Life is good.

Especially when you're drawing French maids:



I cruised Mulholland highway last weekend and it was awesome. Lots of beautiful scenery and interesting places. I'm DEFINITELY going back to the Rock Store (and if I'm dared enough, I'll try the haunted steak joint).



The highway ends at PCH, across from Leo Carrillo state beach. I had my board shorts, sunscreen and sketchbook ready. (Beach sketching could be habit-forming. Better get in as much as I can before summer's gone.)


More art later!
Cheers!

Turning a wrench:

With my show being on hiatus for two months, I've been taking some time to clean out the garage and fix up some things. Enjoy this little mechanical distraction from all things art-related:

I bought a cop bike from a public auction a LONG time ago. I ran around with all the police stuff on it (and re-wired the lights to flash - don't tell anyone) but I got bored with the look. So I've been changing it around over the years. It's been off the street for way too long (and my other bike is getting creeped out sharing garage space with a two-wheeled cadaver) so I'm getting the old cruiser back on her feet.

Here's a couple of greasy "before" pics of the carburetors that needed to be rebuilt. After sitting for so long, the gasoline just gelled the soft parts together and I had to replace LOTS of stuff.

Floats and Needles: (could almost be a kid's board game... well, I guess it was mine in a way.)



A tidier "after" pic of nice, clean carbs:


And here's where they go, right behind the engine:


I repainted the tank, fenders and body plastic and I'm pretty pleased with the look so far.



Next steps? Changing out that big-booty seat, headlight and mirrors. Think I'll surf over to ebay for a bit...

Comic-Con 2008

It was a blast! Allow me to jump right into it-

Here's a couple shots of my booth; selling Hard 8 (volumes 1 & 2) and promoting the upcoming release of my graphic novel: B-Movie Starlets.




These are the concept pieces that were on display:






This is the rough version of the T-shirt (and cover for the "Art of" sketchbook)



These were some of the original sketches I drew at the booth. I've only got one of them left and there are others I didn't take pictures of before selling them.

My poor children are gone forever.






All in all, it was a great show! Thanks to everybody who came out and showed their support! B-Movie Starlets: Book 1 will be out next year along with Hard 8: Volume 3!

And finally, some stuff from the sketchbook:






...?

Hard 8 at the Con!

Hard 8: Volume One & Two on sale!!



More Con details here:
http://www.comic-con.org

'nuff said!
(Oh, I'm gonna get sued.)

So stop on by, take off your stormtrooper helmet and say "Hi" to the guys (and gals) of Hard 8!

Derby Mayhem!

I went to the Roller Derby for the first time last month and it was simply awesome! This is now my favorite sporting event. But not just because of the action on the track. The atmosphere - the VIBE - was the selling point.
It was a Punk/GenX/Psychobilly blend that made me feel like I was back in my Mom's house and all my old Smiths and Talking Heads cassettes were magically there again (but not in a horribly depressing way). The crowd was MY crowd. The track announcers were hilarious and at halftime, there was a live concert by a band who was obviously influenced by GWAR and Green Jello.
I had found my lost tribe. :P
I was so psyched by the event, I wanted to give more than the price of admission.
So here's a promotional poster I did for them. (derbydolls.com)

Go and be changed forever!

Public display of aggression

Last Saturday was international pillow fight day!
http://www.pillowfightlosangeles.com/
The plan was to sketch these folks in action, but on the way there, I was delayed by an enormous waterslide.
Fortunately, there was still plenty happening when I arrived.



Everybody had a great time and I'm happy to report that there weren't any casualties.


...well, except for the pillows.


After the feathery riot was over, our group walked to a smoothie place at the base of Angel's Flight. Here's the view from a comfortable shaded chair.


So about the slide. It was a commercial shoot for Dodge that involved well-dressed actors and an inflatable gorilla. I can't believe I'm saying it but I really want to see this commercial now.
Stumbling upon the waterslide was pretty surreal and I was really split with indecision.
'Do I stay and watch people slide down 4th street or do I travel on and watch an enormous pillow fight?'
Fortunately, I was able to choose both!




I wasn't kidding about the gorilla. This is the luckiest guy in the world.


And I noticed that people are really cool when you tell them you're Peter Parker from the Daily Bugle.


What am I going to do next weekend to top THIS?

Thursday warmup

Just a quickie concept.

Random!

There's been a lot going on lately, so I'll just dive right into it:

I went to Sierra Madre on Saturday to visit "Beantown". Had breakfast there and had a relaxing morning. There's live music in the evenings, so I'll definitely be going back! Like my other cafe sketches, I'll be doing the tone work in Photoshop.



"Blues Guitarist" was the theme at Drawing Club last Thursday. The model was great and I was privileged to hear Led Zeppelin (mostly) non-stop. Some might call this torture, but only because I was singing along. These are my better sketches:






And finally, the last page of my "Summer 2007" sketchbook. It's filled up ALREADY! I figured a sunset would be appropriate.

Monday warmup

So followin' good advice, I relaxed a bit this weekend and finished watchin' Firefly.
Quite an entertainin' series and I'm a mite 'plexed as ta why they'd pull the old plug. I'm supposin' the show had a way 'a getting into a person's mindset.

Maybe more than a just a little.

March!

... and march quickly. February is spent.
I've been super busy lately with B-Movie Starlets, life drawing and extra classes. Here's a quick sampler of activity:

A lunchtime cafe sketch from two weeks ago. This is another visit to Romancing the Bean in downtown Burbank.



This is Java Joe's in Santa Barbara. The weather was gloomy, but there were people everywhere. ESPECIALLY in the coffee shops.



Tonal values pending on these. I want to give them a monochromatic Photoshop treatment.


Wednesday night life drawing at the Lynn Studio.
Eight bucks will get you three hours, coffee, and a very stiff drawing horse.
Mental note: Bring a cushion next time.





Cheers to another productive month!