In elementary school, we used to create these books made of construction paper (such a good name), that were laminated and bound using that plastic comb binding. I loved making them, though I hadn't developed a sense of layout/design yet. This book was called "How I Love Comic Books". The "typography" on the cover is interesting because I chose to draw in the holes on the B.
My poor mum used to have to stand there for endless amounts of time while I went through every book in the store, and if I came out empty handed... that's when she'd flip her lid. Rightly so, sorry! I don't actually recall her ever saying that I am a comic book, I think that was me using my creative license. Ah, youth!
I find the text in this book hilarious. I remember getting yelled at for using ballpoint pen to draw on that green paper, I understand now tho. It doesn't read well.
I'm glad I appreciated weirdness. The weirdest part about this page was that I didn't even like the Fantastic Four! I never even bought an issue my entire life. I think I was writing this book as more of an introduction to comics. I wish I was more bold with my imagery here, maybe I should recreate this book? haha
I get a kick out of this page, especially in the google adwords time we
live in today. I drew most of the book in crayon. My handwriting is pretty neat. I remember coloring this
all in at my classmate Eric's house, he was the fastest runner in our
grade. He lived in a very ritzy part of town. I remember 2 girls from
our class skated by us and he yelled, "Posers!" at them. I'm not sure
why he did that, at the time I didn't know what the word meant and I
just thought he was complimenting them on how they were able to pose why
skating. I remember weird things.
I wonder if any parents that read this were
inspired to begin reading comics? There was a parent's night where
everyone came and read all of our laminated books, there was a sheet on
the back of each book for them to write comments. I lost the sheet,
unfortunately, but I remember people wrote about how much they loved the
artwork. My Mum wrote something nice in there too.
This is probably my favorite part of the book, I can't believe I wrote this! haha
I'm happy to say I still love comics, and I'm re-reading Dragon Ball (still good after all these years!). I love Frank Miller's early work, everything by Alan Moore especially Miracle Man, Jaime Hernandez' Locas, Alejandro Jodorowsky's many masterpieces, The Maxx, and a new book I love is the Invader Zim comic. If you are in NY I highly recommend my friend Menachem Luchin's shop Escape Pod Comics. His ability to recommend books is more spot on than any silly algorithm, and he has a true passion for comics. Here in SF, I go to Comix Experience. Enjoy!
Showing posts with label prepessimism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prepessimism. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Monday, April 11, 2016
2001 Comics: The Bermuda Triangle
In 1998, I began drawing mini comics that took place in the Bermuda Triangle. This one I drew in 2001, at that time I was working at a bank and thoroughly disgusted by how creepy the male customers would act towards my female coworkers. This comic, done in ballpoint pen, features me and my friends Will, Rachel and Mignon, I give you: It's NOT a Man's World...
My whole life I've refused to play along as "one of the guys", whenever "guy talk" reared its ugly head I would shut it down. As a result, I was shunned by almost every guy I met and looked at as a spoilsport and trouble maker... and darn proud of it!
My whole life I've refused to play along as "one of the guys", whenever "guy talk" reared its ugly head I would shut it down. As a result, I was shunned by almost every guy I met and looked at as a spoilsport and trouble maker... and darn proud of it!
Friday, April 8, 2016
An Introduction to Silent James
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| Silent James age 3 |
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| Silent James and Esther Westwood |
Many suspect his name originates from his own quietness, but it is actually from his love of silent film. His artwork occurs in an asymmetrical 1920's/modern world coloured by favorite cartoons, movies, and a lifelong fondness for pro-wrestling heels.
Asymmetry plays a huge part in his life, right down to his own heterochromia.
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| Silent James' different color eyes |
Upon seeing the Jean-Claude Lauzon film Leolo and Guy Maddin's Brand Upon the Brain, Silent James decided to make his own childhood recollection piece. Three (2011) was his first picture-book, an entrancing adventure of a boy that no one pays attention to...
Mr. James became notorious for dapper garb, as favored by his characters, complimented by suspenders and bow ties. In 2011, he successfully took his character skills to the theatre in the starring role of barber John Guerrieri in Speakeasy Dollhouse. In 2014, he was cast in The Brothers Booth as the role he was born to play... himself! A completely silent performance of physical comedy and audience sketching in the grand setting of the Players Club.
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| Photo by David Aquilina |
In 2012, Silent James coined the term Prepessimism to describe his art. Prepessimism is art which seeks to bring the viewer back to the innocence of childhood...
In the very popular semi-sequel to Three called Dee (2012), we follow a girl's adventure to escape unwanted attention...
Later work includes his visual autobiography Secrets of Silent James. He has also done portraits of famous people and nobodies, illustrated articles, record covers, film posters and is a graphic recorder for ImageThink. He happily made the move to California in 2015, with Esther and Oscar Westwood.
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