Pipe the Pelican

Here's a little glimpse of a project I've been working on. Pipe the Pelican is a stream of consciousness story done in a sketchbook. Actually, it's been told over several sketchbooks, as I'm currently working on the fourth one.

The idea was to write a story and not plan ahead, in other words to let "my inner storyteller" guide me and tell me what to do next. I embraced the idea that "there are no mistakes" that everything has a reason.

What a fun experiment! I look forward to sharing the first book in the series in the near future.

Little orange ninjas

Don't really know how to explain this post. For some reason the world is made better by orange ninjas? I don't know... but they were fun to draw.

Something fun

Here's a couple of sketches of Hugo, the Birthday Boy. It's been so long since I've drawn him! The Birthday Boy was the first thing I ever published, and the precursor to the Benjamin Piff series.

The comic book just might be one of the weirder things I've ever done with giant talking candles, Moon aliens and a dinosaur bird with a metal plate in its head. Go figure...

Wpadjjtj

Spaceman

Okay, so I got a little inspired what can I say? Here's a new one, this time its a lonely astronaut looking for life on a strange, blue planet. What do you think of the white trees?

Rapa Nui

Playing around in Photoshop I came up with these guys. Maybe there's an ancient Hawaiian story brewing in the back of my mind somewhere... Hmmm..

New Year!

So 2009 is over. I had a long talk with my wife and we both agreed that it was a pretty crazy year! With 2010 up and going, one of my new resolutions was to start blogging more often, so we'll see how long I can keep it up! :)

On December 24th the last book in the Mysterious Mr. Spines trilogy was published. When I first held the new book in my hands I felt a tremendous surge of relief. I lived with this story so long before it was published and it feels so good to see the entire thing in print.

It was a big challenge to write about themes of life and death, redemption and corruption. For my part, I'm happy with the way the books came out. There's always room for improvement, but the characters in this trilogy will always have a special place in my heart. As a writer, sometimes it feels like you really know them and that they exist somewhere.

Who knows? Maybe I'll meet them all someday in the Afterlife.

Happy New Year to everyone! Best wishes to you all!

J

Siena

Had a great trip to Italy a couple of weeks ago. The shops look like something right out of Pinocchio.

Back to School

Well, the kids start school today and Nancy and I are going on a date! Here's a little sample of what's in store for lunch...
Croque Monsieur in the beautiful, smoke-free city of Ventura. Our happiness is equal to our kids depression.

The Home Office

Finally back from New York and Italy and had time to set up the home office. There's nothing like getting organized... it doesn't last very long so I have to enjoy it as much as possible while everything is neat and tidy!

The Mind Melter

Saw this guy up on the boardwalk at Santa Cruz. How could a person not be inspired when you see stuff like this? Makes me want to write a mad scientist story...

Children's book illustration number two

Pipe the Pelican children's book

So, I've embarked on a short children's book featuring Pipe the Pelican. Pipe is a character I've had for years and am finally getting around to doing something with. Check out the Pipe the Pelican blog to see more.

Boat sketch

Hank the Bear

Here's a puppet I made after a raid at a craft store. A few yards of furry fabric, some felt, foam for the structure under the head and some ping pong balls. Viola! Hank the Bear!

It was fun, but sewing the whole thing by hand was rough. Respect to all those people gifted with needles and thread. How do you get over the sore fingertips???

More of the Otter...

Otto and Herb

Why an otter and a worm? I couldn't really tell you. But these are two of the earliest cartoon characters I created.

Pipe the Pelican

An image from PIPE THE PELICAN.

I did this as a independent comic book a year or so ago, just to have some fun drawing in an old fashioned animation style.

Captain's Log

A few thoughts about writing on a boat: I've discovered that where you write can be as important as what you write. For me, writing on a sailboat is ideal. Not only is it a quiet place to concentrate, but because it is surrounded by nature it lends itself to creative pursuits. I can't tell you how often a stroll on the beach has helped me solve one difficult story problem or another.

What many people fail to realize is just how affordable a boat can be. My current boat, THE STARGAZER, was obtained from an anxious seller who was moving out of the area and needed to get rid of it. Slip fees are affordable for a vessel this size (about 27 feet) and generally run a couple of hundred dollars per month. So for all you would be skippers out there, consider the advantages.

I'll see you at the docks!

Mr. Spines sketch