Never Happy. Everyday Things# 41.
Thank You. Just wanted to thank those who came out to say "hi" this past Sunday for the
Word On The Street event at Library Square.
Word On The Street event at Library Square.
Hot Type. A burnt out neon sign for a corner grocery store. Vancouver, BC.
Lost Courage. I loved abondoned buildings when I was a kid. Everyday Things# 40.
Full Script. Nothing like beautiful script type. Vancouver, BC.
All that remains. Who among us have not inhaled our lover's clothes. Everyday Things# 39.
Surprise G. It's a magical experience when you go for a walk and stumble upon nice type.
This lovely letter was found in Seattle, Washington.
This lovely letter was found in Seattle, Washington.
Book signing. This coming Sunday ( August 24th, 2008) I'll be at the Comix & Stories event. This year it's hosted by the Vancouver Art Gallery. I'll be selling my new book and giving away some cool postcards. Admission is Free!
If you can't make it, I'll be participating at the annual Word On The Street on Sunday, September 28th.
If you don't live in Vancouver, then order the book directly from my virtual comix rack!
If you don't live in Vancouver, then order the book directly from my virtual comix rack!
Desktop art. Now you too can own some of my art. I've created a desktop that you can download and put on your Mac or PC.
For small displays here is 1024 x 768 version, click here or for higher display sizes, here is a 2560 x 1600 resolution.
Just click on the picture to download. If you use it, take a screen shot of your desktop. I'd love to see it on someone else's computer. Here it is on my 24" imac.
Volume 2. The book is now available. More sad and magical moments. You can purchase it by going to the Comics section of this web site.
Warmly recommended. A very nice review of my work on the Pretty Fakes web site. I am very grateful to them for taking the time to review my comics.
David B in Seattle. One of the giants of European comics, French artist David B, had an art opening at the Fantagraphics bookstore in Seattle, Washington, USA.
David B's beautiful art on display. It's always an incredible experience to see original art.
It was hot inside the gallery/store yet David B generously sat there not just signing books, but drawing in every single book for the fans.
He did some incredible drawings in each book. It was a pleasure to watch him draw.
He used a Pentel brush pen. I use the same pen, but I'll never even come close to drawing something that incredible with the same pen.
I wish my French was better so I could have talked to him.
August type party. Went to a dinner party on 08/08/08. These blocks of wooden type were on the table. Good thing I got my camera working again.
People we avoid. A true story. Everyday Things number 38.
Chocolate type. I love packaging. This was taken while waiting for my plane in Amsterdam.
Everyday Things. The pencils and inks for #37. I've recently had ankle surgery, and this comic is making me miss running.
Go out for a short jog. Do it for me.
Go out for a short jog. Do it for me.
In need of a wash.This lovely sign is around the corner from my home. Never been inside, but the sign brings me a great deal of comfort when I'm waiting for the bus.
Shit Hole
www.maidenhousefly.com5.5 x 8.5 inches
32 pages $3.50
I personally love anything Corinne Mucha creates. I discovered her work a couple of years ago by reading her great mini, I lived in Alaska and have been a fan ever since. I enjoy her art style and her sense of humour is incredible. This mini-comic tells the story of her first apartment. Corinne writes that ironically, she did not have a place to live while she wrote the majority of this comic. Go to her web site and check out her work. Order some books so she can keep paying the rent on her current place. I hope she comes out with more books because I really enjoy her work.
Mario's Lament (cont). Finally finished inking the four page story I have been working on. In total, it took me four days to complete from script to final pages. That's a record for me.
This story will first appear in an anthology for Comix & Stories next month, but it will also appear in a future project of mine.
This story will first appear in an anthology for Comix & Stories next month, but it will also appear in a future project of mine.
Mario's Lament. In two days, I have written a script, did the thumbnails, and pencilled a four page story. I'm really excited about it, because it's been years since I did a story that was longer than one page and it's not for my Everyday Things strip. It's for a new long awaited Broken Fender book. I'll start inking it tomorrow and see how long it takes to finish. I would like to have it done in a week's time.
Room 6. More found type from my trip to Morocco. This was taken in the port town of Essaouira. This small town South of Casablanca has been a beach destination among Moroccans for several decades. This was my room while I stayed there. Incredible place.
Dead Letter. I scanned this from my sketchbook and for fun, I decided to colour it in Photoshop.
I really suck at digital coloring, this is why I stick with just duotones. Had fun playing around with the brushes though.
I really suck at digital coloring, this is why I stick with just duotones. Had fun playing around with the brushes though.
Squidhead Sunday Had the honour to show my artwork and sell some comics on the Vancouver Art Gallery grounds. The gallery allowed three other artists, Gabriel Frizzera, Mike Myhre, Critty Riphick, and myself to display our stuff inside and around the art piece titled Squidhead. Met some really nice people and had some beer money at the end of the show.
My next appearance will be August 24 back here at the Art Gallery for the Comix & Stories event.
Quick drawing sent a sketch to a reader, glad I scanned it for myself before I sealed the envelope.
Everyday Things. #36. Each time you take a flight, just re-create yourself.
Meet me at Squidhead. For those that live in Vancouver, I'll be sitting inside this vehicle drawing and selling my books on July 13th from noon to 4pm. The installation is called Squidhead and it's part of the Vancouver Art Gallery. I'm participating in an offshoot of the KRAZY! The Delirious World of Anime + Comics + Video Games + Art exhibition.
I'll be there with other local cartoonists. Stop by and say "hello".
I'll be right back at the Art Gallery on August 24th for the annual Comix & Stories. Usually held at Heritage Hall on Main street, this year, the Art Gallery is contributing with the exhibition space. More detail on that event as the date approaches.
I'll be there with other local cartoonists. Stop by and say "hello".
I'll be right back at the Art Gallery on August 24th for the annual Comix & Stories. Usually held at Heritage Hall on Main street, this year, the Art Gallery is contributing with the exhibition space. More detail on that event as the date approaches.
Everyday Things. The pencils and inks for #35. Some of us keep letters and make the mistake of re-reading them.
I was trying different colour schemes here, but I realized I like blue the best. I actually like the pencils better than the final inks.
I was trying different colour schemes here, but I realized I like blue the best. I actually like the pencils better than the final inks.
Hidden and found type. I'm always keeping my eyes open for old painted advertisements on walls. It's soon becoming a lost part of our surroundings. This was tucked away by the central bus and train terminal here in Vancouver. When I first moved here, ten years ago, I could see these signs around the city, but with the staggering proportions of high rise condos being built, a lot of those signs are gone along with the buildings that had them.
Meet me at the Sylvia Hotel. This gorgeous sign is located here in Vancouver, right by the beach. I have always loved this sign. I once went into the restaurant, but it was really sad compared to the beautiful sign outside.
Everyday Things. The pencils and inks for #34. What kid didn't make a time capsule.
Everyday Things #33
Old buildings and soup are quite comforting. Really like the way I drew the can-opener.
Old buildings and soup are quite comforting. Really like the way I drew the can-opener.
Nus Nus sil vous plait. This gorgeous elixir was enjoyed in Marakesh,Morocco. It's half a shot of dark roast coffee and milk. They call it Nus Nus.
Recently took a month long holiday in Morocco and Spain. I came back with the mindset that I want to do less work stuff and work more on my art. I tend to take on so many projects, at the sacrifice of my own time and creativity. Now I want to just draw more, and work on some personal projects. Here are some more pics I took in Morocco.
Recently took a month long holiday in Morocco and Spain. I came back with the mindset that I want to do less work stuff and work more on my art. I tend to take on so many projects, at the sacrifice of my own time and creativity. Now I want to just draw more, and work on some personal projects. Here are some more pics I took in Morocco.
Essaouira blend. Another fine coffee. This one was had for breakfast with crepes, olives, and amlou (a spread made of local argan oil, almond and honey).
Poultry Sign. Lot's of beautiful colours and art. This was a market in M'Hamid, Morocco. Just so you know they sell chicken there, they did the drawings.
Lot's of Tile. All hand cut. I had a chance to go to a tile craft shop. It was incredible. I wanted to bring this heavy wall back with me....
Caffeinated Neon. Saw many variations of this sign all over Morocco. I of course am a sucker for coffee cups. I made sure I drank lot's of coffee. I did have the mint tea as well.
Shaved Type2. Lot's of opportunities for found type in this country. There were many beautiful barber shops with lovely hand painted signs. I got my hair cut at one an even got an old fashioned shave.
Sweet Type. Lovely designed box for one of the oldest and best bakeries in Casablanca.
Clay Room. This was the sign above my sleeping quarters in M'Hamid, Morocco. The entire building was made of mud and hay. It barely rains near the Sahara so the walls were strong.
Butane Bear. Saw this great sing at a gas station on my way to the Sahara desert. By then, I was fixated with the beauty of Arabic type.
Hammam. Hand painted sign for a hammam (traditional bathhouse) in Casablanca, Morocco. Every town has at least one hammam. Often there are separate hammams for men and women, while others are open to either sex at different hours or on alternate days. Bring your own towels.
Creative Cut. Simple and so beautiful. M'Hamid, Morocco.
R.I.P Calculus Gnome. This little guy went everywhere with me when I travelled. He's easy to carry and non-breakable. I always got a laugh when my bag was x-rayed and they would pull me aside to check it. It was always Calculus Gnome's fault. They couldn't figure his silhoutte. This was his last picture. I took it in the Amsterdam airport before I flew to Morocco. I lost him in Casablanca. I was really sad for three days. I still miss that dude. At least now I can say, that there are gnomes in Morocco.
Alarmed Chef. Lovely drawing on a wall in Barcelona, Spain. Love the colours. He looks so regal.
Heroes Art. Happened to arrive in Barcelona a couple of days before the International Comic con. It was four days of comics. Bought some good stuff and it was really nice to see how many people of all age and genders were really loving the comics scene. I wish it was like this in North America. Some of Tim Sale's original artwork for the TV series, Heroes, was on display. Along with the work of one of my recent favourite artists, David Rubin.
Luchadoras
www.peggy-adam.com24x17 cm.
70 pages
One of the most amazing purchases at the Barcelona International Comic Con was this book by French cartoonist, Peggy Adam. Her work immediately caught my eye. Fortunately, I can read Spanish. It was translated from the French version. Her work reminded me of Gilbert Hernandez (co-creator of Love and Rockets comics) and Marjane Satrapi (creator of Persepolis). Ms. Adam's book is her take on the 600 missing women in the city of Juarez, Mexico. This book is beautifully drawn and the story is very powerful. If you read French, you can get the book at Amazon.fr. Highly worth having.
Travel Tales. Everyday Things# 32.
The pencils and the final inks.
The pencils and the final inks.
Shaved Type. Walking down Main street in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Descender and Ascender. There is a great storefront next to a barber shop ( below) that specializes in repairing and selling old jukeboxes and arcade games. This particular photo is from one of the games by the window. I just love how the logo plays with descenders and ascenders. Especially the letter "N". In typography, an ascender is the portion of a letter in a Latin-derived alphabet that extends above the mean line of a font. That is, the part of the letter that is taller than the font's x-height. The x-height is the height of the lower case letter x in the font (which is where the terminology came from). Lowercase letters whose height is greater than the x-height either have descenders which extend below the baseline, such as y, g, q, and p, or have ascenders which extend above the x-height, such as l, k, b, and d.
This particular letter "N" has been designed with a descender and then the ascender merges with the letter "S". Yeah, I'm being a real type geek here, but for those that love type, this is eye catching.
This particular letter "N" has been designed with a descender and then the ascender merges with the letter "S". Yeah, I'm being a real type geek here, but for those that love type, this is eye catching.
Shaved Type. Walking down Main street in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Where's my man Friday? Everyday Things 31.
I was inspired to write and draw this particular story after reading Daniel Defoe's book, Robinson Crusoe, which was first published in 1719 and sometimes regarded as the first novel in English.
I was inspired to write and draw this particular story after reading Daniel Defoe's book, Robinson Crusoe, which was first published in 1719 and sometimes regarded as the first novel in English.
Always Gorgeous on the Weekend. Passing by on the weekend, this lovely type caught my eye. I don't know what they make at this place, but the logo is strong, beautiful, and memorable. Sounds like I'm describing a person.
Writer's Block. Everyday Things 30. Wrote and drew this after reading an article on how some people get nightmares after eating before bed.
My Mac! After eight years with my reliable 867 Mhz Quicksilver Mac, I decided it was time to purchase a new machine. I have always purchased towers, but this time I chose an all-in one machine. So far, I'm enjoying the large screen and the speed.
Quick draw. A quick sketch I made for a reader who purchased my books. I never really know what to draw, but sometimes the result turns out pretty good. Fortunately, I remembered to scan it before I sent it off.
Everyday Things number 29.
Fresh Cup Always a good way to start the new year.
Been out of reach for months. Hopefully I can get back on track with the updates. Wanted to thank all of those people who have supported my art and comics this past year. I have some exciting projects this coming year and I'll be sharing them as they progress. 2007 was a great year for me, with so many creative opportunities. I'm looking forward to this year. More travel, more stories to write and this month, I'm buying a new computer. Quite exciting for me since my computer is 8 years old.
Been out of reach for months. Hopefully I can get back on track with the updates. Wanted to thank all of those people who have supported my art and comics this past year. I have some exciting projects this coming year and I'll be sharing them as they progress. 2007 was a great year for me, with so many creative opportunities. I'm looking forward to this year. More travel, more stories to write and this month, I'm buying a new computer. Quite exciting for me since my computer is 8 years old.
Another installment of Everyday Things. Number 28.
Another installment of Everyday Things. Number 27.
Everyday Things. Number 26.