I am so tired of race baiting!

As of late, it seems that the liberal media has made a mission of blaming law enforcement for the deaths of black people that didn't respect the law. Sure it's sad, but if they would have just listened to the officers, they would still be alive right now. That's a fact. Well, I don't know if that's actually a fact; but resisting arrest is illegal. I don't know if anyone actually reads these stories anymore, considering most of it is liberal agenda trash; but my good friend "Harold" chose to post a reply on this article comparing the cases of Eric Garner and Michael Brown at this link;
If you read into the comments section, my friend "Harold" posted this reaction:
Harold 1 day ago 0 👎 18 👍
"If black people want to stop profiling and being collared for failing to respect the law, they can fix the problem easily...just quit acting like thugs, and don't commit crimes. It seems those simple requirements are too complex for their brains. Anyone who says the color of the skin is the only difference between black and white people is just nuts, or ignorant. I am finding many liberals of my own acquaintance suddenly beginning to use the "N word" for the first time in their lives...and I can see why."


You see? Harold spelled it out perfectly. It's black peoples' fault. I suppose simplified, it just comes down to an easy philosophy of 'act like an "N word"[sic), get treated like an "N word".


Of course, I laid the sarcasm on pretty thick here. I have carefully watched the comments, and it seems that there is a general disdain for anyone that even slightly indicates that the deaths were in any way connected to the race of the men that died. We'll examine that shortly. I am more interested in the fact that in the reactions, there is true disgust expressed. The disgust is expressed nearly equally towards two distinguishable groups among those that posted. The first group is blacks. The second group is liberals. Apparently, both groups have a love and even a need to play the race card and to a great many people right now, this is a tired and truly exhausted concept to those of a certain ilk. There are even those in the Black community (though the number is very few) that share the same view of those that would rather cast doubt than seek understanding. It appears that they are fed up with this issue coming up as still relevant, frustrated to the point of being ready to dust off the old racial epithets and use them anew. For this fella Harold, he even implies that African Americans lack the basic mental capacity to understand the consequences of their actions. He even goes a step further and implies that African Americans are in fact, inferior to him and his.

I would like to make an observation in regard to the majority of the posts; there is no attempt at all to relate to the people marching, protesting, and rioting. There is no attempt to wonder why there is such a reaction, since it is easier to assume that the actions covered on the news fit into the expectations dictated within the observers' mental construct. From a lifetime of watching and reaffirming similar attitudes and conclusions (within one's social enclave) from like occurrences, a person is able to come to an answer about any of the floating questions in their heads when news coverage brings them stories of civil unrest. As the mind goes, the observer will try to make sense of what is happening and come to the conclusion that is the least effort and most comfortable; the conclusion that fits most easily along the lines of what these individuals have already internalized and drawn upon for other similar conclusions. Well, let's just get uncomfortable for a moment, shall we?

There's no way to get around it. The American Black male goes to jail and prison much more often than his white counterpart in every conceivable category. I don't even need to cite anything that says that 1 in 3 black males will see the inside of a prison cell in his lifetime in this country. It's been said and repeated so many times, that by now it's a statement that is almost common knowledge. The sentencing disparity between what White American males and African American males is still hovering at about a 20% differential with Black men receiving the stiffer penalties regularly. Let that sink in for a minute. If you are a Black man in this country, you have a 30% chance of being incarcerated, and on top of that, you are likely 20% more likely to receive a stiffer penalty, just for being Black if you do have the misfortune of having a brush with the law. The board is set. Wait, the board is not completely set; there's sure to be more here.

Ahhh, yes. My stinking curiosity hath dug up more disturbing factual trash. Damn my inner cat. I knew that there would be more. I really do personally hate crunching numbers (as do any of my peeps that majored in anything but mathematics in college, though especially painful for us art majors), but it does well to illustrate these points fairly powerfully. So, on to prison populations. According to the Bureau of Justice Statics website, the prison populations per state show a dramatically higher number of black inmates despite representing a significantly smaller slice of the general population. Whites make up 58% of the population in New York State, yet in 2010 represented just 26% of the prison population. African Americans in New York see a different picture entirely, it seems. While this group makes up only 16% of the states' entire population, they make up 53% of the population of the incarcerated in the state. Hmmm...that's odd. It can't be typical, though. I have faith (Yes, faith came out of my mouth) that the criminal justice system has not allowed this disparity to continue. But as I further peruse the content of the figures that I gathered from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, I find that my former faith begins a transformation. It is shredded violently like the discarded male chicks at a processing plant, then gassed into a pulp and pressed into "fritters". These tender bits are then shipped to various outlets, cooked to order, and then consumed hastily and without care by an overweight sociopath with I.B.S. that immediately runs to the nearest bathroom after eating. He shamelessly plows in, squats in hover position, and without an ounce of guilt proceeds to blast lacquer a layer of my processed faith all over anything that has the misfortune of this particular viewing angle. Oh well; on we march.

Kansas has even more in store, even though by utilizing a rational thought process, it wouldn't seem that it should. I was sincerely hoping that the jayhawk state wouldn't be so as sharply misrepresented as New Yawk, but the aforementioned sociopath decided to bear down again with gusto, blasting away the last of the irritably digested steaming material of my long lost faith. In 2010, the total population in the entire state of Kansas for African Americans represented only 5.9% of the entire populace. However, per 100,000 African Americans in the state, 3,306 were incarcerated. This is in contrast to 418 per 100,000 Whites. That's right. In Kansas, while only representing 5.9% of the total population, African Americans are roughly 8 times more likely to be imprisoned per 100,000. Blacks represent 31% of the incarcerated population, and only represent roughly 6% of the total state population. That's a hard fact to swallow.

Let's go to another state that keeps figures on such matters. Idaho? Yes; I am vaguely curious as I do reside here currently. As it stands, per 100,000 Whites are seeing 656 incarcerations, while African Americans see that number at 3,252 (2010). Yes, even in Idaho, where the population of African Americans is less than 1% of the state total population, Black residents are 5 times more likely to be incarcerated than White residents. That's not to say that the prisons and jails in Idaho are just brimming with Black folk; in fact, Whites represent 77% of the total population incarcerated in Idaho. These figures, however, are being put forth by myself to illustrate a point in a factual manner.

Facts. Yes, they are a bit hard to swallow. For those who choose to look away, it may be never absorbed. To have overwhelming and easily decipherable facts neatly packed and ready to go for someone will ultimately be done the injustice of being completely overlooked by someone who says that they want the facts, but decide suddenly that those are not the facts that they wanted. Truth causes discomfort, especially the lurking truth that is now emerging via those facts. Perhaps in the back of the minds of those that deny the existence of modern racism and the complexities therein, are so afraid that admitting that it exists is going to shatter the fragile moorings of their reality construct. "Pfffft. I'm not a racist. I have Black friends", is usually one of the myriad of utterances thoughtfully flung from their grab bag of go-to's especially reserved for hot button issues. Never mind the fact that there are plenty of reasons right here that should give a moment of pause to any thoughtful individual that is willing to empathize briefly and actually wonder what it might be like to wake up every morning and realize that your chances of waking up the next day in a cell are exponentially increased due to the color of your skin.

What would it be like to live in a culture where not only are you more likely to go to prison because of who you are, but you are also labelled habitually by any means of association available? One clear example to me is the incomparable Richard Sherman. Richard Sherman is a naturally gifted athlete, leader, charitable soul and intelligent young man. And, he's also a thug. A thug. This man with a degree from Stanford and has an IQ higher than 99% of the planet, was labelled a thug repeatedly on social media because he likes to verbally put his opponents in their place. He's game for an argument, and tends to become boisterous when in the midst of action. Yeah, he's a thug. The same word used to describe the behavior exhibited by Michael Brown more than once on Fox News. The same word that I'm seeing on message boards describing Eric Garner. And Rumain Brisbon. And Bernard Bailey. And John Crawford III. And Tamir Rice. And Ronald Madison. And Aaron Campbell.

Just in case anyone is wondering, the word thug is used colloquially to describe a common criminal, but also describes hired muscle. As a professional football player, Richard Sherman may indeed fit the latter description. It is, however, interesting to me that on social media, he was likened to other black men with no consideration of their respective backgrounds. Prison record or no, whatever the educational background, separated by decades in some instances as far as age goes, regardless of career or life accomplishments in any respect, these men were all labelled as thugs on social media.

To me, it sounds like these oft spoken and infrequently recognized external stimuli could justly produce a sense of resentment. Not just a sense of resentment, but that sense of resentment coupled with a very real fear and presence of hopelessness. I would like to think these musings would present the reader with a moment of pause, a shred of doubt where one is actually needed (if you didn't already have one). The facts cannot be ignored; this is a systemic problem. To issue forth philosophies waxing about personal responsibility and putting blame on the actions of men that resisted arrest because they knew in the backs of their minds that injustice is far likelier to occur to them based on statistics alone is not only willfully ignorant, but it also demonstrates an atrocious lack of humanity. Only one who has not experienced the sting of being treated like a threat or an invader in their own country while among their own countrymen could so boldly sweep aside these happenings as pretentious or misleading.

One argument that I see and hear often; "These men were no angels". Of course they weren't. Some of them had records. Eric Garner did. Rumain Brisbon did. Michael Brown had just finished swiping cigars from the market and rag-dolled the clerk that tried to stop him. Did physical intimidation play a part? Perhaps. Eric Garner was a massive man compared to the men who restrained him. All four of them had to look up at him. He was 6 foot 3 inches and well north of 300 pounds. Michael Brown was 6 foot 4, 290 pounds of High School grad. Intimidating, right? Well, there were is also the fact that none of the press never mentioned that Darren Wilson also stands 6 foot 4. And weighs 210 pounds. And was a trained officer. With a firearm. In keeping with the smear campaign that usually follows with such events, many parties decided to ponder the 'what if's' by peppering the legal troubles with some awesome conjecture, including Eric Garner's rap sheet and testimony that Michael Brown looked like a "demon". Congressmen Peter King said that Garner died because he was too fat. Interesting little factoid for those paying attention; some people in this paragraph are only referred to in past tense. They are lost to their mothers, children, brothers, friends, neighborhoods, you get the picture. They will never again get a chance to right wrongs, or see what the future brings. In part, perhaps because they were intimidating; also in part because they felt that their freedom could be forfeit if they happened across law enforcement. So they resisted.

Another facet that comes up often on social media is the list of White folks killed by Black folks. "WHY ISN'T THIS NATIONAL NEWS?" I'll answer that. Usually, because the killers have been caught. And are in jail. And are serving sentences for their actions. Every time I see a new one, I look up the victims and the case. Yup. Caught. In prison. Not to disparage the victims at all, but their families are seeing at least a modicum of justice meted out.

If you are having trouble sympathizing, I would like to introduce you to a man named Dr.Cornell West. He surmised a bit a few years ago on the state of the United States after the events and response of 9/11. The words he used, so eloquently, were the "Niggerization of America". To clarify, he meant the state of all Americans being "unsafe, unprotected, subject to random violence, and hated for who you are and become so scared that you defer to the powers that be and you're willing to consent to your own domination." He then stated that this is the history of black people in America. In my opinion, this is probably the one time in the history of this country that gave everyone a window into that daily fear of which I posited earlier.

This would be a window that a blowhard like Bill O'Reilly may need to be reintroduced to, as he feels that a professional athlete like Lebron James are clueless about the issues at present. "Pro-athletes have a responsibility to know what they're talking about before they protest on the company dime," is how O'Reilly described his main gripe with what Lebron and other NBA superstars did. Bill O'Reilly criticized professional athletes for taking a stand, without a hint of irony or wonderment of the 'why's'. I doubt very much that Bill O'Reilly has ever in his life been ill treated by law enforcement. He's the type that assumes that rioting and looting are the actions of opportunistic 'thugs', rather than the expression of frustration by the people of a suppressed community that have been crying out for help for far too long. He assumes that when these athletes are showing solidarity in silent protest that they are just haphazardly choosing to do so without any forethought, since they can't be worried about anyone in their families or their children. They just don't know the issues.

Stephen A. Smith from ESPN had a completely different take on why the solidarity of professional athletes is important when it comes to this issue, a viewpoint that comes from a respected professional that perfectly sheds light on the fact that regardless of accolades and accomplishments, he is still subject to much of the same treatment as many other poor souls have experienced regularly. There is one thing that he has in common with these men that Bill O'Reilly doesn't. Given half the chance, O'Reilly probably has some choice words about Tommie Smith and John Carlos were pinheads for throwing their gloved fists into the air in Mexico City in 1968. That was, after all, on the company dime. And unpatriotic since it was also during the national anthem. You can probably safely predetermine what that shared trait is between Mr. Smith and countless others that have been on the receiving end of this type of harassment. Please watch the video as Stephen A. spells it out for us.



In light of the previous paragraphs, I feel it necessary to interject on behalf of the large majority of law enforcement. Police have a thankless and stressful job. Even in areas where crime is less prevalent, those that choose to bear the shield do so knowing in the back of their minds that every day on the job could be their last day. Every day has the potential to pit them against unforgiving and insurmountable odds, and unexpected emotional traumas that can be life altering. They see things that they can't unsee, and are often perceived as a threat in any situation. No one just feels great when they see a police cruiser behind them, or when an armed officer is standing behind them in line at a fast food joint. This is what officers have to deal with much of the time; unless a person knows them personally, they are usually perceived in a heightened and fearful way. Some people, without even knowing them will hastily label them as "pigs" without an afterthought. I would say that in most departments, the mental health of the serving officers needs to take a higher priority not just for the public, but also for the officers and their families.

Having said that; let's call it what it is. Systemic racism. Have the balls to say it. I've seen enough posts from the trollers and enough vitriolic reporting from certain news outlets theorizing on the 'real' reasons why this is happening and why they wish it would all go away. There is a collective whine on social media from many that wishes that the whiney minorities would just be content and quit trying to invoke racism, because it was eliminated way back when. We have a black President, for cryin' out loud. These people grow weary tired of biting their tongues. Tired of the P.C. garbage that has become widely accepted, tired of 'happy holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas'. They're aching to say it out loud, but are afraid of what it could mean if they do. My friend 'Harold' from yahoo is dying to say it; so are all his friends. I guess when they're saying that they say that they're tired of the race card being pulled, what they really mean is they wish we could just shut up and enjoy the America. Or maybe, that we could just all be as White as possible? Sure, I can dig that. I'll just ask someone how to cut my hair and how to dress and speak. And which church to go to. And who to vote for. Wait- what about my skin?

I can't really say that I have ever experienced what Black men in America experience on this level. I have experienced alienation due to my appearance or perceived threat, and I have experienced light harassment by law enforcement. However, I have never experienced anything like a good number of African American males in this country (in their own neighborhoods) experience all too frequently.



After all of that, you can willingly turn away and pretend that this monster no longer exists; Or, you can admit that there's a problem and let your own humanity dictate what actions you are willing to take to see real progress in your own lifetime. It would be truly 'thuggish' not to, and anyone who turns a blind eye are truly committing unpardonable crimes. In my humble opinion.

U.S.A.!

So; I took it upon myself awhile back to announce that I was going to start a charity that would provide assistance and funds to groups that are helping with the reliief efforts on the border towns. As the past couple of weeks have gone on since I have announced this endeavor' things have gone unbearably slow. My work commitments are still the same, as are my family commitments. Daily life seems to get in the way at every turn. Problem is, the situation is not getting better. This is not the only happening on my radar. In my home state, a wildfire is burning almost out of control. In California, wildfires are sprouting up left and right due to drought and a statewide water shortage. People are losing their homes. In the world, commercial planes are getting shot down in Europe and Africa. Gaza is on fire. Russia is posturing. Bad things are going on everywhere; these are mostly things that can evoke an emotional response from anyone, yet most are in a position to do nothing about these situations. This is not so true about the fires in Washington state. There are outpourings from the local communities, and donations of goods are no longer needed in the Central Washington area. Californians are also doing well from local support. These are clear instances that we have the resources to deal with states of emergency; so, why are the volunteers of Texas and other border states alone in this? I realize that this is a politically charged subjesct. Politicians are continuing to use this situation as a bargaining chip, and people are buying it. I still believe that we are better than that. We have refugees at our proverbial doorstep, and I do believe that we owe it to them and ourselves to do what can be done. I have officially registered my charity as a non-profit entity with the state. It won't be easy to get things underway, but well worth the effort even if it's just to see whether or not people will actually care to match words with action. We've got nothing to lose, but I would hope that the lack any personal loss aside does not deter us from actually taking action. To do nothing is to dismiss a state in distress, to dismiss thousands that need protection, and more thousands that want to help but are soon to exhaust their means. Within two weeks, I will have the donation site up and running. I will also have more solid local leads on the people handling the situation down south and what we can do to help. It is my hope, that we can find ourselves well and wanting to share that with others in need.

MOTU action, bisch!

Here is my latest, my greatest. Trap Jaw, scourge of Eternia and loyal subject of Skeletor, I had to conjure his nightmarish presence for this one. Several hours of work in Corel Painter and some finishing touches in photoshop, and there he is in all his digital glory. Bow Down, suckas.

New Marvel Art!

Got some covers that will hopefully sell once illustrated. This is the first of them, just done with click pencils and staedtler illustration pens. Been a long time since drawn to completion by hand, suckas...

More Amira!

Here's the most recent vid on Amira. She just spends a little time smiling and trying to use her voice. In any case, she's a lot of fun right now! A small word on artwork, I will be resuming paints and sketches before long, so fear not. Until then, enjoy the bebe!

New art with Amira!

As you may have heard, we have had a new addition to our family. On August 28th, Amira Marie Salinas was born. She was 21 inches long, and weighed 7 lbs. and 1 oz.. I have here posted a picture that I took of her and her granddad, a photo that I rendered to look like an oil painting. Understandably, we are pretty busy right now, but I will be putting up more photos and work soon.

More paint slavery!

Late as all hell, I know. But I been painting, still. Call it an obsession. Call it bizarre masturbation. Fact is, it is coming along swimmingly. I can say that the farther the painting comes along, the more other ideas crystallize. I am truly grateful at this point to have been born with a talent that no one let me give up on. Regardless of education, financial situation, or any other variables in my life, I will have this talent, and I consider it something hewn from the drive that others gave me, not my own. Here are some more pictures of the process. Enjoy the spoils!

Yeehh...More brush strokes

Just took a break from some scripting on the painting. Upcoming plans include the crown of thorns, the cross in the flames, the pierced side, and some more work on the letters and the border. Startin' to look sharp, biotch!

Back to the brushes.

Alright, mayne. Just wanted to update on my painting's status. I have been pretty busy on the digital paints, but that does not mean I've let up on my traditional arts. I done started the first in a series of paintings based on dem Messican roots! More posts as the painting comes closer to completion. Appreciate, beeyish!

Gawwwddd.

Monday, for Chrissakes? Damn. Been a lil' lazy for the past week. Been staying away from the gym, and dangerously close to a spankin' new deep fryer that I have adopted. I know, I know. Nothing left to do but to get back on that damn elliptical machine and stink up my socks again. Nothing left to do except to load that bar on the smith machine and push it repetitively. I often find myself gassed like this where I just can't find the energy to do more than a load of laundry or two. I need inspiration. Something that lifts the spirits. Perhaps some semi-gay ribbing from a pantheon of b-movie stars. Here we go.


Nope. That's not working. This picture makes me want to burn my copy of Roadhouse, and I shudder to think of that lowly act. Let's try another.



Okay, I think that's the one. How can a man of my particular distinction ignore the utter power of this fantastic and unequivocal visual? Damn it, I'm ready to punch a hole in the universe now. Let's brew some tea, get some clean socks, and stare down that gym e-pass on my key chain. Spartans, prepare for fatness. I'm out, biotch.- Sleazy D

Hulk Smash!

Here is a practice image from scratch that I began in Manga Studio for the line work, and then exported to Photoshop for the painting. I'm starting to get a real good feel for this digital illustrating and I think it don't look half bad. Not long before I'm doing panels and posters, baby.

Be like water, my friend...

Just finished this badboy a few minutes ago. I'll probably play with the background a bit more, but for all intents and purposes, Bruce is finished.

Operation Sexy-Back

Well, friends. I am of course speaking to the lone reader of my forum in this regard, but it should be noted that some life changes long in the making are coming about. After my last post, and with the time on my hands that I find in the weak Moscow economy, I decided that it is time to work on me. Intensely. For a while now, I've been tipping the scales at a largely unregulated 450 lbs, and so noted the recent death of pro wrestler Umaga (Eddie Fatu), who coincidentally weighed in at a far svelter and vastly better conditioned 350 lbs. He died of two massive heart attacks. Undoubtedly, men our size run the very real risk of a short lifespan, and with this knowledge have armed myself with yet another gym membership. This, however, is no regular gym. This facility is available to its' members 24 hours a day. For a man of my lifestyle, this is some much needed give in my schedule.

I decided that there are no more excuses, since anything has to be better than waking up and still being tired from severe apnea, or feeling worm from having to contend with the complications of such physical bulk on a daily basis. I've begun to go in after all of my work shifts around 3 in the morning, and have been iron-clad in my resolve to include much needed cardio in my regimen. After about a week and a half of this, I am feeling better at least. I have only lost a meager 2 pounds thus far, but I have some energy back. I am also sleeping more soundly, and this I like. Further changes include the dropping of my colossal consumption of soda, this has been replaced with lots of water and various teas (home brewed). I was also carrying a bit of a smoking habit (mostly from when I worked), and have officially dropped that as well. I guess that I'm at the point that I'm tired of the excuses that I make for myself, and that others make for me. In any case, I remember that when I graduated from high school, I was a pretty muscular 310 pounds, and I see no reason that I can't be in at least that kind of shape again or even surpass that. Spartans, prepare for glory.

Clint!

Part of a new series that I'm painting on the legendary badasses. Enjoy.

Yes, me beasties.

Just this past weekend, yours truly went to Seattle for the first time in around 4 years. I hated that place, the traffic, the overcrowding, the ridiculous prices. I went for a concert, the infamous Dethklok. The show was brutal, loud, punishing. I went with one of my dearest homies, the ever politically conservative stanky Frank. We ate clam strips, drank beer, moshed, drank beer, ate Huevos Rancheros, drank beer, and slammed Dim Sum at House of Hong with a vengeance. We kicked it the way fellas should, good music, great food, lots of beer, and even more laughs. I miss those bitches already, and so I dedicate this film that I made of the drive from Moscow to Seattle to them.

Mahalo, Brudda

All right. Artistic fervor aside for the time being, let's delve into the food. One of my vices is, indeed, the bestest of any ethnic food that comes my way. Case in point, a local haunt by the name of "Loco Grinz". It's fairly expensive for a plate, but it is worth it every now and then for a genuine Hawaiian plate lunch.

Vice number two of mine is the travel channel. Last night was a Man v. Food episode that focused on the big island and it's various local fare. Most of the big food is some kind of Hawaiian mish-mash of converging cultures, resulting in the construction of such dishes as the teriyaki and beef cheeseburger with egg on top. Lovely, tears beginning to stream. Wait, here comes a new dish, with a local history no less. Who cares about the history, though, when a plate of Moco Loco is staring you in the face and watching YOU back down? Lets, do a layer by layer roll call of this monstrosity. Pile of steamed white rice? Check. Two 1/4 lb. hamburger patties? Check. Two sunnyside up fried eggs? Check. Last but not least, the succulent brown gravy to drizzle over top of this protein/carb behemoth. Check. Large book to cover the hard-on in your lap. Optional.

Long in short, I was now curious to know as to whether or not this local establishment actually had the fabled Moco Loco on the menu, as I had never seen it. Today, young Cassius in tow, I boldly strode into yon restaurant and kindly asked the girl for a menu. There it is, staring right at me; the certified angus beef interpretation that is prepared on this premises. I order it in a two entree meal. Here goes the order: french fries, pork fried noodles, steamed veggies, chicken katsu, and a loco moco. Insane, I know. Cassius is going to have nightmares from this plate for years, images of the wild beefy gravy pile snarling and fighting off his father trying to plunge far too weak a weapon into its' thick hide. In any case, this post has taken over 3 hours to write, as my fingers are so fat and swollen that I can no longer dial a phone, and any keyboard activity is strictly hunt and peck. I'd have it no other way, as it is diet season for me, and this was the treat of the week. What a treat. Aloha, slutbags.

More stuff from the marvel front!

Please press play before reading. It will blow your mind!



I sit here reinspired after a night of Jonny Quest on Boomerang. What is it about those cool old shows that just stokes the flames? Is it the fact that they made something so cool on such a bare bones budget with minimal manpower? I think it's that rowdy theme music. That music starts and you just want to slug some frogmen and make a daring escape into a diving bell. My first pics here are some work on the big green machine. The hulk easily fits into that same action category as Jonny Quest, he had some late 60's action as produced by Hanna Barberra, too. In any case, here's some of the work.



Was trying to get down some movement on that sketch, on this one it's just work on the lighting.






This last pic is of a character that really didn't hit it big until the 90's, personally I don't like him much, but some fella asked me to bust out a pic of him. Guess he has a thing for Cajun swamp rats. This is my take on Gambit.





Hope y'all enjoy it. Any comments welcome. Later, pusscakes.- D.S.

Octo-draw

Recently I came up with the design of a tattoo that I would like to get someday. It is a rendering of an octopus done completely in black and white. It represnets my background in grappling(not that I was ever any good), however many years ago that was. I later did a stint in the submission wrestling club at the University of Idaho, triangle chokes and all. It wasn't until I saw a video of what an octopus is capable of that I made the connection.


Lovely, yes? I know that this video went a bit viral, but I can always hope that not everyone has seen it yet. In any case, this design is the result of that power. Octopus are intelligent, patient, strong, elusive, and opportunistic. Is it any wonder that they are still around after millions upon millions? To me, they're the living incarnation of the old saying "Speak softly and carry a big stick. You will go far."

Been workin' on it.

If anyone thinks that I have been doing nothing artistically as of late, you could not be farther from wrong. Truth is, I have been doing a lot of art, though it is far less than I would like to be doing. Been drawing a lot, which is any artist's first love. It's where we began, and ultimately where we will end. It keeps any of our other skills up to snuff and dually serves as a fantastic pastime. Here is a sketch of some characters that I'm working on for my own personal comic book.


The title character is named Bob Oso. He's a bear that I modeled after a version of myself a few (much skinnier) years ago. He moonlights as a Luchador named "El Autobus" and has a very endearing streak of callousness. In other work, I've challenged myself to put a personal touch to some pop culture figures, including this oft forgotten menace.


His name is trapjaw, and he likes white wine spritzers, long walks on the beach , and the occasional backrub. As having grown up watching masters of the universe, it's only natural that I would have an affinity for this buffoon. Not quite worked out yet, but I do like his look thus far. In any case, more posts to come soon.

One good Thing deserves another.

So, in my recent rediscovery of my own talents, I came upon an older sketchbook with some impressive musings that I had laid down on paper. Amongst them were the following renderings of a true original from the Marvel universe.


In a further exercise of the same character, I deided to rework the details of Mr.Grimm's lovely facial features.



In closing, I truly hope that those few who can view my work can look on it positively and appreciate my artistic point of view. If not, you have permission to peel my banana and fucking like it.- D.S.