outsidelogic

Hey everyone, I've just created a new facebook page and blog to use for my propaganda...ummm...I mean political cartoons. Please check them out, and like my facebook page if you're into that kinda thing.  Thanks!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/artisanalpoli…
Blog: artisanalpolitics.com/

Lots of good stuff to see there, like:

First it was denial, then a sick feeling, then anger and disbelief. The disbelief hasn't gone away, but now I'm energized, and have gone back to what was once called "the ungentlemanly art"...political cartoons!

The other day I went down to Denver's local, venerable art supply store, Meininger's, to get a few things and to look around. Even though it's a 30-minute drive from my house, it's always been a fun place to go to replenish supplies and check out what's new.  Sadly (for me and the store), I didn't have much luck.

• Copic multiliners (the good kind that take replacement cartridges and tips): display case was almost empty, with a just a few odd sizes left;
  
• Carbon Black Liquitex ink: out of stock;
  
• Crow quill pen nibs: only available in Speedball "variety packs" where you get one each of a variety of nibs;
  
• Cheap cardboard portfolio for storing sketches: out of stock. I ended up with a more expensive, waterproof thing with handles, which is more than I need, but I felt I had to buy something in order to justify the trip.
  

So I drive home and ordered everything else online.

It reminded me of bookstores. They've had to re-invent themselves as "destinations" where you go not just to buy stuff, but to hang out and browse. I think most people, if you have a certain book in mind, don't drive down to local bookstore to buy it...but you might go there to kill an hour, get a coffee, and look around.

Meininger's might be doing great; I don't know.  They do hold classes and probably have other ways of getting people into their stores. But it struck me that they may need to evolve to survive.

How are your local art supply stores holding up?

Those of you who have been following me know I have been working on illustrations for my daughter's first novel, Eulogy.  Well, it has finally been officially published and is available on Amazon in a paperback print edition (with my illustrations) for $16 and a Kindle edition (without the illustrations) for $5.  It's a very exciting achievement for her!  (for anyone, actually). 

It's an adventure/romance that takes place in a setting reminiscent of medieval France, about an orphaned girl who becomes trained as a mercenary.  The main character is a lesbian, and in addition to her adventures as a trained spy and warrior, the story deals with the emotional struggles she faces as an unconventional young woman.

You should buy it, read it, and review it!  There's also a face book page for it...go ahead and like it, and we would be grateful and consider you an extremely cool and progressive person

Here are the illustrations that are part of the book.





 

Hi everyone, I'm afraid I've been a social media hermit for the past six months, due to general burnout and a day job that has been demanding more of my time. Apologies to those of you who have commented on my work and received no acknowledgement from me; I'll try to catch up in the next few weeks. I also apologize to those of you whom I watch. I'm sure there are some wonderful pictures in my inbox that would normally have garnered a fave or comment from me, but instead have been sadly ignored.

I also appreciate those of you who have reached out to me privately wondering what the heck happened to me.  I'll admit to many "why am I bothering with this" moments, but the answer to that question is really "because of all the cool people I've met here". So I'm back.  I look forward to reconnecting with you all.

I haven't been terribly productive during my absence, but I have picked up the brush in an attempt to give a little more life to my drawings.  There are a couple of examples at the top of this post (the references are from magazine pictures). The brush can be frustrating and difficult to control, but I'm liking the results so far.

There's also have a big project ahead of me in the next month or so:  my youngest daughter is finishing up her first novel, and I have promised her that I would do some illustrations for it. Stay tuned.

Glenn