kickin' off "animals in cones!"

Alright, it's official! Animal in Cones! has officially begun! I was first approaching this project as I normally do things... nothing will reach the public's eye until the entire job is complete. Yesterday I realized that this project may very well never be complete, seeing as there are countless animals subject to coning in the world. So... I've made the very difficult decision to post these as I complete each separate one.
How does this affect you, you ask? Well... it makes these more accessible in a timely fashion. And, what are stationery connoisseurs, if not obsessed with timely fashion.

Speaking of obsession... my obsession for the day: people who are obsessed with cupcakes.
Alternate obsession of the day: the word obsession.

By the way... have you read grin and bear it yet?
do. www.grin-bear-it.blogspot.com

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Now playing: The Builders And The Butchers - In The Branches
via FoxyTunes

for real this time...

So, I may have completely lied last time when I stated I'd be getting back in the saddle. The horse was too high, or my legs were too short... or the cup was kind of half emptyish but full at the same time. Optimism. Pessimism. Laziness.
I'm a little less lazy these days, but pretty busy. I've begun playing music again. Working on a bunch of new ideas in my head. Writing for a music website. Being social. Looking for paying jobs... Trying to get my life together is tough! In the midst of all of this, I actually have been working on a new series of cards I'm very excited about. It's the first time I've had a very comprehensive theme, that lends itself to either single cards or some sort of boxed set. This could be the breakthrough you're all so anxiously awaiting for me to make. I hope to make you all (as opposed to just my mother) very proud.
I have been working on this project in bars mostly, so it's productive, but slow.
-Keep your eyes peeled for "animals in cones"
-Come see the creative process and have a drink with me
-Support the arts and buy one of my old designs
-Support the arts and buy something from one of the artists set up in Union Square that Mayor Bloomberg is trying to oppress
-Call your mother and tell her you love her
-Write a list of things for people to do

I soon hope to have "animals in cones" in a facebook picture album near you! Don't miss the world premiere.


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Now playing: Band Of Horses - Marry Song
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.