Allyson Haller news

His Dark Materials

2011-09-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

Lyra Silvertongue

This is Lyra, the heroine from the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy written by Philip Pullman. For those who have read it: I imagine this image takes place sometime after the events in third book.

I loved how unpredictable these stories where. It's not like reading Harry Potter, where you're constantly being reminded of every other fantasy book you've ever read. (Lord of the Rings much, lady?) Let me append that statement by saying I've read and enjoyed all the Harry Potter books... and I should probably say something about imitation being the best form of flattery... It's just I found His Dark Materials to be a more unique in it's vision. No deja vu to speak of.

It really wasn't my intention to attack on Harry P here, so I'll drop it cause there are other better reasons why you should read these books. If you're a fool for stories about gods and myth that's a good start, because Lyra is essentially a modernish Eve that helps save the world from the rule of a false god. What I like about Philip Pullman's take is that she isn't portrayed as a negative mother-of-all-sin Eve. Instead the Fall is seen as a positive, and that's a beautiful thought. It reinterprets original sin and the fall from grace as a great moment that brought consciousness, knowledge and love to beings in all worlds. (yes, plural.) I love that it turns the guilt and regret you're expected to feel on its head to become a desirable event that made us the wonderfully curious and complex creatures we are. Eve mother-of-all-knowledge! (P.S. Sexy-time is awesome.)

The world is so exquisite with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there's little good evidence. Far better it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides. - Carl Sagan

You don't have to dig theology to get swept into these books though. It's a fun coming of age adventure like so many great stories. It's about embracing curiosity and wonder, and living life the best way you can. Which is a universal theme anyone can enjoy.

I wanted to share a couple of things that influenced me while working on this illustration... simply because they're cool. This is a statue I found while flipping through a massive volume of religious art in architecture at the bookstore. I liked the color, the texture, the aged gilded goodness... even the break neck angle of Mary's head. With those eyebrows, I can only assume this was the result of a Vulcan neck pinch. I'm also just assuming that is Mary, because I was an idiot and didn't write down the name of the book or the name of this piece. This is a cell phone shot... and on a second trip to Powell's Books I was unable to find it again. If anyone recognizes this please let me know!

Another fun resource was this tumblr blog called Ye Olde Fashion. While trolling the archives I saw this summer dress from 1912 and could picture an older Lyra wearing it. I imagine she would have a simple style with 'Gyptian' (gypsy) influences.

That's all for now. This was a personal project, hope you enjoy it.

*EDIT: This image is now available for purchase on Society6.

As You Like It

2011-09-01T23:46:00.000-07:00

As You Like It - a play by William Shakespeare

Here is another illustration based off of a Shakespeare play and made specifically for SubPlot Studio. This time I went with the comedy As You Like It. It seems I really needed to lighten the mood after delving into deep, dark Titus.

Mix laughs, love, cross-dressing and mistaken identity together and you have the basics of the play. Plus, As You Like It has the wonderful female lead, Rosalind. Focusing on her wit and awesomeness really made up for the sadness I felt over the empty symbolic shell of Lavnia in Titus Andronicus. Also keep in mind this is a Shakespeare play... and it would be a incomplete without a healthy dose of banishment. So Rosalind, of course, gets banished. (baniSHED!) She then disguises herself as a lovely shepherd boy, names her new identity Ganymede, and wreaks sexy-havoc in the Forest of Arden. From that point on every man, women, and tree falls in love with her. him. them. er. well. anyway. Everyone falls in love with Ganymedalind. I mean Ganymede. what?

My experience with As You Like It has been a short and recent one. I saw it performed by the Kentwood Players at the Westchester Playhouse in LA. It was directed by my friend, the multi-talented artist and karaoke machine, Jeremy Speed Schwartz. He asked me to read a couple lines with some folks of superior talent. We were then recorded and our bits were edited together to make us look like botox-riddled, caffeine-drunk talk show hosts (à la Talk Soup.) Perhaps not the most traditional introduction to As You Like It?

Here's a photo that helped inspired me:

A Cary Grant-Katherine Hepburn-James Stewart sandwich? Don't mind if I do!

Titus Andronicus

2011-08-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

SubPlot Studios invited me to take part in designing a theater poster to sell on their shiny new website. Their main goal is to make quality and affordable poster designs available to theatre companies, high schools, and other professional venues that might otherwise not have the funds to create unique designs to promote their shows. By doing so they hope to support the performing arts in our communities and schools, while working with an array of talented artists along the way.

Here is a direct link to the poster: Titus Andronicus. If you scroll over the image you will get a feel for how fully customizable it is.

I got to choose the play, which was a pretty nice incentive. There were many great plays on the list that I would have loved to work on, but when I saw Titus Andronicus was available I felt like it was one I just couldn't pass up. It's a play I studied in college, and I remember feeling struck by it then. The blood? The animal references? How could I pass that up?

There is so much going on in Titus Andronicus, and you could hardly claim any of it to be pretty. It's considered one of Shakespeare's most violent plays, and often is looked down on as being nothing more then shock and awe. Though it is crazy violent, I find it incredibly interesting. Revenge and betrayal are the blatant themes, but the more interesting ones (at least to me) involve gender, race and power. I don't think you can capture it all in one poster. Well... maybe you can but it might make you sick, and I was looking to make something simple, striking and not terribly vomit inducing.

With so many themes to pick from I decided to focus on the character I dwell on the most and the part of the story that strikes me hardest: the rape and torture of Titus's daughter Lavinia.

Lavinia is used as a symbol of Rome, where the story takes place. Her rape is compared to its fall. Her attackers described as tigers and wild beasts. Titus even says, "...dost thou not perceive that Rome is but a wilderness of tigers? Tigers must prey, and Rome affords no prey but me and mine." Wild animals, hunting, and dismembered body parts (particularly hands) are mentioned throughout the play, and were other aspects I chose to highlight in the illustration.

I'm going to indulge in some personal thoughts on the play from here on out. It's a brutal topic, so if you don't wish to feel incredibly depressed you may not want to read on. That being said, if you don't mind some heartbreak and upset, please read on and let me know your thoughts.
Read more »

Rink Rash

2011-08-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

Some portraits for the good folks at RinkRash.ca A Canadian site dedicated to Roller Derby! I think their name pretty much sums it up.

Rink Rash: The nasty red burn a skater gets on their skin after falling on a skating surface, while playing roller derby. Rink rash is often worn as trophies and is something skaters are proud of.

Since these are their contributor page portraits, I lifted the color scheme and distressed circle designs directly from aspects of their website. This seemed like a great way to keep things cohesive. I really dig the way their site is designed, and I'm pleased with how the portraits fit in!

The neck tattoo was greatly inspired by the work of tattoo artist Chris Cleen. He has a great, sexy and retro/classic style. Very bold, with lots of women spontaneously springing out of roses. Anyway, I thought that this tattoo style would really fit with the roller-derby-badass aesthetic.

You can check out his work here.

In other news: I'm living in Oregon and it's lush and bloody amazing.

WEREWOLVES @ Comic-Con

2011-07-21T18:05:00.000-07:00

Werewolves - written by Paul Jessup / illustrated by Allyson Haller

If you are going to the San Diego Comic-Con this year, be sure to stop by the ChronicleBooks booth (1506.) They will be selling my book, Werewolves, amongst other illustrated wonders!

Chronicle is offering some super deals on their website for those of us who are missing out on Comic-Con this year. Use the code COMICCON11 at checkout and receive 25% off + free shipping on Werewolves and other titles.

Joanna Moody - Pocket of Treasures

2011-07-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

Joanna Moody - Pocket of Treasures

I recently had the pleasure of designing and creating artwork for the CD sleeve of acoustic songbird Joanna Moody. This is her first full-length release, self produced with lots of time and dedication. Please check her out, get songs, or order your copy directly at her site on Bandcamp.

One reason I loved working with Joanna was her complete openness towards the project. She described the general feelings she wanted to provoke, often speaking about the paradoxes she aspires to express within her music: sophisticated but quirky, sweet with a darkness, beauty with an edge. Then she shared her songs with me for inspiration.

On the left is the chosen sketch. I started by creating a few logos, and then moved on to the art. This may seem a little backwards, but worked out just fine!

Here's another font/sketch combo:

Once the cover was complete, the inside, disc, and trifold insert was created using elements from the illustration.

Here is the final product:

Thanks Joanna, for all your trust during the project!

DIVA Magazine

2011-04-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

None Upon Thars - DIVA

I recently created an illustration for UK based lesbian magazine DIVA. This art is for an article called "Gold Star Girls," that interviews 4 women on the notion of the "gold star."

So... what's a gold star girl? I had never even heard of the term until this article came along. Simply put, a "gold star" is a lesbian who has never had sex with a man. There's often a tendency to view a gold star as being the best kind of lesbian, and that they are somehow more special.

My brain couldn't help but make a connection to my favorite Dr Suess story "The Sneetches." Here are the opening lines to the story:

Now, the Star-Belly Sneetches had bellies with stars.
The Plain-Belly Sneetches had none upon thars.
Those stars weren’t so big. They were really so small.
You might think such a thing wouldn’t matter at all.

It shouldn't matter at all. Though a certain amount of awe is easy to understand. After all, who wouldn't want to be sure and confident in life and sexuality right from the get go? But, the impression I got was that the "Gold Star" is just another form of branding. Just another way to judge someone. What I love about the article is that it throws that label to the curb and gives it a good trample. (I make it sound harsh, but it seems Lulu Belliveau and the interviewees are more eloquent than I.) Each woman, coming from her own experience, made it clear that there wasn't anything wrong with being either or. We shouldn't put anyone on a pedestal because of their sexual behavior or experience. So forget about stars and whether you have one, or none, upon... yars.

My hope is that this illustration appears as confident, accepting and non-judgmental as the ladies in the article.

A fun technical aspect of making this illustration was composing it to fit in the unusual space that was predetermined by the designers at DIVA. Hurray for creative problem solving skillz.

I also played a lot with color before I came to the "not pink" conclusion. BUT IT WAS SO HARD. Cause, in pink, this girl looks truly-truly-truly outrageous.

Big thanks to Luciane Pisani for contacting me for this!

Bathory

2011-04-26T22:50:00.000-07:00

Erzsebet Bathory

An illustration I created during the trial period for another project. She'll never see the light of print, but I thought I'd share her here and spill some bloody historical details on you for funsies.

Elizabeth Bathory, or the "Blood Countess." A pretty gruesome lady.

Not a vampire, though sure to have inspired their myth, but a serial killer. A Hungarian noble women, born in 1560, to a family line known for it's cruelty; she was vain, privileged, and easy to anger. One of the more appalling details of her legend involves bathing in the warm blood of virgins to restore her youthful beauty. Her victims were young peasant girls and the daughters of lesser gentry spirited away to her castle with promises of work or higher learning. Her bloody-bath was never documented in any official capacity; based on the evidence recorded it's more likely she gained sexual thrills through blood and torture.

Though she was formally charged with the torture and murder of 80 young women, other testimony puts the number as high as 650. The number most likely grew due to time and embellishment. Much evidence against her was gotten through torture, so there's no telling what is true in this story or how much was skewed for political or religious purposes. On the other hand, the documented testimonies from survivors, the multitudes of missing girls and the evidence of human remains on her property is stunning to say the least. Once finally arrested, she was bricked into a small room in her castle and fed threw a slot in the wall until she died 4 years later in 1614. Whatever the truth may be, Erzebet's legend is a macabre one and she has gone down as the most prolific female serial killer in history.

If you really want to delve further into this bit of crazy-horrificness, I suggest this lengthy article on Crime Library, and of course wikipedia for the short of it. You'll find the story is always a little different depending where you look.

*nom nom nom*

The illustration is from the bloody vampire perspective. But I'm thinking it would be fun to do a more realistic portrait in the future.

Blondie

2011-02-24T16:45:00.000-08:00

Hangin' on the Telephone - Debbie Harry

I've been updating my website, trying to make the thing more functional. Hence no more flash. sorry flash! It's not that I have anything against you... it's just. everyone else does?

Above is a little illustration for the contact section. I ask you, who would make a better mascot for the telephone then 80's new wave icon Debbie Harry? No one. not one person or thing. With at least 2 hits based around telephone calls, she's got everyone beat. I'm looking at you Tommy Tutone.

Werewolves

2010-09-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

Werewolves - by Paul Jessup

Werewolves! They're not here to cuddle. That being said, they're people too. Written by Paul Jessup and published by Chronicle Books. I was brought on board to flesh out a young girl's artistic journal after she and her brother survive an attack by what they guess are wild dogs. The story fallows their transformation from the point of view of young teenage vegan Alice Carr, as she learns to cope with ravenous new cravings; a body that's rebelling against everything she once understood as herself; and the new dynamics of life in a pack under constant threat. Threat from what? I wont say, but they look uncannily like some people I know.

Here's a taste:

So... I have a dirty secret. I'm not a true werewolf fan. I admit that, at first, I was surprised and perplexed as to why I might be tapped for such a project. My experience with werewolves up to this point amounted to Teen Wolf and the brutish crazed killing machines found in most horror flicks. But as I got to know the details and read Jessup's story, I could see that this wasn't your typical werewolf tale. Instead, this book takes a look at werewolves from a somehow realistic perspective. The format was also a draw for me. That the art should reflect the thoughts of a savvy girl as she jots and sketches her unique experiences down made it more like a found treasure then a graphic novel. I loved that keeping the style loose and sketchy was key.

alternative sketch

I was so excited to see this book on shelves over the weekend! looks like my healthy love of critters and blood has finally paid off. Thank you so much Paul for the great story, and Chronicle Books for publishing and vision. Also huge thanks to Katie, Kasey and Todd over at becker&mayer! book producers for being not only great designers, but also an extremely organized life line and guidance system during this project. yay!

If you want to read more about Werewolves please check out this nice write up in the LA Times. and if you simply must know more about this Paul Jessup fellow, here's a link to an interview on SUVUDU or listen to this really interesting podcast on talechasing.com were he discusses a bit more in depth about how the book came to be and his writing process.

Romancing Sleep

2010-04-11T13:26:00.000-07:00

Romancing Sleep - by Constantine Darling & Terri Salvatore-Swahn

I've been meaning to post this for awhile, but the great thing about this one is that it's not a one time deal in a magazine; it's a lovely book! so if you feel like reading you can go get it anytime right here: Romancing Sleep.

*EDIT 7/25/11: I was saddened to hear that Constantine Darling passed away after battling Throat Cancer. My respects to the family and friends of this lovely person, who had such a positive and loving influence on so many lives!

"Romancing Sleep" is a self-help book, written by Constantine Darling and Terri Salvatore-Swahn, that offers tips on how to get a better night's sleep in natural ways. It covers numerous techniques like trance induction, breathing exercises, massage, nutrition, and relaxation methods.

I was initially contacted by Terri for this. She said they liked the use of nature in my work, and told me how the book focused on nature and how to "receive it's calming cues" when preparing for sleep. Terri asked me to match the nature theme and create imagery with dream-like/ flowing effects.

Water is a particularly strong symbol in the book, often used as a metaphor to describe different levels of consciousness.

I also created a handful of spot illustrations, but I'm not posting them all here. So if you're inclined to see them, or if your java-toked hi-reved lifestyle is killing your ability to sleep easy, please take a look at this wonderfully helpful and beautifully written book!

Archways Magazine

2010-02-15T22:51:00.000-08:00

Archways Magazine - Winter 09-10, Volume 9, Issue 4

Here are 5 illustrations I made a few months back for an article in Archways Magazine called "Taking Shape." It's about the future plans and possibilities for Nebraska Wesleyan Universities' Campus. I worked with art director Melanie Falk, who was interested in having dream like imagery to represent the future structures on campus. You can view the other images and read the article online here. (I really think the images look better at this link then in the pictures below, but I wanted to share the layout out of the article here cause I like it!)

This one features the building "Old Main" that has been at the heart of campus for 120 years.

Campus map showing avenues for growth.

The above represents the goal of NWU to have an open and simbiotic relationship between its campus and the surrounding community.

One of the biggest plans is constructing an entirely new science facility or significantly renovating or expanding on their main science building "Olin Hall."

Here's how the cover initially started:

and where it ended:

I had a lot of fun with this one. It was quite a challenge to get the 5 to work as a set. I tried using a sort of "split screen" approach for the majority, but also picking a color scheme and using it along with similar textures through-out helped a ton. If anyone has suggestions as to how to make these types of sets work together, I'd love to hear it!

LA Weekly

2010-02-15T21:34:00.000-08:00

Here's a fun little something you can find while flipping through the LA weekly this week: a calendar! Look for a brilliant blue insert with a picture of a Chihuahua in a bee costume being attacked by a shark while riding the waves on konica minolta 1050. Unfold that sucker and you'll find... another chihuahua in costume. yay! This time being walked by some sexy legs.

looks great on fridges:

dont miss out, get yours today! offer ends February 18th 2010.

Storytelling Magazine

2010-01-23T22:35:00.000-08:00

Storytelling Magazine - December 2009

I'm posting this a little late, but above is an illustration I worked on for the cover of Storytelling Magazine. I worked with Art Director Dale Atkinson on this, who gave me a lot a freedom and encouraged me to get abstract with my interpretation of the story supplied: "Fresh Bagels." This is a traditional Jewish folk tale retold by storyteller and teacher, Zane Chait, who holds storytelling workshops in the Chicago area.

I particularly like how the "tentacle-like smells" (as Dale named them) mimic the Storytelling logo. Wish I could say I had this in mind the entire time, but that would be a blatant lie. so I'll be real with you- it was just one of those happy accidents! Thank you Dale, and Storytelling Magazine!

Her Nashville

2009-12-06T01:51:00.000-08:00

Her Nashville, December 2009 (vol 02, issue 6)

I'm very excited to have created some wintery cover artwork for the December issue of the beautiful Her Nashville Magazine. This issue centers around female bonding and friendships that are "like family without the dysfunction," as Heather Pierce explained it to me. Heather is the art director at Her Nashville, and she was super helpful and a pleasure to work with!

Below is one of the early sketches:

And here is the final without the Her flag:

Thank you to Heather and everyone at Her Nashville for this great opportunity!

Prism International

2009-05-05T14:55:00.000-07:00

PRISM international 47:3, Spring 2009

Copies of the PRISM international issue that features my work just arrived in my mailbox. I'm so pleased with the results! It's lovely and has been a great read, so please please please pick it up if you get the chance. Or go subscribe to this quarterly at their website. Thanks to the folks at Prism, especially Michelle Miller, for contacting me for this project.

By Ginger!

Fluttering

Over the Bars!

It's probably obvious that these were greatly inspired by bicycle wanderings. This has been the main way of getting to know my new home in Santa Monica; by foot, bike and bus. Here are some of my favorite sites:

Under an overpass.

The shadows cast on my porch.

The unfortunate butt.

The kick-arse ceiling, and book wall in our new aptartment.

Crazy critters also inspired me. Here's my favorite crazy critter, passed out in a sun spot after reading up on her art hero:

The Story of Docile and Feral

2009-05-04T18:03:00.000-07:00

The Story of Docile and Feral - by Shelly Smith

This is the front and back cover of The Story of Docile and Feral, an adult fairy tale by Shelly Smith. Shelly contacted me a few years back to illustrate her story, and there are now over 30 full page and spot illustrations in this baby!

The time is right and Shelly is now letting the book out into the world. For more information, or to purchase it, please visit: www.docileandferal.com Get your copy today! This is a self publishing venture so your support will be much appreciated.

Translating to the Beetles

Above is a little before and after action. This is one of the first illustrations I made for Shelly, and it was eventually chosen to be the story's cover girl. You can see it has a vertical orientation, but somewhere along the line we changed things to be horizontal and the image had to be elongated. I wanted to show the vertical version here because it's still my favorite.

Time Out New York

2009-04-05T15:00:00.000-07:00

Crimes of Passion - Time Out NY

My latest illustration can be found in the Seek section of Time Out New York, issue #704! Pick it up or read it in the Sex and Dating section of their website. It accompanies fun, inspirational stories about people committing "crimes of passion." These are some great, if sneaky, ideas about how to weasel your way into private events and parties. So let's save some money and have a good time!

I got to work with Time Out's awesome designer Kathryn Brazier on this one, and she was looking to play up the sneaky-slinkiness of a couple committing an act of "derring-do." I also had a personal goal: to give some love to the blondes and redheads of the world. I have neglected you... Here are some preliminaries:

A great phrase, derring-do. I would like to commit courageous acts of derring-do with a disembodied narrator cracking puns at me the whole time. (I'm thinking this guy: Moose and Squirrel.) Incidentally, I was confused about the spelling of derring-do... I had always assumed it was daring. So I looked it up and found this interesting literary mishap. Also in this article: handy tips on how to swash your buckle.

Thank you Kathryn and the folks at Time Out New York!

Weekly Dig

2009-03-31T16:38:00.000-07:00

Social Butterflies and Candy Cigarettes - Cover of Boston's WeeklyDig

My illustration "Social Butterflies and Candy Cigarettes" has been featured on the cover on Boston's Weekly Dig! It's the cover girl for their "5 Drink Minimum issue." I believe this is an annual thing; The Dig's writers go out into the Boston night life, have five drinks, and attempt to write about their evenings from the midst of lushie-drunken stupors. There should be a similar "requirement" in all jobs... and, as my own boss, I will take it upon myself and force me to drink five drinks, create some art, and blog about it. Hope you guys like stick figures of sharks doing monkeys, and other such depravity.

This cover will soon be available for purchase here as a framed 8.5"x11" for $20 + shipping. So, if you've always wanted to buy me lunch but never had the nerve to ask, do the next best thing and support me financially by buying this print. The millions of lunches ensuing from the checks I receive will feed my body and nourish your soul. Thank you family, and you friends... and you most of all, Anonymous.

I want to give a big thank you to the Dig's Art director, Tak Toyoshima, for being freakin' awesome. As well as a special thank you to Genevieve Sass for having a big mouth. And to make up for that sorta back handed, but heart felt, thank you: Go check out her design work at Lilac Creative and get yourself a nifty new blog makeover!

The Climb

2009-01-29T16:33:00.000-08:00

Climbing - Topic for Illustration Friday

The above illustration features my good friend Jay Thompson. Somehow, I convinced him to climb into a tree and model in some very difficult positions for an previous illustration. The payment was probably in Riesen dark chocolate chews and Pappa Johns bread sticks... I'm feeling ashamed and amused by this cheapness. Mostly amused.

It was my original intention to re-work and improve some of my older illustrations. But I had this great out-take shot of Jay hanging wearied from the tree branch, and decided to work with it instead. I don't know why I love this idea of a dude in a nice clean suit climbing a tree. I wonder how long he's been hanging there. Will he try for the top? And, assuming he hasn't just given up, once he finally reaches his goal what will he do? What's waiting for him up there? A good view? Is he a peeping tom? Does he plan to jump? Was this a dare? Is there gold in them thar branches? I don't know, but I like to think about it.

Though I'm usually not depressed, I'm not feeling particularly optimistic today. I spent a lot of time sending out e-mails, looking at job postings, and trying to find a cheap apartment in LA somewhere. *Special note to my mid-west friends: I do mean "cheap" in Californian terms. There is story after story on NPR about California's economic troubles. and oh. Oh nice. It might be fun to mention that just now I heard a news story about the peanut-butter recall while eating a peanut-butter toast snack. I'm doomed!

Also, I'm really missing my car today.

It was towed away back in August... and while my bike is hands down the best decision I've ever made-ever; I just miss driving alone singing along to tapes and the radio. (yeah, tapes!) Not having a car has been a non-issue till these past few weeks as Jesse and I have been looking into new jobs and a new apartment. Chances are that as soon as these things are found, the heartache I feel for my old blue Chevy will die. But right now I cant help but reminisce. I cant believe I got so attached to a car that months latter I still mourn it, it seems silly. Please tell me about your weird, materialistic attachments. Make me feel normal!

Pale

2009-01-22T00:50:00.000-08:00

Pale - Topic for Illustration Friday

Hummingbirds are mother nature's color sampler tools. Would I lie to you?

I finished this illustration on the Jan 21st, 2009. Not a bad birthday for an illustration! Obama's first official day in office was the one and only thing the world was talking about yesterday. It seems only right I send my congrats as well, and dedicate this piece to the day. I imagine Big O is feeling pretty overwhelmed tonight, what with all the briefings and meetings piling up. I wonder if he's gotten to the fun stuff yet... like that part about the massive government cover-up concerning UFO phenomena. I wonder still, will he keep his promise to make government more open and accountable to us? I'll give him a few days to let it all sink in of course. I'm sure he's learning secrets so extensive they will forever change his perspective on the universe. I expect my Interstellar Telleporter delivered within 5 - 7 business days with signature confirmation, Mister President.

I'd also like to dedicate this to my boy, Jesse. Jes just got his masters studying Experimental Animation at the California Institute of the Arts, and his brand-new beautiful website can be seen here. Check it out and tell your friends. You know, all those friends you have working in animation studios. Yeah, those ones. He just got an animation gig at Duck Studios for a few weeks, and the 21st turned out to be his draining first day as well. Only thing is Obama gets Air Force One while Jesse gets a 2 hour train/ bus commute. I bring this up mostly to drive home the point that Obama needs to give us all teleporters.

Here he is with fellow animation wizards, Daniel Ash and Dillion Markey, on their last day and CalArts.

Proud Mary

2009-01-15T23:23:00.000-08:00

I don't pretend to know why Tina does the things that she does. I'm just here to document it.

A few months back my good friend Truly wrote on her own blog that she was having visions of Tina Turner terrorizing vintage illustrated Chinese villagers. I thought that was the funniest thing and laughed out loud. In fact, months later, I'm still laughing out loud whenever I think of it and things have started getting uncomfortable in public places. So this had to be done, cause it's too funny not to be done. Truly, my quirky minded friend, this is for you.

I also posted this on Illustration Friday. For those who might not be familiar, IF is a website that presents a weekly illustration challenge for anyone who wants to participate. Every Friday a new topic is chosen, and it is left up to you to interpret in your own fashion. Once you're done you can post and link to your masterpiece of illustration genius on the site, or just spend a few joy-filled hours browsing the other posted work. This weeks topic was Contained. (NOT Tina Turner as you may have guessed. ha!) Some people cant be contained, others you can just stuff into jars and save for later. Yeah it's silly and a bit irreverent, but it's the first image that popped into my head when I read "contained."

In other news, I got to see this Cowboy chasing a cow statue while visiting my family in Texas.

It was neat.

PRISM Submissions & Voter Hysterics

2008-11-04T13:42:00.000-08:00

I have made, and am currently working on, some new illustrations for PRISM international! The mag wont be out for awhile, but here is a little taste:

This will be featured in their 2009 Spring issue. I wanted to post this early and let everybody know that PRISM is currently looking for fiction, nonfiction and poetry submissions for this issue. It has a visual arts theme and here is some extra info about it from their fiction editor, Michelle Miller:

Dearest PRISM friends, foes and contributors,
We are putting together our Spring 2009 theme issue, exploring the relationship between literature and visual art. We have already received some really exciting illustrations, graphic stories and poems, but we want even more.

Because you're brilliant, we're hoping that you'll send us some fiction, nonfiction or poetry with a strong visual element, whether your piece deals with art directly or leaves us with a strong and delicious mental image.

Please consider sending something our way. Submission guidelines can be found on our website at www.prismmagazine.ca

And stay tuned for information about our 2009 fiction contest, and our very first ever full-scale poetry contest, coming this week.

Michelle Miller
fiction editor.

So get your writing on, and while youre at it: Get your vote on!

That's right! Today is Nov 4th- finally time to get out the vote. I did it bright and early today, and didn't even have to wait in line. It's a beautiful brisk day here in CA, my mood is high and my veins are pumping a combination of adrenaline and java. After punching it for Barack ,and giving a big fat NO-hole to Prop 8, Jesse and I hiked over to Starbucks for some free voter-coffee. (Maybe later we'll get voter-ice cream from Ben and Jerry's.)

It's nice to feel excited about an election, and I hope we can keep the momentum. No matter who wins, there will be change. I don't think any of our candidates (and guess what: there are more then 2... who knew?) will lead us down the road to ruin... just repeat that 10 times and take deep breaths. But "darned it" I will plug for Obama all the way! So will Dean. Dean is my cat. She loves Obama... don't let the wink fool you. She's just being ironic.

P.S. I've also gave my web page a facelift. Please let me know what you think, or if you have any suggestions!

UTNE Reader

2008-08-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

I have created a new illustration for an article in the latest issue of the UTNE Reader!

(UTNE Cover, Sept - Oct 2008 issue)

(Page 87)

The illustration is for a short piece by Denise Herrera called The Purloined Library. It's a sweet story in which she recalls the best thing she's ever stolen: a fifth grade social studies book, and a dictionary.

For this illustration I worked with UTNE's Art Director, Stephanie Glaros, who was very fun to collaborate with and had clear and helpful ideas about which aspects of the story to focus on. She mainly asked that I illustrate the memory side of the story, and the urgency of the little girls act of stealing. Now, I hate showing my sketches to people... I find it a little embarrassing... but I'm trying to get over this phobia because it's just silly. Anyways, I'm going to post the preliminary sketches I sent in for this project so you can see how this illustration got started. Please don't judge them too harshly, they are such young and tender souls.

You can see these aren't straight up thumbnails... I really don't do well with stick figures. I think taking the sketches a step further, such as drawing a fairly realized face, helps me get excited about it. Once I pick a couple that I like, I scan them into Photoshop and add some color, a piece of a photograph or maybe a texture if I have it on hand. But the most important part of my process doesn't involve paper, pencils, photographs or even Photoshop. Oh no.

Well... maybe paper.

I hope someone finds this helpful or even remotely interesting. Special thanks to UTNE and Stephanie Glaros for the opportunity! I'm really sorry that this "thank you" comes moments after making a poop joke. : )

Final thought: What's the best thing you've ever stolen? If it's a good story maybe I will illustrate it. Extra credit if your story involves ninjas and explosives.

San Diego Comicon 2008

2008-08-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

Blueberry Pancakes & Waffles

The Joker (Heath Ledger) and the 4th incarnation of the Doctor (Tom Baker- Doctor Who) wow... geek much? Let me explain:

Last week Jesse and I took the 2hr 45min trip from Santa Clarita to San Diego to attend Geek Fest 2008, A.K.A. the San Diego Comic-Con. We got free professional passes as Illustrator and Animator that covered the whole weekend including preview night courtesy the Chiodo Brothers. We only went for two nights; hotel expenses suck. Jesse asked this passing Sleestak if he could pull some crossbow action on our hotel manager thereby frightening him into letting us stay another night... but he just hissed uncontrollably.

Thursday morning we got up early because we wanted to catch a panel for a sneak peak of a new drama on NBC called Kings. Truthfully, the show sounds cool and all... but really, the only reason we went to the panel was to see Ian McShane (Deadwood) and his wrinkles. But there was was major traffic on the 405 and he didn't make it. My gushing tears prevented me from seeing the preview of the show... so no reviews here. Despite that disappointment, I did enjoy a mediocre-super-slow-served breakfast at a tiny whole in the wall breakfast cafe, decorated with pictures of the Nina, Pinta and the Santa Maria. (I'm as confused as you.) This was the spot were we had our first Joker sighting:

Question: Who drinks Pepsi at 7am? Answer: Psychopaths.

So you can see a bit of the inspiration for the illustration. Anyways, after seeing this guy Jesse and I decided it was our mission, our duty even, to chronicle all the Jokers we would see at the comicon. We expected the number to reach into the thousands. We placed our bets. Maybe my digital camera would break under the pressures of documenting the shear numbers, such horror! You could say it was mildly crushing to only catch seven... maybe we should have kept our expectations in check. It would have been 8 if Jesse hadn't neglected to point out the Nurse Joker he spotted. He surely would have been the jewel of my collection. I'm not bitter! Here's a few of my favorite sightings:

Joker buying cute nick-nacks.

Joker and Shaun. Who's that lady in front? She clearly hates me.

Nice vest! Probably the best one. Wouldn't break character either... I had to get out of there fast before he punched my face.

Putting aside their differences while waiting in line to get an exclusive look at the movie The Day the Earth Stood Still. Or are they just fans of Keanu Reeves? I hope Jennifer Connelly tho.

As time went on we came to realize that our goal should have been to document the Doctor Who look-a-likes. This would have been more challenging and the final count more exciting. A highlight of the day (and I'm serious here) was sitting in on the Doctor Who and Torchwood panels, and there was no shortage of Doctors hanging around:

But if you are going to be a Doctor, you have to pick one with a bit or flash and pa-zaz. My choice would be Tom Baker's Doctor, the 4th Doctor. Here's one complete with ridiculously long scarf, bag full-o-jelly babies, sonic screwdriver, and never ending trench coat pockets. I have to say though, Jelly Babies aren't nearly as delicious as they appear on TV.

Something exciting and completely unexpected came from accompanying Shaun to a panel called "Dark Horse Horror." Shaun was actually at the convention on business, sitting in on panels and writing about them for CBR. Go here to read his articles and learn about all the great stuff you missed! The guest at this particular panel was Bernie Wrightson, and if you are not familiar with him you must check out his intricate and incredible pen and ink illustrations for Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. What's more, there will be a 25th anniversary edition of the novel with Bernie's illustrations coming out around Halloween!

Last thing we saw was a documentary called "Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown," which was a very interesting chronicle of H.P. Lovecraft's life and work that included interviews with Guillermo Del Toro and Neil Gaimen. After that bit of creep inducing dark-weirdness we wandered out of the convention center and into San Diego's Gaslamp quarter searching for coffee to keep us awake and alive for the long drive home. There was a sign proclaiming "Coffee Shop" the seemed promising, and we believed it. But whose idea was is to name a restaurant "Mary Jane's Coffee Shop" and simultaneously decide that owning a coffee pot would be a gross mistake? I bet it was God, he really hates my guts. It ended up being for the best tho, because just down the street was Ghiradelli's Ice Cream and Chocolate shop. This is where all the cool people hang out, and if you don't believe me just ask Scott McCloud:

Here he is, being assaulted by my camera, with my friend Sam Hale and Jesse peeping in from behind ruining the focus of the shot. (thanks dude.) He was buying ice cream for his wife and daughters, I got a white chocolate mocha, and all was right with the world. And there it is- how I got inspired to make a Joker / Doctor Who illustration: Geeks and Sweets.

What do you think the Joker, Doctor Who and Hellboy would have for breakfast?