Bad Art I Am Compelled To Share

Tango and Angus: Plus Super-Bro

2010-07-18T09:23:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of Tango and Angus, my brother's dogs. My wonderful brother has been finding some work for me around his house. Little repairs and such.

Well, the work was running out and I still haven't found a job. So, Super-Bro said, "You know, I like your art. I want to commission you to paint pictures of my dogs."

And I did.

Here's Tango

Here's Angus

And I want to say, Thanks Bro.

Do you have cool siblings? Do you want to leave me some love?

Bibles, Booze and Cigarettes or Yin-Yang 1

2010-05-10T16:23:00.000-07:00

Ta... Da! I'm not even sure what to say about this one. Make of it what you will.

Are you at a loss for words? Are you going to leave me some love?

Dr. Obama

2010-03-31T19:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick little political sketch for you loves. Hope it make you laugh.

Do you like to laugh? Do you like to leave me love?

1 minute self portrait in pencil

2010-03-26T21:23:00.000-07:00

Kind of a busy week for me. Study, look for work, study, look for work.

Wanted to make some art but, had so little time.

What do you do?

You do a 1 minute self portrait!

Looks just like me.

BWHAhahahahahahahaha. . . eh.

Have you ever made a 1 minute self portrait? Have you ever left me some love?

Working on "Blue"

2010-03-19T13:23:00.000-07:00

A small test version of "Blue". I think it turned out pretty good.

Now, I'm working on the large version. Squee!

Have you worked on anything large lately? Have you left any love lately?

Good Dogma

2010-03-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

Finished a small version of "Good Dogma".

Starting to feel a little better too. Getting back into the flow.

Hope you are doing better and better too Loves.

Are you in the flow? Are you going to leave me some love?

Working on "Good Dogma"

2010-03-03T13:23:00.000-08:00

Hello Loves,

I'm working on some new bad art.

I don't have much to say right now.

It's been a rough year, but thing are slowly getting better.

Are things going OK for you? Are you going to leave me some love?

My Pitcher

2009-08-16T19:23:00.000-07:00

I'm closing in on 45. I live in the back room of my mother's house. I struggle week to week just to make ends meet. I'm undereducated and over mouthy. It would be hard to say my life is right on track.

However, there was a time, not too long ago, when things were much worse. A time when I was living out of my car. A time when I had been living on the fringes of society for so long I wasn't sure how to get back or if I even wanted to find my way back. I'm not sure how, but I managed to find a little job, in a little town and a little apartment to go with it.

With almost no possessions the vast emptiness of the apartment confused me. 1 fork, 1 knife, 1 spoon, 2 bowls, 2 mugs, 2 towels, 2 washcloths, a toothbrush, a sleeping bag, 2 blankets, 3 pillows. The sum of my kingdom. No matter how I arranged things the emptiness remained.

After cashing my second paycheck I decided I'd better at least get some things for the kitchen. I wandered the aisles at Rite-Aid not knowing what to buy. I'd done without for so long it seemed like I had everything I needed. Finally, I settled on a pitcher to make juice and a wooden spoon.

It was another two weeks before I actually used the things, but I enjoyed just looking at the pitcher. I liked the roundness of it, the simplistic design, the sturdiness of it. Sometimes I would just stare at it.

I've never admitted this to anyone, but sometimes, when things got really bad, I would sit and hold my pitcher. The feel of it grounded me, made me feel more human. It helped bring me back from the edge.

I still have the pitcher. I haven't sat with it in years, but lately, I've been tempted.

I don't think this story is part of My Bad Art show. It's just something that's been on my mind. I would love to know what you think.

Are you going to let me know what you think? Are you going to leave me some love?

Still Going

2009-08-06T15:23:00.000-07:00

OK. First of all, I'm still here. Busy as Hell working or looking for work. Inbetween I found some time to keep working on Bad Art for the show. "Dream One" (above) finished and framed.

"Feet"

and "Bonus Footage"

Plus a bunch of "Feet" and "Bonus Footage" minis.

The count is. . . 17 down 148 to go. Squee!

Are you still plugging along? Are you going to leave me some love?

2 Down 163 To Go

2009-05-21T17:23:00.001-07:00

"Poof" the big version (24"x18")

Another piece for the show done. 2 down 163 to go.

Poof is a magic sound. It's the sound of something disappearing.

Some years back I was on the phone with Kiari, my ex-wife. (A word I loathe.) We had been separated for a few months and I was having a hard time getting over her. Kiari, who is one of the smartest people on the planet, gave me some advice. Our conversation went something like this;

Me: I just can’t figure out how to let go.

Her: Grab a pen. I going to tell you a secret.

Me: All right, I have a pen.

Her: I’m going to tell you the secret to letting go. Starting with your palm up, I want you to make a fist around the pen and squeeze it as tight as you can.

Me: Doing it.

Her: Now, Turn your fist over and hold it out in front of you.

Me: OK.

Her: Now . . . LET GO!

I did let go, the pen hit the floor and I was hit with an epiphany. In order to let go, all I had to do was choose to let go.

That's what the picture means to me.

Also had some time to work on my "Dream One" miniatures.

Busy, busy, busy. Feels good to actually make use of my day off.

Are you busy chasing the dream? Are you going to leave me some love?

Death of a Disc Golf Lover

2009-05-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick, goofy, little sketch. (There's a link in the title if you don't get the joke.) Busted out the drawing above while I was taking a break from this...

Although things may take longer to develop than I would like, it feels like I'm starting to gather a little bit of momentum.

At this point I'm not sure if I'm gaining force or just falling downhill faster. Time will tell. Time will tell.

Are you going to shake off the dust soon? Are you going to leave me any love?

1 Down, 149 To Go

2009-05-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

"Dream One"

This watercolor is the biggest piece of art I've ever made. (Unless you count a picture of Wolverine I once drew on the wall of a house in Seaside.) This piece is 18" x 24" or 45.7 x 61cm. For all those fine people that don't live in the USA.

This picture is me trying to recreate the first dream I ever remember having. Weird to think this image has been in my head for forty plus years. Appropriate that this piece of art is me trying to bring the image of a dream to life and that this is the first piece in what I hope will be a dream come true.

Part of the big plans I mentioned in the last post.

One step at a time kid, one step at a time. That's what I keep telling myself anyway.

Have you noticed things getting clearer? Have you wanted to leave me some love?

Theater

2009-04-25T10:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is theater.

Just a quick little sketch to keep my blog alive. I wish I had more time to draw, but my job leaves me very little free time at the moment.

However, I have plans in the works for a Bad Art show!

BWHahahahahahahahahahahaha... ahem.

That means I have a lot of work to do. At least six months worth, maybe a year, depending on how much free time I have. The plans I have are big, Big, BIG! Thank God/dess I have no idea what I'm doing, otherwise I might think find the task too daunting.

If things work out, I won't be drawing for fun any more, I'll be drawing for my life.

Nuff Said.

Did you ever jump without looking just to see where you end up? Did you ever feel like leaving me some love?

Time

2009-02-08T19:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is time. "Time" was sketched on to the back of the February 2 page of my "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar, copied onto a piece of watercolor paper using a Faber-Castle fine tip artist pen, colored with watercolors, and then given a final inking in with a Faber-Castle, fine tip, artist pen once again.

I am always obsessed with the amount of time I don't have. That makes it hard to focus on what I'm doing with the time I have right this moment.

Of course, worrying about time at all is a waste of time. Time is a man made concept that moves from the past, to the future, but always in the now.

Time for me to go.

Did you ever try to save time? Did you ever try to leave me some love?

Flawed

2009-02-03T16:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is flawed. "Flawed" was drawn on the back of the January 29 page of my "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil and inked in with my Gel-Roller.

Can you guess what this picture is?

This is a picture of the coffee stain that gets left on my nose because my favorite coffee mug is flawed.

A lot like my idea for this week's theme. BWHAhahahahahahahahahaha...

Are any of the things you love flawed? Are you going to leave this flawed artist some love?

I Heard That

2009-01-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

This is not my picture for Illustration Friday. I was trying to draw something for this Friday's theme, but instead this came out.

Oh well. I go where the muse takes me. I'm just the co-pilot.

Do you know who's driving this thing? Do you want to leave me some love?

Pale

2009-01-18T12:23:00.000-08:00

Mr. Worm's journeys beyond the pail were beyond the pale.

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is pale. "Pale" was drawn on the back of the January 15 and 16 pages of my Get Fuzzy desk calendar with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, then inked in with a fine tip Pilot Gel-Roller.

There you have it Loves. The first bad art of 2009. Hopefully this year we will see a large bad art output, but right now my life is still a bit out of sync. Things are getting better though. Things are getting better.

I appreciate your continued patience. Heh, heh.

Have you ever felt out of sync? Have you ever wanted to leave me some love?

A Parting Gift for GW

2008-12-15T10:23:00.000-08:00

I'm sure by now everyone has heard this news about the shoes. I fell asleep last night laughing about it and this morning I woke up with this stupid, crazy, funny, idea in my head.

I am going to mail a pair of old shoes to the White House with a note that reads, "This is farewell gift you dog!"

BWHahahahahahahahahahahaha... ahem.

This is probably not a good idea, considering what happened the last time I sent something to the government.

Well, I'm going to do it anyway. I'm going to do it because it's insulting and ridiculous, and it is exactly what this administration has been to me.

These are the shoes I'm sending

and here's the address.

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

I hope some of you will join me.

Do you have an old pair of shoes to send? Do you want to leave me some love?

Strings 2

2008-10-12T15:23:00.000-07:00

BWhahahahahahahahahahaha... eh. Anyone remember this old joke?

This is my second picture for this week's Illustration Friday theme Strings. "Strings 2" was drawn on a piece of scrap paper using a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with a Faber-Castle fine tip artist pen and the text was added using Photoshop Elements.

This old joke popped into my head while I was watching football. So, I decided to do a quick sketch.

Do you remember any old jokes? Do you want to leave me some love?

Strings

2008-10-11T22:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, I think I can feel the luminescent strings that connect me to all things, within and without, and it makes me happy.

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is strings. "Strings" was painted with acrylics on prepared canvas. This was my first attempt at painting my avatar with acrylics. I'm pretty happy with the results.

Although, I had a hard time getting a decent scan. The above is the best of the bunch. If you enlarge it, you can see the strings a whole lot more and I swear the painting looks better in person. If you don't believe me come over and take a look.

Seriously. I could use the company.

Do you ever feel your connection to all things? Do you ever feel like leaving me some love?

Sugary

2008-10-05T17:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is sugary. "Sugary" was made using watercolor pencils and ink.

This painting didn't turn out exactly the way I saw it in my head, but then, what does?

Working on the picture did get my creative juices flowing and that's the important thing.

Now, if you'll excuse me I need to go mop up my juices.

Do you ever lose control of your juices? Do you ever get the urge to leave me some love?

Packed

2008-09-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday, the theme is packed. "Packed" was drawn on a piece of scratch paper with a Faber Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my fine-tip Gel-Roller and the text was added using Photoshop Elements.

At least I know where my towel is.

Do you ever wonder where the Hell you're going? Do you ever want to leave me some love?

Maverick

2008-09-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

BWHahahahahahahahahaha...

I couldn't sleep this morning. So, I drew.

This was my first attempt at drawing McCain. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out and I think he's full of it. So, this sketch is a win-win in my book, but what's more important is what you think my Loves.

Who do you want to see in the White House? Who do you want to leave some love?

Island

2008-09-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday, the theme is island. "Island" was drawn on a piece of scrap paper with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my fine tip Gel-Roller, then colored using Photoimpression.

Another quick sketch for Illustration Friday. I wanted to do something really clever, but instead I did this.

I did get to use my new scanner, which I love! I also got to use my new Photoshop software, which gave me a headache.

Why does doing something so simple have to be so complicated?

Anyhow, hopefully drawing this picture will get me back into the swing of things and I can start posting more.

I think I heard a cheer from two of you and the rest of you just threw up.

BWHahahahahahahahahaha... eh.

It feels good to laugh again.

Do you want me to post more? Do you want to leave me some love?

Hangover Cat

2008-08-10T11:23:00.000-07:00

Heh, heh. I just couldn't resist having my own lolcat.

Have you been hungover lately? Have you left any love?

Poof!

2008-08-01T21:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is poof! “Poof!” was drawn on a piece of scrap paper with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil and then inked in with my Gel-Roller.

I like the word poof. It’s a sound that signifies magic. It's the sound of something disappearing.

There’s a slice of cake in front of you, then “POOF!” It’s gone!

You’re in love, then “POOF!” She’s gone!

It feels like you’ll never get over this, then “POOF!” The hurt’s gone.

Some years back I was on the phone with Kiari, the woman I married, we had been separated for a few months and I was having a hard time getting over her. Kiari, who is one of the smartest people on the planet, (Hey, I can pick em. I just can’t keep em.) gave me some advice. Our conversation went something like this;

Me: I just can’t figure out how to let go.

Her: Grab a pen. I going to tell you a secret.

Me: All right, I have a pen.

Her: I’m going to tell you the secret to letting go. Starting with your palm up, I want you to make a fist around the pen and squeeze it as tight as you can.

Me: Doing it.

Her: Now, Turn your fist over and hold it out in front of you.

Me: OK.

Her: Now, LET GO!

I did let go and the pen hit the floor. At that moment I was also struck with an epiphany. All I had to do was choose to let it go.

I’ve tried this exercise several times now while thinking of Gorky and the pen hasn’t hit the floor yet.

Stupid fucking pen.

Has your pen hit the floor yet? Has you left any love?

The Effort

2008-07-17T16:23:00.000-07:00

This cartoon is probably more accurate then the last one.

Today has been rough. I'm a bit of a wreck.

Ahh life.

Just keep laughing, that's the thing to do. Just keep laughing.

Are you laughing? Are you going to leave some love?

The Difference

2008-07-14T18:23:00.000-07:00

A quick sketch. Is it funny? It's supposed to be funny.

When I step outside myself it seems funny.

Are you having an interesting summer? Are you going to leave me some love?

Happy Fourth

2008-07-04T19:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July!

Ahh... yes, a truly American Holiday. What's more American than blowing the shit out of something?

Nothing I tell you! NOTHING!

Can't talk now. I gotta go make some tater salad, throw a big piece of flesh on the grill and set something on fire Goddammit!

YEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA!

Are you going to blow the shit out of something today? Are you going to leave me some love?

Change

2008-06-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

After a month without drawing, I finally put pencil to paper and got something done.

This is the first time I've tried drawing Obama. I hope you think it looks somewhat like him.

Are you ready for some change? Are you ready to leave me some love?

Percy in the Snow

2008-06-02T20:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally got the chance to do some more painting. This time my subject was Percy. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. I'm really starting to like using acrylics.

Now, if I could just find more time to paint. I getting awfully tired of always having to do the things that make money.

I miss my blog and I miss having time to draw everyday, but mostly I miss you my Loves.

Are you ready for the Summer? Are you going to leave me some love?

Electricity

2008-05-10T15:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is electricity. "Electricity" was painted with acrylics on a loose piece of canvas.

My painting was too big to scan. In fact this is the biggest thing I've ever painted. I couldn't get a very good photo, but here's the best attempt.

I was thinking about this storm I once saw in Tuscon. I met a girl named Mary there. We both felt the electricity, but we never acted on it.

I talked her into moving to Wenatchee. A month and a half later she moved back to Tuscon.

I hope she doesn't hold it against me.

Peace be with you Mary.

Did you ever have a great idea that turned out to be not so great after all? Did you ever want to leave me some love?

Seed (of Evil)

2008-05-04T13:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is seed. "Seed" was drawn on a piece of scrap paper, with my Gel-Roller, and then colored using PhotoStudio.

This is a picture I made a couple of years ago, but I decided to use it because I've only have a few more months to take shots at the bastard. Heh, heh.

Hopefully the next President, whoever it might be, will give as much fodder as the current administration likes to provide.

Are you going to vote? Are you going to leave me some love?

Pepe and the Dandelions

2008-04-23T23:23:00.000-07:00

I've been playing with my acrylics again. I'm pretty, darn, happy with the way this one turned out. The painting's actual size is 4" x 4", or 10cm x 10cm. I made the canvas myself with some scrap wood and a piece of muslin. Actually, I built the canvas just like a tiny theater flat. (Finally, something I learned in high school came in useful!)

I have been busy as Hell lately, painting and repairing the house my mom just bought. I'm tired, my body is sore, and I still have a couple of weeks of hard work ahead of me. So, today, I took the day off.

I did only two things today. I made the above painting and I baked a cake.

Yummy!

I think I'm going to take tomorrow off too.

Did you ever get your cake and eat it too? Did you ever want to leave some cake love?

Goodnight!

2008-04-14T13:23:00.000-07:00

My good friends Mame and Eric have moved to MN. I was thinking of them when I drew this picture. I'm thinking of sending them the original print as a house warming gift.

Just for fun, I made a colored digital version of the pic.

Now, I have to go, because I'm in the middle of a big bike race. Someday I will catch up on my blog, but not today.

Have you ever been sooo busy you couldn't think straight and you started losing sleep and acting like a grump to all the people closest to you and then felt like a big jerk, but still didn't really have the time to slow down yet? Have you left any love lately?

Let's Get Small

2008-03-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

I made some new art and I think it's one of my favorite pieces ever. I even made a frame for it, with some old wood I found in the garage.

It's tiny though, just over two square inches, but for some reason it makes me immensely happy.

Maybe I should work small from now on.

Do you ever feel like getting small? Do you ever feel like leaving me some love?

And In This Corner... (An update on "Theory". The last post.)

2008-03-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

For all of you who've been waiting with baited breath, I think everything is OK.

I just got shoved into the middle of their fight.

It looks like this whole thing between my brother and my mom, was a huge lack of communication, that turned into an argument, that turned into a fight, that turned into a feud, that turned into each one accusing the other of being crazy.

I talk to both of them individually and they seem normal. I bring up their fight and the both become lunatics.

I'm emotionally drained, way behind on all the things I'm supposed to be getting done and don't want to play referee anymore.

Thank God/dess I have a shows coming up.

The theater, my place of worship. More and more it seems like the only place that makes any sense is the land of make believe.

Do you have a place of worship? Do you want to leave this tired, old, ham some love?

Theory

2008-02-20T13:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is theory. "Theory" was drawn on a piece of scrap paper with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil and the inked in with my fine tip Gel-roller.

It has been a Hell of a week my friends. This story is going to be choppy and full of typos, because I'm tired and sick as a dog right now, but I really need to get this off my chest.

I will start by saying, It's hard to relax after your mother tells you she's been sleeping with a knife under her pillow because she's afraid your brother is going to try and kill her.

*SIGH*

On Friday I had a big show. The show went great and I was feeling good. The next day, even with a slight hangover, I was still feeling the residual, warm-fuzziness of last nights show, then I got together with my mom.

My mom has been living in my brother's house for the last six years. She moved in a year after my brother had gone through a messy divorce. As far as I knew everything was going fine.

As soon as my mother sees me she starts bawling, then she tells me what has been going on between her and my brother since the day before the Super Bowl. (Over a month ago.)

My brother, out of the blue, comes home one day, and demanded she get out.

My mother says, "That's fine, but I need at least 30 days to find a place."

Bro's face turns red. He clenches and unclenches his fists, then screams, "You need to get out now. Everyone has someone they can go to."

More yelling ensues and brother finally storms out of the house to his girlfriends.

What makes this even scarier is the fact that my brother is a deputy sheriff and their confrontation takes place while my brother is in full uniform. That means he's carrying a gun.

Since that night every time Bro confronts Mom he is in full uniform.

Things get uglier, Mom comes home one day and all her stuff is packed up. Bro has labeled everything in the house with sticky notes. "This is mine."

Another day mom comes home and the dogs are gone. They were my brother's dogs, but my mom spent more time with them than he did and they were her companions, who she turned to when she felt lonely. When mom asks about the dogs brother says, "They don't miss you and you will never see them again."

On another day, after another argument and more fits of rage, Bro screams, "You are forbidden from speaking to The Unknown about this."

Another time, Mom sees Bro's girlfriend, who just happens to be a doctor, feeding Bro oxycodone.

More things happen, but I can't go on with this part of the story. It's making me feel nauseous.

The first I hear about any of this is last Saturday. I beg my mom to come live with us, but she tells me Bro is leaving on Monday evening for a ten day trip in Hawaii and she will be out by the time he gets back.

I sweat bullets for two days. I can't get a hold of my mom and fear the worst. I finally get a hold of her today. She's bought a house, how she can afford it I have no idea, and will be moving in a month. I convince her to spend the month before she moves with me and Gorky.

Mom will move here on next Monday.

I don't know what is up with my brother. He has never been like this. He is the responsible one in the family. Mom thinks he's bipolar.

I think it's a combination. Bipolar + addiction to pain killers + a girlfriend that seems to be fucking with his head. I don't know.

I do know that I have eight days to decide what to do about my brother. I will have to confront him at some point. He carries a gun, he makes life and death decisions at work. How can I, in good conscience, say nothing?

What if he kills someone?

I have eight days.

Choose

2008-02-10T15:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is choose. "Choose" was drawn on a piece of scrap paper with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my fine tip Gel-Roller and then colored in PhotoStudio.

As Stan Lee might say, "Nuff Said."

Did you ever have the urge to line the pockets of your fat cat friends? Did you ever have the urge to leave me some love?

Percy on Drums

2008-02-07T20:23:00.000-08:00

Stupid cat picture #375

What can I say? It makes me laugh.

Do you like stupid cat pictures? Do you want to leave me some love?

Percy's Snow Day

2008-02-07T13:23:00.000-08:00

We had a day of snow last weekend and I snapped this picture of Percy. He really seemed to enjoy the snow. He wouldn't come in on his own, I had to go usher him in.

Anyhow, I liked the picture and thought you might too.

Enjoy.

Do you enjoy the snow? Do you want to leave some love?

Blanket

2008-02-06T11:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is blanket. "Blanket" was drawn on a piece of scratch paper with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with a Faber-Castle fine tip artist pen and then colored in PhotoStudio.

This illustration is called blanket because, I wish I had a blanket, to put over my head.

Last week I got a cold sore. I have been getting cold sores for as long as I can remember, but it's been over two years since my last outbreak and this one was a doosey. It looked like my lip had exploded.

Normally an outbreak isn't that big of a deal but, unfortunately, this week I had a little gig. A little gig in front of 4000 people.

When I arrived at the venue for the sound check, It looked like the stage was set far enough away from the audience that I could just hide my face behind the mic. I thought, this won't be too bad. Then they set up the cameras and the JumboTron. Ever time I spoke that night a camera was trained on my face.

So, there was my fifty foot head delivering punch-lines with a ten foot cold sore.

*SIGH*

Someday, I will laugh about this.

Have you ever wanted to cover your face in public? Have you ever wanted to leave me some love?

Focus the Nation

2008-01-31T00:23:00.000-08:00

Being a performer is cool. Being a performer with Live Wire! is awesome. Being a performer with Live Wire! and getting to be part of a show that is trying to make the world a better place is Hawesome!

I'm a lucky boy.

Have you tried doing just one thing to be more green? Have you left me any love?

Book a Week

2008-01-30T10:23:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of this month I experienced something I have not experienced in a very, very long time. I had money in my pocket.

So, I went and bought myself a stack of books. Well, four books, a small stack. (The Ghost Brigades, Choke, The Queen of Bedlam, Dust) I had no intention of zipping through those books the way I did. Like giving a starving man free lunch at Hometown Buffet. Devouring the first stack of books like that put an idea in my head.

I started to wonder if I could keep that pace up and read a book a week for a year. I couldn't get the idea out of my head. I kept wrestling with the thought and then I sort of dared myself to do it. Which led me to going and getting my second stack of books. (The picture above.)

A book a week is a big deal for me. I love to read, but I never seem to get through as many books as I would like. Last year I read, maybe twelve books and it seems like everybody I talk to reads more than I do. (Although, I think a lot of people lie about how much they actually read.)

So, I've accepted my own challenge and I'm going to try and read a book a week for the next year. Thank God/dess Stumptown is home to the worlds greatest bookstore.

Have you read any good books lately? Have you left any love lately?

Tales and Legend

2008-01-25T06:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is Tales and Legend. "Tales and Legend" was drawn on a piece of scrap paper using a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my Gel-Roller and colored in PhotoStudio.

This picture is actually the digital version of a watercolor painting I made for a friends birthday a few weeks ago. It's one of my favorite pictures and I like the way it fits into the weeks theme.

Enjoy!

Do you feel like the people in your home are from another world? Do you feel like leaving me some love?

Plain

2008-01-21T11:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is plain. "Plain" was painted with acrylics on canvas paper.

My stupid scanner was too small. So, I had to scan the image twice, then put the pieces together in PhotoStudio. That's why there's a line through the lower half of the picture. Believe me, the painting is so much more awesome in person.

BWhahahahahahahahaha... meh.

This is the first image that popped into my head when I read this week's theme. I had the idea on Friday, but as usual, I've been one busy monkey and didn't have time to do the painting until yesterday.

This new job is kicking my butt a little bit. I need to build up my stamina. Or I need six more hours in each day. I guess building up stamina would be more feasible.

Anyhow, I haven't used my paints in a while and thought it might be fun. I'm not crazy about the way the painting turned out, but I like the way the tie looks and I did mix all the colors myself. (I'm pretty proud of that.) So, it was another good learning experience and we could all use more learning.

Did you learn anything new last week? Did you want to leave me some love?

Stitch

2008-01-13T14:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is stitch. "Stitch" was drawn on the back of the December 20 page from my "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar, with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with a Faber-Castle fine tip artists pen and then colored in PhotoStudio.

I did this goofy little sketch while siting on my ass and watching football. I'd like to get up and be active, but I think somebody sewed my ass to the couch.

Are you watching the playoffs? Are you going to leave me some love?

Breakfast

2008-01-07T06:23:00.000-08:00

Mmmm... You can almost smell it can't you.

Gorky made three mini, vegan, banana-bread loaves. It was so good I had to eat one before I took the picture.

Now, I have to go to work.

Do you like banana bread? Do you like leaving love?

100%

2008-01-06T16:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is 100%. "100%" was drawn on a piece of scratch paper with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my new Faber-Castle Artist Pen, (A gift from Gorky.) and then colored in PhotoStudio.

Thank you to those that have given 100%.

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T13:23:00.000-08:00

This is an old picture and post, but it's one of my favorites, and because I didn't use it last year, I get to use it again now!

Enjoy!

Please remember at this time of new beginnings and celebrations, that those champagne corks can be dangerous. Somebody could lose an eye!

So, if you're going to be opening any bottles of the bubbly, point the damn thing at one of your enemies!

Nothing beats starting the New Year one up on the people driving you crazy!

In-Laws on your back about getting a real job?

Is the neighbor complaining about you not mowing the lawn again?

Granny hanging onto the family fortune just a little too long?

Well, Happy New Year! Grab a bottle of champagne and fire away!

Happy New Year everybody! Now, I have to get back to the party!

Wait Mr. President! Let me get that bottle for you!

Bwhahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...

Happy New Year Loves! Please start the year right by leaving a little love everywhere you go.

Soar

2007-12-30T12:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is soar. This illustration was drawn on a piece of scrap paper with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my Gel-Roller and then colored in PhotoStudio.

"I'm Not Crazy, I'm An Airplane" was the original title for this picture. I drew it a couple of months ago, for a post I never finished. The unfinished post was about me realizing my life, though enjoyable, full of surprises and a great adventure, lacked any real direction.

Here's the opening paragraph from that unfinished post;

I recently realized I’ve been in a tailspin for the last four years. Falling, endlessly falling. The funny thing about falling, is it can seem a lot like flying, if you don’t notice the ground zooming toward you at sixty meters a second and now that I’m aware of my fatal, downward spiral, I’ve decided to do the stupidest thing possible. Flap my arms and see if I can fly.

The post was supposed to be all about how I wanted to focus more on art and really make a go at being an artist. Of course, before I finished the post I came into a little bit of money, then I started working part time, then the holiday season started and I lost focus like I always do.

*SIGH*

Sometimes I frustrate the hell out of myself. I have all these ideas rolling around in my head and just can't seem to get them out.

I guess now is a good time for some New Year's resolutions.

In 2008 I resolve to be more focused, and to flap my arms, just to see if I really can fly.

Do you ever flap your arms? Do you want to leave me some love?

Percy is an Angel

2007-12-24T20:23:00.000-08:00

What is a blog without stupid cat pictures?

Nothing, I tell you! Nothing!

So, here's a picture of Percy, on the night before Christmas, sitting on his ugly-ass chair trying to convince us he's been good.

We know better Percy. We know better.

Happy Holidays!

Have you been good this year? Have you left some love?

A Dream Come True, Almost

2007-12-23T15:23:00.000-08:00

Co-host, that's my dream job. Sure hosting a show would be awesome, but for my money co-hosting is the better gig. As a co-host I would be the guy who introduces the host at the top of the show. The guy who can get away with the random, inappropriate comment. The guy who gets to be the buffoon to the host's straight man. Ed McMahon and Andy Richter were the kings of co-hosting and my idols.

Sadly, co-hosting is a lost art form. The co-host has been replaced by the band leader (probably to save money and give some TV exec a big bonus). I may never get to have my dream job, but thanks to Live Wire I came close, sort of, at least for one night.

At the last big show I was in, my good friend Tyler, who normally does the show intros, had other commitments and couldn't perform. I was tapped, at the last minute, to be the "intro guy" and my Love, Gorky, shot the whole thing on video!

Now, I'm gonna show it to you, but first a brief explanation.

Every Live Wire show starts with what we call a "cold open." A cold open is just a quick sketch that always ends with the audience screaming out "Live Wire." After the crowd screams, the band starts to play our theme music and then there's a quick show intro.

So, here's me, in the cold open and the show intro. I apologize to my friends down under for my horrid attempt at an accent.

Do you have a dream job? Do you want to leave me some love?

Mice are from Mars

2007-12-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

This is the PhotoStudio-colored version of a painting I made for Courtenay's birthday. I was trying to think of something Courtenay-esque to paint and what I came up with was an old time radio.

I drew the radio. Then I tried to think of a scene that could happen around that old time radio. This is what I came up with.

So, thank Courtenay, she inspired me.

Here's a scan of the watercolor.

Happy Birthday Court.

Do you know what planet you're from? Do you want to leave any love?

Horizon

2007-12-21T11:23:00.000-08:00

Before hitting the streets, Crystal always put her Whore-Eyes-On.

BWHAhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... ahem

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is horizon. "Horizon" was drawn on the back of the November 19 page of my "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my Gel-Roller and then colored using PhotoStudio.

Do you ever hit the streets? Do you ever leave me love?

Backwards

2007-12-14T12:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday, the theme is backwards. "Backwards" was drawn on the back of the January 17 page of my "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my fine tip Gel-Roller, then the color and text were added with PhotoStudio.

BWHahahahahahahahahaha...

I drew this in about 30 minutes. It's a little sloppy. I'm not real happy with the legs and feet, but it's been another busy week. I have a big show tonight and I wanted to get something drawn for Illustration Friday, so I just plowed through.

Do you ever just plow through? Do you ever want to leave me some love?

Little Things

2007-12-08T19:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is little things. "Little Things" was drawn on the back of the December 7 page of my "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my Gel-Roller, then the color and text were added using PhotoStudio.

Bwhahahahahahahahahaha...

Sometimes it's just too easy.

I hope the next administration will give me as much fodder.

Do the little things drive you crazy? Are you crazy enough to leave some love?

Excess

2007-12-06T14:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is excess. "Excess" was drawn on the back of the November 1 page of my "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my fine tip Gel-Roller, then cleaned up and colored with PhotoStudio.

A little joke for all the D & D geeks out there.

I've had this idea since last Friday, just no time or energy to draw it. At least I got it in before the next Illustration Friday theme comes out.

Did you ever want to play D & D? Did you ever want to leave me some love?

Honest Work

2007-12-01T07:23:00.000-08:00

It's been a long week of honest work for me. Shovel, wheelbarrow and non-leather boots, they have been my tools this week. It wore me out. My body aches, but it's an honest ache.

The hardest part of the week however, was not being able to hang out with Pepe and make sure he's feeling better. He seems to be doing OK. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed.

I would take it easy today, but I have to dress in drag for a bunch of lawyers tonight.

I wish that last part were a joke. *sigh*

Ain't it the life though.

I'm hoping I can draw something tomorrow.

Do you ever have to dress in drag to earn a paycheck? Do you want to leave me some love?

The Zoo

2007-11-25T22:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is The Zoo. "The Zoo" was drawn on the back of the November 22 page of my "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my fine tip Gel-Roller, then cleaned up and colored with PhotoStudio.

I was going to add a caption to this illustration, but I couldn't think of a good one. Maybe someone out there can come up with one for me.

I'm a little distracted. Pepe had to go back to the hospital and now it looks like he might have to have surgery. We won't really know until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Do you have a good caption for me? Do you want to leave me some love?

Turkey Dreams

2007-11-22T13:23:00.000-08:00

Bwhahahahahahaha...

Guess it's not that funny for the turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody.

Have you ever tried tofurkey? Have you left me some love?

The Unknown vs The Mushrooms

2007-11-20T16:23:00.000-08:00

I recently got some new toys, err... I mean tools, to help me create my bad art. Here's a bit of goofiness I made while trying to learn how some of these new gizmos work.

I hope it makes you laugh.

Do you ever get the urge to try things you know you shouldn't? Do you want to leave some love?

Superstition

2007-11-16T11:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday, the theme is superstition. “Superstition” was drawn on the back of the November 15 page of my “Get Fuzzy” desk calendar with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my Gel-Roller, then cleaned up and colored with PhotoStudio.

I almost didn’t post this. It’s not really funny, it’s just kind of gross. Then again, it worked for National Lampoon.

Do you ever feel kind of gross? Do you want to leave me some gross love?

A Little Taste

2007-11-11T10:23:00.000-08:00

Here's a little taste of last night's Live Wire Wordstock Extravaganza, that I was lucky enough to be a part of.

This is Lauren Weedman and Steve Almond in "The Cringe Off".

And how about a little taste of John Wesley Harding.

I'm a lucky boy.

Do you ever feel like the luckiest boy in the world? Do you ever feel like leaving me some love?

Scale

2007-11-09T12:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is scale. "Scale" was drawn on the back of the October 26 page of my "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my Gel-Roller, then cleaned up and colored with PhotoStudio.

As usual I didn't have time for anything today, except a quick sketch and a bad pun.

Pepe seems to be getting better. So, life is slowly returning to normal. Whatever "normal" is.

Are you living close to "normal"? Are you going to leave me some love?

Pepe is Home

2007-11-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

Pepe is home and everything looks good. We just need to keep an eye on him for the next couple of days to make sure he's peeing OK. We also need to change Pepe's diet.

Pepe looks a little funny right now because they had to shave his butt.

I'm happy he's home. Thanks for all the good thoughts everyone.

Did you every have to shave your butt? Do you want to leave us some love?

One Sick Puppycat

2007-11-05T15:23:00.000-08:00

My good friend, Pepe (Puppycat, Peppers, Pepperoncini, Mexi-Pep, Velvet Ears, Pink Nose, Master Chef, Biscuit Maker, Flatters, Big Mouth, Girth, Butter Head, Butters) is sick. He is sitting in the Pet Hospital under observation. He apparently has some sort of urinary thing, and we apparently caught it in time, so it doesn't appear to be too serious, but we won't know anything for sure until around 6:00pm.

Needless to say I'm worried and not really getting anything done.

Please send out some good thoughts for my furry friend.

UPDATE I 6:25pm: Pepe has to stay overnight for observation and they had to insert a catheter. We won't know anymore until tomorrow afternoon.

UPDATE II 8:00pm: Pepe's blood tests came back and all that looks good. No kidney problems but, he did have some blockage in his urinary tract and will have to stay in the hospital for a few days.

UPDATE III Tue. 3:30pm: The doctor called and said Pepe has been passing clear urine for most of the day. They're going to take the catheter out tomorrow morning and Pepe should be home by tomorrow night.

UPDATE IV Wed. 12:20pm: The doctor has removed the catheter but, now Pepe has some mucus build up in his urinary tract. They are going to try massaging it out. They may have to sedate Pepe because he's getting grumpy. I don't blame him. I would be grumpy too. Now, we don't know if he'll be home tonight or not.

UPDATE V Wed. 2:10pm: Good news. Pepe voided the mucus on his own so he didn't need to be sedated. If he continues to produce clean urine, we will be able to pick him up tonight. I will know more around 5:30.

UPDATE VI Wed. 5:30pm: The vet called and said Pepe is doing much better. I'm going to go pick him up at 6:00.

Do you have a lot of nicknames for your close friends? Do you want to leave Pepe some love?

Trick or Treat II

2007-10-26T18:23:00.000-07:00

This is my second picture for the Illustration Friday theme, trick or treat. “Trick or Treat II” was drawn on the back of the October 11 and October 12 pages of my Get Fuzzy desk calendar with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my fine tip Gel-Roller, then the color and text were added using PhotoStudio.

For those that don’t get it, this is a take on “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.”

In fact if you follow this link you can watch the clip I got the idea from, and if you pause the clip at 55 seconds, you can see the picture I was copying.

I’m soooooo clever.

Bwhahahahahahahahaha… ahh.

Not really.

Will you wait for the Great Pumpkin? Will you leave me some love?

Trick or Treat

2007-10-26T14:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture of Illustration Friday the theme is Trick or Treat. “Trick or Treat” was drawn on the back of the October 5 page of my Get Fuzzy desk calendar with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my fine tip Gel-Roller and colored in PhotoStudio.

Hmm…

I think we got tricked.

BWhahahahahahahahaha… ahem.

I got a rock.

Are you going trick or treating? Are you going to leave me some love?

A Friendly Reminder

2007-10-23T07:23:00.000-07:00

Bush and Cheney are talking a lot lately, about what a threat Iran is becoming. To me, this seems quite similar to the rhetoric they were spouting before starting the war in Iraq. So, this post is just a friendly reminder to not be a dumbass.

This is an old picture, but one of my favorites. I’m thinking about having some shirts printed up. Would you buy one?

In other news;

I haven’t been around for a while, but I have been working on a few projects. (None of which are finished yet.) As well as being busy, life also threw a few different curves balls my way. Most of them good, but these “balls” also brought to light some deeper issues along my path that I had been doing my best to ignore.

I will get into more details in another post very soon. Right now, all I’m trying to say is, don’t give up on me yet.

In other, other news;

I got to meet and be in a sketch with (Many thanks to Courtenay and Tyler) one of my idols.

Yep, that’s me and Bruce Campbell. How fucking cool is that!

Do you ever act like a dumbass? Do you want to leave this dumbass some love?

Another Busy Week

2007-08-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week and I'm tired.

It started with me fretting about what I should do for Gorky's birthday, which was last Friday. I knew I wanted to make her something, because handmade gifts are always better than anything you can buy. Well, that and the fact that I'm flat broke.

What I finally came up with is a little Guardian Angel card. (That's what the above picture is.) Just a little something Gorky can take with her when she travels to Poland next week. It's about the size of a drivers license and opens like a greeting card. I'm not going to show you the inside, because there are some… err… How do I say this? Intimate pictures of myself. I also put a tiny love note and some pictures of the cats inside. A few reminders of home while she travels halfway around the world.

I also had to make some art for a silent auction. The money is going to a good cause and they even put my "artist" name on the event poster. How could I say no?

I decided to make something functional and cheap, since most of the buyers would be poor college students. I figured that was the best approach.

Here's what I made.

I hope it sold.

I also spent time during the week studying my script for Live Wire. The show was on Friday, the same day as Gorky's birthday, and it was a fabulous one.

One of the guests on the show was Farmer John Peterson.

Here's the picture of me and him.
If you get the chance, go and see his film. "The Real Dirt on Farmer John." A wonderfully inspirational movie that gives you some hope for humanity and proves that it is possible for things to start getting better on this little planet we like to call home.

Another guest on the show was my good friend Chelsea Cain.

Here's a picture of Gorky, me and Chelsea.

Chelsea just wrote this hawesome thriller. "HeartSick" and I know it's hawesome, because I read it last week. (Like I didn't have enough going on.) Go and buy her book. It doesn't actually come out until September 2, but I think you can order it online and, if I have my facts straight, it was already released in Europe.

Chelsea also told me when they turn the book into a movie, I can play the character Henry. Sure that was just something silly she said over drinks after the show, but I believe it's a verbal contract and I'm gonna make her stick to it.

BWHAhahahahahahahahaha… ahem.

Speaking of books, I added this new thing to the very bottom of my blog. It's a list of all the books I've read since I started blogging.

I also signed my divorce papers last week. So, in about 90 days, I'll be a divorcee. That's a good thing, I guess, but it's also one more thing, on my list of things I swore I'd never be, that I've become. *sigh*

Well, that was most of the highlights from my week. It didn't leave me with a lot of energy to work on this week's Illustration Friday picture. I may get to it later, but to be honest I'm not feeling very inspired by this weeks theme. Maybe something will hit me after I've rested for a couple of days.

Anyway Loves, I hope you all had a great week too. Peace.

Are you keeping busy? Are you going to leave me some love?

Emergency

2007-08-10T17:23:00.001-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is emergency. "Emergency" was sketched out, on a piece of scratch paper, with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, filled in with my new, Pilot, Precise-Grip, extra-fine tip, Roller, I then added the color and text using PhotoStudio.

I must have dick on the brain. Dick Cheney that is.

BWHAhahahahahahahahahahahahaha…

Do you ever feel like picking on Dick? Do you ever feel like leaving me some love?

Missing

2007-08-03T17:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is missing. "Missing" was sketched out, on a piece of scratch paper, with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, filled in with my new, Pilot, Precise-Grip, extra fine tip, Roller and I added the text using PhotoStudio.

I started to color this illustration, but then decide I liked it black and white.

I haven't picked on the White House for a while and since Dick Cheney recently had heart surgery, which is odd because the jackass is missing his heart, I thought he would be a good subject for today's theme.

Enjoy!

How do they know dogs can only see in black and white? How do you love me?

Forgotten Art

2007-07-31T19:23:00.000-07:00

This is an old self portrait, I had completely forgotten about it. I just happened to come across it while I was cleaning out some boxes in the basement. I painted it about eight years ago.

I was trying to copy a photo, taken of me in a hotel room. In the photo, my mouth is still swollen from having four wisdom teeth pulled the week before. I can't remember what town we were in, but it was about ten hours NW of Flagstaff.

We checked into the hotel and I went for a walk while she took a bath. On the walk I dropped five dollars into a slot machine and won fifty. She snapped this picture of me right after my walk, just before I took a bath.

Here's the original photo.
Do you still have your wisdom teeth? Do you want to leave me some love?

Moon II

2007-07-27T14:23:00.000-07:00

In my last post, I said this piture was so bad I wasn't going to post it, but then I had a beer and decided, what the Hell.

This was my original concept for the Illustration Friday theme moon. If you want to know what it has to do with the theme, you'll have to read my last post.

Bwhahahahahahaha...

OK. Because I know you're going to read my last post, here's a little treat.

A picture of cute, cute, Pepe, enjoying some fresh air and art. Enjoy!Did you read my last post? Did you leave me some love?

Moon

2007-07-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday, the theme is moon. "Moon" was drawn on a piece of scrap paper, with my Gel-Roller, then colored in PhotoStudio. This illustration is actually a clipping from my last post.

Just yesterday, I was thinking, that this is probably the best moon I've ever drawn. Then, when I found out today's IF theme was moon, I thought this is a no-brainer.

How fortuitous.

OK. In truth, I tried to drawn a picture of my old, Chevy Corsica, but it looked so awful I didn’t want to post it. (When I don’t want to post bad art, on a bad art blog, it must be really bad.)

Why was I trying to draw a picture of my car if the theme is moon?

Before my Corsica stopped running, it traveled 477,992 miles. That's what some people call "Lunar Mileage", because it's enough mileage to get to the moon and back.

Do you have a car with lunar mileage? Even though, I have lots of mileage, are you going to leave me some love?

When Cats Dream

2007-07-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

This is a goofy illustration I did today, on a piece of scrap paper, with my Gel-Roller. I colored it with Photostudio.

I must have been inspired by Pepe. He likes to sleep upside-down on the desk whenever I'm on the PC. He twitches a lot while he's sleeping. I think this must be what he's dreaming about.

By the way:

Gorky is starting to think about blogging more often. In Fact, right now, she has a new post up. It's about how she's leaving for Poland soon. I don't know what I'm going to do for two weeks while she’s gone. Just me and the twitchy cats. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!

Anyhow, please go read her post, and leave her some love, and let her know how nice everyone is on the internets.

Do your cats dream? Do you dream about leaving me some love?

Poem

2007-07-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is poem. "Poem" was drawn on the back of a page from my "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar, with my new, Precise Grip, Extra Fine, Gel-Roller.

AH! I have betrayed my Gel-Roller!

I whipped this picture out in about 20 minutes. It’s supposed to be Edgar Allen Poe.

Get it?

It's a Poe-ehm!

Bwhahahahahahahaha… ehm.

I didn’t want this weeks illustration to take as long as last weeks. (Which I finished just last night at about 10:23.) Besides that, I have a big show tonight and not a lot of time.

Who’s your favorite poet? Who you going to leave some love?

Discovery

2007-07-19T22:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is discovery. "Discovery" was made with watercolor pencils and my Gel-Roller on watercolor paper.

I got this one in just under the wire. It's supposed to be a picture, of one of those moments, when you discover things aren't exactly the way you thought they were.

Originally I was going to do a bunch of small sketches depicting moments like the one above, in all sorts of different locations, but I got so into the first picture, I decided to do a big watercolor of the first sketch.

This is the original sketch.

I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Even if it did take me all week to finish.

It's been a pretty emotional week for me. I think I had a moment like the one above. I was going to go into a lot of detail, but I'm tired and I have a big show tomorrow.

I did learn; Beware who you go into business with. (this refers to "Knife", not LW.) I also got a small raise this week and a heavy dose of, wake-up-dumb-ass and I sold a painting at a silent auction to benefit FFRT. It sold for $40.00.

Feet and Bonus Footage. This is the painting that sold.

Anyhow, Loves, I need some sleep.

When was your last moment of discovery? When was the last time you left me some love?

Geeky

2007-07-08T15:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is geeky. "Geeky" is a watercolor pencils and ink drawing on watercolor paper.

Blah! I don’t know what’s wrong with me. This is too cute. I need to go punch a pony, or kick a puppy.

I'll have to come up with something mean soon or I'm going to lose my edge.

Well, I have to run. I have to get to the silent auction.

I’ll post something tomorrow and let you all know how it went and what two pieces I donated.

Do you still have an edge? Do you still want to leave me some love?

Face Mask of Love

2007-07-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

This is a plaster-cast of my face. I made it a several years ago for a production of "Hair". This production of "Hair" is where I first met Gorky. She was the choreographer and she used to yell at me because I couldn’t remember the dance steps. Hee, hee.

I love you sweetie.

Gorky and I are going on vacation for a week. I'll most likely be off line until then, I leave you with this picture of Pepe, passed out by the PC.

Have you ever passed out by the PC? Have you left me some love?

Twist

2007-06-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is twist. "Twist" was made on watercolor paper, using watercolor pencils and my Gel-Roller.

I prefer olives in my martini. In fact, the dirtier the better.

Do you like it dirty? Do you want to leave me some love?

The Coveted Thinking Blogger Award and a Long Overdue Update

2007-06-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

I recently received two Thinking Blogger awards. The first from Andrea and the second from Randomyork. I probably wouldn’t have gotten the second one, if I had acknowledged the first one in a timely fashion.

I do very much appreciate getting the award from both of them. It warms my heart and make me feel all squishy inside. Squishy in a good way, not squishy in the I think there’s something in my pants kind of way.

So, seriously Loves, Andrea and Randomyork, Thank you.

Now, to pass on the good vibes and keep the love flowing, I’m supposed to pick 5 blogs I think deserve the award. So, here goes.

1. The Odd Neighbor; I am absolutely smitten with Catnapping’s blog. I have laughed, I have cried, and I often wish, I had drawn that! I love you Love. Keep up the great work.

2. Welcome To My Knee pit; I’m not even sure how to describe this blog. Pablo amuses me in the saddest way, but you have to love a guy with so much love for his mama, his dog and potatoes.

3. Elizadeath; I love her art. Happy and haunted in the best possible way. Her art never fails to make me smile.

4. Cowboydog; The coolest, creepiest, art I have ever seen. Awakens in me, some far off, childhood nightmare. His art switches on some weird place in my brain that’s only half remembered. I love it.

5. Detlef Jumpertz; Flat out, the most amazing pencil sketches I have come across on the web. Detlef also has a great sense of humor and loves punting.

Well, that’s my 5. Please check them out and as long as you’re there leave them some love.

And now for some long overdue updates, for those of you that want to know.

It’s been a Hell of a year so far! Here are some of the highlights!

I had my first art show. It was a moderate success. I sold nine pieces of art. Not to shabby. Plus, I learned a lot and I will be so much more prepared for the next one.

I directed and co-produced my first play. Another moderate success. Actually I might call that one a huge success. The bar we preformed in made some money, all the actors got paid, and the producers all walked away with a little bit of cash. I’ve been around the theater scene here in Stumptown long enough to know that doesn’t happen very often.

And again, I learned a lot.

My son, D, graduated from high school. Some of you may have seen the card I made for him. "Corny."

While all that was going on I also had Brainwaves shows, JLI shows and Live Wire shows.

I got to meet The Thermals at one of the Live Wire shows!

The Unknown with Kathy Foster and Hutch Harris of The Thermals.

I went a little gaga over them. (sigh) I’m such a dork. I am completely obsessed with their latest cd! They rrrrRRRock!!

I also have a couple of paintings to do for a silent auction to benefit FFRT. I finished one of the today.

It’s a re-do of Luck. I’m going to frame it with a signed copy of the story it goes with.

I’m about half way done with the second piece. It’s also a re-do, but I’m not going to tell you which one. You’ll just have to wait a day or two to see. Bwhahahahaha…

Sorry.

I need to finish the piece soon because, I have Brainwaves shows tomorrow and the next day, then Gorky and I are going up to Lopez Island for a week. Woot! We always have a good time up there and God/dess knows we’ve both been so, stinking, busy we deserve a little R&R.

In a way it’s too bad. I got bad art coming out my… my… well, you know. I’m really on a roll, but I need some down time.

Well, that’s about it. Don’t forget to go visit those killer blogs I mentioned.

I hope your year is going good too. I hope you leave me some love.

Camouflage

2007-06-22T14:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is camouflage. “Camouflage” was drawn on the back of the June 20 page of my “Get Fuzzy” desk calendar using a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my Gel-Roller and colored in PhotoStudio.

This was just the first thing that popped into my head.

No time to talk now. I’ve got a big show tonight!

Do you like to remain hidden? Do you want to leave me some love?

Graduation Card for D

2007-06-20T21:23:00.000-07:00

This is a little graduation card I whipped up. It’s actually triple folded so when you first look at it, all you can see is the top caption and the graduate’s head. Then you open it and get the big reveal.

OH MY GOD! I’m just soooooo clever. (This is said with tongue firmly in cheek.)

Do you know any recent graduates? Are you going to leave me some love?

Rejection

2007-06-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is rejection. “Rejection” was drawn on the back of the May 25 and May 26 pages of my “Get Fuzzy” desk calendar using a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my Gel-Roller and colored in PhotoStudio.

As I started to draw this picture I realized how out of practice I am. Which is good. It means I can really live up to my bad art reputation.

Have you ever been devoured by the thing you love? Are you going to leave me some love?

Opening Night

2007-04-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

I know, I know... I've been missing for quite a while. Well, tonight is opening night of the show I directed. This show is the main reason I've been missing.

The cast is ready, able, easy to work with and funnier than I could have hoped for. I'm so excited, I can barley keep from peeing my pants.

I can't go into a lot of details. I should be in the shower right now, but the show is a murder mystery about a bunch of soap opera actors at their season wrap party. As the night moves along people in the cast start to get killed and the ones that don't are trying to figure out who is doing the killing before everyone is dead. the whole thing takes place in a bar and is staged like a cocktail party.

Anyhow, I drew this picture so I could make cards and give them to the cast on opening night. The greastest cast a guy could ever hope to work with. I drew the whole thing in about 5 minutes with my Gel-Roller and then colored it in Photostudio. I can't believe how nice it turned out.

OK, I have to get in the shower! Don't wish me luck, tell me to break a leg!

Do you have a favorite soap? Do you want to leave me some love?

The Hunger

2007-03-20T13:23:00.001-07:00

One of the weird things my body does when I stress out, is have extremely messed up dreams. This is a picture from a dream I had recently.

The dream started with me living in Hood River. There was some kind of strange radioactive fallout that brought the dead back to life and turned them into flesh eating zombies. (Ala "Dawn of the Dead.")

I was holed up in a house with three strangers, another guy and two women. We secured all the windows and doors and knew we were relatively safe at the moment, but needed to come up with a plan of where to go. Staying in the house wasn't an option because the zombies would eventually find us and just wait outside until we starved or tried to make a break for it.

As if things weren't bad enough, some non-zombie-psycho kept breaking into the house because he wanted to rape the two women inside. So, we kept having to chase the psycho rapist away and re-secure the house.

At this point I woke up and thought, "Man that was a fucked up dream." I laid awake in bed for a moment, then when I fell back asleep I re-dreamed the same exact dream. I awoke again thinking, "Jesus, what the Hell is wrong with me"?

About ten minutes later, I fell back asleep and my dream picked up right where it left off.

The four of us managed to get out of the house and lose the psycho before the zombies found us. Our plan was to make it to the river and get on a boat, because everyone knows zombies can't swim, then we would look for someplace safe.

Unfortunately, on our way to the river we ran into a mobster, who just happened to be owed a shit load of money by the other guy in our party. Zombies or no, the mobster wanted his damn money. He decide the best way to get his money was by putting us in a pit with some flesh eating zombies. I managed to escape the pit, but the three others with me were not so lucky and I saw them get torn to bits by the zombies.

I woke up at this point and wondered what I had eaten to give me such horrid dreams. Of course, when I fell back asleep the dream once again picked up right where it left off.

I got away from the mobster and was still trying to make my way to the river. Making my way there, I ran into my best friend. He had been bitten by a zombie and didn't look very good. He told me he was doing OK because he had discovered if you got bitten by a zombie the other zombies no longer came after you and you wouldn't become a flesh eating zombie unless you ate some human flesh, but you did have a constant, deep, hunger for eating humans. As long as you could control your hunger you'd be alright.

While he was explaining this to me I was attacked and bitten by a zombie. My friend helped me destroy the flesh eater and escape, but by then it was to late. I felt the hunger, I wanted to eat some human flesh.

We decided we would stick together and watch each others backs. It seemed like a good idea, but we had to sleep with one eye open for fear of the other person giving in to their cravings.

Once again I woke up. I probably should have just gotten out of bed, but I still felt exhausted and when I fell back asleep I was in the same dream, but a few weeks had passed.

The zombies had moved on to other cities in search of human flesh. My friend and I stayed in what was now the deserted ruins of Hood River. While rummaging through the city we came across a young kid who had turned the local comic book shop into his home. He had also discovered a way to make french fries using potatoes, plastic and cardboard.

I ate a few of his makeshift fries and started to cry. "I forgot how good food could taste." I sobbed, between mouthfuls. "Even the cardboard and plastic taste wonderful."

I ate some more and cried.

Then I woke up and decided I had had enough of this dream. So, I went downstairs and made some scones.

Anyone care to take a crack at interpreting that dream? Anyone want to leave me some love?

My First Art Show at the CoHo

2007-03-01T12:23:00.000-08:00

My mother always said, "The good things don't come easy." I sure hope this turns out to be a good thing because it has not been easy. However, it has been a great learning experience. So, the next time should be a snap. This time however, I am left with a ton of unusable test prints, three broken frames and an empty bank account.

I did manage to put together fifteen of my favorite pictures though. They are;

Shoe Fly

Peace Cat

Red

Tea

Imagine

Angel/Devil II

Fat Cats

Dream 1

Corporate Toad

Cold

Cats

Cat Head

Bunny Cake

Broke Bush Mt.

I made a clock out of Self Portrait x 3

And a couple of small versions of Tea.

Now, all I have to do is sit back and wait for the cash to start rolling in.

OK, probably not, but at least this is one less thing on my plate and maybe I can start blogging again on a regular basis.

I've missed you Loves.

Are you having a busy 2007? Are you going to leave me some love?

Red

2007-01-29T16:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is red. "Red" was drawn on a piece of watercolor paper with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil and colored in with watercolor pencils, water and a fine brush, then inked over with my Gel-Roller.

It is, in fact, a picture of my Gel-Roller. I was sitting here, thumping the desk with my pen and wondering what I was going to draw for Illustration Friday.

"What the Hell am I going to draw?" I thought to myself. "Red. The theme is red."

Thump, thump, thump.

"Red. What do I draw for red? What's red?"

Thump, thump, thump.

"What do I use everyday that's red? My hearts red. I have one red shirt. Sammy Hagar loves red."

Thump, thump, thump.

"Bah! I don’t know what to draw. I'm going to do the crossword puzzle. Where's my pen? Oh yeah, it's in my hand."

A light bulb goes on over my head.

"Oh Sweet Jesus! My pen!"

And that's how I decided what to draw for Illustration Friday.

Here's a photo of the real deal.
I love this pen. I've had this pen for seven years. This pen lasted longer than my marriage and it only cost me a buck fifty, plus the occasional ninety-nine cent ink refill.

Fuck! I should have married the pen.

Is your hindsight 20/20? Is you going to leave me some love?

Super Hero

2007-01-25T18:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is super hero. "Super Hero" was drawn on the back of the January 4 and January 12 pages of my "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar. I ran out of room while drawing and had to tape the two pieces of scrap paper together. Heh, heh... whoopsie. I drew the illustration with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, then inked it in with my Gel-Roller and colored it in PhotoStudio.

I can't believe I'm got this picture done just in time to have another Illustration Friday theme to think about, but today was my first day off in a while.

It was a good day. I slept in. When I finally got out of bed, I headed downtown to have a meal at my favorite restaurant.

After that I used the last of my Christmas gift cards. With one of cards I got the Eels "beautiful freak" and "Ole! Tarantula" by Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3. With the other gift card I bought a double soymilk mocha with no whip.

The caffeine must have got to me because when I got home I was all fidgety and thought it might be a good idea to drawn the idea I sketched out while riding the bus to rehearsal a few days ago.
Never draw while on the bus.

What else has happened lately?

Hey, did I tell you all we got some snow?!

Pepe didn't like it. Heh, heh.

I held auditions for the show I'll be directing. That was really fun and exciting, until I realized it means I have to be the guy to call people and say, "I'm sorry, you're not what I’m looking for."

Blah! I've been on the other end of that call way too many times. In fact, the last time I every went to an audition for a commercial was a horrible experience. I thought my audition was going fantastic. I had been called back three times to read the part and they seemed to really like me.

Then, a week later, I got a call and they told me, "We decided to go with someone else."

I was devastated, but as devastated as I became when I finally saw the commercial on TV and discovered the part I had been reading for had been given to a sock puppet. I was beaten by a sock puppet. A FUCKING SOCK PUPPET!

OK, I'm just realizing I shouldn’t have large doses of caffeine. I'm babbling like the town gossip. I better go.

Have you ever been beaten by a sock puppet? Have you left some love?

More Than I Can Chew

2007-01-15T12:23:00.000-08:00

It suddenly occurred to me I may have bitten off more than I can chew.

"More Than I Can Chew" was drawn on the back of the January 3 date from my "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, then inked in with my Gel-Roller and colored in PhotoStudio. I drew this illustration early this morning, around 2am, when I should have been in bed. It's expresses how I'm feeling right now.

I hope everyone is having a great New Year. My started with a few horrible events, that turned out to be blessings in disguise.

First, of course, was our PC crashing. I thought I would be computerless for a few months, but we ended up getting a new, better, easier to use, PC within a week. (Thanks to Gorky.)

The same week the PC crashed, I walked out on an acting job. I probably should have quit months ago, but I kept hoping things would get better. Things didn’t get better and I finally blew up.

Long story short, she (the boss) tried not to pay me for the work I had done the month before. She even threatened to sue me. I, being the pig-headed jerk I am, showed up while she was auditioning new actors and told her she needed to pay me or I would start coming to her shows and asking where my money was. Two days later, I received my check and an e-mail telling me, that even though she could have sued me for everything I’m worth ($5.35) and against the advice of her lawyer, she was going to pay me.

After I got paid, I realized how much more relaxed I was not having to worry about working for an unorganized moron. Then I realized I didn’t have any work lined up for the next three months. (Panic starts to set in.)

Two weeks, later here I am booked until the end of May. Here’s why.

The 48HR film project I was a part of last year (Tooth and Nail) is one of the five, nationwide finalist, so our crew will be making another 48HR film over last weekend in January to determine the winner.

I now have three different improv shows coming up. The first opens in February and is loosely based on MST3K. Then Thursdays in March I’ll be performing improv about the injustices in relationships with "The League of Justice" and ever Friday and Saturday in March I have brainwaves shows.

I'm also involved in forming a new Murder Mystery Cocktail Party Theater Company that will be opening a show in May that I'm going to direct, and have a small role in.

I also have Live Wire shows once a month. This month at Live Wire I get to meet the great cartoonist Callahan and the super cool band Everclear! I’m the luckiest boy in the world!

I have one other project coming up that I'm extremely excited and nervous about. Drumroll please! I'm going to have an art show!

I know! I can't believe it either!

The theater brainwaves will be performing in has a little art gallery in their lobby and I just happened to mention I had some art I'd like to show off, if the gallery was going to be free during the brainwaves run. The theater said yes! I was stunned!

Now, I need to decide what's worth showing off, get some prints made and frame a few things.

I feel a little guilty about getting a gallery show, since I don't really consider myself an artist. I wonder if I’ll still feel that way after I actually sell something.

Anyway Loves, I gotta run!

Do you ever feel guilty about the lucky breaks in your life? Do you ever feel guilty about not leaving me some love?

80's

2007-01-13T15:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is 80's. "80's"was drawn on the pack of the January 2 page of my "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, then inked in with my Gel-Roller and colored in PhotoStudio.

80's?

Nuff' said.

BWHahahahahahahahahahaha… ahem.

Am I a cornball or what? Are you going to leave some love or what?

Buzz II (Now in color!)

2007-01-10T21:23:00.000-08:00

Whoot! I got my colors back!

I found out our PC has PhotoStudio!

This was the picture I used for Illustration Friday. (My last post.) I thought coloring it with PhotoStudio would be a good way to learn how to use it.

PhotoStudio works great! Perfect for my needs and slow learning curve.

I'm back baby, I'm back!

Now if I can just find some free time to blog.

Can you loan me some free time? Can you leave me some love?

Buzz

2007-01-06T18:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is buzz. "Buzz" was drawn on the back of the January 2 page of my "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar with a Gel-roller.

This is a picture of me in the old days. (Late 80's.) Back then, for me, it was all about getting a buzz on and I was pretty damn good at it. Back then I was a good friend of the room spins.

Now, I only get drunk by accident. Like; "Oops! I accidentally drank three beers while playing poker." or, "Whoops! I didn't realize I ordered a 48oz beer!"

Have you ever been drunk by accident? Have you let any love lately?

Phoenix

2007-01-03T16:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is phoenix. "Phoenix" was drawn on the back of, the January 1 page of my new "Get Fuzzy" desk calendar with my Gel-Roller. It is supposed to depict our new PC rising from the ashes of our old PC, which crashed about two weeks ago.

I'm really excited about the new PC, but it doesn't have any Photoshop software. All I can do right now is scan pictures and post them. It will probably be another month or two before I can afford some good art software.

Any suggestions?

Now, I'm off to answer the 1000 plus e-mails I missed while we had no computer and maybe start to catch up on answering all the comments on my own blog.

Happy New Year Loves!

Has your PC crashed lately? have you left any love lately?

Merry Christmas Scott

2006-12-24T16:23:00.000-08:00

Hey look, I made a clock for my brother!

Phew. That was the last present and now I'm ready for tomorrow.

Now, I have to get ready for the big poker game Gorky and I are hosting tonight.

Happy Holidays Loves!

Are pocket kings as good as pocket deuces, when there's an ace on the table? Are you going to leave some love?

Peace

2006-12-22T15:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is peace. "Peace" was drawn on the back of a page from last weeks Live Wire script with a Faber-Castle 3-H pencil, inked in with my Gel-Roller and colored it in Photoshop.

The illustration was the first idea that popped into my head after I read the theme. I'm extremely happy with how it turned out, considering I had to work fast, due to my usual lack of time.

Just before I started to draw I put on the CD Show Your Bones, by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and finished just as the music stopped. That's some good timing.

Happy Holidays Loves and of course, peace.

How's your timing? How about leaving me some love?

Help

2006-12-18T16:23:00.000-08:00

This is my picture for Illustration Friday the theme is help. "Help" is a digital photo of me tying my shoe. That sporty shirt I'm wearing is actually a pajama top, given to us by some poker chums. I love the shirt! Gorky has a hard time getting it off me. It's fair! She gets to wear the pajama bottoms!

Anyhow, I took the photo with a Canon PowerShot A350.

Is it wrong to post a photo for Illustration Friday?

Do you ever need a hand? Do you want to leave me some love?

Art Time

2006-12-14T13:23:00.000-08:00

I made a clock! Well, technically, I didn't make a clock I just decorated one. I took apart an old, boring clock, printed up some bad art and then cut it to fit over the clock face.

Pretty cool huh?

Now, I’m off to rehearsal and then a Live Wire show.

Ciao!

Do you need more time? Do you have time to leave me some love?