JFK

I've done betrayed my mission statement. Naw, this ain't from a sketchbook. What it is, is a portrait of JFK for a friend of mine. Or, to be more specific, a friend of mine who is dating an Irish. And that mick's mother back in the old country wanted a picture of Kennedy, emphasizing the assassinated former commander-in-chief's potato eating lineage. I was happy to oblige. Something about the visage of John "Jack" Fitzgerald Kennedy that's beyond iconic. I used to have a Kennedy head pencil sharpener. You'd stick in the pencil in the top of Pres's head, and rotate the skull around the pencil.

Narcotic Lull of William Blake & the 1930s

My mind often turns to William Blake. He shoulda had his own comic book. Well, he sorta did, didn't he? The list of pre-code 30s pictures was doodled out whilst watching a documentary about pre-code Hollywood. Some of 'em I've seen, a few I haven't, but it's been long enough even for the ones I've seen that I'd like to re-visit 'em. I'm just ones of God's children, like Blake, or Jean Harlow...hey, what the hell does that one guy have on his head anyway?

Cosmic Crusaders and Crackpots

I had a dream about the guy in the lower right hand corner last night. The sketch already existed, but the dream was, rather, about a comic book character that I based this drawing on, even though the drawing was done months ago. Oh well, who am I to judge or speak authoritatively about what rattles around in my skull? Only that, with the dream of last night, it seems the appropriate note that I should post this today.

The Little Notebook: Unitarians vs. Film Noir

I got this smaller notebook that I rarely draw in. It's more used for lists of things, reminders, definitions of words, and various things that need not be strictly drawn. It's a handy book to have around when I'm not necessarily carrying around my bag, a sketchbook that's pocket-sized. But sometimes, such as when going to the Unitarian church with my honey, I trail off and do such things as doodle, or, in this case, sketch the early 20th century historical figure from a photo on the day's program book whilst the minister delivered a sermon on early women in the church.

Then, other times, such as this one above, I just gussy up my lists a bit. These are four film noirs I wanted to see but are technically out of print. Since then, I got to see Act of Violence (if anybody out there in tv land hears of the others being easily obtainable, drop me a line). I may run some more tidbits from the little sketch/notebooks in the future. Thanks for tuning in.

Larry

Another page in which I was beginning to think about character design from the aforementioned Spud Crazy collaboration with Nick Tosches. Nothing like a guy in a bathrobe, a Hindu loin-cloth, and a potato-esque growth on his side to dazzle the crowds.

Apes Speaking, Symbolic Marriage, Ya Know...The Usual

The ape makes me think of Peter Boyle as Frankenstein's monster in the comedy Young Frankenstein when he makes the intelligent speech after having been transplanted with Dr.Frankenstein's intellect. I don't know what else to tell you. Sometimes I just think about things. Other times the ink pen just tells me what to do. And I speak to you now sans premeditation.

Spiritualism

Or Mentalism, as you humans sometimes call it. Beyond all poodle hair, I'd be wary of the bald guy with the blade. Take care.

Get a Job

A sketchbook page that was in preparation for a scene from the adaptation into comics form of author Nick Tosches's Spud Crazy script. We developed a completed fifteen page sample of the proposed graphic novel collaboration that's being shopped around as we speak. If you're a publisher, throw money at us. Lots of it. Beyond that, the strange character who appears in the bottom right of the page in the kilt/Marvin the Martian-esque outfit does not relate to the scene or the other figures in any intentional/linear way. Go, as the ancients would say, figure.

Bongo Party

One thing leads to another. I can get you from Bongo to Sweet Patooty to UFO in three seconds flat. The creature to me looks like THE CREATURE (as in from the Black Lagoon), but older and smoking a cigar. The Creature's manager, perhaps. As usual in my sketchbook, I'm just talking about the general state of things. I calls 'em, alas, like I sees 'em.

Tricks of the Tirade

"You're the cop. You figure it out."

Show Business

If you think it's easy doing one night stands, try playing in a rock n roll band. Some people like Neil Diamond. Me, I'm going to Waffle House.

Stephen Foster in the 21st Century

The night life of my mind.

Give Me Something To Write On

From a sketchbook that dates anywhere between four to six years ago, it looks like I hit a run in which I was using pencil, some sort of heavy graphite type deal. These days, I hardly ever draw in sketchbooks with anything other than a technical pen or a dip pen, india ink directly on paper and no under-drawing. What little drawing I do in pencil before inking is for finished comic book pages in which various elements need to be in place before I commit ink to paper. I like the Elephant-Man quality of this character.

EGO ADRENALIN!

"Ego Adrenalin!" is the phrase I've ascribed to a certain mood/state of being that I enter. In this state, I'm the greatest artist/drummer/lover in the world. I cannot be stopped. I not only encompass all things, I am the master of all things. I pity my lessers. As Lenny Bruce once said, "False humility is the worst form of ego."