October Occupation

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panel from the apartment
(personal work)

lots of things going on right now, all very different from one another. it has been a real challenge to juggle and balance each project so that nothing gets left behind, but having to do the work has been a pleasure. when i think of the freedom i have to create whatever it is i'd like, i feel really lucky.

i have a slew of stories that i've been working on, but they probably won't be done in time for APE. in reaction to long tail kitty - the book release, i have turned inward and looked for solace in more personal, unpublished stories. not that i don't like long tail kitty, or that it is now a book-book. but for myself i acknowledged the character and his stories a long time ago and that was enough. in an official hardbound, published format he's now turned over to the greater public, a cumulative figment of opinions, perceptions and reactions. while this itself is an exciting-to-observe phenomenon - the conjuring of spontaneous change of the work through the consumption of the masses, (and to be fair it's even a good way to test my mettle) - i feel a distinct disconnect to the occurence itself. this is procured from self-will, i know; i am merely disinterested. being alone and simply working is tremulously addicting, insatiably gratifying.

cityscape sketches for Mr. Elephanter children's book ( my work - publishers' work)

thumbnails for Stories from the Ward (my work for the publishers)

illustration for APE
participation for community and comics
(shared work)

a page from Monster Box #3 mini-comic (joint work with thien pham)
comics... what a way to light that fire

in between the working hours i've tried to branch out some. Kid Koala's been touring and his live performance with the Slew is great energetic sound spectacular. Allison Bechdel's Fun Home elicited a trip to the comic store in search of a hardback copy. i cannot express in words how deeply this story and its execution resonated for me. i joined Facebook, albeit barely. a neighbor has invited me to take weekly walks and get some sun and exercise. our first venture was to the top of Mountain View Cemetery, where we watched the entire bay sparkle and wave.

all the while, i make many mundane discoveries. like this one: i've got Naruto hands. the likeness is uncanny! i don't usually see hands like this in cartoons - cartoon hands usually end in beautifully spatulated fingers, being long and expressive, if not exaggerated. i wonder if masashi kishimoto are like mine or if this is from some other reference. anyway, i like how Naruto is drawn. the bodies, hands and feet are realistically proportioned and the lines are very clean.


now that i've written about all i can about work, i really ought to get back to doing it. meetings and commissions this afternoon, deliveries if the day lasts long enough. pick up some neutral gray paint for the spot on the wall.


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