Sorry for the limited amount of effort and time put into this post. No pictures, no updates, nothing.
I did want to post for those that don't follow twitter or facebook or whatever else you use...those that lurk the website waiting for info and those that only read livejournal (are there any of those?)
The entirety of Punish the Dead, chapter 14 is up free for the rest of the week. Go read some stuff in the middle of some other stuff. I think it's a strong chapter. It can be read on its own too. Every plate, every chapter, each book can all be read on their own. They are all just ingredients to a whole. I don't know if that helps with any understanding, but maybe it'll help even if you can't see it all at once.
A rough first draft of the cover for the new book. How's it look? I think it fits in with the other two.
I'm currently playing with my new scanner and contemplating a new computer or at least some more hard drives. I've definitely run out of space. Painting work on the last dozen pages has slowed to a halt, almost. Instead of 3-6 pages in a weekend I've managed maybe one recently. I've got a couple of panels & pages to redo from scratch. I'll be moved out of my studio by the end of the year (if you were ever planning to visit). It's cold as heck right now (it actually snowed in Houston on Friday) and I stayed at home this weekend. Plus day-job work hours of been kind nuts. Maybe next week will be better.
Should I offer pre-orders even though I don't know how/when I'm going to get it printed? Maybe I'll just make about 40 of them, based on my average number of online readers. I've also got some older back issues that I should put up for sale again...
Still working towards the end of Punish the Dead. I'm about half-way through the last binder, about 25 plates left to ink and color. It'll probably take another four-six weekends I guess. Depending on how much I get sidetracked by life.
Please get caught up online with the first chapter for free at Modern Tales. When you're done with that you can read along in your own copies (if you're lucky enough to have one of these rare items) or contribute a couple of bucks to read the other chapters online.
Regular updates are ongoing, every Monday-Wednesday-Friday until it finishes up sometime in June 2010. Tell your friends.
And, for something different, a play-list of twenty albums that are currently getting me through the day, in no particular order, except TV On The Radio...that one has been on constant repeat since I bought it.
TV On The Radio - Dear Science Isis - Wavering Radiant Converge - Axe to Fall Bloc Party - Intimacy Eels - Hombre Lobo The Swell Season - Strict Joy Joe Henry - Blood From Stars MGMT - Oracular Spectacular White Lies - To Lose My Life Old Man Gloom - Christmas The Morning After Girls - Alone The Killers - Day & Age Living Things - Habeas Corpus Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in the Grain Regina Spektor - Far Iron and Wine - Around the Well Flight of the Conchords - I Told You I Was Freaky Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes Andrew Bird - Noble Beast Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Starting to scan the 48 pages of the previous book. Scanner is kind of old, but the captures seem ok enough. The camera picks up more detail and subtlety, but distorts the edges and picks up lighting on the paper texture, which wouldn't be to usable for print.
I haven't poked around on ModernTales.com in forever, but I think I'll just put the final book up there, a page-a-day, Monday through Friday. If I start it for next Monday (October 26th), it'll finish a 19 week run sometime early March, just in time for Staple and New Orleans. I was told that it never got read over at MT (unlike Death Swamp), but maybe this last push will ignite some interest.
Punish the Dead [2004-06-14 to 2010-06-??]
[edit: went with continuing 3-days a week for longevity, book will still hopefully be done for March *fingers crossed*]
So this is some colors & inks on the first page of the last chapter. I finished up this page and did another page and a half, but I'll save those (I keep wondering if too much is online already, not that that's created much of a sensation of readers anyway, I do hope someone is looking. anticipating). The yellowish masking medium is still on the page too, it doesn't often show up in a photo, kind of like the blue-line pencils I do.
I've been quite happily heading to the studio on auto-pilot every weekend since the weather turned cooler. If I get in early enough I can use the little A/C machine to maintain that temperature for the rest of the day, plus dry out the air a bit, and importantly circulate something to breathe! I didn't realize until Saturday morning that I had hit the road super early and was half-way there without really thinking about it.
I've completed pencils and border inks on the entire final chapter. There are a few fuzzy panels that need some research for another pass at rendering so I didn't make as much progress inking and coloring as I had been writing/penciling (10-15 pages at the peak). Once I get some references and preliminary pass sketches for the tough spots I think I can start cooking along finishing 3-4 pages at a time? So, maybe eight weeks until I'm done if I only go on the weekends. I've got some day-job vacation I may just cash in to spend a longer chunk of time up there. Also, I'm hoping I'll feel the need to drive up there at night during the week and work on some stuff.
After that it'll be a ton of scanning, possibly finally getting a new computer and software upgrades, figuring out where to get it printed/distributed, and saving up for a mini-tour thing (which again is tentatively outlined below. I'll be looking to split tables probably since my list keeps growing out of control...SPX is back on there since everyone can't stop talking about it...I'd want to go back to NYC, but maybe a smaller show instead of MoCCA Fest.).
March 2010 - STAPLE, Austin, TX [confirmed] April 2010 - NOLA_AME, New Orleans, LA [confirmed] Sept 2010 - SPX (?), Bethesda, MD Oct 2010 - APE (?), San Fransisco, CA
Back-to-Back marathon sessions at the studio this weekend have yielded little for the casual observer, but in fact have produced at least 16 new pages of blue line/inked border 2/3 pages towards the last chapter of Punish the Dead...as well as the rough makings of the cover...there's a little abandoned Etsy piece up in the left corner. Maybe I'll finish it, just to warm up the color brushes.
I'm hoping to head into the studio again during the "work" week for some late night sessions. Had the fan and a/c unit cranking, pulled about a half gallon of humidity from the room and kept it a nice & bearable 81-83 degrees. Outside the temp is not behaving like pre-autumn, but it's not too bad for Houston.
I've been working on finishing up the layout on a revised Austin County Historical Society Marker book project for my Grandmother. They wanted a few additional sketches for some of the marker pages. The weather has finally turned cool enough that I didn't bake in my studio and was able to crank out these sketches as well as set to work on a series of small paintings for my Etsy shop. I'll post a few up at a time as I finish them, maybe as early as Sunday 9/13. I've got plans for several themed 4 painting sets, but if anyone wants to see anything in particular (theme, character, anything...) please let me know. Right now I'm covering PTD, Death Swamp, robots, mummys, girls, bikes, um...some other stuff...animals.
Apparently I haven't mentioned the actual book in my blog here, but better late than never - go pick up Unlucky by Matthew Hawkins, I translated one of his odd/funny stories into "surprisingly bland" drawings.
Still working on finishing PTD and doing some grand mini-tour next year. Still not sure how I'm gonna publish this thing...but just concentrating on finishing it for right now.
I've listed a book over in my Etsy shop. Kind of hoping it would lead to posting more books and originals. If anyone is interested in original pages, paintings, or commissions please let me know here or there. Thanks!
These are the last hand-bound hardcover Death Swamp books that I made in June 2003. This is where I re-taught myself bookbinding and tried my first hand at silk screening. The story itself is 128 black & white pages spanning a five-chapter stream-of-consciousness piece about creation and dreams.
I only made about ten of these, the signatures are hand-sewn and bound into a hand-pulled silkscreen hardcover. Each will be personalized for the new owner.
Hey there, I received an email informing me that I'd been away way too long. Tremendously long. I've gotten other messages that mentioned I've been away from the internet, email and all of that too. It's not entirely true. I kind of work "for" the internet, but that's work and I try not to take it home. There's also my Facebook bot that is uselessly updated by my twitter assistant.
Anyway, I should be at work today, but I've been forced to stay home all week by the flu. It also kept me out of the studio for the three day Fourth of July weekend. Was so looking forward to that. I managed to get in one good day on Friday, but after a movie outing on Saturday I've been spending my time between the bed and the couch.
In happier times I was plodding my way towards the eventual end of Punish the Dead. I'm not sure what to do with it once it's done. Put it in some sort of printed form and sell it like day-old-bread I guess.
In my down time I've been thinking about stripping down my website once again. A few pictures, a list of available books, and some vague personal info about what I used to think of myself.
I'm also feeling nostalgic for the road. I haven't left the South for a comic show in a good long while. To coincide with (and giving my self ample time to actually accomplish it) printing up some copies of Punish the Dead, I'm thinking of a tour of sorts.
I've been lapse as always about checking in on just what exactly everyone else has going on. It's a full time job keeping up with you prolific peoples. Hope you're having fun and such. Maybe I'll get a chance to catch up at a show or something.
Guess that's it. Hope it won't be months before I pop in again, but if I know myself it'll probably be longer.
In the final week until the big ride from Houston to Austin. Some bits of news and such. I completed a quick little commission piece for a donor.
I've also picked up my packet and they're doing the RiderConnect thing again so if you'd like a text or email when I get to lunch or the finish each day please let me know. I'll also be passing that info on via Twitter (as well as my thoughts along the ride). If you'd like to read a bit about the training and such please visit my personal MS150 blog. Some background on the purpose and the cause, I'm riding again in the BP MS 150 from Houston to Austin and raising money to help fight MS. I'm a bit behind on my goal of raising $2000 so I thought I might offer up some original art if anyone was looking to put some weirdness on their walls. Here are the two remaining pieces.
Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ or 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867).
Our postal address is: National Multiple Sclerosis Society 733 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017
I'm back from New Orleans where I tabled at the Antigravity Magazine Alternative Media Expo. I managed to crank out a few more show paintings. Some background on the purpose and the cause, I'm riding again in the BP MS 150 from Houston to Austin and raising money to help fight MS. I'm a bit behind on my goal of raising $2000 so I thought I might offer up some original art if anyone was looking to put some weirdness on their walls. Please check out the following two pieces or take a look at the two pieces from the STAPLE! show from my last post. (Sorry for the blurry pictures, guess the lighting was lower or my camera settings were off). Please email me (toby at ithinkican dot com) or leave a comment here if you are interested in one of them, or maybe a commissioned piece? Please pass this on to friends and strangers alike...
Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ or 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867).
Our postal address is: National Multiple Sclerosis Society 733 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017
I'm riding again in the BP MS 150 from Houston to Austin and raising money to help fight MS. I'm a bit behind on my goal of raising $2000 so I thought I might offer up some original art if anyone was looking to put some weirdness on their walls. The following two pieces were completed beginning to end sitting at my table at the STAPLE! show in Austin. I hope to have a few more following the Antigravity show in New Orleans next weekend.
Please email me (toby at ithinkican dot com) or leave a comment here if you are interested in one of them, something from the future in NOLA, or maybe a commissioned piece? Please pass this on to friends and strangers alike...
Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ or 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867).
Our postal address is: National Multiple Sclerosis Society 733 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017
Hey folks not on twitter, facebook or whatever else...pictures from this weekend's trip to Austin, TX for Staple! are up. I did very well, wish I'd had more books printed, wish I was done with Punish the Dead, wish I had my act together!
Anyway, click to check them out.
Heading to the Antigravity show in New Orleans in two weeks...
Finished up colors on binder five of Punish the Dead. One left to go. I'll be taking a bit of a break while I prep the final 48 pages. I'll try to continue getting in there and doing something just to keep the momentum alive. I don't know when I'll be able to get ANYTHING printed. I also haven't seen anything about tables for MoCCA.
In two weeks I will be going to Taos, NM to snowboard and ski for work.
In four weeks I will be going to Austin, TX for STAPLE.
In six weeks I will be going to New Orleans, LA for the ALTERNATIVE.
In ten weeks I'll be riding 180 miles by bike from Houston to Austin to help raise awareness and money to fight Multiple Sclerosis. More on that below. I've again registered for the BP MS 150 to fulfill a personal challenge, and also to help the National MS Society fund research, advocate for change and help people with MS and their families lead powerful lives. I believe in the work they do and want to be part of it. Please pass this on to your friends, family and co-workers. Spread the word! If you've got any questions or just want to talk, please give me a call or send me an email! Every single dollar helps!
To make a donation online, visit my personal donation page. Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ or 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867).
Our postal address is: National Multiple Sclerosis Society 733 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017
40 Days or so left until STAPLE in Austin. I'm just rolling up on the last four pages of the first half of the last third of Punish the Dead. I think I'll have a good start on finishing, but don't think I'll have anything printed by then.
Still hoping I can find some way to get out to some snow and play around with my snowboard. Maybe next year.
I've again registered for the BP MS 150 to fulfill a personal challenge, and also to help the National MS Society fund research, advocate for change and help people with MS and their families lead powerful lives. I believe in the work they do and want to be part of it. Please pass this on to your friends, family and co-workers. Spread the word! If you've got any questions or just want to talk, please give me a call or send me an email! Every single dollar helps!
To make a donation online, visit my personal donation page.Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ or 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867).
Our postal address is: National Multiple Sclerosis Society 733 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017
Finally back out for the regular Saturday training rides and hitting the gym for some cross training. I've been hovering around a 16-18 average for the regular 40+ miles. Need to get back into spin classes and some hill training before long. Also need to step up the weekend mileage to 62-80. Next big training ride will be the Puddle for the Ducks in a few weeks.
I have managed to get in a bit of studio time as well, but it's a bit foggier coming off of a morning ride, eating and then trying to caffeinate myself back into work mode. The work is also trailing off due to the multiple passes each page requires and the fact that only a few more pages are completed through writing and layouts. I'll have to head back in to finish the second half of the book soon.
I posted a note on ModernTales to see if anyone wanted to read the new book there along with the rest of the Punish the Dead pages, but didn't get any responses there. Also readership has never peaked high enough over these many years it has been up there to warrant its existence.
My hope is that I'll figure out a way to get a few copies of it and the earlier books before this year's shows, but in the end the pages might just have to stay in the portfolio.
Anyway, the fundraising mission is ongoing. I've again registered for the BP MS 150 to fulfill a personal challenge, and also to help the National MS Society fund research, advocate for change and help people with MS and their families lead powerful lives. I believe in the work they do and want to be part of it. Please pass this on to your friends, family and co-workers. Spread the word! If you've got any questions or just want to talk, please give me a call or send me an email! Every single dollar helps!
Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ or 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867).
Our postal address is: National Multiple Sclerosis Society 733 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017
