Comic-Con Part 2

Geez Louise this place is packed! The convention is way more busy than it was last year. I'm having fun. Meeting people. Basking in the glow of extreme geekiness. I guess the high point so far was showing Mike Mignola (Hellboy creator) my painting of Lobster Johnson, one his more popular characters and getting this reaction...

"Hey, that's nice... that's really nice. I wish I had done something simpler and dramatic like that for my covers" (He's putting out a Lobster Johnson series in the next few months). I know it's not much, but I was pretty psyched to get feedback like that from an artist I admire so much.

It looks like my camera may have disappeared sometime yesterday. I don't know if it's just hiding in my car (I'm searching for it again later) or if a valet made off with it while I was checking in. I'm bummed. It's a great little digital camera. I keep hoping it'll turn up.

*UPDATE*- Woohoo! Found my camera! It was shoved way up under the passenger seat in my car. I have uploaded two photos to celebrate. Click on the photos to read what the hell is going on.

Comic-Con Part 1

Desert Thunderstorm, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

We're almost to San Diego. We spent the night in Yuma Arizona and are about to drive the last 3 hours to San Diego. Preview night is tonight and the convention swings in to full force tomorrow.

There were a lot of thunderstorms in the Arizona desert yesterday. Pretty cool stuff. It's been a fun trip so far. We stopped of at "The Thing?" at exit 322 on I-10 in Texas Canyon, Arizona. What is The Thing? Well, you'll have to just experience that yourself. I will say it was worth the $1 admission fee.

Comic-Con!

Fat Trooper, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

Well, my buddy Kevin, his son Max and I are hitting the road today for San Diego! It promises to be a fun road trip. It'll be nice to spend 5 days in a place where I won't be the biggest geek in the room.

I'll try and be good and take pictures and makes updates about the nuttiness that is this thing they call Comic-Con.

Wahine Runner

My first of (hopefully) many t-shirt illustrations for Brian over at Tiki Tees.

Travis

Travis, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

Scannerized portrait for my friends Steve and Ann. Travis is Ann's son.

My nautical is radical...

...apparently. My Creature from the Black Lagoon painting got accepted into Gallery Lombardi's Radical Nautical show. The Radical Nautical show is a juried exhibition here in Austin. All art had to have some sort of nautical theme. The opening is Thursday, August 2nd from 7pm-10pm. Hope to see you there!

Shiny Fortune

Shiny Fortune, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

So, I was having dinner with my buddy Steve tonight. I was telling him that my resolve was weakening and I was probably going to break down and get an iPhone. This is the fortune I got in my fortune cookie.

That's just wrong.

Manly Art iPhone Wallpapers!

iPulp03, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

Be the first kid on your block to have a genuine Manly Art wallpaper for your iPhone! Tell your friends! Click HERE to see all 6 wallpapers!

Drawing for Austin Sketch Squad. I did this one completely by memory. If you don't recognize him, he's from the cantina scene in Star Wars. Needless to say the character himself is copyright George Lucas.

Sold!!!

My painting in the Tiki Art Show sold! Woot!

Hula Dancers...

Here's some video I shot of the hula dancers from the Tiki art opening in Chicago. They're awesome! Enjoy!

Aloha!

Aloha!, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

Well, the Tiki art opening was a blast! Great art, Polynesian dancers and rum drinks. Good times. The art was amazing. I felt a little out of my league. It's good motivation to keep pushing myself and become a better artist, though.

Click here to see more photos.

Chicago, Part 1...

Chicago was a blast. The opening went well. I'll be posting photos tonight. In the meantime, here are a few pages from a new sketchbook I started on my trip. I'm trying to get better about drawing anytime I'm hanging out or waiting. All drawings are Bic Velocity on Moleskine. Click for larger versions.

It's bug week on the Manly Art Channel...

They have these really cool 7 year locusts in Chicago. They've even got the Bears colors. The locusts we have in Texas come out every two years (I think) and are green and a lot more skittish. This little guy was happy as a clam to climb up on my finger and pose for a couple of photos. Click on the images to see larger versions.

Spocks on a Plane

Airport Bad Spock, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

Drew this in the Austin airport waiting for my plane to Chicago. Drawing with a track pad is only slightly easier than drawing with a broken etch-a-sketch.

As I am now an official contributer on the Bad Spock Drawings Blog you will be seeing many more of these. Sorry. ;)

Not so itsy bitsy spider...

Spider 01, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

Found this sucker in my apartment tonight. His body's about an inch long. I have to admit, I don't really enjoy finding spiders this large in my apartment. I'm just glad I didn't wake up with it biting me or something.

I looked around on the internet and didn't find anything definitive as to what type of spider it is. It kind of looks like a hobo spider, but it didn't look exactly like the photos I saw, so I'm not sure. I set the little guy free outside.

Austin Books and Comics

These are a series of illustrations for Austin Books & Comics using their mascot, Austin Books Man, to show different aspect of their store in the format of an old illustrated travel book. Click the images to see larger versions.

TIki Madness!

If any of you folks out there are in the Chicago area this weekend, I'll have a piece in DVA Gallery's third annual tiki show. The opening party is this Saturday, June 23rd from 4pm-11pm. It should be a good time. There have been rumors of Polynesian dancers, tiki beverages and Polynesian food. I'll be there for the party. Come check it out and say hi!

Bad Spock #1

Bad Spock #1, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

This is my first "Bad Spock" drawing. I put a Sharpie between my toes and this is what I ended up with. The marvelous coloring was done in Photoshop. It is quite possibly the worst drawing I've made since I was three.

Ironically, as a result, I was asked to become an official contributer to the Bad Spock Drawings blog. Woohoo! I think.

Go check out the blog. It's a lot of fun.

Tiki Honeymoon

Tiki Honeymoon, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

Don't you hate it when you're on your honeymoon in a tropical paradise and BAM!...the next thing you know, you're having to try and figure out a way to save your blushing bride from being sacrificed at the hands of blood-thirsty natives? To add insult to injury, all you have to work with is a pocket knife, some spare change and your hotel card key. It was the best honeymoon ex-Navy Seal Chip Carson could have asked for. It was a TIKI HONEYMOON!

I finally finished my painting for DVA Gallery's Tiki Art Show! The opening party is June 23 at DVA Gallery in Chicago. Maybe I'll see you there!

Mr. Incredible

Mr. Incredible, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

My drawing for The Austin Sketch Squad this week. The theme was "Heroes".

A hero with a gut is a hero I can identify with!

A Rather Reubenesque Wonder Woman...

A Rather Reubenesque Wonder Woman..., originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

This is a drawing I submitted to Jamar Nicholas' awesome blog BBWW: The Fat Wonder Woman Blog. Wish me luck! Maybe he'll post it.

*UPDATE*- Jamar posted my image to his blog! Woohoo!

The Good Life...

Hey gang, I have just hung a few paintings at The Good Life Barber Shop. You're probably asking yourself, "Why would he hang art at a barber shop?". Well, this isn't your run-of-the-mill barber shop. Not only can you get a haircut and a straight razor shave, they have a pool table and they encourage folks to hang out and relax. The owner, Debbie, is trying to bring back the old school barber shop that supports a sense of community.

If you live in Austin, stop by, get a shave and a haircut and tell Debbie I sent you.

The Good Life Barber Shop
5th & Brazos, Austin TX
512-320-0010

Smoky Pig

Smoky Pig, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

This is a logo illustration for a company in East Texas that makes custom smokers. I was pretty happy with how it came out. I think I managed to get the clients idea across (a pig trying to escape from a smoker) without being morbid and give it a sense of fun.

Sam & Fozzie...

My drawing for the Austin Sketch Squad this week. The theme was Muppets in Pop Culture. I chose the famous Han & Chewie image in honor of Star Wars' 30th anniversary.

Tiki Adventure!

*Update*- I got some feedback from Kennon and made some adjustments to the knife wielding native. Thanks Kennon, I think it definitely made it a stronger piece.

This is drawing for the painting I'll be entering in DVA Gallery's Anniversary Tiki Show. I think this will be a fun one.

Party Ninja

Party Ninja, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

Beware the Party Ninja! One minute you're having drinks with him, the next, he's gone. But, in reality, he's probably just passed out behind the couch.

My post for this weeks Austin Sketch Squad theme... Ninja. Neil, this one's for you buddy.

Lobster Johnson

Lobster Johnson, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

I finally finished the Lobster Johnson painting. Woohoo! I'm pretty happy with how it came out. Enjoy!

Chicks dig scars...

Here's the t-shirt design I recently finished for the Huns 10th Annual Bloodfest 7s Tournament.

The Curls

The Curls, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

My friend Sonya will be fulfilling a dream of hers this summer. She's putting together an all girls Kinks cover band called The Curls and putting on a concert on her birthday. This is the poster I designed for the event.

note- The venue and start time may change. I'm sure I'll re-post an updated version once everything is set in stone.

Danger Girl...

Here's the preliminary sketch for a pin-up of Abbey Chase from Danger Girl.
*UPDATE*- Per my buddy Dave's recommendation, I added the pistol for more Abbey-ness.

Lobster In-Progress...

Here's an in-progress of a painting for my comic-book themed show coming up in May. It's just the under-painting, but I think I should post more often and occasionally show the process behind the art. For those of you who don't recognize him, he's Lobster Johnson from Hell Boy. I should be posting the finished painting in the next day or two. I'll also have more details about the show soon.

Count for Life, yo...

My entry for the Austin Sketch Squad this week. The theme was "Bats".

Jason's "Uncle Sam took my money" Art Sale...

Howdy Folks,

Well, Uncle Sam has once again taken more than his fair share of my income this year. So I'm having an art sale. The sale is valid April 9- 16th, 2007.
Everything is in the ball park of 50% off or more. This sale is first come, first served. If you know anyone who might be interested, please feel free to send them to the link below.

Here's the link for the sale... http://www.manlyart.com/artsale

I hope you find something you like.

Thanks,
Jason

*UPDATE*- 3 paintings have sold and one is on hold! Thanks to those who have purchased a piece!

Enter the Dragon...

Austin Sketch Squad drawing of the week. The theme was "Dragon". I couldn't resist. I've never really had an excuse to draw Bruce Lee.

Grindhouse...

Holy crap. I just got back from the Austin World Premiere of Grindhouse. Sweet baby Jesus that was an incredible double feature.

Rodriguez's flick Planet Terror is a pretty awesome Zombie tribute. It had me squirming in my seat with revulsion at times and howling with laughter or cheering at others. It was a lot of fun.

But I have to say, Tarantino pulled out all of the stops with Death Proof. It was intense. It had Tarantino's trademark dialogue. It had Kurt Russell at his psychotic best. It had plenty of lovely ladies... and did I mention it was insanely intense? If you like to have fun, yell at the screen and be grossed out... this is the double feature for you.

"But Jason", you ask, "How is it you got to experience this coolness a whole week and a half before the rest of us mere mortals?" At this time, I'd like to thank my buddy Josh for being well connected and getting us VIP passes for this event. Both directors and a sizable chunk of the cast were in attendance. I was sitting on the same row with Kurt Russell. I shook Kurt Russell's hand. That's right fellow geeks, I shook hands with Jack Burton. He seems like a really cool guy. He was laughing and yelling as much as anyone else in the theater.

Thanks again, Josh. You helped make a pretty crappy week a little more bearable.

Tiki Goodness...

I'm very excited to announce that I have been invited to be a part of DvA Gallery's 3rd Anniversary Tiki Show! The opening festivities are June 23, 2007 from 4-11 at the DvA Gallery in Chicago.

Chicago Loot...

These are some cool prints I picked up in Chicago last week. The top one is by Martin Cimek and the bottom 2 are by Ryan Heshka. You can click on the bottom 2 to see larger images.

Diver Dead!

After dispatching one of I.C.E.'s top agents, the espionage community would never underestimate agent Wilke again. She had completed her mission, code-named... DIVER DEAD!

Oil on Gessoed MDF, 24"x36"

Spicy Intrigue!

Just a reminder. My show opening is tonight from 9-12. Come by if you can. I'd love to see you!

Pappy the Jet Jockey

Another drawing courtesy of the Austin Sketch Squad. The theme this week was 'Jet'. I felt like doing something a little different than my normal stuff and have some fun.