Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Grumpy Gramps

Last night I had the pleasure of sharing a couple (four) of pints with Nicky's Grandad in South London. He goes to the same pub at the same time every night. He easily puts down five to six glasses of Fosters in a sitting. He's an ol' London cockney that has hundreds of stories from throughout his life.

He had twelve brothers and sisters. They were poor, so the boys had to share one pair of shoes- taking turns to wear them and then to go to school. His mother sold him to the carnival when he was 13. As a carnie, he drove the motorcycle in the Wheel of Death. His other stories revolve around evil pet monkeys (is there any other kind?) and a cross eyed pig named Suzie.

I'm going to try to get him to tell me more stories (it's not difficult), so I can write them down and illustrate them.

This is that man.

Friday, December 16, 2005

Mr. Tea


A couple of weeks ago, I had lunch with an old SF friend, Brad Mossman and his lovely wife, Lotte. Finally getting around to posting some hardcore action shots of some insane tea sipping. Brad is an extremely talented musican and artist. He created theme songs for some of the shorts and games I've worked on in the past.

Visit the world of Mossman here-
bMossman

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Dead of Night

The last couple of nights, I've awoken to an unearthly screeching in the old tree right outside my window. I thought maybe it was a cat or an owl, but it didn't sound like any creature I have ever heard. It happens usually when it is very cold and clear and in the dead hours of the night.

So late, last night when the howls started once more, I threw open the curtains to catch a glimpse of the miserable critter. This is what it looked like...



Loosely based on one of my all time favorite children's books, Tailypo, A Ghost Story.

Monday, December 12, 2005

Black Cloud of Mordor


London was covered under a thick dark toxic cloud on Sunday... same as any other day, right?

Well, this day was different- a fuel depot east of London caught fire and exploded early Sunday morning. People heard it as far away as the Netherlands. I guess it's still burning now. It was a creepy looking day- the bright sun shining through the dense smog.

I'm pretty sure everyone will be turning into polite zombies any day now.

Above is a pic from BBC and below are a few out my front window.

Friday, December 09, 2005

Peeps in the Hood

Man, London is just full of these shallow, two dimensional people.


Giant Jellyfish Attacks Japan!

"Run for the hills! It's Godzilla!"
"No wait... it's just a giant jellyfish."
"Giant Jellyfish! Ahhh!" *

* That's what the Japanese are saying to each other. But in Japanese. Which I don't know.

Grossness and coolness at the same time.

Giant Jellyfish Article
Thanks to my bud Lyn for sending it along.
Lyn Gaza'a Site

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Dorking Around



Spent part of the weekend in Nicky's hometown of Dorking. Yep, that's the name. Dork-ing. It's a beautiful village with rolling hills, cozy pubs, and scraggly forests. We took a hike outside the town along a country road overlooking the entire valley. These pics were taken on a chilly morning. Definite Shire material.

Secret Location of Dorking

And the weekend trip to the Shire was complete with some soccer Hobbit feet. (no, they're not mine)

Friday, December 02, 2005

Gorilla Undies


Random pages from my sketchbook.
Not sure why the ape is wearing tighty whities.

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Ring a Ding Ding

I was caught up in the middle of this huge police raid in my hood yesterday afternoon. Luckily they stormed the cafe next to the one I was in. Guess I'll hold on to my phone a little more closely from now on.
BBC Article

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Jackie Lingerfilber


This is my interpretation of all the extremely helpful customer service people that I've been dealing with lately.

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Dinosaurs, Warthogs & Pickled Fish

So I decided to get out of the near booger freezing temperatures and check out the Museum of Natural History. An amazing building; home to a huge collection of old dusty weird stuff. I took my sketchbook and my camera in hand to capture the weirdness. I only made it through the dinos, mammals, and the fish sections. Guess I'll have to go back again to see the rest. Sketches to follow soon.
Pics of the Museum

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Dangnabbit!


My first venture in coloring one of my sketches in Photoshop.
Anyone need a trusty deputy? Suggestions for names?

Monday, November 21, 2005

Octophant!



A design I'm working on for whatever.
The Octophant.
An unholy union of elephant and octopus.
Probably will take over the world within two or three years.
Probably.

Saturday, November 19, 2005

My Good Friend John

Meet my good friend, John.
John Smith.
We have many good times at the pubs together.
But many Londoners don't like him.
They call him "common" and "Northern".
But John, let me tell you something.
I still enjoy your warm, silky, smooth embrace.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Lurks of London

I finally was able to scan in some pages of my sketchbook last night. Everytime I walk around I pick out an interesting person and briefly study them. When I get home, I try to remember what they look like and draw them. I've learned this exercise from other artists online. Believe you me, there a lot of interesting people to sketch lurking around the streets of London.

Gloomsday

Took a few gloomy pics outside while I was sketching inside a cafe in Crouch Hill. I really enjoy the topsy turvy chimneys, antennaes and rooftops of London.

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Face Full of Monster


Big Ole Face Full of Monster, a new monster lovin' zine outta San Francisco, has written a great review of A Field Guide to Midwest Monsters. Read it by clicking the pic to the left. Bwa-ha-ha-ha!

Big Ole Face Full of Monster Magazine

A Field Guide to Midwest Monsters

Friday, November 11, 2005

Squeak at the Devil

So, we had a small garden mouse in our kitchen for a while (better than a giant spider anyday). I went to corner store for some traps. The guy pressured me into getting this contraption. That's right, the trap's name is "Lucifer". It's as big as your forearm. I decided to go for happier sounding deathtrap- "The Big Cheese". Mr. Mouse is now no longer with the living. But I suspect our kitchen is haunted by his tortured cheese nibbling soul.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Blogcha Attacks London!


How did I know that it would be Pascal to create the first glimpse of the retched Blogcha? Actually I'm surprised he didn't create six or seven more designs... He cranks this stuff out before breakfast or even before I got to work.

Please check out Pascal Campion's work here-

Pascal Campion

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Fawking Guy!


Remember, remember the 5th of November! Here are some pics from Bonfire Night. They burn an effigy of Guy Fawkes who was England's OT (Original Terrorist). He tried to blow up the Houses of Parliment 400 years ago but he was caught at the last minute in the basement with 30 barrels of gunpowder. Whoops. He was tortured at the Tower, hanged, decaptitated and drawn and quartered. Yay! Let's have a party! The devil delivers Guy on top of the immense bonfire then it's torched by the village folk. Then followed by fireworks, a pig roast auction... and drinking beer.

Guy Fawkes Night Photos

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Midwest Monsters meet Laughing Squid!


Laughing Squid's website (underground art, culture and technology from San Francisco and beyond) has posted a nice review of our book, A Field Guide to Midwest Monsters. Read all about it.

Laughing Squid Review

A Field Guide to Midwest Monsters

Monday, November 07, 2005

Ghost Paparazzi





Halloween! Since the British are stupid and don't celebrate Halloween (obviously the best holiday of the year) I took it upon myself to get in the "spirit" of things. I went to the most haunted place in England- The Tower of London. I visited right before closing time so it wouldn't be crowded. After seeing Traitor's Gate and the Torture exhibit, I went to the Bloody Tower where numerous ghosts haunt their former prison. I was the last visitor of the night left in the Tower and I was extremely spooked. I couldn't bring myself to go up the narrow, winding steps to the upper floors where most of the encounters take place. Luckily I captured a few ghouls on camera.

Monday, October 31, 2005

Balls!



I miss SF after watching this...um..commercial...

http://www.bravia-advert.com/commercial/braviacommhigh.html

Friday, October 28, 2005

Test, test 123

See if this infernal doohickey works...