />* Seattle Percussion Collective provides a sunset soundtrack to Richard Serra’s "Wake".<br />* Writer Amber Flame responds to the work of Trenton Doyle Hancock.<br />* Collaborate with visual artist Mandy Greer using recycled materials.<br />* Dance under the stars to the global beats of I Heart Shiva.<br /><strong>* Contribute to a massive collaborative comic drawing with the Bureau of Drawers.</strong><br />* The band Library Science rouses the senses with aural and visual delights.<br />* Susie Lee presents a dance, music, and digital drawing project.<br />* Try this spontaneous one-line poetry form derived by Allen Ginsberg from haiku.<br />* My Favorite Things Tours with artist Jenny Heishman, writer Michael Dylan Welch, Seattle Weekly's Victoria Ellison, art critic Jen Graves and others.</blockquote><br />Personally, I have a soft spot for <em>I Heart Shiva</em>, since I first met my wife at Seattle's the Baltic Room, during an I Heart Shiva night. But, the real action will certainly (or at least hopefully) be the collaborative illustration project lead by the <a href=http://www.thebureauofdrawers.blogspot.com/>Bureau of Drawers</a>, so come check it out!The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-12372269830597967662010-08-13T15:52:00.000-07:002010-08-15T13:00:09.551-07:00Dueling Banjo PigHere's the illustration that I submitted to the Dueling Banjo Pig website:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHmnq2MsC-FwLcVG0jemIdHY4mNvLaXq_vmt4E2a9lgvQp2Doc1X8rhZL7uixgA78YpsaE5-T5B_h8XqYRd48Hm0xbJtilzYeHYfR6nwfa_t1g47_aP6IHoIEAFCVpIBCDrvyvOS192I/s1600/BanjoPig.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHmnq2MsC-FwLcVG0jemIdHY4mNvLaXq_vmt4E2a9lgvQp2Doc1X8rhZL7uixgA78YpsaE5-T5B_h8XqYRd48Hm0xbJtilzYeHYfR6nwfa_t1g47_aP6IHoIEAFCVpIBCDrvyvOS192I/s400/BanjoPig.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505031444155626466" /></a><br />Check out some other banjo pigs <a href=http://banjopigs.blogspot.com/>here</a>.The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-1342559054093051972010-07-27T12:39:00.001-07:002010-07-27T12:52:02.478-07:00"Combo #1" teaser image<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gSqZVbx-6zHB1sjn2wRkwrnS2FOW-sOJiubhYhLwhLJ-Y35teSs0QF62OiT_esW86-wI74UMcz_ObKJcUtobOCIsGaKcQAS4J8Bd9TT4-jlwDiaD2kIfA9rdhAIumwsHQb0HnanzvZA/s1600/cover_teaser.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gSqZVbx-6zHB1sjn2wRkwrnS2FOW-sOJiubhYhLwhLJ-Y35teSs0QF62OiT_esW86-wI74UMcz_ObKJcUtobOCIsGaKcQAS4J8Bd9TT4-jlwDiaD2kIfA9rdhAIumwsHQb0HnanzvZA/s400/cover_teaser.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498673179708835826" /></a><br /><br />The <a href=http://www.thebureauofdrawers.blogspot.com/>Bureau of Drawers</a> is in the process of producing <strong>Combo #1</strong>, a "Happy Meal" box filled to the gills with mini-comics and other similar works of illustration. The above image is the cover to my submission, <em>Doctor General Oswald P. Seawall's Book In Which Children May Color (If This Behavior Is To Be Their Inclination)</em>, which is sort of a coloring book that's run off its rails a bit. <br /><br />I dropped it off at the printers (read: Kinkos) this morning, and I'm excited to see the final version. I'm even more excited to check out the other submissions by this talented group of Seattle-based illustrators. <br /><br />If you are interested, keep your eyes peeled here and on the Bureau's blog too.The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-89134328970314666502010-07-13T13:40:00.000-07:002010-07-13T13:46:46.697-07:00Figure Drawing - July 12thAfter two session of figure drawing with a female model, it was a bit of a challenge switching to the more angular shapes of a male model. But, though my initial gesture drawings were a bit uneven, I felt like I'd found my sea-legs by the last couple of poses. <br /><br />Anyhow, these two images were, I believe, 20 or 30 minute poses.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmD2KXouWb5vaHahERVI1tSdbjY1BxlfRaxhGu5Z2lORSreAMieLKqwtvwoInCxroRXJvWkKGG9E9gHsCRQeqweghOsOqIynTpulpklaDZfvCuGrH0fvQIcCFLwjKOPmWCNBo4h3hKBc/s1600/july13_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmD2KXouWb5vaHahERVI1tSdbjY1BxlfRaxhGu5Z2lORSreAMieLKqwtvwoInCxroRXJvWkKGG9E9gHsCRQeqweghOsOqIynTpulpklaDZfvCuGrH0fvQIcCFLwjKOPmWCNBo4h3hKBc/s400/july13_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493494448754082034" /></a><br />I think that the symbols on his chest were Egyptian hieroglyphs (if you are wondering), but it was hard to make out at the distance I was sitting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFG1GSw7QmJ0EX4O7-V5tOeUBrcTeAD25dRQ8bEe-TZ9lowUDK1qRvmJttRF_FyTeS59iRLhRyAwTxZCWprHd_Lrp16P6Rr90yhUsnsT68O3kSc3yiyGz_fcluEEM7jPjE2_fJ3cVKTtE/s1600/july13_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFG1GSw7QmJ0EX4O7-V5tOeUBrcTeAD25dRQ8bEe-TZ9lowUDK1qRvmJttRF_FyTeS59iRLhRyAwTxZCWprHd_Lrp16P6Rr90yhUsnsT68O3kSc3yiyGz_fcluEEM7jPjE2_fJ3cVKTtE/s400/july13_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493494459684648674" /></a><br /><br />Looking at these now, it looks sort of like I'm afraid of drawing feet, which isn't the case. Instead, I just have a small, crappy scanner and they were cut off during the scanning process.The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-63052635802259314982010-07-01T13:31:00.000-07:002010-07-01T13:39:28.399-07:00Figure Drawing - June 28thWhen fellow Bureaucrat, Tom, initially told me about the figure drawing group in the International District, he said something to the effect of: "The first time you go, you'll love it. The second time, you'll hate your art." And, I have to say that now I know what he's talking about. While the model provided us with a lot more dynamic poses this time around (owing partially to the fact that she didn't have a sprained ankle like the last model), my own drawings seems more stiff and awkward. Still, I did a couple illustrations that I thought turned out pretty decent. <br /><br />The first one was, I believe, a 15 minute pose. The second was more like 45 minutes. And, yes, in the first one, the model did wrap a scarf around her head like that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-pG1cMxTmJPCyo3MH_THn9P7vOUjcfu0FOtbztY-3xNwjCnZJhE348VTXSnPMLBVaIh6MyNTBDXSoB1ku2aO2o3-rsvV62hGTriQAZZBlbI7t2tVQMQ1qIt4WqQEnCn7lsEHi6kMUGE/s1600/june28_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-pG1cMxTmJPCyo3MH_THn9P7vOUjcfu0FOtbztY-3xNwjCnZJhE348VTXSnPMLBVaIh6MyNTBDXSoB1ku2aO2o3-rsvV62hGTriQAZZBlbI7t2tVQMQ1qIt4WqQEnCn7lsEHi6kMUGE/s400/june28_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489038605210508882" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyNghpzG-QANXdET0KqqA-JBUJDaN5Wi2JLl3hGmmyjMvMk4T3WJC2O75v0u4taxQlPRlzuzHYU5dAnuam-pKvrb8sml7AhqHOxrucO9yG-5gvme-rFpkgpHohi9fROLKXHKMczHAP2A/s1600/june28_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyNghpzG-QANXdET0KqqA-JBUJDaN5Wi2JLl3hGmmyjMvMk4T3WJC2O75v0u4taxQlPRlzuzHYU5dAnuam-pKvrb8sml7AhqHOxrucO9yG-5gvme-rFpkgpHohi9fROLKXHKMczHAP2A/s400/june28_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489038614474499314" /></a>The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-48995679169552523442010-06-29T14:46:00.000-07:002010-07-01T12:13:41.058-07:00Personal Portrait<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBubO-t7VJvwA1BNEBATVRVxZkg-q0PdBUCSpOLRVWpgnN0Fhyphenhyphen_YVjrAc-LMlYunV35z3iGBIksloVumFAQNVJFTbmqlVtD3URwoFTr233OY8aSNu_BI0C3fN4SVgAk48hsBLlsYRTHUc/s1600/profile_pic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBubO-t7VJvwA1BNEBATVRVxZkg-q0PdBUCSpOLRVWpgnN0Fhyphenhyphen_YVjrAc-LMlYunV35z3iGBIksloVumFAQNVJFTbmqlVtD3URwoFTr233OY8aSNu_BI0C3fN4SVgAk48hsBLlsYRTHUc/s400/profile_pic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488315600125462706" /></a><br /><br />The illustration group I am part of, Bureau of Drawers, recently started <a href=http://thebureauofdrawers.blogspot.com/>a blog</a> to chronicle and promote our work. Recently, we began posting profiles of all of our members, and several days ago <a href=http://thebureauofdrawers.blogspot.com/2010/06/meet-bureau-tyler-hill.html>it was my turn</a>, so I created this Hindu-deity-meets-Vitruvian-Man piece. The various arms represent (from upper right, going clockwise) my roll as illustrator, husband, comic collector, traveler, designer and wine-maker, with my daughter, Stella, along for the ride.<br /><br />The other members of the Bureau are really an amazing group of illustrators, and I feel fortunate to be considered one of there members. So be sure to check out the work of my fellow Bureaucrats.The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-28766400566409463242010-06-23T16:02:00.001-07:002010-07-01T15:28:55.429-07:00Milk Maid Icons<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u0T58HgMgkvFTALT_giiiJP7oLtKQ5Wj3AQ84JOvLQeez80OvvLL7HerNVMR_QTnraBwTNHbum7X6OaxBouPSMF_wqpBRrD15HilPoGxerNAWYD0sekUiXJtQtqkacWYiRLhlZkTx1M/s1600/milkmaid_iconset.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u0T58HgMgkvFTALT_giiiJP7oLtKQ5Wj3AQ84JOvLQeez80OvvLL7HerNVMR_QTnraBwTNHbum7X6OaxBouPSMF_wqpBRrD15HilPoGxerNAWYD0sekUiXJtQtqkacWYiRLhlZkTx1M/s400/milkmaid_iconset.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486108459770777890" /></a><br /><strong>Client:</strong> Early Bird Software<br /><strong>Description:</strong> Icon set created for an iPhone application which helps working mothers track their breast milk pumping schedules, usage and stash. Learn more <a href=http://itunes.apple.com/co/app/milk-maid/id369466778?mt=8>here</a>.The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7922598681459542445.post-85252866293640258082010-06-15T14:44:00.000-07:002010-06-15T14:51:16.768-07:00Figure Drawing - June 15thI recently learned about a new Figure Drawing Group that meets every other Monday in Seattle's International District, and finally got a chance to attend last night. This was my first time drawing from a model since college (so, like, 10 years ago), so it was interesting and challenging to get back into the swing of things. <br /><br />The session is broken up into three parts: One hour of 5 minute poses, one hour of 10 minute poses, and one hour of 20 minute poses. Below are my three sketches from the final hour. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9FWpkCtfbIPQGhtsnENah5yauN8QNjRTIFdVSDOilgg4m9oQUIftvGumfppJUBUA0EfXoVUx18LjyrQXXzSt6BlFC93P2Nc0OP_OuNDBxk61uwlR-xApq-J_W6DXJcOUH3QMKOu_1UY/s1600/june14_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9FWpkCtfbIPQGhtsnENah5yauN8QNjRTIFdVSDOilgg4m9oQUIftvGumfppJUBUA0EfXoVUx18LjyrQXXzSt6BlFC93P2Nc0OP_OuNDBxk61uwlR-xApq-J_W6DXJcOUH3QMKOu_1UY/s400/june14_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483120602711685890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7H0X5rF2EmnQat8aAWtNcsbkAVwVZWEpAElS49LZZ0wP2Eg0wHcp0B40YvXQs1RpdnXDMasw_2IjQ7jSwLhnE0GmRmJkozXYbx-qaPVomST2TNBbSKHQy76ytRi0Y8DqWfud_2XRPh5c/s1600/june14_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7H0X5rF2EmnQat8aAWtNcsbkAVwVZWEpAElS49LZZ0wP2Eg0wHcp0B40YvXQs1RpdnXDMasw_2IjQ7jSwLhnE0GmRmJkozXYbx-qaPVomST2TNBbSKHQy76ytRi0Y8DqWfud_2XRPh5c/s400/june14_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483120622427812674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pGBsloHVQq0mMG2P5G57UKXtUR8DjffxIr6Gftd6Sx0A8ZnWZKtets7qrZKcVXT-vsW1w1WOb9jA262p9Z1lBWeiVZyB7eDyesSj9Xcha1H1UVQ3pbTz-NHecgqvLiIne-UM5IYN8ZQ/s1600/june14_3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pGBsloHVQq0mMG2P5G57UKXtUR8DjffxIr6Gftd6Sx0A8ZnWZKtets7qrZKcVXT-vsW1w1WOb9jA262p9Z1lBWeiVZyB7eDyesSj9Xcha1H1UVQ3pbTz-NHecgqvLiIne-UM5IYN8ZQ/s400/june14_3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483120636201816162" /></a><br /><br />As you can tell from these drawings, the model had a sprained ankle, so most of the poses she held were in a sitting position. Even at 20 minutes a pose, I still feel like these are just getting the rough details down. I'm hoping to continue to attend the group, so perhaps I'll post more drawings here in the future, and we can watch how my technique (hopefully) progresses.The Generalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13882212598013962066noreply@blogger.com0