Pics from Comic Con

Sure it's supposed to be about comics at Comic Con (not really) but they had two of the coolest vehicles there from my childhood- the Batmobile and Speed Racer's Mach 5.

Gotta pimp 'em.

Y'know what? I might as well do some of my students some good here on my blog. Above is my up and coming Independent Study student, Wayne Porter and his work. He's seriously thinking about diving into the matte painting world and seeing if he can strike a fortune there. Wayne's busted some butt this summer doing this stuff on the side and emailing me pics (little does he know I try to have somewhat of a normal life during the non-teaching months!). Wayne seems to have the moxie and drive to do this too. Lemme know what you think or better yet, go check out his blog. He could use the feedback and could use a job in a few months too.

Mark Ryden book

This is another great book I picked up in San Diego that I think is noteworthy. It's by famed illustrator extraordinaire, Mark Ryden. I nearly forgot about it because it's so dinky in the big stash of books I brought back. I got this book from Stuart Ng (http://www.stuartngbooks.com/) at his booth- which was filled with all sorts of first editions, signed copies and all sorts of literary and visual jewels. Mark Ryden's great style, business savvy and cool art have most definitely propelled him to the top of the big illustration heap right now.

The nice guy that I am- I loaned it out to a colleague of mine Don Kilpatrick. If the pages come back sticky, drool filled or missing, there will be hell to pay! Enjoy it now Don... but I do expect it back soon, intact and in immaculate condition!

Wendy Froud

I met Wendy Froud last year at the Comic Con and presented her with a centennial pin from CCS. Our school where her parents taught and where she cut her teeth had just celebrated its 100th year. Her family's contributions to the school are amazing and far too numerous to list. She is by far one of CCS' most celebrated alums and probably one of the most famous.

On top of all the acclaim, she's one heckuva great person to hang with and friendly as can be. Her husband Brian and son, Tobey are also wonderful people as well. It was wonderful spending a few moments at Comic Con with them.

Greg Preston's amazing book

While perusing through Stuart Ng's great book section at the Comic Con, not only did I get a chance to meet Greg Preston but I also had him autograph his amazing book to me. We talked for a bit as we both stood in line for some other books and I was amazed at how lavish his book was. He took fifteen years to photograph some of the industry leaders in comic books and entertainment including Jack Kirby, Mike Allred, Mike Mignola, Alex Ross, Jim Lee, Gary Baseman, Frank Cho, Marie Severin, Moebius and an entire cavalcade of luminaries. Out of the many people that he took photos of, many have sadly passed away but there about 80+ still with us and about 60+ were at the Con. Sadly I didn't get a chance to go around and get many autographs of those people but I'm hoping to lug this book out next year and snag as many signatures as I can. Every year we'll lose a few more talented and gifted people from the industry; wonderfully so Greg Preston has taken us into so many of these creative geniuses' studios for a glimpse of their workspaces. Beautiful photographs!!!

Xaime Hernandez at San Diego Comic Con

Xaime Hernandez and his brother Gilbert have been producing some of the most gorgeously drawn B/W comics in ages. These guys seriously know how to draw great looking women with realistic attitudes and expressions. I had a chance to meet them both at the Comic Con, talked to them for a bit and could help but pick up a signed copy of The Girl from H.O.P.P.E.R.S.

Back from the mountains AND the coast.

Of course photos will be forthcoming, but a quick update since I'm back now. I've spent two glorious weeks back in my home province of Alberta and I also spent one grueling week in San Diego doing the Comic Con. I even went up to LA, meandered there visiting old students (that are now climbing the big ladders in the industry) and shopping for tiki. Needless to say my internal clock is still a few hours off and I still haven't gotten back into my Michigan mode yet.

And school starts up in a few more weeks? Egads!

Comic Con

In a few weeks, I'll be attending the San Diego Comic Convention again (http://www.comic-con.org/). It's always a great time. I get to bump into old friends and check out some really cool stuff such as artwork, toys, new art supplies, books, books, and more books. I'll also be talking to prospective students for CCS as well. What makes this year's convention really interesting for me is that I've also invited a handful of recent grads and a few students to San Diego. Some of these folks are accustomed to comic conventions (not to the size of this one though) but some aren't.

The above artwork is my take or observation on just some of the people that attend this convention. I figured I'd at least let the comic convention virgins know who they're liable to bump into. For the most part, most of these convention people are harmless and actually have a lot of fun at these shows. One has to applaud them for their bravery & courage for dressing like this in public too! Also if it wasn't for these sort of rabid fans, our industry would be kaput.

Big Sonic Heaven

I've been a huge fan of Darren Revell's choice of music for what seems like eons now.

And like it says on their website...

Big Sonic Heaven is a radio show on Indie 103.1 playing ethereal, dream-pop, electronic, shoegaze, electro-pop, deep alternative, etc… Big Sonic Heaven airs Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday nights from 10p-12m (PST). Hosted, programmed and produced by Darren Revell. Originally broadcast from 1995-2003 in Detroit now makes it’s Los Angeles debut. Listen to Indie 103.1 FM and on-line at indie1031.com.

Again, it's that eclectica that I like. He's not afraid to play an odd mix of old, new, funky, techno and then some. Thank goodness for internet radio so I can at least listen to some of this stuff.

It just makes me wonder with the loss of true eclectic free form radio that it's one of the reasons for the rise in satellite radio services (you guys can check out my sadness about the passing of Detroit's last bastion of that form of free radio on some of my earlier posts).

Mid-June already?

Wow... where has time gone? I could've swore it was just like yesterday that I was helping students hang their senior shows and dealing with all of those graduate insecurities that hit this time of year. Needless to say for those of you that know me, I've been out there hustling up work from every third source. I just got done doing a huge rush project for Microsoft & Ford Motor Company (among other things) and I'm about to dive into another huge Toyota project this week. I'm not one to sit back and relax easily; I thoroughly enjoy what I do for a living and can barely fathom calling it a job at times.

Promos & samples

From time to time I get all sorts of phone calls to submit samples of work to art directors and such. I generally try to ask if there's a particular genre of stuff that they're looking for and I try to send samples of stuff that fit more accurately towards what they're trying to shoot for. To me that's just smart marketing. Above are a few of the samples that I just sent out to an art director in Texas. With any luck I'll hit the mark and start working for them soon. We'll see.

I couldn't be more proud

Earlier tonight was graduation at CCS and I couldn't be more proud of my students. They've stepped across to being peers and alums now. Not only have they refined their visual voices but they've also stepped it up as good human beings. Here are Mike Maher, Kitty Crawford, Annie Tanalski & Jessica Crump (on behalf of the graduating class) presenting our department administrator, Terry with a token of their appreciation. They've done good and I hold the strongest of convictions that these good people will continue to do good, not just in their fields but as human beings. My hats off to this year's graduating class.

Pause & a respite

After weeks upon weeks of just getting pummeled upon with an ungodly amounts of storyboard work, I finally manage to squeeze out a split second to catch my breath. Not only are some of my students graduating in a few hours, but I'm also off to attend a graduation over the weekend as well.

I've been at school most of the evening helping my grads hang their senior shows. While I'm dismayed at their procrastination, I completely understand their reluctance as well. As they hang their show, it's their last obligation to the school. It signals a new unknown chapter of their lives. A few will go off to graduate school whereas the rest will slowly meander out into society and try to make something of their degrees. Some have already found success, some are interviewing, some will take some time to find their niche and I'm sure some will get disillusioned and not go into the Illustration field at all. I wish them all well. I sincerely hope each and everyone of them finds some measure of satisfaction in their lives. And for their brief time in college, I hope they had as much fun as I did when I was there as well.

I hope that I was somehow testimony to them that it can be done. And as hard as I work, I also take the time to kick back from time to time and enjoy life as well. I hope that maybe a few of them will be brave enough to take the eight weeks off to go explore; I've lectured endlessly on this point as it was my only regret after leaving college. For some of these people they've been in the academic cycle for over 17 years (come next Fall when they don't have to go back to school for them will be strange indeed). Most of them have struggled to a certain degree and have reaped the rewards of their hard work.

As I get ready to catch my breath for a split second (and do the meet & greet with their families), I hope that my students will take a chance to catch their breaths and reflect upon their accomplishments as well. As a visual artist, the journey never ends- but it never hurts to slow down, step back just to see what you've accomplished.

Deadline hell

There's just something slightly wrong about being on deadline and it's sunny and gorgeous outside.

The Importance of Ceremony

I just got back from my goddaughter's Comfirmation ceremony today and I couldn't be more proud of her. I've been grinning like a cheshire cat all day thinking about those many years ago that I held her fragile little self in the church as she got baptized. Being a godparent has been one of the highest honors I've ever been bestowed. To see her recognized in her church as a full member is gratifying. Her mother says that technically my duty to her (raising her Catholic in the event something should have happened to her parents) is now done that she's achieved her Confirmation. Fat chance; I'd like to think that my godfatherly duties will never end and she'd be an integral part of my life for as long as I shall live.

I've also been espousing to one of my classes about their impending graduation and how vital it is that they attend. They've earned every bit of pomp, cimcumstance and honor that a graduation ceremony provides. They need to sit through all of those various speakers, see all of the guests get their honorary degrees and ultimately hike across that stage to receive that diploma from our school. My students owe it to their friends, family and loved ones for all the years of support that they've received. Those scant seconds across that stage is one of the most gratifying things a proud parent can see their child do.

Did I need to attend my goddaughter's Confirmation? Did I need to attend my collegiate graduation 20 years ago? Do I really need to attend any event, function or ceremony? Technically no but how unfulfilling would that be? I wouldn't have felt this wave of pride if I didn't see my goddaughter confirmed. My parents would have been saddened to see my diploma arrive in the mail. And even the sad ceremonies- such as funerals... they give credence to our existence here on Earth. Ceremonies are a way to put a timestamp on our lifespan; it's a landmark to which we can all latch onto.

A very wise friend of mine once said that life is but a bunch of good memories. I agree. Why not stop and pay homage to our lives? Even in great sadness people can be proud of where they've come from. And more importantly in moments of great happiness like my goddaughter's ceremony and graduation, we really need to cherish our accomplishments and our very existence.

I've already got some great memories to cherish and plan on making plenty more good memories.