Your Square Life

The Paper Posts

2012-01-25T21:34:00.000-09:00

I tried to set the bar very high for this year's Christmas card, so I went with a paper-craft version of the family with my wife doing a diorama to go with them. I won't go into all the details and I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, but it was a lot, lot of work and tedious folding, but everything turned out better than I imagined.

If you want to take a stab, and why wouldn't you, I've included some color-your-own templates at the bottom if you want to have your own Post adventures.

Here are the Post templates:

Monsters!

2012-01-22T21:17:00.000-09:00

One of the other things I've been up to was Enzina Marrari's last curated show at Middleway Cafe, which was up from October through November. I enjoyed these pieces a lot, especially with the Halloween theme, and made a decision to do everything, apart from the backgrounds, in Illustrator. They were also printed on canvas, which made them really pop. Look for three of the four prints on Esty in the near future.

HOME Show

2012-01-22T13:30:00.001-09:00

If you have a moment in February, come check out the HOME show for the United Way's Walk for Warmth and organized by the Nerland Agency. I haven't seen my actual artwork yet because it's in the process of being silk-screened for the event. I haven't had anything of mine silk-screened before, apart from a few t-shirts, so I'm really excited to see how it turned out.

HOME Poster Show

Snow City Café

February 3 – March 1, 2012
Opening: First Friday, February 3

"Our HOME poster show celebrates local artists and will raise funds for United Way’s Walk for Warmth. We created this event to honor local talent and celebrate the camaraderie in the art community.

HOME is a poster show inspired by how we individually define such a place or feeling. Each of us has in some way created a unique environment by the people, places or things that represent to us a sacred physical space or emotional refuge.

HOME features a collection of local artists’ limited handcrafted silkscreen prints. All proceeds will go to United Way’s Walk for Warmth, helping at-risk families stay housed and warm during the harsh winter months in Anchorage.
www.walkforwarmth.stayclassy.org

Admission is free and posters are affordable."

Comissions

2012-01-19T21:00:00.000-09:00

I've been especially remiss in posting up my work lately, mostly because I've been going from project to project. I'v got a moments break, so here's a bit of what's been on my drawing board. The first is for Liz Meredith's blog for her forthcoming book "Summon the Rain". She wanted a picture of her as a young girl, doing her approximation of a rain dance.

The other recent commission was for my friend Jessica Bowman's goddaughter based on a few pictures and a poem Jessica composed for her.

Sketches pt 2

2012-01-17T16:31:00.000-09:00

More preliminary sketches for my new project.

Add caption

Sketches pt 1

2012-01-15T16:29:00.001-09:00

I'm developing a new series for an art show this summer. I put out the all-call on Facebook and Twitter last week and I got a huge response, but I could still use more if you're willing to share. Just send them to yoursquarelife at gmail.com.

I went to the Ak Arts conference this week, so I had some time during the inspirational talks to jot down some sketches. I did find out my new Moleskin notebook is impervious to ink, so pardon the rampant smudging. I'll be posting up a few more sketches over the week.

49 Writers Class in December

2011-12-02T20:52:00.001-09:00

Registration is live for my class. Only 9 spots left.

"49 Writers has teamed up with the Friends of the Library to offer a free Comics workshop (ages 12-14) during Winter Break. Join instructor Lee Post Dec. 27-29 from 3-5 pm at Teen Underground; no special drawing or writing experience is required. The workshop is limited to ten students, so register today at www.49writingcenter.org / Classes and Programs / WYAK."

Free Comic Workshop in December!

2011-11-27T14:10:00.001-09:00

I'm getting read to do another workshop very soon for 49 writers. The best part is that it's free, but limited to 10 kids, so register as soon as you're able.

From the 49 writer's blog:

"Stay tuned also for details on a free workshop with Lee Post “Comics: Turning drawings into stories” at Teen Underground December 27-29 from 3-5 pm. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Visit www.wyakwriters.com or see our Facebook event for details."

Anchorage United For Youth

2011-09-01T21:15:00.002-08:00

My work on the Anchorage United for Youth is finally live! Take a watch.

Kotzebue 7

2011-08-28T20:03:00.000-08:00

Here are some drawings of some traditional drawings and Native Kotzebue winter clothes. The gloves were worn by some girls while dancing in bright kuspuks.

Kotzebue 6

2011-08-24T21:51:00.000-08:00

long weekend of drawing

2011-08-21T19:53:00.000-08:00

I had a long weekend of doing some commercial work, but it involved some last minute, down to the wire work in Illustrator to put some "happy fish" in a banner. I'm fairly happy with the result. I'll post all the full versions when the banner goes to press. If all goes according to plan you'll see these guys all over town next month.

Kotzebue 5

2011-08-18T21:40:00.002-08:00

Here's some drawings from the 2nd and 3rd day, with some traditional food we were graciously offered during a Potluck in the village of Noatak, which we flew into from Kotzebue. Afterwards, we flew into Red Dog Mine for the afternoon, which comes later in the sketchbook.

We had a community potluck the next night in Kotzebue with more food like freshly harvested Ptarmigan eggs and Agutak, made with seal oil.

Finally, Pat and Nathan joined in a traditional Tlingit song they knew from Southeast Alaska with the Mayor of Kotzebue.

Arctic Entries

2011-08-16T22:08:00.001-08:00

Here's my submission for the Arctic Entries logo competition. They needed something simple and 2 colors and I think this fits the bill. http://arctic-entries.com/

Kotzebue 4

2011-08-13T22:05:00.003-08:00

Here are a few more pictures from Kotz. The first two are from a large banner with different panels from each of the villages that feed into the larger Kotzebue community. I liked the 'Eskimo' figure fighting the old timey boxer and the fist with the no circle around it to drive the message home.

The last picture was this great out of focus, back lit picture of a man on a boat holding a bird pinned to a dusty cork board in the Bering Air lobby. It was out of place and wonderful in its own way.

Kotzebue 3

2011-07-19T21:00:00.000-08:00

More wall hangings from the school.

Rocket Ship Park Kickball League

2011-07-16T13:48:00.002-08:00

Here's a bit of my process. I was commissioned to design a jersey logo for the supremely awesome Rocket Ship Park Kickball League, which plays weekly in Valley of the Moon Park.

I started off with three pages of draft designs, playing around with the space themes.

The client wanted the design in red and black with the distinctive rocket ship jungle gym somewhere, with the plan to do the rest of the park in silhouette as well.

When I sat down to do the final design, I wasn't happy with the design and the client wanted it to be printed on a gray athletic shirt. The design wasn't dynamic or fun and it didn't work on gray, so I did a left turn, using some of the themes of the 1st draft, which resulted in something I was really happy with.

As soon as the shirts are available to order, I'll give a shout.

Kotzebue 2

2011-07-14T10:35:00.001-08:00

This was a portrait hung above the entry to the cafeteria in the Norvik School.

Kotzebue 1

2011-07-09T22:02:00.000-08:00

I just had the chance to go to Kotzebue for four days as part of this year's Emerging Leaders Dialogue and I brought along a sketchbook. The trip was fascinating, but the first day started with a long session in the Noorvik School cafeteria/multipurpose room, which resulted in what turned out to be one of my most productive sketch diaries. I just got the whole thing scanned and I'll post up the pages over the coming weeks.

The first few images are from the grand wood and metal Native carvings in the cafeteria. My eyes were drawn to them all three days we were in the space.

Caricatures, taking orders now.

2011-07-08T21:52:00.003-08:00

A number of big projects have wound down recently, which has been great and lets me enjoy at least a few days of summer. I have been doing a lot of caricatures recently, which has been absolutely great. If you're interested, let me know. (The above flyer is from the 2011 ACE charity auction.)

I just finished picture below for Kim and Andy, who one it at the auction. Actually, my friends purchased it, then gifted it to Kim and Andy as a wedding present. They're going to use it as their post wedding thank you note. The image is based on a small little fire that happened in their backyard near their recently legalized urban chicken coop. I just got word from my wife that its made it to her already as an inter-office email, so I can only assume its been well received.

These faces are for tiny tiny bodies in a paper diorama my friend Jon is making for his mates Steve and Valette's wedding.

49 Writers Summer Youth Program- Comic Adventures! [UPDATE]

2011-07-03T22:55:00.002-08:00

I'm teaching an expanded version of the comic class I did in Homer last weekend the last week in July from 1-4 p.m. If I may remind you, the Homer class was a smash success and the kids loved every minute of it, so if you know any young people who may be interested in learning to create comics from start to finish, 49 writers is taking reservations now!

[Update: Due to enrollment issues for the classes in the Youth Program, Comic Adventures is canceled for the time being.]

COMIC ADVENTURES Do you love comics and animation? Learn how the pros mix drawing and stories. You’ll draw a one panel comic, followed by a three-panel comic strip and a classic six-panel grid. You’ll end up with a complete original comic page from script to draft to final artwork. No prior art or writing experience is required, only an interest in drawing comics and telling stories.
Instructor: Lee Post July 25-29, 1 – 4 p.m. Ages 10-13
$175 Pay now! (Don't forget the registration form, too)

Homer Comic Class: the Results

2011-06-26T20:31:00.000-08:00

I just got back from Homer and my series of four comic classes was a complete success. All four classes were chock full of kids who were super enthusiastic about comic making. I made a point of hanging up everyone's work as they completed it and the room was completely covered by the end.

Drawing Class at the Homer Library on the 24th and 25th!

2011-06-16T20:41:00.000-08:00

Art Demo at the Dorothy G Page Museum

2011-06-10T17:40:00.000-08:00

If you're in the Mat-Su Valley tomorrow on June 11th, I'll be doing a short art demonstration and talk in support of the "Native Lad" Exhibit at the Dorothy G. Page Museum in downtown Wasilla. Right after the esteemed Peter Dunlap-Shohl will be showing his stuff as well.

1:15 pm – Lee Post Demonstration: Cartoon Art – Putting Pen to Paper
45-minute discussion and demonstration.

2:15 pm – Peter Dunlap-Shohl Demonstration: Cartoon Art – Animating the Image
45-minute discussion and demonstration.

Unused AUY illustrations

2011-06-08T21:29:00.000-08:00

These aren't going to be used in the print campaign, but I liked them.

My cartoons animated!

2011-06-08T20:43:00.000-08:00

I recently had the opportunity to do some artwork for the Anchorage United for Youth advertising campaign. They wanted a RSA style comic on short notice, so I ended up doing a motion capture of my artwork using Sketchbook Pro, which was condensed and edited by the ad agency. The taxing thing was that I had to draw it straight through over 20+ minutes without making a mistake.

drawing program: Sketchbook Pro
motion capture: CamStudio (open-source/free)

Some recent projects

2011-04-29T18:03:00.001-08:00

I've been horrible about updating my recent projects, but here are some recent illustrations that have gone to press.

First off, a caricature for Bethany Buckingham to commemorate her 3rd year 'leather' anniversary at the Dorothy G. Page Museum in Wasilla.

Next a set of illustrations for the Anchorage 'Scoop the Poop' campaign.

The finished, color version of the 'fighting cookies' illustration.

Finally a logo for the Anchorage Musicians Co-op.

The last of Mustache March!

2011-03-31T21:35:00.001-08:00

More Mustache March!

2011-03-24T21:23:00.000-08:00

There's one week left and Team Amazing Grace has gotten $587.50 in donations. Hopefully we'll make it to $600 by the end. Thanks all, and especially to the last few donations we received at Grace's birthday.

Raising money for Mustache March

2011-03-16T21:04:00.000-08:00

As part of the fundraising drive for Mustache March for Covenant House, I've been doctoring up a few pictures of the babe to support the cause. For every donation to "Team Amazing Grace", I'll work up a mustached Grace as a thank you. If you donate, you're in good company, we've raised $400 so far, and Covenant House has raised $1200 to help needy homeless and troubled teens.

https://www.covenanthouseak.org/MustacheMarch2011.asp

The babe is a year old.

2011-03-16T20:55:00.002-08:00

One of my goals since my babe was born a year ago was to throw myself in to making the family Christmas cards and her birthday cards which has been great so far. Here's her first birthday card, parts of which was re-purposed into her first Valentine's card as well, along with her face from the Mustache March flyer. That's the beauty of stealing from yourself.

Mustache March 2011

2011-03-01T20:34:00.000-09:00

I'm taking part in Covenant House's Mustache March charity event this year. I skipped last year because I didn't want all of her birth pictures ruined by my sweet mustache, but her first birthday's fair game. Here's part of a card that is going out with her birthday invite to support the cause with pretty great caricatures of the family.

The Graphic Novel: Telling Stories with Pictures

2011-02-24T21:29:00.001-09:00

There are just a few more days to sign up for my Graphic Novel class with 49 writers. (click on the image to make larger.)

-Lee

The Graphic Novel: Telling Stories with Pictures
Instructor: Lee Post
Class: 1 week, 8 hours
Dates: Mar 7, 8, 9, and 10
Day/Time: Mon – Thurs, 1-3 p.m.
Location: 645 W. 3^rd Ave, Anchorage
$119 members Register and pay now!
$129 non-members Register and pay now!
A class in graphic storytelling, with a focus on using the language of comics to tell a basic story in successively longer graphic styles. Beginning with the basic theories behind graphic storytelling, students will draw a one panel New Yorker style gag strip, followed by communicating an idea using a three-panel structure that includes pacing, setting and adding speech. The third session covers the classic 9-panel grid as students explore page layout, mood and flow over an entire page. In the final session, students will explore a freestyle page layout that balances creativity with readability.
Age level: 15+
Experience level: Beginning

Valentine's Day Card

2011-02-15T22:24:00.001-09:00

Grace's First Valentine's card to everyone, proudly done all in Adobe Illustrator, apart from the paper texture.

49 Writers

2011-02-08T21:01:00.000-09:00

My blog post in anticipation of my 49 writers class was just posted. Check it out! and go here to sign up for the class which will run from March 7th through the 10th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. I'm knocking up the powerpoint slides and activities now and its going to be a blast.

Oh, and I'm working on a set of fighting cookies. More on that later.

Birthday card commissions

2011-01-05T17:21:00.001-09:00

A few people comissioned me to draw a few birthday cards for their loved ones, namely the Mighty Jude and the Esteemed John McKay. These are their cards. (insert Law and Order sound here.)

"Art in Ephemera" at the Anchorage Museum

2011-01-01T17:16:00.001-09:00

I'll be speaking at the Anchorage Museum this Friday, January 7, 2011 at 7 p.m. during their First Friday Program. It will be a retrospective of sorts, with a lot of rarely seen, long lost pieces.

Art in Ephemera

7 p.m.

1/7/2011

"Lee Post is a cartoonist and illustrator for books, T-shirts, advertisements and posters. Join him in a discussion about transitory artwork. This lecture is part of the monthly Artist’s Eye Lecture Series. Free"

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

2010-10-29T21:53:00.001-08:00

I've got a few promotional joint speaking engagements coming up for the "Native Lad: Benny Benson Tells Alaska's Story".

Tuesday November 9, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

UAA Campus Bookstore

A Native Lad: Graphic Illustrators Workshop and Discussion with Lee Post and Dimi Macheras.

Each will give a demonstration on how they approached their chapter of A Native Lad. The event will be an informal lesson on how one can bring art, Alaskan history, and living portraits of people together. Children are invited to try their hand at sketching too.

Thursday, November 18, 7pm

Z. J. Loussac Public Library, Wilda Marston Theatre, level one

360 Denali Street

A Celebration of A Native Lad: Benny Benson Tells Alaska’s Story

Author Sarah Hurst and cartoonists Stanley McCauley, Lee Post and Evon Zerbetz discuss the collaborative effort in the creation of the graphic novel A Native Lad: Benny Benson Tells Alaska’s Story with the guidance of moderator John Weddleton, the owner of Boscov’s Comics. KNBA newscaster Joaquin Estrus will feature with a group reading of a scene about an Alaska school segregation case from Hurst’s original play, which is the inspiration for the book. Vocalist Sandy Cunningham will open the festivities with her performance of the Alaska Flag Song. Books will be available for purchase and signing. This event is in celebration of Alaska Native Heritage Month and is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

S.O.S. Political Theater

2010-10-17T08:04:00.001-08:00

I just finished this for the Elevate Alaska political "debate" involving members portraying the current political candidates. I had to add Lisa at the last minute due to the write-in campaign. With the boat theme, the life-saver seemed apt. I didn't design the flyer, but it is snappy.

Opera opening

2010-10-17T07:54:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity to try my hand at caricaturing at the Anchorage Opera's opening gala. The theme was Parisian Operas, hence the beret. It went amazingly well, with a long, long line the entire night. If anyone has any pictures of me in action, I'd love to see them. I saw a few camera flashes over my shoulder, but haven't been able to track any down.

Magazine Project

2010-10-17T07:44:00.000-08:00

These are for a magazine project that is on hiatus.

Rock Band Band

2010-10-17T07:37:00.000-08:00

The Amazing Jon Lang is producing a short film called "Rock Band Band" and without ruining the plot their are two opposing bands, "Button Tap" and "Double Rainbow". These are the draft logos for the bands.

Baby Delays

2010-10-17T07:29:00.000-08:00

With all the baby raising, I've been a bit slow to post up any new projects of which there have been many. I'll coorect that now.

The show's up and it looks great!

2010-06-06T09:38:00.000-08:00

Cartoons take over the Dorothy G. Page Museum

Wasilla – Giant vegetables, pocket-sized king crab and flying polar bears, on my! These are just a few of the creations now on display at the Dorothy G. Page Museum in The Artwork of Lee Post: Everything is a Little Better Than You Remembered. Post’s creations take visitors on a visual visit through Alaska and the mind of the cartoonist, himself.

This exhibit highlights some of the more recent work of Lee Post, creator of Your Square Life. It also includes a How-To-Guide display on creating a comic book page. A variety of objects from Post’s drawing desk are on view allowing visitors a chance to see what it takes to be a cartoon artist. The Artwork of Lee Post is on display at the Dorothy G. Page Museum now through June 26, 2010.

Join us on Saturday, June 12, 2010 between 2 and 4 pm to meet Lee Post and discuss his inspirations and imaginings he brings to life with pen and paper. Free admission and light refreshments provided.

Lee Post is a life-long Alaskan, growing up in the Palmer/Wasilla area. He's a self-taught artist. He produced the comic strip “Your Square Life” for the Anchorage Press from 2001 through 2007, ending with the 300th comic strip.

In addition, Lee Post's art work has appeared in the University of Alaska's Northern Light, The Ester Republic, North Carolina's Bootleg magazine, Omaha's Silent City magazine, Pixelstrips.com, OurArtSite.com, and South Africa's Itch magazine. "Your Square Life" also inspired the 30-minute play, "the Simple Dating System", written and performed with Duke Russell for Out North's Under 30 in 2005.

He recently published four books of his work, including a selection of his comic strips and two children's books. Several pages of his work will soon be published as the first chapter in a graphic novel about Alaskan History, "A Native Lad" by Sarah Hurst. His work can be found at yoursquarelife.blogspot.com.

Located at 323 N Main Street, next to the Wasilla Meta-Rose Public Library, the Dorothy G. Page Museum is open Monday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. For more information and a detailed list of events, please contact us at (907) 373-9071 or visit www.cityofwasilla.com/museum

"Everything is a Little Better Than You Remembered"

2010-05-26T07:00:00.004-08:00

I'll be having a huge show at the Dorothy G. Page Museum in Wasilla in June, with nearly everything I've done since ending the "Your Square Life" strip, from my children's book work, to the Benny Benson "A Native Lad", to the pieces from last summer's Urban Green show.

The show will be from June 4th to June 26th, with a reception on June 12th from 2 to 4 p.m.

Oh, yeah . . . .

2010-05-25T21:12:00.000-08:00

I haven't had much new artwork, well because I've been busy parenting. If nothing else, she's inspired a fine baby announcement. Oh, and she is the Amazing Grace. I guessed that one correctly.

. . . and the Thank You card

Detail from our baby announcement

2010-01-31T20:43:00.000-09:00

I thought I'd include our faces since this will be the last time anyone cares about us apart from the baby.

More artwork for friends . . .

2010-01-17T13:45:00.001-09:00

Here's a few pieces I've done recently.

A double page spread for the children going through the juvenile court system, laying out all the participants.

A wedding invitation for my friends Noam and Tamar, owners of Urban Greens.

Our baby shower announcement.

A bird for the invitation envelopes.

15% off my t-shirts at Mysoti till the 19th of January

2010-01-14T21:05:00.000-09:00

I just found out that it's 15% off all t-shirt and print orders till the 19th. Its time to stock up on my shirts and babies onesies.

Star Wars: Revenge of the Strip, the flyer

2010-01-13T21:23:00.000-09:00

Star Wars: Revenge of the Strip, an art class

2009-12-27T17:17:00.000-09:00

The 4 week seminar for teens I'm giving is finally up on the Anchorage Museum website. If you know any teens interested in comics, storytelling, or drawing, I'd definitely recommend it. I'll be going over the building blocks of developing comic strips, with a focus on developing their narrative chops.

From the website:

STAR WARS: REVENGE OF THE STRIP

10 a.m. to noon Saturdays February 6-27

In this four-week course, ages 13 to 17 learn the fundamentals of cartooning via the characters and settings of Star Wars. Teens create a classic newspaper comic strip in the Star Wars style and start their own comic books. Taught by comic artist Lee Post. $70 members/$90 non members (includes admission to Star Wars)

http://www.anchoragemuseum.org/learn/CLASSES_teens.aspx

Recent Commissions

2009-12-27T17:08:00.000-09:00

http://muskoxsoftware.com/

I"ve been fortunate to have a bunch of commissioned work over the past few months. First off, I was able to do a special print for someone's mother for Christmas, featuring her two dogs and two of her departed pets using the style from my most recent show, including the gilded, gold frame. It was great fun incorporating all the little details to make the piece truly personal, like the inset portrait of Sleeping Lady and the slightly blood-thirsty look on the black Pomeranian.

I was licenced my Muskox picture from the Alaska Big and Small book to a local software developer for his company Muskox Software

Finally, I've been working the last several months on a four page, first chapter for Sarah Hurst's colaborative graphic novel based on her original play, "A Native Boy" about the life of Benny Benson and the formation of the State of Alaska.

New items up on Etsy

2009-11-11T21:01:00.002-09:00

I put some new items up on Etsy, finally, today, including both of the children's t-shirts for $15 and the mini-prints from APE. The package includes nine prints from the "Curious Portraiture" show at the Urban Greens in addition to the image from the Alternative Press Expo. That's ten 4x6" prints on matte photo paper in an attractive vellum envelope for $5.00.

A.P.E. the aftermath

2009-10-27T18:16:00.000-08:00

Well, the 2009 Alternative Press Expo is over and it was a lot of fun overall, seeing all the great folks I've met over the years again, including Ben Walker, Jon Adams, Shannon Wheeler, and having a booth with the esteemed Pat Race, from Juneau's Alaska Robotics.

The convention it self was sloooow in sales, but the crowd that were there were brilliant. I expect I'll be able to post up a podcast soon from "Indie Spinner Rack" who stopped by for a remote broadcast and I was able to speak with JK Parkin from Comic Book Resources who put up a preview of our table on the site: "APE '09: A few more items for your shopping list"

He also got a hold of me and Jon Adams for a debrief after the convention was over that resulted in an article: "A report from the 'Garage-band' of Comic-Cons" Its a well done article and much more accurate the mopey comments I made after I hauled all my books and prints back to Alaska.

At the moment I finished it up this year, this is how I felt:

A.P.E. itself was great and walking around, I was amazed at the quality of all the participants. This was my fourth time in four years of being there, but the first time having a booth and by far, the amount of talent drastically increases every year. Correspondingly however, I think, based on talking to a number of people, the money made per booth is, well, not very much. One person I talked to said that it appeared to her to be the same amount of customers/attendees as when she had a booth two years ago, but that just weren't enough dollars/people floating around to support the number of booths and the vast quality and quantity of merchandise people were selling. In short, I sold a bunch of dollar mini-comics and not a lot of $4 or $10 prints.

I've grown to really look forward to A.P.E. each year, though this will probably be my last for a while since my wife and I have a baby on the way and spending a factor of ten over the amount I made at the show gets harder to justify. I started going to A.P.E. after I started communicating with Jon Adams after the first four issues of "Truth Serum" came out. At the time, I was still producing the strip and didn't know anything like A.P.E. existed. I haven't gone to any of the other conferences, like SPX or Stumptown, thought I was supposed to go to Emerald City Con this year with Pat Race (which would have been my first major comics convention), but the Alaskan Volcano mess this year stopped all the flights out the weekend of the convention. I've done a lot of shows here in Anchorage, but unless I'm flying out on a mileage ticket, which I've been able to do for A.P.E., or am staying with friends, which I haven't, it makes it impossible to recoup the costs if I was looking to make back my investment. Mostly, I look at A.P.E. more of an artist convention, rather than a sales opportunity, which I'd advise anyone who thinks of getting a booth.

Over the years, I've made some good friends some of the exhibitors and I'm constantly amazed, as I mentioned before, at the quality and breadth of the work. The only thing similar I've experienced is "Flatstock" the traveling poster artist exhibition. I've been able to draw on what I've seen and the people I've met when I stopped doing the comic strip, oddly enough, and was at a loss for what to do next artistically, which was invaluable. More specifically, earlier this year, I literally had to call on friends I made and people I met, like Jon Adams, Robert Goodin, Ben Walker, and Shannon Wheeler, to offer quotes and advise to aspirational cartoonists for the Alaska State Council for the Arts Conference.

Fast Food Trailer

2009-10-14T19:04:00.000-08:00

The Trailer for "Fast Food" is up on Flickr. If you look very closely down the alley for a split second, you'll see the top part of my arm, otherwise known as a finger or two.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mybigredcouch/4010985688/

A.P.E. in San Francisco with Lee and Pat Race

2009-10-14T18:35:00.000-08:00

I'll be returning to the Alternative Press Expo in San Francisco this weekend with a booth for the first time. I'll be combining forces with the amazing Pat Race of Juneau's Alaska Robotics fame at booth #549. Its going to be super great. I'll have mini-prints from my "Curious Portraiture" show, with the addition of an exclusive print just for A.P.E., see above, as well as mini-comics, 8x10 prints and a few books.

24 hour Comics Day at Bosco's

2009-10-14T18:24:00.001-08:00

Bosco's 24 hour's Comics day has passed and I wussed out after only a few hours but not before I finished a 24 page mini-comic for the upcoming APE, "In Alaska, Everybody Has a Beard", which I'll have on hand for a buck or so.

Check out Bosco's site and youtube for interviews with the participants (other than myself because I, as stated, wussed out too soon).

Get your t-shirts now!

2009-08-21T10:29:00.003-08:00

I've put a few new shirts up on the Mysoti website based on my new designs for the Alaska State Fair this year. If you want to pick up some of the 1-color t-shirts in a range of children's sizes and colors, check out the Babes in the Woods booth.

Fast Food

2009-08-15T10:30:00.001-08:00

I was recently able to play a part in Jonathan Lang's new short film, that is definitely about eating brains. I also got to work up an old-timey title card for the film as well.

The Show

2009-08-09T12:49:00.000-08:00

Front Page of the ADN Arts Secton!

2009-08-09T12:20:00.000-08:00

I picked up the Anchorage Daily News this morning and found a wonderful article on yours truely on the front page of the arts section, running down details about the show, my art career and color blindness. I can't complain at all. Very nice.

The Process (pt. 9)

2009-08-05T17:45:00.000-08:00

. . . and finally Sydney the kid transformed into a man.

"Alaska: Big Vegetables, Very very sad Kids" T-Shirts are in!

2009-08-03T22:19:00.000-08:00

The new shirts are in. I'll have a special preview sale at the opening this Friday, August 7th at Urban Greens from 6-9, then they'll be at the state fair in youth and adult sizes for $15. If you're not in town, shoot me an email or wait until they go up on Etsy in early September.

The Process (pt. 8)

2009-08-02T19:01:00.002-08:00

This is my lovely niece Jaslyn in 2005, lovely, but missing a bouffont, which I was able to correct in my illustration. This was originally part of a set for a show I did at Babes in the Woods in July 2008.

A little more press is better . . .

2009-07-31T07:36:00.000-08:00

From Friday July 31, 2009 Anchorage Daily News!

The Process (pt. 7)

2009-07-29T18:28:00.022-08:00

This illustration is based on my wife Alex's recently departed Aunt Grace. She was an amazing woman, a lifetime resident of the same housing block in Aberdeen, Scotland. As part of her inheneritance, Grace left Alex a number of neatly organized photographs from her life in and around Aberdeen. They are truly a treasure. I thought this rare picture of Grace, lounging in the Scottish Highlands was especially wonderful.

A little press is never a bad thing.

2009-07-28T21:01:00.000-08:00

From the Sunday, July 28th, 2009 Anchorage Daily News.

The Process (pt. 6)

2009-07-24T11:31:00.010-08:00

This is the first picture I drew with the new tack. The robot comes from one of my first "Your Square Life" strips, itself inspired by the Wilco song, "I'm the man who loves you." and the web of influence continues on from there.

The Process (pt. 5)

2009-07-21T11:28:00.012-08:00

I drew this one, not intending originally to add any other elements, to this one, or the others, but it just looked empty . . . then I looked at the other ones and I became less and less enthused with this project I got myself into, originally just wanting to do straight reinterpretations. I said, screw it, added the ghosts, everything fell into place, and I suddenly became proud, barreling through the rest with a smile on my face.

The Process (pt. 4)

2009-07-18T11:28:00.001-08:00

I love these three guys. I can only imagine the old man shenanigans these guys got themselves wrapped up in. The mind runs wild. I kind of pictured a geriatric "Where the Wild Things Are." with this one.

The Process (pt. 3)

2009-07-17T20:56:00.014-08:00

This is the companion piece to the angel piece and the man with the prodigious mustache. I didn't try to make her extra-creepy, but hey, it worked in the end.

This photo comes a batch of portraits from my Uncle's school I found in my grandmother's basement along with a plastic rosary. Apparently, the exorcism worked.

The Process (pt. 2)

2009-07-15T20:49:00.004-08:00

This is where the the show started to take shape. When I originally started, I just wanted to do straight portraits, but after I finished the first three or four, they just left me flat. I liked the attempt, but they weren't engaging beyond the initial glimps. So, the show was born with additon of a little angel. Later, the devil . . .

The Process (pt. 1)

2009-07-13T20:45:00.003-08:00

In preparation for the show on August 7th at Urban Greens, here's a a side-by-side of the original photographs from my collection with the finished product, in the order I finished them up.

My original idea was to take some of my favorite pictures from my collection and interpret them in my style, taking a bit more care an attention than I usually have at my disposal. This was my first attempt. I just love this photo for a million reasons. The matching beady eyes on the girl and the bird. The fact the bird is even in the picture. The Victorian columns. The giant bow. Magic.

New Show at Urban Greens

2009-07-05T22:07:00.000-08:00

I'm finally getting everything ready for my Show at Urban Greens on August 7th after months of preparation. Whew! I'll have three postcards ready at the end of the week and up around town soon.

New T-Shirt and Print Designs at Mysoti.com

2009-05-31T21:20:00.000-08:00

Beards

2009-05-27T10:46:00.001-08:00

Here's an old YSL strip, in honor of the now complete Beard and Mustache Festival.

Hard at Work

2009-05-27T10:37:00.001-08:00

I've been hard at work on my upcoming show in Urban Greens and true to form, I've switched gears at the last minute, had computer problems, and schedualed a few vacations to hinder any sense of control I would have had over the show. Regardless, I'm pretty happy with it all, at the moment. Here's a few samples.

Pop!

2009-05-20T17:32:00.001-08:00

The Pop! show was a major success. Awesomeness abounded. It's always a good artshow when the shirts come off. You'll find my two contributions below" (click on them for the big versions) A poster with lots of little guys in various stages of undress and a faux-concert poster for the VivaVoom girls.

Pop! at the MTS Gallery

2009-04-13T21:44:00.000-08:00

The Pop! show is coming along beautifully. Come rock out on the 17th. There will be a Dr. Sketchy's life drawing session on top of top quality kid's party food, a DJ, and a live pseudo-reunion of a real, fake band.

Rock Out part 3

2009-04-02T21:04:00.002-08:00

Pop!: Rock Out pt 2

2009-03-29T11:59:00.001-08:00

Pop!: Rock Out

2009-03-29T11:53:00.002-08:00

I've been hard at work on a new project for the upcoming Pop! show at the MTS gallery. Here's a detail from one of the prints. More to come.

Avatars (part 3 of 3)

2009-03-14T21:12:00.002-08:00

Life Drawing: Emily pt (2)

2009-03-14T10:51:00.000-08:00

Here are some 5-minute ballpoint pen sketches.

Life Drawing: Emily!

2009-03-12T21:33:00.000-08:00

I'm a great artist.

2009-03-11T20:09:00.000-08:00

I must be doing something right. The "Man Cans" sign has already been stolen from LaBodega. Two days. Hooray!

More Avatars

2009-03-11T17:07:00.009-08:00

me more forum avatars for Pharmacyintern.ca.

Avatars!

2009-03-08T17:54:00.003-08:00

I got to work on a fun project for my friend Matthew Shepard making about thirty forum avatars for his website http://www.pharmacyintern.ca, a resource for Canadian pharmacy interns. Here's a sample.

Super Shorts 2009 continued

2009-03-06T07:51:00.001-09:00

Here are the remaining spot illustrations for the Anchorage Press's Super Shorts contest that I drew on the quick this past weekend. As I mentioned in the last post, the cover I had planned didn't work out, so I was able to colorize the spaceman for a quick fix that actually turned out better than I had planned. The four catagories I chose to illustrate was "Beluga's Lament", "Judge, It wasn't my fault.", "President Palin", and "ADN 2012"

Super Shorts 2009!

2009-03-02T19:38:00.002-09:00

I had an opportunity to do the Anchorage Press's Super Shorts cover again this year. Unfortunately, my cover was a little too similar to a cover that ran a few weeks ago (crap), but they were supercool about it and they'll be running a colorized version of one of the interior illustrations. It'll be a surprise for everyone how it turns out.

I did like the cover I was able to work up however. I played around with illustrator and came up with a very clean line approach to a writing tablet. In retrospect, for this project, I should have stuck with my typical style, but I like the experiment nonetheless. (click to enlarge)

New Project: pretty girl

2009-02-26T20:43:00.009-09:00

Here's a grayscale version of another illustration for my August show. I'm trying to keep them coming. This one's based on a high school portrait I found at my Grandma's house that belonged to my Uncle Tony. The back says:

Tony, A first class nut who is really neat. I'm glad I got to know you. "And the gods made love" - R.M.A. Debbie

La Bodega!

2009-02-24T20:40:00.001-09:00

Here's some sign work I've done for La Bodega for the new, deluxe canned beer section and to save the earth, respectfully. I think the armpit hair, handlebar moustache, and sweet La Bodega belt buckle scream "Man!"

New Project: Moustache Man

2009-02-22T10:37:00.000-09:00

Here's an image from a solo show I'm working on for August at Urban Greens based on a collection of old photographs I've amassed over the years. I'll be posting in black and white and get the colored versions up after the show. I loved this guy's moustache.

Fur Rondy cont.

2009-02-21T10:13:00.000-09:00

Here's the other comic, that I think will also sadly be unused, though the images have made great business cards.

Fur Rondy

2009-02-20T10:10:00.001-09:00

I was asked to prepare a few drafts for this year's Fur Rondy guide. I think at this point, the ideas are going to be unused, but here's a look at the process. I've attached the quick 5 minute sketch, then the finished comic, with a roughly sketched in gray wash and some hand drawn lettering. I had hoped to do it in color, but I've got a few other things pending, like my taxes, so that will have to wait.

Life Drawing: Meg

2009-02-16T19:47:00.000-09:00

Pop! (a call for artists)

2009-02-12T06:20:00.016-09:00

The MTS gallery is hosting a show Pop! in April recreating all of the majesty and wonder of your youth. Skateboards, posters, records, comics and mix-tapes! It will all be there. This is your opportunity to create (or recreate) everything that was and is awesome! I\'m co-curating the show at the MTS gallery with Carolynn Kinneen and Clark Yerrington. We\'re looking for artist\'s proposals for the show by March 1st. The great thing is that we will be looking for a huge variety of work, as noted below, so the sky\'s the limit. What are we looking for? Anything really.

For example: A imaginary punk flyer from 1982. That gate fold prog-rock album with the sweet dragon and narwhal you had a dream about once. A better version of that Kiss poster you stared at as a kid. The cover for that mix-tape you meant to make in college with the collage cover and all the songs that started with the letter \"Q\".

The call for artists is below and you can submit proposals for more than one category. Please forward this along if you know of anyone who would be interested. The submissions are not limited to just Alaskan Artists. Feel free me to contact me or Carolyn with any questions.

*****Call for Artists*****

Pop! Art exhibit at MTS Gallery Anchorage, AK

Inspired by the pop art movement & everything that mattered from your teenage years – whenever they took, place. Use whatever medium you desire that fits the format & theme.

Formats we are accepting:

Snowboard deck (no longer than 160 cm long, 257mm wide)
Skateboard deck (no larger than 8.25 width x 31.25 long)
Cassette Mixed Tape (w/liner notes) (average cassette tape)
Album cover 12.5 inches x 12.5 inches
Zine or comic book cover (11x17 sheet back & front, with half-inch side borders and one-inch borders top/bottom)
Posters (no larger than 24x36)
Concert Flyer (need 30 black & white Xerox copies) no larger than 8.5 x 11

Deadline for email proposal: March 1st

We will reply to all submissions by March 9th

Finished Artwork needs to be completed & turned in by April 11th

Email submission proposal or jpg of prior work or questions to ckinneen@mac.com

http://mtsgallery.wordpress.com/

Life Drawing

2009-02-08T18:51:00.010-09:00

I found a new life drawing class through the Anchorage Museum, $20 per go, with professional life models. Apparently its been going on for ever and ever and now one told me.

Illustration Alaska Flyer

2009-01-25T19:32:00.000-09:00

Don't miss it . . .

2009-01-23T21:46:00.007-09:00

Animation and Comics:

Art, Technology and Social Commentary

Jack Lew, from Electronic Arts; Pat Race with Lucid Reverie in Juneau, and Lee Post, local cartoonist, will present an interactive session on digital animation.

Sydney Lawrence Theater in the Anchorage Performance Arts Center

7:00 to 9 p.m. Friday, January 30th

I'll be talking about everything having to do with illustration that doesn't have anything to do with actually drawing and I'll be working with Pat Race to demonstrate using a illustration tablet to produce illustrations and animations. Pat and Jack are nationally known animators and will be presenting animated works from their students. It should be an awesome night and its a free event open to the public, not just attendees of the Arts Conference.

Here's your preview of the presentation: