I read an amusing article from my hometown newspaper today. The thought process behind this new … policy, I guess you’d call it, is unsettling, whether you mind this fashion fad or not.

“FLINT, Michigan — The city’s new police chief is saying no to crack.

Acting Flint Police Chief David R. Dicks announced Thursday that officers will begin arresting people wearing pants or shorts that sag too low exposing rear ends.” -Article in the Flint Journal.

Plumber arrested for crack
ink brush and photoshop, 06/27/08

“What about plumber’s crack?” said Keith Speer, president of the Flint Police Officers Association.“

Update:

But you know what? I don’t care. If it annoys me, it SHOULD be illegal. (Right, chief?) — Andrew Heller, Flint Journal

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.

A few weeks ago, I received the greatest MP3, flown all the way across the pond by carrier Byakhee! This is from Jim, a player in the “Horror on the Orient Express” roleplaying, audio game I mentioned a little while ago when I posted the “Fire to the Scroll” drawing.

Here’s the clip:

This made my day and I can’t thank Jim and Paul enough for making this little audio compliment go. I’m looking forward to putting pen to paper on some more drawings of their adventures in the very near future.

Fire to the Scroll
(posted yet again, for clarity, not for vanity. Okay, for vanity, too.)

A Wizard of the Mythos
pen/brush and ink, 4/10/08

Here’s a side by side comparison of the two different techniques I used on this illustration. The one on the right reads better at a smaller size.

Placing the ink drawing on the left on top of the wash drawing on the right gives it an interesting look, kind of like a dollar bill engraving. It goes to crap when it’s reduced down, though.

Which version do you like better?

Two renderings of that Evil Magician
pen/brush and ink, 4/11/08

Curses to the sinister Tax Man, that diabolical prestidigitator who makes money vanish into thin air, particularly when you’re self-employed.

This one was supposed to be dramatic and over the top, so I thought an ink wash might serve it better. A true master of the pen could probably achieve the required moodiness with just line, but I’m still working on it. Then again, the brush is a LOT faster.

May April 15, (tax day in the States,) pass you by without financial harm or frustration.

I Saw Fulham Win Away
ink wash & Photoshop, 4/12/08

Fulham defeated Reading today. What great joy to see Brian McBride put the ball in the back of the net for Fulham, and then to watch them hold the lead, later increase the lead, to go on to earn their first away win in thirty-some games.

This poster was inspired by a comment from one of the commentators during the game who said he’d like to have this statement printed on a t-shirt.