WHY NOT STUDIOS

Santa Tattoo

2011-12-20T10:26:00.003-05:00

I loved the Stieg Larsson books...
really thought the European set of films
was true to his originals...

but am wondering if the American films
will be gritty enough.

The source photo was taken from a cover of a magazine...
the associated dragon tattoo was heavily modified to make
more seasonal... and the text was alterred accordingly.

All this to say...

it ain't perfect...
but that's not really the point.

Did it make you smile?...

Job done!

All the best wishes of the season to you all!

Be afraid... VERY afraid...

2011-11-23T10:05:00.001-05:00

Monsanto isn't the only company to
be developing Genetically Modified Foods...
but they are one of the best at spreading them...
worldwide...

actually mainly in third world nations...
perhaps as a safe place to test them...
just in case...

much better to have 5 legged calves
and 4 legged humans running around
"other" nations than here at home...

what would the kids say?...

oh wait...

they ARE the kids!

cheers?

"Another drink dear?"

2011-10-02T16:49:00.002-04:00

OK... this is so very 1950 postcard lame...
but it made me laugh on this cold and dreary day...
so it served its purpose.

Maybe it will do the same for you.

cheers!

Michael... April 25, 2011

2011-04-25T09:22:00.004-04:00

Breaking Good...

Another step forward on my son's
dream path to become the owner of
a chain of pharmacies in the USA...

thought this card was appropriate...
hehehehe

Zombie Santa

2010-12-05T00:04:00.005-05:00

An idea for a potential xmas special for the Walking Dead tv series...
"Zombie Santa"... or... "I know that you've been bad"

Another digital painting... took about 2 hours...
a bit too "dark" for my personal card this year
so I'll just post this as is.

Enjoy

Tudor Santa

This is the card we are sending out this year...
a bit more in keeping with the sincere good wishes
to all our friends...
enjoy

Digital Speed Paintings...

2010-11-27T16:38:00.008-05:00

Grace Park... clone babe...

This is a digital speed painting I just created of Grace Park... an actress from Canada who was featured in the tv series Battlestar Gallactica... where she played a Cylone clone.

The software I used on this is the newly purchased Corel Painter Essentials 4... an inexpensive ($20) little painting powerhouse that uses (in addition to traditional media brushes) clone paint brushes to modify photographs...

so... a clone for a clone...

Emma Watson... teen sorceress...

Another digital speed painting done from a recent web-wide photo of Emma Watson... with a few modifications... and deletions... while this is certainly a fake image... it is also a real tribute to my favourite little sorceress...

This piece took 1 hour...

cheers

enjoy! (click any image for a larger view)

Happy Birthday Matthew

2010-11-22T10:47:00.002-05:00

Thanks to his brother, Matthew is now filling his waking hours playing Black Ops... so I thought it only appropriate to contribute to this theme...

Happy birthday son... don't forget to reload!

So many ways to die...

2010-11-05T11:00:00.008-04:00

This is just so wrong... that I just had to laugh...
what makes it even better is the "cuteness factor" of the main character...

Happy Birthday Michael

2010-04-24T12:34:00.006-04:00

Click to view large
24 years old on April 25th...
seems like time is flying by.

I am so proud of my boy...
he's found the strength...
he has the smarts...
he can conquer the world.

(maybe this suit will help)

More Scotland pics

2009-11-17T14:50:00.012-05:00

Taken outside some castle ruins north of Glasgow...
Taken inside a 900 year old cathedral in Glasgow...
a little cut and paste and voila!...

Daytrip...
The northern part of the Isle of Skye... Scotland 2009... the rain had been at it for days... even when it paused it still just hung there... all that moisture plays tricks on the eyes... but apart from a distant droning noise it was quite tranquil.Walkabout...
The northern part of the Isle of Skye... Scotland 2009... went for a walk and found these two watching us... they seemed the best of friends.

Castles...
Outside in the garden... old trees, old stones and old me with Andrée...

NecroWatcher

2009-10-22T11:11:00.008-04:00

The Necropolis, the oldest burial cemetery in Glasgow,
spreads across the top of the city like a veil of death.

This angel was the first to slowly appear through the trees
as we approached across the bridge of tears.

It was such a fun spot!

Here is a quick mod of the above... my new Halloween desktop...
now... enough playing around...
back to work (sigh)

Glasgow, Scotland

2009-10-04T13:51:00.008-04:00

A beautiful city that has learned how to successfully combine the old with the new... not with one replacing the other... but rather both elements working together to create a wonderful visual blend.
A case full of "ideas" outside a trendy bar...
Glasgow has a green view...
The new generation of stained glass...
Even new objects are often "aged" ...

Bug Zoo Portraits

2009-09-03T15:28:00.011-04:00

August 2009
Just returned from two wonderful weeks in Victoria British Columbia.
One day's excursion was back to one of my fave spots... the Bug Zoo... where I snapped this collection of sweet cuddly little creatures... hope you enjoy the close-ups!
Click on any photo to see very large... and up close!

100 Years of Flight

2009-07-03T10:35:00.004-04:00

On July 1st, Canada Day,
I was standing on my balcony
when I heard the approach of
jet engines... low... and loud.

I grabbed my camera just in time
to snap the 3 jets in this shot...
beautifully backed by these big
fat cumulus nimbus clouds!

The jet at the top is part of Canada's
SnowBird" aerobatic squadron...
the one in the middle is Canada's
current battle jet, the F-18...
and the one at the bottom
is a completely restored
Sabre Jet from the 50's!

This year marks the 100th anniversary
of Canada's first recorded flight of the
Silver Dart on Lake Brador in Cape Breton.
A rebuilt version flew a few weeks ago!

This desktop wallpaper is a tribute to
the ingenuity, vision and unwaivering
belief of all those who have worked
on perfecting the ability of man to fly.

We would have saved ourselves a lot
of grief if we had been born with wings.

Cheers!

Aerial Appetizers

2009-06-22T10:50:00.004-04:00

Summer in Ottawa
is a time for the skies
to be filled with all sorts
of flying machines...
hang gliders...
and balloons.

The only down side
is how all the pretty colors
seem to attract the attention
of Canadian Cloud Sharks.

They're really big... really quiet...
and very very hungry.

From my balcony,
I have a great view!

Laughing Crow Scarfe

2009-05-01T11:21:00.009-04:00

Andreé Crowe, my most creative partner
is going to be at The Capital Clothing Show...
May 8, 9 and 10.

Here's one of her latest felt scarves...
(photochopped into a pro model photo)

check out her site to see more...

NoelBoy

2008-12-15T10:04:00.021-05:00

Click to Enlarge

It's that time of year again...

time to send out our greetings

with a card that is heartfelt,

sincere... and in keeping with

all that is special about this

time of year....

so... enjoy!

the season...

the food...

the friends.

All the best in 2009 too!

Be careful what you vote for...

2008-09-25T15:23:00.005-04:00

Ok... time for a little Canadian politics...

we have a federal election underway
(yes, there is another one other than the USA)
that will chart Canada's course for the
coming 4 years (or less).

Stephen Harper... the leader of
the Regressive Conservatives wants
to regain power on a platform of
strong leadership and a clear vision.

In the last 4 years he has squandered
the surplus he inherited from the last
party and taken the country to a near-deficit status...
under his skilled (proven) leadership.

He has also announced that the arts
community will only be funded if their
projects meet his vision of art.

Kinda like an "arts cleansing program".

I am afraid of what this man and his
party of like-minded zealots represents...

but looking around at the current
alternatives... all the polls show is
that with no clear leading national
candidate, and the opposition votes
being split among the other parties...

Adolf Harper may once again regain
the controls of this wonderful country...

or at least... it used to be wonderful.

If this is true... pray for us all!

Ready for President Palin?

2008-09-10T14:06:00.010-04:00

Fake images of gun-toting,
bikini-clad Sarah Palin, the
Vice Presidential running mate
for McCain are circling the
web like wildfire...

I just had to throw my versions in!!

The word is that Presidential contender
McCain is battling a very serious and
possibly life-threatening disease.
(I wish him all the best in his
courageous battle).

But that said...
and assuming he wins the
upcoming US presidential elections...
there will exist the potential of his
vice presidential running mate
becoming the next leader of the
most powerful country on earth!

We don't know much about her...
but what we do know is kinda
frightening to the liberals of this planet.

I can't vote for Obama
(cause I'm not an American)...
but because the USA is such
a strong influence planet wide...
I feel I must support Obama...

Another barracuda for president
is just too scary a thought!

Algonquin Moments...

2008-08-29T13:30:00.010-04:00

Click any image to view full screen...

Pics from my recent canoe/camp trip
into the heart of Algonquin Park.

My Recipe for a Perfect Vacation...

6 friends...
3 canoes...
7 days...
6 nights...
17 Lakes...
18 Portages...
18,140 portage meters...
4 campsites...

no phones...
no faxes...
no email...
no social networks (sorry flickr)
and not 1 complaint!

Can't wait to return!

Tofu's little secret...

2008-07-22T14:56:00.013-04:00

OK...
don't get me wrong...
I love tofu...

in all its many tastes...
and shapes...

it transforms into all sorts
of different foods...

scrambled eggs... duck...
bacon... you name it!

My worry now is that
it is just "too good" to be true!...

what nasty "little" (or very big)
secret is hiding...

waiting to be exposed at some
future moment in a media expose?

I am counting the minutes.

A playful look...

2008-07-15T13:27:00.003-04:00

My beautiful cat Matisse has a
very special "look" she gets
in her eyes when it is time
to "play"...

but when I get real close...

I realize that playtime for a cat
is time to perfect her killing techniques...

I love cats!

Shuster Award 2008

2008-06-18T11:50:00.009-04:00

Last Saturday I was inducted into the
Canadian Cartoon Creators Hall of Fame...
and received an award named after Joe Shuster...
the co-founder of Superman!

It was for work I did in 1971 and 1972
for a satirical comic magazine called Fuddle Duddle...
which I am still very proud of today.

It was a wonderful evening shared with
many good friends... both old and new.

To read more about the award...
joeshusterawards.com/story.asp?storyID=122

I have always loved comics...
especially creating them.

I plan on soon returning to my comic roots
with a new blog that will be devoted to my characters of old...
and include a new on-line strip that will
update them into today's world.

To James Waley, John Bell and the
rest of the Shuster selection committee...
(as well as the legions...all 3 of you...
of Captain Canada, Beaver Boy and Pamela fans...)

again, my deepest thanks!

___________________________________

The results of the 2008
Canadian comic book creator
honours — the Joe Shuster Awards

Joe Shuster Award Winners. From Left to Right:
Lar De Souza, Jeff Lemire, Pierre Fournier, Cecil Castellucci,
Stanley Berneche, David Watkins, Walter Durajlija & Marc Sims

Outstanding writer:
Cecil Castellucci

Outstanding artist:
Dale Eaglesham

Outstanding cartoonist:
Jeff Lemire

Outstanding colourist:
Dave McCaig

Outstanding web comics creators:
Ryan Sohmer and Lar De Souza

Outstanding cover:
Steve Skroce for Doc Frankenstein #6

Outstanding publisher:
Drawn And Quarterly

Fan-favourite International creator:
Ed Brubaker

Fan-favourite Canadian creator - English:
Faith Erin Hicks

Fan-favourite Canadian creator – French:
PhlppGrrd a.k.a. Philippe Girard

Hall Of Fame inductees:
John Byrne, Stanley Berneche,
Pierre Fournier and Edwin “Ted” McCall.

Outstanding achievement
by a Canadian related to comic books:
David Watkins

Harry Kremer Award for outstanding retailer:
Big B Comics, Hamilton, Ont.

More Coverage

Lucid Comics June 18th
Written by Adam A. Donaldson

The Shuster Awards

Typically the Shusters Awards are part of the Paradise Comic,
but a date change on that event forced the annual Canadian comic
awards to go it alone this year. Well not alone per se, as
organizers put together a Sequential Art Symposium,
this had particular emphasis on the history and impact of
Superman, this year being the 70th anniversary of his creation
by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel. But that wasn’t the only
change this year as the typically fan chosen awards were
limited to a few categories while a jury of professionals
chose the main winners for the evening.

The venue was also different, taking place at the
Lillian H. Smith Branch of the Toronto Public Library.
The ceremony took place in the Library’s basement
auditorium, which was a little more upscale but still,
you know, in the basement.

But the host was the same this year though one short.
Rick “That’s Commander Rick” Green flew solo after
his regular co-host Rob Salem couldn’t attend
(presumably for reasons not related to the
“drinkie, drinkie” motion that Green made
with his hands.)

The 2008 Hall of Fame Inductees

Edwin R. "Ted" McCall, a journalist and editor
that created two of the most recognizable Canadian
comic strips in the first half of the 20th century:
Freelance and Men of the Mounted.
Unfortunately, no one from McCall’ family
could be found to accept the honour on his
behalf, so the Shusters committee will hold
on to his plaque until someone can be found.

Stanley Berneche became a legend after
working as an artist on the counterculture
humour magazine Fuddle Duddle, where he
created Captain Canada and his iconic catchphrase,
“Beavers Up!”
“Imagine telling your kids that you’re responsible
for ‘Beavers Up!’” he joked while accepting the award.

Pierre Fournier, the creator of the satirical Adventures
of Capitaine Kébec humorously wondered if the plaque
was all he got for going into the Hall of Fame, forcing host
Green to observe, “Is it just me or do people from Quebec
always want more?”

John Byrne, whose runs on Uncanny X-Man and Superman:
Man of Steel are legendary, couldn’t be in attendance,
but he did send in an acceptance speech. Presenter Tom
Grummett said that Byrne was an example to him and that
“it is possible” to make a career in comics.

Mikey of the Dead

2008-04-25T11:11:00.004-04:00

My youngest son Michael loves
the movie Shawn of the Dead...
( me too )...

so for a custom birthday card
this was just too easy...

and best of all...

he loves it!

Happy Birthday Michael!

A Sputtering Flame...

2008-04-09T23:15:00.009-04:00

Since when has the Olympics NOT been political?

China... upon winning the world-wide stage
that this olympic spectacle automatically brings...
deserves to be scrutinized for it's behaviour!

Tibetans ARE being persecuted...
and the world is open to criticize China
for it's hard-handed treatment.

It does beg the question however...
"which country on this planet is free of sin
when it comes to its own record?".

At the end of the day... if I had to decide...
I am really leaning toward the underdog...
and applauding the student activism
that is forcing the issue (at long last... or still)
to the front of this world spectacle.

In its essence... the Olympics torch
should represent the nations of the world
competing on a level playing field...

not a military baton cracking the skulls
of a tiny nation!

C'mon China... you're looking real bad...
and at a time when you have the chance to
represent a "better" new world order.

Rhino Promo 1973

2008-03-21T23:42:00.004-04:00

OK... this is old...
like 35 years old!...

the illustration appeared in a promo book
that was printed for global distribution in 1973...

I remember it cost a lot... and brought in nothing...
that's the trick with these big promo books...
the people who make the most money are the
ones who publish the books.

Getting new work is mainly based on doing good work...
making the last project you do be the reason you get
more work... word of mouth... happy clients...

so I took this illustration and added some new text...
funny or not... I am happy with this pencil piece

Enjoy

Recruiting 2008

2008-03-07T23:26:00.012-05:00

None of us can hide from the fact
that we are all part of what is happening in this world.

Try as we might to escape through movies, games and itunes...
when the power is finally turned off... and the buds are put to bed...
we are all still in the same place.

That's why it is so important...
even in whatever corner of this small planet you call home...
that we each try to make our place a little bit better.

Clean up your yard...
say hello to your neighbours...
tell someone you really care about just how you feel.

I know it isn't the end of the world...
but really... after reading the news...
it does seem to be getting a little bit closer every day.

Calling all ants!

2008-02-15T15:05:00.003-05:00

As the battles across
this burning planet
continue to rage...

the call goes out
to every able ant
to join up for the cause!

because without more ants...
the battles will be lost...

and the fighting will end...

and the suffering...

and the tears...

???

I wish it were all that easy.

Be Mine... Valentine?

2008-02-12T17:46:00.002-05:00

Question:
How do you do a new take
on a tired classic arrow
through the heart valentine?

Solution:
Combine 1 artificial heart
with 1 Arrow Clubtail Dragonfly
(Stylurus spiniceps)

Result:
A very strange valentine wish
to all my blogging friends!

We are ALL Aliens...

2007-11-18T21:37:00.002-05:00

We are all aliens to each other...
we come from different places...
have different histories...
have different dreams...

so...

we all share those things in common.

we are all alike in our differences.

season's greetings.

The Witch of Ramona

2007-10-24T09:57:00.002-04:00

Fueled by the Santa Ana devil winds...

consuming everything in her path...

this hellfire in paradise is no trick and certainly no treat for the residents of Southern California.

Ani-Mod: Lava Babe

2007-10-09T11:02:00.002-04:00

Ani-Mod of an image I have had in my mind for quite a while... the combination of a beautiful female figure in the midst of a natural disaster.

I think it embodies the eternal power of a female form in our marketing-driven consumer society.

or else I just wanted to make a hot image.

Ani-Mod: Snorkel Wiggle

2007-10-06T09:49:00.003-04:00

This is a screengrab from Deep Blue, a movie starring Jessica Alba.

I erased the fellow swimming below her, and her suit (couldn't help it) and then animated the still using some cool new software.

This is the animated gif made from the program... but there is also a hi-res screensaver version that floats to my screen when needed.

It makes we want to dive in.

BTW... if you click on the image, it should take you to my flickr site and the page where this is stored.

End of day...

2007-08-14T07:57:00.003-04:00

Another day of canoe camping
coming to a mellow close...

the fire is crackling as we sit back
to enjoy another star-filled night sky...

... and listen to the sounds of
the forest creatures preparing
for another evening of activity...

Ain't nature grand.

"... so... no stars tonight"

2007-08-13T23:51:00.003-04:00

We just returned from a 3 day
canoe camping expedition with
2 of our dearest friends...

lots of great food... good exercise...
and great conversation...

Friday night we watched
shooting stars cross the midnight sky...

Saturday...
as we sat and watched the world go by...
we wondered if the clouds would obscure
our star gazing planned for the evening...

There were no stars that night.

Yummy Spears....

2007-07-31T09:17:00.002-04:00

At a recent gathering of friends... a"pot luck"dinner...
this tasty plate was put on our table for all to enjoy...
I found it very hard to share!... when I look at this image...
I can still savour the smells and flavours!

Britney... eat your heart out!