some time off/back in the saddle

^quick sketch of the day


Holy blog!! It's been a long time since I've written anything. Well, here's why...

I've been sick. A pretty bad cold. Nothing serious, but it's left me wanting to do nothing but lay in bed watching movies. Thinking seemed like the least appealing thing in the world, and to my surprise... writing a blog actually requires thinking! Who would've thought!?
I've been stressed out. Not only am I trying to figure out some direction in my life, but financial situations have just plain sucked for me lately. I don't make much money at my job. Most of my money goes to rent and food. Besides this, Sallie Mae has been haunting my every move like an ex-girlfriend that thinks you owe her an apology for something.
Illness and stress equal not only a lack of writing a blog, but a lack of creativity all around.

I've started to feel physically better in the last couple of days. I've started to grasp my financial situation in a sensible manner. All in all, I'm upset that these things drained my creativity. I feel nothing should ever have that kind of impact on something important to me. While struggling with this feeling, I was on the subway yesterday, and saw some girls writing in a greeting card. I happened to catch a glimpse at the front: a poorly done comic scene of a beach, with a few fat people in thongs. And then, tragically, I saw the inner "greeting": Two thongs don't make a right.
Two thongs don't make a right?! Just reading that seriously lit a fire under my ass. That is one of the lamest attempts at humor I have ever seen.

It's officially time for me to get back on the saddle. Keep your eyes peeled. I'll be riding my horse to a fucked up, under-represented comical situation near you!

p.s.
as far as the "quick sketch of the day" goes; I would love to get a poll on whether it should say "congratulations" or "sorry".



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Now playing: Gil Scott-Heron - Where Did The Night Go
via FoxyTunes

confused holiday. stereotypical behavior

St. Patrick's Day. In my title I mention stereotypical behavior; I am not referring to the Irish. It is stereotypical of people to celebrate another culture in a way that shows no sense of comprehension.
St. Patrick's Day. When everyone decides they are going to be "Irish" for a day by getting as drunk and rowdy as possible. While I'll agree that this is a typically true stereotype, it does not bode well to attempt to act like that for one night and call it a celebration. When an entire culture acts in this manner in general... well, it's kind of badass. When you try to recreate that donning your shiny green hat... well, you're a douche bag.
St. Patrick's Day in general is a confused holiday... it's an "Irish" celebration, yet really started in America. There is a lot of paganism surrounding this Catholic steeped holiday (see: leprechaun). And although St. Patrick is Ireland's patron saint, not that much is even known about him.

I can attest that there are some positive aspects. Certain cities, like New York (which to my knowledge was one of the first cities to hold a parade) does still have a very respectable parade celebrating the Irish.
It keeps me from going to a bar, as I will not set foot in one on this day.
I think that's the only two positive things...

Sorry for the incredible lack of humor in this post... at least a possible card idea would be to illustrate a bunch of people, clearly not Irish, drinking heavily or passed out. "Happy St. Patrick's Day!"
Or... an Irish cop beating a minority mercilessly (I can stereotype my own people, right?).

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Now playing: Drive-By Truckers - 01 - Daddy Learned To Fly
via FoxyTunes

a comic, a card, a chinese girl

Saturday night.
New York City.
Severe rain storm.
What to do, what to do? Well... karaoke in a seedy Chinatown bar, of course!

That's right, some friends and I decided it was time for our occasional (and increasingly often) karaoke outing. The only place we like to go to do this is in a bar in Chinatown... it's shady, it's out of the way, it's always a weird crowd and I'm fascinated with a bartender that I should have absolutely no contact with... so in other words, it's perfect!

Seeing as the drinks are more expensive there than at any bar I frequent, I've become adept to either getting very, very drunk beforehand (see: my birthday two years ago) or bringing a flask full of cheap bourbon. Either way, I seem to always a)make a fool of myself or b)create a very awkward atmosphere (usually with the help of a specific friend).

A month ago, when there during an unusually busy night, I being both drunk upon arrival and having a flask became utterly fixated on the attractive Chinese bartender. She quickly sized up the situation and weaseled me into buying numerous drinks for both herself and I. She's good... I almost never fall for that trick. This time around, I made sure to completely avoid her siren-like abilities. Essentially, I avoided her completely, aside from the occasional dirty look.

So, why on earth do I bring this up, and speak of it on my blog? Sunday morning, while revisiting the night before, I realized that I need to continue working on a comic strip I started on a few months back. It's about a country bear, trying to make it in "Big City", and is of course based on my life... mainly the unsuccessful attempts at picking up the ladies. The whole karaoke scene is exactly the situation I was trying to portray. This bear is just an idiot in social situations.
So, I'm going to be hard at work, and will get some stuff online for your enjoyment as soon as I can! Keep yer ears and eyes open for "grin and bear it" starring bearly!!

More specific to What The Cluck... I did remember somewhere in a drunken haze, between singing I Want You To Want Me and Hank Williams' Lovesick Blues that the last time I was drunk with these friends I came up with a really, really good card idea.
The message is: it's not cheating if you believe in polygamy
I'm very excited to work on this one.

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Now playing: Bap Kennedy - Unforgiven
via FoxyTunes

the new routine

So, I'm trying to follow a new routine. I'm somewhat forced to do this as a result of my shift in work schedule...
I'm attempting to exercise. I'm attempting to eat better. I'm attempting to drink less. I (hopefully one of these damn days) attempting to either stop smoking or smoke a shit-load less. I'm trying to spend more time with the people I care about.

This has all spurred from the fact that I just feel good. I feel great. I'm feeling happy, confident, creative. I'm currently listening to one of my favorite albums from the last ten years that I have not had access to in about 6 years. It's a real "blast-from-the-past".

That's what's going on with me... but this blog is much less about the asshole behind the cards; way more about the cards/process itself.

So, how does this shift affect What The Cluck?
Aside from just feeling more focused and creative.... if a lazy, beer-bellied man attempting to exercise isn't funny, I don't know what is.


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Now playing: Queens of the Stone Age - Better Living Through Chemistry
via FoxyTunes

bonus! card idea of the day...

For some reason, I just thought of the ridiculous phrase "an ass that just won't quit" (and by "some reason", I mean to say I was just outside in the spring-like weather... you do the math).

Anyway, I LOVE this phrase for the sheer absurdity of it, and am sure it would make a great card.
I'll be thinking about how to create this one, but would also really like to hear some suggestions.

Thanks ya'll!

creative business or business creatively?

The last few days have been interesting, for many reasons.
I've made a new friend that is nothing but trouble when we hang out (probably good for card material). The band got together to write some new music, and I really like the direction we're headed. One of my best friends yelled at me for not "doing enough with my life". My schedule at work ("evil job") which has been consistent for at least 2 years, has completely shifted around. And for some reason, I watched the Oscars, as though I give a shit.

Amidst all of that mostly disastrous or pointless week there was a shift in my focus on What The Cluck. I started to think more about the business end of things (hence this blog). That's been interesting... I'm so out of touch with pop-culture, marketing, business and especially the internet tools entrepeneurs have been using. It's a slow climb, but I think my brain is finally absorbing (or maybe letting in?) some of this information.
The major issue with this however, is I seem to not be able to focus on the creative aspect while the ol' brain is in "business mode", or as I like to say: i got my money mind on!

I need to find a happy-medium between the two. When I'm being creative, I should probably only make things that might actually sell. Look at all my card designs, trust me, I'll be the first to admit that there are some that no one would ever, ever want. They are just there because I think they are funny.

The flip side of this is that maybe I need to think of the business side creatively as well. I have no idea what this means, really. Guerilla marketing? Giant zeppelins with my logo flying low over a city near you? This is less about generating more business, and more about keeping my brain in one mode. This could get interesting... or it could be incredibly boring.

motivation

I woke up this morning thinking about my cards (which is surprising after the crazy dreams I had last night). I've been spending a lot of time either creating or attempting to market in the last couple of weeks, so I guess it's just always on my mind. The thing I was wondering about the most this morning was: What is my motivation? Here's what I came up with...

-Artistic Expression
A very large reason that this is important to me is to express those thoughts that are deep within my mind (and after looking over my work, that worries me a bit!). Being able to transfer that to an artistic realm is somewhat therapeutic.... but this reason is boring to anyone but me. So...

-Money
Yes, I hope to actually make money from this. I actually hope to make lots of money from this. Yes, this is unlikely... I don't give a shit. This is my dream.
Now money; money falls into different categories of motivation. Why do I want to make money?
It is a proven fact that most men want to be rich to use that fact to attract women. The type of woman that is attracted to money above all else is usually: a very self-centered person, not very bright, not very nice, and incredibly attractive.
I feel it is my duty to let all of my loyal fans that this is... my motivation as well.
Sure, being debt-free, comfortable, and with a house to live in all sounds fine too.

-Humor
In a world where we just need humor more than ever, my major goal is to make people laugh. Honestly, nothing makes me as happy as somebody laughing at one of my cards.
Basically, the entire objective of this post was to express my hope that you not only enjoy my work, but please, please pass this all along to your friends. Whether you send them a card or direct them to one of my many outlets online, I appreciate it.


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Now playing: Marketa Irglova - The Hill
via FoxyTunes

it's tuesday!

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Now playing: Old Crow Medicine Show - Hesitation Blues
via FoxyTunes
I've finally entered the blogosphere... your mom's doing it, your dentist is doing it, even some mildly-domesticated animals are doing it; I guess I might as well give it a whirl.

What do I hope to gain from this experience? What indeed. As any true blooded American will tell you, I'm hoping to gain more money from this. Or as Lady Palin would say, "Going Rogue".

But aside from making money off of you, there is a chance that some of you just may be really interested in what is going on in my mind, my life.
Well, to start in the world of business, I have recently created 10 fresh new designs! Check them out at myspace.com/whatthecluckco -or- follow me on Facebook (speaking of Facebook, as soon as I learn how to link that to this blog thingy, that will make things easier).
I've had some great interest in custom cards; people wanting me to create a design specific for them. They've come out great, and everyone (including my wallet) was happy! Take advantage of that...




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Now playing: Old Crow Medicine Show - Hesitation Blues
via FoxyTunes