An Updates Post!

Earlier this summer, I set out with the goal to write more posts for this blog. Unfortunately, coming up with topics to write about that fit this particular format has been tricky. That’s not to say I have total writer’s block, the opposite actually! So instead, today I thought I’d share with you some cool things I have coming down the pike. I also thought I’d reach out to see if you had any ideas too! But don’t worry, this won’t be homework for you, I promise.

Big Projects

First up, I’m working on a piece for Raised by Rainbows Puppet Pals, a show curated by the very talented Luke Flowers to be shown virtually at Gallery 1988 this November. I am blown away by the caliber of other talented artists Luke has brought together for this, and I cannot wait to see what everyone brings to the table!

I’m also working on another project with Craig Shemin! It’s very exciting to get to be a part of another Henson related project and next year it should be available. I’d also like to take a minute to thank my brother–in–law and fellow monster puppet enthusiast Jerome Green for his help so far too.

Writing has become a bigger part of my personal life as well and I’m hoping to write a book! That’s the dream at least, but I only mention it now because hopefully soon I’ll be able to open up a bit more about it. In the meantime, I’m learning so much about how to properly do research, interview people, and (hopefully) become a better writer. It is most definitely a personal passion project and I hope that I can turn it into something for a more general audience.

This Blog

As I mentioned at the top of this post, coming up with articles that stay within the guardrails of graphic design, illustration, and inspiration create unique challenges while simultaneously providing a helpful road map of how to write. I am excited to let you know I’m currently interviewing an insanely talented artist that will hopefully be ready to post in the next couple weeks. I also have some fun ideas too. All of these posts should be coming out over the next few months and weeks.

That doesn’t mean I have tons of things planned to post, but I’m very curious if there are any topics you’d be interested in reading about. What about a tips and tricks article focusing on Procreate (the software I use to draw almost exclusively)? Are there any design trends you have strong feelings about? Step–by–step drawing guides? Are you a creative professional who’s interested in writing a guest article? Maybe you (or an artist you admire) would like to take part in an Artist Games back–and–forth like I’ve done with Will Carroll, Noah Ginex, or Justin Piatt?

I really would love to hear from you! So please comment below, or hit me up on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, or Substack! You can also use the form submission page right here on my website to get in contact with me. Thanks again for stopping by!

Artist Games Featuring Noah Ginex

Two weeks ago, Will Carroll and I played a game together where we would take a pass at a drawing, back and forth adding to it until it was so crammed with stuff we decided to share it with you. This time around I’m playing again with Noah Ginex! Before we get into any of that, first let’s talk about Noah.

Some of Noah’s characters.

Aside from being a super talented artist (who is also a fellow Muppet Mural alumni), Noah is an award winning puppet builder who has an exceptional sense of humor and is wonderfully and wildly creative. I was very excited to play this game with Noah because he really knows how to look at things from a very different and even unconventional angle. He has also played this type of game with his daughter so this was not his first rodeo. For everyone else who may have missed the first time I played with Will, here’s how this works:

The Rules

One artist draws something rather fleshed out then passes it on to the other. There are no time limits or space restrictions. Either artist can draw as much or as little as they want before passing it on. One artist can add to or obscure the previous work as much as they like as long as they don’t manipulate it (within reason).

The Game

Whenever I play this with an artist, I give them the option of using a full color render of the illustration I did or just the line art. I drew a white gloved cartoon hand holding a phone receiver. Noah chose to stick with the line art.

“It’s for you.”

Noah Ginex: I didnt know what to expect at first. Honestly the first volley was a lot more fully realized than I was expecting, but that just meant i could bite off a bigger chunk myself. I responded with traditional pen and ink the first time, because I didn’t have my Cintiq with me. Which I think directed the piece more to traditional black and white.

Noah’s first pass.

Just as when Will first responded, I was so excited to see that Noah had taken this in a direction I never could have anticipated. For starters, I was excited we were staying black & white, but anthropomorphizing the handset was super cool. My high school nostalgia sparked me to channel my inner Sam Keith and go really off the rails. I also took the opportunity to refine my previous line art to pop more now that the black & white direction had been set.

This weird Radio Shack rabbit then headed back to Noah.

Noah: I see faces everywhere, so it was nice when Dave responded with even more opportunities to add little details. I especially loved the phone cord turning into curly ringlets.

I don’t know what exactly this thing does, but I’m skeptical of its warranty.

Aside from minimal cleanup on my previous passes, I didn’t want to do anything else to the main art. Truth be told, I was completely lost on what I had done and what Noah had done. This fusion that normally marries two different styles together whilst retaining each artists unique styles was somehow obliterated. Noah and I had achieved a very comfortable simpatico… thing and I loved it. Still channeling those Sam Keith vibes I felt before, I opted to add a splash of red and cover it in chaotic text so it looked like a splash page right out of The Maxx.

The final collaboration.

Noah: I think the final piece ended up looking very Ralph Steadman-y, which is fine by me, so I signed it with a Steadman-esque version of my artist stamp. I'm really happy with how it turned out. I think it's perfect.

Again, this was so much fun. I actually am sad when I finish these games because it’s liberating, exciting, and so creatively satisfying. If I were a braver man, I’d consider this for a tattoo!

Thank you to Noah for being a part of this week’s post! Check out all his art by following him on Instagram @artbyNoahginex and his website too: noahginex.com

You can also follow me on Instagram and Twitter and tune in every Friday right here for more creative thinking!