Let sleeping dogs lie....

...so you can sketch them.  That's Minnie, the family dog.   

Gesture Class 10

Here's a sampling of GESTURE DRAWINGS from two separate classes. There's more of the robed woman for another post. The Samurai dude was pretty cool to draw.

SOLANIN

There little doubt that the popularity and relevance of Japanese Manga has exploded in North America in recent years.  What has been part of Japanese culture for decades had finally broken through and captured the imagination of American readers through unique worlds, diverse story lines and kinetic artwork.  From action adventure to romance, Manga covers a wide ranging spectrum of entertainment that appeals to a vast majority, so much so that Hollywood is starting to cash in on it's popularity.

What I find appealing about Manga is how it can intrinsically transcend genres of art, comedy and drama within it's stories.  It's this laden schizophrenia that makes Manga a unique reading experience.

Which brings me to Inio Asano's SOLANIN, a story about the exuberance and awkwardness of youth and the tenuous transition into adult hood.  The art is deceivingly simple and well drawn. The layouts are nicely crafted and composed.  But the story stands out even more.   Solanin centers on Meiko, a recent college graduate who lives in the bustling urban jungle of Tokyo, far from her roots in the countryside.  She works a job she dislikes and knows she must take her life a step further.  But where?  And which path?  She is surrounded by a close knit group of friends as well as her boyfriend Taneda who like her, is unsure of what lies ahead after college. In the meantime he's quite content working a side job as a graphic designer while he plays guitar with his band.  

Meiko and Taneda are in love but soon they have to come to grips with reality and ponder the future of their relationship.  What's nice about Solanin is that it avoids the trite and banal cliches of youthful angst typical in these kind of stories.  It's an honest and sincerely emotional portrayal of the lives of young people who are searching for the meaning of life.  It gets a little melodramatic in parts I have to admit but not in a whiny way.  In trying to understand and process events in our lives, we as humans have to find profoundness and meaning in order to cope.  Meiko, Tanaka and their friends are no exception.

Solanin is witty, funny and brutally honest.  It's also nominated for an Eisner Award this year.  

Hey Kids!!

There's simply not enough clowning in the world....

Happy Easter 2009

I'd rather it be Halloween hence the Zombie-Bunny.  I guess the candy will tide me over.....