Forecast : Clouds, Rain, Productivity...

The clouds rolled in with promises of rain; a common sight in the Pacific Northwest.  And while the summer weather is enjoyable, with copious amounts of heat and vitamin D, there is an interesting world that emerges when the rain comes down.  Slimy creatures come out of hiding and slurp across the ground, hard shadows disappear into a unified midtone with the colors of once thirsty foliage exploding to break up the monotony of neutrality.  The inspiration is there if you don't mind getting a little muddy or wet while searching for it.       

Whilst cooking breakfast this morning, a rare and surprising event occurred.  A supposed "lucky" double yolk graced my frying pan and in the blink of an eye, my cholesterol intake doubled unintentionally.  This got me to thinking...

Why are double yolks lucky?  And for that matter, why are black cats or walking under ladders unlucky?  Does it only become luck if you perceive it?  Is the luck (good or bad) transferable if you wish not to possess it?

   

Rolling Stone - Don't crease m'pages!

Rolling Stone - July 2011 Special Collectors Edition

Thank you Rolling Stone!  A new and updated "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" issue has surprised me on the newsstand this past week, replacing my long lost (misplaced?) 2004-05 editions (yeah that's right...two issues for the complete list) with one fully illustrated collectors edition.  Insightful articles written by musicians accompanied by beautifully executed illustrations make this a truly unique artifact for any illustrator's collection.  I can assure you Rolling Stone, that I will take better care of this one!     

A note on typeface addiction...

Number Study from The Adults by Alison Espach

As an avid reader of many subjects, I tend to navigate my way around the pages of literature with general ease and comprehension.  On occasion, however, I find myself on a detour when I see an interesting font choice for relaying a story.  Most often the chapter and page numbers pique my curiosity, the way they interact with each other, every other page a new exciting combination graces the typically insignificant corners.  From here it moves into a recognition of a single letter (a lowercase "g"; a capital "W") and continues to spread from letter to letter to word to sentence to pages to chapters...

At some point I come out of the stupor and realize that I have no recollection of any information presented in the last few pages (a blackout if you will).  Naturally, I reread the passage and all is well, but my addiction to the printed word is merely temporarily suppressed.

Gesture Drawing @ Pixelovely

Can't get enough figure drawing?  Pixelovely.com offers free tools for both human and animal gestures with customizable options.  Range from 30 second to 10 minute poses of fully clothed or nude human figures, mammals, birds, rodents and more.  Donations welcome.        

Future Stategies Workshop

Portland area artist, Thomas James, is coming to Seattle on March 30 to give a workshop on how to survive as a creative professional in an ever changing market.  More information can be found at the Seattle Graphic Artists Guild website.  Also be sure to visit the Escape from Illustration Island website for valuable tutorials and resources including the insightful and entertaining EFII podcast.

Mouse abstains from Cheese for Lent...

Mouse and Cheese-us Christ.