Paper Dragon Press

Koi Brush pen demo

2012-02-10T15:31:00.000-08:00

Check out the demo video I did with Sakura's new line of Koi Coloring Brush pens!

Image Expo

2012-02-07T11:14:00.001-08:00

The Karen and Karen table will be at Image Expo, February 24th to 26th! I'm sharing an Artist Alley table with fellow artist Karen Krajenbrink. Come by and check out our comics, prints and more!

Happy Lunar New Year of the Dragon

2012-01-27T09:56:00.001-08:00

If I had a dragon for a friend, I would go kite flying.

Google solo show

2012-01-14T13:20:00.001-08:00

My artwork is on display at the Google campus, building GWC 1 in Mountain View, CA. The solo show runs until March 30, 2012. It features my original watercolor and pastel paintings. The reception is to be announced.

Dickens Faire sketches

2012-01-14T13:10:00.001-08:00

I went to the Dickens Fair and drew these sketches.

hockey and volleyball gestures

2012-01-01T16:06:00.000-08:00

I watched a men's volleyball tourney in Chinatown.

I drew these from TV, watching the Sharks play the Avalanche.

Donation to Japan

2011-12-31T10:02:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! Due to the sales of the 1000 Crane Rescue print, I donated over $350 to the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. My thanks to everyone who made that possible!

Anime Arts Holiday Event.. final day!

2011-12-22T10:27:00.001-08:00

Thanks to the folks to showed up last weekend! I'll be there tomorrow near Kinokuniya Book Store in Japantown, San Francisco on December 23rd. Here's the flyer with more information. Finish up your holiday shopping!

Anime Arts Event in Japantown

2011-12-07T10:04:00.001-08:00

Kinokuniya Book Store in Japantown, San Francisco is hosting an Anime Arts Holiday Event complete with art vendors and demos! I'll be there December 17-18 and 23 with my art prints and comics. I'm sharing a table with Christine Uemura, jewelry maker of whimsical design. Here's the flyer with more information. Come on by and finish up your holiday shopping!

Also, thanks to everyone to showed up to my Small Press Spotlight at the Cartoon Art Museum! I appreciate your support of my art.

Featured button

2011-11-15T14:34:00.000-08:00

My koi heart button is featured on the Busy Beaver blog. Check it out and don't forget that I have the buttons available at my site's shop.

Small Press Spotlight & Encounters

2011-11-14T15:22:00.000-08:00

My Small Press Spotlight at the Cartoon Art Museum runs until December 4, 2011. Encounters is my new book which collects 48 pages of my watercolor comic short stories in full color. You can get the book directly from my site here. The CAM bookstore is also carrying it.

Encounters debut

2011-11-08T11:57:00.001-08:00

I'm debuting my new book Encounters at my Small Press Spotlight reception tonight at the Cartoon Art Museum from 7-9 pm. Come on by!

Encounters cover and reception

2011-10-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

Here's the final cover for my upcoming book which is a collection of my various short comic stories. My Small Press Spotlight reception is on November 8th, Tuesday, 7-9 pm at the Cartoon Art Museum. Here's more information about the spotlight itself here. Hope to see you there!

Upcoming manga workshops

2011-10-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

Here are free upcoming manga workshops at libraries. Space is limited, so contact each library soon to reserve a spot!

October 19, Wednesday: 2:30 to 5 pm for 11-19 year olds
Saratoga Library
13650 Saratoga Ave
Saratoga, CA 95070
(408) 867-6126

October 22, Saturday: 12 to 1:30 pm for 8-12 year olds and 2:30 to 5 pm for 13-18 year olds
Cupertino Library
10800 Torre Ave
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 446-1677

November 5, Saturday: 10:30 am to 12 pm for 3-5 graders and 1:30 to 3 pm for 6-8 graders
Registration opens on October 17th. Call to reserve a spot!
Pleasanton Library
400 Old Bernal Ave
Pleasanton, CA 94566
(925) 931-3400 ext. 8

Hope to see you at the workshops!

Steam ship

2011-09-19T08:56:00.001-07:00

A steam ship in peril.

judo gestures

2011-09-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

Gestures of judo players drawn with Micron pens.

Small Press Spotlight & APE

2011-09-13T10:23:00.001-07:00

I'm the Small Press Spotlight at the Cartoon Art Museum, starting on October 1st to December 4th. Also, I'll be sharing a table with Brian Kolm at APE, October 1st to 2nd at the Concourse Center in San Francisco! Stop by table 655! I'll have a preview of my upcoming comics.

Dirigible

2011-09-02T08:52:00.001-07:00

A dirigle in flight.

SF Zinefest

2011-08-29T13:50:00.001-07:00

I'll be at SF Zinefest sharing table 77 with Rae Wood on September 3rd and 4th. It's free admission. Come on by and check our art work!

Manga Mania in August

2011-07-29T15:08:00.001-07:00

One more Manga Mania workshop has been added to the Cartoon Art Museum! It's on August 13th, Saturday. Sign up here for the class. I hope to see you there!

SDCC bound!

2011-07-18T11:54:00.001-07:00

I'm sketching for the Cartoon Art Museum at SDCC booth 1930, July 23, Friday 12-1 pm. The whole list of artists and full press release is here.

My prints are available at Bobcat Publishing table F-09.

Come on by!

Manga Mania goes on

2011-06-15T08:48:00.001-07:00

Next up are my classes at the Schulz Museum. I have two days scheduled: July 1 and July 8. Call 707.284.1263 to reserve a spot for the Manga and Anime Drawing class for 8-12 year olds or 13-17 year olds. Then, I'll return to the Cartoon Art Museum on July 15. Sign up here for the Cartoon Art Museum class. Keep on sketching!

Manga Mania!

2011-06-01T08:06:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone who visited me at Fanime!

Next up is Manga Mania: a manga drawing workshop at the Cartoon Art Museum. Join me for the secrets of manga technique on June 11th! Register here online.

Fanime 2011

2011-05-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone to came to the SF library manga workshops! I have more classes here. I will be at Fanime 2011 next in San Jose, May 27-30. Along with Jeannie Lee, we'll be doing art critques on Friday and Sunday of the con. We're at tables T295-297. Come on by!

1000 Crane Rescue

2011-05-18T10:13:00.000-07:00

Available print here. I will be donating 25% of the sales to Japan relief. If you're local and I'm likely to see you at con, drop me a line or post a comment and we'll make arrangements. My next con will be Fanime, May 27 to 30. Table location to be announced soon.

Manga Mania upcoming classes

2011-04-16T09:14:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone showed up at Wondercon! It was a lot of fun. Coming up are Manga Mania classes! These are manga drawing classes I'm teaching in May, June and July. Here's the full schedule in a PDF format. The first one is at the SF Library, Portola Branch on May 14 from 1:30-3 pm. Let's build up those drawing muscles!

Still Winter, page 1

2011-03-21T16:05:00.000-07:00

First page of an upcoming comic sans sound effects and dialogue. I'm trying to get the hang of digital painting.

WonderCon 2010!

2011-03-19T11:32:00.001-07:00

The return of the Karen and Karen table is imminent! I'll be at Wondercon Small Press table # 17 (SP 17) with my awesome twin Karen Krajenbrink. Hope to see you!

Test panel

2011-03-11T09:57:00.001-08:00

Here's a test panel for a comic story I'm developing.

Castro Valley High show

2011-01-27T21:32:00.001-08:00

Starting on February 1st, my work will be at Castro Valley High through mid-March or so. I will be conducting an art workshop on the same day.

Dickens Faire

2010-12-17T09:01:00.000-08:00

These are sketches from the Dickens Faire 2010.

Holiday Anime Faire 2011

2010-11-29T10:20:00.001-08:00

I’ll be at the Holiday Anime Faire on Saturday, December 4th from 10 am to 3 pm with my prints and comics. Come on down for art, crafts and fun! For more info, click here.

The Lovers

2010-11-09T12:56:00.000-08:00

Here's the tarot card I made for the Cartoon Art Museum's Ghoultide Gathering event. I might render it to a more finished painting later.

Friday comic promos!

2010-10-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

Webcomic: What’s Cooking?

To see the rest of the recipe, you’ll need to order Webcomic: What’s Cooking? From the site:

90 plus pages of fun webcomics and great recipes! Enjoy desirable entrées with your favorite webcomic characters! Great fun and for a worthy cause too. Proceeds of the cookbook are going to the Food Banks of the USA and Canada.

The cookbook features recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Appetizers, Dinner, Desserts and Beverages. All of these hosted by popular webcomics you know and love.

It’s organized by Kurt Sasso and preorders for the book opened
today!

Stargazer Volume 1
Von Allen of and creator of the road to god knows… has his next graphic novel listed in the current Previews for preorder this week. It’s got a Spotlight On feature on it even! The descriptive blurb reads:

A mysterious object transports three young friends to a strange land under unfamiliar stars. The young friends try to find their way home, but meet some unlikely allies along the way. Will the magical world hange the girls or will they end up changing it instead? Recommended for fantasy fans of books such as Akiko, Amulet and Bone.

Place an order today with your local comic shop, using code NOV101057. More info here.

Sharing Stories

2010-09-16T10:11:00.000-07:00

Sharing Stories show opened today at Ohlone College in the President’s office, room 1216. My solo show will be there through October 25th and the office is open is Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Come by and see original comic pages as well as some of my recent paintings!

SF Zinefest 2010

2010-09-03T09:23:00.000-07:00

This Labor Day weekend, I'll be at SF Zinefest hanging out and selling comics and prints at table 33! Free admission to check out the local zine scene! Below is a new print I'll have for sale.

SDCC sketches for CAM

2010-08-18T10:19:00.001-07:00

Here are the sketches I did for the Cartoon Art Museum at SDCC. I also did one of Reki from Haibane Renmei, but I forgot to take a picture of it. First time for me drawing superheroes!

CAM Sketch-a-thon at SDCC

2010-07-15T19:51:00.001-07:00

I'm sketching for the Cartoon Art Museum at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 24th from 12 to 1 pm. Stop by booth #1930 to support the museum and get some great original sketches! The full press release is here.

Cartoonist-in-Residence

2010-06-09T10:21:00.001-07:00

On June 12th, I'm the Cartoonist-in-Residence at the Charles M. Schulz Museum. I'll be there from 1 to 3 pm answering questions about my work and making comics. I'll have comics and prints for sale too. Stop on by!

Fanime 2010 sketches

2010-06-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my table at Fanime! While there, I did some Avatar: the Last Airbender fan art... enjoy!

Fanime 2010 & Schulz Museum

2010-05-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

I will be at Fanime during Memorial Day Weekend in Artist Alley, tables T110-T112, with Rae Wood and hopefully Jeannie Lee. On June 12th, I'm the Cartoonist-in-Residence at the Charles M. Schulz Museum from 1-3 pm. Stop on by!

WonderCon drawings

2010-04-12T13:02:00.001-07:00

Here's the batch of drawings I did while at WonderCon 2010.

WonderCon 2010!

2010-03-30T21:56:00.000-07:00

At WonderCon 2010, I'll be there all three days at Small Press table #17 with my wonderful "twin" Karen Krajenbrink. We'll have comics, buttons, prints, necklaces, originals and we'll be taking commissions! Stop on by!

Professor Layton fan comic

2010-03-11T09:00:00.001-08:00

Here's an unused video game fan comic of Professor Layton. My other strip got into Life Meter 3, which will be available soon. Check out their site for other great video game fan comics and pin ups!

Draw Manga workshop!

2010-02-28T11:24:00.001-08:00

I'm teaching a manga drawing workshop at the Morgan Hill Library on March 6th, 2-4 pm. Sign ups are here!

NYT and Learn to Draw Manga

2010-02-14T10:33:00.000-08:00

My interview with the New York Times is available online! I also did the illustration.

Learn to Draw Manga at the San Jose Rose Garden Branch Library on February 23rd, 3:30 to 5 pm! Pre-registration is required. More info is available here; scroll down to the February 23rd date.

Raconteur updated today!

2010-01-13T13:09:00.001-08:00

Raconteur review

2009-12-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

From 88.9 KUCI's The Darkling Eclectica, Michael H. Payne:

Raconteur - Random comics from Karen Luk. They've all be multi-page stories so far, but each one's been self-contained, something of a rarity in this serial-loving medium of ours. Interesting to read and lovely to look at: a winning combination.

Nice! Check out the Darkling Eclectica comics page for more recommendations! There's quite a few current and past Girlamatic creators included.

Raconteur updates!

2009-12-10T18:49:00.000-08:00

In case you missed it, Raconteur updated yesterday:

Webcomic-Con at CAM

2009-12-07T09:15:00.001-08:00

Thanks to everyone who showed up to the Holiday Anime Faire! Next up is the Webcomic-Con 2009 on December 12th! It's hosted by the fine folks of the Cartoon Art Museum as part of their Monsters of Webcomics show, now through January 24, 2010. Come and check out local web comic artists!

Raconteur returns & 2 cons

2009-11-25T13:27:00.000-08:00

Raconteur returns with updates biweekly on Wednesdays!

The Holiday Anime Faire arrives on December 5th! There’s an art contest where you could art supplies and even a free pass to Fanime next year. Come on by for holiday gift shopping, crafts and fun!

The Cartoon Art Museum is hosting theWebcomics-Con 2009 on December 12th! Check out local web comic artists and pick up some holiday gifts! A schedule of demonstrations and/or workshops that day will be announced soon. Free with paid museum admission!

I’ll be at both cons with my comics and prints and doing a couple workshops. Stop on by!

Sitar and tabla

2009-11-18T10:36:00.000-08:00

Quick sketches from a sitar and tabla performance I attended.

APE aftermath

2009-10-23T17:20:00.001-07:00

Here's a pic of my table and the drawings I did on site. Fun times!

College of San Mateo manga class, jam comic

2009-10-17T23:58:00.001-07:00

Here are the files for the second jam comic called "Blind Date." The zip file includes four pages of layouts and a separate script document. Place the dialogue onto the panels and add sound effects!

College of San Mateo manga class

2009-10-13T18:47:00.001-07:00

Here's the first jam comic the class made.

Here's a link for the PDF file of the original origami version.

APE & Cartoon Art Museum class

2009-10-06T22:33:00.001-07:00

I will be at APE (Alternative Press Expo) October 17th and 18th, table #444. I'm sharing the table with Rae Wood. Stop on by! My next manga drawing workshop is at the Cartoon Art Museum on October 24th. Come level up your manga drawing skills! Click on the above link for registration information. Space is limited!

Manga Mania & Life Meter 3

2009-09-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

I'm teaching a manga drawing class at the College of San Mateo for kids and teens starting on September 26th! Check it out here for details about the class.

I'm a contributor to the Life Meter 3 - a video game fan comics anthology. Proceeds from the book are benefiting Child's Play. Life Meter 3 will debut at SPX and then be available online a bit later. For the full list of contributors and more details, go to the LiveJournal Community located here.

SF Zinefest 2009

2009-08-28T14:25:00.000-07:00

I had a great time exhibiting for the first time at 9th annual SF Zinefest! Here are the drawings I did on the spot. A couple were black and white ones I finished previously and watercolored them there.

Monsters of Webcomics

2009-08-07T08:42:00.001-07:00

I'm part of the virtual gallery for the Monsters of Webcomics exhibit at the Cartoon Art Museum. It opens August 8th! Here's the press release.

SF Zinefest & Manga Mania

2009-08-05T10:37:00.001-07:00

I’ll be at the SF Zinefest on August 22 and 23! Come on by and check out my comics and prints!

I am teaching the Manga Mania class for kids and teens at the College of San Mateo. It’s three class sessions staring on September 26th. Go here to register for the class!

SDCC bound!

2009-07-20T09:15:00.000-07:00

I’m heading down to SDCC Wednesday! My comics will be for sale at Bobcat Publishing by my good friend Llyn Hunter at table D-10. Both Sea Rover and Tales of Encounter are $10 for both or $6 each. Combined, both books collect all the comics I’ve done so far on Girlamatic with a couple older stories. I will be sketching for donations at the Cartoon Art Museum booth #1930, Saturday, July 25th from 12 pm to 1 pm. Other than that, I’ll be wandering the exhibitor’s hall.

Chibi Month at Manga Start!

2009-07-13T12:40:00.001-07:00

This month on Manga Start it's all about chibis! My chibi pirate step by step is up this week. Check it out!

fish heads

2009-07-09T15:49:00.001-07:00

Recently, I visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the California Academy of Sciences. These fish heads were drawn from life on a Nintendo DS.

fantasy animal sketches

2009-07-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

These were drawn with a Pentel sumi brush and water.

Nichi Bei Times covers Manga Start

2009-06-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

Manga Start co-founder Phuong-Mai Bui-Quang was interviewed by the Nichi Bei Times. Read the article online here.

Fanime head sketches

2009-05-30T16:57:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who came to Manga Start's panel on the History and Intro Manga Art! I didn't officially have a table in Artists' Alley, but I sat down and drew con attendees as they passed me by.

Fanime Con 2009 and Raconteur

2009-05-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

As part of Manga Start, I will be a panelist at Fanime Con on Saturday, May 23rd. It’s the History and Intro to Manga Art panel at 1 pm in Marriott Salon B. Hope to see you there!

In other news, I will resume Raconteur in late July or early August.

Tales of Encounter

2009-05-08T09:42:00.000-07:00

Tales of Encounter comic collects Snow Fall, Treaty and Gatekeeper in one book. It's now available at Treasure Island Comics and the Cartoon Art Museum. The Cartoon Art Museum also carries prints of my illustrations. Tales of Encounter and my previous book, Sea Rover and Other Tales, are also available at the Gallery Project until the Visual Storytelling show ends on May 24th.

Raconteur update

2009-04-22T08:55:00.001-07:00

The last page of the current story is up! Click here to read it:

Manga drawing gal

2009-04-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a spot illustration for my upcoming manga drawing classes.

Raconteur update

2009-04-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

Go read!

unnamed project sketches

2009-04-06T14:31:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted sketches, so here are a few from a yet unnamed, not fully developed comic.

April appearances

2009-04-01T18:46:00.001-07:00

I'm presenting manga drawing techniques for Sakura of America from April 17th to 20th at NAEA.

I will be at the CAATX on April 25th from 10 am to 4 pm. Stop on by, learn drawing techniques and pick up my latest comic book Tales of Encounter for $6!

My work will be on display at the Visual Storytelling exhibit at the Gallery Project. The exhibit runs from April 15th to May 15th. Even though I will not be there at the reception that is on April 17th from 6 to 9 pm, check out the exhibit!

Raconteur update today!

2009-03-25T08:59:00.001-07:00

New page is up! Click here to read it:

Raconteur returns!

2009-03-11T08:15:00.001-07:00

My new story is up on Girlamatic! Click here to read it:

Wondercon 2009

2009-02-24T11:02:00.001-08:00

I'll be in Artist Alley, table 112 selling comics, prints and more! I will have my original comic pages for sale too. Here's a cover detail of my new comic book:

Tales of Encounter collects Snow Fall, Treaty (both previously on Girlamatic.com) and one new story just for this book. Stop on by. I'll be there for all three days!

AOD panel appearances

2009-02-11T08:36:00.000-08:00

I'm a panelist at AOD (Animation on Display) this Saturday, February 14th. I will be at the following panels:

History and Overview of Manga and Anime
Manga Art Demonstration/Q&A by Manga Start
Professional Art Careers.

Come by and bring your questions!

Sketchcrawl 21 results

2009-01-14T19:24:00.000-08:00

I was glad to meet some new Sketchcrawlers at the Ferry Building! Some of us stayed there, while others ventured out to the Japantown. I couldn't stay for the whole day, but it was great hanging out with new folks and chatting it up over lunch in Japantown!

These are gesture drawings for the musical performance I went to, after leaving the Sketchcrawl early.

21st Sketchcrawl

2009-01-05T12:25:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I'm participating in the 21st Sketchcrawl on January 10th. Check out Sketchcrawl.com for more info and meeting times/locations!

Raconteur update today

2008-12-31T13:21:00.001-08:00

It's the second to last page of the current story...!

Dickens Faire

2008-12-20T07:43:00.001-08:00

Holiday Anime Faire `08

2008-11-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

On December 6th, I’ll be at the Holiday Anime Faire teaching with Manga Start a class on body expressions. Stop on by!

Raconteur update today!

2008-11-19T14:17:00.000-08:00

CAEA Manga Presentation Thank You

2008-11-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the 50 plus art educators to came to Sakura of America's Intro to Manga Presentation! I was grateful to see so many educators willing to get up early and be interested in manga. Again, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask here or on Manga Start.

CAEA Manga Presentation

2008-11-13T08:39:00.000-08:00

I'll be teaching a workshop with Manga Start at the California Art Education Association this Saturday, November 15th. The workshop description:

Introduction to Manga for Classroom Art Education
Manga (Japanese Comics) is captivating your students’ interest. Learn more about this unique genre from Professional manga artists, and gain insight on connecting manga with traditional classroom art education.

Raconteur update and Manga Start

2008-11-05T09:35:00.000-08:00

A new comic page is up!

I'm helping out with Manga Start. Check out the site for manga style tutorials!

Raconteur update... finally!

2008-10-22T11:21:00.000-07:00

Raconteur update

2008-10-07T09:11:00.000-07:00

After I replace my dead laptop, the current story on Girlamatic.com will resume this month.

ground and pound

2008-09-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

Here are some gesture drawings while watching UFC fights on TV. I used a brush pen and they weren't more than a couple minutes using a freeze frame option on the TV remote.

Mendocino jam comic

2008-08-30T22:09:00.001-07:00

Here's the jam comic from the Manga Festival in Fort Bragg, CA. I had a great sharing drawing hints and skills with attendees. Enjoy!

Manga workshop on the Mendocino Coast

2008-08-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

I will be teaching a manga workshop on August 23rd at Racines. The workshop will cover facial/body expressions, character design and a jam comic. Sign ups at the store are recommended!

San Diego Comic Con starts tomorrow!

2008-07-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

A reminder: I will be doing sketches for donations at the Cartoon Art Museum table on Friday, July 25th from 2-3 pm. The museum's table is on the mezzanine level in the Fan Club section, number MZ11. According to the staff, it’s $10 for a 5.5x8.5 and $25 for a 8.5x11. It may be different once there, but it’s a heads up. Come on by!

Here’s a logo design I finished for a gaming group:

Any fan of The Red Star will enjoy this. I will color it later:

sketches at SDCC!

2008-07-16T09:58:00.000-07:00

San Diego Comic Con is just around the corner! I don't have a table, so I'll be roaming as a free agent on the floor. I will be doing sketches for donations at the Cartoon Art Museum table on Friday, July 25th from 2-3 pm. CAM's table is on the mezzanine level in the Fan Club section, number MZ11. Come on by!

Raconteur update

2008-06-25T15:13:00.001-07:00

Here's the latest page of my current story Treaty. After this story is done, I'll be putting Raconteur on hiatus for a while.

MoCCA pics

2008-06-15T14:15:00.000-07:00

Just some choice pics from MoCCA here. Enjoy!

thumbnail roughs

2008-05-27T18:06:00.001-07:00

MoCCA bound!

2008-05-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars: Leigh Dragoon, Karen Luk and Rachel Nabors will be at MoCCA! We're at table S41, on the second floor of the Puck Building.

Art Spiegelman and Chris Ware, Serial Boxes, April 30th

2008-05-12T18:13:00.000-07:00

Chris Ware and Art Spiegelman were guest speakers at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco on April 30th. Their conversation, as guided by Heidi Chute, was part of Serial Boxes – a series of lectures exploring the graphic novel.

Ware is known for his graphic and geometric comics that look computer generated, but is done by hand. His notable works include the Acme Novelty Library and Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth. Spiegelman’s underground comics work began in the 1960s and 1970s and continued with co-founding of Arcade and Raw. His Pulitzer-winning Maus elevated graphic novels to literary status. He equated his recent work, In the Shadow of Two Towers, as current generation’s World War II influence.

Spiegelman believes that graphic novels are still bidding for respectability. The graphic novel is a medium, not a genre. He views the term “graphic novel” as a marketing term, instead of just saying “comics” to describe his work. Chute had Spiegelman define comics – words and pictures, reduced level of visuals, picture words. Ware shared his view of sequential art as “typography of picture words.”

To Spiegelman, comics represent timeless space, much like a musical score. Large panels may equal no passage of time. Spiegelman claimed rational barely exists in comics. Plain painting ignores the story. Ware creates his panels as he goes, increasing the complexity of the pages to have the reader linger over the pages. He joked how drawing naked people brings him to the drawing board.

Speaking historically, Spiegelman suggested comics as architecture derived from the church stained glass windows. Spiegelman focuses his narrative stories, looking for visual coherence of panels in and out of the story. On the other hand, Ware gives the story a more cursory glance (whether it works or not) tempered with real life parallels.

On the question about which panel to read next, Spiegelman replied that it was the artist’s responsibility to know. Spiegelman added that ambiguity lends to more reader involvement. “You have to use what little space you have to pack inside everything you can!” quoted Spiegelman of his father showing him how to pack in a cartoon strip. He stated that this was the best advice he ever received as a cartoonist.

Ware uses comic panels as a typographic element and as “memory pictures.” He experiments with story, not necessarily storytelling. Relying on the perception of ambiguity for his panels, he said that it must feel right to work. He commented that man is the only creature surrounded by man-made things.

Regarding influences on his work, Spiegelman cited Harvey Kurtzman of Mad magazine. Spiegelman showed slides of an ugly woman portrait that spoke more to him than some pretty girl magazine color. Ware cited Frank King’s Gasoline Alley for its parallel to real life story, use of contemplation and color. He also included Daniel Clowes’ Ghost World and Eightball.

Throughout the conversation, Spiegelman and Ware showed slides of their work, applicable cartoons and references. For example, Spiegelman showed a cartoon of himself overshadowed by a monolith of Maus with his grandson in the foreground playing World of Warcraft on a laptop. He wondered if could ever escape Maus’ shadow, while his grandson asked to be left alone to finish up a quest.

Ware discussed the details of the Acme Novelty Library, covering repeated letter design and a glow-in-a-dark constellation of the story’s cast. He lamented how much he over thinks his stories and their format. Spiegelman had single cartoons and strips ready to illustrate his answers, while Ware was self-deprecating about the fact he was not as prepared or witty.

Chute asked what concerns Spiegelman and Ware have about their own work. Spiegelman said that the birth of a notion was troublesome, citing the fame of Maus. Ware’s concern was keeping a grip on his self-worth as an artist.

Recognizing that inherent humor was in their work and answers, Chute asked if that was intentional. Ware remarked that comics are prefect for humor; although, it’s much harder for him to write humor, as his work reflects his “deep self.” Spiegelman paraphrased Mark Twain saying, “There’s no laughter in heaven.”

The conservation ended with applause from a full house. Both gentleman lingered afterwards, signing their books for an appreciative audience.

new drawings

2008-05-08T20:58:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple more finished looking drawings.

Conceptual drawing for a developing story done in ink wash.

Ink drawing of yet-to-be named lead of a developing story. She's riding on a back of an ostru (made up creature based on two-legged dinosaurs and ostriches). Ostrus are also in the current Raconteur story Treaty.

Orphan Works Bill for 2008

2008-05-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

Please take a moment to fill this out:
http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/

More information on what it is about:
http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/issues/bills/?billid=11320236

A few key points:
The Orphan Works Act defines an "orphan work" as any copyrighted work whose author any infringer says he is unable to locate with what the infringer himself decides has been a "reasonably diligent search." In a radical departure from existing copyright law and business practice, the U.S. Copyright Office has proposed that Congress grant such infringers freedom to ignore the rights of the author and use the work for any purpose, including commercial usage. In the case of visual art, the word "author" means "artist."

It is a violation of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works for any country to impose registration on a rights holder as as a condition of protecting his copyright. See Article 5(2) "The enjoyment and the exercise of these rights shall not be subject to any formality (emphasis added)."

Publishers and other art licensees will be less likely to commission new work from artists if they can surf the net for free images that have become separated from identifying information. An artist's pre-existing paintings and drawings - orphaned through no fault of his own - would be competing against him for the new commissions he needs to make a living.