Slam Bam Comic Jam at the Art Academy

Amazing Art by David Michael Beck

A Month-long Comic Arts Exhibition and Extravaganza
Features Artists from Kabuki, Star Wars, and The Walking Dead

WHO: Exhibition Artists: David Michael Beck, Allison Craig, Brian Hagen, Russell Ihrig, David Mack, Tony Moore, Joe Slucher, and Christina Wald.
 
PRESENTERS: Mike Fleisch, Anthony Moorman, Joe Slucher, and Christina Wald.
WHAT: Art Academy of Cincinnati’s Inaugural “Slam Bam Comic Jam” Exhibition & Extravaganza
WHEN: January 30 – February 27, 2015

Opening Reception: Final Friday, January 30, 5-8 pm Live Screen-Printing of Limited-Run T-Shirts (Only 50 Shirts Available, $10 each), Music,
Comic Merchandise Tables, and Costume Contest for fans of Wookiees and Walkers

Closing Reception: Final Friday, February 27, 5-8 pm Making It Documentary and Q&A with film director Anthony Moorman
Complete Schedule of Events will be posted on the Art Academy’s website.

https://www.facebook.com/events/404716769677449/ 

http://www.artacademy.edu/new-site-2013/wordpress-news/?tribe_events=slam-bam-comic-jam

From The Little Things by Joe Slucher

From the Children's Book

…the book that, alas, is on indefinite hold. I colored one of my pencil drawings with Photoshop, enjoying the combination of the rough lines and a bold color scheme. 

Brian's Other Children's Book

Squeeky the Peppy Puppy

When I'm blocked writing comics, I create promotional pieces - art that I share with my "Pen Grenades" Facebook group. I thought I'd share a piece with all of you.

The inked sketch was completed with my new portable coloring device: a $20 portable watercolor kit. High-tech squeezy water reservoir attached to the cheap-o brush. I love it, 'cause I hate setting up and cleaning up after using my high-end paints.

Looking at this now, I suppose I should have spelled the dog's noise as "squeak."

Baby Reads the News

My children's book is taking a long time to get re-launched, and my webcomic is in the thumbnail stage. But completed pictures are so much more satisfying! So - a quickie of a baby newscaster. All the news a toddler can use.

Lost Cats Show

The Lost Cat Art Dudes: Craig Boldman, Tim Fuller, David Hartz, Brian Hagen, Brian Uhl (Not Pictured: Joe Kuth and Justin Green)

Justin Green, the show mastermind, and Brian Hagen

Joe Kuth and Brian

Craig Boldman (who we really miss as a lunch regular) and Brian

Brian signing one of the wonderful sketches he was handing out at the opening. He PROMISES to post some on the blog...

Debby Fuller, Steve Meek, Tim Fuller, Christina Wald and Troy Cooksey

Viki Woodworth, Bob, and Troy

Mike and Brian

A lot of other illustrators lunch folk were there as well and I am so sad I did not get pictures of all of them. If anyone has some, please post them! Great show! I will update this post as to the end date so you can check it out.

Illustrator News: Lost Cats Show

Great new show opening at Sitwell's May 25th! See you there! The flier kinda says it all!

Logo & Illustrations

I don't believe I shared this logo design with my Cincinnati people. I created this for an online directory of bars, clubs, and events. Click on the image to see it full size.

I'm getting more aware of my audience. Before posting this piece, I lengthened the lady's skirt.

Local Movie Poster

I wanted to share this work in progress: a movie poster for a local filmmaker. The credits will be on the side of the "wall" that our young mischief makers are peering around.

The filmmaker is looking for a "punk" look for the finished piece, and she's not quite sure what she means. I plan to put the film's title and credits at slashing, conflicting angles on the wall. I don't yet know how I'm going to ink the work to "punk it up," nor how I want to use colors and color shapes. It's a puzzle that I'm working on. Your input / suggestions are welcome.

Prince Valiant / Hal Foster fans?

Half-price on dinged and damaged Prince Valiant books - in full. beautiful color, 2 years of Sunday strips per volume. For lovers of swords, pageantry, and beautiful illustration skills. $15 each while they last.

http://www.fantagraphics.com/index.php?option=com_myblog&show=More-dent-ding-Prince-Valiant-books-for-half-off.html&Itemid=113

Little Drummer Baby

Oops - it's been a while since I've posted here! Here's a remedy for that.

This image became a cartoon at my "Pen Grenades" website, but before that it was a simple sketch that I always wanted to share with more people.

Tag Line or Motto Needed!

I'm going to SPACE (Small Press and Alternative Comic Expo) in Columbus this weekend to promote my webcomic with Justin Green, "Pen Grenades."

This is, roughly, the promotional flier I plan to pass out. The motto I made up is terrible. "Comics to Blow Your Mind"? Really?

Does anyone have a better suggestion?

(You should be able to click on the flier to see it at full-size.)

Froggie Time!

Once upon a time, I decided to treat this blog as a place to show my work to fellow artists. Not the work that was slick and promotion-packet-ready, but the sloppy, fun, experimental stuff.

I've been slack on this goal. So here -  drawn with an old $7 set of oil pastels which I've never been able to control - is Froggie McClamworthy.

Kids Do the Darndest Things!

Sketchbook: from a park in Mexico City.

The girl had been beating bushes with a stick for five minutes. When this finally bored her, she went after a little boy.

As in the U.S., so in Mexico: without good parenting, children are sadistic barbarians.  And they do the darndest things!

3 Chairs for Captain Spaulding!

Er...actually, one chair, Harpo. For me.

My office chair, from which I do my art and computer work, needs to be replaced.

I've been looking at prices ranging from $130 to $180, and it has to be available locally. (I've already made the mistake of ordering a chair online, and boy, does my tush hurt.)

Does anyone know any local chair sources, perhaps with a staff member who actually knows something about ergonomics and/or chairs? I know, I always ask the impossible.

Shermin the Vermin - A Day in Good Taste

"Is that all there is?" Rock on with a NEW "Shermin the Vermin" cartoon, posted today.

Mural Survives Fire at Arthur's

In case anybody didn't hear about the fire in Hyde Park at Arthur's, here's the link to the Enquirer story. Mural intact and nobody hurt.

Self-explanatory Dept.

Lest we take ourselves too seriously.

Local Films Wednesday at the Esquire

This is my poster for a Cincinnati-made film making its premiere in the local short film section of the Cincinnati Film Festival.

I am assured by the writer, Aaron Maas, that this promotional poster will be available at the show. The movies start at 6:30 p.m. at the Esquire Theater in Clifton.

Color Thoughts

Here was my intention with the coloring of this piece. I wanted to evoke excitement, so I choose secondary colors rather than shades of the too-familiar primary colors. I used the same vivid intensity on bird and man to link them thematically, and added gray to the non-existent background to push it back.I like the result. Does anyone have opinions about the choices? (Click on the image to enlarge.)