tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:49 +0000ochre ellipsedarkanimation on displayacryliclords of printmade to stickmultitaskinglittle red bicycleetta+billieseth godinno media kings1984 printingDIYpossibilityfreeweddingunderground exposedmeaningmozartcommunityontwinkie chansavourmarket sforgasmprizescrooked sisteretsysprinklesexpectationssustainabilityanxietychimpoz galleryactionrick kitagawanew lights presscompromiselaw of attractionstepping it upkappasave the datemyspaceart as a professionalexbella figurapatchromancegroup showfacebookSIRhalloweenchoiceclementijorge mascarenhasholiday showseasoning saltextraordinarypouchcolor dictionaryideasdelicatessendrew careysquidsfinterviewadventureworld of warcraftcoachingstartingflickrrise japanbad datetime travelvegetarianismdesignsuicide preventionsilver catmash-upirojitenpaintingSOPAcraig staufenberghyphen magazinegooglepop n shopweeharukapodcastmollydrivenoise popjapan townvegansauruscartoon art museumstop motionannual reviewmacabrejuniarainbowjasper morellologositecreativityhollywoodsaving moneybad date zinebird watchinglgbtalex shenperfectionmunnykeep on keeping oncluttersurveyanimationlive paintinga house of cardsrob satoproductivityart riotattitudezipcarfocusmiraclespapertequilaspace galleryart fairwallpaperragephotoshoprefmusicshenlogos graphicstwo fine chapsholiday craft fairpandamoniumwipheatheredbluprintsad pandapalettehalf-birthdays9/11 heartbreakerquittinggiveawayownershiptwittertombonoah's arkafterpartynew yearssteampunkvolunteeringabundanceinspriationmarch galleryfilmfearhealthwritingnujabeslate postgouachelittle yetipinback buttonsalienationsaidadetectivefavorsfunnygraduationmileagestreet arthow togesturesbunnypostercolor theorymark mcdonnellartwarholian.commaking spacevalentine's daytaxartistAPEcyclopsjapaneselgbtquc berkelyzombieconcertlaunchbig winnersprocrastinationyou are not alonetacoreviewchernobylblack orchid bakerydjchris guillebeauICON 6storypromotionalracismpenguinsbig momentgrumpyentrepreneurfood cartscostumeATHDstocktonjon stichrejectionciciworkingstylesf zine festgreat myspace swindledutch doorlock transparent pixelsdifficultiesartidanny neeceprioritiesmail chimpps printnewsletterunconventional guide to publishinginvitationsillustrationactingcommercial printingpersonal zinelitquakesam tsuimangosteenjun sebacleaningart showwednesday kirwanwildlifet-shirts10000 hour rulestrikematcharickeita877 valenciadent comicsironyrazorcakecomicsebates.comnational center for lesbian rightsillustration fridaythumbnailsterminologybloodorganizingpacingphotospresshelpbullyfundraisingpixarpandafillmore art walkhandmade ho downvibratorportfoliothe stormbig umbrella studioswatercolorlife storiescomedy improvbraggingflureleasing the rhinorush the gatescastingchrome baghappinessin cahoots presssexyheroyoko furushoaviary presssf eventfan pageart battlewatermelonoriginalitysugar cafekim herbstknock outprocesscenter for the bookmyxout of placenew printer2010sketchgoalsstarving artistsharpening the sawtheaterwebsitecompass rose designdark knighttimebaguettegessorobot in the cityillustraitonbest of the baymomentumdreamsthe undiscoveredfestivalsccsfpoetryjapanboxcardigitalfive ringswebcomicmonkey + sealfailuresketch for japanstrugglinggreen apple booksmiyamoto musashifundraiserworkshopsacademy awardscollaborationdeathsealcompetitionspeakerstiesella etc.laura beckhellart stuppliesradio labresolutionmegan adiehorrorajaloncutegotebludmotivationpracticesneak peekpaper hatmonsterbroadsidebad daysrepostprinterhobofishsick daysworthpostcardseitavideo editingvideoinvitekamoi kakoshigoreytrunk showmicrotaskingbookbindingnakamajokerbird braindemosreadingmagicianvdaytheatre riceendorsementsbunny hatlast airbenderfaking itfeminismmichael jacksontrust30successstudent loansserigraphcaptaingraphic novelvegannew worldphilosophylazinessinoue takehikochillin productionsashcanamazinglack of sleepmonkeywelcomedream teamon za lineno jerk rulecardboardmarketingnaturalistgicleepod postgreeting cardshotel kabukisocializationindonesiapaola horeviczalyss estaytreefunkloveordinaryjackalopelettraanimalseducationworkaholicebkacrylicscapesvillemagiclistsrelease partyguaraneecuratingfillmorelive bloggingbe a kidenjoymentriskcoloringoctopusinspirationescape from illustration island#owspreventing burnoutbejeweled blitzretail therapythank youalexander shenmasking tapetoned canvasstationeryart openingprintsshaun tansilkscreen1015 folsomsketchbookworld cupdeadlinesvoiceselling tipsgirlwonderland sfheroesBlacksadtugboat print shoppomegranitenorthern focusalysslearningscreenprintsalebrandingringandreswednesdayinstinctsbe yourselfeve skylarsoupfigure drawingletterpressquick studiesxiau fongsqueegeespaul ardenstab bindingawesomeseal's processrickacademy of artjonas madden-connerpop-upthe arrivalrecipeconcept artcopyrightroadworkshecklerdental worksfetsyidentityanimal analogiesdistractionspencil drawingweirdmutokukubeeswamp tree housedebtsfcbsekilucerneclosing downsean logicpseudopodbestiaryjim dandy'sdisneymezzaninegift wrapfishrandom number generatortiredmindsetri.s.k.family stylepost-modernthanksgivingshannon dutraprintingthe secret of deadbrookprojectsdateinvitesalternative press expochallengesstranger than fictionillustrated novellajoseph toorangetwistsocial justicePIPAjellyfishskullscience fictionambitionholiday cardsminted.cominvinciblechangescontestdisney family museumbazaar bizarrebuttonsbusinessartist blockadviceart of nonconformityvideo gameslogicpopotesan franciscoempire building kitbestiarum vocabulumsuccubusmistakessmithsonianhandmade hodownsmash staterobotsgratitudeagencywinter breakcreepyhidenseekproductsbook artsakumu inkblue samuraibarchainsawracebendingoverworkcopingslump.acitvismreferenceinner demonssf etsyxiaufrancois vigneaultdrinksakanefunsamuraiviolinmossteam japanshapesgallerypricingaodartist xchangebig umbrellavalueresponsibilitybasiliskdrawbridgegolden gate parkmonkey + sealartist lifecraftingfort masonorganizationcupcakemission:comics and artgrant gillilandno asshole ruledave navarroeveunicornbook arts jamgiant headsget bent tax manlocal flavor sfzinesrichard simmonslive artpornographynihonmachiyour paceportraithazmatnarwhalfeedbacklavit seadeadbrookproactivejesse reklawinternetjames ganyan garciaverde clubprintmakinglabor daypencil colornew peoplespray paintdraw bridgesf weeklyamnesiamoo.comelumtetsuya ishidaguidestressbudgetsubmissionspoliticsboozerafflespring showcraft fairquit your day jobbusiness cardspaper sourcejourneyblogbookshing02cryptidsnerd jerkpassioncriticismwinningcraft showabraham lincolnnclrpresidioswindlehardshipcolorsstalinworld dominationcici nycritiquecardswaterfall paintingbreaksshove itdoppledanger weekmoneyhttp://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)Blogger316125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-7409298128024555861Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:03:00 +00002012-02-08T03:00:49.663-08:00arteducationsuccesslearningThere is nothing wrong with being ignorant. Let us repeat that: there is nothing wrong with being ignorant. Whether you're ignorant about the difference between a 401k and a Roth IRA or why they are important, or whether you're ignorant about what the big psychological hurdle standing in your way of greatness is, it's okay. We don't know about you, but often it feels like self-help books, or http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2012/02/upgrade-yourself.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-4677045935948550132Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:34:00 +00002012-02-01T12:55:20.534-08:00creativitylazinessart as a professionfearWe all have that friend who, when it comes to creating, is "lazy." They mope around complaining about this or that, how the stars aren't aligned right to paint or how they just have to finish watching this TV show before they can sit down to write. Your friend also probably complains about not having enough time to create, even though they're on FB or twitter constantly clicking their digital http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2012/02/your-lazy-friend-bob.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-246949366950166921Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:28:00 +00002012-01-25T14:32:38.535-08:00art as a professionfearrick kitagawalife storiesMonkey here today. Over the past few weeks, I've actually been having a bunch of what seem like emotional breakthroughs, so instead of try to be all preachy preachy, here's a look/call to arms about one of the things that I've been working on.In order to get where I'm coming from, you'll need a bit of backstory.Growing up, a lot of things came easily to me. This isn't just to brag, it's just http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2012/01/why-monkey-hates-work.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-216060853158596569Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:19:00 +00002012-01-18T19:21:10.561-08:00SOPAPIPAclosing downart as a professionstrikeWhile the last thing Monkey + Seal want to do is close down shop, if the upcoming Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect-IP Act (PIPA) pass in the upcoming congressional votes, we may have to.So if you haven't heard about SOPA or PIPA, they're basically congressional bills that in theory, are made to stop online piracy. While this idea in itself is great (especially for small business http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2012/01/monkey-seal-closing-down-shop.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-6599618904240003707Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:40:00 +00002012-01-11T02:27:21.477-08:00dreamsart as a professionartist lifesuccessworkingIf you would actually buy this book, please paypal $10 to: info@monkeyandseal.comMany people are interested in finding the one magic bullet that will suddenly catapult them into fame overnight. Some people decide to try to make the next viral video and somehow monetize that. Others might be working on the next big e-book, or the next Batman, or the next facebook. We all want the good life. Wehttp://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2012/01/learn-to-achieve-your-dreams-in-one.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-1428473431829189605Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:28:00 +00002012-01-10T13:37:49.132-08:00unconventional guide to publishingchris guillebeauwritingbook So as of, uh, just about right now, Chris Guillebeau has just launched his newest guide, The Unconventional Guide to Publishing. So to be upfront about all this, yes, we are affiliates (meaning that we get paid a % of the money if you click on the links in this post and end up buying something), but there is a non-affiliate link at the bottom of the page. Frankly, we know a lot of authors http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2012/01/do-you-know-how-to-get-book-published.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Rick Kitagawa)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-928102082491965075Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:18:00 +00002012-01-05T00:28:32.630-08:00artist lifefunartist blockchangesadviceadventurelife storiesNow that it's January, I am seeing a lot of new yoga members at my gym. I have been doing yoga for about 7 years now and I notice the same pattern every year. There is an enormous influx of new members between end of November to mid March and very little attendance around July-October. Both old yogis and new members are as equally guilty. In January, a new intensity fills the air, there is a lot http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2012/01/adventures-in-creative-life.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-1936088723480768024Thu, 29 Dec 2011 07:07:00 +00002011-12-28T23:25:24.276-08:00resolutiongoalsart as a professionpaintingillustrationlife stories With 2011 left with only 3 days left, we thought it would be timely for today's post to be about resolutions. Often we hear of New Year's resolutions in the context of something that will be broken.  We hear about avoiding the gym in January as they'll be overcrowded, but in a month or so they'll be back to normal.  Part of this failure to commit to the New Year's resolutions is that we http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-make-resolution-that-sticks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-5315068880021314337Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:20:00 +00002011-12-22T02:36:56.998-08:00Happy holidays everyone! Today we just wanted to do a recap of our year, since now is as good a time as ever to start evaluating 2011 and to start planning for 2012. Major Accomplishments for 2011 •Monkey took over partial ownership of Big Umbrella Studios (BUS) around this time last year!  He managed to help keep BUS alive and kicking. •Monkey + friend Grant Gililand (aka The Gross http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/12/happy-holidays-everyone-today-we-just.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-7743807568312355275Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:38:00 +00002011-12-15T15:20:49.421-08:00 Sorry this post is so late, we're a bit hectic still dealing with the sale of the building we currently rent in, so many apologies. Anyway, today we wanted to talk a bit about making lists - a certain list . Many of us probably have "to-do" lists, or lists of things we'd like to achieve in life, grocery lists, etc. etc. Some people probably live their life off lists, so the idea of makinghttp://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/12/list-that-will-save-your-sanity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-3093243397878316239Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:33:00 +00002011-12-07T14:22:55.495-08:00winter breakart as a professionsick daysartist lifelife storiesToday we wanted to talk a bit about health, since in these chilly winter months, colds abound and it's not fun trying to paint with the flu. Believe us.While we always talk about sustainability with creation, we do realize that there are times where everything else goes out the window in order to get a project done, or a proposal turned in, or a competition entry postmarked. Whether you're http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/12/stay-strong.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-3269950128948233021Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:21:00 +00002011-11-30T13:13:37.797-08:00art as a professiongratitudeindonesialife storiessocial justiceMonkey here for round 3 of our "Lessons from Indonesia" series. So in Part 1, we talked about cutting out distractions and getting some important work done. In Part 2, we talked about being grateful for what we had. Today, I want to talk about mixing the two and getting some work done.So last time I talked about how we need to be grateful for what we have. While this is very important in the http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/11/lessons-from-indonesia-pt-3-putting-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-1052050165783344279Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:21:00 +00002011-11-23T14:27:59.508-08:00art as a professiongratitudeindonesialife storiespoliticsHappy Wednesday everyone! It's Monkey yet again with another post about some of the things we learned from Indonesia.We thought it was a bit of perfect timing, since tomorrow is Thanksgiving (or Unthanksgiving, or National Day of Mourning, depending on which coast you live on and what your beliefs are about the settler's immigration to this continent). Regardless of whether you're frustrated orhttp://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/11/lessons-from-indonesia-pt-2-gratitude.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-4905582385112878409Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:00:00 +00002011-11-16T16:10:06.175-08:00agency#owsfocusindonesialife storiesdistractionsMonkey here.After returning from Indonesia, I didn't really expect to experience any culture shock returning to San Francisco. I don't really culturally fit into the rigors of Indonesian communal culture, and finding food that was vegetarian (let alone vegan) was pretty difficult at times, especially since I didn't have access to a kitchen where I could cook things myself. On the plane ride http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/11/lessons-from-indonesia-pt-1-cut-out.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-2850996528137060242Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:19:00 +00002011-11-09T10:19:00.227-08:00gratituderepostThis post is from April of last year. We'll see you next week when we're back from vacation! Woo!-M+SMonkey has been doing a lot of reading the past week, and constantly, he's stumbled across the notion of gratitude being one of the main forces that moves the universe. Being grateful is definitely difficult when you're facing tough situations, but really, if one can manage to do it, one will http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/11/gratitude-repost.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-6464492697022163281Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:27:00 +00002011-11-02T12:27:00.313-07:00repostreleasing the rhinoHi all. Here's a post from October of last year(!). We hope you enjoy it and Happy November!-M+SMonkey here:So I'll be honest. I just came up with that phrase "releasing the rhino" right now, but I think it's pretty apt metaphor at what I wanted to talk about today. Plus, as part of Monkey + Seal, we like metaphors that deal with animals.Many times, we carry around a lot of baggage. Whether http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/11/releasing-rhino-repost.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-5815810131790252138Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +00002011-10-31T00:00:09.841-07:00halloweenstoryhorrorTo celebrate Halloween, since we'll be on a plane out of the country, here is a reposting of the story Monkey wrote last year. Also, here's a quick speed paint Monkey did of a zombie! We hope you enjoy it! Happy Halloween!The White DoorOn Sam's way home from work, he would generally keep to the same route, down Lincoln, right at the corner store, down two blocks on Woodsbury, and then left onto http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/10/white-door.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-8506071379189300732Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:24:00 +00002011-10-26T14:47:28.536-07:00ownershiphappinessart as a professionartist lifesuccess**First off, we wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that Monkey + Seal will be taking a short leave of absence. We'll be heading out of the country for two weeks on our first (longer-than-two-days) vacation in four years! We'll be taking lots of reference photos and trying to keep up with the art, but we won't be having any new posts for the next two weeks. We will be re-posting http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/10/freedom-to-be-happy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-5630523110221371875Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:36:00 +00002011-10-19T14:09:56.421-07:00dreamsinspirationquittingMonkey here.The other day, I had a sort of a crisis. Overworked, stressed, tired, and feeling like a great effort I put out for a project was totally wasted, for a second I thought: "I should just quit this art thing." I pondered the possibility that I could just move back home with one of my parents, get a management job in some retail place, and just drink every day after work, watch my http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/10/giving-up-dream.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-8381233091983692099Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:25:00 +00002011-10-12T17:21:37.244-07:00grumpyfunkbad dayscopingart as a professionlife storiesMonkey here.I'm a big ol' grumpy puss today. I was going to try and write another inspiring post about the life and times of being an artist, but some days you're just not into it. I woke up in a nasty mood after waking up in the middle of an argument I was having in my dream with some sort of professor type person who was upset that I was arguing that the language of the question he asked the http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/10/go-away-grumpy-puss.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-4320710023271878487Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:36:00 +00002011-10-06T02:09:30.714-07:00productivityart as a professionartist lifeartist blockproactiveartistresponsibility Every time we table at A.P.E. (The Alternative Press Expo) and other shows, I am excited, inspired, and vexed all at the same time. I have multiple projects that I wished I had completed in time for the event. And I beat myself up for over-working hard at my job, but not making the time for my own personal art. Every year, I see other brilliant art/artists, and I am jealous. I long for that http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/10/100-responsibility-for-your-life.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-3187417074064685027Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:55:00 +00002011-09-29T01:17:27.685-07:00art as a professionartist lifetimebudgetlife stories"It can be done within my time""It can be done within my budget"I first saw these two signs printed in large colorful letters, at one of my old jobs, hung above the entrance to the conference room. It made such a huge difference to anyone present during those meetings in that room. Everyone had confidence in each other that the job would get done and whatever challenges that lie ahead were going http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/09/it-can-be-done.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-5210759090391273009Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:30:00 +00002011-09-21T14:21:06.381-07:00quit your day jobart as a professionartist lifesuccessfearlife storiesFirst off, thanks everyone one for your patience and understanding. Our crisis over here at the Monkey + Seal cave as been averted, and while we meant to get a new post and newsletter up late last week, some crazy deadlines and an exacto blade going into Monkey's foot sort of took priority. Anyway, on to the post.Monkey here:So 1.5 weeks ago, I quit my retail gig to pursue art full time. It washttp://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-to-quit-your-day-job-in-one-easy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-1315653048989690240Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:23:00 +00002011-09-14T14:30:15.101-07:00Hey everyone,We regret to inform you that due to a bit of a crisis over here at the Monkey + Seal cave, your regularly scheduled blog post and newsletter must be moved back a day or two. We apologize for the break but sometimes the poop hits the fan and priorities must be changed.Back to the battle!-Rick + Evehttp://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/09/assault-on-monkey-seal-cave.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8361285944039202046.post-1176502406619877477Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:23:00 +00002011-09-07T12:08:11.062-07:00art as a professionartist lifesf zine festdebtstudent loansrick kitagawalife storiesFirst off, we'd like to thank everyone who helped make the SF Zine Fest possible - organizers, creators, and attendees alike. We had a great time, met some really awesome people, got some cool new comics and zines, and even won a few raffle prizes! So today's post is a reprinting of something Monkey wrote for his short-lived "Monkey Zine" that he published a few years back. Lots of stuff has http://monkeyandseal.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-have-16163578-in-student-loans-15000.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Monkey + Seal)5