In The Land of the Blind...

This is an oldie. I've got it framed in my living room. I was thinking about vanity, and how much time people spend worrying about looks and beauty, when there are people out there who can't just slap on some lipstick, get a new 'do and feel like a supermodel. Something like having no jawbone kinda puts a damper on the whole male model gig. I think that's why I liked Palahniuk's "Invisible Monsters" so much. Who are you when looks REALLY aren't a factor?

Don't They Ever Stop Migrating?

This, if you can't tell, is Ms. Tippi Hedren in Hitchcock's "The Birds." I actually did see this movie, and it might just be my generational bias, but I found it quite silly. I couldn't help it. Like most older movies, I'm sure it was horrifying at the time. I just couldn't help but giggle. I tried to amp up the silliness by using the ever-popular (and quite sily) M-shaped birds.

In A Van Down By The River

Poor Chris Farley. What can you say? Too much booze, drugs, and hooker's'll really take a toll on a man, I guess. I used to love him on SNL and in Tommy Boy, before Adam Sandler made memorable movies, and before Phil Hartman was shot. There was an awesome SNL skit of a bunch of 'roid ragers with wifebeater shirts on, acne, and teeny tiny fake legs, where Farley kept saying, "Who's with me, fellas?" and no one would respond. He was hilarious. I think one mistake I made was looking at closeup photos of Farley dead and bloated in his apartment. Now, alongside the memory of the burley Chippendale's chubby dancer, I get a sick image of him dead on the floor. ...In hindsight, maybe that was a bad idea.

And Now for Something Colorful

I haven't posted in a while...Way too much going on! But here I am, and I was aware of the lack of color in my recent posts, not to mention being tired of looking at Tara's vacant smile, so here's an oldie but goodie. It's a children's book picture for a story that exists only in my head, about a pompous princess who assumes the world revolves around her. If you'll notice, though, you can only see the backs of the heads of the people in the crowd, as she smiles away. (I really like that hand, though.)

Wardrobe Malfunction My Butt

This is Tara Reid. Remember her "wardrobe malfunction" at Cipriani's in New York City for PDiddy's birthday party? I mean, she's just smiling away for the paparazzi cameras with her entire boob hanging out. There was a lot of talk about that bare boob looking like a botched surgery job, so I imagined this franken-boob. Now maybe it's because I usually only wear tshirts and jeans, but I've never in my life had as many problems with "coverage" as celebrities do today! I could see if it happens once in your life, but 4 times in a month? I mean, is it that hard to get out of a car discreetly--or wear underwear, for that matter? The only explanation is that either these stars are completely delusional about their wardrobes, or they're doing it to get attention. Either way, it's hilarious.

I Stick My Neck Out for Nobody

This is Bogart. ...Humphrey Bogart. Evidently, the title of this post was said by his character in "Casablanca," but I've never seen it. I love this ballpoint pen drawing, and eventually I want to paint it. I considered cropping it for this post, but one of the things I love about it is that it's long and thin, and I have a thing for painting thin compositions. I don't remember my reference for this sketch, but I made up my own story for it. It came from a book of photos about Bogart movies. I realize I'm Bogie-illiterate, but again, I blame my love of black & white movie photos. I thought I could experiment by putting something lying at his feet, like the slumped body of Barney the Dinosaur, or a giant clown, or a mime. That would be kind of funny.

Alright, Meow Where Were We?

Meow, what is so damn funny? Do I look like a cat to you? Do I drink milk from a saucer? Do you see me eating mice? Not so funny meow, is it? ...Anyway, it's a toad. And obviously, he's trying out his interspecies language skills. I just made the "Supertroopers" reference because it's one of my favorite parts. ....MEOW!

Pull the Strings!!!

This, of course, is Mr. Dracula. Wait, is it Lugosi? Karloff? I forget. I just wanted to inject a little color back into the posts, albeit somber color. It just reminds me of the old movies my dad loves. He said on occasion he'd pop in a movie that used to scare the bejeezies out of him as a kid, only to discover that current technological advancements in the ways of special effects have really soured some of the fear he used to feel as a kid. Sometimes, you just can't go back. ...In other news, I used a new kind of paint for this one; a brand of goache my mother let me try. It was nice.

Ready For My Closeup, Mr. DeMille...

When we first moved to Texas, I was horribly disheartened by the lack of job opportunities in the area. Answering a newspaper ad for a graphic illustrator which contained only a phone number, I begrudgingly called. The prospective job was nearly an hour away, and payed a pocket-scorching $7 an hour. The owner, however, was very confident in his status, and very distrusting of the talents of the applicants thus far, and asked me to bring a test, of sorts. "I want you to draw me a toaster, a still life, and a sketch of yourself. Bring it to the interview, and we'll see what skills you've got." I did the drawing, although you might notice from my sketch my enthusiasm about the situation. In the end, I didn't even bother showing up. Good thing, as it turns out. I got a better job anyway.

A Man's Gotta Do What a Man's Gotta Do...

Another ballpoint pen and Sharpie drawing, from my 1950's movie book. It's Gary Cooper in High Noon. Evidently, that movie was filmed in 1952, and was 85 minutes long. Eighty-five minutes! And now there are all these movies over three hours! Anyway, I stretched his face a bit. I like it that way. I love the darks and lights, and the wrinkles on his face were so much fun.

Oh, Brother!

This is John Goodman, from "Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?" which, if you haven't seen it, is an awesome movie, and you must run to get a copy. Don't even bother renting. Just buy it. John Goodman played the Cyclops, who, among other events, squishes a toad (who may or may not have been one of the primary characters) after gestating. Hence the bib with the lobster on it. Anyway, it's done in ballpoint pen. I like the look of black, white, and red, so I often add a bit of red to a sketch to perk it up a bit. ...Dang, he looks happy, doesn't he?

Who You Callin' a Psycho?

Tyson bit off part of an EAR. I don't know much about boxing--I'm into UFC--but I'm pretty sure they don't allow for ear-biting. I could be wrong. So here's my Tyson. It's just amazing to me that a guy capable of biting your ear off could have the voice of a six-year old.

Sourpuss

I can't help it--I am fascinated by celebrity news. It's like watching an ant farm or sea monkeys--I am so confused by how our interpretation of "normal" changes when people become rich and famous. This is Renee Zellweger, who's famous for her sourpuss. She has a little pouty mouth. I love drawing caricatures, but I'm not nearly as good at it as the ones on Gallery of the Absurd. Still fun, though!

Don't Let's Start

This is an oldie but a goodie, probably from around 1998 or '99. Again, I love the old black & white photos. I don't remember who this is, but I have a book on Humphrey Bogart, and a book on Frederic March, so maybe it came from one of those. Usually, I take bits and pieces from various sources and combine them to make my own little scene. A hand here, a face there, a background from somewhere else. That's why I call my site "Mockingbird Ink." Mockingbirds do the same thing with their songs. Anyway, it was done in ballpoint pen with a Payne's Gray acrylic wash, with some acrylic touches. I did a mock-up once of this as a cover for a They Might Be Giants single called "Don't Let's Start." It would've made a great cover! I think maybe recycled paper case, with this on the cover. Yes?

Brought To You By the Letter "M"

Here's another sketchbook page, of one of my favorites, Jim Henson. I wrote to him before he died, and he sent back an autographed photo, and a signed form letter. It was awesome! I have it hanging in the hallway. I always thought it would be cool to work at the Creature Shop. I love the Muppets. I love Fraggle Rock. I love The Dark Crystal. Jim Henson was the best!

Happy Mailman

Here's my happy mailman! It's one piece in an attempt to develop some portfolio pieces geared more toward children. You'll notice the little boston terrier, also featured in the "Esther, the Fat, Tattooed Mermaid" piece, who is my littlest dog, Adie, who adores me immensely, and makes an excellent model (as well as an excellent footwarmer).

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

I have this sketchbook, a small moleskine with cream-colored pages, and I keep sketch notes in there of things I want to remember: the 7 wonders of the world, the "rules" of being Amish, color sketches of the various breeds of cow, you name it. I made it for myself, just to compile all the little notes and doodles I had in sketchbooks over the years, and to remember things that interested me. There are a couple of people that have shown an interest in publishing it, but the project's gone nowhere because of copyright. Most everything in the book is a reference from somewhere else, and often it's noted in the sketchbook, but not fully annotated, since it was just...you know, for ME. So there's a brick wall. I would hate to have it published, and have it be a success, and then get sued for plaigarism. Anyway, this is Mr. Rogers, and his little cat, too. Pay no attention to the Japanese couple behind his back. They're involved in the floating art of "shunga." And we all know what THAT means...

Twizzlers Are Better Anyway

I have this program that runs around and finds scholarship money and contests for me. One such contest was sponsored by Red Vines, and was a contest to design a new special edition package. They gave the specifications: the size, the logo, and that everything had to be done by hand--original artwork only--and only one color...which I interpreted as white, black, and one color. I guess I was wrong, because the posted winners were done in PENCIL. Thing was, it was also supposed to be relevant to their company. When I read the company history, it had something to do with cowboys, hence the goofy guy. I think the winner was a pencil drawing of kids playing in grass or something. Anyway, long story short, I didn't win. ...AGAIN. I never win. It's fun.

The Iron Will of Colonel Nicholson

I have a book of photo stills called "Movies of the 50's;" one of those old discount-section-of-Borders books. I LOVE drawing from old black & white photos. If anything, just for the practice. Since I use ballpoint pen, it's always just a chance to play around with light and shading. This dude is Alec Guinness from "The Bridge on the River Kwai." I don't know him. But it sort of reminds me of that Tom Hanks movie where he was stranded on an island with all of his postal supplies and his volleyball named "Wilson."
UPDATE: I've recently been "served." I don't make connections. Sometimes my brain synapses don't jive, and my ducks don't line up like they're supposed to. I've been humbly made aware of the fact that Alec Guinness is, of course, Obi-Wan. What can I say? This is why I suck at "6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon." I wondered why his face seemed so familiar.

Bookmarks of the Gods

This is a series I thought would be awesome for educational bookmarks. I thought it'd be cool if there was info about the person on the back and if their heads stuck up above the closed book. I could see a whole series of authors, artists, even actors...too bad I don't have the wherewithal to make THAT happen.