Rose City 2012 (3)

Collaborative Works

In the past, I have eschewed collaborative endeavors due to bad experiences.  However, there simply is no good reason for that.

It has become my determination that I will now consider collaborative works.  The reason for this change in my work philosophy is simply that such work is valuable as a learning tool, and also that I now have the confidence and knowledge to go into a project with another, without getting busted or taken advantage of.

So, if a person brings me a sample, of either art or also writing, and wants me to either write, or draw, their work, then we can together learn to collaborate, write contracts, and complete something.

I will not work on any project with another creator for more than a small, fast project.  It will not be an extended partnership.  This way, it can be like "courting," as my new friend Richard suggested.

At first I told him that's not how it works, but sure, I can see that.  Easy in, easy out.

Let's make something together.

- J.

Rose City 2012 (2)

Extra worn out right now.  Just time to talk about this piece briefly.  This was one of my new thingies I trotted out for Rose City.

If you're old like I am, you'll remember Ollie North.  Finally somebody recognized him at Con which was pretty awesome!   Notable guesses included Andy Griffith and W Bush.

To call him controversial is an understatement.  To some, he's a hero who took the fall, to others, a war criminal.  Hmmmm.

Contrast that with V, who has a similar dual nature.  Terrorist, or freedom fighter.

It's all "paradigm."

One of my buddies directed me to the trailer of Call of Duty Black Ops, the videogame trailer.




"They could be anyone."  That scares the tar out of me.  It's meant to be scary.

So, that's were that imagery is derived from.  As soon as the video concluded I launched into the print.  If you can believe it, I actually made it something like a day before a family member's wedding in the bride's mom's basement with glittery black acrylic as my "india ink" and a variety of brushes and pens.  The original is 11x17.

I don't think people are scary.  Pretty much everybody I know is basically a down to earth, simple person.  Everybody wants to have the same comforts and securities in that deepest part of their cores.

Why the fear mongering?  It's not just one source which does it... everyone is supposed to be afraid of something.

Of all the wacky stuff  I've done that everybody raises their eyebrows over,  Paradigm is my favorite, because it really is closest to explaining my worldview.  Most of the time, I feel that I misrepresent my intentions by accident, due to poor focus.  Working on that.


Nobody wants to be told what to DO.  Well, unless they're banner waving partisan-apt people.

This is the cover to PolitiK: Paradigm.

It's actually originally a 3.5 by 3 foot watercolor heavy paper stock which I painted for the North Bank Artists Gallery in Vancouver Washington back before first moving to Portland and beginning my comic book study stuff there.

Now it's a nigh-postage stamp size cover to my little zine.  I think I'll try to make some as prints for the Jet City Con, in Seattle in a little under two weeks.  I'll be excited to see everyone who shows up there.

- J.

Rose City 2012 (1)

Just got back from Portland.  I'm probably more exhausted at this minute than I have been in a very long time.  That's maybe saying something, I think.  



I got a new hat.  My favorite hat got left at my buddy Dag's house by accident, so I picked it up at the First Thursday fair in Portland.  It was a super convenient find cause I was mad at myself real fierce for not having my good luck charm on me.  I was spending that day with  my old bud Mood and his pals Tuan, D., Petie, and Samhir.

 

 My favorite part of the weekend was my wife's reaction to a homeless man's sign.  He was going for one and he got it.  His sign said something fairly much like:

Please Help!  

Ninjas stole my girlfriend

and I need to collect 

ransom money quickly!

(or learn kung fu).

Since random inspirational cards are frequently to be found scattered around my home in times of stress or overwork, I thought I would leave her one for in the morning.  It's taking up her whole front seat.

It was a good weekend.  Off to bed now.  Early morning.

- J.

Elite Marketing

This was part of a marketing campaign which was brought to me.

- J.

30 Characters

Last November I took part in the 30 Characters Challenge online at 30 Characters dot com. 

It was one of the most difficult challenges which has ever presented itself to me, in a similar vein as to making a 24 Hour Comic, which also is hard.

Many of them are sort of fun, and a few are dreadful as can be.  Lots of them are actually people I know, or sort of knew at the time.

The intention was to make each one funny and engaging.  I wanted to avoid genres such as superhero or cowboy unless done in a heavy lampooning manner.

Here's a few of my favorites:

http://www.30characters.com/2011/12/01/j-james-final-characters/

They all have funny descriptions but you can go read them yourself if you would like.  As of the moment I am posting this, my final index is all available still on the front page of www.30characters.com where it has been sitting in plain view for random passersby for 10 months or such.   I expect it will be pushed away pretty soon into obscurity since it's about time for the next competition. 

- J.

Captain America

... throws his mighty shield.

A new clip of the Avengers premiered last night online.  It's likely gone by now, and if you are into it you'll see it on blue ray, but MAN, that should have been in the movie.

This quiet, serene series of moments where Steve is walking through his new life, remembering old friends and old love, viewing old film clips, and having a brief moment of realization that he needs to move on and let old times go.  There were very few words, it was powerful storytelling.

I made this for a young relative of mine.  He was going out for Halloween dressed like Captain America and didn't have any shield.

WHAT!  NO SHIELD!  Gotta rectify that situation.

So this was my solution.  Heavy foamcore so it's light enough for a kid, thick straps with buckles on the back so that it won't fall off.  It was painted in about three hours.

Concentric rings are funny things to paint.  There is not actually any shadow or curvature to the surface of the shield, that is only indicated through the painting, as well as the inset rings.

- J.

A Brief Metaphor

This is sort of how my drawing for a living is working out for me right now. 

I made this.  It was the only one of nine which I planted and today it's opened up.  Little late in the season I'm told but it's the only one so that's okay with me.

- J.