E3_Day three

What do I do at E3? I stay near the entrance of the Sony Online Entertainment booth and keep out the riff raff. That's it. It's not really violent but it can be confrontational. Theres a lot of "What's going on in there?" or "Why can't I go in?" Most people understand. Sometimes I make a mistake and block someone who is supposed to be there. Oh well. It helps to have a who cares type of attitude. It keeps me from getting personal, and now that I have a chair to sit on, I'm in a much better mood!

Good news today! Lauren The Medusa Girl is on the front page of the LA Times Calendar section! It's a beautiful photo that stands out! The entire booth was abuzz! Medusa girl spent a lot of time on her cell phone before getting into costume, calling friends and family. You can see a lot of photos taken with the paper. Maybe this is not what I should be bothering with, but it happens right in front of me! I must say that I am happy for her. She really is pretty and If you have to wear a foam rubber snake costume with a snake headress, you deserve some positive press.

The last day is a little slower. The previous two days were filled with meetings and camera crews going in and out. Not mention the open bar in the afternoons (No, I didn't drink). Today with the meetings over and done with, the booth opened for the average Sony employee. Ugg... The one thing I will say is that some of those guys should eat a salad or something. Bigger is not better. I took a lunch hour to get as much swag as I could. T-shirts, Magazines and a cool poster. I could not play many games because I couldn't wait on line.

The managers started to leave around 1:00. I stayed at my post until my supervisor let me split around 4:00. Another job well done! I stood around checking badges and got senses stimulated for three days. Was it worth it? Well, nobody took a swing at me, so I guess it was!

E3_Day two

I love walking around E3 before it opens to the public. Very early, like around 7:00. The hall is well lit and there is security standing around but in comparison to the rest of the day, it's like an abandoned Times Square. I can walk around and enjoy the effort the corporations put into getting my attention. I'm not a big gamer but I love great design. And some of these booths are gorgeous! The N-Gage booth was sherbert colored with groovy chairs. The Final Fantasy area had the best trailer playing and a great game set-up. The SEGA booth with Virtua Fighter knocked my socks off. My favorite is still the PSP booth with the cutaway subway car!

Okay, so I finish walking around the convention floor and I get ready for the show. I was so busted from yesterday and I have all kinds of anxieties. I worry that I can't finish the day. Then a surprise! A few hours into the show, my boss walks up and asks me if I'd like a chair to sit down in! What a shock! She says"It must be tough to stand up all day." I respond, " I didn't think that I was allowed to sit down." Silly old me. I now have a chair to relax in in between telling some Korean guy that he can't come inside the exclusive booth. Ever been to E3? There are a lot of Korean people walking around, believe me.

You will find a beautiful girl at every booth at E3. They could be working reception or just standing around in a costume passing out T-shirts. They exist to get your attention. You are allowed to look but not touch, but they are not fragile artifacts, just a normal beautiful girl being paid to pose for photos. I have spent two days listening to their unfiltered thoughts in the break room and this what they think about YOU!

They hate the guy that puts their arms around their waist and hugs! Gross! The outfit that they wear shows a lot of skin and they don't need to be that close to you buddy. If you smell, they will make a face after you leave. That's Guaranteed. They start seeing double after 3 or 4 hours because of the constant camera flashing. When they take a break, they take the costume off and relax. They will chat about the next job or where they are headed next. If you were the weirdest guy at the convention, they will goof on you. One last thing. They LOVE a TV camera. If someone with a mic and a camera shows up, Get out of the way! I wonder if Jennifer Aniston started out posing in an iron brassier?

Next time- "I'm on the front Page! It's all about ME!"

E3_Day one

I attended The Electronic Entertainment Expo last year. It's basically a video game convention. I was not an attendee or an exhibitor, but hired security! I got a call from a friend who runs a west coast talent agency. She needed someone to work the door at Sony booth at E3 and I was the only black guy she knew(or something like that). I had never done anything like that before! I'm tall and I can be menacing if I need to be, but I'm a lover not a fighter. The pay was alright and it was something different, so I said Yes!

Jump ahead one year and I get a call from my friends talent agency. E3 is coming up again and the Sony people want me to reprise my 2005 performance. How nice! The biggest change between then and now is this Blog and a digital camera, so I will tell you of my three days and of standing for 9 straight hours.
Day One

So I get there early but the person with my badge gets there late. I wait for about an hour and enjoy the point of entry promotions. Stuff like an artist drawing a 10x10 pastel illustration on the floor or some live cable broadcast shot in the lobby. Lots of people waiting to enter and I'm starting to remember the worst thing about this job. Standing around and my aching back. More on that later.

I get inside and WOW! The booths are so extravagant and you can see that video games make a lot of money. The Sony booth was larger with a better location. Most of the people were the same and my duties were unchanged as well. Make sure that the geeks and clowns did not enter the VIP booth. The booth was meant for meetings and smoozing, and you can get a beer or a vodka shot if you get in. E3 is an industry only con, so only adults are permitted inside the hall. Most of the companies there have some kind of comfort station for their clients.

My job consists of standing in one place for hours at a time. This was a problem last year. On the third day, my back felt like somebody had been kicking me with steel toed boots on. Horrible pain. I'm not as young as I used to be! By the time my lunch break came around, I had to walk to get the blood moving in my feet. I thought about eating lunch. The booth has some sandwiches sent in, but it's all picked over by the time I get to it. The Convention Center food service is a ripoff so I decide to take a look around instead of eat.

Every booth looks like a million bucks. They want you to notice, so the booths are like small fantasies that engage you. One place was dressed up like a battlefield and another had a skateboard half pipe built for skaters to perform on. My favorite was the PSP booth with a partial subway train built with mobile games installed in the seats! Take a look at the photos.

I did not have time to see what I wanted to. By back was aching and I had another 5 hours to go. I also had a birthday dinner to attend later that night, so I was wilting. This was just the first day and I was thinking about calling in sick.

Next Time: Booth Babes, the stuff they don't want you to know!

X-men Movie

I had a chance to see the latest X-men 3 trailer and I am looking forward to it!

I also have a quick review for MI-3: It's quick paced to the point of being frantic. The story is less important than the energetic camera angles and the wide eyed chases. The slowest part of the film was funeral scene and the camera panned across the mourners like they wanted to save film or something. I would have enjoyed the film much more if they had not blown up the screen so much.

Spidey's Wedding

I recently read an interview with Joe Quesada on the Newsarama website. He made a comment that Peter Parker marrying Mary Jane Watson was not a good idea. I disagree! The wedding was so much fun, and I know because I was there! It was in 1988 when they tied the knot at Shea stadium in NYC. Everyone was given tickets to the game and a reception afterwards. The party was at The Tunnel, it was a trendy place at the time and I was just old enough to drink!

Spidey getting married put him on a different path and showed the character maturing. I think the people at Marvel need to try harder to explore the drama of married life instead of lamenting over his single days.

Work in progress

In my ongoing efforts to not suck, I am posting some more of my artwork with self-criticisms included. If you have any comments, let me know!

Time to VOTE!

If you have received your ballot for the Eisners, don't forget to check the appropriate box! Vote for Richard Starkings for best Letterer! It's really cool that my book GunpowderGirl and The Outlaw Squaw was included on his nomination, it's a first for me having something I created recognized by the Eisners. Vote early and often!

Another Computer AD

I saw this AD and it tripped me out! It's the Commodore Amiga 2000 computer. This looks like one of the first computers to offer a Photoshop type of tool. It's from 1988 and if I remember correctly, magazines were still using photostats and rubber cement to paste-up their magazines. The monitor looks about 12 inches wide and the mouse looks like it would be uncomfortable to use. Can anyone tell me what happened to the Commodore Amiga? Did you own one and how much memory did it come with?

Art auction!

I went to an art auction last night here in Los Angeles. I thought it was neat! The Martin Lawrence Galleries had their auction at the Luxe Hotel in Brentwood. The room was filled with prints and originals that included works by Keith Haring, Warhol and Picasso. It was reasonably priced stuff like Linocuts and etchings. It was a lot like a museum except for the auctioneer. He had an engaging personality and did his best to keep the bidders interest in the art for sale. But he didn't sell himself short; If a particular work didn't make an already set reserve, he'd quickly shuffle it off the stage!

There was one piece I let escape me. I didn't buy anything, but this one was within my budget. A Salvador Dali Wood cut that had a lot of energy and nice composition. Not too big and in a classy frame. Take a look at this scan. It sold at auction for $750.00!
Do you think I made a mistake letting it pass?

Essential Wolverine

I visited my local comic book shop and took a look at the newest "Essential Wolverine Vol. 4" published my Marvel Comics. I have to say that I was really disappointed. One reason is that they must have scanned a copy of the actual comic instead of using the original negatives. Did they misplace them? Anyway, the book looked muddy on that cheap paper they're using for the Essentials series. This newest collection covered a lot of Silvestris' work, Issues 70 to 90. It should have looked better.

John Severin cover!

Isn't this the best cover? A huge logo near the top, dramatic cover copy and Excellent Artwork by John Severin! I am a big fan.

A nice place to visit

This is a vacation spot near Lake Tahoe. Lots of snow! Except in the summer, of course.

My Opinion

I do not believe that anyone who manages to evade the Border Police, find a job and continue to live here illegally should be granted immediate citizenship. I get the feeling after watching all the LA demonstrations, that anyone who accomplishes those things should be given amnesty right away.

It's been said that many immigrants take jobs that even black people won't take. As a black man, I have worked in fast food, hauling boxes, mopping, sweeping and serving coffee. I have always thought that any honest job is a good job. If all the undocumented workers were to disappear, businesses would have to offer a higher wage to find the next worker. I'm not anti-immigration! I believe in Legal Immigration.

If I am too Republican on this issue let me know.

Work in progress

As I continue drawing my Western book, I run into interesting panels. (maybe they are interesting only to me...)
Anyway, I thought I would share.

Nominations

I took a look at the Eisner nominations for this year! It's a great awards ceremony because up until his passing, Will Eisner would hand out the awards and so many excellent creators were nominated. This year, Rich Starkings and Ladronn were nominated for Best Letterer and Best Multimedia Artist Respectively. Included in the Best Letterer nomination were a few books that Richard worked on. Gunpowder Girl and the Outlaw Squaw was one of them.

I was very happy to see that Ladronn and Active Images were recognized for excellent work! I will wish them luck!

Gallery opening

I took a trip to Culver City this past Saturday. The company I work for has some art on display at the Billy Shire Fine art Gallery. It's a new gallery, you can tell by how the floor shines. Most of the work at the show was by students with a few exceptional oil paintings. The space is a part of The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles and it seems to me that Culver City is being taken over by the Fine art crowd! The transformation of that part of town is astounding. I visited two more art galleries on Washington Blvd that night. I think in a few years the auto parts shop or the mom and pop store on the corner will be replaced by the trendy bar with a ten dollar cocktail. If you've never been to Culver City, CA before, go now! This is a neighborhood in transition

Another Re-Draw

Hey there friends! As you may know, I am drawing the sequel to my Western book. I try my best on every panel, but sometimes I drop the ball. This is a panel that I realize that a mistake has been made.

Apple computer AD

I found this old ad for an Apple Computer! It was advertised at the end of 1979 and it looks like an electric typewriter with a little monitor. I didn't own a computer until 1998 so I don't know how about the ancient days of the Apple Computer. Could you get internet access back then? What games could you play? Could it really help with everyday tasks? Is there anyone who could tell me?

Work in progress

I am working on my new western book and I thought I would show some art. It's going well, but I'm never satisfied with my work. I've done a quick critique of one of my panels.

Back Issue Magazine

A few months ago I sent a few art scans to the Editor of Back Issue Magazine. They were Garcia-Lopez photocopies of art I own. I had almost forgotten about them until the latest copy of Back Issue arrived. I was happy to contribute and I got a groovy mention on page 13! The magazine has an interview with Garcia-Lopez, Mike Ploog and Don Perlin.

Mike Ploog brings up an interesting point in his interview. Back when he did Werewolf by Night for Marvel, an artist had to be fast in order to get the job. You needed to draw maybe 21 pages of art with maybe 6 panels a page in a week and a half! I remember that the guy who screwed up a deadline would get a really bad rep. It was only after all of the deadline disasters of the Image books in the early 90s that the priorities changed.

I happen to like the way things are now. A creator can publish one book a year or a short series without worrying that fans will forget. I should mention that I am working on a sequel to my western book, Gunpowder Girl and The Outlaw Squaw, and I am taking my own sweet time.

Fun with Markers!

I think I bought my first marker in high school. I went to The HS of Art and Design in Manhattan and they came in a variety of colors! The quality of those old markers pales in comparison to the Copic markers of today. Now, they come with supple brush nibs and they blend together easily. If I do a convention sketch, I'll try to use my grey tone markers. Take a look.

Coming soon to San Diego!

Thank goodness someone is addressing the hotel shortage in San Diego. This is a computer illustration of the new Hard Rock hotel planned for the Gaslamp District! If I know my Gaslamp geography, it's replacing the old spaghetti factory restaurant and an old Mexican cantina. It's great that it's being built! I look forward to all the comicbook fans in Wolverine costumes in the lobby.

Fun with a brush!

That metal bra is a real crowd-pleaser. I am a big fan of the Marvel editions of Red Sonja and I miss the old school covers. I know that Dynamite comics put out a cool book, I just wish that they would get a little more campy! More Evil wizards! More freaky monsters!

old photo

Hey! Here is the old photo again. You can blame my sad photoshop skills for the last one!

New York Con

I read the various comicbook Blogs like so many of you out there and I have enjoyed the reports on the NYC convention at The Jacob Javits Center. My biggest question is where did all those people come from? A sold out convention? Refunds to those who could not enter? This was a show that was in a New York winter and competing with a more established Florida Con. I love NYC, but who can afford a hotel room?

My guess is that if you invite big names the fans will show up. Joe Quesada, Jim Lee, The DC Editorial staff and a lot of East Coast professionals chose the closer convention. I took a look at who had space at the Artists alley section and it was impressive for a first-time show. I hope next years show will have the kinks ironed out!

Convention Photo

This is a snapshot from The Mid-Ohio Con! Thanksgiving of Last year. It was such a good show with cool people. This shot was taken by a reporter for CBG and it's taken a while for him to forward this photo. I hope to go back to Ohio this year!

Hey Kids! Let's draw!

I am drawing a sequel to my Western book! So, I have been having fun with costumes and characters lately. Working with markers are a lot like watercolors. A lot of layers to create the form.

Fun with hotels

Good news! I found a hotel in San Diego! I have been hearing so much about problems with accommodations for this bloated event, It's a shame. There is a piece on 'The Beat" website that lists the number of hotels and amount of rooms. Can you believe that there is about 7000 rooms in downtown for an event that draws 100,000 people? I know that there are places to stay a few miles away from the action, like old town San Diego or La Jolla to the north. I bet those places are charging an arm and a leg.

A postcard!

I returned from work to find a postcard from Kuwait in my mailbox from Marie Javins! I enjoy postcards from my friends as they set foot on new lands. I ask for postcards and I send cards as well. Marie always travels the farthest and sends me the most interesting cards! This card is from Kuwait City and I have gotten mail from Uganda, Cambodia and Namibia. Thank you Marie.

San Diego Hotels

So what is going on!?! I tried making a reservation for the San Diego Con this morning and I had to keep redialing for 15Minutes to get someone to pick up! When I got a salesperson I found out that The Omni and The Gaslamp Hilton was sold out. Already! What happened to my con? The big money has screwed me out of a hotel room and I can't stand it.

Halloween Party

Who is that guy in the Joker costume? What is going on? This is a polaroid from a Marvel Comics Halloween party!. I think it might have been around 1993. I don't know what goes on in the Marvel bullpen these days, but back then you didn't need much of an excuse to throw a party. I was a freelance inker in New York at that time and this photo has some great memories attached to it!

I was dressed head to toe as the Joker and I was entered in the costume contest. There were other contests, like the Candy Corn, Mouth stuffing contest shown here. The contestant who could stuff his mouth with candy corn without barfing would win!
I had the biggest mouth so I won. Assisting me in my victory was my friend Laurie. It was all great fun. I wonder...Is the Marvel Bullpen this much fun today?

An all-new Review!

Gunpowder Girl and The Outlaw Squaw was given a good review recently! Bill Baker from bookslut.com had some excellent things to say about my Graphic Novel and I think that's cool. I hope that all of you will visit this link and read it! There may be a test.

www.bookslut.com/gutterslut/2006_02_007796.php

Betting on the Big Game

Every once in awhile I make a sports bet with my friend Dave. He follows Football and Basketball and he's on a few fantasy Leagues as well. He seems to follow all the NFL teams and he knows all the important players. I don't follow the teams as closely as I could, but I know enough to make the occasional bet!

So the Super Bowl was yesterday and as I'm sitting at the drawing table I get a call from Dave. He wants to bet the game and we make a $50.00 wager. This gets me invested in the big game! So guess what... I bet the Seahawks and I lose. Darn it! It's not such a big deal to lose, but the penalties and screwy calls against my team really pissed me off! Oh well.

Groundhog Day

I went the entire day without knowing that it was Groundhog Day! What a non-event!

East Coast friends!

I have just returned from a successful trip from New York City. I should tell you that the weather there is just like in Los Angeles and I was a little disappointed. I brought my heavy coat for nothing, but did see a few short skirts! A highlight of the trip was dinner at a most excellent barbecue restaurant in Brooklyn. Learn more at http://www.BrooklynbarBQ.com

There was a group of us having dinner there for the first time and the food was delicious!

The guy is familiar...

I came across this photo at WireImage and I could hardly believe what I saw there! This is Comic Book Writer and Novelist Chris Claremont at The 71st annual New York Film Critics Circle Awards. Is he a member of The Circle? Does he have a film out? If anyone has any info, please let me know!

Hey kids! Let's draw!

I came across a copy of a Wonder Woman from the 40's the other day. The drawing style was really different than todays' style and I love how the storylines always include a bondage scene! I wanted to draw something quick.

Tree burning

Every around this time, my friends Kev and Rob host a tree burning. They invite all their friends to a California beach and at a coal pit on the sand, they burn discarded X-Mas trees! Great Idea huh? I have attended many times and I recommend it. The best part is how people stare into the burning coals mesmerized by the glow.

My new Computer

I now own a new G5. It has a new computer smell and the desktop is bright and clear of folders(for now). I managed to grab a copy of Adobe Creative Suite and I am ready to work! Ok.... Does anybody have any work?

Fun with computers...

I have the majority of this weekend dealing with a computer that refused to start. It refused to work! Nothing! Not even a light or sound. I did everything the Apple manual tells you to do and I went so far as to call the 1-800 help desk. Even after paying the punk $50.00 he was of no help. I drove to the Apple store in Santa Monica and the Genius there was a lot more helpful and he gave advice for free! I think I am angry because after trying all I could, I went to my tried and true method of fixing a problem , And that is throwing money at it. I have to have a computer to work, and since the old G4 is now a paperweight, a new G5 is needed. Spending this much money on a computer and all the additional attachments is a hard pill so close to tax time. I am definitely in a sad mood.

Fun with a brush

I had a spare moment the other day and I did some brush sketches. I used one of those synthetic brushes that can never deliver a shark point. It is handy tho.

A photo from the archives

I found myself flipping through my old box of photos and found this little gem. I took this shot after landing in Sydney, Australia in 1994. The pilot and the staff was so friendly, I asked if I could take a quick shot of myself in the pilot seat. The Co-pilot's seat was empty and the first pilot gave me his hat to wear. I think I wanted the shot for reference. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I have the shot! Of course, this photo would be impossible today.

My Resolution

I am not a big fan of New Years Resolutions. I feel that if you want to change, there is no time like NOW. Don't wait until January to lose weight or change a habit from bad to good. I am making this particular resolution because of my previous post. I thought about it and realized how egotistical I was redrawing and correcting some guys artwork. Who do I think I am anyway? Therefore, my resolution is to become more modest and not critique bad artwork. And I will start NOW.

Interview

I did an interview with a freelance writer earlier this year and we talked about my book GG+OS. It was for Newsarama.com and I thought that it would run in late November. Here it is late December and it's better late than never! It's a cool piece and the reader comments are real nice. Visit Newsarama.com!

Hey kids! Let's draw!

Do you remember when Brent Anderson started on Astro City? When he inked himself, he had such energy and he could use a pen as well as a brush with skill. I did a few sketches with a brush today and I noticed that I did a few lines that reminded me of the astro city stuff. I wish I could work on that book. That would be cool.

Gone but not forgotten!

Today I got a Christmas card from Image Comics. I get my fair share of holiday mail, so no big deal. The thing is that I haven't had anything to do with the company since 1999 when I published Forever Amber with them. I'm sure that I'm on some ancient list and the people who signed the card have no idea who I am. The card reminded me that I'm still included in a cool community. Comic book creators. I think that's cool. I hope they remember me next year!

Marie Javins

I have recently read a blog called 'No Hurry in Africa' by Marie Javins. I consider her a world traveler and she has made friends all over the world and walked roads that Magellan could not have imagined. I think that Marie is one of the bravest people I know because she has been through lorry crack-ups, riots and more shifty border guards than James Bond. After reading her latest blog of Dec. 06, I am thinking that maybe she has had some grave doubts about the direction of her life.

I would not want her to continue just to entertain me. I enjoy the blog it's true, but I would say this: Does traveling in this way make you happy? Would you give up a nomadic lifestyle to return to a nine to five? I have known Marie for a long time and I say that she would be miserable.

Hey kids! Let's draw!

I had a great time at the Mid-Ohio Con! I had a chance to walk around and take advantage of the cool deals. While searching the 50 cent box I found a beat up copy of Ms. Marvel #22. I had to get it! They had changed her costume to a tight black outfit with thigh boots and black arm length gloves! The best was the blond, Farrah Fawcett hair. I should point out that after her makeover, she started hanging out with the Avengers! I am a big fan of Carol Danvers aka Ms. Marvel, so I did some sketches.

Convention in Columbus

I have just returned from the Mid-Ohio Convention in Columbus, Ohio. I have never been there before and I have to admit, that it's the sweetest convention I have been to in a long time. By sweet, I mean that the fans were so excellent and everyone there including the volunteers had the time of the lives. Let me start at the beginning. It was in the Easton Hotel, close to a enormous shopping center. As I walked to the hotel restaurant Sat. Morning, I ran into Tom DeFalco. We worked on a comic for Moonstone Books and Moonstone would have a booth at the con as well. We ate breakfast with Dave from Moonstone and talked comics for little bit and that was cool. He asked about some friends we both knew and we three had a fine meal.

I've decided that conventions are for meeting people and making friends. That's why I went. I met one guy on Saturday that had me sign a bunch of books I worked on about 15 years ago! I worked on a lot of stuff for marvel in the early 90s and you never know what people will remember. I signed a lot of Web of Spider-Man and Shield Comics. I also drew a few sketches for people who bought my GN. I'm grateful that I sold out of books I bought on Sunday and I had a chance to walk around the convention.

There were great dealers with nice bargains. I bought a copy of Ms. Marvel #22 with a nice Dave Cockrum cover for 50 cents! I also spent time at the Moonstone booth with Tom and helped sell a few issues of KHAN #1. I hope that 15 years from now people will ask me to sign that book. This convention reminded me of the old days before Hollywood swooped down and carried away the comicbook demographic and glitzed up the San Diego Con. The show was calm, fun and felt like a high school reunion. Except that the most popular kid had on a Superman costume.

Mid Ohio

Hey gang! Just a quick note to everyone that the Mid -Ohio con is weekend and I will be attending! I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of excellent fans in heavy winter coats. I will of course be promoting my book, Gunpowder Girl and The Outlaw Squaw. Look for me in Columbus, Ohio!

Masters of American Comics

My friend Steve and I attended the opening of The Masters of American Comics exhibit at the MOCA. The Museum of Contemporary Art is located in Downtown LA and Steve invited me. Excellent stuff! I was really interested in the Wally Wood art on display and the Harvey Kurtzman layouts. There were original color layouts that Kurtzman did for Little Annie Fanny and Mad Magazine. I took a close look at the Jack Kirby pages. There is always something to learn from Kirby! We thought that there would be a lot of notable comic book guys like Stan Lee or maybe Alex Toth, but I only recognized Matt Groening. The MOCA only shows half of the exhibit. I have to visit the HAMMER Museum to see the other artists like Chester Gould and Milt Caniff. If you are in LA, you have to see this exhibit! Try this game, take a look at the Kirby originals and try to guess how much money they could get at a convention!

Sheryl Crow

I bought the new album from Sheryl Crow and I am quite disappointed. It's over produced with too many strings. I also thought that Crows' voice sounded weak and her lyrics were sappy. Maybe she's overboard in love and going in a different direction. I should have just bought a few singles from itunes.

Hey kids! Let's draw!

Take a look at some brush sketches I did earlier today!

Jersey Boys Review!

As I get to the The August Wilson Theater I see the massive spotlight always present at a premiere. This must be the place! I get my tickets but I don't enter right away. I step outside and check out the crowd and who might pull up in a limo. Steve Van zant from The Sopranos TV show shows up, and I realize that all sorts of mob guys might show up. Later at the bar, I see the entire cast of the show except for James Gandolfini. I must mention that Jaime-Lynn Discalia looks amazing in person!

I was eager to see the show and what might have changed between the La Jolla production and Broadway. It looks like they cut a lot of dialogue and used only half the drawings I did for it. It was still a fast-paced, snappy show with excellent acting and music. The lead actor who played Frankie Valli carried the show. I did read a few reviews, USA Today mentioned the background drawings and I thought that was cool!

The end of the show was really touching. The surviving Four Seasons got up on stage to a standing ovation and Joe Pesci joined them! He was a friend of the group in the early days and the crowd loved it. Afterwards, I walked to the Opening night party and saw a few more celebrities. I made a point to look for the people I worked with like the director and Art director and The Producer to thank them for including me. I really enjoyed the night!

I've said this before, I thought that this was just another job. I was wrong.

Sunday

I'm walking to the show. I pass by Brooks Brothers on 44th St and stop in. I ask a sales person, "Am I wearing this bowtie correctly?" He says yes! Victory for me. I don't look like a fool!

Broadway Bound

It's been a while since my last post but I have a good excuse! I have been preparing for my Broadway opening! I am now in NYC for the Opening of Jersey Boys at The Virginia Theatre. It's a first for me and I bought a tuxedo for it. I rarely have use for a suit like that, but like I said, It's a first. If you have read my previous posts, You remember the drama over getting a hotel room for the weekend. Well, I got a room at a nice place near Grand Central and It's fair to say that it's full of Brits in town for the NYC Marathon. In fact the town is crowded with runners from all over the world on a Saturday!
I will get some last minute stuff before the show and prepare. My next post will be my review!

Hey Kids! Let's draw!

I have not been inking anything for a while. I think I need to get back into practice with my brush because I have been focusing on my pencil work. Here are some sketches inked with a sable brush.

What would you pay...Part 2!

Ok then. I have been losing sleep trying to figure out the best way for me to get to NYC next month. I will elaborate. I am planning a trip to The Big Apple on the same weekend as the New York Marathon! That means no hotel rooms for under 400 dollars a night. I do have friends in the area, but with what I'm planning to do in the city, It would be best to stay in Manhattan. My biggest problem was finding a hotel room, and I finally went to Priceline.com for a solution. I managed to get a place to stay after all the nonsense and worry. There is more to this story, but that will have to wait until next time.

What would you pay?

I am searching for a hotel room for a visit to NYC in November. I did not know until a few days ago that the NYC Marathon will happen on that same weekend. Now, when I lived in New York way back when, I loved watching the runners pass thru Greenpoint, Brooklyn into Queens. How cool! When I called to check the price of a hotel room, my happy memory turned black. $650.00 per night! Can you imagine the cost for a 3-day weekend? I could try calling a few friends but that would mean an outer borough commute. Whew! I don't know what I'll do.

Martha Washington

Frank Miller and Dave Gibbons put a book out called 'Give me Liberty' years ago thru Dark Horse Comics. I had a chance to re-read the four issues I bought way back when and it struck me to how much it influenced me. I never realized it until now. Miller created a female character that struggled with poverty and corrupt authority. He put her in situations that forced her to be resourceful and powerful. He never let romance or sentiment stop Martha Washington from her goal. Like I said, I never knew how much Frank Millers book influenced my own work. Thanks Frank.

Books I enjoy!

I wanted to visit the comic shop today to buy the new books. I could not find the time, darn it! What books do I enjoy? Sea of Red because of Rick Remenders' writing and the excellent Dwyer and Salgood art. Fables from DC, and recently Jack Cross from DC. I love a book that makes great artwork a priority. I'm always open to new books from any company, so when I visit the shop I take my time.

My new Radio

Today I activated my new SIRIUS radio. I am happy because I can enjoy hours of Hair bands! Poison! LA GUNS! Ugly Kid Joe! They have fallen into a stereotype, but all those 80s bands were looking for the perfect pop song like bands today. Some songs are like classic standards now. Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi? Panama by Van Halen? Brilliant! One downside is that my antenna reception stinks. I will think up a solution in between songs.

Hey Kids! Let's draw!

I have been reading "The Essential Ghost Rider" from Marvel comics and really getting into it. I have a soft spot for really bad comics from the 70's and 80's. Books like Luke Cage, Daredevil (before Frank Miller) and of course, Ghost Rider! I read the good books as well, but I felt like if only they would let me draw the bad books, sales would skyrocket! Anyway, I'm posting a Ghost Rider drawing from first sketch to final inks. Till next time!