Best First Mate in the Fleet!

My dabbling in printmaking is ongoing, and here's what I have to show for it so far.

 

It's an interesting addition to my regular process of illustration. From idea, to forming the concept, to formatting for printing. 

 

But, mixing the colors is fun, a nice reward to the more tedious aspects of the process. 

 

Still, all in all, I enjoy the process, even to a certain extent, the reclaiming of the screens when all is said and done. I like the visceral mix of art and production, almost physically taking a concept from my head and crafting it by hand into something physical. 

Also, all of these prints are available for purchase on my etsy. 

Boldly go, my friends, 

Jams

Small Wonders

Wow, it's been a month already since I last posted. Work, friends' wedding, tomodachi's were met, new friends were made, countless late nights. Got some prints in process, and enjoying the focus on just illustration and design recently. I find just putting my head down and drawing helps clear up blocks and refocus on storytelling.

 

Had another fun artwalk at Gab last night. Switched out some pieces, and even sold a couple. 

 

Also, I got another bundle of comics, and I must say, vol.2(mark V?) is looking pretty sharp. Will be available here soon. 

 

Came across this in my search for print sleeves today. I have been trying to spend less money on comics in the last few year, but there's something about a good find that just feels right. I can't wait to devour it. 

 

 And, finally, after holding off all week, I let myself read the issue of Copra I had been sitting on. The first arc is dynamic and unique. In the 6 months since I first picked it up at Locust Moon, I have truly looked forward to it every month. I have been moving around alot, so it's the only series I am buying right now, and it really satisfies.

Small wonders in a big, frantic world. Best to all my loved ones and theirs,

Kaiju

Artwalking on the wild side

 Some people perusing my work at Gab Studio during last night's art walk in the Wynnwood district of Miami. It was a ton of fun, some great live music, lots of cool work on display, and tons of neat people flowing in to gape at the art.

  

Both photos are by Michelle Kanaar, who also made amazing chocolate chip and walnut cookies for the event. Thanks tons to her, and to family and friends who came out to check out the art and support the artists. 

-Jams

Star Seed Update

While I'm happy to report another page of Star Seed got inked yesterday, I really need to crank the speed past glacial. It does feel good to see it coming along, and that just makes me want to work on it non-stop, instead of being intimidated by how much I have left to do.

And, I'm not going to say how much that is.

One page a week just isn't going to cut it. But, I got a new job last week, one that will leave me with a little more time, I hope.

Also, if you haven't heard the Beat Bee Sessions podcast, fucking download it right now. Great art music, releasing the inner funky tiger of ink. I have to draw that tiger at some point...

Seriously, go the beginning and listen to every one. Soooo much good jams.

And, that's what I'm all about.

-Kaiju

Sktch Dump, Easter Sunday: These gals be jacked

My warmups recently have mostly consisted of bodybuilders, and primarily female body builders. I think this started with Rin Nakai and Gina Carano. Someday down the line, I have ideas for a love story about a female fighter and a monkey-god-fella, but that is going to have to be after I finish the story I'm working on now, or somehow find a bag of time that fell off a truck and decide not to turn it in for the reward.

 

Or, someone gets the brilliant idea to pay me for drawing. Granted, I don't expect anyone to see doodles of female body builders and decide to throw cash at me, but a boy can dream. 

 

 

Also, all shapes and sizes are great anatomy practice, but slightly more curvy builders, like Kortney Olson and Jenn Rish are perfect models for Estre, the bunny-babe from outta space.

Speaking of that, the work is coming along at a somewhat more solid pace, so hopefully have more to show in a few weeks. Without a proper scanner, it's a pain to transmit stuff I've been working on, but at least I have a camera phone now.

In honor of the holiday, I leave you with a more recent sketch of the bunny lady in question. Just don't be asking her for any eggs.

Now, to scour universities in Miami for a large format scanner  I can use for relatively free.

-Jams

A story of March in March

So, Neil Gaiman gave me every chance to wow him, and I failed ever so characteristically.

In case there are some of you who are unawares, he did this whole project with(?) blackberry inviting his legions of followers to submit art inspired by his stories, which were originally inspired by prompts from his followers. You can read about it here.

I started reading, and by March, I was captivated. Then, in classic form, I struggled with the composition for way too long, and finished the image hours after the deadline.

Oh well, got my ass in gear (mostly), and in some strange sense, got to work with one of the minds that has been inspiring me for years.

All in all, I pushed myself, and am fairly happy with the end results.

Until next time, Mr. Gaiman.

-Jams

Sktch Dump and cookies

Well, I'm in Miami for a little while!
 

I like being on the move, but I also kind of hate moving. Perhaps, subconsciously, when I know I'm about to pack up for somewhere new, I get into a really good work groove, just so can defeat it later, because nothing ruins my work ethic like moving. So, this barbarian is the beginning of me trying to work myself back into a groove.  

 Also, being on the move means I can't easily work with brushes, so pen doodles become more frequent, such as this Tetsu the Phoenix sketch, from "Tokyo Drifter." Although, I feel akin to the drifter, and I wander somewhat aimlessly with no job prospects.

 But, I did get a new sketchbook, so at least I have plenty of space to make work stuffs happen now. This Cap sketch is inspired by some sketches R. Grampa did of Rufo, from Mesmo Delivery, and then I remembered I used to draw Weird with all sorts of hats. Mostly, I remembered how much fun it is to draw Weird, so looking forward to finally getting some comics done with the Vinz. Also, there's a funny Totoro-esque rabbit thing that was pretty fun to draw.

Anyway, here are some neat cookies my sweets got me. A lady in Chapel Hill, NC makes them an prints old school horror comic panels on them. Not only are they delish, but they are quite handsome, too. And, her name is Toth, so what a proper tradition for her to evoke. You can order them here. Dark Chocolate, yum!

More sketchies to come once I get over being a worthless kaiju

-Jams