Col. Brandon Scott "The badger from whicketville" Kirkman the third, Posthumous

W is for White Walker

2012-03-19T20:23:00.002-07:00

My Alphabeast this week: the White Walkers

So we're only 12 days away from the second season of Game of Thrones and I decided to start doing a doodle a day of the characters until we get there. In order to stay on track I realized for W I could do the White Walkers so now everyone is happy! EVERYONE!

Here are the others so far:
Brienne

The Hound

and I should have a few more post for each day in the next week or two. And yes, I am huge dumb nerd.

V is for Víðópnir

2012-03-14T10:08:00.003-07:00

My alphabeast this week: Víðópnir

Here's an interesting one; a giant thunder chicken from Nordic mythology that guards the world tree. It was described as being a giant rooster that takes the colors of lightning and is seen as a symbol of returning life. I figured with all these descriptions it'd be fun to draw and go nuts with the colors WHICH I DID! enjoy.

U is for UWAN!

2012-03-05T21:01:00.002-08:00

My alphabeasts this week: UWAN!

UWAN! UWAN!

UWAN!

UWAN!!!

T is for Tsukumogami

2012-02-27T13:59:00.003-08:00

My alphabeasts this week: Tsukumogami, what a name!

Something this crazy could only come from Japanese Mythology. Basically a Tsukumogami is an intimate object that has been around for a 100 years and happens to gain sentience. In old Japanese legends it was said that if an object survived for that long it would gain self awareness and turn into a trickster spirit of sorts. Fun little guys and it can be anything! So I naturally chose a clothes dresser, who doesn't love dressers?

I was listening to the Mother 3 sound track when I did this since it seemed so oddly fitting.

S is for Sylvan

2012-02-20T22:08:00.000-08:00

My alphabeasts this week: Sylvan

Sylvans are a fun concept. Basically they come from early English mythology and their seen as these wood inhabitants made from elements of the forest themselves. For some reason he came out looking like the main character of some 90's Nintendo platformer but I actually like that. Race on, you crazy little Sylvan.

R is for Redcap

2012-02-13T21:56:00.000-08:00

My Alphabeasts this week:Redcap

I cheated a bit this week considering a Red Cap is just a goblin of sorts but it's history is pretty unique, coming from England. It gets the name from it's hat, which it must keep red with the blood of it's victims. If his hat ever dries out, he'll die. Its' kind of like a Kappa clause if you think about it.

Q is for Qliphoth

2012-02-06T17:38:00.000-08:00

My alphabeast this week: Qliphoth

The Qliphoth is a fun little husk spirit from Jewish mysticism who is made up of impure forces and evil intentions. Because this is such a broad idea I had a lot of fun liberties with this one. Seems like it'd be a bit of downer to hang out with, not to mention the whole evil thing going on.

P is for Pishacha

2012-01-30T17:49:00.000-08:00

My Alphabeasts for this week: Pishacha

Pretty straight forward, they are flesh eating demons from Hindu mythology. They love darkness, possessing people and even have their own language. It is said they can cause many forms of insanity in humans from their possessions and that certain Mantras can drive them out.

It's funny that so many cultures used to believe forms of madness were brought on by possessions from ghost and demons. It'd be nice if things were that simple and a few words could drive out such things. I guess it is nice that most mental illness don't eat your flesh on the flip side of that spectrum.

O is for Ouroboros!

2012-01-23T20:50:00.000-08:00

My Alphabeasts for the day: an Ouroboros!

A fun creature to tackle, a snake beasts from ancient Egyptian times. It's described as an odd snake god who ascended from the chaos waters of Egypt and that it would constantly renew itself and die each day. Since then it has become a famous symbol for infinity represented by a snake continually eating it's own tail.

I decided to go with a playful, corpsey kind of feel.

Alphabeast: N if for Nephilim

2012-01-16T15:17:00.000-08:00

I decided to start participating in this Alphabeasts project (http://alphabeasts.tumblr.com/) starting with the letter N so I drew a Nephilim:

I thought a Nephilim would be fun to draw because they're very ambiguous in both description and shape. Nephilims are old mythical creatures found in the older testaments of the Bible before the flood. They were supposedly descended from god (Described as "Sons of God") but born by a women so in way they are seen as half angels. Never properly described other than sometimes being giants and sometimes looking human, I thought it be fun to tackle it.

Looking forward to O next week so expect a post for Alpabeasts each Monday.

Also a dump of sketchs I forgot to post before the year ended.

2012-01-03T12:29:00.000-08:00

and now I just got to color this one:

Space Dust #2

2012-01-03T10:14:00.000-08:00

So we have entered 2012 and the world has not sadly blown up, as most people have said when starting out entries like this. That aside, each year I like to do a semi-loose not really overly comprehensive listing of the 6 albums I enjoyed the most over the year. So without further ado, here is a list of that with words, pictures and numbers!

6 great albums to put into your ears from 2011:

St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

A damn sexy album about self destruction, worry and madness. All set to amazingly rough guitar riffs, insane drumming and odd distortions that work together swimmingly. There is just too much to love here and after 3 solidly good albums, I look forward to her next outing.

Memory Tapes - Player Piano

Clunky, strange and flawed, I am still surprised how much this album grew on me. It has a very dark, slow electronic sound to it but with each listen I found myself more entranced by it. It lives in it's own weird, odd universe that I've come to appreciate and highly enjoy.

Washed Out - Within and Without

Perfect fuck music. A++

Gruff Rhys - Hotel Shampoo

Essentially it does sound like another Super Furry Animals album (which is great in it's own right) but Gruff Rhys does a fine job of putting his own nostalgic spin on it. It plays like a lost pop album from the 70's smashed together with a more modern sound. Also to be noted that the track Christopher Columbus is one of the most amazing songs I've heard in awhile.

Omodaka - Sanosa

Not many things earn the saying, "This shit cray" but this shit cray. Over the top electronic beats taped up with chip tunes and a geisha style singer; it is honestly a delightful train wreck of music that is super enjoyable and super bizarre. It might be grating to a few but something about it's hyperactive existence is insanely lovable.

Destroyer - Kaput

Dan Bejar is a lot like Gruff Rhys to me. Both of them are part of bigger bands I enjoy as much as their personal work and both of them put out amazing solo albums this year. Sultry saxophones mixed with synthesizers and dance tracks should be horrible, or even worse, ironic, but on this album it is tactfully executed and amazingly lush. This album got the most plays out of me this year, considering it was released in January but it never left my playlist. A perfect album and amazing last track.

BREAKING DAD

2011-11-24T22:32:00.000-08:00

And also here is this, because the world never has enough Walter White in it.

I have fallen head over heels for Breaking Bad and I am pretty sure I am going to have to do Jesse Pinkman next. Or Saul Goodman. OR FUCK IT, BOTH!

Also for music I've been shoving into my ears lately, here is this:

Real Estate is a pretty great band and the fact it's an entire video about how sweet dogs are makes it as enjoyable as nutella and bananas.

It's real

2011-11-24T22:20:00.000-08:00

So here is a bunch of sketches to follow that update from yesterday.

Still figuring out what I want to do about that comic. Right now I am thinking I might make another blog linked to this one and update it twice a week. I should know soon'ish.

Back, in pog form.

2011-11-23T19:31:00.000-08:00

Ok, ok, I know I do this every few months but this time I am back and with good news AND A REASON! I have been working on a comic and it's going swimmingly. I am about 7 pages right now and I am figuring out exactly how I want to do this. Either it's going to all be posted here or I might end up making a seperate site just for the comic. Still figuring it out. Anyways, here are some snippets of it.

GET STOKED.

And one demon, for now

2011-08-31T21:52:00.001-07:00

I have not forgotten about this series I was working on, fret not.

Fun times. This guy would be an awfully handy demon to summon.

The Sixty-seventh Spirit is Amdusias, or Amdukias. He is a Duke Great and Strong, appearing at first like a Unicorn, but at the request of the Exorcist he standeth before him in Human Shape, causing Trumpets, and all manner of Musical Instruments to be heard, but not soon or immediately. Also he can cause Trees to bend and incline according to the Exorcist's Will. He giveth Excellent Familiars. He governeth 29 Legions of Spirits. And his Seal is this, etc.

Also as usual, this is what I listened to as I finished it. A fun album if you can withstand the voice but catchy as fuck. Her weird vocals almost become there own beat with how odd and constant they are.

Some sketches of things I've done lately

2011-08-31T21:43:00.000-07:00

Working on some concept art with two friends, I can only show you one of them though. The lament of a disclosure!

Just sketches for now.

And some Illustrations

2011-08-05T00:18:00.000-07:00

MIRMAN!

Chinese Grave Guards!

GENERAL EXCITEMENT!

I'll be posting quite a bit more this month to catch up for the last two months. In fact here's some more music links to celebrate this prosperity for us all.

Also here are some sketches

2011-08-04T23:45:00.000-07:00

Been getting into a nice groove lately but sadly I can't post a lot of work. I've been working with a friend on a game and I have a DA going for it so no go till much later.

FRET NOT PUBLIC!

2011-08-04T22:52:00.000-07:00

Yes, it has been a month or two since I have posted after being so constant but I have been working on a new website that lets me upload this blog to it, so huzzah!

Check it out:
http://brandonkirkman.indiemade.com

You can even buy prints and I am quite happy with the whole product.

Jens Lekman has a new EP coming so that means it's time for me to womp it up.

distortorte

2011-05-31T13:52:00.001-07:00

Aforementioned promise sketch dump commencing:

and this last one I am currently working on a screen print on now that I have been working at sputnik for one of my internships as a monitor, I should have some more print making stuff posted here in the next few weeks ahead which is exciting.

and finally some music to fit that whole feeling of post graduation pure boredom mixed with staying on the ball at drawing:

New Jesu album is pretty damn amazing.

It's a slow life

2011-05-31T13:22:00.000-07:00

So I am all graduated now, definitely as boring as I predicted but it does feel good to be done and also to sleep in till 12 each day. Got two internships I am working and one of them will turn into a paying job after 60 days so got that covered as well. Now I just have to be conservative with my last bit of cash until then. Anyways, the drawomgs:

My last illustration I did for school and I have to say, there is nothing more fun than drawing yourself beheaded.

and another retake on my anti piece, because I just wanted to get it just right.

Next, sketches.

Also those projects

2011-04-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

Last few things I've been working on, including a poster design I did for Big Hugs Stout by Half Acre:

and a piece on King Solomon and the cultist demonology based around the Ars Goetia:

It's actually a bit odd this post because I feel I have more to post but they're all old pieces I am reworking for my portfolio. I'd hate be redundant and I do want to start trying to make more post on this blog just outside of just my art, all the time. Figure it's time to start doing more stuff with this blog.

Es-so

2011-04-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

Final week of school

Dis is me

b-b-b-bonus doodle:

Belial

2011-04-05T13:50:00.000-07:00

The 68th demon, Belial, makes his way around to say the least. He appears outside of the lesser key of Solomon in a lot of texts and writings on demons and the occult. He even appears in the dead sea scrolls described, "But for corruption thou hast made Belial, an angel of hostility. All his dominion is in darkness, and his purpose it to bring about wickedness and guilt."

His entry in the lesser key reads as, "The Sixty-eighth Spirit is Belial. He is a Mighty and a Powerful King, and was created next after Lucifer. He appeareth in the Form of Two Beautiful Angels sitting in a Chariot of Fire. He speaketh with a Comely Voice, and declareth that he fell first from among the worthier sort, that were before Michael, and other Heavenly Angels. His Office is to distribute Presentations and Senatorships, etc.; and to cause favour of Friends and of Foes. He giveth excellent Familiars, and governeth 50 Legions of Spirits. Note well that this King Belial must have Offerings, Sacrifices and Gifts presented unto him by the Exorcist, or else he will not give True Answers unto his Demands. But then he tarrieth not one hour in the Truth, unless he be constrained by Divine Power. And his Seal is this, which is to be worn as aforesaid, etc."

This guy(s) wants to fuck up your day.

You lucky so and so

2011-03-31T21:10:00.001-07:00

And also, a wood panel piece I did for me and Barbara's one year anniversary. Another year to hoping I don't fuck it up!

And for recent music, I literally cannot stop listening to Deerhoof's new album

I mean that, as in it's so good I might die if I do stop listening to it on repeat.

How long

2011-03-31T20:51:00.001-07:00

And the sketch pile!

How long

2011-03-31T20:27:00.000-07:00

Welp, it's getting close. I am down to the last month and half of school and then I shall be graduated. It's an odd feeling but I would really like to get on with my adult life at 25, it has been a bit delayed.

That said, 10 week review came up for illustration which mean we had 10 fully finished illustrations due WHICH ALSO MEANS I got a lot o' things to post, which I will commence with forthwith.

The first being a cover I did for the Cloud Atlas, an amazing book written by David Mitchel I can not recommend enough. It's a story about six different people through 6 different time spans and how they interweave. Outstandingly well written and impressively intricate. ANYWAYS COVER:

The project before that was me trying to illustrate mythological figures in a modern setting so I went with the African goddess Ala, one who represents both birth and death which means that's a boatload of good imagery to work with. HERE:

Another illustration I did recently on modern mythology was on Jack Fiddler and the sucker tribe. It's a complicated event involving murder, rightful land, cannibalism and the mythology of the wendigo that took place in Ontario in the 1920's. Sad and intricate at best:

And the last post for this entry is a touch up on an old poster design I did for ANTI records. I quite like it a lot more now:

Phew, more stuff coming.

I heard if you put Charlie Sheen in your blog, you'll get 10,000+ viewers but luckily I am not so attention grabbing.

2011-03-03T17:34:00.000-08:00

Getting a bit behind on post but not on drawings. HERE ARE SOME SKETCHES.

Darling

2011-01-31T21:48:00.000-08:00

So the final semester has started and I am arting it hard. I am also making sure I am not doing this blindly and I have my resume together as well as working deligently on a portfolio site for all my art. It feels good to have a grasp on where I want to go with both my career and art and I really got to thank Barbara for helping me focus my usually unfocused self. Anyways, the arting:

More demons from the Ars Goetia, specifically Decarabia and Seere.

Here's their info as well:
The Seventieth Spirit is Seere, Sear, or Seir. He is a Mighty Prince, and Powerful, under AMAYMON, King of the East. He appeareth in the Form of a Beautiful Man, riding upon a Winged Horse. His Office is to go and come; and to bring abundance of things to pass on a sudden, and to carry or recarry anything whither thou wouldest have it to go, or whence thou wouldest have it from. He can pass over the whole Earth in the twinkling of an Eye. He giveth a True relation of all sorts of Theft, and of Treasure hid, and of many other things. He is of an indifferent Good Nature, and is willing to do anything which the Exorcist desireth. He governeth 26 Legions of Spirits. And this his Seal is to be worn, etc.

The Sixty-ninth Spirit is Decarabia. He appeareth in the Form of a Star in a Pentacle, at first; but after, at the command of the Exorcist, he putteth on the image of a Man. His Office is to discover the Virtues of Birds and Precious Stones, and to make the Similitude of all kinds of Birds to fly before the Exorcist, singing and drinking as natural Birds do. He governeth 30 Legions of Spirits, being himself a Great Marquis. And this is his Seal, which is to be worn, etc.

And I forgot to upload this last month but I've been doing some collab work with my friend Joe, whose working on some writings he wants me to illustrate. Granted it's in the very early stages here is some of the preliminary sketches.

Should be a good one.

More doodles tomorrow!

A post just dedicated to this video

2011-01-31T21:46:00.000-08:00

That is all

On Melancholy Hill

2010-12-31T12:46:00.000-08:00

So this is my last post for the year and with each last post I select my favorite six albums of the year, in no particular order. But this year I have decided to make it 7 for two reasons, one being that I couldn't cut it down to just 6 because I really didn't want to give up the last one and two, no one really reads this blog so it really doesn't matter what I post or what traditions I start. I also use to do a post on the year reflecting back but now I am just finding that more and more of a practice of thinking out loud for no one but myself so yeah, axing that. For now let's just get to the music.

7 great albums to put into your ears from 2010:

Cerulean - Baths

I discovered this album a bit later in the year but it is a wonderfully beat driven electronic album with a great somber atmosphere. It follows the recent trend of self produced chillwave artist like Toro y Moi and Neon Indian but with a more ambient, well thought out composition and sound. Especially good during the winter.

How I Got Over - The Roots

Straight up great hip hop from people who are now playing for Jimmy Fallon, EVERY NIGHT. As weird as that is to think of, this is a tight album with a ton of guests from the Dirty Projectors to Joanna Newsom. Odd collaborations that end up really sound when put together.

Halcyon Digest - Deerhunter

This might be Deerhunter's most pop oriented album with fun hooks and cheery tunes on a majority of the tracks but it still has a healthy touch of shoe gaze and experimentation to keep it extremely interesting and delightfully layered. It's like if Pet Sounds and Loveless had a disgustingly beautiful mutant baby.

Gorilla Manor - Local Natives

Three part harmonies and afro-pop sounds also seem to be really popular at the moment but this group is by far making the best use of it without getting a dull sound. They remind me a lot of Midlake and Fleet Foxes mixed in with a little Paul Simon. It's a very warm sounding album with a good summer sound.

Plastic Beach - Gorillaz

So many good tracks on such an ecletic album. As much I miss Blur, I think Damon Albarn is slowly winning me over to thinking that Gorillaz is the best project he has taken on. This would have been a perfect album if it wasn't for that damn Sweepstakes track.

Teen Dream - Beach House

As weird as it sounds, every time I describe this album I like to say, "It's the best boring album possibly made." As back handed as that does sound, I think nothing can beat the amazing somber mood Teen Dream has.

One Life Stand - Hot Chip

Yet another Hot Chip album that has the perfect balance of ham-fisted lyrics and cheesy sound with elegant production and beats. It's a wonderful combination I don't think I'll ever get tired of. Also Alley Cats is probably one of my favorite songs of the year.

Woop woop

2010-12-31T12:36:00.000-08:00

And here's a random sketch sitting around.

Sticky Threads

2010-12-31T11:59:00.000-08:00

Here's some stuff from december that's not sketches, already feeling a lot better from the month before.

Also I decided to start up my project again of illustrating all the demons from the lesser key of Solomon.

Here's Dantalion, he enjoys good company and wine. Better late than never.

The Seventy-first Spirit is Dantalion. He is a Duke Great and Mighty, appearing in the Form of a Man with many Countenances, all Men's and Women's Faces; and he hath a Book in his right hand. His Office is to teach all Arts and Sciences unto any; and to declare the Secret Counsel of any one; for he knoweth the Thoughts of all Men and Women, and can change them at his Will. He can cause Love, and show the Similitude of any person, and show the same by a Vision, let them be in what part of the World they Will. He governeth 36 Legions of Spirits; and this is his Seal, which wear thou, etc.

THE AFTERLIFE

2010-11-30T21:40:00.000-08:00

And two things in Photoshop/illustrator I am not the most happy with.

Something about this month has been both good and bad. I've been enjoying my time in sketch books and messing with illustrator and Photoshop but I am not really producing anything that most would say "looks good". The upside of this though is I think I am starting to get a better focused idea of where I want to take my portfolio next semester when I have to get it together for graduation. Still, here's hoping December is going to have a good amount of quantity and quality art wise.

And hey, it's Yacht!

you should like Yacht, that is all.

Sketch dump '99

2010-11-30T21:35:00.001-08:00

Blah only two sketches from this month I actually wanted to scan in.

Them sketches

2010-10-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

Here's them sketches.

Let's go surfing!

2010-10-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

Oh man, it's sad October is almost over already! As much I enjoy halloween which is just around the corner, it's always too short. Fall deserves at least another month or two added to it.

Really enjoying how my illustration projects have been coming along lately. I think I am trying to embrace my own style more recently and fine tune instead of trying to play every field and medium.

Short and simple post like usual, more sketches coming in a bit. For now here is something I've been listening to lately:

Gotta love the drums.

I was born out of love

2010-09-27T00:12:00.000-07:00

And for the end of this string of updates, here is a painting:

A Painting I did over the weekend for the pocket change for global change live art auction. an event for raising money for organizations against human trade/slavery. I got to paint with some sweet artist, including Lucy Knisley and my buddy David, who is not quite as notable as her but he will be one day damn it! It was about 6 artist in total with a pretty good turn out. Only made 25 bucks on my piece but that's better than nothing.

Here is a pic of me (in background) and Dave (not background) arting it up.

And Lucy's finished piece was really ballin'

Also here is Dave's finished piece, which looked like the love child of a Jim Woodring and Gary Basemen painting, which is awesome!

The text in the background of the painting I did came from the song ambulance by Blur. It seemed to fit the mood and idea best for my concept, which was on the irreversible damage of human trade and slavery on an individual. Here's that song.

Alright, this blog is back on track. Feeeels goooood.

Work it work it work it

2010-09-26T21:51:00.000-07:00

And also illustration post!

here is something from illustration last semester of me messing around with silkscreen and watercolor

and my first illustration for this semester. It's subject is on aggression and back stabbing.

It's just a phase, just a place

2010-09-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

And here is all of the finished pieces from the field museum class that I am still in love with even though it's over :<

The morning routine of waking up early to drive into the city and arrive at the field museum just as it was opening felt so good each week it was borderline divine. I am going to miss that.

Incompetence with time and space

2010-09-26T21:35:00.000-07:00

OK, it's been too long again and like always I have a huge amount to post and catch up on. So I will make this quick and brief for this first post back just being doodles!

Enjoy!

It's monk time

2010-07-22T12:31:00.000-07:00

Man, I just can't seem to break the pattern of two updates a month. Even with all this time this summer I am still lazy.

Well at least I am still doing art:

This has all been mostly from my drawing class I am taking this summer at the field museum to finish off a credit. So glad I decided to take it, there's always something interesting to draw there.

Also this summer, I've been breaking out the monks again.

Never can go wrong with the monks.

Fall in love (your funeral)

2010-06-04T23:16:00.000-07:00

Ok, so here are some projects I finished off with for the semester:

This was for my photoshop final, a self portrait. I wanted to capture all of my influences and inspirations in one picture and I think I pulled it off well. Just look at that pug!

And this was for my printmaking final. I did a series of odd little monsters and silk screened them onto sticker sheets and then varnished them to make them nice and permanent. I made about 60 stickers altogether and handed them out to everyone on the last day.

And my last little comic for the art club I run at NIU.

Overall I felt I finished off the year nicely and I am definitely growing as an artist. Still, I don't know if I am pushing myself as hard as I should and I really need to be a lot better by the time I graduate next year. It's time to really get in gear this summer and hopefully have a ton of updates here on this blog. YEAH!!!

And for music, I've been listening to that Badu chick a lot lately. Here new album "New Amerykah Part II: Return Of The Ankh," has been pretty fantastic and gives me hope for soul again.

Such a catchy song, don't even realize it's six minutes long when it comes on my play list.

UH UH UH UH

2010-06-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

Ok guys, I got behind again so your reward is more doodles!

Next update, which is hopefully very soon, will be some of my illustrations from the end of the semester as well as something more, text wise, to bite into.

But for now, more music:

Sleigh Bells is the best maniac doodle music!

Rum Hee!

2010-05-20T23:08:00.002-07:00

It's been awhile, so you can imagine there is going to be a lot of art to dump AND YOU'RE RIGHT! So this post is for all my sketchbook pages since the last update.

And let's post a nice, good song off Shugo Tokumaru's new album to go with it all!

See you in like 8 hours.

You know, the dance floor isn't there no more

2010-04-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

I had an interesting, fun weekend going to C2E2, a new comic con they just started in Chicago. Me and my Illustration class went to check out the artist alley which included me getting to chat with Mike Mignola and have him doodle on the first page of my sketch book. CHECK IT:

Later that afternoon I went to Topatoco's table and bought some stuff from KC Green and John Campbell as well as Anthony Clark. Me and Kc Green talked a bit and I got to awkwardly joke about how I killed that blog we were once collaborating on together... ah good times.

Anyways, time to dump some art:

Another photoshop illustration for class. This time I did as if it was an advertisement for the famous opera der ring das niblungen, also known as the ring cycle.

This was an editorial piece I did for Illustration to accommodate an essay Woody Allen wrote for the New Yorker in 1977 on ufo's in religion, history and pop art. Over all a very funny article but he wrote about Goethe and his experiences with witnessing UFO's so I went with that.

That UFO sure is having a good time, he loves dem hats.

And hey, new apples in stereo album is coming out/already leaked. Now with a healthy slice of Elijah Wood.

FANTASTIC!

Constant Surprises

2010-03-31T09:19:00.000-07:00

Alright, more silk screen stuff!

I seem to be enjoying it vastly. The last three projects I've done for school have been nothing but silk screen. I am just feeling the flat colors and transparencies you get work really well with my current style.

Also some more photoshop stuff:

We had to do short story illustrations for class so I did one off of Haruki Murakami's Little Green monster. A delightful story of a creature that bleeds from the eyes when it's sad and it just gets stranger from there.

And as promised from last post, here's some music from Little Dragon.

What a fantastic voice but man, she needs some dancing lessons.

Little memories, marching on.

2010-03-11T20:19:00.001-08:00

Oh my goodness, sketchbook dump!

And for good measure, my last silk screen project:

It's suppose to be based off the character Malachi Constant from Vonnegut's Sirens of Titan. It's a bit crusty but I've been in this phase of doing grimy sketches and drawings and I am quite enjoying it. I swear I'll get back to pretty things, one of these days.

Also my last photoshop doodle, a little odd Martian landscape based off the coyote buttes:

Woo, look at all dem doodles! I really do need to start posting more than twice a week.

As for current music, the new Gorillaz album "Plastic Beach" just came out and it has blown my socks clear off. I've always been a fan and the band is a cool concept but this time it's just so tight and well crafted it reminds me why Damon Albarn is one of my favorite musicians. Best track off this is definitely empire ants:

The female vocalist that guest on this is part of Little Dragon, an amazing band I discovered thanks to this album. I'll post about them next time cause damn, too much stuff in one!

Smooth Waters

2010-02-18T16:46:00.000-08:00

Man I really need to get in a better routine than posting twice a month cause I am starting to get backed up with art and things I want to post about. I mean I orignally started this blog to get me drawing and to get my ideas out of my head on to some surface, not to explode them across it violently a brief few times a month. Though I do have to say that is a fun mental image.

Anyways, finished that silk screen of my little monster, Glasbermass:

Also the finished illustrations of that model I made of that other little monster:

Man it sure has been a monster month.

Also been doing some drawings in photoshop, trying to get better slowly with it:

And let's top it off with a little Vonnegut:

As for music, I've been obsessively listening to washed out:

Everything about this song and even the video remind me of growing up in Flordia. These terribly long winters make me wonder why I am out here still in the midwest, other than the good family and friends ordeal of course.

When it comes to letting go, let the quicksand flow!

2010-01-26T22:55:00.000-08:00

Here's some more doodles, let's make this nice and easy:

and the next silkscreen project, this one should be a 6 color print when done. It's going to be fun:

As for the show coming up, kinda nervous but really excited. I just like this feeling of doing art and getting recognized. Maybe this all will pay off but once again, the details for the show are that it's at the House cafe in Dekalb, IL. with a reception on thursday, January 28th at 5pm. Be there or be rhombus.

And I just found out Sondre Lerche is coming through Chicago in Feburary so I am busting out some of his older stuff, remembering how much I love it.

A good song for a slow person like me.

Can I Feel Your Teeth In My Mouth

2010-01-20T14:30:00.000-08:00

2010 is off to a pretty fast paced start, I begun classes again last week and I already have a ton of doodles to dump. So yeah, here they are:

I made this last doodle into a silkscreen for prints and t-shirts. I have an art print show I am in with some other artists as well next week at the House cafe in Dekalb, IL. with a reception on thursday, January 28th at 5pm. Pretty stoked, I got two excellent pieces in it I am proud of :3

Also for the first illustration project I had to sculpt a little monster:

I call him Blinky, we're suppose to use him for photo and lighting reference for two illustrations on good and evil environments.

I have more to update about but I'll break up the post over the next few days. Woo, so busy already.

And of course, have some music

In the form of a fun little Korean band called the Black Skirts with an amazing animated video for their song "Dientes."

Top 6 Albums of '09 or Why Lady Gaga Makes Me Want to Vomit.

2009-12-31T16:44:00.000-08:00

Passion Pit - Manners

I was always a big fan of the postal service and this band seems to capture a lot of the reasons I was into them. Fun electronic music with fun, clever sounds and retro-styled songs that stay endearing instead of annoying. It's got heart and it's cheesy but fuck it's great!

Tanya Morgan - Brooklynati

It's been a bit since I found a really good, solid hip hop album since Outkast has been on other projects and MF Doom falls more into the rap genre. These guys have exactly what I've been looking for by having a good balance of witty lyrics, amazing beats and cohesive, well thought out tracks over a great album.

Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

It took me a bit to get around to listening to this album since it seemed like every one was creaming their jeans over this and it kept raising my expectations. When I finally did listen to Bitte Orca, it nearly exploded my mind. It was such a smart combination of jangly guitar work, experimental tweaked noises and thoughtful, lucid lyrics and verses that it had me listening to it on repeat, almost over and over again that week I had brought it with me on a trip to Austin. I'm almost sad I didn't get to this album sooner.

Super Furry Animals - Dark Days/Light Years

Super Furry Animal's are so constantly wonderful I feel like I barely even need to explain why most every year they release something that it's usually one of my favorites. They know what they're doing and this album shows that off yet again.

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

So like Super Furry Animals, Phoenix doesn't know how to do a bad album. They got a lot of attention this year and they fully deserve it. If you like pop music even in the slightest this album is pure gold.

Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle

It's hard to say that an album is simply beautiful but I can confidently say that about Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle. This album is just so aesthetically sound and gorgeous I can't recommend it enough. GET TO IT SON!

And to finish 2009 and a decade at that, let me just say, "FUCK YOU, Lady Gaga!"

and not in a good way.

I dragged you back a sleepyhead

2009-12-31T16:19:00.000-08:00

So my last regular post for the year. After this I'll be posting my usual best 6 albums of the year.

I've been drawing with no clear goal lately and just doing doodles in general. It's not really accomplishing much but it's so enjoyable. Sometimes it's good to get back to the basics.

As for reflecting on this year it's been pretty busy yet fulfilling. I finally have a set date for graduating next spring, I passed Illustration portfolio review, I've been in an art show and I've been working at Altgeld Art Museum for a year now. I feel like I've accomplished a lot for getting where I want to be as an artist but at the same time I have fallen short in a few areas. I wanted to finally finish a small comic/zine to sell at Quimby's and have still put it off a year later. This has to be the year I do that or I might just explode!

As for reflecting on personal things, well, it's a lot! I've come to enjoy where I am with friends and family and just enjoy being myself. I've made a strive to be less lazy and do more constructive things like making music, creating things and posting on this blog more often. I think my biggest hurtle is still apathy and laziness but I am slowly getting through it. There's so much we can do to improve ourselves and others around us I'd hate to look back in another decade and feel like I've been living a wasted life. Something to think about in '10.

Closing the last usual post of the year with some more Passion Pit. Definitely going to be one of the albums in the top 6 for the year.

Keep it surreal in '10!

Is this the way I'll always be? Oh no, Oh no.

2009-12-15T03:02:00.000-08:00

So my semester has been over for the last week and I've just been lazy getting around to posting here but damn, am I enjoying the break. Not much to say other than how much I love sleeping in till 1pm again :3

Some end of the semester art:

My final set of plates for my intaglio class on a split fountain woodcut. I like how it turned out but I wish I had more time to do bigger, individual plates for each one on its own split fountain. Maybe next semester. The title is "Scientist studies" off a deathcab for cutie song I quite like, capturing that familiar feeling of self realization and distance. A rearrangement of tarot cards to represent myself.

And the colored version of this guy

SO PIMP

The end of the year is drawing close and I feel myself on a weird edge, realizing it's almost the end of decade again. I guess I am trying to formulate that all into more cohesive thoughts but until then, this song captures some odd combination of emotions I am feeling:

I was in love with this song by Passion Pit but the music video as well captures this cool, energetic atmosphere. I love when pairings turn out so nicely.

Also in review of reading all this text, I'M SO GAAAAAAAY.

Whatevs.

You're dealing with a kid that doesn't have a clue

2009-11-30T21:43:00.000-08:00

Well November was a wonderful month. Kind of sad how fast fall goes, it's my favorite season and I never feel like I get to enjoy it and it's already freezing and just waiting to snow. My brother came up to visit most of the month and he heads back tomorrow, kind of bummed to see him heading out. All the more reason for me to hurry my ass up, graduate and get out to Austin.

Anyways, the art!

Finished intaglio plate set. Really happy how it turned out and it's a nice, big size of 30" by 15", I think. My printmaker teacher wants to put it in the school's archives so I am happy but at the same time that means I need to do another edition of it, during finals.

Also been drawing Scott, my little imp guy. I need to get back to working on my comics which is a possibility with break a week away.

And most of all, Crunkodile

As for music, enjoy a cute ass, catchy music video from +/-

See you later fall, you were always my favorite~<3

They go we go, I want you to know, what I did I did

2009-11-26T17:49:00.000-08:00

Finally got a working scanner again. Basically I got a new computer and my last scanner was so old they don't even make software compatible for it with anything Windows vista and up. So uh, it's a little later than I wanted to post for November but I still got that chance to make 2 more post. At least one more.

First off, AAAAAAAAAAART!:

Intaglio plate series I am working on. The less said about it, the better, until it is completed :3

A gouache painting for my illustration class. We had to pick a company or business to illustrate so I went with Anti- records. I noticed that most of the artist on their label, Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Tabacco and Man Man, all seem to have themes of drug use so I had this idea of a baby and mama robo pill.

Second off, Seeeeeeeeeeeelf looooooooathing! I've been kind of mad at myself for getting all psyched up and starting a new comic again and not getting further into it. I have been good this semester at drawing regularly and struggling to get better but I really want to get back to doing a comic a week. I am busy; I have school full time and work two jobs but fuck, that's an excuse. No matter how busy I do get, my art should be a high priority and I want to do comics and graphic novels one day as well as illustration.

Third off, Grizzzzzzzzzly Beaaaaaaaaaaaaar!:

My love for them, their music videos and their new album only continue to grow like some beautiful melodic tumor :3

Halloween post whoo!

2009-10-31T16:39:00.000-07:00

I have this tradition that every Halloween I listen to the Cure's album Denigration. So I'll cut to the usual music link right away:

A good song, still a bit cheesy but it's got that potent power of nostalgia for me.

Anyways, here's some recent art as well:

This Illustration was on the subject of identity and that can be a little rough for me. I know myself well but when I present myself to others, it can get a bit depressing when I explain. Basically I wanted to capture my fixation on mortality, self worth and just constant recurrence of being trapped in the past by throwing in a lot of personal symbols from my life. I don't know how I feel about the poorly rendered smog but I feel it was successful otherwise. This was done in goauche on a 16" by 20" board and the title is from a Man Man song called Doo-little.

And a recent intaglio plate, 9" by 12", about a strange dream I had a few weeks ago about this weird, shrouded druid like figure. This one doesn't need as much explanation but I feel like continuing this idea for my next series of plates.

Whoo, two post for October. Next month, three, and all with better art and music, FOR REALZIES!

What did you want to see

2009-10-23T01:26:00.000-07:00

This month I swear I am going to make two post and then next month, three! I am so tired of doing these large updates and basically having to rush everything into a few paragraphs and pics. Also the large blocks remind me how much I haven't gotten done. I am hoping for a little more diligence caused from more updates.

Here's a woodblock I finished. This was done on multiple blocks, about 4 in total:

It's a bit more abstract and blurry in form but I like the murky colors and feel. I've just kind of been in a similar mindset lately, muddy with no clear path. It's reflecting in a lot of my work lately which could be good or bad.

and heres a finished ilio for my illustration class. I did it based off a short story I really liked about a tengu. The poor guy gets struck by a bolt of divine lightning sent down from the buddha himself at the end of the story due to a forgetful monk. Basically the best way I can sum that up in one sentence since it's 4 in the morning here.

Typing too much, this image doesn't even need to be explained:

POKE LIFE TILL I DIE

As for the usual update on new music I've been listening to let's go with Atlas Sound's new album Logos

This is a fantastic track off of it. At first I just really liked the tune but the lyrics made me fall in love with it. Especially the lines "You find yourself lost again, The better things you left behind, But looking back you may go blind." Something I remind myself of every day now.

See? If I had more updates this post wouldn't be so wordy and shitty. I'm setting a good example of a bad example for myself. GENIUS!

I'm caught up in a storm that I don't need no shelter from

2009-09-21T21:19:00.000-07:00

The new semester has been going pretty well. I just got back from a trip out to Austin to go to the GDC since I've been doing concept art for my bros company, Red Fly Studios. Each time I visit Austin I seem to find something new I love about it. I am crossing my fingers when that grad school application goes through in January.

As for my mental state, it's been in a weird state between melancholy and content. I'm getting work done, drawing a lot and enjoying myself but I feel like somethings a bit vacant about myself lately. Maybe it's just adjusting to the usual work load again but I just find myself thinking back to stupid things that don't matter. Maybe one day my brain will start working together as a cognitive whole.

Here's that suicide woodblock I finally finished. It's a nice 20" and 16" and took FOREVER.

I was trying to capture that state of mind I've been in for the last year or two but put a positive twist on it with a nice little Posada style theme and colors. I could go deeper into the piece but I really like leaving it up to the viewer to decide the meaning. It's title is "Something bad inside me went away (those to come)" after a delightful Shins song I thought inspired/captured the mood.

and some doodles, the last one being a prelim sketch for a bigger water color painting I am going to do for an illustration project.

and some music of course.

Finally got around to listening to this new Dirty Projectors album and it's fantastic as everyone has been saying. It's a good balance of weird, sensiable and catchy with gorgeously deep lyrics. The odd cheerful tone mixed with a sense of depression in this song is definitely appealing to me lately.

Yup, back in school still means huge blog post for me. Oh well, better than nothing.

Yep

2009-08-30T12:36:00.000-07:00

School has started for me again and I am quite enjoying the classes. Got photography, Spanish, intermediate Illustration and Intaglio printmaking this semester. They all seem pretty enjoyable and I am hoping this helps me pump out some more art (and post here) these next few months.

I've also been made president of the other art club at NIU, Ars Nova. So I'll be busy with that as well but hopefully it'll get me in the mood to be more productive art-wise. I even get my own little office at school since it's an official SA club. Usually that access to a little extra privacy can be helpful to get me drawing.

I am kind of bummed I didn't get more art done this summer or further into the comic I am working on. I had a really great summer otherwise, getting to hang with friends, go to Georgia and enjoy some concerts and that pitchfork music festival. I am still trying to figure out that perfect balance of getting art done and getting out. It sometimes feels like I have to shut myself in for a few days to get anything done.

Working on still life and figure drawing again, one of those areas I got to sharpen up technique wise.

Should have some wood block prints and comics within the next week or two.

Also I've been on a blur kick again, mainly listening to Think Tank on repeat. They've been one of my favorites for awhile and also one of the first bands I ever really got into. They always tend to bring up nostalgic memories of my earlier teen years.

Nostalgia is going to kill me one day.

We are the robots

2009-07-31T20:30:00.000-07:00

So I am making more than two post this month, hopefully I can make twice as many in August. Considering school's starting and a lot of stuff is up and coming, shouldn't be a problem.

I had to recently sign the NDA with red fly studios for the game concept art I am doing so sorry guys, no art until late on that! None the less it's got me feeling PUMPED.

As for now, I CAN'T STOP LISTENING TO KRAFTWERK!

Why must it all be so catchy? It never leaves my brain. I recently got their album Radioactivity on vinyl and it's been on repeat quite a few days now.

Bustin' out the new lay out

2009-07-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

Liking the colors and new header. If anyone feels otherwise, let me know because I am not a good judge of such things sometimes.

In case things go poorly and I not return

2009-07-22T01:33:00.000-07:00

So I have returned from all my vacationing and music going and general dumbassery with some drawings and comics. Most of them are ideas and sketchs so I am only posting two:

I started typing up this post wanting to write something deep and nice about the recent comic and idea I am working on but I am so tired of talking shit up I just want to get more pages done and feel half way decent about finishing an idea. I am such a huge gay nerd baby who loves run on sentences jeeeeesh.

I am going to see about readjusting and making this blog look a little better within this week but for now here is the usual music I am going to post that people should take a gander at with their ears:

Seriously fantastic song, Bill Callahan has made the best album this year so far and he has a beard in this link. Work that beard Billy, work it like you mean it!

Now I go out alone if I go out at all

2009-06-21T01:23:00.000-07:00

Going to to the Atlanta Suburbs, returning with lots of art and comics. Take this if needed:

Toodles!

We're not old, old at all. Just too old.

2009-06-12T01:26:00.000-07:00

Been getting back on track with doing art daily and painting and such. Here's some watercolors and doodles I did for some friends.

I've started scripting and drawing out the rough sketches for the comics I want to do and actually print myself. I am still a little iffy on a few of the ideas but I'm hammering them out and feeling pretty confident all around with how it'll turn up.

Some of them are a bit personal too and I don't know if I am comfortable enough to do them or even if I should. Doubling that up with the usual self doubt of an artist, I'm wondering if I should even do a rough sketch of them. Fuck if I know.

Life is pretty confusing in general lately but it's a nice kind of confusion. Tomorrow I am heading off to Chicago to check out the new modern wing at the art institute of Chicago which will hopefully be very inspiring and if not, there's always the stop at Rotofugi's to help with that. Beats sitting at home and watching Docotr Who, which is sadly what I've been doing most of this week :[

And for the usual music I seem to post at the end of each entry, I've really been in to the Antlers lately. This track, Bear, is so wonderful:

Albums called hospice and it's a really good companion along with Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest. I think it captures that word's feeling in a morbidly beautiful way, cover art included.

I'm cheerleading myself, I should've made it matter.

2009-05-21T02:31:00.000-07:00

Summertime always seems to remind me that I am more lazy than I should be and a recent purchase of the Optic Nerve mini-series has reinforced this with some intensity. Adrian Tomine is one of my favorite artist and I am still blown away by the fact he was doing comics like the ones in this collection from when he was 18 to 21. Also it comes in a neat little box that contains all of the reprints of the 6 zines.

Even came with free stickers, hot damn!

This summer I need to get together my own comics and work on a new one and finally get it altogether in a nice little zine. No excuses this time, I am just getting older and it's one of the few things I have a passion for in this weird life of mine.

At least I've been doing some comics again recently but I need to get a cohesive idea of what I need to do and get it done before late August rolls around. I've passed so many personal mile stones lately but this is still one of the bigger ones to me, which seems funny and small but it's just something I have to do.

Also recently I've been listening to the leak of Veckatimest, Grizzly Bear's forthcoming album, obsessively. But it's having a weird affect on me at the same time. It's something so beautifully done that it brings back all of these old memories and feelings of places I am not anymore. The more I thought about this, I really want to do that with my comics and art one day. I am not expecting to accomplish this anytime soon but one day, that's what I want achieve.

The song Cheerleader , off of Veckatimest, gets me every time.

Also enjoying this fan video, I use to watch the incredible Mr.Limpet a lot as a kid.

I miss so many beautiful things and people but maybe this is just one of those facts of life.

Donde Està La Playa

2009-05-13T02:39:00.000-07:00

So here I am, it's summer time and I finally feel rested after a long stretch. Granted I've been sleeping in till 1 most of the days now and working the others it's something I needed.

A lot has happened since my last post. I passed my portfolio review with flying colors, went to an amazing illustration show that lead to my last night out in Dekalb for the Semester with a lot of crazy happenings and finally accompanied a few friends to a local anime convention full of strange, strange folks and odd smells this last weekend. I'd write in more details about these but the two key things to know are 1. on the night of the illustration show a crystal skull full of vodka was purchased and 2. at the anime convention I accompanied myself with a large, 1988 sears model boom box also known as a ghetto blaster and went around blaring rap music and garage punk as loud as possible inside of elevators and small hallways.

Here is some art I've done since the last post:

Here is some music video you should watch:

That is all for now, I'll take time for more thought out post as this summer goes by. Wish me luck strangers.

Shit I said I was going to be better with updating

2009-04-18T23:42:00.000-07:00

but here we are, two weeks later, with so much happening and no updates in between. Alright, after this I'll try to update every few days or at least make sure a week doesn't go in between each one.

ANYWAYS, I finished up two more of the 4" by 6" copper plates. Continuing my fun little series of dead cowboys with various animal skulls, here they are:

This one being titled "Waves Of Rye."

and this one is "In Ear Park."

I also finished up that acrylic painting of a delightful cassowary, possibly the coolest birds ever:

and as always, pugs, lots of pugs:

As for the Jay Ryan show, talk and Dianogah playing, all of it was fantastic. He was probably one of the friendliest artist I've met, was really engaging and funny and taught me some cool stuff and techniques for silk screening. He even told me to stop by and talk with him at Pitchfork since he'll be at the flat stock poster convention and his band should be playing either Saturday or Sunday. Heavily considering looking for an internships at Flat Stock.

and oh my god, the line up for the pitchfork music festival this year is downright amazing. Wavves, Vivian girls, Yo La Tango, the Walkmen, the pains of being pure at heart, grizzly bear and most of all the Flaming Lips. For anyone who knows me, reads this blog and lives in the area, you need to go or you are crazy and hate fun things.

I've got more to write about and say but like I said, need to break up these post and update more often. Watch this for now:

Phoenix has a new album coming out and the first song out for it is called 1901. Fantastic song from a fantastic band and they're going to be in Chicago in June. Fucking great year for music so far, hope the same goes for my own art by the time December gets here.

When you wake up, feelin' old

2009-04-03T23:21:00.000-07:00

Last night was the opening reception of our printmaking suite show at the Altgeld Art Museum. It was fan-fucking-tastic to say the least so here's some pictures of the set up:

I got to meet Jay Ryan (of the fantastic www.thebirdmachine.com) today as well as attend his workshop. Which actually turned out to be just us helping him do some silk screen prints but I am not complaining. It was fun to talk to him and he's one hell of a nice guy, he even gave me two free prints of the posters he did for the show.

Tomorrow Jay Ryan's band, Dianogah, is playing the house cafe so I should be getting some pretty sweet pictures as well as uploading pics from the opening night and the posters he gave me.

As for my own work lately it's just been sketches in my book since I'm in the process of finishing an acrylic painting for an illustration assignment and doing two more intaglio plates which take up so much time but look so bad ass when they are finished. It's definitely a fair trade.

Anyways, some random sketches:

and a pronto plate I forgot to post last time:

Words are a title to a Wavves song. Wavves is the best. Here is proof:

As for personal things I've been considering grad school in printmaking and have been looking at a few programs for it out in Austin by my bro. I love Chicago but I don't know how much more I can take of the Midwest. It makes me feel so stale after each winter and I miss nice, warm weather and sandals. I've also been looking around California, in the San Fransisco and San Diego area, and maybe even Oregon or Washington. I've been up here for 8 years and that's the most I've ever been in one place at one time, I think I am just too used to moving every few years now. Home for me is with people, not places.

That's it for now, more art and pics from the show and other things soon. God I need to learn how to make these post shorter ffffffffffffff

Intaglio and other fancy art words

2009-03-24T22:13:00.000-07:00

Life has been getting crazy hard lately. I'd bore you with obvious details as to why but this blog is more about art and less about bitching and crying about life in general. If you wanted that well, you pretty much could go to anyone because we all got something going down in some way. A friend of mine had to drop $3500 on a new engine for his car and another one has a freaking bed bug infection in his house leaving him with no place to sleep for the last few nights.

It's good to always remember that someone always got it worse and problems make a better person, so you know, chin up and stop being a huge baby and I dunno, listen to the ponies or wavves or something and get those fist pumping in the air or make run on sentences that never end with horrible analogies.

Anyways, been working on some Intaglio plates lately, getting ready to do a series of prints of dead cowboys with various animal skulls. Also for shits and giggles each one is named after a song from the department of eagle's album In Ear Park

I really enjoy the process, especially for all the different ways you can approach Intaglio and copper plate printing in general. In the next few days I should have some soft ground and aquatint plates to print that work off a similar method like this but with less acid baths and dangerous shanking tools (Sadly).

And have some doodles, no need to explain these really.

I've got some more stuff to update, like about the (finally) upcoming Jay Ryan show and other stuff but I'm trying to keep these post a bit shorter. Get to the real meat and bones and less of the general faggotry that is Brandon Kirkman.

And hey, spring is finally getting its lazy ass in gear and it has been quite nice out. One last wintery-esque music video before it's too late to capture that great depressing force that is the Midwest winter:

Midlake - Young Bride. I've probably watched this video and listened to this song like a million times. It's a shame this album didn't get as much attention as the Fleet Foxes first LP. Get this album if you don't got it :3

This is the huge art dump update

2009-03-15T00:26:00.001-07:00

Since it's almost been a month since I've posted any art, I'm just going to post some highlights of what I've been doing lately. ENJOY!

Also these were my 3 pieces in the skate show. I figure since it's almost been a month as well since that took place I'd just post my work and skip doing a write up on it for now. I am a lazy man.

Reflecting on a month of work makes me realize that almost none of these images really fit together and my ideas seem a little sporadic. So here is some music that fits it all best!

Oh god I got so much stuff going on now why didn't I update sooner fuuuuuuuuuuck

2009-03-12T00:25:00.000-07:00

I just got back from my spring break visiting my bro in Austin. Had a great time but realized I should have updated before I left since it's been a bit. I got a lot of art to post, an update about comic stuff I've been working on and a write up on that skate show I was in two weeks ago to do still. For now, here's some pics from my trip since we only remembered to bring the camera when we were at an Ikea, go figure. I guess when you need a couch, you need a couch.

You can bet your bottom dollar that last pic is going to be my new profile picture :3

And for the record Austin, Texas is bad ass and I am considering looking for job prospects out there when I graduate. I spent a lot of time at Rudy's Barbecue, Waterloo records, Spider house patio and book people with my brother and a friend that was vising Austin at the same time as me. Weird coincidence but worked out nicely! I also got a lot of shit and stress out of my system and I still got some spring break left. Life is looking fine and peachy, maybe even a little supple.

A Breaks B

2009-02-09T17:12:00.000-08:00

Check it out, I had to illustrate 5 sounds abstractly: Upper left: putting a needle on a vinyl record, middle: listening to someone else's pulse, upper right: outside of a noisy rock concert, lower left: Listening to Hot Chip's Made in the dark and lower right: the sound windows make when they're contracting in the cold at night.

The Titus Andronicus/Los Campesinos! show was pure awesome. Me and a group of friends danced so much that our hair and shirts were drenched with sweat by the time the show was over. Here's a few of the pictures that turned out alright, it was tough to get any decent ones because it was so crowded and dimly lit:

Before that I spent some time in Wicker Park going around and stopping by some of my favorite stores in Chicago like Quimby's, Reckless Records and Myopic Books. Next time I'm out there I'll have to get some pictures and do a little write up on the places.

Been listening to Dear and the Headlights a lot lately. They're headlining a show in March with Miniature tigers which shall entail quite a fun time:

YOU! ME! DANCING!

2009-02-07T10:21:00.000-08:00

I've been contemplating and working on my own blog again for the last week and figured it was time to give an update to this old one. After talking to a co-worker, Kim Strom (check out her blog, a very talented photographer and artist http://www.kimberlystrom.blogspot.com ) at my gallery job and realizing that even NIU's own art museum has it's own blog I thought it'd be good to keep my own going and keep all of the projects I do for Odwwart strictly for Odwwart.

All of these events transpired from Altgeld's gallery reception for our two new shows last Thursday night. I even got an odd picture from it with my good buddy Robert, standing next to me and his friend Rachel posing with us in a very somber, gallery like affair.

Picture was taken by Kim Strom whose blog I hope you've checked out by now :3

As for now, here is the art I've been doing recently:

Also this piece was a silk screen print I did a series on and I actually had two people buy them off me and the rest I gave to friends who wanted one. It made me feel all nice and good. I'm just glad people enjoyed the little strange bird I invented.

Another project I have started is to do is a comic retelling and satire of old folklore and fairy tales from around the world. The first one I did was a take of an old Japanese fairytale called "Crackle Mountain" which is just as brutal and perverse as any Brothers Grimm story. Read up on it sometime if you're not familiar (http://cracklemountain.blogspot.com/2006/05/crackle-mountain-folktale-japan.html)

Hopefully will be updating with more of these soon.

As for now, I'm off to Chicago to go hang with my good friends Ryan and Ninja Steve, who are also starting blogs soon. I guess it's like some blog virus going around recently with everyone I know. ANYWAYS I'm also meeting up later with another friend of mine for a concert at Logan Square Auditorium with Los Campesinos! and Titus Andronicus, which will guarantee I will be returning with an update and sweet pictures from that event. Good times to follow People.

For anyone not familiar with Los Campesinos! even though I've linked them before on Odwwart BAM!

I love this music video so much :3

and dear lord, I promise smaller post from here on out.

Hey guys!

2007-12-30T00:59:00.001-08:00

Let the hate begin!