| After nearly a year of self doubt, anxiety, and dissatisfaction with the progress I've made using oils and canvas as my medium, this whole comic book has lit a fire inside me and I feel energized and excited
about this project. As I've started spreading the word about the book to my friends and colleagues, I've stressed the disclaimer that the work is NOT autobiographical. They would laugh, and I'd have to admit two of the eight chapters are strictly based off a couple of my real life experiences. Beyond that, the reckless tale of one poor, misguided white guy's attempts to stop the gentrification of East Austin are strictly for entertainment purposes only. It's a big issue these days, with cozy, overpriced lofts
popping up on almost every street corner of the only neighborhood in Austin I've ever known, as well as more and more hipsters and yuppies making their presence felt in these formerly drug laden and prostitute rich lands. Writing the stories has been a breeze, and unifying text and imagery feels like a necessary step for my art right now. Stepping outside the stifling pretension of the art world for a 'poppier' medium also is quite a breath of fresh air.
I'll keep drawing, scribbling notes for new work, and perhaps even paint a painting or two in the next few months, but in the meantime, I've got my work cut out for me trying to maintain a page a day pace that professionals in the comic business are able to miraculously churn out.
Here's some of the work that I've managed to finish in the past month, along with a mountain of notes, sketches, charts and graphs I've put together for my comic book. Look for a finished product (hopefully) by the end of October... |
