Archive for July, 2010
10 items.
A little while ago I mentioned that I would be attending the next Auckland Zinefest.
I thought I had better follow that up with some solid information. The Zinesfest is a celebration of all things DIY and self publishing. Last year I really wanted to attend (as an exhibitor) but my book just wasn’t done in time. I did go as an attendee though, and was really impressed with the quality of work of all the people who were selling their own zines and comics.
I will be attending this year. I’ll have ActionMan Adam #1 for sale, as well as some t-shirts, and a very limited print I made. There are loads of great people who will have stalls this year. Including thisisrabbit, whom I have mentioned previously here in the blog. It will be good fun!
This year the event is being held in St Kevins Arcade, K Road in Auckland. It’s a good spot in town. Close to lots of good food, shopping – so if you live in Auckland, come on in to the city centre and make a day of it. There is a good kebabs place nearby. Good Japanese food nearby.
Also worth noting is the fact that after the Zinefest wraps up, there is going to be an after party! Held at venues in the arcade, and totally free. Musical entertainment for free! That is a good deal my friends.
Here are the important details so you can come meet me, say hello, and buy my comic and talk to other talented people:
Auckland Zinefest
Saturday – August 14 from 11am – 4pm and then after party from 7pm
St Kevins Arcade, K Road, Auckland
Hope to see you there!
Thanks for reading,
Marc
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Hey all,
How are things? So it was Comic-Con International this weekend just past. Did anyone go? If so, what secrets did you learn while you were in sunny San Diego? Please tell me, I must know! It’s been a while since I have been to Comic-Con. I miss it a lot. I have made friends there, and had some of the best experiences. It’s like nothing else. If you did go, I hope you had a great time of it!
So what did I do since I wasn’t at Comic-Con? Nothing exciting I’m afraid. I looked after my wife, who had touch up iLasik surgery on her eyes. She had to go in again for a minor correction. Then, to test them out, just three days later I took her to see Inception at the IMAX. Ha ha! I should have thought that decision through before hand. However, she survived with only a little fatigue and dehydration (it was a long flick).
It was enjoyable. That is all I will say, as enough has been talked of it on the internet already.
Finally, did everyone see this latest homage of Adam by my friend Matt? Matt has a new website full of art up, please go have a look see.
How was your weekend?
Thanks for reading
Marc
Way back in 1999 I hung out with three guys during my student days, in Christchurch. We were a tight unit and frequently went out on the town as young guys do. My good friend Matt had a place right in the city centre just 2 blocks away from all the popular bars, and one block away from the favourite watering hole, the Dux de Lux.
It was a great thing, and I have to give a lot of respect to Matt, whether he wanted it or not, he was always gracious and welcoming, for the partying that began at his apartment there in the city. Two years later, I’m trying to come up with an idea for a one page comic, and as a joke I suggest it would be cool to do a comic based on our mutual friend Adam. Over the course of the next hour, Matt and I are throwing ideas back and forth and we basically nail down the story for the first ActionMan Adam comic. Subsequently when it came time for the second story I went back to Matt and again, we were able to get another story done.
What’s cool now is, after being burnt out on his own artwork, Matt has finally returned to it. Art was something he was always adept at, so it’s good to see him getting back into it. Bringing it back full circle, Matt now has an art blog, and has decided to use ActionMan Adam as one of his practice pieces, as well as other pop culture and comic book characters.
Please go check his blog out, leave some comments, and follow his RSS, as he throws up some vector based drawings and gets back on track with his art agenda. Tell him I sent you!
Thanks for reading
Marc
Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child
It was the find of the film festival for me (granted this year I only booked in to see two films). There is usually one or two. You can have expectations that might not be met, but on some films you just have no idea and you come away just happy that you were fortunate to see it.
Moments of genius in action and candid honesty are what you’ll find in the film Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child. Film maker Tamra Davis, who was also a friend of the artist, has pulled out old footage she shot, including an interview with the late Jean-Michel himself and newer interviews with his friends and colleagues as they recollect his life and what made him special.
Documenting his time of living one day to the next as an artist on the streets who built solid cred with his graffiti poetry as Samo (Same-o) and then following his dramatic rise into the art elite, you’re treated to scenes of Jean-Michel actually working on some of his paintings. Frantically keeping up pace of a hectic art schedule, all the while consuming simultaneously books, TV and music.
What I found best about the movie, is while I knew the works and the story of the artist, seeing how the pieces were made, and who Jean-Michel was, as an artist, and what he meant to other people made it an thoroughly enjoyable and engaging film. From old friends recollecting parties and going out dancing with him, to art dealers talking about his success in the art world, you truly get more of the personal touch.
The film was always going to have a sad ending, you go in with that knowledge, but you come out with a better understanding of Jean-Michel himself and completely awe struck by his incredible talent. If there is a screening near you, and you like art or Basquiat in anyway, then do not miss this film. It’s awesome.
Thanks for reading
Marc
Is it me, or did that weekend go by fast?
Spent most of my weekend doing stuff around the house and working on the comic, but I did get out to see my second Film Festival screening. I’ll have more about that in a post tomorrow.
Meanwhile did you see this blog piece I did last week about two different artists doing their interpretations of Adam? If not, please go check it out! Both of these guys rocked that shit out!
Thanks for reading
Marc
Last week, unexpectedly, I was lucky enough to see two different art pieces from two different artists doing an homage to Adam! Now before you suggest that I paid both of these guys to do so, I will let you know that it’s not in my budget to do so. Ha ha! I will however buy them both a beer because it was awesome in both cases. Let me break it down for you.
Robin Hotter – Monday, I get word from Robin (a frequent commenter on this site and a super nice guy) that he was inspired on a trip home from work, and just had to draw something. Amazingly, in this spur of the moment – his art mission turned to Adam. You can read about it here, at his website. The result was cool, like a Dan Hipp infused piece of work, and I’m digging the colours on it. Spontaneous art is the best!
That segways perfectly into the other artist:
thisisrabbit – thisisrabbit I have known for some time. He pretty much has a hand in everything. On the web or on the streets, you can find his special brand of unique art all over the place. To the point where it even showed up in a popular video game! Often introspective and mostly hilarious, thisisrabbit is dedicating his time to a new “doodle-a-day” project over on his Flickr page. If you have a Flickr account or a twitter account, I highly recommend you add him as a contact so you can keep up with the project. I check it out daily. Last Thursday, thisisrabbit was kind enough to feature Adam as one of the daily subjects, and I was stoked to see what he’d done!
Thanks to both those guys, if either of you catch me at the pub, I’ll buy you that beer. Cheers!
Thanks for reading
Marc
Maaaaaaaaan! It was really cold this weekend. It was one of those weekends where you kinda didn’t want to do anything because it was actually just too cold. The best idea is to cook a piping hot meal and stay inside.
Friday night we hit the first movie on our film festival hit list. We saw “Exit through the gift shop“. It was most excellent. Pretty entertaining. I recommend you go see it with friends! While there was a main story the film followed, it was really interesting just from an artistic perspective to see some of the artists at work. Including Banksy, Invader, Shepard Fairey and more. Worth the cash!
Congratulations to Spain on winning the world cup!
Thanks for reading
Marc
A couple of Saturdays ago I arrive back in Auckland from Christchurch. The rain was coming down, and while checking the mail I found my copy of “Alledaags” by Toby Morris in the letterbox. Fortunately it was protected enough that it was not ruined by the rain. That would have pissed me off.
Alledaags: A Year in Amsterdam is a really beautiful collection. Put together from a years worth of Toby’s drawings throughout the course of 2009. Toby, from Wellington, offers up a unique perspective of a non-Dutch person living the day to day life in Amsterdam. Whether it be the quirkier side of life, Toby’s own personal moments – like losing his beard in a shaving mishap or just slice of life scenarios, each day consistently showcases Toby’s unique linework cartooning style. Moving effortlessly from comical to reflective.
If you want to check Alledaags online, or Toby’s current project – 200 People I used to know, then head on over to his site. It’s all sitting in the archives there for you to check out. Or if you want to drop some coin on the collected Alledaags like I have you can purchase it from his store. I highly recommend it.
Thanks for reading,
Marc
Hey all,
Man, it was a close call getting this comic done. Too much partying on the weekend cut into my drawing time in a big way. I put in a big effort over the last couple of nights to see it all through though!
How is everyone? If you’re in North America, did you enjoy your Canada Day or Independence Day?
Let me know!
Thanks for reading.
Marc
Candy Swap 2010 – Auckland vs Seattle – keeping the postal service alive
July 1st, 2010 |Posted In: Blog, Uncategorized
You know pen pals is passé right?
These days email has completely ruined the thrill of getting something in the mail. It seems so instantaneous to open an email and quickly read it. Long forgotten it seems is the art of handwriting. While email is faster and more efficient to get communication accomplished, don’t you miss the fun of actually receiving the mail? Unsure of it’s exact contents, there is an excitement to it, rivalled only by a child’s enthusiasm on Christmas morning.
In an effort to bring the fun back and have a good cultural exchange, I participated in a candy swap with a friend in Seattle. The idea is a simple one. Send candy or chocolate which is unique to your region. Post that selection to your chosen recipient and vice versa. Wait a week or two. Magically – something will appear at your residence. Carried by a strange man wearing a uniform. You seem to vaguely remember him.
Oh that’s right. A postman! Wow. They still exist!
Open your parcel to find a magical bounty inside! Unbelievable! It’s sugared treats from a distant far away land.
If you have a friend from another country, I recommend it. It’s fun to organise. It’s actually more fun trying to pick out a nice selection that you think will represent your region well, which, hopefully, will be enjoyable for your candy swap partner in crime.
Thanks to Renée for my bounty! Now that I have officially documented it with pics, I can devour!
Thanks for reading
Marc