Don’t Worry ‘Bout a Thing, ink wash, 5/28/08

Let’s see. I’ve been meaning to experiment with some kids book illustrations. This ink wash style is what I’ve been using on my freelance work lately. Illustration Friday’s topic of “worry” brought Bob Marley’s classic tune “Three Little Birds” to my head. It all adds up to this weird drawing.

Rise up this mornin’,
Smiled with the risin’ sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin’ sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin’, this is my message to you.

Lately, the things that have been influencing me artistically and otherwise piquing my interest have been all over the place. Pulp, The Old West, Greek Mythology, Arabian Nights, Chronicles of Narnia. Too much! Need to focus! Brain Aneurysm!

Simmer down, now. Every little thing gonna be alright.

Here’s the sketch. What a large head this kid has!

Treat yourself to a happy song:

Story Gaming in Boston, 5-21-08

Sheesh, it’s been a little while since I’ve written anything here. I’ve been traveling a bit (I’ll post photos soon!) and working (I can’t post the stuff right now.)

Last night I attended my first gaming session with the “Story Games Boston” group. You ask, what’s a story game? The definition is somewhat sketchy, but Story-Games.com says:

A Story Game is a type of role-playing game or gaming experience with a lesser focus on My Character and a greater focus on Our Story.

It was a fun and memorable evening with lots of laughs, dice explosions and bottle-tipping. It will be awhile before I get the hang of this style of play. Playing is heavy improvisation and whenever I try to improv, a big “Loading, Please Wait…” message scrolls across my brain.

Great group of folks and I’m looking forward to seeing them again next week.

Colin Hay’s show last night was one of the best concerts I’ve been to in years. He had us laughing throughout the night with stories of his tours, his time with Men at Work and his childhood. He played his hits (”You can’t ignore the big songs,”) and many tunes off of his “Peaks and Valleys” and “Going Somewhere” albums, my personal favorites.

Here is an excerpt, his cover of the Beatles’ Norwegian Wood.

Norwegian Wood: