Tree Frog

Been playing around with new pencils. I've been taking advantage of the fact that I'm in school to branch out and try new things. The best place to make mistakes, after all, is when you're in school. This particular pencil (Addressograph-Multigraph Corp Multilith 744. Say that three times fast) was apparently made by a company that used to make early versions of copy machines. It also declared bankruptcy in 1982. So, this awesome pencil (which I have no recollection of when/how it came into my possession) is probably an endangered species. Bew.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiibit

Is this thing on?

I recently read an article about orcas. Apparently, due to the popularity of whale-watching (and the noisy whale-watching boats) orcas have taken to "shouting" to be heard over the din.

'

"You know what, let me just call you back on a land line."

Commissions!

Friends: as you know, I recently moved from Chicago to DC to build a career in arts and graphic design. To further this dream (and give you all something shiny) I'm opening up shop for commissions. I'm talking basic illustrations, tattoo designs, logos etc. Hit me up at jodiergardner[at]gmail and let's get to work. Feel free to pass along as well. Cheers!

It's been a rough month...

Here, have a berserker:

Early sketch of this angry fella under the cut...

On Weather

If you don't like it...move.

Spring in Chicago

This could also be fall. Or summer. It's been an odd year for weather

The Fighting Iambs

Another fictional band. This one is a punk-rock sonnet powerhouse. Think Dropkick Murphys and Shakespeare.

The best part of this was learning that an iamb (named for a minor Greek goddess) is a "metrical chariot horse" used in "satirical, lampooning poems" as well as "scurrilous, ribald verse." Being a nerd is rad.

In the Middle Class, No One Can Hear You Scream...

I get a little annoyed at politicians and pundits and lobbyists sometimes. As a grandchild of union employees who worked hard, lived smart and hoped for better, it discourages me that me and my future children are getting squeezed out of that same hope. The new "optimism" is getting a college education that puts you six figures in the hole and hoping for a job that pays you just enough to get by while praying to every god you know that your CEO doesn't decide he wants another Leer jet, or that the shareholders move operations to Bumblefuckistan because they can pay people .06$ a day which means some poor fuck like you gets the axe.

Seriously, it's a big country, but we're all in the same boat. Vote, pay your damn taxes, keep your neighborhood clean, take a moment to appreciate what this country has done, then work to make sure it can keep functioning as the awesome place that it is. That is tough work. But without it, democracy fails and tyranny prevails.

/rant.

Odds 'n Ends

It's been a crazy busy kind of month, between work & C2E2 shenanigans. But not to despair! I have a few things to amuse you until I can get back to my drawing desk.

Little Baby Jesus

Modern Family might be the most brilliant show on TV right now. Here is just one of many reasons, and the inspiration for this post.

I know, this is likely insulting to Christians, lovers of fine art, cheese snobs and anyone bereft of a decent sense of humor. But if that describes you, you probably wouldn't be here in the first place.

Leaf, Salt and Stone

Found on the sidewalk. Fell in love with the textures.

For Phoebe

What happens when you cross sharks & kittens?

SHITTENS!!!

 

For Phoebe, whose cleverness & work ethic always elevate my expectations of myself, while leading me further into the proverbial gutter. Have a shitten, honey.

Shitten just wants to be loved.

Voodoo Sex Ritual - World Tour

No, seriously. I want to start a band, just to name it Voodoo Sex Ritual.

Psychedelic acid-blues rock with epic 20 minute guitar & Hammond organ solos. Think Santana, Muddy Waters, Grateful Dead, Robert Johnson, The Doors and Hendrix all mooshed together into a musical casserole. Get your tickets now.

Lake Broadway

What do you do when life gives you a 6 foot-deep, water-filled hole outside of your place of work?

Make paper boats!


It took me a moment to remember how, but after that, we got on a roll: 

Blue Pen Doodles

This one's for my boss, who complains of the "one size fits all" fallacy.

Blue Pen Doodles

Some quick lil sketches...

Priorities

A quick little comic. Tired of posting about snow!

Summer will be here soon, right?

Stormy Weather Walk

I decided, while winds were whipping & snow was burying cars, to take a short walk...

Urban Redneck Society of America - Now in Color!

I went a little crazy on this project...

Membership badge

Urban Redneck Society of America

Like shooting games, but never kilt a deer? Enjoy fine domestic brews like Budweiser and Pabst Blue Ribbon whilst playing such games? Do you live in a city or other area that has luxuries like running water & electricity?

Then you are a fine candidate for The Urban Redneck Society. Because you don't have to live in the trailer park to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.