Thirteenth Story

This Blog is Closing

2011-12-14T21:01:00.005-05:00

Hi everyone,

For a bunch of reasons, I am closing this blog. For quite a while I have been keeping my art in multiple places, and that has included several different blog sites. Ultimately, I think LiveJournal is the best place for what I need, and thus, you can find my continuing blog and artwork and news and whatnots over at this other place:

Thirteenth Story on LJ

There really isn't much of a difference for you, just a different link (which can also always be found off my main spectacular website, thirteenthstory.com). I will keep this old stuff here as long as they let me, so as not to interfere with lots of old links.

Thanks, and see you over there.
Jaye

Orion, the Hunter

2011-12-13T23:13:00.001-05:00

This is a painting of Orion I made for a winter-themed installation in a local storefront...

He is my largest painting, five feet tall, painted on fabric:

And it was hung amidst silvery drapery with lots of sparkle, like the stars...

Thanks for looking.

Jaye

FIN shirts link

2011-12-13T21:16:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder, for the holidays.
This local artist would be grateful.

-Jaye

Birch

2011-12-11T22:25:00.002-05:00

This is ink, watercolor, and acrylic on board. It started out as a warm-up sketch, but I kind of like it. It reminds me of a backdrop in one of my favorite stories.

Sailors Delight

2011-11-01T00:03:00.000-04:00

New one. Ink and acrylic on board.
This one will be an 8x10 print in the shop, available this weekend.

You can also kinda see the next one there on my table, the square with the blues.
In fact, I'm about to go ink that right now.
Goodnight.

October drive

2011-10-29T12:23:00.001-04:00

Here is the photo round-up from a recent road trip. The autumn colors were not as pretty this year because of all the cruddy weather we've had (thanks, Irene), but I did find some nice shots.

Thanks for looking, enjoy.

Prisoner

2011-10-27T13:05:00.001-04:00

Here's one I started a year ago ago when I was reading a book about a prisoner, but just found and finished recently.

The drawing itself is all black and white, but I used the computer to add some colors. This is rare, because I like to have perfect originals with no touch-ups. And I don't really love this thing, but it took a while to make so it gets to be posted. Or something.

Jaye

The forecast calls for snow?

2011-10-26T00:13:00.000-04:00

I know this blog has been quiet.

In the past year I have moved twice, bought a house, taken on a regular job, and traveled on five vacations, including a week in Jamaica. So, it has been a fabulous year for me, even though my focus was not always on sharing new artwork!

Times are settling down now, and in my new house I have the art studio of my dreams. This is good for you, dear infrequent readers, and I thank you for still checking out the latest pieces.

unfinished: acrylic 'sketch' on clayboard

Fit: Ink and acrylic on illustration board

I am feeling just as creative as always, but not necessarily taking the time to share the work with the world as I used to when I was in Boston and quite active with other local artists. This is starting to change, and as the holidays approach, feel free to come back and poke around and see what is next. I'm pretty excited about it all.

Be well,
Jaye

FIN Shirts

2011-09-26T20:13:00.000-04:00

Want the original drawing of Fin with the white shirt on?
Be the first to order one in black, and it's yours.

-Jaye

Lost

2011-09-25T00:13:00.000-04:00

This isn't for a project or anything, but I drew it this week while unwinding from the day job. Ink and acrylic on bristol.

Road Trip

2011-09-08T14:44:00.003-04:00

Just got back from Maryland. As always, we had a fabulous time. Most of the time was spent on the beach, but I did manage to take a few photos in my favorite colors. The coast isn't all about blue.

Bel Air

2011-08-13T22:13:00.002-04:00

When we were looking at houses, in one garage was a fabulous red Chevy Bel Air. I liked the car way more than the house. My friend Bret, of howyadoin graphics, is always drawing great cars, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

This is a postcard-sized painting, in ink and acrylic:

It's been a while since I have offered an original for sale, but this one is available here.

Brief Update

2011-08-03T12:41:00.006-04:00

Owning a new house means creating a new studio... the studio of my dreams, and I love every minute of it. Settling in has taken some time, and so has enjoying all these wonderful, sunny days. Eventually I will drag my arse out of the pool and post some of the new drawings I have done, as well as photos of the studio.

Eventually.

Until then, here is a new little note card design:

I hope you are all happy and well.

Thanks,
Jaye

FIN: working nights

2011-06-16T13:13:00.000-04:00

FIN Photo booth

2011-06-14T13:39:00.001-04:00

FIN tee-shirts

2011-06-13T17:12:00.003-04:00

For years, at every show, people have asked me for FIN tee-shirts. And now is the time... as I gear-up for the next round of limited edition FIN prints and cartoons, the original ones are now being offered on shirts:

And More Right Here.

Thanks.

Photo Post

2011-06-10T13:56:00.002-04:00

Here are more photos... the influx of these is due to me actually downloading the pics off my camera recently. More drawings coming soon, I swear.

These are of various structures I've been around lately.
Taken in Jamaica, New York, and Canada.

Brian Wood art book

2011-06-10T08:47:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite artists, Brian Wood (DMZ, Local, The Tourist, etc) is offering his art book for free download. It's gorgeous stuff, check it out.

Photo Post

2011-06-09T15:28:00.002-04:00

The last photo post I made was from winter, and they were all pretty bleak. Here is a series of new ones from my springtime, including some time in Jamaica, which is decidedly different than New York. Enjoy.

Runway: Finale

2011-05-23T16:20:00.002-04:00

After making it to the Final Round of the Runway competition, and winning the previous round with the Prince Valiant re-design (woohoo!!) I went and landed an awesome full-time job and bought a house. So, you can imagine that my art-making-time shifted dramatically, and the competition pieces didn't get done this week.

We were asked to do five designs of an original character, one design from each genre of: superhero, science fiction, horror, western, and sword/sorcery. I just didn't have the time to get to them all. I drafted four of the five, and finished only one. Here is the horror version of my character:

He had his logo on the bag and a couple other design elements I removed... because when it is not part of the series, I like him plain. I may still do the other ones (or at least the Western one, because that was my favorite), but they won't be done on time for the prize round.

Its all good, though. I love my job and I love my house, and I learned a lot from this competition. Thanks for watching these designs. There is a lot more art to come, my drawing table is piled high with some really great new things, including what will be a new poster/print. Please check back here for a new update every week.

Thanks!
Jaye

Runway Round Six: We'd Make Great Pets

2011-05-10T13:52:00.004-04:00

This week we were asked to give our favorite character a make-over and give them a complimentary pet. This was my favorite round yet. There are only four contestants remaining, and we all went such different directions, it's pretty cool.

The character I love and have always wanted to make-over is Prince Valiant. He's a great Nordic prince, knighted by King Arthur, friend to the Knights of the Round Table, and adventurer extraordinaire. He started out as a child in the 1936 Sunday comics by Hal Foster, and he grew, as did the epic storyline surrounding his life. He became a friendly, honorable, family man with political savvy, and a skilled swordsman... really what's not to love?

Well, the haircut for one.

And the dress for another.

And so, here is my entry for Challenge Six:

Prince Valiant and Little Sir

Val is wearing slightly darker colors, but still maintains his recognizable costume traits, so his fellow men will know who he is, despite the fabulous haircut. Val's tunic is now covered up top with a leather vest, and down bottom with treated leather straps reinforced with chain mail. He wears his soft leather riding boots and princely cloth cape, both versatile in any environment
… just like Val.

Meet Little Sir, Prince Valiants' pet Mallard Duck from his homelands.
Little Sir is able to carry messages between Val and his father, or even to King Arthur when necessary. But he mostly stays near Val, quacking and squawking boldly to occasionally to create a diversion, and serenely swimming by, keeping watch when Val is resting.

Runway Round Five: Prime Tme Crime

2011-05-03T13:45:00.002-04:00

This week our challenge was to create a costumed crime-fighting identity for a character from a prime time television series having to do with justice. The series may be current or from the past, and characters can include policemen, detectives, lawyers, sheriffs, deputies, marshals, etc. so long as they don't already have a costumed identity.

I went through a bunch of ideas, then settled on this one:

Jessica THE FLETCHER Fletcher

By day she is a mystery writer who assists the police by asking the right questions to solve murders, but by night... she herself is the mystery.

She was the grandchild of an arrow-maker and learned archery at a young age, but kept her skills a secret because she knew everyone already envied her intelligence, and she didn't want to be put even higher on a pedestal for her accuracy as well. Now she aids the Coast Guard by aiming her lethal arrows at her distant target-- the Canadian smugglers off the coast of Cabot Cove, Maine!

Jessica wears sensible sweatpants and cross-training sneakers that help maintain her traction on the rocky terrain. The dark green color blends well among the pine trees, and she has a spare kerchief tied around her leg to cover her hair during the occasional wind and rain storms. She carries a wicker quiver, uses a night-vision domino mask, and would never ever be caught anywhere without her white pearls, floral pattern blouse, and red-rimmed reading glasses.

So yeah. It was a late night and a lot of coffee that got me through this drawing. I'm not sure what will happen from here, I think there is only one more competition round before the finals. We are down to five artists. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks,
Jaye

some photos from around here

2011-04-29T09:09:00.003-04:00

These were all taken this winter.

Runway Round Four: Colonial Avengers

2011-04-26T09:44:00.003-04:00

The Challenge

Time travel and historic periods are a favorite of comic artists because it gives them a chance to flex their creativity and draw something out of the ordinary.

In the vein of Revolutionary War Captain America, for your fourth challenge you must re-imagine a founding or 1960s-recruit Avenger as a character during the colonial period of the United States (which we'll define at 1607-1776).

Your character must visually represent the era and should be immediately identifiable. If voters can't identify your character just by looking at your design, then you don't meet the challenge. You must provide the three-sentence write-up described in the submission requirements, and you may also include a two-sentence biography.

The Avenger I had to re-imagine was The Black Knight:

My Colonial version:

Black Knight
Sympathetic to the American revolutionary cause, Dane Whitman is a British soldier who feels like a traitor in the eyes of his king, and so he becomes the Black Knight.

In a British uniform made of cotton, he wears a metal breast plate underneath, shoulder guards, and thigh guards as his armor. His chest logo has moved to his turned-up sleeves, and his navy blue clothes are now mostly black with the same accent colors; the stripe on his hat swoops up as a nod to the edging on his regular helmet. He carries a period version of the Ebony Blade, and is able to summon Aragon.

Thanks for looking!

Jaye

Runway Round Three: Seven Wonders

2011-04-19T14:45:00.003-04:00

CHALLENGE 3: ONE-HIT WONDER

For your third challenge you must design a superhero inspired by one of the seven natural wonders of the world (as compiled by CNN).

Your character must visually represent the wonder you choose. If voters can't identify your natural wonder just by looking at your design, then you don't meet the challenge. You must provide the three-sentence write-up described in the submission requirements, and you may also name your character and add a one sentence description of any powers/abilities (which should also relate to their associated wonder).

My wonder was Victoria Falls, located in southern Africa.

...and here is Victoria Mist:

Victoria Mist is a heroine inspired by Victoria Falls (famous for the encompassing mist); so she is the highest classified level diver and rock-climber, with a set of poison-mist-defense-shooters to which she is immune.

She wears an extreme impact wetsuit with reinforced knees, and "V" shaped design on the body and matching water shoes. Her helmet and fog-proof goggles keep her safe when diving and chasing villains around the waterfalls that she helps protect. Her poison-mist-defense-shooters are contained and controlled by the harness she also uses for climbing.

Runway Round Two: Supernatural

2011-04-13T07:40:00.003-04:00

Rosa did well last week, coming in third. This week's challenge was called Supernatural:

For your second challenge you must create an original supernatural character...inspired by nature. The great outdoors! Trees, plants, earth, wind, water, bugs, wild animals. Nature.

This one's all about the look. You must evoke the supernatural and nature in your character/costume design. If voters can't tell your character is supernatural and that they're inspired by nature just by looking at your design, then you're in trouble. In this challenge you're limited to naming your character...you will not be able to rely on a biography to make your character interesting.

Here is the entry I drew:

Inspired by his power source of the sun, Sunday doesn't need to wear much. His pants are made of a heat-resistant light cloth material. He wears golden arms bands that help regulate his sun-ray-flame-throwing ability, and a golden neck band to showcase his ancient family crest.

I didn't get to spend as much time on the challenge this week because I was busy having fun at a wedding all weekend, but Sunday was fun to create, even if I don't make it to the next round.

Thanks,
Jaye

Runway Round One: Sidekick

2011-04-07T08:33:00.004-04:00

This week's design for PRoject CBRunway is doing well with the votes. Our challenge was to create a sidekick for an existing solo character. I chose the classic character Zorro; here is the entry:

Don Diego de la Vega (Zorro) traveled with Bernado, his trusted friend who knew the truth of his identity. Bernado had a grand-daughter, an aspiring dancer and entertainer named Rosa. A keen observer, Rosa understood the secrets between the two men, and became an invaluable helper whenever their covert activities became threatened.

Rosa wears slit riding pants that flare out when dancing, and cowboy boots that safely conceal the throwing daggers that Diego himself taught her to wield. Diego never lets her get too close to the action, and she wears a black shawl and mask while assisting Zorro from the cover of darkness. When at events, Rosa is a social and delightful guest, able to overhear many conversations- and she uses that information to aid Zorro in his quests!

--

This was a fun challenge, no doubt. Zorro was the first "solo" character that came to my mind, and when I looked at all my entries from last year I realized I never once designed a woman's outfit for a challenge. So, I grabbed my Zorro collection and Rosa was born. The lacy details of her outfit are my favorite part, and I truly appreciate the votes so far and the positive comments about recognizing her as part of Zorro's world. Thank you!

Jaye

Back on the Runway: Audition

2011-03-29T11:57:00.005-04:00

There are a lot of reasons I don't post here as much as I used to, but I would like to share some of the artwork I've been making- and right now specifically is the stuff for the 2011 Project CBRunway.

It is a fashion and character design competition for comic characters hosted by Comic Book Resources. Basically, each week a new design challenge is announced, and each week one artist is eliminated until there is a winner. My entries from last year are here: Jaye's Runway Entries. I left on Challenge 9 due to "forfeit" - basically, I didn't submit that weeks' entry on time. I'd like to go further this year, of course!

This week was the Audition Challenge:

Using one of the provided model sheets, you must create and design two original superhero (or supervillain) costume samples inspired by two different CBR posters' user names (other than your own). Your costumes may consist of natural or synthetic materials and should reflect your own style and demonstrate what you will bring to the runway. Remember, you are designing two costumes (clothing), not characters. As such you should not apply features (facial, hair, skin tone, etc.) to the model forms.

Here's mine:

SnowSong (user 65506)
SnowSong is a female superhero with sonic-singing and heightened listening powers. Her outfit is made of thermal and waterproof material to keep her warm in freezing climates, where she lives. Her logo is a G-clef and the five lines on a musical staff detailed on her shirt, the colors she wears are cool; and her belt doubles as a scarf to protect her face in the wind.

icarusfreak (user 15980)
Icarusfreak may be a man with no superpowers, but he is determined to fly and become a superhero to whoever needs one... if only those darn feathers would stay glued on to his home-made wings! He wears tight, waterproof board shorts, which are useful in the ocean where he often lands; his colors are inspired by the sun and sky. His logo is i!, "i" for Icarus and "!" because he is a freak.

Thanks for reading, and be well.
Jaye

Port

2011-01-14T09:13:00.002-05:00

Here is a recent drawing that I made as an entry to a contest for a new wine label. It was for a port wine, and it wasn't what they were looking for... but I like the drawing enough to make some prints, which will be available in the shop soon.

Thanks for checking it out.
-Jaye

A couple more treasuries...

2011-01-13T15:13:00.001-05:00

A couple more treasury lists on Etsy featuring some FIN:

...and my Dad tells me he is still reading this! Phew.
Just for that, and in keeping with the red-white-black theme, here's one of my new drawings, this will probably be in a new zine:

2011

2011-01-09T17:13:00.000-05:00

How strange and cool it is that Valentine's Day is already being promoted on Etsy Treasuries. There is a new one posted today that includes the FIN with the flowers:

And with that, comes the realization that time, has flown by and I certainly owe an update to this blog. I'm not even sure if my dad checks it anymore, and you know its fallen by the wayside for far too long when that happens.

Anyway, yes, life is good. The Patriots are in the playoffs again, I'm drawing and designing daily again, and my new home city is a great place for me to be. And I may or may not be posting here more often, but I certainly will try... at least to show off the new stuff.

Hope you are all well.

Jaye

2010-11-15T08:33:00.001-05:00

Well, I've been in the process of moving out of Massachusetts the past few weeks. Sorry for the silence here. Lots happening, please check back soon.

Thanks.

Book Recommendation: Moving Pictures

2010-09-04T23:13:00.000-04:00

Stuart Immonen is a well-known Canadian comic artist, responsible for the art behind such great titles such as Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. and Ultimate Spider-Man. Recently he teamed up with his wife, Kathryn Immonen, to create graphic novel called Moving Pictures.

Moving Pictures is a story that takes place during World War II, when French and German museum workers were both pushing the effort to catalog and hide the major collectons of their art galleries. The main characters are a woman who is a French curator, and a man who is a German official charged with getting information about the location of specific works of art from her. The unlikely pair falls in love. I won't give away the ending, but if you like art and history, this book is highly recommended.

Movie: Local Color

2010-09-02T23:13:00.002-04:00

I wanted to let you know about an indie movie that came out earlier this year, called Local Color.

Written and directed by George Gallo, Local Color is inspired by a true story. It is about an aspiring painter (played by Trevor Morgan) who learns that a painter he has always looked up to is retired and living in his home town. He approaches the older master and asks for lessons, only to discover that his would-be mentor is a curmudgeonly man disinterested in the art of the day.

The film explores the relationship between teacher and student, and the relationship between the people who make art and their audience. It is a well put together, and visually calming movie.

The official website of the movie is here, and it is available on iTunes to rent or buy.

I wholly agree with this review... “Filmmaker George Gallo has reached into his soul to make this deeply heartfelt story. Local Color is funny, angry and totally human-- with resonance for everyone who dares to dream.” - Jami Bernard, Film Critic, NY Daily News

Thank you, Thrillist

2010-08-07T14:22:00.003-04:00

Thrillist Boston was kind enough to run this article about my work this week:
Clever Ninja Art Outta The Hub

Show is now on SUNDAY, due to heavy rain forecast.

2010-07-09T19:59:00.001-04:00

This coming Sunday is the 2010 Boston Handmade Marketplace in Somerville, MA.

Sunday, July 11th
3pm-7pm
Union Square sidewalk

Boston Handmade promotes local independent businesses and individuals creating one-of-a-kind and limited edition handmade works in small studio environments, not factories.

More than 20 exhibitors will be showing and selling handmade jewelry,
clothing, accessories, housewares, art, photography, paper goods, ceramics and more along with hands-on craft demonstratons from The Common Cod Fiber Guild and LIVE MUSIC from The Grownup Noise and One Happy Island.

More info, and vendor list, can be found here.

Boston Handmade Marketplace- now SUNDAY

2010-07-06T10:13:00.001-04:00

This coming Saturday (or Sunday if it rains) is the 2010 Boston Handmade Marketplace in Somerville, MA.

Saturday, July 10th
3pm-7pm
Union Square sidewalk

Boston Handmade promotes local independent businesses and individuals creating one-of-a-kind and limited edition handmade works in small studio environments, not factories.

More than 20 exhibitors will be showing and selling handmade jewelry,
clothing, accessories, housewares, art, photography, paper goods, ceramics and more along with hands-on craft demonstratons from The Common Cod Fiber Guild and LIVE MUSIC from The Grownup Noise and One Happy Island.

More info, and vendor list, can be found here.

treasures

2010-07-05T19:05:00.002-04:00

Here are a few recent treasury collections on Etsy that include one of my items.
Click the image to be brought to all the selctions.

Diners:

Black and White:

A different view:

Boldfacers Interview is online now.

2010-06-29T08:13:00.000-04:00

That's me.

a bunch of news

2010-06-22T00:13:00.005-04:00

Hey everyone, I only have time for a quick update right now, but there is some cool stuff going on...

First, I will be at the Boston Handmade show in Union Square (Somerville, MA) on Saturday, July 10th. It takes place from 3pm-7pm on the sidewalk. Rain date is the 11th. More information here.

Second, two prints are being discontinued, and thus are on sale in the shop and at the show. No more of these will be made, so get them while you can. The Labyrinth and Singer and Pianist.

Third, I signed the contract on my first licensed image this week. More on that later!

Fourth, one of my paintings (Eye Chart) was featured in an article on Literacyhead.com:

Fifth, Return to Dwight and Nile opened in San Diego to a sell out crowd and excellent reviews, here is a screenshot of the Director being interviewed on Fox... with the poster I made right there in the background. Pretty exciting.

And last, but not least, I think the Boldfacers interview I mentioned in January will be online next week. I'll post a link when its there for real.

As you can see, things have been a bit quiet here on the site, but not at all quiet in life. I also have a new studio, which is amazing, and a lot of new work to be posted soon.

Be well,
Jaye

some current MFA exhibits

2010-06-04T22:13:00.000-04:00

In May, I went to the Museum of Fine Arts during the Bank of America free weekend.*

The two exhibits I was focused on for this trip were the Albrecht Durer prints, and the Cafe and Cabaret posters from Toulouse-Lautrec's Paris. I was thrilled to be able to see both of these, and I hope that you get the chance to see them as well.

The Durer room had a great variety of his work. It was interesting to note that Durer did not carve all of his etchings himself, but instead would illustrate them on paper, then have someone else carve out the negative spaces on a plate.

The Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit is installed along a hallway, and includes posters, sketches and paintings from Lautrec and his contemporaries.

Albrecht Durer prints are there until July 5th.
Toulouse-Lautrec's Paris exhibit is there until August 8th.

*If you have a BoA card, you get into some museums free on specific weekends. The next ones are June 5th and 6th, and July 3rd and 4th. More details here.

More Runway!

2010-05-11T10:13:00.001-04:00

Even though I have not been updating the blog so much right now, I still have been competing on the Runway. It is down to seven contestants now, and by the grace of good friends, I am still in it!

My goal for this competition was two-fold: I wanted to commit to a new design per week; and I wanted to make it into the top 10. Happily, I have made it well past the top ten... but the fact that I have stuck with this commitment is a point of pride right now. When life is difficult, sticking with this sort of thing isn't that easy. I admit, I kinda phoned it in on the first one posted below. It was a particularly bad weekend that time, and I knocked it out in just a couple hours. The others I have given a bit more time to, but they are still not my strongest drawings. I expect to improve each week if I have the chance to keep going.

Enough chatter for now, on to the assignments and drawings:

CHALLENGE SIX: NINE, NINE, BUSTA RHYMES
For your sixth challenge you must create an original sword and sorcery character...based on a hip-hop legend. Your character should be inspired visually and conceptually by the likeness, music and personae of one of the solo hip-hop artists listed here. The costume may consist of natural materials. You will be judged on creativity and originality and how well your character represents the artist you choose and fits into this fantasy genre.

After being exiled for the use of mind-altering herbs on campaign, Canibus is trying to get back in the good graces of his father's kingdom. He was raised as a prince and scholar, so war wasn't his thing. But now, he has learned to protect himself against whatever scaly beast crosses his path.

His outfit is crafted from the remnants of the uniform he used to be required to wear to functions. The white silken shirt has long since been destroyed and lost, and the blue wool tunic with golden beads that he used to wear with pride has now been shredded- so he wears what is left on his waist, displaying his family standard symbol. His pants are a silk and linen blend, and they are not going to fit him much longer.

CHALLENGE SEVEN: DICK'S
For your seventh challenge you must coordinate a signature look for a human, non-powered hero or villain using the online catalog at Dick's Sporting Goods. The outfits may consist only of items available from the Dick's website. You will be judged on creativity, originality and the strength of your look.

Born under the sign of Aquarius, the boy known only as The Water Bearer, is here to serve and to save. He spends his time roaming the Mojave Desert, bringing fresh water to stranded travelers, lost campers, and anyone passed out from extreme fatigue and dehydration. Some say he is just a legend, but those who he has saved knows he is for real.

The Water Bearer dresses cooly and casually, sporting a "stay cool" tee-shirt, a white button-down overshirt with pockets, durable jeans, and comfortable hiking shoes. He utilizes a web-belt, with carabiners poked throughout- each hung with a bottle of fresh water. He totes a 100 quart cooler with him, also filled with fresh water bottles.

CHALLENGE EIGHT: PRINCE AMONG MEN
For your eighth challenge you must create a modern comic book character inspired by a well-known Prince song...and whose costume primarily consists of animal prints.

I was assigned to song "Let's Go Crazy."

Jacob is nuts.
His favorite part of "Let's Go Crazy" is the part about the purple banana.
He is a party-boi from Detroit, who never quite fit in; he dreams of living in London.

He wears a pastel zebra-print from head-to-toe because he has never seen the world in black and white, its always in colooooorrrrs. The top is a straight-jacket (without the arms pinned back, for his partying pleasure). The leggings and boots are both from the women's department, but hey, go crazy.

Worcester Show

2010-04-30T23:04:00.001-04:00

I'll be at this show on May 16th (rain date is May 23rd).

Jaye

... still in the game

2010-04-24T22:42:00.003-04:00

My apologies for not posting in the past couple of weeks, its just that things have been changing in my life and I had to take a little time to work through some stuff. During this time, though, I have been drawing and still participating in CBR's Runway Design Competition. After five rounds of eliminations, I am still in it!

Here are two that I did not get to post yet, and I am working on a new one this weekend:

CHALLENGE 4: GOING FOR GOLD
For the fourth challenge, create an original comic book superhero or supervillain inspired both in name and ability by an Olympic sport. You will be judged on originality and creativity and how well your character reflects your chosen sport. Your outfit may consist of natural or synthetic materials.

The sport assigned to me was Table Tennis, and thus T. T. Playa was born:

T.T.'s stepfather hated him for being a lefty, so T. T. spent his formative years locked in a basement, with nothing but a broken fridge and a ping pong table for company. Now, a masked hero, T.T. has taken to the suburban rooftops in an endless quest to eliminate the bad people from his 'hood... starting with his stepfather. Using his extensive skills with the paddle and balls, he takes people down swiftly and relentlessly.

T.T.'s outfit is made of bullet-proof kevlar, for protection, and is uber-lightweight for jumping roof-to-roof; his gloves and sneaker soles are coated with adhesive to aid with grip and balance. The jersey is inspired by the table tennis table, and his interior cape pattern comes from the net. His weaponry includes white molten balls, formed by a gel-like substance he keeps on his belt; the paddle is fiberglass- and no foe enjoys being smacked with a fiberglass paddle.

CHALLENGE 5: DOUBLE TROUBLE
For the fifth challenge, create an original pair of fraternal twin superheroes. Your characters should share some kind of conceptual link or commonality, but it's up to you to decide whether or not their names, costumes or powers compliment each other. These characters may be male or female, powered or unpowered. The costumes may consist of natural or synthetic materials.

I was paired-up with another competitor, and we came up with the concept and design together. Here is my half of the set:

KANESHIRO AKEMI

When former Japanese fashion models Akemi and his twin sister, Mitsu, discovered their powers of nullification, the Japanese Government recruited them as part of the nationally sanctioned superheroes team Asahi (Rising Sun). Both became masters of a martial art (Akemi-Kendo, Mitsu-kobudo) and go by Kara-No (The Empty Twins). When the twins come in contact with one another they nullify all superhuman ability within a mile radius for thirty seconds; in this time, the twins use their knowledge of the martial arts to defeat their enemies.

Akemi's uniform is made from a heavy cotton and nylon weave with wicking for breathability; he has a tight obi-wrap made of stitched linen; his high-top sneakers have soft rubber treads. His jacket sports the Japanese symbol for "No," flowing from the right shoulder (his sister wears it on her left). He carries a katana in a solid sheath, which he uses to knock out the bad guys when they are powerless.

the man who wears flowers

2010-04-06T13:13:00.000-04:00

Happily, the steampunk Damage design carried me through to the next round of Project CBRunway!

Challenge Three was to create an original comic book character based on the name, likeness and characteristics of... a flower. The flower that was assigned to me is called the Oriental Poppy (aka The Prince of Orange). It looks like this:

We were given this challenge on Thursday, and due to a mini vacation with my family, I only had half-a-day to complete it before my flight.

My initial thoughts with this challenge were:
-A flower? Crap.
-Its an orange and black poisonous flower with a masculine nickname? Cool!

With a mere four hours to complete this assignment, I went with my first idea and created a samurai-type character. I put him in a robe at first, since that is a huge time-saver, and a believable style for the character. Later, when I had finished the main drawing and the write-up, I sketched out what he is wearing under the robe.

Papaver (his name is inspired by the Latin word for poppy) is a lost hero... literally. For years he has been searching central Asia for his family, who disappeared one night while he was sleeping. Taking off with a lot of anger but no plan, he can no longer locate his home village, nor his family; however, his travels have been an adventure, and he has rescued several random people, always hoping to find a clue.

Papaver wears a heavy black silk robe, with orange trim and specs of blessed silver thread woven throughout; there are three Oriental Poppies sewn onto the robe in representation of his wife and their twin daughters, for whom he searches. The color scheme is carried to his leather forearm guards, and his fighting staff. He wears a ring on every finger, each one filled with concentrated poppy poison to use on enemies.

---
One of my favorite parts of this was messing around with a Chinese painting technique in the background. If you crumple a piece of paper, then run over the ridges with the side of a mostly-dry inked brush, you get this rocky effect:

This was my first try, but you KNOW I'm going to be working with this technique in the future.

I will also be posting some photos from my weekend soon. Have a great day!

Thanks,
Jaye

Steampunk Damage

2010-03-31T03:42:00.006-04:00

Well, I made it on to the next round of the Project cbRunway on CBR.
The latest challenge was to re-imagine a member of the Teen Titans in a steampunk version. For this contest, steampunk was defined as:

Steampunk is a term first used in the late 1980s to describe works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used. While often set in alternate historical periods, such as Victorian era England, steampunk has expanded to include works set in fantasy worlds. Steampunk fashion tends to synthesize modern styles influenced by the Victorian era and may include gowns, corsets, petticoats and bustles, suits with vest, coats and spats, or military-inspired garments. Steampunk-influenced outfits will often be accented with a mixture of technological and period accessories.

The two Titans I had to select from was Jesse Quick, or Damage. I went with Damage, because I had already drawn a speedster in the last challenge, and wanted to do something new.

Damage looks like this in the comics:

His face is scarred, hence the hood. He has many abilities, but the most notable one is his ability to discharge power and cause explosions.

Here is my re-imagined version:

Damage retains his color scheme, symbol, open-fingered gloves, tall boots, and head cover in this alternate version. The suit material is mostly treated leather (mask, boots, coat, and gloves), with red accents of heat-resistant hardened-rubber; the shirt is silk, the undershirt and pants are a heat-resistant cotton weave; the faceplate, pocket tassel, and all fastenings are bronze. The mask includes two camera lenses attached for eye protection and flair (the shutters have been removed); the face-plate has open slats for breathing and saying heroic things.

Project Runway, Comic Book Style

2010-03-24T20:13:00.002-04:00

CBR hosts an annual competition called CBRunway, in which contestants design costumes for comic book characters. Here are my first two pieces; the first challenge was simply an audition, where we had to design a hero and a villain based on model sheets. The second was to design a legacy character for an original Avenger (mine was for the speedster, Quicksilver).

For the audition, I chose to create an underwater-themed hero and villain, named Core and Kraken.

Core
Core's orange, silver, and black costume is made of a compressible kevlar and neoprene blend, perfect for deep dives and combat protection. The goggles and breathing headgear are two separate pieces, so in case one is torn away, the other piece still has a chance of being useful. His black boots have flipper style webbed toes. His silver neckline imitates the circular core of the earth. The bright orange suit is useful for distance identification by the Coast Guard and other boaters. His legs sport an anchor design on each side, reminding people of his strength and abilities. The waistline of the suit utilizes horizontal lines to accentuate his girth, to make him look larger and more imposing to his foes.

Kraken
Kraken's black and two-toned blue suit is made of the most durable titanium material, so he can be comfortable in very cold water. His mask is a tinted silicone goggle and breathing device combo. His blue-colored suit, gloves, and web-toed shoes allow him to blend, so he can travel about the depths of the ocean and loot sunken ships as if he were a ghost. As you get close, you see the black octopus design that is made from a heavy rubber applique, and wraps around his limbs, imitating the long, deadly grip of a kraken.

This guy is Jack B Quick.
Jack B's black, blue, and silver suit is made from a midweight spandex and kevlar weave, with ultimate flexibility and durability for cyclone-speed running, and the neck has an open tracksuit collar. Jack B's symbol is a cyclone emblem showing on his upper arm sleeve; and like Quicksilver, his suit design relies on line, not accessories (Jack's colors taper and spin like a cylcone). His running sneakers have heavy-duty treads, the high tops re-inforced by laces wrapping around; the zipper up the back has a lightning bolt shaped zip-pull as a nod to Quicksilver.

I have no idea if I will make it past Round One, as it is an elimination style contest where each week one (or more) designers are dismissed, much like the tv show. Its a good learning experience for me, and I love design. I would like a shot a doing a female character, and of course, someone who does not need to be aerodynamic like the first few -- I wants to accessorize!

So, if I stay in, I will continue to post my designs. In the meantime, even these few have been fun.

Hope all is well,
Jaye

ATC

2010-03-17T01:35:00.002-04:00

Here is a new ACEO (or ATC), that I created with ink, marker, and acrylic paint on Bristol board. I'd like to make more of these little pieces of art, perhaps one per week.

I have been pretty busy with commission projects, preparing for a small exhibition, and working on new FIN cartoons for the upcoming book collection. Things are going well. More soon!

Jaye

drawing included in Etsy Treasury

2010-03-04T14:50:00.003-05:00

There is a new Treasury on Etsy, called "Have A Grey Day" that includes one of my drawings:

This group made it to the front page of Etsy, which was really cool!

The Ninja Easter cards are here!

2010-03-01T10:13:00.000-05:00

FIN ninja Easter cards are now available.
They are flat white note cards with purple envelopes.
Send them to your friends and family, make them wonder what you are thinking.

Click here to shop.

card set included in Etsy Treasury

2010-02-18T19:45:00.004-05:00

There is a new Treasury on Etsy, called "Purple Reign" that includes my cartoon note card set:

.

2010-02-13T00:12:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Show

2010-02-07T16:44:00.002-05:00

Next Saturday, the SLAM show at the Burren in Somerville will feature many handmade items, just in time for Valentine's day.

More information at Burren.com.

Hey, Ladies! Interview with Bret Taylor

2010-02-02T10:13:00.000-05:00

In 2002 I began to share my art with people online. It was the first time I had shown my art to anyone, including my family. There was (and still is) a great internet community at Comic Book Resources, and that is where I met Bret Taylor. Bret is a professional graphic artist living in Vancouver.

Over the years he and I have both grown so much in our artwork, each expanding our skills and techniques, supporting and encouraging each other along the way. In the interview below, I am so proud to be able to highlight his work and his new book, Hey, Ladies!.

JAYE: In the past, you have committed yourself to drawing every single day. What has this practice led to, in terms of creative development? Are there days when you are just not inspired, and how do you deal with those days? Is drawing every day something you would recommend to other artists, and do you have any advice for those who dare?

BRET: I'd recommend the practice - or something similar - for any creative person. The biggest benefit from it is just training your brain to think creatively all the time. When I was painting every day in 2008, the ideas just wouldn't stop. And this year I'm doing it again, though it can be either drawing or painting, just to mix it up a little. Plus, a year of being focused almost solely on painting tends to make my drawing skills rusty. And discipline is its own reward.

There are always uninspired days, though. It can't really be helped. The secret is to use those days to do the artistic grunt work - blocking in solid colours, adding washes of colour, fine-tuning and tweaking, that sort of thing. Y'know, the nuts-and-bolts stuff. You don't need to be inspired for that, just dedicated.

JAYE: What is the difference between the artwork you create for your clients and the artwork you create for yourself? For example, is there a theme to your personal work, something that when you step back and look at your body of work says this is Bret Taylor?

BRET: I wouldn't really say there's a theme, but if there's an overriding characteristic people notice about my work, it's texture. Definitely an obsession, in every aspect of my life.

With personal work, though, I'm more likely to experiment with technique. I made the mistake of trying out a new approach on a commission for a friend once, and every step of that piece was a battle. I had to put it away several times, and each time that I came back to it, I scrapped almost everything I'd done previously. Took me more than a year to finish it. In the end I gave the friend a discount*, and to this day I can still barely bring myself to look at the finished piece.

*I tried to give him 50% off, but he said that was too much. I need more customers like that.

JAYE: Please tell us about Hey, Ladies. As your debut book, how did you choose these pieces specifically? Is there another book for you in the future? What did you learn along the way that you will change for your next collection?

BRET: Well, the majority of them were done specifically for the book. There are a handful of older pieces in there, but they were revamped to varying degrees. So really, there wasn't much choice involved. (Though I did find a panel from an old comic page of mine from years ago and try my hand at salvaging it. In the end it just didn't make the cut).

Or to put it another way, the pieces chose me, I guess. I didn't start drawing any of them till the concept felt like it was burning in my brain - no point in doing something you feel ambivalent about.

New books? I've got ideas for a whole bunch. The next projected one, though, is a book of cars. I'd like to do it bigger than the Hey Ladies! book, horizontal format, and in hardcover. I'm planning on 50 illustrations for this one. And again I'll be cherrypicking some existing pieces from my archives and doing whatever's necessary to bring them up to snuff.

JAYE: Do you take commissions? What is the best way for people to contact you? And where can people purchase Hey, Ladies?

BRET: I definitely take commissions. The best way to get in touch, since my website is still on when-I-get-to-it status, is via e-mail: howyadoin [at] gmail [dot] com. Alternately, they could go to my online art store and send me a message there.

As for the book itself, the main page is here in my Blurb bookstore.

And a partial preview (6 of the 30 illustrations) of the book can be found here.

One final note: thanks for the exposure here, Jaye. Your help and support have meant a lot over the years. And for anybody reading this - buy some of Jaye's art. It's the real deal.

OAK Boston, Newbury Street

2010-01-30T14:13:00.001-05:00

Have you been to OAK?

It is a Boston shop, named OAK for its "One of A Kind" items. There is a ton of unique, handmade (clothing, jewelry, accessories, stationery, bags, toys, and bathtime) shopping. Last year I bought a fun olive wallet (made by Vonica), and it has held up so well. The pockets inside are the perfect size and I just love the colors.

OAK also has two of my framed original drawings for sale, Clotheslined and Brick House.

Check them out next time you are in the area, or online at oakboston.com.

Located at 245 Newbury Street (Copley T-Stop on the green line).
Store hours:
Sunday 12-5
Monday 11-6
Tuesday closed
Wednesday 11-6
Thursday 11-7
Friday 11-6
Saturday 11-7

Thanks,
Jaye

.

2010-01-30T00:13:00.002-05:00

Gorey-inspired ATC's

2010-01-28T13:13:00.001-05:00

Lucie Wicker (my friend and Boston Handmade colleague) and I both adore the work of Ed Gorey. In an attempt to try out his style of inking, we had a little ATC swap where we each made a card in his style.

I had a chance to read about his inking work, and now know that the pen nibs and ink he actually used are no longer commercially available. In fact, they were discontinued during his career, but he stocked up on them so he always had plenty. I made do with a 102 nib and rapidograph ink, it was pretty fun and meditative to make so many black lines...

This is shown a bit larger than actual size (3.5" x 2.5"); ink on bristol.
We had so much fun, we are going to do it again!

Jaye

MoCCA visit

2010-01-27T08:13:00.008-05:00

Michelle and I went to New York City recently, to catch a couple of shows and take a bit of a holiday. When we arrived, we walked around and explored with no real destination in mind other than to enjoy the city for a few hours before going to the Met Opera house for Carmen (which was excellent and deserves its own post, coming soon).

Anyway, we found ourselves crossing through Greenwich Village and headed towards SoHo. It was around there that lives MoCCA, the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art. I have always wanted to check this place out, and despite the fact that we arrived ten minutes before closing, we went in and were welcomed by the staff - they even offered to stay open a little later so we could see all of the exhibits.

The museum is more of a gallery space, with new exhibits coming in, and collections being curated for specific shows. We were able to see all of the original art from Amazing Spider-Man (#50 volume 2), by John Romita, Scott Hanna, and J. Michael Straczynski. It was nice to be able to linger with the art by such professionals, and really see the lines and details as they were before being colored and reduced for publication.

It was interesting to note that the blacks are not really as solid as they end up when printed, and that I am not the only artist who has the occasional streak showing within blocks of black. The other exhibit, 65 Years of Archie Comics was an interesting contrast, in that the original pages from the 1940's and 50's had very solid and strong blacks. I recall reading in Draw! Magazine that some of the best inks have been discontinued due to toxic ingredients. Perhaps that is the difference.

MoCCA has many events during the year, both at their location on Broadway, and throughout the city. Check out their website for more information: MoCCAnyc.com

Be well
Jaye

interview with Boldfacers

2010-01-25T13:54:00.006-05:00

Last week I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Lisa Pierpont, the founder and editor-in-chief of Boldfacers.com. As they describe it, Boldfacers is a weekly publication and website dedicated to uncovering Boston's up-and-comers from all walks of life.

It was a real treat to work with Eric Levin (a very talented photographer) and Ian Travis Barnard (an excellent videographer). Having never had this sort of attention, I was grateful for their ease and humor during the photo and video shoot.

The timing of this was perfect, for I have just left my full-time job to focus more on my artwork. Prepping for this interview forced me to step back and really look at my body of work and be able to determine where my energies are best spent in the next year. There are some very specific projects I am working on right now (like the first FIN book), but I am also doing more projects and shows that celebrate handmade art and local artists. The spirit behind handmade is so important to me, and something that drives me to do more and improve with each piece.

This winter is a time of inspiration and creativity, and on this very dreary day, I am excited to have the space and the light to make art.

I'll post a link here when the actual interview is online.
Thanks,
Jaye

SLAM Show at the Burren

2010-01-24T15:57:00.005-05:00

Thirteenth Story will be at the SLAM Show.
In the Burren restaurant, Somerville on Saturday, January 30th

The Burren will also be offering a $5 sandwich special.
Check out their website, burren.com for more information.

Thank you.

Ash for sale

2010-01-18T10:01:00.003-05:00

Ink and acrylic paint on sketchbook page.
Original sketch for sale.

You can find it here.

weekend gold

2010-01-17T16:26:00.004-05:00

Despite leaving my job and being in a car wreck over the past couple of weeks, its been a good month so far.

This church photo was taken last Christmas in Tennessee. This year, I did not do much holiday traveling, but I am looking forward to an upcoming visit to New York City. We are going to a couple of shows, window shopping, and museum visiting, and just relaxing for a bit.

When I return, production of the first FIN book will be in full-swing. I have completed the layout and drafted the cover. Its an exciting project, especially since I have never done a publication beyond the zine level before.

This weekend has been pretty quiet... lots of catch-up work and desk cleaning. Mostly because the Patriots are out of the playoffs, and I can't really deal with rooting for teams I have come to loathe (that said, I do enjoy those Saints, so I will watch the Superbowl for them).

I hope everyone is doing well.

Jaye

Its all good.

2010-01-03T23:00:00.004-05:00

Welcome to 2010.

This year I will publish the first FIN collection, and I have been working on the cover and layout all weekend. In March and April, Tremont 647, will be hosting a show of the FIN ninja art for six weeks. I am aiming for a publication date of March 1st, but if I can get it done earlier, I will.

Also, this year I will be welcoming a new job into my life. After nineteen months of full-time work with one family, I am going to go part-time for a bit and see what will happen if I devote another huge portion of energy to my artwork and freelance illustrating business. This will be the latest risky job change in a series of four. Stay tuned to find out how much I have learned from the past few. I am hopeful, very hopeful.

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped me along in 2009. Artistically, it was a year of intense growth, and there were several hurdles that could not have been jumped without the support of some very key people:

My family has been amazing, generous, and always there for me, especially during those hot miserable summer months in Florida while I was trying my hand at art school for the first time. My best friends, Bianca and Laura, who are always interested in what my next thing is, and constantly encouraging me to be creative and courageous. Amy Olson, who even from far away can keep me on track, always reminding me of what is most important in my artwork. For my local friends, especially Rachael, Brian, and Stefan- thanks for coming to my shows, and being curious about what its like to be this kind of artist.

The whole group of Boston Handmade, for being my touchstone and my tether in times of stress and uncertainty. My friends from CBR, especially Bret Taylor, Matt Bib, and the regulars on the Showcase board, they make it worthwhile, and I can always count on them for a little spark. All of my customers, new and returning, without their response I would not even consider showing my art to the world. To everyone who ever laughed at a FIN cartoon, ohmygod, you make me so happy.

And to Michelle, who teaches me about being true to myself, my art, and my future like no one else could. Thank you.

Happy New Year everyone!

New FIN

2009-12-10T06:59:00.000-05:00

Here is the latest FIN print from Thirteenth Story, now available online.

... and don't forget to pick up some FIN Ninja holiday cards:

Thank you, and happy holidays!

-Jaye

Bazaar Bizarre Boston

2009-12-09T18:48:00.002-05:00

Well, I am still recovering from the last show of the year, Bazaar Bizarre Boston last Sunday. It was a great show, and a great day. Many thanks to everyone who stopped by the table, which this year was part of the Boston Handmade alcove. Pretty cool.

If you are still looking for Thirteenth Story art gifts, here are your best bets: online at Etsy, and in the Boston Handmade Store at Downtown Crossing. Thanks to all, and be well.

Bizarre Bizarre Boston

2009-12-05T23:01:00.003-05:00

Along with several new prints and a bunch of original drawings, here are the two new FIN cartoons which will be unleashed at Bizarre Bizarre Boston tomorrow:

First, the Holiday Card 2009:

... and the new Limited Edition Print:

It IS the most wonderful time of the year.
I hope to see you there.
12-7pm at the Cyclorama.

All the info you need is here: http://www.bazaarbizarre.org/boston.html

Be well,
Jaye

Opening Reception for BHDX

2009-11-12T18:07:00.007-05:00

Boston Handmade at Downtown Crossing is having an opening reception on Saturday, November 28th at 5pm.

Stop by if you can, we are right across from Eddie Bauer at 505 Washington St.

The store will be open November 27th through December 24th, on Wednesdays through Sundays, 11am to 7pm.

And, yea, that's FIN on the post card!

New Gig Poster

2009-11-02T19:32:00.006-05:00

Over the past few weeks I have been working with Anthology to create the gig poster for their latest concert series. As fun as it was to make the poster, the concerts themselves are even more fun. Check them out at AnthologyVoices.com.

This was made in pieces... first I painted the four squares on illustration board with acrylic paint. I chose the palette from looking at old Japanese war postcards, these colors were often used with and within uniforms. Then, on a separate piece of board I drew a bunch of uniform symbols (along with the four you see here, I also drafted a sergeants patch, airline wings, and a police badge). The group then chose which ones to use based on the programming of the show.

I drew over the draft drawings with thick black marker, and scanned them in to my computer. Then I cleaned them up, inverted the color to white, and made them all comparable size, to then place into the squares. I added text with Photoshop, and printed off posters and postcards for them to use.

We are Boston Handmade

2009-10-17T12:29:00.003-04:00

...and most of us will be at the SoWa Show on Sunday, October 18th.
10am-4pm
rain or shine

more info here

Ash

2009-09-01T22:22:00.006-04:00

Ink and acrylic paint on sketchbook page.

I call her Ash, no real reason other than a slight reference to the book I am reading right now. It's been a while since I've posted a new drawing, and like any self-respecting artist who works a full time job, things are backed-up here on the assembly-line of my handmade shop.

I have several new prints which are done and ready, but need to be photographed and listed. This will be happening shortly, as its a goal for the upcoming long weekend.

In the meantime, Ash is a sketch from one of my recent sketchbooks- she will not be made into a print, but I will sell the original eventually.

Hope you are all well.

Boson Handmade Marketplace Photos

2009-08-31T22:09:00.000-04:00

Meet and Support Your Local Artists

2009-08-26T15:38:00.003-04:00

Boston Handmade will be at the SoWa Market
October 18th, 2009
10 am - 4 pm

This is a quick save-the-date post for your calendars.

Boston Handmade, is excited to announce their second and final SoWa group appearance of 2009 on Sunday, October 18th from 10am - 4pm. With over twenty Boston Handmade members showing their unique wares it will be one of the largest appearances to date
for the group.

Work created by members of Boston Handmade represent a wide variety of mediums, methods and art forms; from contemporary photography and cutting edge jewelry design, to classic children's toys, apparel and modern and home decor. Boston Handmade members offer unique and personal items for all ages, stages, and budgets.

SoWa Open Market is located at 540 Harrison Ave in Boston, with plenty of free parking behind the market. Stalls open at 10am and fresh baked goods, newly picked produce, along with one of a kind, limited edition and truly unique items from local craftspeople are on display and available for purchase.

For more information on the artists who make-up Boston Handmade visit the Boston Handmade website:
www.bostonhandmade.org.

Find more information and directions to the event at the SoWa website: www.southendopenmarket.com

Sketchbook Love

2009-08-25T20:51:00.002-04:00

Some people love shopping for shoes, but in my world, you can never have too many sketchbooks. I carry one with me everywhere I go, and keep them scattered about my house, always ready for a moment of inspiration or distraction.

I have always been taught that sketching every day is critical to ones growth in drawing, and I thought it might be nice to share some of my favorite sketchbooks, in case, like me, you love to draw and are a bit of a paper fiend.

So, along with my pocket-sized moleskine, here are a few of my favorites:

The NoteSketch book from Bienfang

This spiral-bound notebook comes in a selection of layouts. I've chosen the blank top, lined bottom as best for working with cartoons. Its great to sketch and list all on the same page neatly.

The Art Spiral from CARnet

This one is lightweight and durable. It is filled with 48, acid-free, 120lb white pages. It has a brilliant yellow ribbon closure, that lets it double as a display. The pages are (sadly) not perforated. My favorite part is that the top three rings of the spiral binding are the same color as the ribbon; for whatever reason, looking at that three renegade twists make me smile.

The Monk Journal by Artisan Graham

This is my favorite ever. Its handmade by an Etsy member, if you click on his name above, it will take you to the shop. Its heavy. Its handsome. Its so magnificent on the outside, that whatever goes in it pales by comparison, but it just doesn't matter. Acid free hand torn pages with deckled edges. Plus, it has buckles!

Windmill

2009-08-09T19:58:00.001-04:00

I drew this one in pen and ink for my parents.

FIN 9

2009-07-26T14:52:00.001-04:00

2009-07-25T21:25:00.004-04:00

Update

2009-07-01T10:49:00.004-04:00

So, I stayed at Illustration Academy through the impressive Lecture Week, and decided to come home a little early to get working.

I am back in Boston now, which means back with Boston Handmade, and gearing up for selling at shows again. First up will be July 11th at the annual Boston Handmade Marketplace in Somerville's Union Square. I will have some new pieces available at this show, including FIN ninja prints and new illustrations.

Here is the official website for the show on July 11th. I hope to see you there.

Be well,
Jaye

IA Week Three video

2009-06-22T14:02:00.001-04:00

IA Week Two video

2009-06-16T16:42:00.001-04:00

IA Video, week one

2009-06-10T21:35:00.002-04:00

This is where I am...

Greetings from Sarasota

2009-06-01T21:21:00.006-04:00

some sculpture downtown

what the heck are these? they are everywhere

relief from the heat is always within reach

caution down on the docks

water, boats, beaches...

...but, this is the view I will have
the rest of the time I am here

The Artists That Leave

2009-05-31T21:58:00.006-04:00

I've lived in Boston my entire life, but as I write this entry, I am some 30,000 miles over Georgia on my way to Florida. The plane's cargo area holds my three 60-pound suitcases, full of shorts, tee-shirts, and a tremendous amount of art supplies. I am both terrified and thrilled. This is new. I have never seen a palm tree. I have never seen ocean water that is not dark blue. And I have never been to art school.

This is the first time in my life that I will be able to focus on nothing but art for 24 hours a day; but I am not the first artist to be able to do this. My girlfriend, a professional singer, has made this trip twice before. Anyone going to tour the museums, countryside, and cities far away for the sole purpose of being creatively inspired, has made this trip before. Anyone with a performance or exhibition far from home has made this trip before.

Part of the art-making process includes finding ourselves ready for the next level. It shows in the amount of work and the quality of work we are producing. We can just feel the rut, we can see the weaknesses, we can be pulled to grow now, because that growth is the only thing that will allow us to continue to breathe.

So we pack up our things, kiss our loved ones goodbye, and take off for grand adventure. We follow the poets, the musicians, and the painters before us to the land of something new.

For me, this comes in the form of studio art education. I was accepted into Illustration Academy, and will be spending the next two months learning new techniques and industry methods to be a professional illustrator. Expect to see some new things from me in the autumn, for I expect to making lots of new things from here on out.

My online shops are closed until August, but rest assured, even though I am now among the artists who leave to better their craft, I will be back.

An Old Friend

2009-04-15T10:15:00.001-04:00

As a child I used to read Price Valiant in every Sunday newspaper. Harold Foster's creation was beautifully drawn, with incredible detail, and really stood out from the other comic strips.

In my pocket sketchbook recently, I found myself remembering Val, and his incredible hair:

... and, trying out some new color pencils, here is another one I made as well:

It was a nice exercise, to visit an influence from my childhood and work with it. There are many comics these days that take a lot of shot cuts with the art, but Hal Foster never did, and I will always respect his epic body of comic work.

Greetings from Wisconsin

2009-03-17T14:41:00.002-04:00

Even in March, I find this place beautiful, so I send a big Thank You to everyone who ever told me I must see it here Its been a spectacular trip so far, full of relaxation, creativity, and fresh air.

Today is lovely and warm, but on my walk I did happen upon some ice fisherman! This is new to me, so I share the photo proof. I have no idea what they are catching in the frozen lake, but a passerby told me that there were hundreds of them out all winter, and this seemed to be the last one of the season.

But, spring is coming, I can just tell.
Today is 70 degrees!

More soon.

Be well.

Greetings and...

2009-03-14T23:29:00.003-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day, from Chicagoland.

Its been a blast seeing the city this weekend, and I have taken a lot of new photos to share over the next while. This one is from today, the day of the city's St. Patrick's Day Parade, and they dye the river green. Its bright green- almost neon... AND its all environmentally sound. Or so I hear.

Enjoy.

Jaye

Movie Poster

2009-03-13T00:15:00.007-04:00

My latest project:

The poster is 18" x 24" - one of my largest ever. It was a fun project for a compelling new documentary from Nantascot Films. It is the story of the horrible plane crash in 1978- PSA Flight 182, when a large commercial plane collided with a smaller cesna plane, and went down in the city of San Diego.

The trailer can be found here in quicktime format.

Boston Exhibits

2009-03-11T13:47:00.004-04:00

Lately, to save money and keep inspired, I have taken some opportunities to visit a couple free exhibits in the Boston area. There are two I wanted to especially share here on the Boston Handmade blog.

The first is Ports and Ships: Photographs by Andrea Frank which can be found in the Compton Gallery on the MIT Campus in Cambridge until June 14th. The gallery is open daily 10am-5pm, and directions can be found by clicking here. It is near Kendall Square.

Andrea Frank's photography of ports and container ships from around the world are presented in fabulous large-format frames and offer up interesting colors and patterns that I truly enjoyed seeing.

The second free show, Joseph Wheelwright's 28 Moons, concludes this weekend (on March 15th), and is at the Boston Sculptors Gallery in the SOWA area of Boston. It is near the NE Medical Center T stop. Directions and hours can be found by clicking here.

For 28 years Wheelwright created one moon, and now the collection is complete and on display for all to enjoy. The space itself invites you in to look down on each moon, much as the moon looks down upon us; they are small in size, but large in character.

I hope that you are able to check out some of these and other free exhibits in town right now. Thank you for supporting the arts.

yay weekend

2009-02-27T18:15:00.002-05:00

Well, its been a busy week. I am both surprised and relieved it is Friday. This week my boss was in town every day, which makes for some exhausting and stress-filled work days. The ceiling caved in our apartment, so my evenings have been filled with dealing with that. Most of our kitchen stuff is in the living room right now, which is okay, except we have a good friend staying with us for the weekend and the poor woman has to deal with dishes all around her. She's being great about it, thankfully!

Check out Franken-ceiling:

This is just one of the MANY repairs.

All that said, the weather is warming up and I was able to play basketball for the first time in '09 yesterday. What a great feeling to be outside again. Its been an awfully long winter. This weekend I will be working on a few drawing projects, going to a show, and enjoying the company of our friend. Hopefully I'll be able to post some new work on Monday.

I wish you all well, and hope you enjoy your weekend.

Jaye

2009-02-22T13:08:00.002-05:00

I spend more time indoors than I would care to, so as the weather warms up (and the sun stays out later), I will be taking my sketchbook outside. Lately I have been drawing every day, including quick drawings of random people I see, to practice gestural drawing. They are quick sketches done in ballpoint pen on whatever paper is handy. So far I have learned that I am not so good at ears, and that my powers of observation are slowly improving. Its been worth it.

One surprising outcome of my drawing every day is that my appetite for drawing is insatiable. Everything I see becomes just lines and shadows in my minds eye, and I play with it until I find my favorite angle. I am always eager to take pen to paper now, and no longer care if the outcome looks a mess.

For whatever reason, with each sketch, a new idea is born. Current projects include: FIN cartoons for March, April, and May; and a film poster for an upcoming documentary. This is a new thing for me, in that I have done some gig posters, but never one for a film. Its a larger format for me to learn, and I look forward to helping promote a movie.

right now

2009-02-21T10:13:00.011-05:00

My days inevitably begin with me waking up late. So much so that my boss officially changed my start time to "9:15 or whenever." This sort of flexibility is the main reason I remain in this job. I've never been one for time-clocks and early meetings. In fact, in this job I have no meetings what-so-ever, a far cry from my days as a facilities manager.

My commute is wonderful, I walk 230 steps (ah, pedometer) to my neighbors' house just around the corner. Often I'll go one block out of the way to a local cafeteria for some coffee and a corn muffin to go. This gets me through the morning grumbling- not from my tummy, but from my boss.

I stay there in his house for the next seven or eight hours, and I organize his life. It keeps me busy, far busier than I ever expected- I mean, the amount of work this one man generates is truly astonishing. At times it is stressful, at other times it is peaceful. The deciding factor is a simple one, for it only depends on whether he is home or not.

After work is done, I walk back home and enjoy dinner with my girlfriend, who is a professional singer. We've lived together for years, and always have a lot to catch up on from our day. After dinner, my real work begins.

Like so many other artists, my evenings are filled with answering emails, packaging orders, updating sites, reading books about business, reading blogs, scanning, blogging, and - oh yeah - drawing, inking, and measuring out new boards.

I also enjoy, and need, some sort of exercise during this time, but it varies. Sometimes its a long walk with a camera, or to the post office, or to shoot baskets at a local court. Sometimes I do nothing but stay hunkered over my work until I am too drowsy to do anymore. When I go to bed and start the whole thing over again. It is not the way I want things to be, but it works for right now.

Obviously, I cannot do all these things every night, so I have recently developed a schedule for me as a guide. And its one thing having a schedule, its a whole other thing to post it on my wall. Seeing it constantly encourages me to stick to it, and to know that whatever else is on my list of things to do, there will be a time for everything. I figure, if I spend half my day organizing my bosses life, some of these skills can surely apply to organizing mine.

oh, really?

2009-02-20T10:05:00.002-05:00

Out for a walk the other night, and happened upon this sign.
Sure glad I wasn't driving.

New Gig Poster

2009-02-19T14:39:00.006-05:00

The wings were the only thing hand-drawn and scanned in for this quick poster. And the colors are not as rich here as they are when printed, because the compression for web viewing faded it a bit.

Other gig posters I have done are here.

All over Flickr

2009-02-15T20:07:00.006-05:00

Today I upgraded my account on Flickr, and I have uploaded tons of art you don't see on my regular site galleries. I'm quite choosy about what goes on the website, I treat that like my portfolio, but I wanted to have an online sketchbook depository as well, and I've decided that Flickr is a great place for that.

There are a ton of communities that are related to drawing, and many of my friends are already there. So, if you are on Flickr, or want to see more drawings than I usually post, go on and check it out here:

Thirteenth Story on Flickr

PS

2009-02-09T10:52:00.003-05:00

This is the latest in my PS series, which serves as light commentary on whats going on with me at the moment. I can't really explain any of them, though. In a sense, I'd like to just keep it as a drawing and not get thinking too much about meaning.

This one also features my trusty sidekick, Hamlet.

These are always drawn in ink on Bristol, with a rapidograph pen and brushwork for the inking. They are larger in real life than I upload them for the web, because I think the reduced size serves just as well.

Many might recognize them from the back cover of the Thirteenth Story zine, and if you are interested in seeing the others, just click here, to the comic art portion of my site.

FIN Valentine

2009-02-08T19:42:00.001-05:00

Habits

2009-02-05T12:00:00.002-05:00

I've often wondered how important it is to create daily. At every new years (or whenever I am compelled to have a new beginning), the first thing I say is: "I want to draw every day."

Unlike my friend Bret, I have not been unable to accomplish this. And, this year I've found it helps to really contemplate how important drawing every day is to me. For starters, practicing, developing new techniques, and new ways of interpreting the world are critical to keep my work fresh. My work tends to be simple, stark, iconic looking, but that doesn't mean it has to be without dimension and story. You should see some of the under-drawings! Practicing, especially drawing from life, will enhance and help my work along to the next place.

I was checking out some of my favorite artists whom I have dedicated a "Spotlight" section of my zine. Though very different they all have one thing in common:

...sketching and drawing as often as possible. And if it helped bring these artists to the level they worked at, it sure can't hurt me to try!

Be well,
Jaye

13 Forest Gallery has Plenty

2008-12-11T18:58:00.006-05:00

13 Forest Gallery in Arlington, MA is in the middle of their winter show, aptly called "Plenty." It features over forty local artists, and their small works. The Antique Shop original, which is actually one of my largest works, is included.

The show runs until January 9th. The gallery also sells wonderful handmade gift items from artists around the world. There are household goods and jewelry, along with many prints and original pieces of wall art. For directions and store hours, please check out the website, 13 Forest.

Thanks,
Jaye

BHDX: Buy Handmade in Boston This Season

2008-12-10T18:49:00.011-05:00

This year, the City of Boston (via Mayor Menino and the Boston Redevelopment Authority) surprised us in Boston Handmade by offering us an opportunity to have an actual store in the heart of Downtown Crossing during the holiday season.

With a few weeks- no, a COUPLE of weeks to prepare, some of us worked to renovate this wonderful-but-not-ready-for-the-public-yet space for a Grand Opening on the day after Thanksgiving. Our team is led by Jessica Burko, a talented JP-based artist and amazing organizer, who pulled everything together and ensured we were ready to receive the shoppers of Boston with the utmost poise and professionalism. Many customers were shocked to hear we just opened, which speaks to her and our efforts.

Now that we have been open for a couple weekends, I am proud to report that it has been quite successful. The store carries 100% handmade items from local artists. Could there be any place more special to do some holiday shopping? :)

Find us here:
Boston Handmade Downtown Crossing
Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
11am-7pm
until December 28th

Thanks!
Jaye

Phew

2008-12-09T18:15:00.003-05:00

My 2008 show season is officially over, and it was a very successful one. I am grateful for all the new connections I have made in the area, and excited for the next big things on my drawing board. Literally.

Thanks to Worcester stART in the Street, the SOWA South End shows (one for Baked Fresh, the other was with Boston Handmade), the Boston Zine Fair, the JP Holiday Market, and Boston Bazaar Bizarre. Its been pretty busy preparing for these very well-attended fairs, and I am pleased with how organized and well-run they all were.

Next up is a new FIN, a new nautical picture, and (the much expanded) zine four. Here is the cover to Zine Four, which will be out February first.

Thanks for reading. Now the shows are over I'll be posting more often, happily.

Jaye

Coraline

2008-12-08T19:06:00.005-05:00

I've always been a little proud to be part of the handmade movement, and tonight I saw something really special that I wanted to share with you guys. There is a new movie coming out in February, called Coraline.

Its is a stop-motion movie down with "puppets"." Everything is 100% handmade, and it is stunning. There is only way you can see bits of production for it right now, and that it to go to: Coraline.com and enter a "key."

The keys that I think you would appreciate are:
stopmotion
buttoneyes
sweaterxxs
armpithair
puppetlove

Enjoy,
Jaye