Acrylic Paint, Microns, Brush Pen, and a little Ball-Point Pen
A few updates about my current projects that I've been getting some questions about:
Firstly, I've been invited to participate in the Fantagraphics comics anthology, Mome. This is a big honor, and I'm super-excited and proud. BUT, it won't be any time soon. I have a couple of stories written, but I won't have time to draw them until late this year/early next year. Thanks to everyone who has shown interest and encouragement though. I really appreciate it, and I'll definitely let everyone know which issues I'll be in when the time comes.
My book with Secret Acres has been delayed (by me) and won't be out until the Fall of 2010 (most likely SPX 2010). The book is a collection of mini-comic and anthology comics from the last few years. I'm redrawing a lot of it and there will be a couple brand new stories. It's really coming together and I think it'll be worth the wait.
I'm currently (still) working on a biography of Helen Keller for the CCS Presents series of biographies, published by Hyperion Books. It should come out sometime next year also.
Again, thanks for the interest you guys have shown. I appreciate it and I'll keep you posted as things progress.
I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to see John Porcellino when he visited CCS this week. I missed his panel at SPX so it was nice to get a second chance. (John giving his lecture to 30-40 CCS students and alum in the Colodny building)
John was very candid straight forward in his lecture, talking about comics' accessibility; about his long career as an alternative cartoonist and self-publisher; about trying to treat every moment in his life equally and write about not just the ups and downs but everything in between too; about his physical and mental health (he's struggled with digestive issues, hearing issues, OCD, and depression, among other things); and how all of this is reflected in his comics.
James Sturm said to me after Porcellino's lecture that it seemed like John was truly at the peak of his comics making at this point, and I definitely have to agree. John's been making his comics for over twenty years and after listening to him reflect on it all it feels like his interest and passion for his art is still fresh. I think this is maybe because his comics and his life are so intertwined. And maybe that means that as long as he's interested in the things that go on in his life and around him then he'll be interested in expressing them in his comics.
If you get the chance to see John on one of his stops during his book tour, please do. And if not, check out one of his books. I wish I was better at describing his work, but hopefully you'll run into it someday (or seek it out) and see for yourself.
I got back from my annual Small Press Expo excursion a few days ago:
The trip started when I found my way to Alexis Frederick-Frost's gorgeous home in Dover, New Hampshire where we began our ten+ hour drive to Bethesday, Maryland.
Putting books together the night before the show starts in the hotel room is always some good hang-out time. Here are the One Percent Press buddies putting together our newest anthology, Anchorless. We sold (and traded-thanks to all of our tradees) all of the books, but I'm going to reprint it soon.
JP Coovert really wants to drink that Sierra Mist on the counter behind him, but he doesn't want to uncross his arms. He REALLY likes crossing his arms.
(R to L Caitlin Plovnick, Nick Patten, Bryan Stone, Denis St.John, Alexis) I have dozens of group photos where Denis is the only one looking right at me. Either he's really good at noticing when I bring the camera out, or everyone else is pretty good at ignoring it.
As always, I double-tabled with One Percent Press, and my Sundays clan (above, Melissa Mendes, Sean Ford, and Chuck Forsman). They'll look happier later, after coffee happens.
I like to pretend that this is a picture of Jon Chad singing a friendly song to Jeremy Sorese who smiles back politely. And I like to pretend that there are little patriotic balloons bursting out of Jeremy's forehead because the song is so good. And I think this scene would fit into either one of these guys comics easily (And it would be drawn with a skillfull energy that might make the reader have a balloon-headburst of their own).
David Yoder sits, concentrating hard on the ground. Joey Weiser stands, concentrating hard on the wall
I love Sam Gaskin's sweater so much. I hope that in this picture Eamon (Espey) is offering to buy Sam's sweater so that he can give it to me as a gift.
Colleen Frakes deservedly won an Ignatz Award this weekend for Promissing New Talent. Congratulations Colleen! Here's a short video of Carol Tyler presenting Colleen with the award, and Colleen's super-brief acceptance speech
My buddies Jeff Lok and Bryan ran the I Know Joe Kimpel table this year. Among their usual awesome stuff also had Jose-Luis Olivares's stellar minis and their brand-new Funny Aminal anthology on display. I contributed an 8-page story to the anthology, and there are lots of other talented people in it.
Sweet tatoo.
Sweet baby. The youngest member of One Percent Press, the Hindle baby, Gus.
Alexis killed it with his mini-comics with hand-painted covers. They're gorgeous and I hope you got one. I think he's faking talking on the phone in this picture so that I'll leave him alone so he can get back to work.
Church tells Miss Meliss some scary secrets...
I hope everyone had a good time and was able to pick up all the books they were looking forward to and talked to all the cool people they wanted to. Once again, thanks to everyone who bought my books and traded cool things with me. See you at the next show.
