we'll always have paris, and this sketchbook

So here I am, updating! Two days in a row! I promise I'll update more in 2011, although I think I did alright this year.

Here's my sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project, in all it's almost-done glory!


The Cover



Page 1 - Giraffes Don't Make Good Pets



Spread 1 - Battle for Los Angeles



Spread 2- That Gape is Reversible



Spread 3- Her Stuff Don't Stink



Spread 4- The Cat's Meow



Spread 5- Don't Take Good Vibes, Little Bear


Spread 6- Girl is a Black Bear Skull



Spread 7- Make Some Noise



Spread 8- Please, Girl.



Spread 9- Unexpected Payment for Clean Dishes



Spread 10- LUKE, I'm Not Your Father


The later spreads are still in limbo, which you can probably tell, but it's nearly there! (Or it better be, since it's due in two weeks!) Til then, adieu!

evolution of a sketchbook Part 1

I've been working pretty steady on my book for The Sketchbook Project, so hooray! Sketchbooks, even though I keep like, at least 2-3 at any one time, are pretty difficult for me to be fully done with. I usually have to just do the last page, shut it, and put it away, otherwise I will noodle the hell out of it for the rest of eternity.

I've had this sketchbook for a few months now, and decided to post some of the old versions with their new re-worked versions below them, so you could see a little bit of how I'm constantly going back into pages. Sometimes it's just another scrap of paper, another bit of color, another piece of tape, and then I can finally let it go.





I will post all the spreads I have done so far (there's like 10 or twelve) tomorrow. Only 5 pages left!

2010 Year in Review

Hi all-

So, work! A lot of you have been wondering what I've been up to at the ole JibJab, so I thought I would post some of my additions to the 2010 Year in Review. These are always fun, because the last two years we've been doing them in a more handmade style, rather than purely digital, or live action, like most of our content.

For the most part, I created whatever the animators needed extra help with in the sewing department- everything from puppet hands (I think there's only one or two in the entire short I didn't end up making) to Oval Office curtains to American and Gay Pride flags, to a TON of finger puppets and just random little dudes to fill up background scenes. I also helped paint and puppeteer some of the smaller scenes. Lots of it goes by very fast, but I grabbed some of my scenes below.

It was especially fun getting to work with Justin again, as he did most of the concept and visual development we ended up using for the puppets and backgrounds.

Here's some shots from the short of my puppets.





This is the American flag I was asked to make. It actually has all 13 stripes and all 50 stars. WOOT. AMERI-CUH! I also sewed a gay pride flag (twice) and it was RIDICULOUSLY hard to make. You would think 6 stripes would be easier, but no. No sir. You would be wrong. The puppets in this scene were created by Romney.



This is a background that actually got cut from the final, but it's the Oval Office I helped make curtains for.


Evan also did a behind-the-scenes blog, so you can see some of the concept and better shots of my work right here, and check out allllll the content right here.

Other than that, I've been playing lots of Wii and trying to finish up my book for the Sketchbook Project. It's due in about 2 weeks, and I only have 4 pages left! Woo! So, with that, I bid you adieu and Merry Christmas! (And since this is likely my last post of 2010, let's throw a Happy New Year in there, too!)

moar polaroids that arent polaroids

The word polaroid is really like the word bandaid. It's an instant photograph/adhesive bandage, but we know it best by its brand name. Anyway, on with the show. Took a whole slew of pictures over the weekend, so here ya go, all... right in a group-style.



I went hiking with friends in Arcadia (waterfall, mountains), and took pictures of the puppy-slug hybrides (seals) in La Jolla. Beautiful place, La Jolla. Dr. Suess lived there, they even have trees that look like his truffula trees from the Lorax. There's also pictures of me that Justin took, and the start of a portrait project I'm working on. The idea is that people will have their picture taken making a face that they think is them. Uniquely them. Justin & Oliver were tests to see what lighting and distances work best.

Anywho, more pictures soon!

san diego wild animal park

We went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park (not the zoo, but affiliated) a few weekends ago, and here is photographic evidence! We fed lorikeets, Justin pet a hissing cockroach (the man is dressed as a cockroach, fyi), we watched a ridiculously horny Bighorn Sheep get disgruntled... all in all, a great day.






Also! I am [finally] updating the shop with new things, so check it out, if you have the time and energy! Birds, lots of birds... and some other fun things perhaps! I also have a show next sunday in Encinitas called ZigZag, so if you're in that area abouts, come say hello! 11-3!

tenuousness

I haven't been updating this much, mainly because I've been a unique combination of busy and lazy (my usual excuse, I know.) But! I have still been making things, both of plushy-types and drawing-types, and I will scan/photograph those soon. I promise. Sort of.

In other news, I got an instant camera (fujifilm still makes them) yesterday and I took some photos. Yay. I've also been listening to Andrew Bird a lot, specifically Noble Beast, so that's a double rainbow of yay. (He wears lots of vests and suity things, it makes me smile. More boys should dress like that.)

Here's Justin & Mike, a too-serious portrait of me, and Sammy the Office Pug.



Love of hate acts as an axis.
Love of hate acts as an axis.
First it wanes, and then it waxes.
(So procreate and pay your taxes.)

its not halloween, but darnit, its close

So, I've been like Jezabel McNoPosting lately, and I'm super apologetic about that, but I've been busy. Ish. Busy-ish. With, uh, work, and the holidays, and mostly playing Red Dead Redemption. BUT THAT'S ALL OVER NOW. So, here's some sketches from my "I mainly draw plush-type creatures up in here" sketchbook. It's pencil, in case you couldn't tell.




Bearz, Fun Guyz, and Catz. You know how I do.

And, because I made a big deal about it, here's a picture (by Dan, because I'm lazy and didn't take any of myself) of me in my Velma costume at work.

well, how are things on the west coast?

Some of my sketchbook pages so far for the Sketchbook Project. I have a few, uh, 2, months left to finish it. Only 50+ pages to go, ha ha ha... ha. Then again, it is MY sketchbook, so I can do whatever I want with it. Ultimate power, you are mine!





This last one is in progress. I tend to go back and forth and back and forth multiple times with pages like these until they have everything I want them to have. Sometimes its just one more dash of color, or a lyric, or a word, or doodle, and BAM! DONE! I'm still wavering on the cover as well, since it doesn't say everything I want it to yet.

In other news, I have a show in Carlsbad next month, the second Queen Bee Market, and I have lots to complete for it. Some new products, some new plush... it's all very exciting. If you're out that way November 12/13, you should come by, say hello... slap me a high five like we're old friends.

Because blog-friend, we are old friends. The oldest, in fact. Especially in internet time. It's like magic.

Speaking of magic, anybody see that Owl movie? We did, and it's rad. Like, Clock of Bad rad. So bad it's rad. You know? But seriously, there's worse things you could spend your money on. (Like hookers and blow, if this were the 80's.)

post-it figure drawing

I did some figure drawing on post-its today, because they're colorful and the only paper I had on hand at the time. These are all 30 second poses.

YES YES YES MORE.

Bilius Butternaut is my newest plush guy. He wears sweet felt boots.



And this is Super Ginger Cat. He has mind control powers. Rad! (Super rad?)

quickity quick quick

Quick drawings of some dudes/dudettes, and an even quicker color study of another dude I'm gonna start tonight. AND I finished another dude, so, picture of him tomorrow. He's part walrus, part man, ALL AWESOME. You will love him, like I love him.




'Til then, friends. Keep it classy.

Cloff G. Hoffernoff and DC

First, some photos from our trip. The rest are going on facebook or perhaps into the ether, as they didn't turn out very stunning. Lots of pictures of us looking tired. However, the city is wonderful, very clean, easy to navigate, lots to do, highly recommended.





Now, my new friend Cloff G. Hoffernoff. He's a good 2 and a half feet tall, took me, oh, a solid 2 weeks to finish him up. I'm going to start moving in this direction, this weird absurdist direction, for my new plushies. Big and beautiful and weird. Trying to put more personality into the faces, you know how that can be.

come & get it

Plushies up at Munky King!

They just added a bunch of new guys to the shop, so check 'em outttttt.