enblog

McCloud Workshop - The 16 Panel Life

2012-02-07T23:46:00.000-07:00

I spent last weekend in Los Angeles attending an amazing workshop by Scott McCloud, who's well known in comic circles for his wonderful dissections of the comic form in several books. When I heard about the workshop last October I had signed up for it immediately, and the only complaint I could possibly have about my experience was that it only lasted two days!

I came away with a sense that I have a long way to go to really understand comics as well as I should, and I'm very glad to have McCloud's books and his numerous recommendations on hand as I begin to take on a bigger project this year. I've never been so amped to work on comics, and it's a real thrill to think about what I have planned!

Above is one of my projects from the workshop, which was to fill 16 panels with my life story. There's a lot about the panels that may escape people who don't know me well, but I'm still very proud to show it off regardless. Hopefully I managed to convey the basic moments well enough to give you a good idea of what happened, because I don't plan on explaining the events in each panel (sorry!). Still though, feel free to let me know what you think!

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Aww Shucks

2012-02-03T12:41:00.001-07:00

Well, I ended up having to skip this week's comic entirely, and the Mix is away too so there's no chance of a filler to tide you by.

With any luck, the work I'm doing this weekend will make up for it...stay tuned next week to find out what it is!

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Employees Only - If The Shoe Fits

2012-01-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

One of the things that's changed since I was a kid buying running shoes at the mall is that shoes can be scientifically calibrated to the individual. This is actually pretty cool, but add the cost of special moisture wicking socks, ultra light weight shorts, endless amounts of energy gels, bars, drinks and training tools like GPS trackers; you'll start thinking that the old pair of $15 dollar Nikes you have getting dusty in the closet is looking pretty good.

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Employees Only - Personal Best

2012-01-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

So far training has been full of ups and downs. I think with anything difficult you have to grab onto the little victories along the way. In my case I have come to realize I can totally kick my 16 year old ass in distance running, which is something...I guess.

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Employees Only - Training Day

2012-01-14T00:47:00.001-07:00

There are such things in this world, that people actually sign up for, and pay for the privilege of participating in. One such event is within a month's time, and I find myself pushing my body and resolve to get ready for the damned thing. Not because I'm a guy with anything to prove, but because my friends asked me to join their team.

Then I found out that I couldn't join their team when I signed up because it was a company team.

So, now I'm doing it because there will be comics to make about it; in which case I suppose my pain is potentially your pleasure...

...as long as I don't break my fingers next month.

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Employees Only - The Mix Guest Comic

2012-01-13T14:16:00.002-07:00

When the Mix offered to do this week's comic, I knew I'd get top grade material, so naturally I jumped at the offer.

Incidentally I will also be doing a comic, but this offering will hopefully tide you over until I actually finish it.

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Employees Only - A New Me

2012-01-05T02:21:00.004-07:00

Priorities tend to be more exciting when they're not real. I honestly think that I've given more dedication to finishing video games than I have to most other things in my life. It's probably lucky that I never really enjoyed things like MMOs otherwise I may have never graduated from college.

Despite that, I'm good on the resolutions front this year. I don't want to jinx it or anything, but things are going alright, and I'm happy to keep on doing what I've been doing. And no, I'm not just playing video games (although a controller tends to find its way into my hands from time to time).

Here's hoping you find yourself in a similar situation as we start off 2012; and if you're diving into an ambitious resolution to make a better you, best of luck!

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Pig Post - Went to Market

2011-12-29T12:44:00.002-07:00

Happy Holidays everyone! I've been wrapping up the work I've been doing for a client these past few months, and while I'm pretty much done, I'm also spent! I figured you wouldn't mind if I took this week to have a holiday from the comic; but I'm also hoping my Pop won't mind if I share his Christmas present with you guys.

I made watercolor pig illustrations for everyone in my family, and each one was of the "Little Piggies". My Pop, ever the bargain hunter and savvy shopper, naturally received the Piggy that went to Market.

Have a great New Year, and we'll see you next week!

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Larry's Directions

2011-12-25T01:35:00.000-07:00

Many of my regular readers probably have seen this illustration already since it was the illustration I made for my 2011 Holiday Card, but it being Christmas and all I wanted to put it up for all the rest of you to (hopefully) enjoy.

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope wherever you are you are enjoying good company, good food, and good times!

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Employees Only - The Christmas Album

2011-12-22T02:21:00.002-07:00

I usually try to make my own gifts every year because...well, I'm always broke. But the nice thing about making your own gift for someone, especially the people who have everything they want anyway, is that they can't buy it anywhere else.

Regrettably, I often wonder if I'm doing my friends and family any favors by giving them my home made stuff. Usually they're the ones to give me feedback like, "Ian, this sucks" or "Wow...really?" before I send out my product to customers and clients. So, not having that review process means I'm sending out my gift cards untested, and I always worry it sucks... but hey, it's the thought that counts, right?

Anyways...Merry Christmas!

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Employees Only - Sugar Plum Dub

2011-12-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

With Christmas music there is a strange desire to mix the old with the new, and dubstep has taken its shot. Hearing some of these songs, I can't help but wonder if holiday plays and recitals are going to have dubstep performances in the school gymnasiums that used to have Nut Cracker and the like...and if those performances will be awesome...

Seriously, have you seen this video? I think the dance part of dubstep is the most exciting part of the music.

Probably not the best music to sleep or dream to though.

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2011 OPPC Company Holiday Card

2011-12-13T22:30:00.000-07:00

An Instagram of the final product.
Click this photo to see the illustration on my portfolio site!

Once again I'm lucky enough to say that my employer asked me to work on the company holiday card! It's quite a big honor, especially given OnePoint's continued success and growth across the country into new markets means that more people get to see my artwork!

This year's illustration really came out well, which I think is due in large part to the great feedback and direction I got from the company about what they were hoping to see. The simplicity of integrating an illustration into the company's logo really should have been something I thought about long ago, but it just goes to show that you never can run out of ideas...even for a holiday card in a very specific section of the pharmacy industry!

For any of you who work with me at OPPC, thank you for your support and kind words for this year's and all past years' cards!

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Employees Only - Upgraded

2011-12-08T00:56:00.000-07:00

To really pick up on what's going on, you should visit last year's set of comic strips, titled the Christmas Caper, wherein Santa was drugged so the Mix and I could save on travel expenses to Alaska. Naturally Santa would be a little resentful when he figured out what happened, and this is why I'm more than happy to leave him no reason to skip out on my presents this year.

For the discerning Employees Only reader, you'll be amused to discover that I wrote "Jo! Jo! Jo!" on Santa's coffee cup. This is why they pay me the big bucks people.

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Employees Only - Gift Wrapping

2011-12-01T00:21:00.001-07:00

Hot Cockles was apparently all the rage in Victorian times as a Christmas game. Put simply, you rest your blindfolded head on somebody's lap while everyone else hits you and you try to guess who they are. One site I visited said that the practice was even more "festive" during Medieval times, in which you'd be standing blindfolded in the street while people hit you - but I didn't come across any other sites to corroborate that. At any rate, the Victorian version was used to flirt...making "Hot Cockles" a precursor to Spin the Bottle I suppose. I'll let you think about that without any more help from me.

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-Next time you complain about a game of charades, remember what the alternatives used to be!

Employees Only - Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-24T14:51:00.001-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you find yourself suitably stuffed and tired today where ever you enjoy the holiday!

As of this posting I think I have around 21 regular readers for Employees Only and my blog in general - and I know that it's 21 because number 21 actually told me I could raise the tally last week! It's a great feeling to know you guys are out there enjoying this nonsense, and so I'd like to say "Thank You" to all my readers today. I'd do it everyday if it didn't get too weird to do so, but at least today I can do it without concern...

Thank You!

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Employees Only - It Has a LASER

2011-11-17T12:58:00.000-07:00

I dare you to NOT use it all the time if you have one.

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Employees Only - Mistaken Identity

2011-11-10T12:24:00.001-07:00

As of this posting my little nephew still hasn't decided to make his appearance, but he's certainly keeping my sister and the rest of the family on our toes.

My Sister has visited at least two different hospitals in the past week so far, which makes me think she's shopping for a hospital. Since there's easily around 20 or so hospitals in the Phoenix metro area, there's a strong possibility this comic could be historically accurate by the time I get to make faces at my nephew for the first time. Until then, all the other newborns should enjoy the show!

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Book Review: Special Topics in Calamity Physics

2011-11-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

Hey there! It's time for a book review for something I finished last month. If you read a lot, you've probably already finished with this, but anyone not aware of it really should check it out!

Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

To say this book is smart is an understatement. It's closer to encyclopedic - and I mean that in a very fond way. What Marisha Pessl has written is a book that is so jam packed with literature, historical and science references that I consider it worth a merit badge to know that I "got" most of them. This is also its drawback however, because I don't think the full impact of how this book is written would be appreciated by those who aren't well read or studied. Should you read it regardless? Yes, but be prepared to wonder if you're catching everything.

The written book has illustrations from the main character, Blue van Meer, included in its pages, which is unfortunate to any audiobook listener but not a deal breaker. I found the audiobook to be excellent in its own right, and Emily Janice Card's performance was so in sync with the book that I doubt anyone could bring a better voice to Blue.

The story on it's own is fun, clever, and interesting; yet that is more an achievement than this sentence gives it credit for. I find myself baffled by how "real" Blue van Meer is as a legitimate teenager. Often when I read children that authors write as intelligent, I can't shake the feeling that I'm just reading about adult behavior and reactions that have a teenager mask - this isn't that way at all. Blue van Meer is so convincing as a teenager that I'm stunned by her intelligence and naivety fitting so neatly together.

Overall, this book was a delight to read. It was very enjoyable, and I give it my highest recommendation.

View all my reviews

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Employees Only - A Public Service Announcement

2011-11-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

That about sums it up.

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Employees Only - Originality

2011-10-27T12:48:00.003-07:00

Zombies are very much in vogue right now - but you can't just throw zombie on to anything and think you'll be the belle of the ball. So as perfect as a Zombie Gaddafi sounds, consider that you may not be the only person who listens to NPR who also knows how to rhyme and has a penchant for the undead.

You may want to stick to the old bed sheet with holes for eyes, put on an iPod and say you're Steve Jobs.

Happy Halloween everyone!

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Employees Only - Ianism: Burnt Goat

2011-10-20T00:30:00.000-07:00

In listening to audio recordings that I've made, I noticed that I have an unfortunate tendency to say things that are clearly wrong, but I have no idea I'm doing it. It's like I'm Biff Tannen; saying stuff that everyone around me is just not bothering to correct me on. I have no idea why people aren't either; it's not as if I'm intimidating to be around. Hell, my family delights in pointing out how I screw up things, but no one has ever pointed this out - and I can't fathom why. I wrote down four from a single recording; so there could be hundreds of sayings I've mucked up all this time!

I think that maybe it just sounds authentic, and so no one's called me out on it yet. But I'm not one to wait for someone to make fun of me...especially when I can make fun of myself.

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No goats were harmed in the making of this comic.

Employees Only - Repaying the Favor

2011-10-13T01:05:00.000-07:00

I hope you get well soon Mix!

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The Writer

2011-10-11T12:37:00.002-07:00

I thought a quick post was in order given that I haven't been able to keep up with Tuesday posts this past month. It hasn't been that I've decided to give up or anything like that - I'm actually very busy right now!

I'm happy to say that I've taken on a freelance writing job, but given the need for confidentiality I can't talk too much about it. I will say that so far it has been a great opportunity, and I'm glad to work as hard as I've been working because it has a great potential to be very rewarding for my career down the line. Whether or not I'll be able to show off some of the project at a later date remains to be seen, but if I can I definitely will.

Until then I'm actually still very committed to Employees Only, and yes even the occasional Pig Post. On top of everything I also have a personal project under development and I'm still taking commissions for portraits and other illustrations...so you can probably add up the math and figure out I'm lucky to even have time on this blog post!

This is an exciting (and admittedly nerve racking) time for me and all those stupid aspirations I've always had to be successful as a creative artist. These things are all possible because of past clients happy to hire me, and readers of this blog eager to keep coming back for more... I'm not going to forget that going forward. No amount of success (or even the possibility of such) is going to make me forget what I've done to get this far, and that I owe much of that to you, my readers and supporters.

But rather than say thank you, I'll hopefully show it by continuing to cram the internet with my artwork and comics. Hopefully that will be enough!

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Employees Only - It Stings A Little

2011-10-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

I love mountain biking in the desert, and I hope I survive it long enough to do it well into the future. Funny thing about mountain biking in the desert though, you fall. And if you happen to be me, you fall a lot more than your pride will admit to.

Now the funny thing about falling off a bike in the desert is that usually you put your hands out to stop yourself from breaking your clavicle...but there are so many pointy, poisonous things on the ground that it could be better just to tuck and roll, and then pray to whomever that you'll avoid having to pull out a pincushion from your face. You should pretty much expect to bleed on any and every trip, but the excitement comes from finding out how you'll end up bleeding!

So yeah - everyone should try it!

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Employees Only - A Whole New World

2011-09-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Doesn't life seem so much more full of possibilities when you don't have work getting in the way? What's ironic about it, for me at least, is that when I don't have to work I usually sleep in and then spend my day watching Discovery network channels and playing Xbox. That, or I balance the checkbook, do my laundry and exercise....so yeah, completely waste my time.

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