sept 04-18 2005

sept.04.05

the Lark post

I've got a slew of things I forgot to mention last week that I think you guys and gals will be interested in hearing.

First of all, the issue of Cap that I helped out on came out Wednesday! Sorry for the confusion: I thought November was the official date. No wonder we were on a time crunch!

Anyway, it's Captain America #9, but don't look for my name because unfortunately the penciller couldn't get a credit for me. Which I really don't mind; it was such a thrill to see it in print yesterday that I could care less!

Here are the pages that I inked (I was really just assisting him, not taking over the whole book):

full pages: 4, 5, 6, 7 (except panel 5), 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 18, 19, 20
backgrounds only: 16, 17

So why is this "the Lark post?" For starters, the award-winning and damn talented Michael Lark was the penciller who allowed me to assist on this issue. Thanks, Mike!!

Next line of Lark business: although he's not on the website's guest list, Lark will be at this year's Baltimore Comic Con, and after that he'll be doing some events in my area that might be of interest to you folks.

If you're in/near the Baltimore/DC, southern PA, NoVA, or eastern WV area (hell, if you're in the country... ), you might want to stop by Shepherd University Tuesday, September 20 for a lecture/workshop he'll be doing at 6:00 that night in the Frank Arts Center. Although I don't think either of us is sure what it'll be about yet (!!), anybody who wants to know more about being a professional comic book artist, sequential artist or illustrator would do well to show up.

Lark's been, in a way, a mentor to me the past year and I've learned a HUGE amount of new stuff since he started helping me. Truth be told, I owe him for bringing me the courage to quit my day job and start doing this art thing full-time. He's got a knack for teaching and is very willing to help out budding aritsts, so even if you can't catch him at Shepherd, I urge upcoming artists to get him to look at your portfolios for a few minutes at the next convention you go to.

And if you miss him at the convention AND at Shepherd...

The next night (Wednesday, September 21)starting at 5:00 until close (I think - I'll update that if it's wrong), Lark will be doing signings at Beyond Comics in Frederick, Maryland (the new shop location). (Fair warning: their website is way out of date and doesn't have the new address, but if I find it I'll post it here.)

And I think this ends the Lark post. I would link you to his website, but um... it's still... under... construction? Heh. However, you CAN see his work at his dealer's website, SplashPageArt.com, or ask him lots of questions at his forum on the Bendis Board.

Back to the drawing board for me...

sept.05.05

the second Lark post

Rafer Roberts was kind enough to send along the address for the Frederick Beyond Comics shop where Lark will be signing September 21, 5 to close:

5632 Buckeystown Pike
(Rt. 85 across from Lowe's)
Frederick MD
301-668-8202

Whotta swell guy! Thanks Rafe!

sept.09.05

the hurricane post

Remember how I mentioned I'd be contributing to a webcomic hurricane relief charity?

Check it out! Strips go up September 12. Please contribute if you can, donation-wise or comic-wise!

I'll make another reminder post when it starts up. Wish me luck squeezing it into my already-busy schedule!

sept.09.05

the pee standing up post

Oh my god.

So I'm Google searching for a photo of a man standing up. For some reason, I can draw men running, choking on their food, and refusing to perform unwanted sexual activities (you'll have to pick up Plastic Farm #11 at the end of the month to understand what I'm talking about!). But standing? Forget it.

So I Google search "standing" and what's the first thing I find?

The Travelmate.

I confess, sometimes I just put links on my blog so I can remember to go check them out later. And yes, I'm buying one. And then I'm writing my name in the snow as soon as we get our first blizzard.

(See, now you HAVE to click on the link!)

sept.12.05

my new dolly

This quick post is dedicated to my buddy Karl, who sent me my most beloved pet ever: Skull of PvP fame.

Karl has been reading my strips since the beginning of Hazelnuts and is a good pal of mine who would be incredibly silly to think a few busy months of not being able to call me would ever put so much as a dent in our friendship.

Thank you, Karl!!

sept.12.05

the second hurricane post

Alright, here it is: your official reminder of the

I did indeed whip out a charity-friendly comic strip purely for this cause, and I'm pretty gosh-darn happy with it.

I'm not certain how the telethon works, but check the link above (www.webcomictelethon.com) Tuesday and Wednesday until you see a GWS strip by me.

And of course, while you're at it, check out the other strips! It sounds like there are gonna be TONS of them.

I think you're supposed to donate when you see a strip you particularly like. Not certain about that. But it should have directions above the strips.

Oh, additionally, I'll be putting the original work up for auction. 100% of the proceeds will go to the relief fund, as well. If the auction goes through next week, I'll have the original work at the Baltimore Comic Convention this weekend so fellow con-goers can get an up-close glimpse.

The art for this strip is on 11"x14" watercolor paper and done almost entirely in brush pen, so it's got a looser and freer (free-er?) feel than the usual GWS strip. It's definintely a keeper!

sept.13.05

why there's no GWS today

Quick update on the below post: I want to bring as much attention to the Webcomic Telethon as possible today, so please go visit the link today and tomorrow (www.webcomictelethon.com) and keep an eye peeled for Hazel and her little fuzzy friend (get your heads outta the gutters, boys and girls!).

I'll post the strip up Thursday after the telethon's over. I'm extremely busy getting ready for Baltimore and working on Crazy Papers this week, so I'm going to take the week off for GWS.

Hope the charity strip makes it worthwhile!

By the way, GWS limited edition greeting cards are being made for Baltimore this weekend... stay tuned for more goodies!

sept.14.05

reconsideration

Hey y'all!

I didn't realize the format of the Webcomic Telethon was going to be quite the way it is (nor did I realize there were so many submissions!), so I'm going to post a GWS strip tomorrow for you guys after all. I feel like I'm kinda slighting you if I don't.

On top of that, I have some GWS for-sale stuff to show you!

I'll be selling original inks such as these...

... at the Baltimore Comic Con this weekend, among DOZENS of other original art. Not to mention, original GWS comic strips will be there for $50 a pop - get 'em while they're still cheap!!

As soon as my strip is shown at the telethon site, I'll share it here as well. I'm not sure when that'll be, but you'll see it, promise!

sept.15.05

my booth babe!

Sorry the strip is up so late, boys & gals! Thought I was going to have more time this morning, but I was pretty busy printing out GWS cards and putting together the ol' portfolio for this weekend.

This is gonna be my last post before I leave for Baltimore, so here's the skinny if you'll be at the show. Hope to see you there!

As always, I'll be doing sketches for $20 (black and white) to $50 (full color).

GWS original strips will be for sale at $50 per strip (get 'em while the price is still low!).

Original pencils & ink, including the GWS tee designs, will be for sale from $20 and up.

Sketch pieces that I don't want to carry home will be between $2 and $20 (it's a garage sale!).

Cards will probably be $2 apiece and feature single panels from your favorite GWS strips... like this little gem.

Most importantly, there WILL be Reeces Mini Peanut Butter Cups. Mmmmmm. Peanut butter cups.

OH! I nearly forgot!

I got a call from one hot number today offering to be my booth babe in exchange for sparing a little room for her book, which promises to be top-notch. Dare you to resist THIS hottie!

Then again, if he checks my website before he drives up here from Savannah, I might not have a booth babe after all.

Apologies, Mr. Ellis.

sept.15.05

quick note on the telethon

One last thing: the telethon is still going on, and as far as I know, my strip hasn't been shown yet. Rest assured I'll be sharing it with you guys next week, or whenever it's posted! I'll be putting it up for auction sometime after that.

sept.16.05

quick note # 2 on the telethon

Here ya go guys. Enjoy. :)

sept.16.05

more katrina

Before I leave... my good pal and VERY talented artist Allen has an auction going for the relief effort as well: www.living lightning.com.

Even if you don't wanna contribute, check out the site, 'cause he's DAAAAAMN talented!

sept.20.05

uuuuuggggghhhhh

Quick one today: I feel like crap. Went to bed before midnight last night (which, if you know me, is NOT normal!) and I'm going to try to sleep this cold off for the rest of the day.

I'm still going to try to hack out a GWS strip, but no promises; check back later! I'll do my best to have one up Thursday, though. Rain or shine.