Crazy Ghosts of Chairs and Tables

The screw turns! Someone calls!

2008-06-10T05:29:18Z

And so we emerge: bleary-eyed, tousle-haired, a little sadder and a little wiser. Yes, that's right, MoCCA is over and done with for another year. This was my first time in attendance and I must say that future conventions have a lot to live up to. I met many wonderful and inspiring individuals, cementing my belief that comics people are the nicest people in the world. Thank you everyone for the kind words and the trades. I've got a lot of reading ahead of me.

Despite the heat, I was reluctant to leave New York. It may have been my crippling hangover. It may have been all the running around with Roger, Amy, and their friends. It may even have been some strange form of heat prostration. Who can tell? Eventually, I will be able to parse this five day extravaganza out, and then I will let you know.

grahamtastic @ 2008-05-27T01:35:00

2008-05-27T06:02:21Z

Hello, all. I just returned from seeing Efterklang in Philly (which I would recommend to anyone with ears on their head), and felt it was high time for some updating. Bullet points, away!:

-I no longer have a job. I gave my two weeks notice on the first, setting Phase One of my masterly masterful plan into motion.
-Said masterly masterful plan includes attending MoCCA, visiting friends up and down the east coast, and then moving to Portland, Oregon. I've heard tales of cartoonists roaming wild like wildebeests in that great state, and have felt a passionate burning sensation behind the eyelids to join them in their revels.
-The mini comic I have spent the better part of the month working on will probably not be done in time for MoCCA (unless I learn how to bend space and time within the week). I will still have copies of Blunderbuss with me though, so find me in my wanderings and buy, trade, or steal a copy at your leisure.

I will be finishing the mini at some point in the near future, most likely in spite of myself. So in the meantime, here's a small vignette to whet what little appetite you may have for my work.

Any criticisms or praises are welcome.

Policemen in parallel lines

2008-04-22T21:51:16Z

Finishing up my first round of art trading emails. This one is for my friend Ms. Sarah Jane Lomba, crafter of all manner of cuteness. Purchase adorable things from her!

I'm currently trying to put together a mini comic by the end of May to take with me to MoCCA. If things all go smoothly with that (which would be a first), I'll probably start contacting some people about more art trading. I haven't forgotten your requests, I'm just pitifully slow at everything.

Everyone having a good day? I sure hope so.

And I never missed my water, till my well went dry

2008-03-04T22:55:54Z

Well, the talk went much better than expected. After about ten minutes my hands stopped shaking and everybody really seemed to get into it. I had brought along a lot of my inspirations (various comics, a couple of old bookplates I've collected, etc.), some of my originals, and my computer to show my digital work. A lot of good questions were asked, and I got to expound upon some pet theories; like the benefits of knowing every stage of production for your work (even the stuff that might be out of your hands), the joys and pitfalls of obsessing over everything, and why it's good to be a snob.

I ended up talking for over an hour without even realizing it. So let that stand as a warning for anyone naive enough to get into a discussion with me about, well, anything.

And, since I'm fed up with constantly working on things and not showing them off for months, here are some sketches for my story idea for Plotz.

Katie Beaton, please find included one (1) image of yours truly getting socked in the face. Since you were curious.

I've figured out the story, it's just the dialogue that's being a pain. Probably because I don't actually talk to anyone anymore. Except, apparently, to classrooms full of design students.

grahamtastic @ 2008-02-27T18:51:00

2008-02-28T00:18:15Z

My half of an art trade with the criminally talented darkwaterfrey. This is the first painting I've done since November, and now I'm itching for more. Good art is the best payment for anything, provided you don't need money for food, and I'm happy to say that Doug has more than delivered on his side of the bargain. Then again, so did birdpopcicle, who traded her incomparably great finch for my young lady with the feral fashion sense.

If anybody is up for more trading (did you get my e-mail Sarah?), I might be able to squeeze a few more in before things get really frantic with my current comic project.

This Friday I get to haul myself out of bed early (when you don't get to sleep until seven in the morning you are perfectly justified in calling eleven o'clock 'early'), to go give a talk to an Illustration class at the Art Institute of York. I am probably the least qualified person for this job, so it should be interesting.

Well, here we are...

2008-01-23T04:17:33Z

Owing to a wonderful fluke of work scheduling (and some judicious use of vacation days), my birthday celebration started this past Friday, and won't really be done until tomorrow night at about 10:00 pm. It's been an interesting five-day weekend of boozing, movie watching, Rocket Slime-ing, and other experiences both friendly and familial.

So what am I doing for today, the official 25th birthday? Drinking McEwan's Scotch Ale, listening to The Clash, and inking comics. In a full suit and tie ensemble. Because who amongst you is strong enough to stop me?!

I hope everybody's birthday this year is as titanically great as mine has been. Goodnight.

grahamtastic @ 2007-12-03T20:16:00

2007-12-04T02:01:00Z

So now I have a website. It's a bit rough around the edges, and it's been in progress so long that I already want to change it, but on the whole I'm quite pleased. A special thank you to Mr. Roger Cosseboom (currently wandering around an endless parking lot in Florida, I think), for taking all my disparate junk and turning it into something navigable.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to offer up those paintings mentioned here before. I was thinking of selling each one for between $75 and $100, but I don't know if that's too much or too little for a bunch of framed 8x10 watercolors. I'm open to some good natured haggling amongst friends, but anything that doesn't sell soonish will end up on the etsy store I'm building, where I'll feel less queasy charging more for complete strangers. As for copies of Blunderbuss, they'll also be going up there (for $3 each). Anyone interested in financing my madness should drop me a line: graham@grahamkahler.com. Paypal info and other pleasantries of the digital age can be discussed there.

For those of you in the Baltimore area, Atomic Books has a number of copies to do with as you please.

Well, back to sweating it out over my next anthology story. Thanks everybody.

With my head out on the ledge

2007-10-18T20:50:51Z

The okay has been given, so here's my teaser story for Plotz #0 in its entirety. I already have a number of ideas cooking in the ol' brain kitchen, but I can't say which one will make it into the first proper issue of Plotz. It'll all depend on which idea requires the most leg room to stretch out with. Are my metaphors as tired as I feel right now? Enjoy:

Haven't forgotten about posting things for purchasing, if any of you are chomping at the bit (hahahahaha, right) to get your hands on some minis and paintings. I've been a little the worse for wear health-wise lately, so bear with me as I pull myself together.

A retraction!

2007-10-12T01:31:28Z

You know, I'm not big on being wrong, but it's an occasionally satisfying thing when it comes out in your favor. Contrary to what I told some of you, I WILL be going to SPX. I have borrowed a car, and will be down to hang out on Saturday. It's not the whole weekend, but it is the best I can do.

But I won't be traveling alone, oh no. I'll have these with me:

The contents shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who's been hanging around here for a while (it's the four stories I've done this year collected together), but now you won't have to sift through a menagerie of LOL-animals to get to them. Unless, you know, that's your thing.

So stop me in my travels around the convention floor to say hi, trade minis, or rub small bills all over my person. I will look like a slightly more harried version of the following:

The picture won't be totally accurate (I have a tendency to age at a regular clip), but I promise I've had all of my shots.

For those of you not in attendance, I'll be selling these puppies online (and the paintings from the show that are still lying around) when I return. Hi-ho!

1000 wasted Brooklyners are depressed

2007-09-25T23:27:38Z

Just a little peek at something I'm working on for this awesome anthology you may or may not have heard something about. I'm extra fond of this panel in particular, despite its being something of a throw-away one in relation to the story.

Also, my favorite British folk/electronica band (ok, so they're the only one that I know of), has a new album and video out. So things are pretty damn good right now.

Tunng-Bullets

And in a dream I'm trying to forget...

2007-09-07T01:13:46Z

Anyone wondering just what I've been up to these last few weeks need look no further. I wasn't sure if would make the deadline at the time; but now I'm happy to annouce that I will be part of a group show starting tomorrow. And since 98% of you will be unable to attend (owing to geographical differences well outside our collective control), I figured I'd give a little mini-show right here. Including the painting shown previously, I'll have five pieces on display. Are they any good? Will any of them sell? Who knows?! Onward!

Obviously, my scanner decided to have a little fun with the colors, but you get the idea.

Lots and lots of secret projects to keep me busy for the rest of the year. And all of them comics related, which is even better. I expect a few of you know what I'm talking about. Back to work!

Don't give up on my bad luck it's all I've got with me

2007-08-16T21:54:15Z

A couple weeks ago I started painting again for the first time in probably a year. The gentleman above was an attempt at a portrait of one of my heroes, but the fact that it doesn't really look like him doesn't bother me. It probably doesn't bother him either, seeing as how he's dead...

On the opposite end of the artistic spectrum, I've submitted another shirt to Threadless.

I don't know what I was thinking, as history has proven that they don't really like my work. But if you find yourself so inclined, head on over there and vote on it. Because if it loses, my tears will flood the countryside and ruin your lives. Or something.

Hoo boy...

2007-06-22T00:46:53Z

Not much to say about this one. I've been really inspired by poster designs, screen prints, and flat t-shirt graphics lately, and I wanted see if I could infuse the B&W stuff I've been doing with that sort of aesthetic. This is all just noodling on my part, and I can't say I'm wholly satisfied with the result just yet. But I think it's a step in the right direction.

I think I've fallen in love with Sammy Harkham's Poor Sailor. I bought it on Friday, and have read it four times since it fell into my hot little hands. It amazes me that something so simple could be so effective (and affecting).

Also (with glee!):
Múm-Dancing Behind My Eyelids

I was initially disappointed that Kristín Valtysdottir wasn't in the band anymore, but damn if I'm not really enjoying the direction they're headed in.

So much to do and to read and to hear and to see. What's everyone else inspired by these days?

Like pixelated scraps of jazz mags in your headlights.

2007-05-15T21:56:44Z

If anybody ever deserved a gallery show, it’s Ryan. It's a very cool site, my friend. Fame and fortune are just around the corner. No more tigers, though. You already have enough of those.

Have I mentioned lately that I really enjoy Fujiya & Miyagi? As derivative as this video is (The White Stripes' 'Fell in Love With a Girl' and Beck's 'Black Tamborine' spring to mind), I still think it's damn cool. Maybe it's just my nerdish love of board games.

Down the backstairs its a no-man's land.

2007-05-11T01:16:28Z

I've been making up stories all my life, but it never seems to get any easier. So once again, I'm feeling them writerly pains. I've got three separate ideas for graphic novels now, and the one I'm most interested in producing first is being rather belligerent at the moment. It's like I know how to build an apartment complex, but have no idea how to fill it with people. The framework is all there, but the plot itself remains slightly out of reach. Anybody have any writing advice for novel-sized fiction? I've been mostly a short-story man up to this point.

In other news, here's the (still nameless) finished five page dream comic, all handily collected under the cut.

Mistake an envelope for it's message.

2007-04-24T01:16:36Z

I'm slowly but surely getting used to the idea of doing comic work in the middle of the afternoon, rather than late at night. Just like I'm getting used to going to bed with the sun up. I'm having the time of someone else's life!

Danced my way across your lawn.

2007-04-10T02:21:41Z

Page two and I still don't seem to have a name for this thing. Anyone have any ideas?

In other news, I'll be starting my new job tomorrow. After a week of waking up early for training it'll be just me, two other employees, and the gentle hum of copy machines at 2 o'clock in the morning. No customers, no phonecalls, no scalding myself with coffee products (unless I really really want to). This job was tailor-made for my pale, nightowl personage. I can't wait!

Messy hearts made of thunder

2007-04-05T04:04:25Z

I seem to be enjoying something of a burst of speed lately, at least illustratively speaking. Where once I would have taken days to finish a page, I now find only hours zipping by as I feverishly ink things. Hooray! Now if only my writing could keep up with my drawing...

Here then is an as yet unnamed comic. Well, the first page of it anyway. Confidentially, it's a bit of a stretch for me; I've never done anything autobiographical before (though I'm not sure if recounting a dream qualifies as autobio). But I'm feeling playful, and I haven't been able to get it out of my head since I had it. So there you go.

How's everybody doing?

Soon it will be filled with parking cars.

2007-03-27T02:29:04Z

Still tweaking the writing on the new story, so in the meantime I figured I'd regale you with the absurdity that is my sketchbook.

I might have to turn one or two of these ideas into a more finished illustration (Bigfoot suit, I'm looking in your direction). And to think that three weeks ago I didn't know what to draw.

Sensitive Instruments

2007-03-19T03:35:52Z

I've been drawing every day for over two weeks now. It's something I always swore I needed to do, and it feels good to finally stick to my guns about it. On the other hand, I've been having a rather ridiculous bout of artist's block lately (no doubt stress-induced), and haven't had that much to actually draw. So: lots of pottering about in the old sketchbook, but no real action.

At least that was the case, until I sat down, reread Salinger's Nine Stories (the literary equivalent of comfort food), and kicked myself in the ass a few times till the buildup of words uncorked my pen. It also helped to watch a ton of new movies, all of which managed to chart somewhere on the Graham-O-Meter (or Grahamometer) between 'Damn Good' and 'Jesus H. Mustard!'. Said films are:

I Heart Huckabees
Straw Dogs
Tokyo Drifter
The Wrong Man
Elevator to the Gallows

I now have some new illustration ideas and a five or six pager in the works. In the meantime, here's a one-page comic that probably took me longer to finish than it should have.

Such breathtaking views of Scythian empires...

2007-02-23T21:04:26Z

I was tagged by the delightful Phil McAndrew. I just can't say no to that beard!

List seven songs you are into right now, no matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good but they must be songs you're really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your Live Journal along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they're listening to.

1. "Scythian Empires" - Andrew Bird
2. "The Universe!" - Do Make Say Think
3. "Friend of the Night" - Mogwai
4. "Hello Meow" - Squarepusher
5. "The White Sky" - The Gerbils
6. "Les Yper Sound" - Stereolab
7. "No Fit State" - Hot Chip

To be honest, I don't really feel like picking seven people. I'd prefer it if everyone did it, actually; I want to know what everybody's listening to these days. I suppose this means that, since I broke the chain, some grave disaster will befall me. Like an oceanliner breaking through the front of my house or something. That's okay though, I could use the excitement.

In other news...

2007-02-13T06:35:42Z

My former professor (and current pal) Mike Gorman done went and got hisself Drawn!. Mike is one hell of a teacher and a deeply, deeply demented soul. Anyone still going to MECA should take any classes taught by him before they throw him out on his ear with the rest of the talent in the Illustration department. Kudos to you, Mordecai!

Avenues of Teeth

2007-02-12T04:13:01Z

So here is a brand new comic, short and (possibly) sweet. It would have been here sooner, but I spent a week away from the drawing table with a high fever and shakes that would have done nothing for my pen line. I hope the panels aren't too busy; I'm trying to get away from computer tones for a little while, and I may have overdone it on the hatching.

I don't think we've seen the last of these guys.

We need Atlas for our long distance stuff

2007-01-22T22:33:39Z

So apparently today I am twenty four years of age. Naturally, I can see no better way to spend the time than to draw copious amounts of beards. Here is one of them.

A short list of people far more noteworthy than I that were born on the 22nd:

Sir Francis Bacon, Lord Byron, Rasputin(!), D.W. Griffith, Conrad Veidt, Seymour Cassel, Piper Laurie (I was a couple days off from Lynch, but I did manage Catherine Martell), John Hurt, 2Pac's mom, and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Also, I must mention that Dr. TV's Mike Yraola da_highrolla has been kind enough to put pencil to paper and provide a rather stunning likeness of yours truly. In it, I am either pontificating while drunk, or attempting to shoot down a duck with my finger; both actions of which I am guilty of numerous offenses.

I hope everybody's day has been splendid. Now I'm back to making short comics about city-eating monsters.

The slippery meanings that walk on their fins

2007-01-04T18:04:32Z

Well, I've gone and done it again. Here's a submission for the Decemberists Heart Threadless contest. In the event that you find it fetching (and wouldn't at all mind wearing it on your person), please vote favorably on it.

I'm pretty damn pleased with how this one turned out. What do you think?