January 21, 2013

Well, that finishes off the year…technically. Sorry for the delays, but I hope you enjoyed it. NOW, on to bigger and better things! What could be bigger than eggnog, you say? (link to “resolution” strip)

Oh, just you wait.

But in the meantime, a brief discussion about Les Miserables and Russell Crowe.

I watch the movie over the holiday and need to share a few things. First, the movie was VERY good. I cried. There was weeping. I wept and cried.

Second, the role of Javert, played by Russell Crowe. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one wondering, “Russell Crowe can sing?” when the movie started. Nor was I the only one still thinking, “Russell Crowe can sing?” when the movie ended. So I won’t waste your time with criticisms or justifications, all I will say is…

…what a lucky Aussie.

Of all the people who could have played that part, of all the voice talent to select from, he got it! It was, of course, a themed movie where “stars” got a chance to show off their OTHER goods. Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen…who knew?! And somehow in that formula, Russell Crowe gets Javert?

John Travolta, Neil Patrick Harris, Mathew Broderick! Hell, even Jack Black or Kermit the Frog!

But Russell Crowe? Or more to the point, Russell Crowe’s voice?!

I don’t begrudge him. I envy him. My singing sounds like a beach full of mating seals, BUT if I had the chance to play the part of Javert, oh yes, I would push that envelope and die trying.

Range? I don’t need no stinking range.

But as I said, I’m not criticizing him. The movie, and Russell Crow, are a must-see. If the singing doesn’t punch you in the gut like you expected, so what? The acting throws a mean right cross, the production is an uppercut you can’t avoid, and the message is the knock-out punch it was in the book, the Broadway production, and the video game.

So go see it. Take some tissues.

We have another guest strip today. Ned R. Mayes is a veteran designer and I love that he agreed to do a strip. Here are some basics.

30 years

Clothing, jewelry and accessories for Newman's Department Store

No

Family, Friends, classic cars, and Estonia History.

Kidney stones

As always, thanks for reading,
Luis

November 12, 2012

I am not a stranger to sports. Football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, dodge ball, racquetball, even the occasional round of golf, have all suffered from my participation. But I have fun, and enjoy myself.

Not.

Soccer.

Handling the ball, catching, throwing, smacking with various instruments of smack-i-tood (bats, racquets, clubs, etc.) – arms and hands are PERFECT for that. They are MADE for sports. Yet somehow soccer is…no?

I do not like being kicked. My legs are not that smart. My head is not a bat. That field is HUGE! HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE! That’s A LOT of running and stop pushing me! I don’t even have the BALL!

It never clicked. I condemned it to the realm of “useless” sports and never looked back.

And yet my son loves the game. So I sit on the sidelines and yell and cheer and love every moment.

I guess people…change me. Whether it’s my family or not my family, investing in other people is…you can’t avoid it. If you are around people with any regularity, you are invested. Even if there’s just ONE other person that can get through to you, I mean, no man is an island, right?

Personally I like my investments to be more general, where you watch TV, or play video games and talking isn’t needed. But, my wife says, spending time with my three-year-old playing Halo just doesn’t qualify as “quality time.” So I read a book, or watch a game, or high-five a successful potty. Then something I thought I had already decided becomes open again, and I’m learning the rules to soccer, teaching my son how to “dribble” with his feet, and it’s not nearly as terrible as I believed it to be.

Ugh, I thought I had it all figured out when I was 21. What the hell?

Thanks for reading,
Luis

November 5, 2012

Doug is another fill-in who I work with, and I got to say that as much as I love what the others have done, Doug is the best! Totally! I mean, I can’t even…I think, yeah, I have to take back the love I just gave, cause Doug just STOLE it ALL! Sorry fellas. I LIKE ya, really…a little…no, nope, it’s all Doug.

I sat down with Doug (emailed him) and found out what makes him tick (burritos and Cheetos). Then I asked him some questions.

Over 30 years’ experience in fine art and illustration. Work has encompassed technical art, architectural, portraits, landscapes, and advertising/editorial. Most recent work is a series of illustrations and prints focused on the legends of golf.

Oakridgestudio.com is a showcase of my work and illustrative styles.

Very fun and rewarding. I'm not typically comfortable executing comics or cartoons, so this assignment forced me to stretch my legs and tap into my creativity.

Sport? Golf, golf and then golf.
Movie? "The Greatest Game Ever Played.”

The man loves golf.

Thanks for reading,
Luis