The Cutoff

Happy Arbitrary Cutoff Point!!

Some dudes...

Wanna dance with Tofu?

In doing some research on robots in science and technology, I came across Tofu, Nexi, and other robots designed to interact with humans. It's fascinating stuff. In addition to these videos, learn more about these robots at the MIT Media Lab's Personal Robots Group.

2009 Art Viewing...

Seeing original Renoirs at the Musee d'Orsay was an amazing experience. They really stood out against everything else, which surprised me because I never considered myself a Renoir "fan" per se. But the other paintings from this time period just couldn't match his striking and somewhat unusual color choices combined with amazingly soft brushwork that somehow yields both intensely expressive and lifelike images.

Film Pick...Ikiru

Plot: A man tries to make up for lost time when he realizes he's soon going to die and he's wasted his entire adult life in a tedious government job.   

I liked how Kurosawa shows this ordinary, quiet, and crusty man (Takashi Shimura) suddenly throwing himself into all of these loud, brash, "fun" activities. Juxtapositions like these are everywhere in this film. It's an effective yet subtle way to tell the story without dictating the viewer's emotions. Very useful for the graphic storyteller. 

The original film poster...

Subliminal Messages in Advertising...

If you look closely at this ad, you can see Santa holding a tiny carton of cigarettes...

OMG did you see it?????

Fun with Minicomics!

I created a fun and simple exercise for making a minicomic with a small group of people. First, the group decides on a common main character and a few common story elements. Each person then creates their own 1-3 page comic using these common elements. At the end of the exercise, you bind everyone's comic together into a single minicomic anthology and enjoy! 

I pulled some images from the very first minicomic created using this method. Our main character was a sockpuppet named "Lymphy" (because one person in the group decided he should have cancer). Our common story elements were: a meatloaf, a conflict, and the phrase "I could really use a vacation."

American Girl Doll Makeover

As soon as I learned that there's an actual salon where I can take my American Girl® Doll to get a makeover, I rushed right over! Of course there was the prerequisite $1200.00 DNA test to prove that my doll IS American (but the fee is waived if the test comes back American - SWEET DEAL!) With that done, the stylists whisked her away for an afternoon of beauty and pampering, all for only 6 Gajillion dollars!!

When she was finished, they brought her to me in the doll/girl boutique where we bought matching outfits! We topped off this totally psychotic experience with a decadent meal at the doll cafe (where we dropped another couple gajillion dollars)!! But it was so friggin' worth it!!!

OK no lie people. You can actually do all of these things with your American Girl® doll (except the DNA test - but I'm sure that's coming).

Not Your Average Holiday Film...

This is my favorite clip from the film "8 Women," which I say is a holiday film since it takes place over Christmas. Watch Catherine Deneuve dance around like a lunatic. It's pretty funny...



Despite some good performances (Fanny Ardant) and terrific costumes, I thought this movie was pretty uneven overall. But rent it if you'd like a wacky change from the usual holiday gunk.

Hand, meet Pencil...

As you can see, they're both a little nervous about being reunited. But I'm determined to get them back together! Lately I've had so many art projects requiring the computer that these two have become virtual strangers. Plus it's Errand-mas (with Christmas, your errands double, so I'm now calling it 'Errand-mas'). Being able to draw this week will be my Errand-mas present to myself!

Artist Showcase...Keenan Cassidy

This piece by Keenan Cassidy is a favorite in my art collection. Keenan is an incredibly talented and prolific local artist. I believe he did this piece in 2007, when he was only 13! One of the many inspiring things about Keenan is that he's always experimenting with new techniques. Check out his blog to see how he's layering and mixing different mediums in his recent works. 

Film Pick...The Goodbye Girl

In the mood for some 1970's cheesiness? Then throw on a pair of bell bottoms, pour yourself a heaping bowl of cheez whiz and rent this movie! I love Richard Dreyfus. And Marsha Mason and Quinn Cummings are so barfiliciously wonderful. I also love movies about actors and it's interesting to see NYC in '70's. It was so shambly. I love that.

Get a load of this ultra-cheesy trailer. The voiceover guy is awesome. Toward the end, he actually says, "Say hello to laughter. Say hello to tears. Say hello the The Goodbye Girl." I want him to do a non-stop, live narration of my life as I go through each mundane moment of my day. 

Inspirational poster...

You NEED this 18" x 24"poster that I designed! 

Hang it in your drab bedroom 

and watch your spirits soar!

Mrs. Claus is hot.

A quick piece I did yesterday. 

Money Makeover

I'm not a currency collector but I'm inspired by the variety of designs. Check out these cool ones...

The Fijians have a sea turtle on theirs...

Sri Lanka's is beautifully colored and features a pair of parrots. 

I think this one is my personal favorite... 

Zaire takes the cake with a majestic family of adorable gorillas. 

Dutch money is so bright and colorful. I love the sunflower. 

Mongolian currency. I love this guy's hat...

American currency really needs a makeover by comparison. 

Goobers and Raisinettes...

Did I unconsciously ingest eleven movie-concession-size boxes 

of each on my drive home from work tonight?

Kinda feels like it.  

Gettin' down with the Holiday Spirit...

YAY!!

This random assortment of weirdos really 

gets me into the Christmas spirit!

It's actually the back cover of the December, 1967 issue of Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact, a Catholic comic book that was published from the 1940's - 70's...

And here's the front cover of the same issue...

...what the..?

Film Pick...Small Change

In an effort to improve my French language skills, I rent a lot of French movies and watch them with the subtitles off. I've found that it's easier for me to understand certain people better than others: children, the elderly, and non-native speakers.

That's partly why I enjoyed this Francois Truffaut film about children, but it's certainly not the only reason. Filmed in 1976, it's a collage of scenes depicting children of a small French village, Thiers. I like it because the kids are refreshingly real and downright unfashionable, scruffy little ragamuffins. The film tells their stories from their point of view. Some of the stories are light and funny, and some show children dealing with their own private struggles.

My Holiday card design...

It's sure to be a hit with friends and family this season! 

They finally made up!!

These two had been fighting for MONTHS!! I'm assuming they've made up because they seemed quite cozy tonight... 

A little too cozy, perhaps?

       I don't know...should I be worried?

What's on your refrigerator?

Many thanks to everyone who came to the StArt on the Street Fair this Sunday! I had a great time seeing old friends and meeting new! :)

So... I need to change the decor on my refrigerator. It's been there for about five years! But before I do, I'm posting what's on it now. 

I would love to post photos of other refrigerator decor - so  if you would like to send me yours, I will post any that I receive by next Monday! 

Various travels...

These ladies are psyched!

Postcard from Brazil with Veronica's magnet...

Things that are orangey-red: Derek Ring art, sleeping dauchsund, Ritz crackers...

I love this quote...

Eye candy from POST THIS! show

I love Pete Cardoso's bold, clean designs. They have a retro feel to them. The print quality of these is amazing. I'd like to learn more about his background and process:

Lindsey Kuhn's work is crazed, hilarious, neon genius: 

Well hell-O there handsome fella!

Despite being tired and hungry, my eyeballs were happily gorging on this feast of visual candy: 

YUM!

AIE-OH! 

Diggin' the work by my homies 

Veronica Hebard, Andy Fish, and Keenan Cassidy:

Suh-wEEET!

Art Bonanza Weekend starts today!

I am very excited to have two posters in this show. I loved the idea of re-creating concert posters of 1990's rock bands. It was an interesting challenge. And tonight is the public preview! I am looking forward to seeing good friends there as well the 100+ posters.

Then on Sunday, December 6th I'll be selling my comics, prints, and other nifty gifties at stART at the Station, a holiday arts event featuring over 120 artists and crafters. I'm sharing a table with my uber-talented colleague and pal, Mr. Bret Herholz. I hope to see you there! 

Where: Union Station, 2 Washington Sq, Worcester, MA

When: Sunday December 6, 2009, noon - 5pm. 

Rock Poster show! Preview this Friday 12/4

It's a busy week! This is on Friday and then this Sunday I will be sharing a table with Bret Herholz at a Holiday Art Fair. Check back tomorrow for details!

Paul's Fabulous New Single!

Yo people!

Look what just dropped!

I am SO gonna be spinnin' this! 

(in da club)

"Tammy and Geoff"...the Soap Opera Cartoon Debut!

Episode 1

Stay tuned for the next episode of "Tammy and Geoff"