Timmy Tumbleweed

When I should be sleeping, I'm putzing around with silly artses like below. After work, a fat nap can throw one's reason off kilter and a person can make existential b-day cards for oneself. Thirty-six approaches like gila monsters grimacing across the scorching wastes...

ELEVATE MUSIC final

ROLLER DERBY: Fistmas in July

Samurai study sketch

ELEVATE MUSIC final sketch

Here's a logo I'm doing for Ato (pronounced like Otto), a co-worker, and his hip-hop group, Elevate Music. This is just a rough final sketch done with Pitt brush pen, Microns, Prismacolor markers, and white acrylic ink and brush. 

I had fun with this one because I'd never done graffiti artwork before. The book below is full of sweet, old school graffiti art from the 80s and helped me figure some stuff out. 

I'll post the final when it's done. Cheers!

STAR CITY HARDCORE

Nothing Shocking

My Pop is an electrician. He got a new work van the other week.

I got inspired to throw down some signage for me Pappy's new van. Dig?

SAMURAI CINEMA!

Above, Unosuke (Tatsuya Nakadai) and Sanjuro (Toshiro Mifune) square off in Yojimbo. 

Who says you can't bring a 'knife' to a gunfight?

Below, Sanjuro Kuwabatake (Toshiro Mifune) scratches out a scruffy scheme.

Above, the path Ryunosuke Tsukue (Tatsuya Nakadai) carves in The Sword of Doom.

Below, the stealthy and notorious Ishikawa Goemon (Raizo Ichikawa) in Shinobi No Mono.

Above, Sanjuro Tsubaki (Toshiro Mifune) rests while rascals roust about in Sanjuro.

Below, Ogami Itto (Tomisaburo Wakayama) and Diagoro (Akihiro Tomikawa), otherwise known as 'Lone Wolf and Cub.'

Above, the Lone Wolf and Cub, living the lives of demons.

Below, the icy beauty of Yuki Kashima (Meiko Kaji) otherwise known as Lady Snowblood (Shurayukihime.) Revenge is a dish best served cold.

So, no art to show as yet. But I've been restocking my grey matter with plenty of choice goodies. Allow me to explain...

SAMURAI CINEMA!!!

In an effort to gain accuracy in costumes, culture, architecture, landscapes and the like, I've been watching lots of Japanese gems. Let the countdown begin!

1. Yojimbo

2. Sanjuro

3. Lone Wolf & Cub: Sword of Vengeance

4. Lone Wolf & Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx

5. Lone Wolf & Cub: Baby Cart in Hades

6. Lone Wolf & Cub: Baby Cart in Peril

7. Sword of Doom

8. Lady Snowblood

9. Shinobi No Mono

And more are coming my way!

good peeps

no pictures. just words.

i'm gonna keep this in the informal non-caps that i can just throw down. please excuse.

basically this blog is an appreciation of some of the people that i call friends. and i'll actually narrow it down to someone that i admire and appreciate for his particular brand of friendship.

this shout out goes to Patrick Godfrey. he's good peeps. genuinely.

i've got to say that Patrick's level of honesty is justified, non-bullshitting, and even-tempered. this isn't to say that he is stone-faced and unapproachable. Patrick has a demeanor that has certainly been forged by the experiences of his life, that is he has learned from those experiences and makes them count by exercising the wisdom gained from those lessons.

it is a misfortune that many don't operate on this same level. much to Patrick's credit his integrity is well intact, as far as i've witnessed. and i have no reason to believe otherwise.

the reason for this appreciation stems from a meeting that we had this evening. i met with Patrick to express my regrets and misgivings about having to pull out of the Team 8 Press Creator Showcase comic. the reason being that my job (having nothing to do with my degree or interests) has pretty much been handing me my ass on a daily basis. by the time i get home i have no creative energy left and can barely draw and/or read. i'm not cool with this and i'm trying to work life into a semblance of satisfying productivity.

having been unemployed for 4 months while finishing up school in december 2007 took its toll on me and i'm only just now crawling out from under that rock. i wasn't receiving unemployment b/c i couldn't actively seek employment with my school schedule so i was forced to borrow money, a practice i'm almost too proud to do. hence i've been working a job since mid january that isn't creative in the sense that counts for me. and it's draining.

i'm working toward creative expressions regardless but as i've mentioned before this flow is a weak trickle by day's end. i'm still trying to grow as an artist b/c i'm ever critical of my ability, skill, and techniques not to mention my overall headspace as an artist. i have so much to learn and i aspire to be better always.

Patrick recognizes and empathizes with these things with earnest clarity. for that i'm appreciative. moreover i'm grateful for his faith in my ability as an artist despite my sharp inward eye.

so my thanks to P.G. he's good peeps.

ROLLER DERBY: Ft. Myers Roller Derby Bout