March 2003 Archives

I haven't been to life drawing in a while. That is probably a bad thing. But I hadn't been for a while in the past and when I did return for a 3 hour session at my old art school I churned out around 40 conte crayon sketches. From this batch there were numerous ones that were framed in groups of 5 and sold. Sold very quickly at that. The gallery they were hung in Balmain/Rozelle kept asking for more of my work, their clients really were that impressed by my work. I never dealt with them again. They had made a small fortune according to the reports I received and I never received a cent. Warning to others, never hang in galleries on consignment without strict conditions in writing. Here is one of those that sold. I wish I hadn't sold the 5 that this one was in a group of.

Slowly adding some content to my new mole. Not much time at the mo' to type up some news so here is a sketch of my new super hero. I think we need more super heroes in comics. I'm bored with the old ones.

Nice sketches huh ? that was in a 2 minute phone call with mum. I should really listen next time.

Following advice from the great sage MissJenJen I embarked on a mission to find me a suitable mole. I needed a mole and needed one now. Buy a mole now and you'll be surprised. I got mine from Berkelouw's Books in Leichhardt, mainly because it is on the opposite side of the road to me and I can't be bothered to go hunting any further than 10 minutes walk for one.

And if there is one thing I hate about Movable Type is that it erases anything you type if you try and edit anything in previous sentences. I lost half my post now. I'll re post the essay I wrote lovingly as soon as I calm down.

Pauline Hanson gives a go at singing for her supper according to News reports. SHe is in the studio to record a duet with country singer Brian Letton, doing a cover of the Louis Armstrong classic What a Wonderful World.

It's been a while since we've had so much to draw cartoons about with the politicians. We really have the most boring bunch to choose from. They lack in so many ways it makes me want to migrate.

Where do the military get their names for the bombs they use ? I could only figure out the Daisy Cutter as it explodes just above ground and sends out hot liquid aluminium sideways for 80 metres, essentially clearing an area at the level of daisies. Can't help but think they have a fascination with weapons of mass annihilation themselves sometimes.

1 Bomb probably would save an entire state from hunger in the US. I had no intention of debating the likes of war here on my blog but prefer to point out the stupidity of human nature instead.

I was asked this question by email and thought I would share my thoughts :

Do you think consciously about what you draw or does it happen in a natural way ?

I find that the ideas can be generated at the most inconvenient times. Usually when I am preoccupied on something else I find that my mind wanders and a gag is built up and springs out at you, from where you desperately try and write it down on anything available. I used to have a special book for which I would doodle and draw ideas in. The problem I found was that I never drew or wrote notes in it. I think because I had it set in mind that if I were to come up with a great idea, I would limit myself to writing it down only in that book. Which meant if I was no where near the book I would wait until I could get to it. Which meant the gag was lost. So subconsciously I was telling myself that I was only allowed to write in this book, nowhere else. I soon realised that creativity hits you whenever and wherever and you should get it down on paper no matter what. So now I have a folder where I can at least collect all these ideas that have been written down on paper napkins, towels, serviettes, table cloths and the like.

Last night there were gunshots outside on the street in front of my house. Mentioning this in conversation immediately sparks "probably a backfiring car". Six sounds with an inconsistentency to car backfire and the fact it was more than once in a matter of 15 seconds makes me think it wasn't a car. Experiencing the masculine sport of shooting in the wonderful country town of Colah gave me an insight to the natural sound of gunfire. This was the sound of a hand pistol, someone was trying to either scare people or had direct hits each time. There were no sounds in the street afterwards. Being male, I walked outside to inspect the street using my most manly way of pouting my chest out like a pigeon and walking like I'm trying to kick my shoes off each time. I looksies to the right, to the left and look right again just like the ad campaign says and to no avail. With exception to a young couple out walking in their tights for exercise. The type of people that could witness genocide and still continue their brisk pace past the monstrosity. Nothing can stop these fitness freaks, it is their right to ignore what they feel is inconsiderate to their routine. It was late, my manly figure silhouetted against the wall of the neighbours house gave an eery impression of a nightcrawler ready to seek justice by taking the law into his own hands. Neighbours I hear trembling as they witness their friendly neighbourhood crime fighter in awe. I turn my back to the street, kicking my toes back into my bunny slippers and mincing back to the house. I had work to do. Illustrations to draw. Saving the neighbourhood was that night, going to be second priority. For I had a deadline.

At times it can be very hard working for yourself and finding the motivation to get stuck into work. When you're tired and hungry, throbbing headache and numerous interuptions it just increases the likeliness of just going away and lying down for a long snooze. However deadlines loom and you've got a job to get done. I can only sympathise with those in the same position. The job is always delivered. Just only if they knew what you had been through sometimes to get that piece done.

Popular calls during these periods are those wishing to become squires in our craft. My suggestion to those just starting out is don't tip toe into the shallow end of the pool. Jump in naked to the deep-end. The only difference is how much you really desire to swim. If you really and truly need to be a cartoonist you will be. You'll make it happen. Noone can help you but yourself. It is a career where you direct yourself into the industry. This isn't like McDonalds where they train monkeys to cook. (nothing wrong with being a monkey, just explaining the method of training.).

The now 50-year-old series from Manga master, Osamu Tezuka, Astro boy will be brought back to life in a new animated series through Sony Picture Television International. The new Astro boy show continues with the Tezuka tale of a scientist who builds a robot boy after the death of his own son. For those not in the know the character becomes a renowned superhero outfitted with laser-firing fingers, uncanny hearing and jet-powered boots to help thwart an alien invasion of Earth. Every childhood dream I had was either about world domination or thwarting an alien invasion.

Where oh where oh where could they be....

The political cartoon exhibition I'm in ends on March 17th at the National Museum in Canberra. After that it heads off to RMIT in Melbourne before making its way to Perth. Not a bad tour. Wish I was going with it. More details can be found via the link on the right at the bottom. Somewhere....

Editor and Pubsliher had an interesting article to read on our beloved Lach Murdoch and the man who has no balls Col Allan, who finds it very impressive as an editor to belittle his staff by urinating the staff sink. My favourite line from the site was -

[Asked about Lachlan Murdoch, Col Allan says, "He understands that it is all about ideas, creative people, and creating an environment where they can flourish."]

My ass. Money comes before creativity and neither of these guys have shown us a favour. Col had some fantastic fights including a well known incident with an editorial cartoonist who proceeded to be antagonised over a submitted cartoon for the paper, ending in a large brass statue for Best Editorial Cartoonist being pitched at Col's head. The brass lodged in the wall behind Col after he ducked, which thankfully he did or that would have ended in tears. Like a fart in an elevator. Considering News Ltd and other press have been extremely tight in budgets, which considering their net profits is totally unnecessary, it's like hearing the bank has cleared 6 billion in profit in the last quart. Do you think they could spare a few dollars to buy a comic strip for once ? and please not Fred Basset.