KALAMAFRAZ

Friar Tuck Drawing

2012-02-01T09:30:00.000-08:00

The Winnipeg Art Group started another art project Similar to the monster poster that I did the Ramnoceros for. This time I am drawing Friar Tuck. Although this is the original medieval Friar Tuck I have modeled the feast he is having after the "Rocket Robin Hood" Friar tuck. I am in the midst of painting him and I will post the finished product as soon as I am done. I will try to post some more sketches soon and some samples of leatherwork and carving I have been working on.

That is all for now.

Stay golden.

Kayak Issue #39: Canada And A Better World

2012-01-30T08:08:00.000-08:00

Here is the latest Issue of Kayak. It is a Special Double Issue about Canada's role in international development. It is jam packed with information about organizations and people who have made difference around the world.

It is also jam packed with art from very talented Canadian artists: Stéphane Boutine, Anthony Brennan, David Namisato, Keith Milne, Dena Seiferling, Alex Diochon, and Brendan Hong.

The magazine will be on Newsstand in February and has been produced in English and French.

I will be posting some more sketches and personal work in the near future.

Stay golden Pony Boys and Girls.

Kayak Issue #38: Spent!

2011-12-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here is the cover of the latest Kayak which dropped in the mail a couple of weeks back, it is chalk full of great information about the development of trade and currency in Canada. It is also chalk full of great illustrations by the likes of Charlene Chua, Anthony Brennan, David Namisato, Alex Diochon, Colton Balske and Jeff Kraft.

It should be on newsstands around the country. Or at least at McNally in Winnipeg.

I'm right in the thick of it with the next issue so I gotta go.

Peace out!

SoapScum: Meltdown Poster

2011-12-05T09:25:00.000-08:00

Here is the Poster. Drawn by myself, and coloured by my wife.

This is for the newest improv soap opera put on by SoapScum Presents. It will play every Monday night at 8PM at the Park Theatre on South Osbourne.

SoapScum: Meltdown Poster Process

2011-12-04T10:51:00.000-08:00

This is the poster for SoapScum Presents upcoming production of Meltdown: Atomic Wasteland. You've seen the sketches, here is some of the line work done in Adobe Illustrator. I've been very busy at work so I did not have time to finish the poster myself. so my lovely and talented wife did it for me. I think she did a great job.

I will post the final soon.

Labyrinth Sketches

2011-12-02T11:53:00.000-08:00

I had a blast last night!

My daughter and I watched Labyrinth on Netflix. we took some red conté and a big old pad of marker paper and went to town drawing characters from the movie at speed. I also did a lot of tracings of Lilly's feet.

By the end it was a complete mess but it was one of the most artistically liberating evenings I've had in a while.

Here are a couple of shots

SoapScum: Meltdown Concept 3

2011-11-15T17:34:00.000-08:00

So this is the concept I'm working up into a final poster. It kind of reminds me of Darth Vader. Gas Masks are creepy yet fascinating. I'm just finishing the drawing up and my wife will be finishing the poster with her fabulous painterly style, via digital media. I can't wait to see the finished product.

SoapScum: Meltdown Concept 2

2011-11-14T10:10:00.000-08:00

This is another concept for the Meltdown: Atomic Wasteland poster. I thought this was kind of quaint. Though they should all have deformities and look a bit more mutant. Extra arms and such. I have one more concept to post. It is the one the head honcho's at SoapScum chose. I'm thankful because it will be the easiest to execute and it is a pretty solid concept. It is a bit more symbolic in nature. I'll post it in a couple of days.

SoapScum: Meltdown

2011-11-10T11:35:00.000-08:00

A new SoapScum Presents season is coming up. This year is is Meltdown: Atomic Wasteland. I am working up their poster and have come up with a few conceptual options. This is number one. Just a simple post apocalyptic scene. I have done a sketch of a two headed crow to sit on the street sign. I will post that a bit later as I have not scanned it in yet.

I will post more of the concept sketches soon.

Movember

2011-11-09T12:03:00.000-08:00

So I've been participating in Movember.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with it here is a brief description to get you up to speed:

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in Canada and around the world. With their “Mo’s”, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men's health, specifically prostate cancer.

On Movember 1st, guys register at Movember.com with a clean-shaven face. For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words, they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate their gallantry and valor by either throwing their own Movember party or attending one of the infamous Gala Partés held around the world by Movember, for Movember.

I've had a beard for 7 years and have never shaved off my mustache. But a good friend of mine convinced me to participate and so just before midnight on the 31st of October I went through a step by step process of removing my facial hair. A week prior I took off my beard and had been going with a Musketeer (mustache and lower lip hair) I then removed everything but a pencil mustache and then took it all off for the Full Monty.

On my cleanly shaven picture you might be able to see how red my upper lip is. Well apparently after 7 years the skin on your upper lip gets pretty sensitive. Let that be a warning to the adventurous souls who would shave off their face badgers.

I will post my mustache progress as the month moves along

If you wish to donate some money to help further the research done to combat prostate cancer please visit my mobro account here http://mobro.co/jamesgillespie

Lilly takes her pet for a walk

2011-11-02T20:23:00.000-07:00

This is a sketch of my daughter Lilly walking her pet dinosaur down the hallway. She does it with such gusto. I'm hoping with the obedience classes we are putting it through that we'll be able to take it to the off leash park soon.

Just Some Steampunk Western Kids

2011-10-31T07:45:00.000-07:00

Just some steampunk kids I sketched up the other night. I had not drawn all day and I was not warmed up. That is why they look so static. But I believe very strongly in posting my failures here as well as the drawings I'm proud of. I think I can pull something positive out of these sketches and that is that each of these characters has potential so I may give each of these blokes and lasses a page so I can work on costume and pose.

I'm becoming a huge fan of the author Cherie Priest she writes steampunk but from a North American perspective. I love the British stuff very much, don't get me wrong, but I love the frontier and imagining how the steampunk would have impacted the wilder areas of the world.

More sketches coming and maybe some final artwork in a bit as well.

Oh... I also made it to the Central Canada Comicon this weekend. I Helped tend to a friends table in Artists Alley and pushed Kayak on unsuspecting comic fans. I Saw a Catwoman who was practically popping out of her costume, and caught a glimpse of the Shatner.

I Hope to get my own Table set up next year. I just have to have something to sell other than a great attitude and near perfect teeth.

Rob Rodgers Wears Me Like a Coat

2011-10-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

So I'm at my friends wedding a few week back, and I get into a conversation with a friend of mine Rob. As our witty banter went on the conversation took a morbid yet humorous turn. I ended up agreeing to do a drawing of Rob in a heroic pose after he had skinned me and made a coat to wear. So here it is. It is the first drawing in my very first shmancy Molesking sketchbook. I really like this sketchbook the paper is super thick and the coating on it takes pencil and pen really well. One chink in the armour though.

Most of you have probably noticed my less than great colour job on this sketch. I give you my apologies. Although Moleskin makes a great product they do have a small flaw as far as I am concerned. These sketchbooks do not take watercolour! In fact they completely repel water. This is a pro if you spill a drink on your book or drop it in a puddle but man when you do a sweet drawing and then try to colour it in watercolour it's pretty surprising when the medium doesn't take.

Now acrylic, oils or ink will work, but these are not quick or easy to clean up like a watercolour puck set. In Moleskin's defense they do make a watercolour sketchbook. But I like really smooth paper to draw on. That is just my personal preference. Unfortunately Moleskin only makes coldpress watercolour paper sketchbooks, and the paper is rough and textured. I will gladly finish this sketchbook and work on my acrylic skills. But when I'm done I think I will make my own sketchbook out of hotpress watercolour paper.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is Moleskin should make a hotpress watercolour sketchbook and give me a free one or ten.

Stay golden Pony Boys and Girls

Harvest Sun Music Festival: Lilly

2011-10-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

This is my daughter Lilly playing in the sand at the harvest sun music festival. She is two years old and it is almost impossible to get her to hold still. So it was a wonderful moment when she hunkered down to cover her legs in sand. I see so much of myself in her.

iSad

2011-10-06T08:54:00.000-07:00

Sad to hear of the passing of Steve Jobs. I'm very thankful for all he achieved in the time he spent among us.

Harvest Sun Music Festival: Bearded Dude's Daughters

2011-10-06T07:32:00.000-07:00

These are the daughters of the Bearded Dude. They had amazing outfits on, handmade by their Mother. They looked like gypsy children, and they were always dancing. Very, very cool.

Harvest Sun Music Festival: Gisele

2011-09-27T07:34:00.000-07:00

I like to post my failures every now and then. This sketch is one of them. I don't hate this sketch by any stretch of the imagination, but it also does not look a lot like the woman I was trying to sketch. In my defence she was on the move and was difficult to get a solid moment to sketch her when she was standing still. However it was good exercise for me as I draw men with beards quite well, but pretty ladies are intimidating for me to draw.

But onwards and upwards is what I always say. I will take another stab at drawing her face. Maybe from a photo as real life proved to be a bit too challenging.

Harvest Sun Music Festival: Bearded Dude

2011-09-22T09:27:00.000-07:00

I'm having trouble remembering this gentlemans name at the moment. But I assure you he is a bearded dude. I spoke with him around our camp fire and he told me stories about his experiences hunting deer around Riding Mountain and his life as a mason and a father of 4 children. Very interesting man. His wife also hand makes clothing of the most beautiful kind. Makes me want to move out to the country and have like 12 children. They have graphic designers on farms right?

Harvest Sun Music Festival 2011: Rob Waddell

2011-09-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

Sketch I did of folk musician Rob Waddell at this years Harvest Sun Music Festival. What a blast, I hope to get back there next year.

Pecha Kucha Winnipeg Vol.7 complete

2011-09-21T09:03:00.000-07:00

Well I did my first public speaking gig in a couple of years at Pecha Kucha. It was a positive experience but I have some work to do with how I put presentations together and how much I say "um" when I speak.

Regardless I got to speak with some very talented and prominent artists from around the Winnipeg area. The biggest bonus was meeting up with artists and past speakers Kal Barteski, GMB Chomichuk, Justin Currie and James Van Niekerk. Through the seemingly unstoppable creative energy that seem to exude from Mr. Chomichuk, with in minutes of sitting together we had all agreed to take part in a collaborative art project. The next day J. Currie sorted out the details and we are now all committed. What a brilliant evening.

I have some sketches from the Harvest sun music festival that I will be posting soon.

Stay golden pony boys and girls.

Pecha Kucha Vol. 7

2011-09-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

I will be speaking at this event tonight in the company of some very talented artists and designers. I'm really looking forward to it.

That and beer.

If you are interested in hearing me spout off about things I'm interested in stop on by.

Chloe Cooley Final

2011-08-31T08:08:00.000-07:00

So here is the final illustration. As I said, it was inked and coloured in Flash. I'm not sure if I'm going to continue in this style, or if next time I will physically ink the piece, and then colour it digitally. There is still too much disconnect from drawing into the computer with the tablet, and too much time designing and not enough time practicing with the tablet to get proficient.

So please remember september 12 is when this image inside of the magazine hits the newsstand. Please go out and pick up a copy and help support the promotion of Canadian history to Canada's youth.

Chloe Cooley Sketch

2011-08-29T08:34:00.000-07:00

This is a rough for the Chloe Cooley illustration I did in issue #37 of Kayak: Loudmouths.
It was the case of a historic character that had no historic likeness available. I had fun even though the story is a bit dark. So here is one of the three sketches I did I scanned this one into the computer and did the final version on Flash. I'll see if I continue to use flash for illustration purposes. I may try something in photoshop next time, or maybe illustrator. I really should just choose one and master it but I can never seem to commit to one. I would love to try a Cintique as drawing using a Intuos tablet still has a bit of a mental disconnect for me.

I will post the final Chloe Cooley photo in a couple of days.

Stay golden pony boys and girls.

Kayak Issue #37: Loudmouths

2011-08-24T11:36:00.000-07:00

This issue is one of the reasons I have not posted so much lately. I have been wrapped up in the production of Issue 37 of Kayak: Canada's HIstory Magazine for Kids. I'm quite proud of this one it has many great articles/stories and illustrations concerning passionate Canadian activists who helped shape our country. The Issue has dropped in the mail today but will not hit newsstands until the 12th of September. So if you don't already have a subscription for your kids or yourself get one HERE!

This Issue Deals with a variety of outspoken Canadians (Tommy Douglas, Adelaide Hoodless, René Lévesque) we also have articles on Stompin' Tom" Connors, Stories about the Regin Riot and a comic about the beginnings of Greenpeace.

The artists in this issue are Scott Chantler, Mathieu Beaulieu, Thadeus Maximus, Keith Milne and the cover and comic art was done by Alex Diochon. I even got to contribute a bit to this issue, but I'll post about that at a later time. In the meantime feel free to check out the work of all these great artists.

Beaker Sketches

2011-08-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

These are the initial two sketches I did of Beaker, The first I thought was too much it would have been fun but I wanted the more classic nervous look he has whenever he stand beside Dr. Bunsen Honeydew during one of their insane experiments. Well that caps it off for the process. As I mentioned before no more secrecy, it leaves me with too little material to post until I'm done then I have to do blog post after blog post in a condensed span of time. Thanks for checking in I will post some more arts and crafts stuff soon.

Beaker: Painting Process

2011-08-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

So here is my painting process.

I primed a board and sketched the image onto it freehand from a sketch I had done prior. I will post my sketch variations in the next couple of days.

Unfortunately I forgot to take a shot of the sketch before I applied the blue wash. So then I applied a blue wash I'm not sure how much influence it actually had over the painting as the oils have a high level of opacity. I did it none the less.

I then started to knock in the background colours.

I then blocked in the main Beacker colours and then started to work in the various light to dark contrasts.

All of this was done in my basement and in my kitchen between the hours of 9PM and 12AM. As I mentioned previously I will post the original sketches soon. If anyone has any specific questions about my process please leave a comment. Constructive criticism is also welcome.

Beaker

2011-08-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

Well, here he is.

About one and a half months late, but here he is.

As I have mentioned before some frinds requested a couple of months ago, that I do a painting of the Muppet Beaker following the creation of my Gonzo in a flight suit painting. I have documented the process and will post the progression in the next couple of days. This was a real blast to work on. I paid special attention to the eyes in this painting making sure the pupil's do not reflect light, but that the ping-pong ball eyes give enough sense of roundness. I think it was quite successful.

This is something I attempted with Gonzo and was also successful with, but with practice comes improvement, and I think the sense of depth and lighting are superior in this painting. Going back to the eyes of both Muppets, I made a point of not adding highlights to the pupils of the eyes as that denotes that there is a wet reflective surface. What I find interesting as with the actual puppets themselves, even though they have essentially dead eyes they still feel full of energy and life.

I've often found it strange that even though they are in fact puppets, that I never think of them as puppets. Beaker is Beaker and Gonzo is Gonzo (Real life characters to me.) I thought for a while that this phenomena was due to the fusion of puppeteering and television. The ability to always crop the puppeteers out of the scene, but just watch kids or even the adult actors interact with the Muppets live. You will notice the suspension of disbelief with all of them. Even directly confronted with the puppeteer controlling the Muppet.

Although there are many things I tried to do with this painting concerning lighting and painting techniques. I regret not doing a proper colour comp. This I think slowed me down considerably in my decision making process during the actual execution of this painting. What I am very happy about is the green background and the vignette. The green is as close as I could get to the actual colour of Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and the vignette gives a dark and slightly ominous feeling, like the Dr. is about to unleash some horribly useful invention upon Beaker.

I can not folks who suggest I paint Beaker enough for their idea to do this painting. This painting proved to be a very rewarding and pleasurable experience. Thanks to the both of you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

I can now focus back on finishing my mini Peter Pan paintings and then get back on track with my Folk Fest series and other things.

Until next post,
Stay Golden Pony Boys and Girls

Beaker Update

2011-08-08T07:38:00.000-07:00

OK, done, but I'll not show him to you until the people who requested that I him has seen the final piece in person. Hey, hey, hey! none of that. Practice you patience people. You'e acting as though I have posted nothing of artistic value on the blog for more than a month . . . yeah uhh, I'll get this up for guys as soon as possible.

Beaker Finished!

2011-07-27T07:34:00.001-07:00

This post will be a bit lack luster because I don't have a photo of the painting yet. But I wanted to put you all at ease and let yu know I am still alive. There have been vacations and fringe festivals and all sorts of musical summertime activities keeping me from blogging. But in a couple of days, rest assured I will post some photos of the final Beaker painting and some process photos too.

Stay golden Pony boys and girls.

Pan Tuba

2011-06-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

Just another sketch from the Nintendo DS this is one of the first ones, so it is rougher looking than my rough looking digital paintings that don't look quite so rough. What I love about using the nintendo DS is the ability to work with colour so easily. A lot of these are done during the winter when I bus to work instead of biking and it is quite hard to get the old water colours out on the autobus. Thanks for looking. I assure you my commission is 98% done I have to let it do some drying and lay some final touches then I will post some of my process.

Stay golden Pony Boys and Girls!

Coogan

2011-06-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

This is a Sketch I did on the NIntendo DS of my sisters Cat Coogan. I think the expression speaks for itself.

Quiver with Fear

2011-06-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well as some of you might have read, I have taken up archery of the traditional kind (No crazy super powerful, rifle like, physics enhenced, ultra-bow) In keeping with the traditional idea I made my own back quiver. My Mother has been stockpiling leather, so when I mentioned this crazy idea she was like "Oh yeah I got like tons of that, fer-sher really." So I mad my first prototype. I intend to make another back quiver out of natural looking tooling leather but that will be when I can afford to buy some. Until then I am working on a hip quiver out of canvas.

I'm sooo close to finishing this last painting it hurts, but I can't show it to you yet, I just can't. No worrie though As I mentioned in my previous post I will take you all along for the ride when next I do another painting.

Stay golden Ponyboys and girls (My new trademark line)

More sketches of Pan the Man...Boy...BoyMan

2011-06-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

This is another sketch Done of Peter Pan Flying up from a ship over the Mermaid Lagoon. I really do need to do some more refined drawings of this stuff at some point. I still have to finish the mini paintings done of the Peter Pan characters. I'm super close I just got distracted by other projects. Sheesh! My wife commented the other day that the term Okey Dokey was not used by adults. Am I the lone 30 year old who still uses this term. If so I'm starting a campaign to take it back from the children. Okey Dokey Smoky

Origin

This little phrase is a variant of okay. It is 20th century American and first appears in print in a 1932 edition of American Speech.

There are several alternative spellings - okay-doke, okey-doke, okee-doke, etc. In addition to these is the comic version that has brought the phrase back to popular attention in recent years - The Simpson's Ned Flanders' 'okely-dokely'.

All of them are just a perky reduplicated variants of okay, utilizing that favourite device of two-word phrases - rhyming. As a reduplication it is properly spelled with a hyphen, although it is often given without.

Like okay, 'okey-doke' is used to indicate that all is well, e.g. 'everything is okay here', but may be used when responding positively to a request. That is exemplified in this piece from Colin MacInnes' book City of Spades, 1957:

"One Guinness stout, right, I thank you, okey-doke, here it is."

Phrase origin courtesy of http://www.phrases.org.uk/

Goodnight Neverland

2011-06-08T13:18:00.000-07:00

Been a while since I dropped a line.

Hey everybody!

I have some work I've been doing but it is not finished yet. and I've made s decision. No more of this secrecy stuff. Next painting I do, I'm taking you all for the ride, process shots and all cause this waiting to show you guys stuff is just plain boringst.

This is a sketch I did on the Nintendo DS, it is of the tree that Peter and the boys live in, in Neverland. Man I love Peter Pan.

Stay golden Ponyboys and girls.

The Western Map: Lower Tit-Mouth

2011-05-02T08:31:00.000-07:00

This is a map of the Lower Tit-Mouth region. This area is occupied by such characters as Goodie BadApple, Izza Cockburn, "Stinky" Pete Cunnington, Longfellow Talliwacker, Chester Fields, The Doc and Studz EsSex. Come and see them tonight at 8:00 PM at the Park Theatre on South Osbourne. If you can't make it tonight the show runs every monday night it cost $8 to get in for roughly two hors of quality Soap Opera style improv.

The Great Gonzo: Oil Painting

2011-04-20T14:37:00.001-07:00

Here it is. I've been talking about it for a while and now for your viewing pleasure the oil painting of The Great Gonzo. I did this painting based on the song "I'm Going to Go Back There Some Day" from the The Muppet Movie. It is a great song and a great movie. It took a while to get this painting done but when the smoke had cleared I look at this as one of my best paintings to date. I will soon be painting another Muppet of renown. But you'll just have to wait and see who it is.

Enemy Pig Prime Minister

2011-04-19T11:16:00.000-07:00

Here is a sketch I did of Enemy Pig Prime Minister my niece's alter ego. I did a pencil sketch and then on a trip for work I started painting this bad girl up. That's right Enemy Pig Prime Minister is a girl. I should be getting that Gonzo painting up anytime now. So stay tuned.

Bird House

2011-04-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

This is a birdhouse I would like to build, Soon I will have a proper workshop in my basement and I will be able to start smaller projects like this. Hazzaaahhh!

Going on vacation with the family and I am very excited. See you all in a week until then. Internet silence.

The Mad Rabbit

2011-04-06T07:19:00.000-07:00

I did this sketch on the ferry from Victoria to Vancouver last year. When I was visiting the University of Victoria there was this infestation of cute bunnies, and man they were everywhere. This is my take on a enraged one "with terrible , sharp, nasty, pointy teeth!"

Gonzo Painting Colour Rough

2011-04-04T14:23:00.001-07:00

Here is the colour rough I knocked out for the painting that I did of Gonzo for the Winnipeg Art Club Inspired by Song night. I painted it using a Nintendo DS using a program called Colors. I love doing this because I do not need to cart a paint set and paper when I'm on the bus in the morning and when it is -36 C and it's going to take you an hour to get to work it's nice to have handy. I got the Idea from two artists. Christian Pearce and Greg Broadmore, exceptionally talented artists from New Zealand they did 99 paintings each using the DS and then put on and art show called the 99 DS Challenge. Very sweet, some people may have seen it as a novelty but I see two guys who are obviously video games fans who found something they could turn into a practical artist tool. I use it for colour and quick compositions all the time.

So thanks compadres, keep on keep'n on.

I have a bunch more of these to post, some alright, some good and some not so good. None the less, they shall be posted.

Kayak the 2nd

2011-03-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

This is the latest issue of Kayak. It deals with Parks Canada and the various places around Canada you can go to experience History, be it National Historic Sites or National Parks. It was a very heavy deadline with a brand new editor. It was stressful and a lot of hard work but it was also a lot of fun. Nancy Payne the new editor was a pleasure to work with. and the quality of the work from the illustrators is great. I've made the effort in this issue to pump up the colour as I have been criticized for being a bit drab and earth tone based in my work. I will endeavor to be even brighter next issue.

The Cover of this Issue was Done by Mathieu Beaulieu a new comer to Kayak he hails from Quebec and I really like his style. He has very expressive work and fabulous use of colour. He is the first of my attempts to synthesize the cover art with interior art. Previous Kayaks including my first issue have had great covers that do not give any payoff in the interior of the magazine. Meaning if you buy the magazine for the cover image. When you open it up you will not find the story or the characters that were advertised there. I don't know about you but I find that very frustrating as a reader. So we have started implementing that as of this Issue.

Some of the other artists you will find in this issue are: Alex Diochon who is taking over comic book duties from former Gabe and Allie artist David Namisato. Alex's Style lends itself very well to Kayak and I look forward to collaborating with him on future projects. Remie Geoffroi is a Kayak powerhouse who has don many covers and interior Illustrations for Kayak over the years. He has done a great illustrated layout for the Martello Tower article in this issue. Winnipeger Justin Currie is back for our feature story about the Northwest Mounted Police. Dena Seiferling Did the Illustrated map in her beautiful traditional style. I will point out that I forgot to give her credit on the image and I will make sure that this is noted in the following issue sorry Dena. Finally Anthony Brennan does his thing with our History Mystery on the Fur Trade.

This is a super fun issue and I am proud that we turned it around in the time that we did. If you are interested in subscribing to Kayak CLICK HERE. If you are curious please go to McNally Robinson or any magazine vendor it should be on the rack. Also your local library should carry it, if they don't you can ask them to order it. This issue has been mailed to subscribers and will be available on the newsstand in April.

Until next time, keep fit and have fun.

Gonzo the Great

2011-03-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

I am participating in an art show on Friday. I have done a painting inspired by a song.

"I'm going to go back there some day" from the Muppet Movie sung by Gonzo.

The sketch turned out nice and I am very happy with the painting. It is drying and I am giving it to the Art Group guys tonight. I had the painting ready to go for months and then I got ill and busy with the latest issue of Kayak. I've had to execute it little faster than I am comfortable with, but it has been a valuable experience none the less.

If you would like to see what the final painting looks like Please stop by the Edge Gallery this Friday at 8:00 pm. You will see many talented winnipeg artists work.

Archery Armguard

2011-02-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

I found some old rawhide in my basement on Monday and I decided to make a primitive armguard out of it. I think it is quite a unique design as I had to be creative with the shape and amount of material I had to work with. All the straps and ties are cut strips of spare rawhide and the button is from a old piece of broom handle or some kind of handle. I rubbed olive oil into the leather and that gave it a beautiful brown colour as opposed to the vegetable tan it originally was. It was great fun to make and took no time at all. All I need now is a bow to shoot.

Paintings and drawing to come.

I'm still alive

2011-02-17T09:56:00.000-08:00

Well I'd like you all to know that I do still exist.

At work on top of being Kayak editor I also take care of things for the Canada's HIstory website and marketing and ads for Canada's History magazine. We just hired a lovely lady named Nancy Payne as the new Kayak editor on a short deadline for the magazine. Life has been uber nutz and I also started experiencing major back and neck pain, coupled with serious headaches. Due to this my artistic process slowed down to "work only" and even that was impacted. I am better now and getting back into things. I do have some work that I need to post but It will be in a while as I need to get back to producing Kayak, This issue is going to be a good one with many talented artists work for you to see.

On a side note I have developed an obsession with archery and I am going to build my own bow this summer.

Also because I would not shut up about bows and arrows, my wife bought me a plastic bow with suction cup arrows, which I then, within a day of owning it, shot her in the eye with. It's funny now because she still has her eye, but I can not stress enough that you should not shoot suction cup arrows at people, just ones with lots of foam on them.

Thanks for checking up on my people.

Kayak Art Director

2011-01-19T09:10:00.000-08:00

I have recently taken on the responsibility of being the Art Director for Kayak: Canada's History Magazine for Kids. While completing our awards season campaign my boss came into my office and explained to me that Kayaks Art Director had resigned. Before I could think about it, I confessed to wanting to take over the role. I believe that as an artist and a designer the nature of the work I do outside of my professional position works very well with Kayak which is a fabulous magazine. It was a great experience. I had to work throughout the holidays to get it completed but as I gaze at the latest issue, with that fresh off the press smell, I can't help but think it was worth it.

I got to work with some great illustrators on this issue. Namely Scott Chantler who you have heard me gush about on more than one occasion, I had the chance to interview Scott some months back about some of his other projects you can listen to those here Interview 1, Interview2.

Some of the other illustrators were Thadeus Maximus, Anthony Brennan and Kendyl Lauzon. These illustrators were incredible professional and fast, making working on tight deadline much easier.

Finally I got to hire some local talent a, Mr. Justin Currie, who is an up and coming illustrator from Winnipeg. He did a great job working on the pirate spread in this issue.

If you are interested in engaging your youngsters on canadian history please feel free to get a subscription, you can click here.

This latest issue is full of games and interesting articles concerning Canadian Treasure Hunters, Dinosaur Discoveries, Pirates, Gold Rush Fever and so much more.

Sketchbook Project Complete

2011-01-07T19:34:00.000-08:00

I have not finished posting all my sketches here but I feel that I need to post this video of the completed Sketchbook Project 2011. What a great experience It took some time between work and life to draw this stuff mostly on lunches and on the bus ride to and from work. Many happy thoughts have been contained in this book and I hope the people who get to view the original enjoy it very much. This book will not be returned to me, it will go on permanent display with thousands of others at the Brooklyn Art Library, as well as going on tour around the United States. For those of you who can not make the trip please enjoy this video which gives you a glimpse of the entire sketchbook.

I have scanned every page and have the intention of working some of these up into finished artwork, so keep yer eyes peeled.

I also noticed that I have acquired 19 followers. Yes! Thanks for taking the time to do this as it makes my Ego swell with joy. Ego is a 3'5" Belgian man who lives in my basement, though he get's as tall as 3'7" when he swells.

Bunny Painting

2011-01-04T10:29:00.000-08:00

Here is the Bunny I was telling you all about. It is based on a series of sketches and I pieced together the bits I liked most from them and sketched this image onto a small piece of hotpress watercolour paper. I then painted it using oils and that is that. I had a lot of fun and intend to do a monkey for my daughter who is in her own right, a monkey. Beth suggested I get going on that since two of our friends now have these kind of paintings and we have none of our own in the house. More stuff coming, the final pages of the sketchbook project which I am proud to say, both my father and myself have completed. We will be mailing them this week. I'm glad I did it, but I am also glad that it is over and I can return to my painting and other art projects. I will be in touch with you all very soon.

Respect.

Sketchbook Project Page36

2011-01-03T20:02:00.000-08:00

This picture is based on a guy I saw on the bus the other day. Only the facial Structure mind you, the prospector gear look was based on a gentleman my father and I ran into while skiing on the Assiniboine golf course. Just to clarify we saw the man we did not physically run into him. I mixed the two together and voila, I'm quite happy with how it turned out especially his eyes they have that tired, grizzled look to them. This guy has seen things man...

Sketchbook Project Page35

2011-01-01T08:39:00.000-08:00

I did a small oil painting of a rabbit for a friend. I will post it shortly. You all saw my original unsuccessful attempt at a rabbit so I started doing multiple sketches to develop a level of comfort drawing rabbits. I have about 42 sketchbook project pages to post so expect a shift in a couple of weeks to more colourful work I can't claim the work will be less happy as that is just part of my personality.

Sketchbook Project Page34

2010-12-22T08:21:00.000-08:00

This is a sketch of the lobby of the Chateaux Laurier in Ottawa. I was there for the Governor General's Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. It was a good time, I drew this sketch while sitting in a room full of Yousuf Karsh photos. He apparently used to live in the hotel itself. If any of you ever get the Chance to visit Canada's capital city, do so, it is a lovely place.

Sketchbook Project Page33

2010-12-21T09:15:00.000-08:00

You may recognize this kid he has been on the web quite a bit lip synching to popular music. I get a real kick out of him and have done many drawings of him in varying states of intense emotion. I have to scan them in but I will show them to you all when I get the chance to do so. This is the very first doodle I did of him and it is taped into my sketchbook for the sketchbook project. It is the only sketch done with blue ink.

Sketchbook Project Page32

2010-12-16T12:32:00.000-08:00

I call this one TECHNOLOVE these two were sitting at a local cafe bumping Iphones '"if you know what I mean?" so I drawred them, drawred them real good. That's right! nobody is safe, I could be drawring you right now...

2010-12-15T16:08:00.000-08:00

Not the most successful sketch of a bunny I have ever done but what are you going to do. Sometimes your hand and brain don't sync up. At least I got to draw some Giant Carrots.

What Kalamafraz is?

2010-12-14T19:50:00.000-08:00

I just got a comment from a woman who follows my blog named Sophia.

OK, now I absoLUTELY love this one. Totally rock on, James! SwweeEETT! I again, love your detail, but your creative mind functions in a entirely different world....and I SO love it! :D

Now, nothing is more of an ego boost than someone you don't personally know, and I mean that in the "we have not come within physical contact distance of each other for 6 months to umpteen years" sense complements my work. Be it a sketch or a finished piece. This comment really caught my eye because it made specific reference towards an "entirely different world". This is relevant because... I invented the word Kalamafraz about 5 years ago, but I have not really had a decent definition of what Kalamafraz is.

Stated plainly it is an entirely different world. Kalamafraz is my world, it is where I go when people talk too long an I can't concentrate anymore, It's where I dream and daydream. I don't think it would be fair to call it an escape even though I could escape there if I wanted to. It would be more accurate to say I'm drawn into Kalamafraz and let me tell you it is quite the place to be. I'm afraid that I can't take any of you with me there. Only I can go to Kalamafraz, however I can take down what I see while I'm there. As an explorer it is my duty to document the strange landscapes, the unusual creatures and the usual creatures, the uncanny and the absolutely mundane. That is Kalamafraz in a nutshell (pause for inevitable Austin Powers quote).

My entirely different world is entirely mine and mine alone, my own... my prrrecious. I am quite happy to share what I see in Kalamafraz with everyone though, so thanks to everyone for coming by and checking out my wild and weird ways, and thank you Sophia for instigating this random burst of writing from yours truly.

The End... but not really.

OK, game time. weirdest combination of movies you have ever watched back to back. (Can't be at home must have done this in a movie Theatre/Drive-In.)

Ready....

Go!

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon followed by Oh Brother Where Art Thou?

Sketchbook Project Page29

2010-12-14T09:52:00.000-08:00

I realized I forgot to post my second steampunk sketch here. Well here it is enjoy. Pretty girl with a laser gun riding a zeppelin. That is just boat loads of awesome to me. I hope everybody is making the extra effort to keep it real this winter, or Summer if you are on the other side of the Planet. I spent a year in New Zealand a long time ago and I celebrated Christmas in +25 °C on a lake (unfrozen) with a keg of beer, seafood BBQ and a basket full of puppies. It was fun but there is nothing like thigh-deep snow, -50 °C, cross country skiing and some eggnog.

Sketchbook Project Page30

2010-12-13T12:07:00.001-08:00

This is the last of my Steampunk drawings from my sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project. Took a while to add the environment. But alas here it is and more drawings to come.

I like to acknowledge people from towns, cities or countries I am relatively unfamiliar with who log on to check my stuff out. So here is a random thanks that goes out to the town of Outremont who is among the top towns/cities in Canada that consistently check out my shtuff. You're a gem. Thanks also to Google analytics which let's me know where people are viewing my stuff from.

SoapScum: The Western

2010-12-06T20:03:00.000-08:00

This is the poster I did for SoapScum's newest Opus "The Western"

It opens January 24th and with continue every Monday night. Only $8 per ticket with multi-passes available. Come out and participate in Winnipeg's vibrant improv community.
If you see me at a show and tell me how much you love my poster I'll give you a free kiss.

Taking a Break? Hell No!

2010-12-06T19:38:00.000-08:00

Well I'd like to say the lull in my blog was planned, but I got wrapped up in tons of work and life related events and as usual have neglected my blog. My unwavering portal to nowhere and everywhere. To no one and everyone. I can't believe how guilty I feel when I don't keep this up. By all levels of thought it really shouldn't matter whether I do or not but for some strange reason it does, to me at least. I have completed some projects but some I can not post as they are Christmas presents or there are just too many damn drawings to scan. But I will eventually scan everything and get it posted.

The World Must See What I Do!

We'll I have a sketch to finish in my Sketchbook Project sketchbook... Man I really lost momentum on that one. I have about 14 pages left and only just over a Month to finish and get the thing sent...

My wife is being really silly right now and I love it. She is the very best of people, I'm quite lucky.

Well as I said I'm off, keep an eye out for more stuff, I'll try and get it posted as soon as possible. Oh, I have started working as Art Director For Kayak: Canada's History Magazine for Kids. My first issue as Art Director arrives in mailboxes and on newsstands in February so keep an eye out for it.

Hugs and Kisses and Merry Quanza.

Sketchbook Project Page28

2010-11-02T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here is an Air Pirate. He's so Steampunk.

I just watched Porco Rosso the yesterday at the suggestion of my friend Justin Currie. Great film especially if you like Air Pirates. So here is my sketch of what an Air Pirate might look like. I particularly like his pencil mustache very Rhett Butler.

I'll be back to posting more again. I had to go on a business trip for Canada's History. A west coast swing if you will. It was good fun but a lot of stuff was packed into a few days. I saw some seriously giant coy fish, but the people who owned them didn't warm to the idea of me catching one with my bare hands and eating it. I did ride on a double decker bus which is something I can cross off my bucket list. Close to finishing The Western poster for the upcoming SoapScum show I'll post it after a few tweeks.

The Western: 6 Episode Pass

2010-10-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

My sisters new improv show is coming up and I am working on some new posters and promotional material. Here are the 6 episode punch card one side the sherif [edit: Sheriff] star the other side a gun cylinder that can be punched for every show you attend. Quite clever I must say I wish it was my idea. The owner of The Park Theatre came up with it but I think the execution is quite nice in this case. Thanks to my lovely wife for coming up with the colour scheme.

Velocipede

2010-10-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a drawing of a tweed wearing gent plummeting down a hill on a steam powered velocipede.

Velocipede:
(Latin for "fast foot") is an umbrella term for any human-powered land vehicle with one or more wheels. The most common type of velocipede today is the bicycle.

I've been reading and watching a lot of Steampunk material lately. I have even taken to calling things that I think are neat "steampunk" even if by definition they are not. It drives my wife crazy. Which in turn makes it more enjoyable for me. It's so steampunk.

As with many of my sketches I have intentions of working this up into a larger finished piece so keep and eye out for it.

Sketchbook Project Page26-27

2010-10-07T14:57:00.000-07:00

This is a page I did of a bunch of monkey's. I don't think this will surprise most people as I draw monkey's and their bits quite a lot. I have to start digging into my sketchbook for the sketchbook project I accidentally left it in my bag at my in-laws and have not put anything in it for a while. I want to get it done I'm getting to that point where I want to start doing other projects and that is dangerous for me. Good thing is I know what I want to sketch in it next... but you will all have to wait.

A Conversation with Scott Chantler about Two Generals

2010-10-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

Listen to the podcast here: http://www.canadashistory.ca/getdoc/1e13c7ea-1362-4235-b5e5-37c958e0992b/default.aspx

This is the second part of my interview with acclaimed graphic novelist and illustrator Scott Chantler. Here we discuss Scott's newest graphic novel Two Generals a non fiction account of his grandfathers experiences in WWII. I had great time talking with Scott my first interview was my very first podcast and in my opinion I was a bit stiff. I relax in this interview and Scott opens up and gives some very interesting information about his new book.

Hope you enjoy.

Wolverine Monkey!

2010-09-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

Drew this at art club the other day. Took it home and lined it and coloured it in Illustrator. I think I need to work the colour a lot more but it will do for now.

Sketchbook Project Page25

2010-09-28T10:53:00.000-07:00

This is a dramatization of the transgenic goat I saw in Ottawa. No word of a lie the scientists out east have spliced spider genes into goat genes so that the goat will produce silk in its milk. They then milk the goat and extract the silk from its milk and use this very powerful silk to produce aerospace parts and to help improve things like kevlar body armor. The Future is Now!

A Conversation with Scott Chantler About The Northwest Passage and Two Generals

2010-09-24T15:46:00.000-07:00

Listen to the podcast here http://www.canadashistory.ca/getdoc/eab6d570-8ef4-466e-84ca-738d1a52fd1a/default.aspx on the Canada's History website.

I Just Posted My first ever podcast interview with Comic Artist Scott Chantler. I have done a two part interview with him about The Annotated Northwest Passage, a novel he produce in 2007. It is about the adventures of explorer Charles Lord in Rupert's Land in 1755. Scott took the time to speak to me about the process that went into having this book produced in the states and the research he had to do to make the story believable.

I was really nervous to talk to him as I am quite a big fan but as the conversation went on I relax a fare amount and get about as fan boy as you can get. I edited out the worst parts for all our sakes.

The Second part of the Interview concerns his newest graphic novel Two Generals. This is a non fiction graphic novel based on Scott's grandfathers war time diary. The diary deals with the D-Day invasion and the subsequent months afterward. This is the better part of the interview as I was way more relaxed but will not be released for another couple of weeks. Scott's book comes out on the 12th of October, 2010. The second podcast will come out about a week prior.

I don't know that you will be hearing much from me podcast-wise as there are not that many history based comics out there but if more come along you will be hearing my awkward voice more and more.

Sketchbook Project Page24

2010-09-21T10:56:00.000-07:00

This is a very happy moment for me one of the last days I stayed at my sisters in Ottawa I drank a beer and sat and sketched a section of her backyard. I had such a great time out there it was one of the most relaxing times of my summer.

Sketchbook Project Page23

2010-09-17T15:20:00.000-07:00

This squirrel is NUTZ!!

Have a great weekend everybody, I drew this while flying to Ottawa to visit my sister. Just so you know.

Sketchbook Project Page22

2010-09-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy drawing frog in knights helmets. Go figure. No real reason exists no child hood memories it just makes me smile. "You lift that sword, you beautiful warty bastard!"

Doodle Monkey in Technicolor!

2010-09-15T07:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a digital colour sketch of one of the doodle monkeys I did. I like how it turned out thought I do need to work on some ways to make things look a bit smoother. In defense of this piece I did bust it out pretty quick. Hope you likes.

Sketchbook Project Page21

2010-09-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

This is a perspective drawing of people living in a giant tree. Or tiny, tiny people in regular tree. The one thing it isn't is really, really tiny people in a small tree.

Sketchbook Project Page20

2010-09-10T15:19:00.000-07:00

This is an alien creature I drew it is an exercise in trying to create something with an interesting shape. I think this creature looks really neat and warrants some further explorations. My sketchbook is really coming along I expect to be finished in about 2 months. Which will give me enough time to work on the cover and send it into the Brooklyn Art Library.

Rocket Pack Jack

2010-09-07T14:53:00.000-07:00

This is a character that I'm becoming very fond of. his name is Rocket Pack Jack. I love when you draw a character at random and a clever and catchy name just assumes the character. Sometimes it is hard and sometimes it is just effortless. This character now looks very little like this drawing in my head I will have to work him up but that is what sketches are for. They are these starting points of reference for bigger and better ideas.

I would like to give a huge shout out to Thornhill Ontario. My analytics program only tells me what city is viewing my blog but Thornhill is way up there right now. Winnipeg is my hometown and is undefeated in the amount of people who come to my blog and check it out. Thornhill is getting up there and is definitely closing on Calgary which is the second largest number of people who check out my stuff. So Again person or people from Thornhill Ontario. Thankyou for spending time on my blog and checking out what I do.

2010-08-31T14:59:00.000-07:00

This is the halfway point in my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project. It is turning out quite well and I think I'll be able to wrap it up in the next month or so.

Thanks to everybody who checks my stuff out and a special shout out to Brazilian people who seem to dig my stuff. You Rock.

Doodle Monkey

2010-08-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

So I got involved in the collaboration project called "Doodle Swap" at the same time I also got involved in the Sketchbook Project. As you all know I've been very gung ho about the SB project so much so I forgot to participate in the doodle swap. Well I kind of screwed things up for 9 other people who were expecting doodles from me. I didn't even remember until I got an email from the project coordinator asking me where my doodles were, and that they were 25 days late.

I feel like an ass.

In the case of non business related projects I'm a firm believer in better late than never. So here are 9 doodles of a monkey and a banana. These puppies will soon be in the mail with an apology from myself for not keeping track of what projects I have on the go.

Sketchbook Project Page17

2010-08-20T15:02:00.000-07:00

This is a sketch I did of two frogs doing "It".

Sketchbook Project Page16

2010-08-19T11:48:00.000-07:00

Sketches of Lily doing a variety of activities that 11 month olds are prone to do.

Sketchbook Project Page15

2010-08-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

This is a gathering of things I was eating and looking at at Sushi Gen, a sushi joint across the street from where I work. It has since come under new management and was originally called Sushi 101. I don't often have the cash to go there but when I do I enjoy it very much.

I just got back from a great trip to Ottawa to visit my sister. She and her family of which there are many showed Beth, Lily and I a great time. There was running in the morning, museums and parks in the afternoon and great food and beer in the evenings. A great time was had by all. Now it is back to sketching, working and renovating.

Sketchbook Project Page14

2010-08-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

A take on the line from Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood". The line goes something like this, "Rise and Rise again until lambs become lions." I thought this was a funny visual and it worked with the altered phrase. I'll try and post something in colour soon it's getting a little black and white up in here.

I'm off to Ottawa for ten days to visit my Sister. We have not seen much of each other for about 10 years other than conversing via video chat. I should be thankful for that, 100 years ago we would only have letters. It's strange watching your family specifically your nieces and nephew grow up through the internet, I'm very excited to see them all, especially the twins who I have never met.

I'll try and post while I'm on Vaca. That's what we hipsters call it... Vaca.

It's a boy!

2010-08-03T07:18:00.000-07:00

My two most consistent comment writers have decided the duck is a boy! Hazzah! Thank you both for your comments.

Sketchbook Project Page13

2010-07-30T14:35:00.000-07:00

Bah Bah Bah Buuuuhhhmmmm!

Number 13, This is a dragon fly that landed on my leg while I was sketching my drawing number 12. I really like dragonflies and that is about that. the duck character was a sketch I doodled on a post it note. This post it note I taped into my sketchbook and swiftly drew a profile of my original. I'm thinking about grabbing some clay or something and making a little model of this duck character. I've grown quite fond of him or her.

Let's put it up to a vote is the duck character a boy or a girl? Most Votes in the comments section decides. Only one vote per person people.

Have a great august long weekend.

Cheers,
James

Sketchbook Project Page12

2010-07-28T12:46:00.000-07:00

Tree out in front of where I work. It is a beautiful old tree and provides a good deal of shade for those who sit under it eating their lunches.

Sketchbook Project Page11

2010-07-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

I would love to have a house on the back of a giant slug. I guess it would be a slug? I don't think it could be a snail since it is somebody else's home on its back. Any thoughts?

Jolly Roger Desktop Finished

2010-07-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

I have finished it and it is up on the Canada's History website you can download it at 3 different screen sizes. Please drop by and download it, while your there feel free to browse around and learn more about our nation vibrant history.

Sketchbook Project Page10

2010-07-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

Numero 10. I love airships I think my love affair with them started when I saw The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. You know, when he escaped from that town in Austria by sewing the undergarments of all the ladies in the city together to create a giant balloon, then attaching them to a ship and using hot air to fill the balloon so they could fly away. Genius! I also like the lightning pirated in the movie Stardust. This is my interpretation.

Sketchbook Project Page9

2010-07-21T15:24:00.000-07:00

Drawing number 9. This one is a bit weird but if it stays in my head life gets a bit strange for me.

Right... Before you start asking why Hitler would think about Unicorns when he poops, I'd ask you to question "Why wouldn't he?". Then I would tell you this gent is in-fact not Hitler but J. Jonah Jameson for Spiderman and J. J. can do whatever he bloody well likes.

Sketchbook Project Page8

2010-07-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

This is my parents dog Jack he likes to attack people with love and affection. He get confused sometimes when people don't realize how charming he is when he sticks his face in their crotches and then jumps up and licks their faces. We have much in common. Two peas in a pod we are, comrades, amigos, brother in arms (snouts in Jacks case). As you can tell I do not have much to say today, so I will bid you all adieu until next I post.

Ramnocerous Final

2010-07-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

Final painting for Deviant Art: Winnipeg Art Group project. Sketched on paper scanned in and painted over the span of a week on my off time.

I'm happy with my digital painting progress and I'm thankful for projects like this that give me a reason to do paintings like this.

I absolutely love the digital medium it really opens the boundaries of traditional mediums, in both mess and time. On the flip side I can't wait to get my oil paints back out and continue on my Folkfest series.

I hope the summer is going well for everyone. Mine has sped by with renovations to my new home my wife and child and work. I'm still trying to get out into the sun on the occasion and slow down every now and then, it is important for my health and my sanity.

Sketchbook Project Page6

2010-07-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

This is a sketch of my baby girl Lily. She had just learned to pull herself up onto things. She is very close to standing on her own and she loves to play on her little toy piano. We are getting ever closer to being able to move into our house. I hope you can all come and visit when it is done.

Sketchbook Project Page5

2010-07-13T11:12:00.000-07:00

This line is from a song I listened to once and I like the way it sounded. I've become a fan of Tea over the last couple of years, I have my wife to thank for that. If you can believe it I spent an entire year in New Zealand refusing tea. I think in hind sight that was a mistake. Tea is a great social activity. And by refusing it I think it puts up a slight barrier even if you don't mean it to. And you can make tea out of almost anything. I want to try stinging nettle tea. Sounds awful but it might be good. I'll try anything once.

Ramnocerous Sketch

2010-07-09T15:12:00.000-07:00

This is a Sketch for a collaborative art piece I have been working on I will post the final shortly.

Have a great weekend everybody, I'm going to FolkFest this Sunday, it's not the whole week but it's still going to be righteous.

Sketchbook Project Page4

2010-07-08T12:42:00.000-07:00

Page number four from my sketchbook project. I'm having a blast with this project. Here's an update on the art front, I have not had any time to do traditional painting. This is stalling my FolkFest series which saddens me because I really like the progress I was making. I do have access to digital media and sketchbooks though so I am still staying sharp in some respects. I have just taken part in a collaborative project started by Justin Currie that involves a bunch of local winnipeg artists drawing creatures of various sizes them placing them in order of who eats who. I think it is a great idea and have just completed my creature and sent it off. I'll post it here soon for you to view. Well I have a few more happy thoughts to sketch up so I'll talk to you all real soon.

Oh! also, my artwork for my second submission to Mail Me Art will be going up for auction July 30th. Thanks to Tim Curley who purchased my work last time. Only negative to that was Mail Me Art sent the work to him prior to the auction. so this time my work will go up in the Gallery in London, England. Very exciting. I'll keep you all posted as to whether or not the painting makes it into the second book they are going to publish.

How Hamburger Patties are Made

2010-07-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

Well why not?

This isn't any less grotesque than how our food is actually prepared for us anyway. And this way we get giant robots.

Cows scare me anyway, so stomp the yard giant robot, stomp the yard.

Sketchbook Project Page3

2010-07-05T07:54:00.000-07:00

Here is the third drawing. Notice a pattern? well it does not extend throughout the entire sketchbook. I thought about doing that but the truth is I draw on both sides of the page in my sketchbooks. so that is about 100 pages being restricted to a theme inside of a theme. Now it would be challenging to do that but I'm more interested in having fun and it has been fun so far. I did about a million renovations on mine and my sisters house this weekend so I did not get a chance to get any sketching done this week so I'm going to try and pick up the slack this week.

I hope everybody had a wonderful Canada Day. I know I did.

Sketchbook Project Page2

2010-06-30T11:48:00.001-07:00

Here is the second drawing from my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project I'm very happy with it and how a good portion of these drawing are turning out. Hope to post more shortly.

My house renovations are coming along nicely my wife is working like a dog and I am trying to help out as much as I can but I hope she lets herself get some rest soon.

Sketchbook Project Page1

2010-06-25T15:04:00.001-07:00

Whoa! It has been a while. Well between work, marriage, a baby, collisions with automobiles and new houses; it has proven difficult to keep my blog updated. Here is the first page of my Sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project. It is a wonderful project run by the Brooklyn Art Library. When I have completed the book before January 15th. I must post it to the library and they will keep it on permanent display for ever! It will also go on tour around the states. I have 23 pages sketched out so far so I will be scanning and posting these to help keep the old blog updated. I would only encourage people to take part in this it is a wonderful project with thousands of people participating.

General-Amazo-flat

2010-06-07T08:30:00.001-07:00

General-Amazo-flat, originally uploaded by James Gillespie.

This is a lined version of General Amazo with flat colours placed. I can now go over and lay in the shadows and highlights and textures to give him some more depth. I have sketched and lined and coloured this character entirely in photoshop. I like it for sketching and colouring but I have to admit using and intuos to do the line work is challenging. I think I would prefer a cintiq for that work. Please Lord let tablet based technology come down in price. Amen.

General Amazo

2010-06-01T08:20:00.001-07:00

General-Amazo, originally uploaded by James Gillespie.

This is a Sketch I am doing of a character invented by my friend Joel. I really liked the Name General Amazo which was what Joel had come up with. I asked him what he would look like and he said "Prussian" so I made him so but without pants. Which is pure comedy as far as I am concerned. I'll keep you posted with the progress.

Jolly Roger

2010-05-27T14:37:00.001-07:00

This is a digital painting of the Jolly Roger flag done by myself to help promote the up coming Canada's History Issue about Pirates. You can see how it is used on our website here http://www.canadashistory.ca/Magazine.aspx you will have to scroll through the main image slide to find it. I am going to refine it over the next couple of days and turn it into a desktop so stay tuned to Canada's History so you can download it.

Folkfest Storm Trooper

2010-05-25T13:25:00.001-07:00

folkfest storm trooper, originally uploaded by James Gillespie.

Storm Trooper painting I am finishing up. I love this cause it really happened some dude was in full Storm Trooper regalia in 2007 and Beth snapped shot. How very fortunate for me.