Because...

It's a 'leap day' and the 'singing smiling' and screaming girls are a crack up!

The Crow

We've been watching a lot of clips of birds and random aviary footage (there's a ton of it out there) as we start on this new Manchester Orchestra video. There'll be lots to this once it gets rolling, as, we're pretty jazzed about the idea and concept. But for now, we're still trying to dial in on our crow character here, and give him some personality along the way.

Kurt In Bangkok

I had to mention and show this article of none other than Kutmasta Kurt. An amazing producer, a longtime collaborator and old friend of mine, showcased in a Thai newspaper.


Click on the image to see the whole thing (it's a pretty big image).

J

Phase 2

On the subjects of 'kings' I had to mention Phase 2 at some point. I first saw his work in the now legendary Steven Hager book about Hip Hop culture from 1984. It featured some of Phase's subway cars, but also a spread of all of his outlines, demonstrating how his style had evolved from 1973-1983. He was the pioneer of the 'bubble' letter style that most graffiti adopted back in the early 70's. He'd actually been painting for 10 years already when I'd discovered him. Also, he was one of the first to cross over into the fine art world with the infamous Razor Gallery shows.

Years later, he was pretty active in the culture, designing some flyers with Buddy Esquire for some classic shows. He had all sorts of things happening in the early 80's including Fab Five Freddy playing his namesake in the movie Wild Style. He also came out with a record on Celluloid, back in a time when lots of graffiti artists has musical aspirations, which can be heard here. You be the judge.

Phase, along with Vulcan, started a great graffiti magazine. Back in a time when none existed. It was called International Graffiti Times, and, it came in the form of a giant color newspaper. Kind of like an underground 'street sheet' for graffiti. When I could find it, I'd always grab a few copies, knowing I wouldn't see one for a while.

Jack 'King' Kirby

Probably one of the most influential comic artists of all time, Kirby was responsible for not only creating the ultra patriotic comics of the 40-50's (Capt. America, Bucky, etc.) but for most of the existing Marvel roster. It's debated whether or not he was given his due, as, Stan Lee would tour and parade about his role of Marvel spokesman and creator.

I'd say he's one of the most influential comics/graphics artists ever, even though as a kid I can remember not liking his stuff at all. I was always a much bigger fan of the softer 'clear line' style that guys like Byrne and Herge were doing, which was very European. Kirbys stuff was bold and loud.

I've copped his style for a few projects, probably most notably the 'All Caps' video. It was much harder to try and get inside his head than I thought it'd be. Ultimately, the animation ended up looking like a second rate Kirby attempt. I've really come to love his 70's era stuff, where, it seemed like he was being influenced by the psychedelic style of art that was trickling into the popular culture.

Manchester Orchestra

After a few written treatments, we've finally started production on the next video for these guys, for a song called 'Golden Ticket'. After a pretty literal version was written, they went for a more abstract take on the song which will involve stop-motion drawing composited with video elements.

It'll be interesting to see where this takes us, as, most projects like this tend to lead down roads of experimentation. Rough animations and clips we'll be posted as we go.

In Living The True Gods

A great new DVD Comp from the folks at Stones Throw. Our video 'Bullyshit" is featured plus a bunch of other classics from MadVillain, MED, Aloe Blacc.

Also, some behind great live footage of JayLib, and some 1992 footage of Peanut Butter Wolf and Charizma in the studio.

Check it out.

J

T.Biggums

Oh No feat. Dudley Perkins & Georgia Muldrow from "Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms". Not too sure who directed this , but, it's by far one of my top 10 I'd wished I'd have made . Dudley here doing his best Samuel Jackson.

And more inks...

Coming to almost the mid-point of the inks. Still trying some new methods, as well as figuring as I go along, that, digital fixing is a great thing. While I don't want to rely too much on it, it's nice to know that pencils that took over a day to draft up won't be destroyed by some blotches or ruler marks.

It's that time o' the year...

For the obligatory 80's synth mix:

Can Be Heard HERE!
Stream it HERE!

Playlist:

I Touch Roses -Book Of Love
Fade To Grey - Visage
Hold It- Tin Tin
Our Darkness- Anne Clark
PLanet Earth- Duran Duran
Leave In Silence- Depeche Mode
Pleasure Boys- Visage
Kiss Me- Tin Tin
Can-Can Can't You See- Vicious Pink
Vanity Kills- ABC
A Man Could Get Arrested- Pet Shop Boys
Don't You Want Me- Human League
Halloween Is Everyday- Ministry

Dilla Goodness...

Though its been 2 years since he passed away, there's some great mixes floating around out there of his work! Brought to you by J Rocc and the fine folks at Mixtape Mixtape...

Quiznos Ad

This was made for an online ad contest, this being used as an example. We made sandwich puppets, and dressed up some vegetables, and shot it in about an hour. And that's my hand as sandwich #2!

Evolution Of A Page

This is the rundown of a all the steps involved in a page (Click on the image to play). The first frame is a rough that was in a sketch book, so, not much changed as far as composition and layout. Then, the pencilled version of the artboard, and, finally the inks. Word bubbles and tonal shading will happen once the art is scanned in.