Big Illustration Party Time podcast is alive!!!!

Please join Kevin Cross and Joshua Kemble on the revival of there illustration podcast. A lot has changed since their hiatus a year ago. They discuss topic important to the freelance artist.

Their Site is Big Illustration Party Time,    Or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

contact them:  www.illustrationparty@gmail.com 

Questions 30: Adrian J. Wallace

Adrian J. Wallace was born in Nottingham England, and moved to North America as a child.   Adrian J. Wallace writes and draws the web comic jumbodeluxe.  He also does freelance graphics, web design and is currently taking classes at Portland Community College.  He recently was invited to the Comics at the Opera for Turandot.   

You can start at the storyline for jumbodeluxe that from the first strip. 

Doug Dorr:   What projects are you working on currently?

I draw, write and manage the webcomic known as Jumbo deLuxe.

http://jumbodeluxe.com

DD:   What is your artistic Process?

I think up stories and sketch layouts and bits of dialog, later it gets refined into actual drawings which I make on large bristol board and inked with an old-timey crowquill pen. I use a computer to do the color, lettering and graphics.   (I made a more detailed look at my process here and here

DD:   When you are story illustrator, what is your interaction with the writer?

I usually draw my own stuff, and that involves writing, layouts and drawing at the same time.

When I work with a writer, I usually meet them face to face and we brainstorm story ideas and sketch stuff together.

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend?

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec by Jacques Tardi.

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend to someone new to comics?

It depends on their age and interests. I usually force people to read stuff I like or stuff that's influenced me. Charles Schulz's Peanuts, Tintin, Little Nemo in Slumberland, Spirou, Asterix, Eightball and anything by Jim Woodring.

DD:   What skill would you like to learn?

I'd like to be better at managing my time, and finishing all the things that I

DD:   What's the most important thing you've learned?

The English Language.

DD:   Do you have a collection?   If so, what is one of the items you're most proud of?

Yes. The complete print run of Tantalizing Stories. Either that or the first english language editions of Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaa manga.

DD:   What is your favorite genre of Comics?

European or Franco-Belgian adventure stories (Tintin, Asterix, Spirou, etc.)

DD:   Do you have an Ipad?   If so what do use it for the most.

Nope, I haven't even figured out this iPod I bought in 2005. They say it's supposed to play music, but I think the speaker is broken.

DD:   What is your favorite TV show/ movie?

My favorite TV show ever is Doctor Who. My favorite movie is Terry Gilliam's Brazil.

 

DD:   How does the Portland comics culture shapes your work

I'm friends with various cartoonists around town. They're great with advice, support and critiquing my work, they also threaten me with bodily harm if I don't produce more and better comics.

What was your first comic convention?

Stumptown 2004

DD:   What is your favorite part of comic conventions?

Getting good advice from seasoned professionals and meeting new friends

DD:   If you weren’t doing comics what would you do?

Animation, Storyboards, Graphics

DD:   Do you have a favorite restaurant that you would recommend?

Pho Van

DD:   How long have you lived in Portland, what made you choose Portland?

I've lived in Oregon since my first year of high school. My college pals and girlfriend / wife forced me to move to Portland.

DD:   What is your favorite part of Portland?

East 82nd Avenue! No seriously, Cathedral Park in St. Johns.

DD:   Where in Portland/ Oregon would you most like to visit?

I haven't been to the Chinese Garden for a long time.

DD:   Would you like to write/Illustrate for another media? or conversely, how would you feel about writing a comic of a character from a different media, for example, Dr. Who, James Bond?  What would you explore?

Yeah, that would be a fun challenge! I've always liked the idea of playing in someone else's sandbox for a while (though I've never actually done it).  I could only do it right I were a fan of those stories having already done the research and feeling emotionally invested in the characters. I would say Yes to 'Doctor Who' because I know it so well. I would probably avoid Batman or Star Trek since I'm not a particular big fan of either. I'd be terrified of Star Trek fans coming after me if I somehow wrote a story and they ended up hating it. Right now I'm having more fun making my own stories and playing in my own sandbox.

ECCC with Creator's Edge Press

Creator's Edge Press will be right next to the woman's bathroom (Their favorite spot).  Come by and check out Stephen Lindsay (Jesus Hates Zombies, Massive Awesome, Devil's Trail, Warriors of Dharuk) as well as many other contributors to Creator's Edge Press.

When you purchase 4 or more Creator's Edge books you will receive a Limited Edition ZomBcon t-shirt

Comic Evolution will be proudly hosting the Heroclix tournament as well!


And Afterwards:
Date: March 4, 9:30 PM - 2 AM
at the The Noc Noc  1516 2nd Ave Ste 104, Seattle, WA, 98101-3518 · Get Directions
 
from the Press release:

Join a bunch of superstar comic book artists as they paint incredible, original artwork for your amusement as you drink and dance to the fantastic guest DJs. Observe the creation of art in a fun and laid-back atmosphere.

All art created will be donated to ECCC's charity M and D art auction and all proceeds go the Seattle Children's Hospital. Come help support art for a good cause, and watch artists do what they do best in a fantastic environment.

Artists include:

Jim Mahfood
Ben Templesmith
Camilla D'Errico
Scott Campbell
David Mack
Ray Fawkes
Chris Haley

and more! Admission is FREE if you say you are there for the live art. The Noc Noc is a mere couple of blocks from the convention center! Visit the Facebook Page for more info! Sponsored by ifanboy.com, graphic.ly, and Comic Evolution! This event is 21+.

Ron Chan is on fire!!!

Ron Chan is in the news right now.  Check out his great interview with MTV.    He will also be signing at the TFAW booth at Emerald City Con(ECCC).   There is supposed to be a surprise at his time Sat 1-3 related to the Guild.  and don't forget to check out Roy's Boys.

2/26 Women Artists show

Portland emporium Guapo Comics & Coffee kicks off National Women's History Month with an all-women show, featuring our own Andrice Arp alongside a bunch of other great ladies, including Katy Ellis O'brien.


Opening reception is Saturday, February 26th at 7:00 pm. 


Guapo Comics and Coffee
6350 SE Foster Road
Portland, Oregon 97206
503-772-3638

Predator the musical

03/03 - Dunja Jankovic at Floating World

Dunja Jankovic at Floating World
Thursday March 3rd 6-10pm.
To celebrate the release of Habitat. More details to come.

Questions 29: Dennis Culver

Dennis Culver is a professional illustrator and cartoonist located in Portland, OR.   He is currently finishing up the artwork for the graphic novel Odd Schnozz and the Odd Squad to be published by Oni Press in 2011 written by Jeffrey Burandt.  He has also written and drawn "Timejam" for Jam! Tales from the World of Roller Derby published by Oni Press.

I have been following his daily sketch blog of the Batman Inc family.   Chris Sims of Comics Alliance recently wrote up his recent Batman Inc sketches.  He has done several series, one of the batman villains and the Wire characters.

You can follow him on twitter  or check out his daily sketch blog.

Doug Dorr:   What projects are you working on currently?
I'm wrapping up the art on a graphic novel from Oni press called Odd Schnozz and the Odd Squad and I am in the early stages of co-writing and illustrating another unannounced ogn also from Oni.

DD:   What is your artistic Process?
As far as illustrating I do everything, soup to nuts, digitally at this point on a Wacom tablet using Manga Studio which is an excellent program for rendering comic books. The only time I break out ink and paper is for commissions.

As far as writing, uh... that's all digital too.

DD:   When you are story illustrator, what is your interaction with the writer?
The few writers that I've worked with have all been very good about putting everything I need in the script and if I encounter any obstacles I can usually hammer it out with them over IM or the phone. All of the story development is usually hammered out by the time I come one board so it just a matter of execution at that point.

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend?
Vagabond by Takehiko Inoue which is an epic sprawling manga about Japanese folk hero and samurai Miyamoto Musashi but it also a comic about craftsmanship and anyone that pursues any sort of skilled endeavor would probably get a lot out of it. I'm convinced the book is as much about Takehiko's journey as an artist as it is anything else.

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend to someone new to comics?
Oh man, this really depends on the person. If they're into crime stuff like the Wire I'd probably recommend Criminal by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips or the Parker adaptations by Darwyn Cooke. Westerns or horror? Definitely the Sixth Gun by Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt. This is a really good time for genre diversity in comics right now especially considering all the reprint material being released. If I know what you like I am certain there is something accessible and good out there to read.

DD:   What skill would you like to learn?
There are a lot of skills that I would love to download into my brain like making websites do what I want but as far as something I would like to actually devote my time to learning? Probably just acquiring and improving my skillset as a storyteller.

DD:   What's the most important thing you've learned?
Done is beautiful (some days I am still learning this)

DD:   Do you have a collection?   If so, what is one of the items you're most proud of?
I don't have a collection so much as things collect around the house like books and comics. I try to only keep things I consider essential and I gave up bagging and boarding years ago. My favorite books are probably my out of print Alex Toth art books, which I assume most of it will be reprinted soon by the massive IDW collection coming out later this year. I'm curious if they'll have the By Design stuff since there was a lot of copyright kerfluffle about that but if they don't I totally own it!

DD:   What is your favorite genre of Comics?
I love the crime genre and the more crime comics on the shelves the better.

DD:   Do you have an Ipad?   If so what do use it for the most.
I do not own one. A friend of mine does and I think about mugging him for it every time I see him.

DD:   What is your favorite TV show/ movie?
TV is the Wire and my favorite movie is The Limey

DD:   How does the Portland comics culture shapes your work?
I feel like I've learned a lot about all aspects of craft and the industry just mingling and hanging out with comics people in Portland. I don't think I'd be where I'm at without it.

DD:   What was your first comic convention?
The first show I ever attended I want to say it was called Suncon in Tampa, Florida which is my hometown. It was a small show but Mark Texeria was there and he was acting out all the cool ways the Punisher would murder and maim people in hand to hand combat. It was awesome.
The first show I ever exhibited at was the Alternative Press Expo (APE) in San Francisco. I had a minicomic called Funwrecker. I made 100 and I sold them all so it was a good show.

DD:   What is your favorite part of comic conventions?
Seeing people you only ever talk to on the internet is nice. Putting names to faces. I love talking shop with other creators too.

DD:   If you weren’t doing comics what would you do?
I have no other marketable job skills.

DD:   Do you have a favorite restaurant that you would recommend?
Super Torta here in the Woodstock neighborhood makes the finest burrito north of California.

DD:   How long have you lived in Portland, what made you choose Portland?
I moved to Portland in 2006 with my girlfriend now wife, Wendy. The comics scene was a definite draw for us to move here and we were ready to get out of California for a while.

DD:   What is your favorite part of Portland?
The part where it's not cold.

DD:   Where in Portland/ Oregon would you most like to visit?
I heard there's a hat museum. I'd like to go there and imagine possible crimes for batman to foil.

DD:   Would you like to write/Illustrate for another media? or conversely, how would you feel about writing a comic of a character from a different media, for example, Dr. Who, James Bond?  What would you explore?
I love comics so I'm not really interested in other mediums right now. As far as adapting something I think Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi would make an excellent comic book. it's the perfect setup for telling all kinds of stories with over the top action.

Star Trek vs Dr. Who by *Summerset on deviantART

Some jobs are harder than others...

 

Don Quixote by Moebius

Mary Poppins

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

Guillermo del Toro will be producing his stop motion version of Pinocchio later this year.     Matthew Robbins will be writing the screenplay.  The illustrator Gris Grimly and Fantastic Mr Fox animation director Mark Gustafson will co-direct the new version of Pinocchio.
MacKinnon and Saunders, the UK Company behind the stop-motion characters seen in The Fantastic Mr. Fox and Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, will be bringing the various different characters of Pinocchio's world to life.

Guillermo del Toro had the following to say about the upcoming project:

"There has to be darkness in any fairy tale or children's narrative work, something the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen and Walt Disney understood. We tend to call something Disney-fied, but a lot of people forget how powerfully disturbing the best animated Disney movies are, including those kids being turned into donkeys in Pinocchio. What we're trying to do is present a Pinocchio that is more faithful to the take that Carlo Collodi wrote. That is more surreal and slightly darker than what we've seen before."

read the article on TotalScfionline

Upular for Mesmerizing kids

Thanks @terryblas

Oregonian Abroad

Joe Keatinge went to the Angoulême Comic Festival.    It is almost twice the size of San Diego.  There are comics from France, Japan, North America, South America, Korea, Africa, India, China and pretty much wherever people make comics.    He was also able to meet the amazing Jean “Moebius” Giraud. 

He also crossed the river to Musée De La BD, featuring a huge permanent collection of comic book with a wide range of cartoonists and artists from Rodolphe Töpffer, Frank Miller, Herge, C.C. Beck to Rob Liefeld.  

Read about his experience and the conference on the Neon Blog site.  He discusses the show, the publishers, and artists.   He gives you real insight into the international comics’ scene.

 

Personally, I loved this presentation from the Wacom Booth which had Moebius and other top international artists demo the Cintiq.    

Dead Island Trailer

for those of you who like to vacation and kill zombies.

Bring it ! Batman

Questions 28: Dane Ault

Dane Ault is an illustrator and graphic designer who has done work for Marvel Comics, Upper Deck Entertainment, MTV, Arizona State University, and Rude Dude Publications.  He is also the owner of Monkey Minion Press.  Monkey Minion Press is the brainchild of husband and wife team, Dane Ault (Artist) and Ashlie Hammond (Writer). Their goal is to make great items and books that geeks will love.  They offer a well-rounded approach to any problem presented to them, be it illustration, design, layout or copy writing. They can do it all.
  

MMP is also a retail-oriented venture they sell products such as t-shirts, art prints, original art, buttons, and their signature item – Zombie Greeting Cards. Recently they had their Valentines Day Cards.

Checkout Dane's portfolio and Monkey Minion Press. 

Doug Dorr:   What projects are you working on currently? 

Right now, I'm elbow-deep in our new kid's book, "Too Many Monsters in my House" and various illustrations and prints.

DD:   What is your artistic Process? 

Chaotic. LOL! It depends on the piece I'm working on and style necessary for it. For digital work, some pieces require a really well-plotted and intense prliminary sketch and some don't before I scan them into the computer. Once in the computer, however the process is similar no matter the piece. I do all of my base drawing in Adobe Illustrator and depending on the finish style I want on the piece, I'll the put it into Photoshop to add effects and brushwork.

DD:   When are story illustrator, how involved are you in the writing? 

Depends on the story. I prefer to be kind of hands-off as far as writing goes, as that's not where my strength lies, but reserve the right o make some changes as needed to help the story flow visually.

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend? 

Right now, I'm REALLY digging Batgirl by Brian Q. Miller and Dustin Nguyen. Great book, great, fun writing and gorgeous art.

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend to someone new to comics? 

Thor: The Mighty Avenger, because it's just a great book, with no obligations to ongoing storylines or continuity.

DD:   What skill would you like to learn? 

I'd like to better at sequential art. Also: Scuba Diving.

DD:   What's the most important thing you've learned? 

Keep Trying. You can't succeed if you don't try, and sometimes it's gonna take you more than one try.

DD:   Do you have a collection?   If so, what is one of the items you're most proud of?

I have a couple, actually. I collect comics (natch), altho I've scaled my monthly habits down quite a bit. I also have a small  collection of original art and sketch cards, that's growing slowly. One of my favorite Collected things has to be my 11x17 Steve Rude Batgirl Painting that I have on my wall. Love it.

DD:   What is your favorite genre of Comics? 

Gotta say Superheroes. Altho, I dig this new genre of Mouse fantasy that's sprung up recently (Mouse Guard and Mice Templar)

DD:   Do you have an Ipad?   If so what do use it for the most. 

I do, indeed. I got it so that I could take credit cards at conventions and shows, but I think I used it mainly to play games on. LOL!

DD:   What is your favorite TV show/ movie? 

MY favorite TV show depends on whatever I'm watching at the moment. I don't watch regular TV, just Netflix, and right now, I'm really digging Monk. (I'm a little behind) As for Movies, I have to say that even, what, 12 years or so after I first saw it, I still love The Crow with Brandon Lee, but Jurassic Park is right up there, too.

DD:   How does the Portland comics culture shapes your work? 

I'm not sure, yet. I'm just starting to get into the PDX culture, since moving here in 2008. I will say, tho that the sheer level of productivity and awesomeness the local scene has going for it is astounding. The guys and gals out there doing it really make me want to do great work.

DD:   What was your first comic convention? 

Phoenix Comicon 2005. Back then, it was a 6-hour long flea market-type show with one guest. The year after that, I was part of the staff for the first 2-day Phoenix Comicon. But that was the show that really got me interested in trying to do comics and art in the way I do now.


DD:   What is your favorite part of comic conventions? 

As a fan, just going. I love going to cons and seeing all the other people like me. I grew up in isolated parts of the midwest where there weren't that many comic shops or fans (Before Internet). So, it's still pretty cool to me that we have these big gatherings where you're allowed, nay EXPECTED, to let your geek flag fly! As an artist I love going to shows to meet people and fans and hopefully make new fans. I love watching people wander by my table, look at the work displayed and see their faces light up. It's just a great feeling.

DD:   If you weren’t doing comics what would you do?
Play video games. and cry.

DD:   Do you have a favorite restaurant that you would recommend? 

I'd have to go with either The Original Hotcake House on Powell or my favorite Mexican place "La Ochoca" which is a taco cart on SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy. $1 Tacos and they are AWESOME!

DD:   How long have you lived in Portland, what made you choose Portland? 

Going on 3 years now. I love it here. We moved here from Phoenix, AZ. We had friends in Seattle, but Seattle seemed a little too much like Phoenix north as far as size goes, just too big. Portland seemed just about right - mild climate, greenery everywhere, people who actually like living here, and the second largest concentration of comics creators in the US.

DD:   What is your favorite part of Portland? 

All of it. I really like the way that PDX is kind of divided into neighborhoods which are kind of little self-contained mini-towns. And each little mini-town is different. Hillsdale is different from Hollywood is different from Multnomah Village.

DD:   Where in Portland/ Oregon would you most like to visit? 

I've never been to the Zoo, actually. I think I'd like to go there.

DD:   Would you like to write/Illustrate for another media? or conversely, how would you feel about writing a comic of a character from a different media, for example, Dr. Who, James Bond?  What would you explore?
I love working with other properties. I have done some work with media properties and one of my favorite things is taking other properties and spinning them on a new axis. 

Battlepug by Mike Norton

Artist Mike Norton created this image for the Battlepug iFanboy t-shirt.   You can read the ongoing adventures here.  He is joined by Allen Passalaqua and Chris Crank for an ongoing battlepug web-comic. 

 Hopefully he will run into Sarah Olesky's Cere-pug.

Stumptown Poster By Brandon Graham

Claire Wendling - Daisies

 

I saw this sketch book at Floating world comics ant Sarah Oleskys's IVY book signing.   Check out french artist Claire Wendling.    Check out her art.

02/25 I Heart Art Portland - Birthday Party

I Heart Art Portland is kicking off their Second Year

Friday, February 25, 7 pm
Swigert Commons at PNCA
1241 NW Johnson Street

Join the team to celebrate a new year of advocacy, education and outreach to Portland’s vibrant community of makers   They will be announcing the 2011 lineup at the kick-off party.   There will be food, drink, creative activities, prizes and much, much more.

You can RSVP for the event on Facebook, and tell your friends

Bleeding Cool - Persicope Recap

Periscope has their new sketch blog up and Rich Johnston on Bleeding cool has a recap.     Below are the article Links to each theme and a preview.   Everyone should check out the Periscope sketch blog.  and welcome newest member Natalie Nourigat.

Their membership is Aaron McConnell, Ben Bates, Ben Dewey, Cat Farris, Colleen Coover, David Hahn, Dustin Weaver, Dylan Meconis, Erika Moen, Jeff Parker, Jeremy Barlow, Jesse Hamm, Jonathan Case, Karl Kesel, Kieron Dwyer, Natalie Nourigat, Paul Guinan, Paul Tobin, Rich Ellis, Ron Chan, Ron Randall, Steve Lieber, Susan Tardif, Terri Nelson, Terry Dodson and Trixie Biltmore.

Spidergirl:

Dustin Weaver

Thunderbolts:

Ron Chan

Miyazaki And Studio Ghibli

Jesse Hamm

Mad Men:

Natalie Nourigat 

Questions 27: Jenn Manley Lee

Jenn Manley Lee has over 15+ years in the graphics and design field and currently works for Ziba Design as a Senior Production Designer.  She was a founding member of Stumptown Comics Foundation.  She describes some of her influences as "Trina Schart Hyman, Tom Waits, Ivan Bilibin, Marina Warner, Pamela Coleman Smith, Fritz Eichenberg, Octavia Butler, Boris Artzybasheff, K.M. Briggs, and the artisans of the Edwardian era.”

Her webcomic, Dicebox, is a science-fiction graphic novel of epic scale. It is set in the distant future, the story of an eventful year in the lives of two middle-aged women; itinerant workers who are traveling across the galaxy.  The Oregonian calls Dicebox the "gravitational center" of Oregon's vibrant Web-comic scene.  Comics scholar, Scott McCloud, listed Dicebox as one of his “Personal Top Twenty” webcomics.

The first book of Dicebox is being solicited on the Jenn Manley Lee website and it looks amazing.

Doug Dorr:   What projects are you working on currently?

There is, of course, my own comic Dicebox, (http://www.dicebox.net) I have just recently completed the Book 1 : Wander and am in the midst of stumping for pre-orders so that I can do the print collection for this first of four books. (http://jennmanleylee.myshopify.com/)

I'm a currently a colorist on a few other comic projects including Hope Larson's adaption of Wrinkle in Time and working with Bill Mudron on the colors for Carla Speed McNeil's Finder stories for "Dark Horse Presents."

DD:   What is your artistic Process?

I have a web page outlining my basic approach when it comes to comics right here: http://www.dicebox.net/jml_artprocess.html

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend?

It's a long list, but the current top three would be Hereville by Barry Deutsch, Ooku: The Inner Chambers by Fumi Yoshinaga and the Dungeon books by Joann Sfar and lewis Trondhiem

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend to someone new to comics?

American Born Chinese by Gene Yang. It's one of the most satisfying stories I've read, comics or pros. It shows the value of telling a story through comics and yet is very user friendly to the new comics reader. Also the art is just lovely and engaging.

DD:   What skill would you like to learn?

A grounding in animation and 3D modeling would be swell.

DD:   What's the most important thing you've learned?

Pick your battles. Be aware of the limitations of a piece or project--time, space, production, etc.--and decide what you want to focus on and what will be sacrificed. For example, with a comic page, I've learned to accept that every panel can't be perfect, but I can make one shine and let the other be acceptable.

DD:   Do you have a collection? If so, what is one of the items you're most proud of?

I collect original comic page art and, wow, I really can't pick an absolute favorite. Some pieces I gleefully brag about are the two page spread form Hicksville by Dylan Horrocks where Grace overlooks Hicksville at night from the cliff, the candy shop scene from Rania Telgemeier 's adaption of The Baby-sitter's Club, the key page from Scott McCloud's DESTROY!, a Howard Cruise Wendel strip and a six page sequence from Alison Bechel's Dykes to Watch Out For where Sidney and Mo first hook-up. I also am the proud owner of many originals from kris dresen and Christopher Baldwin, here are two examples are page 7 from Christopher Baldwin's Vava (http://www.baldwinpage.com/waterstreet/vava/07.html) and page 8 from kris dresen's she's in the trees (http://www.krisdresencomics.com/shestrees/trees08.html)

DD:   What is your favorite genre of Comics?

There isn't a genre I don't have a favorite story in, I reckon. Even the current pariah "Superhero" as Grant Morrison's Flex Mentallo miniseries is one of my all time favorite comic story.

DD:   Do you have an Ipad? If so what do use it for the most.

I don't but I plan to as soon as Apple releases version 2 later this month. I plan to use it primarily for digital sketching, writing and as a tool for when I exhibit at cons.

DD:  What is your favorite TV show/ movie?

In terms TV currently being produced, I'm most enrapt with the Steven Moffat/Matt Smith run on Doctor Who.

DD:   How does the Portland comics culture shapes your work?

It provides me with a lot of cartoonists to hang out and geek out with, swapping ideas and theories and techniques on the fly. It's great.

DD:  What was your first comic convention?

A small one in Philadelphia that I'm afraid I don't recall the name of. That's as an attendee, not an exhibitor.

DD:   What is your favorite part of comic conventions?

Discovering artists and work I was previously unaware of.

DD:  If you weren’t doing comics what would you do?

Book design. Or play the fiddle.

DD:  Do you have a favorite restaurant that you would recommend?

It's a tie between Bamboo Sushi and the Screen Door.

DD:   How long have you lived in Portland, what made you choose Portland?

I've lived in Portland a little over 15 years now. I developed a crush on the city when visiting friends, and moved soon after.

What with the strong book and art culture, good food, all the green spaces, easy walkability and excellent public transportation it felt a very livable city. Not to mention the cost of living; I'm originally from new Jersey, about an hour out of New York City. And being a little over an hour to the ocean, mountains, forest and desert and even less to the Gorge made it kinda perfect for me.

DD:   Where in Portland/ Oregon would you most like to visit?

Crater lake. I've been meaning to go for over ten years now.

DD:   Would you like to write/Illustrate in another media? Or would you like illustrating a character from a different media, for example, Dr. Who, James Bond? What would you explore?

I'd love to do a heavily illustrated novel along the lines of The Invention of Hugo Cabret. It would combine many interests and disciplines for me: book design, formal illustration, visual storytelling, etc.

Portland Artists at the Opera

 by Terry Blas

Portland Artists were invited to the reherseal of Turnadot by the Portland Opera.  Check out their work here.

GameNight at School @ thanks to Rainy Day Games

We had a games night a Jackson School Elementary, thanks to Rainy Day Games and the PTA.   We were in charge of 3-D Blockus and played that couple of times.    The boys played a game HedBanz, the quick game of what I am.   Each player puts a picture on their head with a headband.   And you have to Guess what you are.    The boys really enjoyed that.   We either got to sample or watch people playing of a ton of games.

We ended up buying Zombie Dice.    You are a zombie.   You roll dice and either get brains, shotgunned or prey runs away.   You roll until you stop and count your points or you get three shotguns.   This was super fun and really addictive.

Portlandia - Dream of the 90's

2/05 Game On! Stumptown Underground Release Party @ Ground Control

Saturday, February 5 · 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade
511 NW Couch St.

The latest issue of Stumptown Underground is a video games issue, the StumptownU Crew is having their release party at Ground Kontrol.  And of course there will be tournaments.  Whoever gets the highest score on DDR and Street Fighter II will both receive a free copy of “Game On!” at the party.

You’ll also be able to meet and greet with the issue’s contributors and purchase copies of “Game On!” for $5 (contributors get 1 copy each) before all your friends.

“Game On!” is the sixteenth monthly anthology from Stumptown Underground, centralized around the theme of video games. In this issue, you’ll find comics, writing, and illustrations from the likes of Everett Patterson, Christina “Blue” Crow, Katy O’Brien, Jon Hallman, Jeremy Scott Kemp, Pharoh Bolding,hopskotch SunDAY and many other talented folks.   The image for this event is the cover of the issue, created by Alisa K.

2/25 The Naked Boy Part 2 Release Party and Signing @ Bridge City Comics

There is a signing and release party for Daniel Dufords "The Naked Boy Part 2" This is the second graphic novel in a trilogy.   The naked boy is an orgin myth combining Native American Mythology, superhero mythos and American History.  The Naked Boy adventure story which explores Mythology and America.

The Naked Boy Part 2 Release Party and Signing
Friday February 25 6-8PM Bridge City Comics
3725 N. Mississippi Ave.
Portland, OR 97227
http://www.bridgecitycomics.com/

Summer is in the air as The Naked Boy saga continues. The Naked Boy grows older as he crosses the continent to kill The Great Bear. In this episode he meets a family of escaping slaves en route to Freedom City. Freedom City has another knickname- The City of Big Men, and the City of Big Men is the heart of a vast military industrial complex. The Governor of Freedom City is going to run for president and the Naked Boy is the key to his campaign. Ursula and The Great Bear try to find out who is keeping them from contacting The Naked Boy directly. And the Naked Boy continues to lose body parts as he rambles West in this exciting second chapter of this American epic.

The Muppet Show - When I'm Not Near the Fish I Love

Comic Book Club

For those who love beer and/or Comics join the Comic Book Club.   So it has been decided.  

Meet at Bridge City Comics and on to Amnesia Brewing.

Date: 2/2 AT 7:00 PM

Reported from:   HENRIKSEN INDUSTRIES

WHEREAS: Portland, Oregon has an impressive number of excellent comics shops, and 
  

WHEREAS: Portland, Oregon also has an impressive number of excellent drinking establishments, and   

WHEREAS: Portland, Oregon is damn near overflowing with charming, bright, and devastatingly attractive comics creators, readers, and purveyors, nearly all of whom enjoy both (A) reading comics and (B) decent conversation about, but not limited to, comics...,

LET IT BE RESOLVED: That the hastily concocted, lazily named “Comic Book Club” shall meet more or less once a month, first at a Portland comics shop and then at a nearby bar.

FAITHFULLY SUBMITTED: Erik Philo Henriksen, Esq.

Comic Book Club: Wednesday, February 2, 2011. Meeting at Bridge City Comics (3725 N. Mississippi, Portland, Oregon) at 6 pm. Moving across the street to Amnesia Brewing (832 N. Beech, Portland, Oregon) at around 7 pm. Future meetings will be held at various other comics shops around Portland and, naturally, at the bars close to them.

Parker and Moen's Bucko Strip Has started

Check out this new web comic by Portland's own Erika Moen and Jeff Parker.  It starts today.   Bucko is late for a interview and trouble ensues.

This would be a sweet hulk book

HULK SMASH by *LeSean on deviantART

I found this hulk image on deviant art by LeSean. check it out