Happy New Years

This year instead of a resolution I am going to look back on the blessings of this past year.

I am going for hindsight rather than foresight.

Check back in a day or so :)

MIKA

This past week in the midst of the fiercest WOW TCGing that I have ever been, and probably will ever be a part of my friends the Curtis's, Matt and Amy, introduced me to some wonderful new music! It is called MIKA, and I fell in love. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

If you like Queen I think you will enjoy this.

Holidays & Doodles

Now that the craziness of the holiday season is over I can sit down and do a little blogging. First off I had a wonderful Christmas! The Lord is just too good to me, I do not deserve it. I started the Holiday season a week early when my cousins from Idaho came down for the week before Christmas. Jenna flew down to Ontario Friday evening, after she settled in we went and saw I Am Legend (it was good, not great, but good) with a group of mine and my brothers

We walked about Vegas taking in the sites. It was fun! And to my utter surprise I learned from a certain nanny that Rita and Bre were going to be in town! So after the family went to sleep I went off and hung out with them. We walked, talked, and nerded out about Harry Potter where eventually ended up in a Coffee Bean until like 3:30am talking about how my Sophomore year math teach murdered his wife in Vegas like 2 years ago.

While talking and drinking my latté I finished this doodle, "Warrior Jungle Pixe" and... friends. Saturday we drove to Las Vegas to meet up with her Dad and Brothers.

...and managed to rough up this. "Man-ish Mermaid".

After Vegas I spent the week with my Cousins having fun, talking about "making poppish", and asking minorities about food they were eating. We capped off the week with a Christmas celebration before they went home, and saw Juno (it was wonderful and excellent and I will buy it on DVD). We then headed to the High Desert to spend Christmas eve with my Mothers side of the family. It was a blessing to see everyone in the same house, I love Christmas for that reason.

I did some drawing up there too, I may submit the creepy one for a threadless design. Let me know what you think.

It is my version of Sleeping Beauty. I had so much fun doing my own version of Snow White that I thought I would do my own version of a few fairy tales. Below is Alice from the Wonderland books. I don't care for any of them just yet, but I am getting closer.

Thanx for reading my long blog. :P
(If you even read the whole thing... Lords knows I probably wouldn't have :P)

Happy Christmas

(An old illustration from like 2003, I am away for my computer cut me some slack)

I am up here in the high desert with my family, and as I took a nice hot bath on this wonderful Christmas Eve I began to reflect on what a blessing it is. No matter how "commercialized" or "secular" it has become over the ages it is still a beautiful event. I can't think of any other reason that families and friends flock together, besides the occasional wedding or funeral. There is something simply beautiful and wholesome in loved ones getting together to share a meal. Even if you don't hold ownership in this Religious Holiday you have to admit the good it can do and the beauty it can bring out in people. I know some people dread the holiday season as it can be a very dark and lonely time, but the Lord can use this loneliness. He can reveal that loneliness for what it is, a void in their life. A void Christ can fill. Christ's premier ministry on Earth was so powerful we still to this day feel the echoing power of His words and teaching...He split time.

Snow White

(click to see the larger version)

Today is the day of animated gifs. Here is the colored version of my previous post.
I had a blast doing it. I hope you all enjoy my version of Ms. White.

Merry Christmas

It is Christmas time. I love Christmas so much.
This year is really teaching me about the season, I simply don't have the financial freedom to do much, or any really, shopping. This year I hope to just spend time with family and to relax and get away from some of my worries, and to really just rest in that fact that the Lord will provide for me, and that He hasn't let me down yet.

The Singing Epiphany

My car seems to be a place of insight for me as of late. Well maybe insight is too strong and sweeping of a term, "insight" has such a strong connotation that it almost seems that is communicating a new truth or at least fact. Now that I think about it epiphany seems a more appropriate term, it implies something much more personal and intimate. I doubt my observations and ranting apply to many other people than myself.

Back on subject, the other night while driving to Fresh and Easy to get dinner & dessert I was listing to a mixed CD that Emily burt me. Track 6 was a Nickel Creek song called "Doubting Thomas". I had heard it before, and as cliché as it sounds, I hadn't really listened to it. The lyrics were so moving. It said things that I knew were true, but through a perfect balance of neglect, pride, and subtlety I forgot. And now to take a page out of my dear friend Shane's book I am going to post the lyrics here on my blog.
(the bolded verse of the song is what really rung true to me)


NICKEL CREEK LYRICS
"Doubting Thomas"

What will be left when I've drawn my last breath
Besides the folks I've met and the folks who've known me
Will I discover a soul-saving love
Or just the dirt above and below me

I'm a doubting Thomas
I took a promise
But I do not feel safe
Oh me of little faith

Sometimes I pray for a slap in the face
Then I beg to be spared cause I'm a coward
If there's a master of death
I bet he's holding his breath
As I show the blind and tell the deaf about his power

I'm a doubting Thomas
I can't keep my promises
Cause I don't know what's safe
Oh me of little faith

Can I be used to help others find truth
When I'm scared I'll find proof that it's a lie
Can I be led down a trail dropping bread crumbs
That prove I'm not ready to die

Please give me time to decipher the signs
Please forgive me for time that I've wasted

I'm a doubting Thomas
I'll take your promise
Though I know nothin's safe
Oh me of little faith


( GASP! This is my first post in a over a year with out a drawing in it! Forgive me! )

The Smoking Paradigm

Last week while leaving Starbucks I noticed something on my journey from the coffee counter to my car door. There was a man sitting out front smoking, as I passed through the patio another man approached the smoking man and asked him to a bum a cigarette. Smoking Man was more than happy to help him out, but warned the cadger that they were menthol. Cadger replied that he didn't mind and that he was trying to quit anyways. By this time I was sitting in my car and as I was shut the door they were engaging in a legitimate conversation. As I drove away I surprised at how amused and blessed I was at this, and new understanding of how difficult it must be to quit smoking. It is both a physical and social addiction. Asfor my amusement, I think it was because these two grown men were engaging in a legitimate conversation all because they had common ground in tobacco. What is sad is that if Cadger were to have just sat down to talk to Smoking Man without asking to bum a smoke I hardly think they would have had the colloquy they did.

Disney Land Doodles

On Friday a group of friends went to Disney Land to hang out. It was a blast, but kinda sad. It was the last time for a long time that we were able to go to Disney Land with our friend Abby, because she is going back to Texas for a semester to spend time with her family and see her younger sister graduate. Anywho back to Disney Land, it was fun and I had time to do some doodling.

This first one is of Downtown Disney. I was sitting outside of the Jazz Kitchen waiting to be seated to eat me some lunch. While waiting for 30 minuets ‘‘ I took a few of them to draw this. Can you spot build a bear?




This second one is my version of Snow White. Disney's California Adventure (DCA) had a show on the Art of Snow White in there animation building. It was awesome and wonderful, so I drew this. It was fun. Oh and what better place to draw a Disney Princess than Disney Land?


(I might try and color her)

The Coffee Dilemma

Last week when I went into my local Starbucks and got my regular: a dopio espresso over ice. While adding a splash of cream to my dopio I took two napkins (Normally i don't take any napkins when I am drinking a cold drink, there is just no need). I get back to my car unlock the door and sit down in the drivers seat. I then turn my attention to my next task, moving an old Starbucks cup out of the way. I am moving the old coffee cup attempting to make room for my fresh cup of coffee. Apparently I angered that old cup from the night prior. In an act of childish misbehavior it decided to spill the remaining few drops of milk onto my passenger seat. I said to myself "Oh crap, milk! No, wait... OLD MILK!" In this panic I then I remembered that I had the two napkins! I was equipped to handle this little mishap! Take that you old coffee cup from the night prior! I know that I may be hyper-spiritualizing the situation, but to be frank (no pun intended) I don't care. It jogs along side of scripture in priceable; The Lord will not give us more than we can handle. And before we panic we need to look for what He has placed in our lives to help us over come these trials.

I Love Rainy Days

I am doing a lot of drawing today and I needed a warm up, so here it is.



I LOVE RAINY DAYS!!
I went to Starbucks and got a double tall latté in a for here cup and sat on the patio to read and sip and listen to the rain. It was lovely.

Tony Hale

I got to meet Tony Hale tonight!
And I did a drawing.
And he liked it.
And because he liked it so much I gave it to him.

Thats right people... I ripped a page out of my sketch book. Now that isn't something that happens everyday, but one doesn't get to meet Tony Hale everyday either.
(On that back was my drawing of Dan in Real Life).

United Hollywood

Last week my friend Abbie and I went down to the WGA picket lines, it was a wonderful experience.

Our journey went as follows, we met at BIOLA at 5:30 am and went over to Panera to get a tote of hazelnut coffee and then to Yum Yum Donuts and got 2 dozen donuts. We were on the road by 6:30am, despite the traffic we had some wonderful fellowship about our faith, future careers, and a possible calling into the entertainment industry. We arrived in Burbank around 7:50am, and our first stop was the Warner Brothers Studios lot. This is where we met some very nice writers. A huge surprise for me was when I got to meet Paul Feig, creator of Freaks and Geeks (a wonderful TV show that was woefully unappreciated). We then headed out to NBC Studios were we met the Ellen show writers and the Jay Leno show writers. They were all appreciative of the coffee and donuts and explained that they were just holding out for rights on the digital media, they compromised on the DVD sales, but they have to hold their grounds on this digital media stuff... the studio claim to be making no money off of it, but it's simply not true. Our last stop was to the ABC/Disney lot. This was a lively bunch complete with mega phone, chanting, marching, and song! It was very fun. Abbie and I spoke with a writer who explained that they hate to be in this position. She gave Abbie and I some "United Hollywood" red and black bracelets to show out support. She went onto explained to us how them not working effects other cast and crew members, but it's the stubbornness of the few suits who hold the power who are doing the real damage. If these few suits would just realize they are milking these people for their talent on a loophole and man-up to their responsibility. They should just be grateful that they got away with it for as long as they did. It's sad to see all of the selfishness that is brought out for the love of money... stolen money.

Writers do not grow weary in doing this good, the public is on your side.

Here is a series of illustrations I am starting. They are of iconic Movie and TV characters with empty word bubbles, symbolizing that without the writers these characters would have nothing to say... they would could not exist.
I am calling it Speechless. If you have any good ideas and suggestions please leave me a comment.

Turkey Day and Drawings.

Happy Thanks Giving everybody! Here are a few scans from my most recent sketch book. Enjoy.


Randomness.


Goliath concepts.


Spanish 2.


Happy Thanks Giving! (its not even a turkey! Gobble gobble!)

Cinema

These past week I was 4 movies, in the movie theater. I saw Bee Movie, Dan in Real Life, Enchanted, and August Rush. All were wonderful except for Bee Movie, where it was just eh. Not horrible, but not worth going out of your way for.

Dan in Real Life was a great movie and I plan to buy it on DVD as soon as it comes out. It will be one of those movies that I can watch over and over again. I was simple and heartfelt, it was truly a "slice of life" film that I love so very much. The sad thing is that after seeing it I realized how horribly it was marketed. Whom ever handled the distribution did a horrible job, all the trailers and TV spots I saw did a horrible job at showing this movie for what it was. I feel the trailers and such tried to show it as a Steve Correl movie, where it was not. It was a movie where he was the lead, but he was not the center. Don't get me wrong he did a wonderful job, and it was nice to see him in a sober role again. The whole cast did a wonderful job. It was wonderfully acted, written, directed, ect. It is worth you time.

Enchanted was, well... Enchanting. LOL You saw that coming didn't you? Ha ha. Any who it was an all around fun and well made movie. The only disappointment I had for this one was that It is already made, and I wasn't able to help out. If you go see it be ready for a lot of sappy and cheesy Disney-ish humor, some musical numbers, and a hot red head! Sounds like a recipe for the perfect Frankie Movie, if only there was magic in it. WAIT! There was! Oh it also had a good little message and moral to it.

August Rush was very moving, but it is not your typical movie and I can tell it is not going to be for everyone. What really hooked me was something the little boy said in the begging of the movie. There is a segment of exposition where he is talking about himself where he says something to the effect of, "I believe in music the same way other people believe in fairy-tales." That really set the tone of the movie for me. I really feel that is was a unique movie. The plot is simple enough: a boy is looking for his parents, his mother thought he died birth, the father doesn't even know he ever had a son. He searches for them through the music. It has themes of talent, destiny, hard work and lost, or misplaced, love. I will leave it at that, I really enjoyed it and I think it is worth your time. Oh and also the lighting and sound design was beautiful.

"Mr. Franco can I go to the bathroom?"

(Thats right Mr. Franco is a total BA)

I finally started subbing and it was a very interesting experience, I'm looking forward to doing it again. I subbed 5 periods of art and one period of math. Most of the kids were well behaved, but some gave me a hard time, and cliché as it is my tattoo and sketch book scored me some brownie points.

Pushing Daisies

Pushing Daisies is quickly becoming one of my favorite shows, scratch that, its quickly becoming my favorite show. It is wonderfully written, performed, and constructed. It's a wonderful blend of humor, heart, and some good old dark comedy. And to top it off Jim Dale is the narrator for it. If you haven't watched it please give it an episode or two, i would hate for it to go off of the air. Watch for free at abc.com.

Post

A few weeks ago some good friends of mine from The Leaky Cauldron were invited by special invitation to meet J. K. Rowling in New York. I was able to write Ms. Rowling a letter, and a small doodle, they were kind enough to pass the letter onto her! This made me very happy! Who knew that I was such a nerd.

Did you know that I like cats too?

Happy Halloween!!

Candy the which is back to celebrate another Halloween with the my blog! :D

Happy Halloween Everybody!
Have fun and be safe!

Cat -vs- Monkey

C A T - v s - M O N K E Y

It will be the battle of the century. Stay tuned for more.

Not so bad Friday

Last Friday I had a good day.

Not a wonderful day, not a special day, definitly not a horrible day, just an all around good day. I went down to Irvine to work on some projects, but the person I was working for had to call out sick for the day, so I went down there for nothing. But it worked out I was able to draw and design for some other Clients. It was nice to be out of the house working. I spoke with my Friend Shane via google talk, he invited me to go see a late showing of lil indie film with him in Pasadena called, Once. I worked late, caught up on some web TV viewing. On the way out of the office door I noticed a new Lost pod cast, so now I had something new and cool to listen as I made my trek out to Pasadena. I parked and meet Shane on the way to the box office. We see the film , it was really enjoyable and cute, a very nice and gentle love story. But as the film is coming to a close the film goes off track, the image freezes, and then it burns. It was a lil off putting, but very cool at the same time. We got a free voucher to come back and see it again. And as we left the theater semi disappointed it was raining! I love the rain. We made our way to Starbucks and I got a latté. I got a latté to drink while walking in the rain. And to top it off the Barista had seen the movie, and we only missed like 2 minuets until the end.

Bee Yourself!

I drew some bee's.
He is eco friendly :D

Revisited

Some redesing of a character I made up like 6 years ago.
She has a dragon, and I may work her into a story at some point. If I ever write something.

:Þ

Random Drawlings

Its been a long while from a general art dump. So... enjoy!! :)

Random doodles in my mini-moleskin.






This is Starbuck, she has wonky face. Oh wells.


Random doodles I did on restaurant paraphernalia.

(I have been told this is an intense Peter Pan)


Birds i drew while drinking coffee in downtown San Diego.




Misc drawings for a project I am working on.





A logo I made for Emily.



An angle I drew during church a few weeks ago.