Animation World Network interview

A few days ago the amazing Andrew Farago (curator of San Francisco's Cartoon Art Museum & the creator of The Chronicles of William ) interviewed me while I rambled like a baboon for AWN.

Jon M. Gibson's I am 8bit art show

Once again, super scenester Jon M. Gibson is curating his world famous I am 8bit art show. By Crom, I will be doing a Super Mario acrylic painting and a digital piece for the show.

Below is the sketch and the final image for my print.

title - "My name is Mario. You killed my brother. Prepare to die!"

Comic Con 2008 recap

The ASIFA State of the Union panel went really well. A big thank you to ASIFA & Larry Loc for inviting me to be a part of this. It was a ton of fun!

Below a recap from Animation World Network:

The State of the Animation Industry

"As every year, ASIFA-Hollywood hosts the state of animation panel at Comic-Con. Moderated by Larry Loc, the panel featured Tom Sito (“Osmosis Jones”), Jorge R. Gutierrez (“El Tigre”), supervising animator Lennie Graves, Mattel creative director Aki Umemoto, and “Animation Magazine” editor Ryan Ball. Sito called working as an animator is like being a jazz player, where you get some good gigs and some bad gigs, and some last long and others are one-offs. All the panel members agreed that the industry is good for CG artists and not so good if all you want to do is 2D. Gutierrez said that for TV animation it’s a great time because there is more animation on television than ever. As for the secret of success, he quoted John Lasseter as saying that quality is always the best business plan.



When asked about skills other than art skills, Sito mentioned that the business is a social community where he’s gotten more jobs over a sandwich at a party than pounding lobbies with his portfolio. Gutierrez said that time management was something that they never were taught in art school. His holy grail on “El Tigre” was to make a good show and remain friends with his crew. Graves added that humility is needed because then you’re always striving to be better. He also encouraged artists to live life and not be consumed by animation so they can bring themselves to their work. Umemoto added to that an animator needs to be an actor, as well as understanding timing. Ball continued by telling the crowd to be observers.

Loc then asked what films the panelists would recommend for animators to see. Ball recommended “Triplets of Belleville” for the acting. Umemoto and Graves went to the classics like “Citizen Kane.” Gutierrez said that “Faster Pussycat, Kill, Kill!” changed his life, but also recommended watching foreign films that did well in the U.S. to find films that transcended cultural barriers. Sito said to watch a film three times – first watching for plot then for cutting, and lastly for lighting. As for his picks he recommended Ford and “Lawrence of Arabia.”

Comic Con 2008

I will be a part of the following Comic Con 2008 ASIFA panel:

STATE OF THE ANIMATION INDUSTRY:
A look at the current and future trends in the animation industry with a panel of industry professionals from all branches of animation. Tom Sito, Jorge R. Gutierrez, Lennie Graves, Aki Umemoto & Ryan Ball
Moderator - Larry Loc

Friday, JULY 25

6:00-7:00pm ROOM 3

Stop by and punch me in the face!

And if you stop by the UDON booth you can pick up the Street Fighter Tribute art book. Artist from all over the world (even the USA!) got to do their take on the various politically incorrect but spectacularly charming video game characters.

Here's my take on the Brazilian character known as Blanka. As you can see, I totally captured the anime/manga realistic look of the video game.

Super Macho mascara

I was recently invited to design a mask for an art show in Hermosillo, Mexico. I always wanted to get my own Lucha mask made but never got around to it. I kept the design pretty conservative. I then added the pink "super macho" letters to provoke thought regarding modern Mexican machismo.

Hopefully after the show I get to keep the mask and wear it from now on. Or until I die.

Welcome to Super-Macho blogo!

As countless other (and better) artists, I too have joined the blog thunder dome.

And so it begins...