Now What?

My Son: Electric Mellow T-Shirts

2011-06-02T03:01:00.000-07:00

I got my first "pro-ish" job designing t-shirts while still in high school. My son, having just completed his first year of college, has decided to go a similar route during his Summer Vacation. He's put up a bunch of his own very fine original t-shirt designs like the one seen here up at Electric Mellow, his sharp new website (that he also designed himself), which I hope you'll check out [/proud dad].

Another Daily Billboard Post

2011-02-21T22:05:00.000-08:00

I'm way late on this one, but the Daily Billboard has kindly posted another one of the KFI billboards I illustrated and may still be appearing here and there in the city of my birth, Los Angeles.

For Fans of Spacemen and Patent Medicine

2010-12-27T18:39:00.000-08:00

Surreality Watch likes two of my Zazzle products and I appreciate that.

KFI Billboards

2010-12-27T18:27:00.000-08:00

Last Summer I did four illustrations based on (swiped from) vintage clip art for promotional billboards for KFI AM 640. My brother Neil art directed and wrote the billboard copy. The art was completely digital -- and I was drawing somewhat out of my comfort zone -- but I managed to get a fairly authentic retro brush look anyway. Daily Billboard recently posted a photo of one of the billboards "in action" on Sunset Blvd (thanks, Daily Billboard!).

Dr. Frankenstein Recycles

2010-10-28T15:01:00.000-07:00

I've just been informed that my microstock illustration, "Dr. Frankenstein Recycles," has been selected as an "Image of the Week" over at iStockPhoto. The idea for this image, that Dr. Frankenstein is the ultimate recycler, came about while trying to think of pro-recycling concepts to illustrate but wanting to draw monsters and fun stuff like that. I very quickly had one of those "ah ha!" moments that don't happen often enough.

UPDATE (11/1/10): Dr. Frankenstein Recycles was iStockPhoto's highest rated illustration last week. I'd rather it be the best-selling illustration but it's nice to be liked.

The Mousepad of Dorian Gray

2010-08-01T21:44:00.000-07:00

The Mouse Pad of Dorian Gray by scottsaav
View other Cartoon Mousepads

Are You An Angry Man?

2010-07-29T01:11:00.000-07:00

Angry Man T-Shirt by scottsaav
Create a custom tee shirt using Zazzle

My newest t-shirt design may help you get in touch with your inner enraged but polite maniac and let your next fashion statement be sputtering, impotent rage. Also available on a swell coffee mug at my Zazzle store. (It's starting to sound like a bit like an infomercial around here. Sorry about that.)

Martian Attack Flyer

2010-07-28T15:07:00.000-07:00

Martian Attack Flyer by scottsaav
Browse other Cartoon Flyers

I recently discovered that Zazzle offers Print-on-Demand flyers and letterheads. I have no idea who uses them or for what (schools, libraries, garage sales?) but any opportunity to draw goofy stuff is fine by me. I'm working on a version of this for a t-shirt design as well.

Dawn of Man Mug

2010-07-25T16:22:00.000-07:00

Dawn of Man by scottsaav
Browse Coffee Mugs

New version of an old design (SLG put out my original Dawn of Man mug years and years ago) available now at Zazzle. I haven't gotten a copy of this one yet but I've ordered Zazzle's mugs in the past and the quality is surprisingly good.

Web Comic Project: Wrap Up

2010-06-26T15:48:00.000-07:00

Our Story So Far: In 2008 our hero (that's me) dusted off one of his old comic book stories, re-worked it, began re-drawing it and put it online as a work-in-progress. Unhappy with the way the comic was proceeding our hero (me) re-writes, re-draws and re-starts the comic in Summer, 2009. Our hero (hi) adds the special twist of attempting to report on his progress as he searches for a way to make his efforts profitable. Added handicap: Kidney Failure.

Web Comic Project: I was foolish to take this project on while I was struggling with treatment for my illness. Kidney Failure is a serious, chronic condition and while -- I'm told -- I am healthier and luckier than most kidney patients the last 18 months have been a roller-coaster ride of good days and -- increasingly fewer and fewer -- not-so-good days. Organ failure aside, I simply have the wrong temperament for webcomics as they are currently configured. Daily strip style comics seem to do best in the online environment and I have no aptitude for that particular cartoon form (ask anyone who read my daily strips in college or my year-long attempt at an alt-weekly strip, examples of which I will not be showing anyone today or ever). I'm also not really a people person so the social aspect and constant need to beg for money doesn't really appeal to me. And while I certainly see how it's virtually impossible to set up a pay wall or similar system for webcomics the demand that cartoonists entertain an audience for free and bankroll that effort for a year or more as well strikes me as a deeply unfair burden. However, I don't see the end of my Web Comic Project as a Fail. No creativity is ever wasted but the project was poorly conceived and badly executed. I apologize for that.

The Fate of Java Town: Dead for now. I've been working on it for so long and it needs so much revising to make it as good as I want it to be that I've just exhausted my enthusiasm for the project. Having lost the creative engine behind the story I need to set it aside.

What Am I Working On Now: I'm drawing like crazy and looking for work. I've begun uploading art to the top microstock services (here's my new portfolio at iStockphoto) and may report on how that's going in the future. If it's a flop, well, then the less said the better.

Beachbum Berry Remixed

2010-04-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

I've had a pretty eclectic career. On the plus side, I have unusual and interesting challenges thrown my way. On the down side, I don't really get to be known as a "go-to-guy" for any particular skill set. I don't, for example, get to design as many books as I would like. But I enjoy the process when I get the chance, especially when I work on a book with as many fascinating components as Beachbum Berry Remixed (a revised collection of two of Jeff Berry's previous exotic drink recipe volumes, Grog Log and Intoxica!). Above are some spreads from the Remixed. I found it necessary to add some new elements to the photography and vintage material on some of the pages when I didn't have enough stuff to fill the page properly. It added a ton more work than I needed but it was fun and, I hope, helped add to the overall quality of the book. One of the elements I was happiest with will probably go unnoticed by most folks. On the top spread above you'll see a "drink ticket" that serves as the table of contents. It's based on an actual vintage waiter's drink ticket and my version comes complete with water stains. As I said, lots of fun to do and I'm always open for more book projects.

Here's a previous post about my efforts on the Remixed cover.

Other Jeff Berry books I've designed: Sippin' Safari and Taboo Table.

Web Comic Project: Day 275

2010-03-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

Joe's boss. It took me a couple of tries to find the right look for him:

From "Java Town: Invitation to Fear," a work-in-progress (and, I should add, my first all-digital comic effort).

And Another Thing: Wikipedia recently took down my brief bio. It was, as I recall, factually accurate and it's inclusion couldn't possibly have done anything to diminish Wikipedia in anyway but there you go. It's gone. I don't mind the bio not being there but having someone make an effort to point me out say, "he's not worthy," was a bit deflating.

Web Comic Project: Day 272

2010-03-19T16:17:00.000-07:00

I really don't want to make too big an issue over my health situation but I can't really emphasize enough how treatment for my kidney failure has improved not just my physical state but my mental state as well. The worst downside of my illness -- as a creative person -- was the utter fog I was in for so long. It felt like I was locked out of the best parts of my brain. As I've come out of that fog (an ongoing process), I see more and more clearly weaknesses in the Java Town story that I can't let pass (even though I'm really, really behind on getting the material done for publication). So I keep pounding away and, hopefully, improving the thing in the process. I've made so many changes, in fact, that I've removed the old pdf of the first part from my website until I can put up the new revised version (I'll leave up the flash version at the SLG page for now). Above: Joe's boss has a thing for tiki.

And Another Thing: Kickstarter recently popped up on my radar. Some web cartoonists seem to be finding it useful (like Jess Smart Smiley here). I love how Kickstarter provides a route to financing without seeming too much like begging (I guess it's more like collecting a bunch of micro-investors). I haven't delved too closely into it yet but I'll be keeping my ears open for success stories.

Web Comic Project: Day 270

2010-03-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

The thing I like about working digitally is the ability to condense or expand parts of my story as I work on it. I've recently gone back to the early part of the story and added several pages (and removed a couple pages too). I felt that I needed to better establish Java Town as a place and develop Joe's character a bit more. Hopefully, the new pages will do that. The pages shown here will eventually be added to a revised version of the already posted first part of "Java Town: Invasion of Fear."

Danger: Asteroids! Major Award

2010-03-15T13:22:00.000-07:00

The folks at ZumTees have kindly declared my Danger: Asteroids! design to be T-Shirt of the Day. You know, when I was around sixteen one of my first summer jobs -- and an early "professional" assignment -- was designing t-shirts for a local screen-printer. Dude tried to rip me off and not pay me ($200! In 1976 dollars = 800 comic books). My mom got good and riled, read the guy the riot act and I got my money in time to give it to give to my parents who were going through a really rough patch at the time. I love that story. Buy my t-shirts.

Web Comic Project: Day 262

2010-03-09T16:47:00.000-08:00

A space alien shows off his place of work. From the work-in-progress second part of "Java Town: Invasion of Fear." Part one can be found here.

Web Comic Project: Day 261

2010-03-08T18:14:00.000-08:00

Joe's car (probably some kind of Rambler). From the work-in-progress second part of "Java Town: Invasion of Fear." Part one can be found here.

Web Comic Project: Day 259

2010-03-06T14:34:00.000-08:00

A scene from the Perk-U-Later Diner. I'm starting to get a better feel for the style I'm working in now (finally) but worry that it's creating some internal inconsistencies between the more representational cartooning found in the earlier bits. And hands remain a huge headache for me to draw (this group appears to have flippers). From the work-in-progress second part of "Java Town: Invasion of Fear." Part one can be found here.

And Another Thing: Comforting words of a sort for cartoonists (and other oddballs) from Scott Adams. (via The Daily Dish)

Check it Out: This is a bit late, but Microsoft shows off its upcoming tablet. I'm excited by the possibilities this thing represents for me as a designer and cartoonist in a way I don't think I've felt since I saw my first laser printer. And, amazingly for this long-time Mac guy, it's a lot more alluring than the iPad.

Web Comic Project: Day 258

2010-03-05T14:15:00.000-08:00

The KKUP Channel 96 reception area and a couple of employees (Old Miss Kabe and Hank From Maintenance). From the work-in-progress second part of "Java Town: Invasion of Fear." Part one can be found here.

Web Comic Project: Day 254

2010-03-01T14:39:00.000-08:00

Dr. Brunhilde Von Voom, PhD, Nucl.E, DBA, DDS - from the as-yet-unseen part two of "Invasion of Fear" (soon to see print in JAVA TOWN and Other Unlikely Destinations). For the record: the doctor is holding a steaming plate of meat in one hand and freshly knitted booties in the other.

Web Comic Project: Day 252

2010-02-27T14:41:00.000-08:00

Cubby, the boy astronaut -- another minor character from The Screaming Limping Demon Leeches from the Grave at the Castle of the Sinister Cosmic Zombies from Mars, the "movie" within my work-in-progress digital comic, Invasion of Fear.

Web Comic Project: Day 251

2010-02-26T14:25:00.000-08:00

More artwork from the as-yet-unreleased 2nd part of my digital comic "Invasion of Fear" (first part is here).

Web Comic Project: Day 250

2010-02-25T17:35:00.000-08:00

Another minor character from The Screaming Limping Demon Leeches from the Grave at the Castle of the Sinister Cosmic Zombies from Mars, the "movie" within my digital comic, Invasion of Fear.

Web Comic Project: Day 248

2010-02-23T16:07:00.000-08:00

Back in November I reported on Monster Comics' efforts to generate money to pay for getting a web comic collection printed. Well, Daniel (the man half of Team Monster Comics) has posted a fairly detailed and interesting report of the money drive's conclusion (he shares order numbers and dollar amounts) -- basically, a must-read for any web cartoonist. In fact, readers of web comics might find it interesting as well. You can find it here. My biggest takeaway from this is that in addition to the (enjoyable) work of creating comics, squeezing money out of readers is a hugely time-consuming beast (and in this case, a respectable 78% successful). Daniel is one hard-working guy. It's good to know that there are folks out there willing to help support his work. Many thanks to Daniel for sharing the info.

Daniel also has a web site of interest to digital cartoonists, Webcomic Marketing. I haven't read all of it yet but haven't stumbled across anything with which I'd strongly disagree. Basically, it's got lots of common sense -- but often ignored/forgotten -- hints/tips/advice of use to independent creators.

Zombie-o-rama

2010-02-22T16:27:00.000-08:00

Logo I recently designed for a local thing sponsored by SLG. Yum, braaaains.