Miscellaneous Friday Post

Last year I lived in White River Junction, VT, where the Center for Cartoon Studies is – it’s an… interesting place, make no mistake.  I have a love/hate relationship with the tiny little new england hamlet, but I do miss it sometimes, and will certainly NEVER forget my time there.  Recently the awesome local vintage/handmade/resale clothing store, REVOLUTION, made a “It’s Not So Bad” shirt – it was too hilarious to not buy!

Other than that, here is just a doodle I did last night

 

 

Last but not least – my cartoonist friend ALEX NALL made a comic about the reading i was at the other night – Im the BLUE ONE!

 

 

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!

Sexy poses, Robots, and ROLLER DERBY

I still don’t have my stupid scanner because i had to send it back for a new one that actually WORKED…

So im afraid you get photos … AGAIN…   >:/

A few years ago (two?)  i went to a Dr. Sketchy event in Grand Rapids that was featuring the Grand Raggidy Roller Girls as the models, and last night i went to Dr. Sketchy here in White River that featured the Upper Valley Vixens as models

COMPARE AND CONTRAST

2009:

this one won me a prize of two free SHOTS

"ray charles" was the name given to me by Dr. Sketchy (get it ... cause my names Rachel?) mmyeah....

OK so… here’s last nights – 2012:

Upon review, i’ve concluded two things are true:

1.  That I can’t draw live models

2.  I think my drawing skills have DEcreased

In my defense last night’s were only five minutes each…

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My friend Jesse Lonergan is putting together a Robot Zine for Boston ComiCon (so bummed im not going…)  so these are my contributions:

The drawing still needs some work, but i think it’s cute :)

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We had the first really nice spring rainfall today and i loved it – i sat by the window with Winston and appreciated every minute of it :)

I have also (unfortuneatly) started watching Boys Over Flowers again…. I CAN”T HELP IT I NEED IT

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

City Sidewalks

 

 

 

 

 

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On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

 

Currently listening to:

 

Currently watching:

 

 

 

GINGERBREAD!!!

Yesterday some of the cartoon students and I made a GINGERBREAD TOWN of White River Junction!

Julie Delporte

 

 

Dave W builds houses like draws comics

Mia's Post Office was the BOMB

Melanie wins the award for Most Creative/Most disturbing with her WRJ Meth Lab Explosion House

And of course the White River Junction TRAIN STATION – done by yours truly!!!

 

White River Junction never looked so delicious!

 

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On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

 

 

 

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Currently listening to:

 

Currently watching:

 

 

 

keep it real ya’ll

Some Fun and Follow-Up

Remember my last post, me gushing over R. Sikoryak and all?  Well, likewise, i got to catch a little of Jason Lutes speak last night.  Jason Lutes, aka cartooning babe-tron.

This is another example of a someone i see everyday, knowing hes a cartoonist, handing him coffee all the time, discussing Anton Checkhov with him, and all the while not knowing who he is or what he’s done and how fantasticly talented experienced and beautiful he and his work is.

Author of Berlin and Jar of Fools, i learned so much from him; hearing his process and what he’s learned working in the biz – and i could only stay for half of it!

livin in white river junction – hollaaaaaaaaa

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after Mr. Lutes, i got to meet some other babes, this time the musical version.

TIK TOK LABORATORIES 

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and when i got home i was so jazzed from these wondrous events i quickly made this (just for fun :)

until next time!

Geewillicker!!!

Please let me take this post to gush a little… :

I love living in White River Junction, VT!

I was disappointed that school didn’t work out, but Ive never regretted the move – not even for a second.  Apart from meeting fresh new and talented students ive met acclaimed cartoonists living in town and working at CCS, such as Steve Bissette, and also nationally and world recognized artists – and they’re here!  And they know me by  name!

Like for instance Craig Thompson (no biggy, only the man who made me want to do comics  or whatever…)

and then tonight i had the privilege to hear the amazing Robert Sikoyak speak, also known as Bob, also known as the man who i see everyday and often make cups of tea for.

from our night at the Tumbridge Fair

Sitting there listneing to him, i felt like a FOOL!  I didnt know he had accomplished so much (being on the cover of the new yorker like… what 8 times?!?!) He truly is a legend, and ive known him for months and didnt even realize it.  BLAAFGGGGHH!!!!!!!!

i read this book.  in michigan.  when i was first trying to learn about comics.  and when i met bob, i didnt even put two and two together… FOOL!

 

mind blowing.

WHEW – ok.  enough gushing.  gushing over.

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listening on repeat:

watching:

INTERNETS!!!

FINALLY

im back!

Ok, kids, here we go:

Officially residing in White River Junction, VT, though not officially a resident (6 months for residency).

So far I am LOVING it.

I literally have mountains in my backyard… actually i think it would be more accurate to say that I am living on a mountain.

I found a good job at a cafe RIGHT away and getting about 30 hours a week.  Its allowed me to meet some great people, and being here only a week I’d say i have about… 5 official friends

not bad i’d say

anywho everything is going good so far – people are friendly, or as friendly as they are anywhere i guess.  winston is doing good, which makes me happy :)  roommate is nice, its beuatiful, people here actually care about where there food comes from so restaurants use FRESH tomatoes, local health store i can walk to and get all the vegetarian and vegan items i desire – all in all a GREAT place to move to.

Missing:  my bigger, cheaper apartment.  the local music and music venues.  the cool people :)