Cubist Comix

New Faces, New Café... More Coffee

Here we have a new batch of drawings that I did recently at a new/ old favorite cafe of mine. Since starting this blog last year, I have spent countless hours drawing unsuspecting victims that come in to do homework, chitchat, strike business deals, sleep, etc at various cafes, both locally and out of town. The particular cafe where I did this batch of drawings is one that Ive frequented off and on for the last 5 years or so and one that I had stopped coming to (sort of). I think that atmosphere has a lot to do with the drawings I do at any given cafe; the more comfortable I am, the more I'm going to draw.  This cafe, Empresso Coffeehouse, is comfortable, has a good vibe and is always filled with unsuspecting victims for my pen so it's easy to see why I like going there.

    

Just A Thought

This drawing is as to the point as you can get; there's really nothing vague about it at all. I know that it's something that I've had in mind for quite some time and something that I, certainly, felt needed to be expressed. The idea behind this drawing is a combination of things, mostly things that I've experienced in my recent past. Perhaps this drawing may offend some people, but that isn't important to me. I'm not here to score points with anyone; I'm here to do what I'm supposed to do: express myself. Yes, it's true; I have a disdain for the everyday, vapid mindset that seems to affect many of my fellow Americans; their lack of intellectual  curiosity really disgusts me. Maybe what disgusts me even more is the fact that they just follow along with what everyone else does; they follow along like good little sheep stopping off at McDonald's and Wal Mart before falling off the cliff. Whatever happened to individuality? Unfortunately, being your own man/woman is something that doesn't exist anymore; it's easier to have Dr. Phil tell us what to do instead of making our own decisions. So, yes, it's true, I have no sympathy for the Wal Mart lifestyle that seems to exemplify the American dream today. Perhaps I'm elitist in my viewpoint, I may even be arrogant, but if loving to grow as a person,viewing myself as a citizen of the world and not wanting to try to fit in with a certain group (any group) makes me elitist and arrogant then so be it. Life is too short to waste on conformity.    

Art On The Run

Here you have the first of what I refer to as Art On The Run or drawings created while out and about or traveling; I feel that this will add a new dimension to my blog and give you, my dear readers, more of an insight into my creative process. This particular drawing was created at the request of my friend and fellow artist Christyna McMahon while I was in Southern California visiting family and friends last week. It was the combination of Christyna's request and my recent acquisition of an iPhone that made this possible. Ultimately, the important thing here is the challenge of creating a drawing on the spot wherever I may be and to share it with all the wonderful people that visit my blog from across the globe. I must admit, I really like this idea of creating art on the run; I hope that you like it as well.

Freedom Through Dreaming

This idea began one day as I sat at the cafe. As always, I was looking for an unsuspecting victim to draw when I spotted the lovely young lady pictured here. I originally did this in pencil with the idea of finishing it up later or on a return trip to the cafe but that all changed when I got home; the cool, overcast weather combined with the luxury of a day off spurned me into action. I became excited with the possibilities that opened up to me in that moment and I decided to just let myself go with what I was feeling. The first thing I thought of doing was experimenting with my pen and ink technique; having mastered cross hatching I, now, would like to add and expand that into something new. The second thing that came to mind was turning a basic cafe drawing into something strange and new. I didn't know what I would end up with but I can certainly say that I love what happened with this. This is just a preliminary drawing for a finished illustration that I intend to do within the next two weeks; I can't wait to do it as I've had even more ideas come to mind since I began this.

Two for Two

Here's another "Organic design" that I recently found while digging through piles of other art stuff. What is it? What does it mean? You're asking me? I'm the last one you should ask when you look for an explanation about my work; I just draw and paint and that's all I know - the rest is a mystery. I intend on finishing this series of paintings so keep a look out for those to pop up somewhere: here, Etsy, post cards, etc. So far I've had great feedback on these and would like to do something with them in the not too distant future.

So, what's next on the agenda? What am I going to throw myself into next? For the next six months or so most of my attention will be focused on the comics stories that I'm currently in process of preparing; my hope is to have at least thirty-six pages of material ready for this fall. I will post examples of what I'm working on as I get it done. Writing and drawing your own stuff is very time consuming so please bear with me. Aside from that the only other thing I can think of doing is... drawing. Pen and ink, watercolor, and colored pencil on bristol board.

The Door Must Always Remain Open

I recently found this painting while digging through piles and piles of art books. I did this ten years ago with the intention of doing a series, but as usual, other things got in the way and I ended up doing only two of these. When I did this I did it because I was feeling burned out with representational pictures and I wanted to do something, anything, no matter how strange or bizarre. Oddly, at the time I planned to do these solely for my own pleasure and this is why they were put away for so long.

This find couldn't have been any more timely for me; even though I started this project a decade ago it really pointed to where I am now - I guess you could say that I've come full circle. Over the last few days I've felt very restricted in my work; I do less of what I really want to do and more of what I don't want to do. How crazy is that? Strange, nonsensical ideas are always coming to me but they're not being put on paper and that must stop. Many of my recent posts have, to one degree or another, been about this;I guess it's just a natural part of growing and maturing as an artist. You reach a point where you know that you have to be yourself and follow your heart without caring about what anyone will say; I definitely have reached this point and there's no turning back now. It's do or die, folks. Over the weekend I had a conversation with a dear friend about this but in a more general sense; we both agreed that most people are unhappy with their lives because they're stuck where they're at and they think that they can't get out. They have literally shut the door behind them; they've given up on their dreams. It's all about the credit card payments and the mortgage payment. No thanks; I'll pass. Being yourself  is not the easiest thing in the world to do, but in the end it's all you can be. Pen and ink, watercolor, acrylic, pastel and gouache on bristol board.    

I'm Baaaaaack!!!

 Gee, has it really been a month since my last post? He he, I guess it has. What in the world have I been doing that's kept me from making new posts and keeping in touch with my dear readers? DRAWING, lots of drawing is what I've been up to. I was actually finishing up a long standing commission for a good friend of mine and starting work on some comics stories that I've been wanting to get out of my system. I will post examples of my work as it progresses; I plan to have all the material done by October of this year in time for the Alternative Press Expo in San Francisco. Amazingly, I've actually found time to work in my sketchbook over the last month and I have various pages in progress and should have them up within the next few weeks.

So, what's going on with this page? Well, I guess it's my reaction to all the layoffs that are becoming oh so prevalent these days. I thought to myself, "Before you know it even the cartoon characters will be getting laid off." Yes, we are living in tough times, no doubt about that. But this is nothing new, it's just part of life; things get hard then they get better. So, chill out folks, the best is yet to come! You know, sometimes you just have to laugh it off; it's all too silly to take so seriously. Have a good time all of the time!

Have A Good Time All the Time

My goodness, how time flies when you're having fun; that's exactly what I've been doing since my last post and this is the result of that! Do you ever feel as if you're following the rules a little too closely? I was having that feeling lately and finally I said, "Fuck it, I'm going to have fun, no matter what!" Life is too short and rules were meant to be broken so why not have a good time, right? Nowadays we have the perfect opportunity to be free and do whatever the hell we want;  fifteen years ago we were still at the mercy of publishers and galleries (Bastards) when it came to getting mass exposure, but now that's changed thanks to these blogs. I'm not crazy about everything in the technology age but being able to show my work this way is certainly one thing I do like about it.

So, what the hell is the meaning behind this latest masterpiece? Good question. Don't ask me, I don't know; I don't think too much about it, I just throw myself into it and whatever happens happens. Not knowing what the result will be is half the fun when it comes to drawing; at least that's what I believe. Putting down what you really feel is not an easy thing, you have to have the guts to do it. I don't know about you but for me it's become something that has to be done; maybe people won't like everything you do or worse they might end up hating your guts but, hey, that's their problem; I'm too busy having a good time over here to worry about stuff like that. Have a good time all the time!

This Is How You Escape

I always carry my sketchbook and Rapidograph wherever I go; it's something that I've been doing for twenty-five years and it becomes more ingrained as time goes on. Most of the drawing that I do is done at local cafes and other assorted places: doctor's offices, parked car, etc. Why do I feel so compelled to do this? Aside from the fact that its a deeply ingrained habit, I feel that I do this in order to build momentum and thrust myself forward to where I want to be in the future. There's a terribly long and complicated story behind my reasoning that would take up more space than I have here so I'll spare you the details. Drawing, every single line, is going forward and not giving in; it's my inner voice telling me, "This is how you escape." Through my drawing I will attain my freedom and ultimate recreation.

The girl in the upper left hand corner was drawn a couple of weeks ago at a Starbucks in Davis, California. It was hard not to look at her; she was gorgeous. Her features seem to be something of an ideal to me: black hair, fair skin, full lips, etc. She reminded me of Jane Morris, the iconic artist's model of the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood. Believe me, this drawing doesn't do her justice but at least something remains and she's not totally forgotten. Rapidograph in Aquabee.

Please check out the great new site, Beerpump, that el señor R has begun for drawings of beer taps/ pumps from all over the world. Sooner or later you'll see something of mine there (Se lo prometo señor R!).

Johnny Cash Was Stoned

Sometimes, without even trying, you end up hearing the strangest things while waiting for food. I say this because I remember a recent conversation that I overheard while having lunch last week at Perkos Cafe in Tracy, California. It was a cold, rainy day and I had some time to kill so I thought I would get a bite to eat and do some drawing in my book. I was glad that I found this place as I wanted to find a cozy place to ensconce myself for an hour or so. Luckily, the waitress was able to seat me at a booth near a window; lunch that day consisted of a California burger with beer battered onion rings and a Sprite. As I neared the end of my meal I ordered my first cup of coffee and pulled out my trusty sketchbook. As I said, there weren't too many people eating at the time so I decided to set my sights on the abandoned building across the parking lot to my left. As I was drawing I could hear a couple that had walked in and were talking to the waitress; I remember the husband boasting about the fact that he had seen Johnny Cash perform umpteen times over the last fifty years and that Johnny had been "Stoned every time." Only in a cafe do you hear such things; you can't make this stuff up! The same thing happens when you ride the Greyhound; there's always some guy who just got out of jail sitting right near you telling his story to whoever wants to hear it. Ah, the United States. Rapidograph in Aquabee.