Naboo Vista

I don't know why, maybe it's the blue skies and rounded buildings, but something about this image of Naboo's capital city is just so peaceful. While the film's dialogue in the bits with Anakin and Padme are an affront to the acting profession, the pastoral scenes on Naboo always make me wish I could live there. You know, if there were no Gungans living nearby underwater...On most days the upper left quadrant (more skies, less urban sprawl) is my desktop image.

Dick Giordano: 1932-2010

I just found out that one of my lifelong artistic influences has gone to the big superhero clubhouse in the sky.

Dick Giordano passed away today at the age of 77. He was best known for his work at DC Comics as an inker, penciler and editor. His pairing with Neal Adams left major marks on Batman, Deadman and Green Lantern/Green Arrow in the 70's, and he drew more covers across the DC line than anyone. He mentored a generation of the best-known inkers in the business, including Terry Austin (Uncanny X-Men), Bob Layton (Iron Man), and many others. As an editor he was instrumental in the success of Justice League of America and Teen Titans in the 80's, and in forming DC's Vertigo imprint (The Sandman, Animal Man, Death, The Saga of the Swamp Thing, Hellblazer, etc...), thus paving the way for an influx of writers (Peter Milligan, Neil Gaiman, etc...) from the UK. Two of my other major influences, George Perez and John Byrne had their work (Crisis on Infinite Earths and Action Comics, respectively) inked by Mr. Giordano to memorable effect. His monthly "Meanwhile..." columns in DC's comics were a window into the inner workings of the company for over a decade.

Most importantly to me, month after month in the 1970's and 80's his clean lines, eye for detail, fluid motion and dynamic poses lit a fire in my mind and shaped the way I've been drawing for many decades. His heroes & heroines were bold and powerful, and his women were beautiful and realistic. Any time he stepped back up to the inking board in later years I always checked out his work with much fondness. I will always be grateful for his talent, and he will be missed, not only by me, but also by the legions of artists he inspired and the fans he entertained & amazed with his imagination.
Art credits: Aquaman - Dick Giordano. Women of DC '76 - Dick Giordano. Batman - Bob Layton inks over Dick Giordano pencils.

Focus

I spend a lot of time poring over artist websites. If I see an image on a blog or in a magazine, I hunt down the creator's site the very next time I am online, and just immerse myself in the drawings, paintings, etc... I was hitting the 'Next Blog' button here on Blogspot last night, and I was sent to several artist sites in a row. The one that stood out was Celia Calle. Her mastery of the female form is sublime. She imbues her subjects with such sass and kinetic energy that they appear as if they could walk right out of the picture and turn an ordinary night out on the town into a capital 'A' Adventure. She has done advertising work for major companies, comic book covers, and illustrations for Penthouse and ESPN.

I have a bookmark folder with many other artists whose work I admire, and go back to when I need inspiration. Tara McPherson has been a favorite of mine for many years. Her concert posters (many of them featuring favorites of mine such as The Breeders, Beck and Throwing Muses) are amazing, with bold colors and grab-your-nuts images that make you want to know the backstory. And her comic book covers always draw one's eye to them on the racks. She has an interesting perspective on the world, and on love's loss. I would like to have a print or two of hers on my wall someday.

Luke Chueh is another old favorite. I find his work a little bleak (and a lot morbid) now, but back during my 3 years on Cape Cod I could appreciate his dark commentary. He has a way of showing the dark side of pop culture icons, and a unique take on self-destructive behaviors and sadness.

The point of today's post is this: lately I feel a very strong urge to spend less time doodling, and more time doing serious work that might put me amongst the ranks of the artistically productive and significant. I have ideas (SO many ideas), but a relatively scattered brain. I need to focus on projects, and do them to completion, and not just jot down or sketch ideas and leave them to molder away in piles of dusty notebooks. And I need to choose a few things (or *GASP* one thing) to focus on and do so well that I could do it in my sleep. Going forward I am going to spend as much time (if not more) on visual design as I do on eating right, working out, and guitar practice. Not only will it hone my skills (and hopefully assist in charting a new career path), but there will be lots of original work to see for any folks who click the 'Next Blog' button and wind up here!

In-Blog Play:

Out of the Blue - Yonder Mount...

The Lazy American

Nearly every morning, when I am pouring half & half into my coffee, I get a little bit pissed off. When I was a kid, in order to pour milk or orange juice (or whatever) from a carton, all a person had to do was put a special squeeze on the folded cardboard at the top of the container. I remember being so proud when I first mastered this skill without ripping the top of the carton! These days, because so many people are sloppy folders, and apparently are either too stupid or too lazy to learn correctly, these cartons have a side-mounted spout with a twist-off plastic cap, and a throwaway pull-out plug as an initial safety seal. What a freaking waste! Not to mention the wasted amount of whatever beverage is inside that can't make it out of the carton before it is discarded. For the record, I open the gable (the technical term for the top of the carton) to get the last drops of half & half every time... It's bad enough that most milk cartons go directly into landfills (only 0.05% of the 500,000 tons used annually get recycled), but now (and I use the term 'now' loosely since it's been going on for a couple of decades) there is a big hunk of plastic on each carton complicating the biodegradation process. I've searched several grocery stores for cartons without the plastic to no avail. I would be very happy if everyone would choose cartons without this plastic spout (and gain a bit of satisfaction at relearning such a rudimentary skill). The planet would be better off for it, and your kid(s) would probably enjoy learning from you how to use them.

OPEN THE GABLE!!

...And if you find a brand or store that features the non-plastic spout cartons, please let me (and your friends) know!

Time Travel

During some spring cleaning I was poring through the 24 years of handwritten journals I've been keeping to see what I was up to on any given March 18th, and for the most part, it's been a pretty non-eventful date. In fact, in some years there is either a token "Had the day off, was lazy", or no entry at all. Here is a selection of (in my opinion) the less-boring ones:

• 1989 - Since I was taking a year off from college and I had time to kill, I was at the beginning of a 3-month return visit to Topeka, KS to hang out with all of the friends I'd made the previous year at Washburn University (my freshman year of college). Since my friends were all busy, I spent the day in my old dorm's lounge reading Alan Dean Foster's "Mission to Moulokin", and talking to old friends; and the evening cooking the guys dinner at the 1-bedroom off-campus apartment four of us shared. I made fried chicken and cornbread, and a lot of it.
• 1990 - I was enrolled at UMass-Dartmouth (back when it was still Southeastern MA University) as an art major. On this day (a Sunday) I began the day at my 9am - 3pm prep cook shift at King's Court Restaurant in North Dartmouth. My boss Joel (a goofy-looking jackass) wasn't in that day, so I spent the day cooking and happily flirting with a cute coworker (ah, Michelle...). When I got home I worked out (curling bar, push-ups & crunches) for an hour or so, and then worked on a project for my 2-D class.
• 1991 - Back in the world of retail (I was all over the map geographically, academically and professionally in the early 90's), on this Monday I worked the day shift at Ann & Hope in Watertown, MA. I'd received my state tax refund before work, so I was in great spirits. I spent the evening in my Allston apartment watching "Bird on a Wire" in my room and playing my Nintendo GameBoy (which I still have, amazingly).
• 1992 - Still living in Allston, I was an usher at the now-defunct Circle Cinema in Brookline, MA. On this Wednesday night I was working, and I watched almost the entire showing of "Cutting Edge". My shift didn't begin until 5 pm, but there was nothing written for how I'd spent the early part of my day.
• 2006 - I spent the day reading Mark Kurlansky's "Salt", and lamenting the fact that this far into 2006 (and my exile on Cape Cod) I hadn't yet been to a single concert, party or bar!

Note that from 1992 to 2006 there wasn't anything worthwhile of note to print here. It's either very strange how nothing interesting happened, or just proof that most days are pretty ordinary. Here is today's entry:

• 2010 - I had all the windows open today in order to take advantage of the fresh spring air. When I was online job-hunting I found a fantastic deal on a 4-person golf outing for my dad's birthday gift. Alas, bankrolling it severely drained my disposable income, which will prevent me from going to see Vanessa Kafka live in Boston tomorrow night with Brian - sorry chum! Finally, I came across the music of the amazing Miranda Lee Richards and spent a couple dollars on her "Early November" EP. I added that and Volcano Playground's free (off their Facebook page) 5-song EP "Waiting" to my iPod.
  

Perhaps I'll try this again in a few weeks. I am sure there will be a more interesting date to revisit than this one.

In-Blog Play:

Life Boat - Miranda Lee Richar...

Low-key Day

Having very little disposable income lately, I have to choose what I spend my few dollars on, entertainment-wise. I did my usual morning job search, I read for awhile, I ate right, and I spent the evening at my sister's house, drawing race cars with her four kids and eating several tiny cheeseburgers. Basically, St. Patrick's Day passed with very little fanfare (and no imbibation of Guinness in a public place). However, I was doodling between job-search sites, and this holiday-themed image was the result (check out her clothes):
Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody! ☺

In-Blog Play:

Stolen Car - Beth Orton

Spring is Here

Finally!

After a week of rain the sun came out this morning, and there was a definite shift in the collective psyche of New England (or at least here in Clinton, MA). I went for a morning walk, and every person I saw while I was out & about reciprocated when I waved, said 'hi', smiled or all of the above (I am a naturally friendly guy), and the people in the local supermarket and in my apartment building were all friendly and full of good cheer.

Looks like someone else is enjoying the spring sunshine as well. Because the windows were open and letting in the fresh air, and there were plenty of warm patches to snooze in, my cat Sabrino was all frisky and playing like a kitten (he is 13 or 14). I have the claw marks on my hands to prove it! ☺

The "Ides" Have It

Julius Caesar met his end on this day waaaaay back in 44 B.C.

Right around this date last year, after seeing my youngest brother's amazing results (60 lbs in a year), I began the South Beach Diet. I wound up losing 25 pounds during an 11-week span, and over the rest of the year, with a return to relatively 'normal' eating, I managed to keep 15 of them off.

What do these two things have to do with one another? Not a lot, except for their great significance in each of the person's life that was affected. For me, a pretty big step toward a healthier life. For Caesar, well... the end of his. That being said, today I jumped back in for another round, and hopefully another 25 pounds. The morning was easy: a small steak, 2 eggs scrambled, and fresh mushrooms. A handful of almonds 2 hours later for a snack, and then a lunch of a tomato, half a big cucumber, and a tin of smoked oysters. My afternoon snack was 30 pistachios, and supper was peanut butter and celery. Add many glasses of water, and the equivalent of six 8 oz cups of coffee with just a bit of sugar and ½&½, and I am on my way. It was easy to dive back into the Phase 1 routine (I haven't kept bread in the house since last year, and I only use sugar on cereal and in coffee), and I even felt the familiar (and annoying) low level of background hunger as the frequent food times kept my metabolism ramped up. Now if I can just avoid fast food and chocolate for the next two weeks, I'll be in good position for the long haul!

In-Blog Play:

Catch The Breeze - Slowdive

Coming This Week...

...including today's earlier post: seven straight days of writing.

"What could you possibly fill seven days with, and of what level of quality?" one might ask. And I would reply: "Well, there is the Ides of March tomorrow, and of course the Days of Saints, both Urho and Patrick, on the following two days. Also, Vanessa Kafka is performing live in Boston on Friday, and there are various artistic and personal endeavors I always have in progress to expound upon as well".

Stay tuned...

Into The Dreamtime

I always have incredibly vivid dreams after eating junk such as Chinese food (last night's culprit), pizza or ice cream. I think it's the complex carbohydrates and sugars, but whatever the catalyst, it always makes for some incredibly detailed and drawn-out dreams.

I had a very long dream last night wherein I went to visit the studio of a local artist (a woman with long red hair who I've never seen, nor whose art style I've never encountered). In the dream I knew she had a low level of fame (New England/NY or so), but it was mostly underground and word-of-mouth. Which was a shame, because she was amazing. If she had been real, she could draw any comic book she chose, and sculpt her own toys based on her designs. Her dimly-lit barn studio (located somewhere in rural VT or NH) had a big table taking up the center of the room with many of her hardcover works in piles for sale alongside open sketchbooks, pastel works, and paintings of characters both her own and more famous (Fantastic Four, very early X-Men, etc...). I spent what felt like hours poring over all of her amazing artwork (yes, I dream in color), flipping through the pages of her many published art books, and turning her fine statues over and over in my hands. When I finally dragged myself away and reached for my wallet to buy a couple of the thicker hardcovers (with signed and numbered prints!), my wallet only had a few dollars in it. I was stammering an apology for why I couldn't buy anything when I woke up.

I was crestfallen!

Anyway, I come away from this dream feeling like I've been instructed to do a LOT more drawing. And not merely the inspired scribbles I do a for few minutes each day when I am reading (or during commercials), but full-on hour upon hour of honing my dusty skills. And also, to watch what I eat for supper, and how late at night I eat it!☺

Thanks to John Byrne (a lifelong influence) for the "how to" drawing! I actually bought the original comic off the stands back in the day...

Friday Night in Cambridge & Somerville

I hopped in my car at 4:35, sped north up 495, banged a right onto Route 2 East, and pulled into Alewife around 5:30. Then, one quick Charlie Card charge-up & a short Red Line ride to Harvard Square found me on a bar stool next to Jay at John Harvard's Brewhouse.

I had one of their house Pale Ales (which is always good), and then on Jay's recommendation I tried the cask conditioned session ale they were featuring. A session ale is one that has a lower alcohol content so as to be fully experienced and enjoyed over a leisurely evening. This particular beer tasted like an exotic chocolate dessert, and even had a pleasant aftertaste, but it didn't quite fit in how an ale that is being imbibed during a night out with the guys should, so I only drank half of it. If I could remember the name of it, I'd love to have it down at the lake sometime.

Gavin arrived soon after, and as we caught up on things (I hadn't seen him since our group trip to Oak Bluffs last April with Brian) I happily returned to the house ale. A bit later Brian & Rob walked in after their trip down from New Hampshire seacoast, the five of us had one beer as a group, and then Jay headed home. The rest of us moved to a table and had dinner. Our waitress was a tiny elfin blonde with a big smile. I was instantly smitten (it's times like these when I wish I still lived in Boston). She was very friendly, and I couldn't stop smiling whenever she was around. What a fine enhancement to the convivial atmosphere! Anyway, I had the always excellent fish and chips with another ale, and the four of us fell into a comfortable eat & gab session, talking mostly about our jobs (or lack thereof), the economy, and the possibility of renting a house for a week this summer on either Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard. It was great to just hang out like that for the first time in ages, with no time constrictions.

Then it was off to nearby Tommy Doyle's for another beer. We walked in, headed up to our relatively familiar haunt on the top floor (The Loft), but it was mostly a dinner crowd, so we headed down to the basement. The experience in this part of the bar was mixed: We scored a central circular booth and all slid in, and got served a round by a spunky wavy-haired brunette. I had a Harpoon IPA, but after the superior John Harvard Pale Ale, it seemed rather low-quality, which is odd, because I usually love that particular beer. The beer may have been lacking, but the view from our table was spectacular - a group of four thin yet curvy girls who had a hypnotic tendency to do a lot of animated posing and stretching as they talked to their goofy male companions. However the place was far too loud to truly enjoy the atmosphere, so we left after that one round. Gavin bid us good evening and headed home, while Rob & I hiked with Brian to the latter's car for a quick ride over to Davis Square.

We went right to Joshua Tree, a bright airy bar with many televisions showing sports and a very attractive bartending staff. We got seats at the door side of the bar, and alternated between rounds of beer and water (reflecting the ambivalence we felt about how long to continue the evening at that point). Our friend Erik popped in with a couple of friends after a bit (him having called me while we were in the car to see where I was in the city), and he split his time between us and his chums. He must have been in heaven (while we were all in hell): it was 80's Night in the dj booth... *UGH* The last thing I want to do while hanging in a bar in 2010 with friends, is hear the soundtrack of my junior high years. That being said, there were a lot of the better songs of the era, and Brian & I each got to observe and interact with our personal favorite bartender from a previous visit. Alas gentlemen, no matter how intriguing, I think a "City Duck" is not allowed... (haha).

Anyway, after a last rally it was off to Redbones. We made a beeline for downstairs, and *shock of shocks* there were empty seats at the bar! I have been going there for nearly fifteen years, and this was only the 2nd time I'd been able to actually sit at the bar and interact with one of their cute bartenders. They had the delicious Opa Opa IPA on tap, so I ended the drinking portion of the evening with one of those fine ales and a mild flirtation with the brown curly haired bartender (a sexy 30-something with curves & a smile that matched her engaging personality). Finally, just before 1 am there was one last glass of ice water all around before we left, and then after we piled into his car again, Brian was nice enough to drop me at Alewife, saving me a tedious T ride before my long drive home. A fine ending to a laid-back yet kick-ass night with all of the Not Lame Minus crew!

In-Blog Play:

Everywhere - Supreme Beings Of...

March Calendar

Here is the hand-drawn calendar for March, hot off the "scribble presses".As you can see, there is a lot of cool stuff already in stone: my Dad's 62nd birthday, and my nephew Cooper's 9th. My first Bruins game in at least 5 years (I'd have to check to be sure). I have 3 tickets to see Beach House at The Paradise Rock Club in Boston. And the first Not Lame Minus gathering of 2010 is this Friday in Cambridge! All of these things (and the inevitable fun not planned yet) combined with the days getting longer, plus Red Sox spring training underway should make March a pretty good month...

In-Blog Play:

Layla - Derek & The Dominos, E...

Dark Days are Past

Well, February is over.

With all the rain and snow, lack of funds, and uncertainty of whether I was eligible for an unemployment extension, February was a mix of the dull and the stressful. My motivation was extremely low - I only worked out eight times, and practiced my guitar even less (six). I read three books, drew sporadically, and rarely got out of the house. And my car battery died at the beginning of the month, wreaking havoc with my already stretched finances. There were a few bright spots: two long sunny day walks, and the many days this month spent with my folks (Superbowl, etc...) and my sister & her family. And speaking of The Superbowl, the Colts got their asses BEAT, so that was good too.

Looking ahead: with the 13-week extension granted (and more available jobs popping up for a man of my talents & experience than in a long while), and a few planned social activities already paid for, March looks like it is going to be a MUCH better month than the one from which I am so eagerly escaping.In-Blog Play:

Social Development Dance - Pet...