I Am Not A Book

Shakespeare in Politics
Though it is tough to imagine ol' Will entangled the mess of modern politics, it definitely isn't impossible. Besides looking rather dapper in a suit and tie, Shakespeare certainly knew how to play the game. Politics are embroiled deep within the plots and subtext of many of his works (I just threw the world "embroiled" in there. Hope it fits.).

Enough, in sooth, to warrant an entire class on the subject. Continuing with the LaLouisiane-commissioned illustration series (first mentioned in the post below this one), here is an image representing the class "Shakespeare in Politics."

Shakespeare looks comfy in the classic Nixon pose, don't you think?

Color of the Blues

I was commissioned by LaLouisiane magazine to do a series of four illustrations. Each illustration would represent a new course being offered by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The magazine selected a few of the new/interesting courses to which students have taken a shine.

The one above is for The Color of the Blues, which covers the influences of Blues music across our culture. I would have loved to have taken that course!

Featured above is Robert Johnson making a little pact with a certain character of ill repute.

Illustration Friday - Impatience

James Brown was known by many names. The Godfather of Soul comes to mind as one of them, for sure. And The Hardest Working Man In Showbiz, as well, eh? He did love to dance for his audiences.

You may be asking yourself "Yes he did, but why is he your subject for this week's theme, Impatience?"

Well, if you think about it, Mr. Brown's exclamations were rather insistent. And demanding. And constant.

SAY IT NOW! Get up offa that thing! Follow me! Unhhh! I need it! HELP me! Do it to me! I NEEEED IT! HEY! PLAY IT! Put it where it's at now(???)! HO! Unh! HO! HAH- Watch me now! DO IT WITH THE GOOD FOOT. Come on, get it AH UNH!

Etc.

You get the idea. All these exclamations, so little time for you to execute them before the next musical command hits you. You just can't say no, but sometimes you can't keep up. Sometimes he seems a little impatient with us, doesn't he?

Never thought of it that way, did you? That's why I'm the hardest working man in showburtz!

See, in this illustration, a flashy move caused Mr. Brown to get his tie caught between locked knees, preventing him from continuing to spray the funk all over the crowd. And yet his cries of "HELP ME! UNNHH!" only excited the audience even more. This went on for ten minutes before a band member remedied the situation.

Illustration Friday - Modify

I've gone ahead and taken liberties with cowboy folklore to bring you a modified form of rodeo. Kind of Harry-Potter-meets-Tombstone, don't you think?

This was a quick illo done at our local weekly Drink & Draw Sketchgroup. I was in a magic-mood that night. The illustration of Snape, posted below this entry, was also done that night.

Illustration Friday - Hollow

This is why you should be wary upon entering strange hollows that lie between crooked mountains:

Ruff Furstew wasn't your conventional ogre. Nah, he was a bit more special.

You see, when he was a wee 'gre, a swab (that's the term I'll used to describe a group of rabbits) of rabid rabbits swarmed his village. Ruff, situated safely in his high-chair during his daily midnight feeding, was the sole ogre survivor.

From then on (well not exactly at that time, since he was still a baby 'gre), Ruff swore to rid his hollow of any bouncy, fluffy creatures. Tales of Ruff Furstew soon traveled far into lands beyond his own. Apparently those rabbits had earned quite a reputation. Should they crave another encounter, Furstew will be ready.

It's safe to say that Easter never comes to this hallowed hollow.

Illustration Friday - Worn

"Home, Feet, Home"

I figured there would be a lot of entries this week that featured shoes and old people. So I figured I'd double-up and combine the too.

Remember the Little Old Lady that lived in a shoe? She had so much debt that she didn't know what to do. And once all of her kids moved out into their own shoes (with their own financial and arch support), our LOL (Little Old Lady) was left pretty much on her own. To tack on some more brutal sadness, her expenses eventually overtook her meager income, which led to the bank foreclosing on her Shoe. Her soul as worn as her sole, she threw up her hands and gave up.

Walking away barefooted, she vowed to start a new chapter in her life. She'd try to put her best foot forward, and to not step in any of life's droppings. She would tread where she wished and wouldn't be heel to anyone.

Possessions packed partially in shoe boxes, and partially in her oversized purse, LOL moved to Kalamazoo and became Mayor.

Illustration Friday - Drifting

Click click.
Type type.
File file.
Driffffft.

Stamp stamp.
Break break.
Sip sip.
Driffffft.

Look look.
Up up.
There there.
Drift.

One theme I keep going back to is that of how oppressive some jobs can be. Working long hours with little creative flow can stifle a person. I'm sure some wish they could stick their heads in the cool, cool clouds.

As a designer/illustrator, I get to create things on a daily basis. Our creative team thrives in those cool, cool, clouds. It's not an escape. It's home!

Illustration Friday - Unfold

Straining his smallish mind and flexing his biggish muscles, Krogar decided he would play his hand, after all.

The card dealer wisely let him unfold, and finished the round with a nervous tic.

"Three-of-a-Kind beats your High Three." said the dealer.

RIP Harold "Palmy" Palmetto
He dealt to the best;
Is now laid to rest.
It was in the cards.

Illustration Friday - Craving

The Babeknight
During times of chivalry and damsels-in-distress, clashing swords and splintered lances, there quested a tiny hero.

The common-folk (and common-babies) referred to him as the "Babeknight," probably because he was both a baby and a knight.

In times that toddlers terrorized territories, the Babeknight was often called upon to help rid the land of stinky/cranky evil.

In contrast to his cutesy appearance, the Babeknight was actually quite ruthless in his quest for the Sippy Grail. He longed to find it and drink milk from it. He pursued clues for it tirelessly, with except for five naps a day. Though he craved the Grail, his quest never made him power-hungry. Instead, he remained only normally-hungry, on a diet of formula and mashed carrots.

Wielding his rattle-mace, the Babeknight felled many foes (many of them older and larger than himself.) He once fooled King Myron of the Shady Vale (whom was rumored to know the whereabouts of a map to the Grail) by pretending to need a burping. Once the King picked him up and began patting, our valorous knight dealt a swift baby-chop to the King's neck, incapacitating him. The ensuing search did not yield the map; instead, the Babeknight found an ample supply of blankees and hand-sewn rabbit dolls. Oh, happy day! He then had to be changed by a nearby nursemaid.

Oh, and he rode a feline steed. Oh, and the Babeknight is in no way affiliated with the Children's Crusade. No, sir.

Tales of the Babeknight resounded far and wide until the times led the world West. Exploration and over-sea voyages opened new routes and new doors for strange and wondrous tales. Out of these, a new mythical figure arose. With the claiming of new lands in the name of Spain, the Conquistadorable One made his name. But that is a tale for another time.

Illustration Friday - Adapt

Where are the cowboys of yesteryear?

With the West thoroughly explored, one can no longer "go" there, young man. Cowboys have been replaced by shepherd dogs, which were replaced by robot shepherd dogs, which were quickly replaced by super-smart whip-wielding babies.

The true cowboy spirit, however, shall never die out. Hardcore enthusiasts kept the tradition alive by adapting to worldly changes. What's left to explore? Well, the deep sea, of course. Cowscuba riders and beacheros boldly navigated uncharted waters on genetically altered giant-sea-horses (it was deemed most appropriate). Returning from a long day underwater, our adventurers would retire to their coral corrals.

That only whet the appetite of the adapting cowboys, however. The largest "West" still lay ahead. Or, rather, above. Actually, in every direction: SPACE.

They were dubbed Cowbonauts, since "Astroboy" was already taken and legally secured. Since the universe is expanding, their explorations and tales of zero-G derring-do were infinite. Though they embraced many new technologies, cowbonauts were often seen sporting the attire of traditional cowboys of times past. These throwbacks help remind the cowbonauts of their heritage and calling.


Cowbonaut Chantey: "Saddle-ites In Space"
Though-oh-we may have traded colts,
For these buckets full of bolts,
That eat not, want not, drink not- Nay!
But sure still pack a jolt!

:gulp:

And-oh-you may note this as well,
We've ditched that cattle smell,
Which suits us fine (Oh, we don't mind!),
Let's hear that cowboy yell!

:YEEEE-HAW!:

:gulp:

Illustration Friday - Cracked

The Race Across The Rotundra

There's a little-known race that features an even littler-known group of giants referred to as "Der Biggins". In exchange for large quantities of sustenance (mass needs to amass mass to stay massive), Der Biggins agree to participate in the Rotundra Race.

Using bobsleds as skates, Der Biggins are pushed along by four men (two per "skate"). There must be some cooperation between all parties, since guiding any Biggin over a frozen lake would result in, well, mucho crackage. Everyone, including Der Biggins, must be on the lookout for any obstacles in their collective paths.

The race is about thirty miles, or until appetites flare up.

Illustration Friday - Contagious

"Beware of the Zimebie! By far the most deadly of zombie archetypes, the miming undead are a silent threat to the living. They do not emit longing moans for 'brains,' instead simply pantomime their craving for a cranial gray-matter platter.

Be on the lookout for any shambling individuals, especially those wearing berets, striped shirts, black stretch pants or face paint. If you or any of your party were to run out of ammunition or weaponry, quick thinking will allow you to corral the zimebie in an invisible holding pen, or block his path with a barricade of invisible rubble.

May the Force be with you."

See that twist I threw in at the end there? I just introduced zimebies into the Star Wars Expanded Universe! Woo!

Illustration Friday - Parade

As for how I came up with this idea, your guess is as good as mine. Just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Thought Process: "Parade?" I'll draw a fat guy with a chain of rollerbladers in tow!

Seriously, that's it. And I'm not ashamed at all. Well maybe a little. The drawing took about two hours and the photoshop work afterwards about another hour.

I went back to using my brush pen for this entry. I'm still a fan of it, of course. Micron pens for the smaller details. The interesting composition (if you don't think it sucks, of course) is a result of the confines of the moleskine in which it is drawn, haha.

My moleskine is going to be full of strange + interesting little things, isn't it?

Illustration Friday - Hierarchy

Even comic characters can fall upon hard times.

Help a fellow out, won't you?

There's a joke/pun in there if you look for it. You may have to mispronounce something on purpose.

This entry's thought process: My first idea was to draw an old king and a line of unprincely princes behind him, each brandishing some devious sort of weapon. Such as poison, dagger, tennis racket, etc. Each son would be intent on usurping the family member directly ahead of him (in the line to the throne).

But not long after that I decided I wasn't in the mood to draw backstabbers and this pun popped into my head and demanded that it be drawn. And besides, I thought it'd be fun to draw Archie.

Illustration Friday - Theater

Here's my thought process for this week's theme:

After seeing the topic: "Hmmm...meh. This'll be a hard one to come up with something funny."

Later, at lunch: "Ok, what to draw, what to draw. Need to make theatrics funny. Something with acting; a play maybe. Sure. A play. Which play?

Instantly image of Hamlet talking to Yorick's skull pops into mind and I decide: "Done, now how do I make it sillified?"

Famous scene undergoes a role reversal in my head, characters are flopped. I think: "Yep. In watercolor!"

And now I'm picturing an audience comprised of skeletons applauding, my thoughts drowned out by the din of bone hands clanking together.

Oh! And the sound effect to accompany this illustration is "BOOP!" Yes, Skeleton Hamlet is booping Yorick's nose. He knew him well, after all.

Illustration Friday - Impossibility

And they said it couldn't be done, ladies and gentlemen! But Irvine "Wheel N' Deal" Walsh is currently doing it. Oh, he's doing it, alright! Ladies and gentlemen, remove your shoes and prepare to place a foot (or two) in your mouths. But first, please finish that tasty Jumbodog. Wouldn't want to get chili in your toenails, would you?

Wheel N' Deal Walsh has been told it would be impossible to launch his unicycle over seven busses. W&DW (not the shortest way to say his name, I know) has taken this as a personal challenge, despite the previous world record unicycle jump being zero busses.

"I aint sayin imma god or nuthin but if you set them busses up, they will get theirselves jumped. An I'll jump all them nay-sayers right on afterwards. They just askin ta be jumped. Thats the deal an here's the wheel," Walsh said in an interview moments before burning mono-rubber towards the launch ramp.

And now the moment has come, ladies and gentlemen. Wheel N' Deal is off! He's pedaling furiously; gathering speed. LOOK AT THOSE LEGS GO. I've never SEEN acceleration like this come from one man, one wheel before. Golly! One wheel, two legs, folks. There's got to be power somehow in that equation. Double the leg-power, right?

HE'S IN THE AIR! LIFTOFF! Look at him go! He knows he has it! He is giving the audience a show now! He -- this just in: It seems that Ol' Alfonse the farmer has misplaced his prized alligator, Clovis. If anyone has seen an overly large gater roaming about, please report him to the Security Station immediately...

Illustration Friday - Fleeting

For this week's IF theme, Fleeting, I thought I should illustrate some concept that involved actual air or navy fleets.

And then I figured "Heck, might as well draw both kinds of fleets. Fleets? Is that the plural?" Yes, this is an actual thought transcript, I think.

And then I decided to add "a fleeting thought" to the concept to double things up. How could I mix all of these things together? And, might I add, much more random flying/swimming things, such as a pirate ship and an Arwing from the Starfox series. Yes, I did just mention Starfox.

Lately I've been looking back at old characters I've created. I decided that my illustration would involve my old inventor, from my animation Invent that I hand-drew and put together my senior year of college. He would have just thought of what would be his crowning invention, the pinnacle of all his years tinkering away, when everything else inside of his head decides against it and wrecks his thought. Thus, deconstructing his grand idea into a fleeting memory.

I never gave him a name. I'll name him now. I think he should be called Dr. Mattias Emory.

What the name means to me: Well, I was really looking for a inventorly name, first off. Then I wanted to play upon the theme that was present in the animation and in this illustration: Even great minds, which can invent the most wondrous things, are susceptible to ailments (such as memory loss).

So I wanted to, of course, play with the word "memory." Which led to M. Emory.

I initially picked "Mattias" because i thought it fit his face and character, and upon looking up the origin/definition, it says it means "Gift of God," which is actually the most perfect fit. Dr. Emory is a creator, after all.

Haha, I'm really pleased with how that name exercise worked out, especially since it was my first stab and took less than a minute.

Hope you enjoy the illustration and the concept!

Illustration Friday - Tallies Man

You know, I really should stop having someone verbally tell me the theme for Illustration Friday. I heard "Tallies Man" when, come to find out a little too late, the theme was "Talisman!"

Oh well! It phonetically fits the theme.

As you can see, I love throwing a fun little concept into my illustrations. Please feel free to make your own story for the illustration and post it as a comment!

Here's mine:

For reasons unknown, Ansel, at age five, developed an obsession with keeping tallies.

He kept track of everything: how many people he has met, number of meals eaten outdoors, number of times he turned left, how many black cats crossed his path, how many white dogs crossed his path, how many paths crossed other paths, the number of times he's heard someone say "Good day." He kept tallies for the total number of hiccups he's had in his life, as well as sneezes in his vicinity. He's recorded how many times he's lost at Tic-Tac-Toe and won at Paper-Rock-Scissors. The list goes on.

He even has a master tally for number of tallies kept.

So, you can imagine why his neighbors and friends call Ansel the "Talliesman," right?

The illustration above shows him keeping track of his age. Hope you enjoyed this entry!

Illustration Friday - Poise

Instantly, upon seeing that this week's Illustration Friday theme was "Poise," I knew that I'd be drawing a ballerina. Probably because women tiptoeing around in frills and tights is the perfect example of the subject.

And so, that being decided, I moved on to the second part of my thought process:

"What can a ballerina be doing that is unballerina-ish? Probably bending over to pick up something silly. Like a dollar."

So for about two minutes I was thinking about drawing a ballerina gracefully picking up a dollar. But then the afterburners on my thought process kicked in and demanded that she pickpocket some old rich guy. Done. This is the single-most graceful pocket picking ever.

Sidenote: I had considered drawing an old-school robber eye-mask on her, but nixed that thought because it might detract from her poise.

Second Sidenote: It was a happy accident that our lovely ballerina is gracefully ducking under a lit cigar. I pencilled everything out and then inked the illustration, and THEN saw that.

<3 happy accidents.

Illustration Friday - Sub Track

Wow, I'm pretty excited that I finished this in time to post it! After all, I did the illustration specifically for this week's Illustration Friday theme, Sub Track. Phew, what a relief!

Wait a second....

The theme was Subtract???!?!? NOOOOOOOOOO!

[I've hijacked the theme; please enjoy the ride.]

;)