Harry Potter Valentines to Help Out a Friend

My friend RACHEL DUKES, who is a soon-to-be-graduate of The Center for Cartoon Studies, and SLAMMIN cartoonist,  is in quite the bind.  Because of a sudden bout of pneumonia and recent travel debacle she has $1700 of financial trouble. (read the whole story HERE)

Being an artist and full-time student, you can imagine she prolly doesn’t have $1,700 just lyin around, so I am asking all of YOU to help her out!

SO – HERE IS WHAT IM PROPOSING WE DO

1.  You can donate directly to her – check out her website, email her, what have you, her website is:

http://www.mixtapecomics.com/

2.  BUY her stuff!!  She is very talented so you’re not wasting any money, and you will still be helping her out!

you can buy her stuff HERE

3.  This morning I woke up and really wanted to draw Harry Potter Valentines, for no other reason than i thought it would be fun cause I love Harry Potter.  I had no intention on printing them out and giving them away or anything, BUT if anyone is interested in buying a digital copy for $5, all proceeds will go to Rachel to help her her out right now.  They’re not that good, but they ARE for a good cause!!!

 

 

 

Featured Artist: Drew Damron

I’ve been doing things a little differently in this here blog, i know ALL of you are on the edge of your seats about it.   Before I used to combine posts, but from now on they will be individual.

To christen the new Featured Artist section, i introduce to you my good friend DREW DAMRON!

Drew was my co-leader for the Grand Rapids Comics Society and also Co-FOUNDED the group!  SInce we met he has been, not only an encouraging friend, but a also a teacher, inspiring me to draw more, learn more, keep going.  If it wasn’t for Drew, I wouldn’t be doing as well as I am as an artist and I may have never known about the Center for Cartoon Studies.

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He just sent me two of his new comics, so now I am a proud owner of the ENTIRE Drew Damron Collection!

Dreyfus, Today…, Mindful Eating, Comics for Something, Hellenistic Philosophies

My favorite has always been Mindful Eating.  ITS BEAUTIFUL.

excerpt from Mindful Eating

Check out his stuff – this kid is going places!

-Comics for Something

-Comics for Something on Facebook

The Best Worst Thing

Its been cold and rainy the past 48 hours, but Saturday was beautiful, which is why this happened saturday morning:

 

Yes, this was a true story – he just REALLY wanted an early start to the day i guess… so obviously i was up at 6 am and began drawing this page!  I did all of this in one day AND had to go to work that day, which is pretty impressive for me.  Im glad to know that I can throw down a finished page in less than a day, even if it doesnt happen very often.

A fellow cartoonist also recently mentioned that i need more spot blacks in my comics, so this was a great opportunity to start practicing.  Spotting blacks is one of those things that, especially when you’re learning on your own, you dont notice until its pointed out.  That’s one of the great reasons for living here (or one of the ONLY reasons…), that even though im not in school, im learning so much from others by simply watching, having conversations and building relationships.

 

 

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Featured Artist Section

MELANIE GILMAN

Melanie really does not need a feature or my help throwing her name out there cause she has MAD SKILLS that get peoples attention all on their own

Melanie is about to graduate from the Center of Cartoon Studies here in White River Junction Vermont and she is without a doubt one of the best artists i have ever seen and have the pleasure to know.  She also makes amazingly delicious Vegan stew. Trust me.

She just started sharing her new project, As the Crow Flies – check it out, but beware, you’re going to get HOOKED.

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On pandora today, an old obscure band i saw in college came up and it was an AWESOME blast from the past – i had completely forgotten about this song, but its perfectly fitting for my life right now

here’s the only clip of it on the internet ->    sanawon

i need to break out that album again…

peace out bros!

I’ve attempted to do something I’ve never done before – FAN COMICS – with the help of a few inspiring friends and a funny experience while making bread, I came up with an idea to send a “recipe” comic to Hannah Harto at My Drunk Kitchen

If you’ve never seen it check’er out cause she’s adorable and hilarious (and this comic has specific references to the two episodes at the end of this post :)

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in other news, Ive been finishing some new haikus that im going to be added to an updated version of Haiku Revue (still not ready for a ‘part 2’ yet)

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FEATURED ARTIST SECTION:

Solphie Goldstein!

Sophie is about to complete her first year here at the Center for Cartoon Studies.   She is a FANTASTIC illustrator and is the artist for Darwin Carmichael Goes to Hell.  She also just got her published children’s book Poopy Claws (which is SUPER cute!)

(pssst that's sophie in the background!)

CHECK OUT HER TUMBLER ——> here! 

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My Blog-Buddy Mandy at Chocolate & Cream Cake did a little shout out for my book, Haiku Revue!!

thanks Mandy!!

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okiluvyoubuhbye

*ALSO*

here are two of my favorite episodes – ENJOY THEM

Fo-To Po-st!

HOWDY

Today is an ALL PHOTO update, featuring events from the last week 1/2

First- the promised Vermont Small Press Expo

(photos by Marylyn):

with Sean Knickerbocker and Jesse Mead

with Julie Delporte and Djanice St-Hilaire

with Jon Chad, giving a talk about his book Leo Geo!

Heeeey!

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THEN

Last week I got to meet one of my favorite/inspirations – RAINA TELGEMEIER!

 I also got to meet and hear from Raina’s husband who is AMAZING – he’s a great artist and storyteller and was SO helpful and encouraging!!!

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Last night, I heard from Gary Groth, co-founder of  Fantagraphics – it was KIND OF a big deal, not that he will ever remember and/or publish me down the road… but it was still super fun to hear how he started The Comics Journal from scratch and proceeded to create this amazing venue for comics.

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Well HELLO!

Its been a few weeks, and honestly i have not been drawing much.  Too many parties I guess (you know us high-rollin’ comic artist types…. no… )

ANYWAY

Here are some highlights!

FIRST here is … two haiku comics… in two weeks … I WAS DISTRACTED, OK?

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I was also featured as this weeks GEEK OF THE WEEK on Chocolate & Cream Cake

Sometimes it pays off to be nerdy!

SECONDLY through the wonder of the tax refund and the generosity of caring friends, I was able to purchase a new external hard drive AND printer/scanner copier, ALL of which will help making comics easier and faster, and i can actually posts SCANS of things and not pictures… HOWEVER both of them showed up in NOT working order… and since i dropped my phone in a water bucket the other day i cant call for tech support – maybe ONE day things will work out and ill be able to post nice images of things!

AND THEN my cat DESTROYED my favorite drawing…

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IN OTHER NEWS  i received the best love-letter today – with the BEST envelope!  Thanks again Glo-glam!

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ON THE EARLIER TOPIC OF PARTIES –  had tons of fun yesterday for good ole St. Patty’s day here in toon town!

notice ALL the green and SPACE/STAR WARS LEGOS – really there’s no other way to celebrate…

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There have been LOTS of birthdays the past couple of weeks and i was able to help celebrate with some GREAT people!

first ALEX BULLET, who not only threw himself a rad b-day party but is also the author of  Astronaut Prince – CHECK IT OUT!

Then JESSE LONERGAN, who I unfortuneatly did not get to celebrate with but DID get to participate in his Birthday-Weekend-Edition of DANCER  A DAY .

Here’s the drawing I did for him:

I was the only one who worked in BEARDED Jesse AND NON-BEARDED Jesse!

AND THEN there was AMELIA ONORATO

Which brings us to

THIS WEEKS

FEATURED ARTIST!

Mia Onorato is currently a second year at the Center for Cartoon Studies, where she spends most of her time being super cute and drawing amazing comics:

*side-note - i proudly have a print of this spread displayed on my wall!

But really Mia’s crowning glory is Habeaky

Ya’ll should check her out now cause she’s gonna be a SUPER STAR

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Alright bros, it’s 70 degrees outside.  Im going Vermountaineering

Happy Mardi Gras everybody!  Today to party i did… MY TAXES!!  WOOOO wild times. It’s weird not living in a place that has a strong Polish community – I don’t even know where to buy Pączki s where I live in Vermont

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IN OTHER NEWS

here’s another page for the anthology – i REALLY like this one!

Some tweaking and details, but its coming along nicely – luckily I still have 3 months to finish!

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Featured Artist Section

 Joseph Lambert

One of the advantages of being a part of the CCS community is having the privilege to meet talented artists and listen to people who have been doing it right.  Last week both of those came together as the first CCS Alumn lectured on his work.

Joe graduated from the Center for Cartoon Studies in 2008 and has received a lot of recognition for his work, including his anthology I Will Bite You

you NEED to check out his stuff, especialy if you’re an artist and you want to feel bad about yourself (but in a good way)

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Doodly Doo

I couldnt sleep last night so i did some little doodles

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Featured Artist:  SAM CARBAUGH!

 

 

Sam is a graduate of the Center for Cartoon Studies, and not only is he a talented cartoonist but he is also a dear friend and beckons from ma hometown ya’ll!

Check him out!

 

 

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Right now there’s some slightly falling snow – the soft fluffy kind.   I’m GOING OUTSIDE

Rid-dit-dit-da-doo!

I’ve been a supertime slacker lately, but i still managed to re-draw two pages for the anthology i think its coming along :)

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In OTHER news, i got to hang out with Paul Pope all weekend, NO BIG DEAL OR ANYTHING. Jesus this place…

Paul also came with Sam Hiti –

Now, I will be honest – i had never heard of Sam Hiti before they came, but he is by far my favorite.  The guy is friggin awesome.   we went out to dinner on saturday and Paul drew THESE on the table (among others)     and yes, paul pope did in fact buy me dinner.  IS THIS REAL LIFE?!?!?

read more about it on the Schultz Library Blog!

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Featured Artist: Jen Vaughn

Jen is an alumni of the Center for Cartoon Studies and currently works at their library.  She is known best for her menstruation comics which are both funny and informitive ;)

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ive been super obsessed with these guys lately

YEAR IN REVIEW

2011 was pretty effing rad.  let’s look back at some good times: – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

I never finished the Part 2011 page...

We got Winston!

I finished the Paper Doll series

We put dinosaurs on our windows

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SNOWPOCOLYPSE

attended my first hardcore show @ Thunderdome in Grand Rapids

Lykke Li released Wounded Rhymes

This is what i was drawing. This is what I was eating.

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I received the best letter of my adult life

I listened to this song non-stop

  who am i foolin, i still can’t get enough of it

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I discovered Dudes with Beards Eating Cupcakes

I started saying goodbye to Grand Rapids by making a GR Bucket list

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I drew my first Haiku Comic

Fleet Foxes realease Helplessness Blues

I saw Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael for the first time

I made a pretty cake

i made a mini-comic

I drew my super-hero power

we made an anthology!

and then we for saled some

i started listening to The Cults and feeling happier inside

This teenage photographer rocked my world

We had a beautiful picnic

I was 10 inches away from Demetri Martin

i met the two most babe-a-liscious comedians in the country

I said goodbye to my lovely city

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  POTTER

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I moved

I turned 26

I started drawing a book

I made new friends

I drew a lot

I met Craig Thompson

I had the privilege to hang out with comic legend Bob Sikoryak

CALL THE DOCTOR! cause halloween was way too much fun to handle

I finished my first chapter

I learned loads from comic babe Jason Lutes

I got a new nephew :)

had a lovely VEGAN thanksgiving with great people :)

I watched Alec Longstreth cut his hair

I got to hear *****ing Jules Feiffer speak for like TWO HOURS!!!!

I got some awesome sht done

I drank a lot of Vegan Egg Nog

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THANKS 2011 – YOU WERE AMAZING

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BRING IT ON TWENTYTWELVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!