Oops...

THIS is the cover for this week.

This week's CARTOON

Seeking enlightenment.

Another Cover for the Word

In year's past, this local festival was called Sky Jam.

Robert Johnson without a School Safety Patrol

When you reach certain points in your life, there are two basic ways to make your entrance. It actually is a choice, though circumstance can seemingly dictate your demeanor. Don't believe it. You are the month of March with free will. Come in like a lion. Sometimes a situation requires the type of assertive smack-down, that only frustration and desire can sire. That offspring needs a preemptive time-out to strike with accuracy. Think, be all bad-ass, and then move forward like a lamb.

April features greener pastures.

Facts... What Do You Think?

Hi! I work as a graphic designer for a company that owns restaurants, shops, and a hotel. They don't spend a whole lot of money on printed advertising materials. I do good work for them. Sometimes I think it is very difficult to market the company.

Many times, it seems like ideas and promotions aren't very well thought out. It seems that profitability is not an issue for any of the events. Here is an example. Please tell me what you think.

A person very high in the organization had an idea. This person was listening to music on a friend's car audio system. This was a very pricey luxury vehicle, and all of the people who were present were complimentary of the music quality. The person very high in the organization thought it would be a great idea to drive the car into the middle of the hotel lounge to play music for the enjoyment of the lounge patrons. I was told to create a flyer promoting this. I did.

The hotel and lounge are very elegant and beautiful.

What do you think?

P.S. (the flyer includes the phrase, "No Cover!" Would you expect to pay a cover to listen to someone's car stereo?)

the victorian dazzle cover

quick cover

Cartoon for this week...

cartoon for this week.

Bang and Blame

Life is unfulfilling.

Why is that? What is it? It's you. It's me (actually).

I've blogged about the artist Bobby Chiu before. He's a Toronto artist whose YouTube videos I watch a lot. It's the narration that kills me everytime. Bobby Chiu is an amazing artist, but it's his attitude and philosophy that I envy most.

I know that I have blogged about my job before. I have been doing a lot of very heavy thinking about it lately. I have finally decided that I do not belong here. This job is what it is... and it will never get better. I will never get better working here. Bobby Chiu said something in the video I watched last night about creative jobs. It really struck a nerve.

He talked about having a creative job that you dread. He said he would rather be doing something non-creative than be in a situation that made him dislike art. He's right. This job makes me dislike art. I get home at night and want to draw or paint or work on my own art, and I am creatively drained.

I am talented. I have technical skills too. I don't think the management here appreciate what I offer. I want to work for someone I can respect, that respects me. The circumstances which led to my working here are a bit sketchy... but I know now that it is time to go.

The company-owned hotel down the street is having an Art Exhibition this week. As part of an event this Saturday, I will be doing caricature work all day. They also convinced me to hang some of my illustration work in the show. I produce digital illustrations. The head of my department asked why I hadn't hung any real paintings. It rubbed me the wrong way a little. I'm not saying he is a bad guy or anything, but what I do is beyond his ability to understand and appreciate. You can't get mad at that, really.

This company does not demean me. This job does not demean me. I demean myself every day by coming here to work. I am better than this. I deserve the most blame. Every day I come here to work, is one less day of becoming better and happier. I will be putting in my 2 weeks notice, before the end of August.

Happy Fart of July

One of my favorite holidays! The whole family gathers around to share hot dogs, hamburgs, macaroni/potato salad, and baked beans. Then as the sun sinks into the west... we light them off, while the crowd "Ooohs" and "Aaahs" into the night.