R.I.P. Chris Candido

I hate seeing wrestlers go out so young.
http://www.1wrestling.com/news/newsline.asp?news=22536 (pop-up warning)

Illustration Friday: "Daring"

Not So Super Now, Eh?, 2005 • graphite, Pentel Brush Pen and Photoshop®

Talk about your design therapy. I've got a sh*tload of other things to do, but I just had to do this. Now I can safely get back to reality. This is the first time that I can recall that I used Photoshop to fully color something. Kinda turned out okay...what do you think?

I wanna make this my best poster.

I haven't mentioned it here yet, but I'm gonna be doing the poster for The Nein's June 6th show here in Winnipeg. I've put a bit of personal pressure on myself for this project for several reasons:

1. The Nein has two of my fellow gig poster cronies in their membership: Dale Flattum and Casey Burns. I wanna do these fellas right, dontyaknow.
2. This will be my first post-school poster. I want to think thatI've stepped up my design game.
3. The Nein is coming off some good press in URB and other publications. Again, I just wanna do these fellas right, y'know?
4. Check the list of other folks that are doing posters for 'em: Steve Walters, Ron Liberti, Bobby Dixon & Clay Ferguson, Leia Bell, Brian Ewing, Richie Goodtimes, Mike King, Brian Turner / Cricket Press, Jeff Kleinsmith, Whitey Houston, Amy Jo, Chuck Keppler, Craig Horky and Dan Springer. Needless to say, I gotta "bring it".

Yeah, no pressure. Pffft.

Kozik's family of characters expands

http://www.gigposters.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=34185
I like 'em all. Especially the banana.

EDIT: There's more...http://www.gigposters.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=34211

Fresh From the Printer...

This thing:

My Minneapolis/Chicago/Wisconsin montage. It's changed a little bit since the version you're seeing right now, but very little. I'm very happy with it! The actual size 17" x 22".

I just joined MySpace

Actually, that's a lie. I joined a while ago, I just didn't feel like doing anything with my account. Now I have 13 friends!

I must be out of my mind.

http://www.myspace.com/10577175

Illustration Friday: "Reinvent"

Let's Start With This Old Thing, 2005 • graphite, Pentel Brush Pen, workable fixative, Photoshop®

I gotta give props to Rob Day for the awesome topic. I had an idea right away!
This is one of those times that I really should be doing other stuff, but I couldn't pass this one up, f'real. If you're wondering what's up with the use of fixative, that's how I got the eraser crumbs to stick around.
There's no big high-falutin' meaning behind this thing, really. Sure, the dude with no face is me, but that's just because I didn't want to draw the ultimate in reinvention: Madonna.
I'd continue to say more about this, but there really isn't anymore to say. There is work to be done, however...peace!

"Today was a good day..."

I started the day by being 3 hours late for class. I didn't care whatsoever. Getting home around 2:30 AM after a really good show can sorta change your perspective on things, I've found. Or, at least I found that out today. It seems that I stressed out all week to the point where I didn't give a f**k anymore. Yes, I have a lot of things to do, and yes, they'll get done.
Excuse me whilst I enjoy my Coca-Cola® with Lime and wait for my lovely girlfriend to pick me up. We're gonna see ourselves some Sin City!

Illustration Friday: "Alone"

In A Mental Corner, 2005 • Blue Col-Erase, Fine Line Black and Orange Sharpie®, Staedtler Pigment Liner, rubbing alcohol and Photoshop®

I was in this mental state last night...it seems I enjoy being miserable sometimes. I was reminded of the many lonely nights before I met girlfriend when I would stay up until 5 AM doing nothing vital. Truthfully, I still did that after I met her, just less frequently. I was a little less depressed.

I wanted to depict the "alone" mental state above without drawing myself because I'd truly end up disgusted with myself. I draw myself constantly, so this would've hit too close to home. There's a bit of myself in this, however: his hairline is receding, and so is mine. And I can totally relate to how he's feeling, of course...this dude could be alone in a crowd.

Don't worry, I'm okay.

So, I'm back...

...and I'm not happy about it. I'm sick...again. Rollin' into the city yesterday, I was like, "why did I leave Chicago?" *sigh*
I need some Advil.

Al'z Minneapolis/Chicago High/Lowlights

Y'know, I actually had a post for this last night, but the connection died, so here's what I started at gigposters.com:
http://www.gigposters.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=33420
Chicago rules. This city, to me, is a warm, fresh-out-the-dryer blanket.

I leave tomorrow. :(

Minneapolis, here I come (for a night)!

So, it's time for the Junos...

...and the somewhat clean streets of Winnipeg are full of music industry fat cats and pseudo-stars. And here I am, getting away from the hustle n' bustle in front of a computer. As much as I hate award shows, I'm going to this thing. The thing is, my main reason for going, Neil Young, is in the hospital. I hope he makes it through alright.
I tell ya, I'm itching to get out of this town...and I will be! Monday, I'm Chicago-bound. If I don't get inspired to write something before leaving, this might be my last entry for a week...unless I can hook up with a cyber cafe. Peace.

Illustration Friday: "Travel"

An oldie but goodie!



Gruf Goin' South Jam Poster, 2002 • Graphite, Staedtler Pigment Liner and FreeHand®

I have severe doubts that I'll be able to come up with anything new for this week's topic (as I myself will be travelling), so here's something I did previously.
The Gruf Goin' South Jam was a little send-off for Winnipeg emcee Gruf the Druid as he was taking a little sojourn in Mexico. The show was great, and so was the turnout.
Check it out here with comments from some gigposters.com regulars.