Nervous in a Cape

A Petite Monologue on Daily Drawing

2012-02-23T16:24:00.001-08:00

How do' folks... Heres a page from me sketchbook, just to prove I have been drawing!

Haven't posted in a wee while, 'pologies! been keeping busy I guess, check doodle daydream for my daily strip if'n ye feel the need for regular comics.

And after that shameless plug, but on the same note... I was thinking today about my daily strip, at almost one year (its 315th issue was posted this noon) its probably the biggest solid body of work I've produced, of course that pales next to the 15 years of Kochalka's brilliant American Elf but still, significant for me...

Basically having looked at the strips I noticed that of late (the last hundred issues or so) they've become pretty much straight autobiography, with the barest hint of fantasy/ absurdity.... Now this was never the intention, not that its a bad thing, just that looking back one can see (especially in issues 1-say 60?) that more then just the drawing style has changed.

Originally conceived as a means of venting absurdities and a platform for a darker (dare I say it... Shrigley-esque) humor, it's mutated into very much a literal, heart on sleeve look into my persona and petite existence. hmm. One reason I suspect is that they're currently being drawn on the day to be posted immediately; whereas when I began the strip, I had no immediate access to a scanner, and was having to draw about a weeks worth in advance to scan in order to post them daily. I'd sit down and draw following a chain of thought to ink... recalling a weeks worth of events is difficult, so an autobiographical strip was ruled out. Technical difficulties. Ahem.

Scanning no longer an issue... I now draw to post within half an hour, mostly in the morning before leaving the house... inspiration in the morning is all "yawn sigh". But auto bio doesnt require "inspiration in the regular sense o' the word... really it just requires a stubborn tenacity to actually draw the darn thing every day...

wow. sorry for chewing your ear off (interesting phrase... doesn't really work for text.. but...) I do have a few other things to say, but t'is all self indulgent waffle anyhoo...

Been listening to a lot of the Talking Heads of late. care to join me?

"This must be the place"

Smiling Indecision

2012-02-12T08:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a couple o' comics from me sketchbook.

But abe's to tired today to write much. and right now he's at le cine, earning his keep. ho humm.

Heres yet another lovely Pascal Pinon song for your musical appreciation, the words are from The Beggers Opera

"Over the hills and far away"

Just Another Page

2012-02-04T05:15:00.000-08:00

Heres a page Abe drew yesterday... done got six since thursday... so its a'coming... This fellows name is Whiney Te te; everyday someone slips a letter under his door...and he composes songs about em'.

Went to the David Shrigley show over at the Hayward Gallery... best exhibition abes been to since the Watercolour show at the Tate last year... Ho humm.

Pascal Pinon... one of my favorite twee folky Icelandic groups ever!!! this song is really lovely. Really really lovely.

"Vandamal Ulfsins"

Fish Tale... Begin!

2012-01-26T14:51:00.000-08:00

Well here's a page from 'Fish Tale's' story, which will be at the beginning o' the novel...

I set m'self doon last week and drew... a day of drawing, t'is unfortunately a rarity, but all the more welcome for it... Abe also finished Mathew Thurber's 1-800-MICE, which was a wonderful example of world building, with a lovely streak of absurdist black humor running throu... blah de blah... I highly enjoyed it.

ho humm.

Anyhoo, heres one o' me favorite songs for your ears... Pascal Pinon's "New Beginning"

No Sign Yet

2012-01-21T01:53:00.000-08:00

Heres a page from a 9 pager Abe finished over the last week "No Sign Yet"... It's an empty tale of a fella wandering a deserted landscape waiting for a sign, and a sign of his friend, who is missing... Wow. Sounds more profound then it is in reality... (oh the joys of posting single pages!)

It was drawn with the idea of it possibly being included in the longer 'novel... Ho humm.

And lastly, here's Monsieur Gainsbourg with "La Javanaise"

A Wee L'il Comic

2012-01-19T02:51:00.000-08:00

Here's a wee comicy comic made in this self same A.M Abe was just experimenting with layering et al...

really nice article on the british comic publishing scene over at the comics journal.

http://www.tcj.com/london-calling-blank-slate-books-and-nobrow-press/

Fills me with excitement... gotta jump on that bandwagon! ah ha!

And for your ears... "Bury the Hammer" by "Beat Happening"

Abe in Brussels

2012-01-12T08:04:00.000-08:00

Heres a little doodle I doodled yesterday in me sketchbook... t'is my time in Brussels last month... not sure if it needs another page... its only a wee thing for the interweb anyhow. I did have a vision of a four page epic chase across Belgium... but the best laid plans...

In case ye didn't know... the cowboy is a bad depiction of Lucky Luke, who "draws faster then his shadow"

Just Listen to Hall & Oates... Just do. Because. du dum.

Holy Holy Holy Style!

2012-01-04T11:02:00.000-08:00

Well abes back on track! ah ha! got his six pager done on thursday... my style... its ... its just right 'gain.

Been reading a lot o Jason comics of late... the colour scheme above is influenced by some o' the pages in the 'Werewolves of Montpellier'... Should be included in the next issue of nervous in a cape... building quite a large selection o work to be selected from...

In other news... happy new year et al!

why not celebrate by watching Sam Cooke singing his version o' Basin Street Blues...

Ego battle or what?!?!

Bohemian Transformers!

2011-12-26T03:54:00.000-08:00

Allo' the Internet...

heres a couple of comics from me sketchbook, on the left "Bohemian" was drawn last week, on a tuesday I believe... and on t' right "Transformers" I drew a few hours ago... Boxing day is a good time to doodle away...

But... Merde! the six pager Abes working on for his internship has gone to crap... I cant actually draw right, right now. If you catch my drift... thats why all the single page sketchbook comics... I figured it best go back to a place Im comfortable with before I attempt the anthology piece again...

Attempting to draw the anthology piece reminded me of the frustrated feeling I used to have with my drawing back in me mid-teens. Before I became comfortable with the way my hands produced images differing from what the blank sheet proposed to my mind... Ah ha!

Anyhoo... take a listen to Albert Hammond Jr & freinds playing In Transit Acoustic stylee...

Cleethopes, oh Cleethorps

2011-12-19T15:47:00.000-08:00

Howdy, 'ternet folks!

Havent posted for a wee while (seems a recurring theme in these posts hmm?) so heres a comic from my sketchbook, can be read a a two pager or as two one page stories... walking far away from Cleethorpes along the beach... you hit spots of radient beauty.

The trick is to walk an hour or so. Try it on a seaside town near you, In Abes experience it usually works.

Visited Belgium last week with the other comicy 'turns... and in amongst a hectic schedule, dashing all round the country... managed to get ahold o' Lupus by Frederik Peeters! ah ha! untranslated, but hey pictures & words... pictures and words.

More on belgium on the our comic blog...

www.londonprintstudiocomics.blogspot.com

Thank you to Captain 'Anonymous', who pointed me in the direction o' Louis Armstrongs (What Did I Do To Be So) Black & Blue...

Doodles, Drawings etc

2011-12-08T03:38:00.001-08:00

Been a'working in a petite way over the last week, after the extreme bout of drawing last week...

But above is a coloured rough for the six page story Abe's making for the londonprintstudio anthology, the six pages will be an excerpt from the graphic novel Abe's working on... at the moment just writing and thumbnailing so t'is a nice change to draw up some roughs...

In other news...

Made it to twenty-five pages with this comic... in but seven days... tis most assuredly a record for young (well...quite young) Abe. It's a highly emotionally charged piece... but told through hyper masculine supermen... Ho humm.

pretentious eh?!

Oh, and the Holy Modal Rounders are currently flipping me jib! have a listen yo!

Wham, Urghhh

2011-11-30T16:44:00.001-08:00

So, heres another page from the comic I started on saturday... I done got 15 pages done so far...

It's a romance story really... triumph over odds etc... Just I wanted to tell it through superhero godlike, alien creatures... and lots of over the top action scenes. such as the one above...

Need to get on with it now!

Abe mentions Beat Happening too much... but they're a flipping amazing band! Listen. Now! Listen!

Beat Happening - "Tiger Trap"

Comix Roughage

2011-11-26T13:57:00.001-08:00

Heres a page from summut I doodled just now. Just had a vauge idea of plot in me mind... draw draw draw... made it to four pages... drawn roughly with brush-pen then coloured digitally...

But 'yawn', far too tired to ramble on bout drawing now... suffice to say that Abe likes a style that means he can get a page completed in twenty five minutes...

Anyhoo... check out retrofit comics... Its a supercool scheme!

and to leave you with a song, heres Anna Karina & Serge Gainsbourg 'Ne dis rien'

Bon nuit

Anthology Practice

2011-11-24T03:06:00.001-08:00

Well, Abe's been hard at work interning over at londonprintstudio , no excuse for the lack of posting reeeaally. But... Ho humm.

working at le cine last night had an interesting mini debate as to comics cultural legitimacy... you can see it in technicolour over at doodledaydream!!! And after that shameless plug... Heres a rough of one o' the pages in a six pager for the anthology we're putting together in the print studio... The style wont be like this... just working out the panel layouts... and experimenting with colour... liked it so thought I'd put it up.

Just listen to this wonderful Twee indie pop, heard it yesterday... like an injection of honey for the heart... so sweet!

Lispector- Peachtree Street

Another Blog Post

2011-11-14T06:11:00.001-08:00

Howdy folks... sorry haven't posted in a wee while... been very busy... went to Comiket on Sat with the other comicy interns... didn't sell much, but the word was most assuredly spread!

Heres a comic abe doodled last week nothing great or anything... just nice to do... ho humm.

Got to meet an amazing comic artist on friday... check it oot on me daily comic blog...

http://doodledaydream.blogspot.com/2011/11/issue-no-214-frederik-peeters.html

Oh.. and the writings going well...If'n you were curious.

And lastly... Abe shouldn't go on too much... but Drive has a flipping amazing soundtrack... so just... listen to it! Desire - 'Under your spell'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K7rmxjk5RQ

Hot Dang! I do Believe...

2011-11-06T01:24:00.000-07:00

Hot Dang!

I believe Abe has found t' style.

Just need to get the writing completed...

Je T'aime!

Heres some fleeting & beautiful music by David Torn, From Lars and the Real Girl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5IF7QHnPJM

Tonight Abe may be Elsewhere

2011-11-05T05:33:00.000-07:00

One thing to apologise for... the images I've been putting up recently have all pretty much been odds and ends... This post wont be an end that trend, but an excuse...

So Abes been working hard... and has been spread pretty thin these days... lots to do.

Anyhoo, heres some compiled rough images for the planned comic "Tonight I may be Elsewhere", it has a nice ring to it, no? I have the story all plotted out... needs fleshing out... and the characters are me reg'lar stock... This is just to give ye a petite sampling of where Abes at right now... RIGHT NOW!

Um.

One of my favorite pieces ever... Love Louis Armstrongs version best... but heres the astounding original..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvhq3V8ZhTA

Sorry Sorry Sorry

2011-11-03T02:36:00.000-07:00

Heres another page form "The 5.45 News"... But.. I drew this about two weeks ago... I made it to six pages, and the plan is for twelve... Abe has just had no time... Sorry sorry sorry! I shall get back on track at some point... t'is just that my time hasnt really been my own of late... boo!

On the positive side.. I stayed up real late last o saturday... and got the layouts for the first 27 pages of my re-planned 'ahem' graphic novel endeavour done... But this time I really need to get the whole thing drafted... then re-written etc etc before I start to draw properly!

Normally Abes's not overly into Hip Hopping... but this is just to good!

"they reminise over you"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiOcVWQY2bc&feature=youtu.be

Free Comics Workshops!!!

2011-10-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

Hey folks... Feeling 16-20 years old...and desiring free comic workshops??? Know anyone who might be interested??? londonprintstudio's running em' so why not give comics a go?!!?!?!

(Yep, you may recognise the anxious looking fellow at the top o' the flyer)

The 5.45 News

2011-10-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

Howdy folks... So heres a page from the second story which is gonna feature in Nervous in a Cape 6... "The 5.45 News"

This guy is Pretty darn mean... but is he the villain?!?!? only time will tell...

Gosh darn, abe is tired... it has most assuredly been a long week, with many ups and downs... He lost his voice (or rather words) for a while... But t'is all good... Its not always a such a bad thing to be unable to comment...

Too tired to think... Its all rambling! ah ha!

Beat Happening.... Just listen to em '

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0wDo3pQ7MQ

Time To Draw! (No)

2011-10-14T05:22:00.000-07:00

Well, Abes been mad crazy busy this week, no time to draw really now that he's a comic intern meh, meh, meh!

So in lieu of fresh works... heres the intended cover for Nervous in a Cape Issue 6!!!

Planning to have three stories included, Finished "A Scene by The Sea" (see 27th sept post) which ran to 17 pages in the end... Probably fit a "Fish Tale!" in too, and one more story, as yet to be drawn... I figure a 10 page sci-fi/ Super Hero romp, or some such....

So its all Coming along... But Still... Not enough spare time this week! I'll try make more next week!

Facebook Sellout

2011-10-10T01:26:00.000-07:00

Well, Abe finally sold out... And with the money made... Bought in...

But now he has a hollow feeling inside. Merde!

Stylistically Approaching the Surface

2011-10-06T01:45:00.000-07:00

Abe is thinking stylistically at the moment, and shall be experimenting with varying approaches etc. The internship/coursey thingy has opened his eyes somewhat...

Why not check out the londonprintstudio Comics site... The other interns produce some amazing works, and t'is well worth a look!

Drive was a very interesting film, a complete throwback, very well put together and directed, and with an interesting hero/antihero; a man with no name, only a profession. Heres some amazing synth pop from the film. Its a love or hate it piece...

College Feat Electric Youth - Real Hero

For Your Pleasure...

2011-10-03T10:44:00.000-07:00

Something for your pleasure...

Have you heard the 70's French Band Dandelion? Abe was introduced to them last week, and thinks they are highly worth sharing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwA8p1CzX2g

J'adore!!!

Je T'aime!

2011-09-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

So. Abe got the Internship Thingy. And a smile.

Je T'aime!

A sunny, hot day. Life et al. Blah de Blah.

Working, Is Doodling

2011-09-27T02:23:00.000-07:00

Heres page five from 'A Scene by The Sea', a wee 16-20 page comic I've been working on in September, at the moment I'm on 12, and its coming along... Just the words (as ever) may need a bit o' honing... I'm a' hoping its all leading towards Nervous in a Cape issue 6!!!

Ah Ha... Maybe three exclamation marks is too many?

Anyhoo, for issue 6, I'm thinking of working on two or three stories specifically for the comic (ala Optic Nerve), as opposed to the random collection of sketchbook cartoons and comics which have populated the last 5 issues...

I have an interview tomorrow, I've gotta make my portfolio real impressive, yes indeed.

Ho humm...

It's Character Building, No?

2011-09-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

It's Character Building, No?

Abe Remains Optimistic. I am making things, and there are things to make. Work, Internships et al = Pah, Blam! Kung Fu!

Comics.. Comics.. Comics...

Yumi Arai's Message To Rouge, 1975.... Awsome Girl Group Sounds!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6nnLkdc8OQ

Fish Tale No. 9

2011-09-17T15:20:00.000-07:00

Hi how are you?

I'm fine. I think I lost my words though.

Heres another Fish Tale for your pleasure... The Lake district was wet and Beautiful.

Bloggers being annoying. right click, then open image in new tab to view properly. Sorry.

Cannon Gate Boys Basketball, 1950's

2011-09-07T08:59:00.000-07:00

Heres a wee watercolour sketch I made yesterday, Cannon Gate Boys Basketball Team in the late 1950's. The colour is of my own interpretation... Ho humm...

I have no connection, Just a faux nostalgic, genuine aesthetic love of the photograph. did a bit of research into the live's of the players too... Gosh! the interweb makes these things so easy!

Getting really into Half-Japanese these days... Here's Charmed Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD1Yx8z0BXs

Application Doodles et al

2011-09-02T04:07:00.000-07:00

Oh, and in other news....

Later today, Ill be dropping off an application for an internship in... COMICS... at the London Print Studio. Boy oh boy... It'd be pretty darn cool... Above is a section of the form...

ho humm

Just Another Darn Page!

2011-09-02T04:03:00.000-07:00

Just another page from the grande Bande Dessine experiment...

As you can probably tell, colour vs b&w remains up in the air... This week five more pages have been drawn, so its coming on... I'll leave the real colouring and words till the end, this is just part o' my thinking process...

Abe Listens to Five Till

2011-08-27T15:30:00.000-07:00

Heres a page from me sketchbook depicting my reaction to hearing mmm's (Me My Moe) amazing album 'Five Till'. Really some of the most beautiful vocals ever... Anyhoo The album IS AMAZING, but pretty difficult to get hold of if you're not in Japan...

Not sure if I was naked or not... ho humm.

"bye bye" live, the best bits from about 3.30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yj6jajg2Cg&feature=related

And her Myspace, worth it just for the almost diabetes inducingly sweet music video, its pretty Bizzare, giant dancing rabbits et al...

http://www.myspace.com/mmmmeguho

Fish Tale No. 8

2011-08-21T01:47:00.001-07:00

Abe is cycling everywhere, on account o' the fact that tis a financial necessity... Transport in London is most assuredly pricy...

But for the past week however, this has meant the joy of cycling up Haverstock hill on the way both to and from home...

Abes knees are all quaking by the time the summit is reached... But then...

Another great Take-Away-Show... Tenniscoats "Baibaba Bimba" simple, twee... C'est Magnifique! And a great video in such a grey place...

Strongman Gets Some Colour!

2011-08-17T06:17:00.000-07:00

A new colour scheme? Still set on B&W but experimenting anyhow.

Back to drawing now! Just time for an awesome song... Supreme Cool Beings 'Mr Potato'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMFjw9kwuwA

Fish Tale No. 7

2011-08-15T15:06:00.000-07:00

Just another wee installment in the fish tale saga, a few pages from me sketchbook.

Comics are the way forward! And I dont wanna go backward, leftward, or rightward. I hope to have created something very real before the year's out... To validate my petite existence in some way or other. hmmm.

Abe went to art school for a reason... And he is aware that there will likely be little to no financial result to his scribbles... he is drawing because it is the right thing for him to do.

Just like writing in the third person was...

Adagio for TRON. Broody.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFIXKXYfEy0

Drawer Boy (Faux Self Portrait)

2011-08-12T01:36:00.000-07:00

Fish Tale No. 6

2011-08-09T11:56:00.001-07:00

Fish Tale No. 6

An interesting few days in London...

Everything closed in anticipation...

Abe will draw!

A Supercool Look!

2011-08-05T17:10:00.001-07:00

It looks supercool , no???!!! Ah ha!

Got Three more pages drawn today, back in Kew Gardens for four hours... just drawing and sketching... T is most assuredly the season for it...

Jillian Tamaki is indeed a gosh darn awesome illustrator... ho humm... Abe First came across her 'Brooklyn Follies' series in her book 'Indoor Voice'. But her Super Mutant Magic Academy (gasp!) web strip is even better!

http://mutantmagic.com/

Wilbert Harrison Lets Work Together, C'est Magnifique!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYWiUErA9Kw

The Hour in Black & White

2011-08-03T03:06:00.001-07:00

The comic works in black & white, not that colour was to its detriment, just that, well; it works better in black & white...

I am going to set time aside now to draw, until I am required to go earn my keep at 5pm; a good four hours o' working...

Golly gosh! The Hour Just keeps getting better and better... Much recommended... Ben Whishaw and Dominic West!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0133jn4/The_Hour_Episode_3/

Fish Tale Nos. 4 & 5

2011-07-29T16:35:00.000-07:00

Fish Tale Issues 4 & 5!!!

I am going to make art!

(Especially static images placed in deliberate narrative sequence)

I am going to save the princess!

(Unless she doesn't need saving)

I am going to be tall!

(Like a tree)

But small also.

(Like a shrub)

Money is not the objective, but it would be nice to live on art! This superhero business doesn't pay...

TV on the Radio's great short...

http://www.vimeo.com/25299860

Fish Tale No. 3!

2011-07-24T15:12:00.000-07:00

Fish Tale No. 3.

No reason or method. Just two pages from me sketchbook.

Listen to The Softies!, Twee Sweet Indie Pop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2sRKUl3joc

Collage et al

2011-07-21T07:21:00.001-07:00

The Children are Reciting... First four of a series of twelve... Collage, Ink, Watercolour and Pencil on paper.

Box Tale!

2011-07-20T07:36:00.001-07:00

Today Abe set down to 6hrs of drawing etc before work... Listened to Radio 4, Drew a page and layouts for four more... coloured two small comics, conceptualised some Doodle Daydreams and a thousand other nothings...

Heres a Box Tale I drew on a Daler Rowney Ink Box... 3d drawing ala Souther Salazar or David Shrigley...

Off to work in 10 mins!

'I live My Broken Dreams'- Daniel Johnston

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICLXH8wdXhk

Fish Tale!

2011-07-17T02:14:00.000-07:00

Four pages from me sketchbook... Fish Tale 1 & 2...

Drawn on friday evening at Kew Gardens once again in the summer sun, surrounded by trees, with long grass between my toes...

Kimya Dawson, 'Im Fine'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnz0d0tLT1k&feature=related

Oh, on the fish subject... this film (Fish Story) was flipping fun and wonderfully absurd... Can Punk save the world?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC5E4-LRrTk

Abe Reviews a Film... SUPER

2011-07-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

Feeling Old!

2011-07-14T00:40:00.001-07:00

Doodle Daydream Hits 100!

Hit The Link, Silly!

More Comicy Comic

2011-07-13T00:39:00.001-07:00

Well, the words aren't final...

Looking back at the blog, it has become all aboot this comic recently... I guess it's just my way to keep up le momentum or whatever, but think ill post some differing and dithering stuff again soon. Ho humm.

Just re-read Haunted by Philippe Dupuy for about the 17th time (ah ha!). Everything in the book is perfect; but the art is exquisite! and t'was for the most part drawings from his sketchbook, not intended for publication. C'est Magnifique!

Violent Femmes- Prove My Love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OENAQhh0Es&feature=related

Oh also!!! Tommorrow doodledaydream reaches its 100th Issue!!! Gasp!!!

Just Another Wee Doodle

2011-07-07T16:48:00.001-07:00

Heres another page for the comic... I'm at just over sixteen now, and its been three weeks, so it has some momentum... Onwards and upwards etc!

Folks comment on my blog when I post depressive monologues... Ah ha... Mayhap I should stop taking antidepressants?!

Just kidding, anyhow my moods are purely self-indulgent funks, which usually pass after a few days.... Still, thanks... Your nice comments make me feel like a bastion of aspiration, with like mad crazy superpowers et al!

Heres the song Sukiyaki, By Kyu Sakamoto... Amazing... First came across it during Mad Men series two, a few years back. Love it.

Art In Me Heart!

2011-07-03T01:03:00.001-07:00

Please forgive my last whiney grumpy frumpy post!

Abe bounced back again, The princess is lovely, its sunny, and I can be a hero... My guitar has a nice ring to it, my pencils are sharp, and there's ink in my pen!

Got Art In My Heart.

Heres another page from the comic, stayed up last night colouring five pages... I know, I know, I should draw em' all first and colour later... But I'm in love with the finished items, and seeing as how t'is all going to be a larger story composed of small stories, not such a bad thing... ho humm

You MUST listen to the Fleetwoods now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvkj4TiSaNQ

Heart!

Complainy Painey!

2011-06-30T00:33:00.001-07:00

A pre-emptive apologie for this Grumpy Monologue. Is it still a monologue if only in writing?... um.

There is, apparently, always something that creeps up on you, some small thing, which keeps you worried just enough to prevent one actually being able to achieve anything. Insecurities, responsibilities, financial security et al. I had just gotten onto a good thing with the steady drawing of both my daily comic, and the new comic...

When along comes a dramatic loss of money... Wow! Pow! Keep That Head Down Abe!

"Duck" it all, I say. Or rather perhaps I might do, if I was not in the unfortunate position of requiring the steady income of my "just above minimum wage occupation". sigh, there is nothing worse then feeling "trapped".

Quit your job if you hate it so much. But money being an unfortunate necessity... get another one first. And if nowhere else will employ you....

Post a grumpy, whiney, thingy on your blog. Apologies, o' dear reader.

Twenty applicants for every job. Merde!

New Grand Bande Dessine!

2011-06-24T00:07:00.000-07:00

So, here we have another page of the new grande Bande Dessine experiment!

Pages from the old one may fit in here and there, but this essentially be a new creature.

Caught the St. Martins degree show yesterday (the final day), a mixture of things, but essentially a good show, there was one particularly lovely video made up of of all the times 'Hit It!" had been said in film...

which reminded me of this amazing video... All the fictional artists to appear on celluloid, compiled... a wonderful narrative emerges...

http://www.choppedliver.info/index.php?/not-in-order-of-appearance/

Madness of the artist et al...

The Big Redraw!

2011-06-18T16:43:00.001-07:00

So. Redrawing... Having reached just over 60 pages I looked back and... Um. The story had unwound... And all the thoughts I'd wished to convey had been lost... blah de blah.

I'm kinda redrawing now... but the story will differ, so maybe redrawing is the wrong word....

"beginning a new comic" is perhaps more adequate?

Heres page no.1.

Abe Meets The Ego Monster!

2011-06-11T19:57:00.001-07:00

Gasp!

Abe's second appallingly bad album. Its all free to listen/download over at nervousinacape.bandcamp.com

Just a wee gift (or not?!) my way of saying thanks for the reading o' me blog, and taking o' time to view my comics. Je T'aime!

Strongman

2011-06-10T03:00:00.001-07:00

Heres a page from me sketchbook, drawn last week at Kew Gardens, lying on the grass in the evenings sun. sigh.

You may recognise strongman from the "eternal wrestler" logo I put up last week... He'll also be appearing more over at doodle daydream

Oh, and check out ANNEXE magazine, a literary/arts/musicy e-mag... which a hip cat from St Martins is putting together. I done put some comics in it.

Last link... The Marine Girls- a really grand group from the 80's, think the Shaggs meet The Shangri-Las

Like totally rad!

This Thing Later

2011-06-04T18:25:00.000-07:00

This thing later... No I didn't design the poster (even I wouldn't call myself the one and only!)

Abe and the Magic Pub

2011-06-04T04:27:00.001-07:00

I'm'na gonna be filling a large room (in an abandoned pub, just off Essex Rd) with art et al tomorrow. Some folks from work are having a day long mini art fest thingy, with film & music... and comics too.

The problem was that I had a grand scheme, but not enough time to realise it... so I shall just throw it all at the walls and see what sticks.

I laid out some of the comics from the past two months on a bench in Golders Hill Park. And was pleased.

Je t'aime.

Monobrows et al

2011-05-31T05:20:00.001-07:00

Please find above a comic which I made a few days ago for a fellow... t'was to have a 'literary' tone... humm.

The typewriter is one which I bought from oxfam last year, and yes, it is that beautiful turquoise colour! The character isn't me.. well he kind of is... but not in looks... I'm not quite so dashing.

And also a logo I made a few days ago... You may recognise the character (strongman has appeared in the daily comic Im posting over at doodle daydream... "and after that shameless plug") He is the strongest one of all, but his problems aren't the kind that can be solved with strength. ho h umm.

Here's the most amazing droning indie pop ever...

Waiting For Ma...

2011-05-25T01:18:00.001-07:00

Heres a comic made whist I was waiting to meet my ma, last week... 'Talking Merde', No great storytelling or art (I wasn't at all sure what I wanted to say while I was drawing) just a doodle in my sketchbook coloured because.... Blah de blah...

I sent a link to my daily comic blog to a web-comic site... I received a gentle disappointment, and fair constructive criticism, so in the end it works out pretty well... I'm needing to work bigger and hone writing skills...

So yesterday Abe bought a fineliner for the extortionate price o' £3.15... Gosh! But I still have a few weeks worth o strips to use up before they'll be up...

Anyhoo...

Check oot this amazing Dan Johnston Recording-Lazy

Pointless Posting

2011-05-20T15:07:00.000-07:00

Superheroes are interesting, no? Just thought I'd try posting more regularly... But nothing really happened in the last 24 hours... Just life et al...

Heres a coloured photocopy that'd been hanging around in my sketchbook for a few months...

And, um... End of post!

A Couple O' Comics

2011-05-19T16:18:00.000-07:00

Heres a couple o' comics I made last night, digitally, well lets say, 'enhanced', because its just the cheapest & easiest way to do certain things.

Sorry about the Mai Lai- Tu Cung Comic... Just a failed attempt to draw something serious and unrelated to my ego for once... Didn't Tennessee Williams argue that we should move away from our personal experience while writing?

And yes I realise how pretentious I sound.

Best Superhero Film ever???

-Apparently it has a UK distribution co now, so I may get to see it after all!

Stop The Habit!

2011-05-16T15:50:00.001-07:00

Above... Kieran the Mallard in eye-popping 3D!!! Puppets & Installation...

Also here's an abandoned 9-panel comic I made a few weeks ago... Just another thing I began without any end destination in sight... I may return at some point in the future, but, well y'know how some things are...

Anyhow, In a bid to stop said habit, I'm gonna try working a few short stories (written a while back) into comic form.

This is the most inspiring short film... I wanna be a real comic artist!!! I'm Gonna be a real comic artist!!!

Ho Humm.

Cine Life et al

2011-05-10T01:36:00.000-07:00

Just a wee bit o' Cine Life for your pleasure... It pays the bills, and the people who work there are all pretty darn cool; a colourful mix of "creative" types... All being paid minimum wage in one big happy family.

"It's all a poor substitute at best"- see This Side of Paradise, one of my favorite Fitzgerald books... This week abe fell in love only once! Ah Ha!

Like Lo-fi astoundingly amazing music???

Then you must hear Beat Happening

Drawer Boy Draws a Comic

2011-05-04T00:23:00.000-07:00

Damn Nazi's!

This is a truly great cover song- Adam Green's version of Love will tear us apart, beautifully melancholic and deadpan.

Love Will...

2011-04-28T02:01:00.001-07:00

Well sorry to keep harping on about the past, but Im just a wee nostalgic cape wearer.

This is another piece o' work from university that I found a few weeks back in me old portfolio, 'Love Will Get Us'- an interesting experiment... Follow a word via thesaurus to its polar opposite. Everything really is linked apparently.

A girl called it cute last year. um.

Also doodle daydream's hit its fantastiastically 16th issue! one a day! Thanks everyone for reading, hope you're enjoying !

Just yell if they're boring you...

Kieran The Mallard!

2011-04-23T00:37:00.001-07:00

Kieran-an is leaving for sunnier (um?!) shores... Booo! but yaay! for him anyway!

So Abe teamed up with Mr The Laps to make this comic based around Kierans experiances (or whatever). Plot & words by Gabrielle, Pictures by Abe.

At the moment Im particularly enjoying the naive petite comic strip format, boldly coloured... Its, like so wow!

Abes Doodle Daydreams (Daily comics!)

2011-04-15T02:25:00.001-07:00

Hey Folks! Why not visit abe over at doodledaydream where his daily comic shall be placed before you in all its whiny egocentric(ness). Above is the introduction, and I'll post a few o' em' here but for the full effect, head on over!

www.doodledaydream.blogspot.com

Happy Sunny Weekend!

2011-04-10T13:50:00.001-07:00

Over the last few days I've gotten to work on a four panel strip which I shall begin posting daily in the near future. T'will be most assuredly be childish but a wee bit dark also... Here's a page from me sketchbook. Ho humm.

Oh, and happy sunny weekend!

Inhibited Abe Strikes Back!

2011-04-02T19:09:00.000-07:00

You find a ball in the street and you want to throw it, or kick it. But you can't. Inhibitions (both real and imagined) prevent us from enjoying the things which matter.

Without them though, what'd I draw about???

I will dance to great music every day, and twice on sunday's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1uhMa2ejd4&feature=related

The ever inspiring Jeffery Lewis. I saw him a few years ago, but couldn't appreciate him fully back then.

Tatanka/ Abe needs a Delorian

2011-04-01T15:31:00.001-07:00

Abe dug this out of a portfolio last week.

A woodblock print of one Tatanka Yotanka I had made during my foundation course, shrunk and multiplied on the ever delightful St. Martins photocopiers, and, (during the second year of my degree) used to wallpaper my studio space.

Central Saint Martins will move to Kings Cross shortly, and this year the Foundation course at Byam Shaw will be closed. Both my primary and secondary school have been knocked down and rebuilt in the last five years.

It feels like my past is being erased... Or something or other... Ho humm.

Records Without Player

2011-03-27T03:49:00.001-07:00

I have Records. But I dont got me a player no more. Sigh.

Part of a 12 panel strip on the subject, as part of Abe's grand comics experiment. I am back in the game, but I still dont really know how to play... It is fun though, so worthwhile it seems...

"I dont wanna be art. I wanna have fun!"- James Kochalka; Magic Boy and Girlfriend.

The most profound comic series ever? www.americanelf.com

Abe Promises Solemnly

2011-03-18T07:48:00.001-07:00

Well, recently I had allowed myself to be sidetracked from the sole thing which I have any real hope in to rescue me from the grey tones shading my present state. Don't get me wrong, I'm as big a fan o' grey as the next fellow, but after so long it begins to get insufferable in an Aghrewsjhdgsdhakf! kind of way.

But now it is my solemn promise to myself that I will get back on track!

Time to stop worrying too much and just do things!

Meanwhile here's Warpaints lovingly sung Billie Holiday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=facHTFyzVck

Je T'aime etc

SWW

Norwegian Wood

2011-03-15T17:52:00.000-07:00

Part of a rough idea... I have many, many, many Norwegian Wood postcards, too many perhaps... Why not build a narrative via doodling... Hmmm?

Well no reason I guess, nothing life changing, but I'm content with the result. I had a thousand tiny moments yesterday, none of which amount to the worth o' the digital ink it would take to....

blah de blah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ucN4DActxA&feature=related

Music as expression.

Keirenite et al

2011-03-12T15:51:00.000-08:00

Please forgive the swear, but this was a collaborative effort, so the words came from elsewhere, the art however, is all mine.

Ho humm.

At the small press expo today with the girl who ate ink. Not so many folks bought my work, however those that did made me feel like a big happy windowsill. Um.

I dont know what that really means.

Nervous in a Cape Issue 5!

2011-03-10T06:59:00.000-08:00

Golly Gosh! Nervous in a Cape issue 5 good to go!

Why not pick up a copy? hmmm? why, why, why? Well it's actually quite a depressing issue, and the quality o' the print isn't great, and really I prefer comics with batma....

T'will be on sale on Sat at the London Comic & Small Press Expo

www.spexpo.co.uk

Do You Like Comics? Yes, Wow!!!

2011-03-06T18:58:00.000-08:00

If you like comics (and all the cool kids do), why not head to Goldsmiths University this Saturday for the London Comic and Small Press Expo?!?!?!

It'll be 10am-5pm with a £2 entry fee, and plenty o' great art inside with which to blow ones whole paycheck on... I'll be sharing a stall with the altogether awesome 'Girl who ate ink' (http://www.thegirlwhoateink.com/)

... More info at http://www.spexpo.co.uk/

Also I implore you to watch this truly heartwarming (burning?!) video, the excellent Menomena, performing a take-away-show in Paris, it gets really interesting around 2:20.

http://www.blogotheque.net/Menomena,3436

I had forgotten how much I had forgotten since childhood. But now I will dance freely, once a day and twice on sundays!

The Private's View

2011-03-03T15:39:00.000-08:00

Last night, Abe went, to a private view, and he sold a few, don't ask to who...

Because um, its a private matter.

Private view's = extreme awkwardness and social discomfort.... But free orange juice.

The Pledger Pledges

2011-02-19T17:37:00.000-08:00

What is the pledge to make??? To be true to oneself, to ones art... To follow the sun leftwards, and rightwards too, and not fail to appreciate the beauty o' a cloudy damp February in London.

Yep, that'll do. Oh and I painted a pretty picture or two.

ps. If you're feeling down and/or out why not listen to Shocking Blue's 'Waterloo'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6TJ5LeT8DA

Abe sold out, and bought in.

2011-02-17T14:03:00.000-08:00

Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy. If'n you feel like it.

abe has a shop. Of sorts.

www.iwouldliketosell.blogspot.com

That's the end O' this shameless plug. I'm sorry, soooo sorry. I dont draw for money ever, never ever. Not ever... it's about making art and putting down a record of my existance...

"Above all else it is about leaving a mark I existed: I was here. I was hungry. I was defeated. I was happy. I was sad. I was in love. I was afraid. I was hopefull. I had an idea and I had a good purpose and thats why I made works of art."

-Felix Gonzales-Torres

In fact please Dont buy anything. Ever!

um.

More Lost Princessess

2011-02-12T12:05:00.000-08:00

Where can she be?

An Explanation of this ongoing work can be found in the previous posts under 'Lost princessess'. just in case you're interested or whatever. humm.

Daniel Johnston makes amazing and important music, his phrasings are poignant and powerful, filled with himself and his life.

Covers of his work are in no short supply, and I've just found this version of "Some things last a long time" by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglov.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAW9jHDbaOA&feature=related

Tears.

Abe (c) In The Style of Marlene

2011-02-09T13:58:00.000-08:00

Just some triptych life from Monday.

Abe (c) In The Style of Marlene.

Last Night

2011-02-05T17:50:00.000-08:00

'Laaaaaasssssst night she said, "oh baby, I feel so down", oh and turned me off, when I feel left out.'

So I made some monoprints, Gouache on paper.

Still concerned with childhood heroic ideals, and adulthood realisations. Love will tear us apart.

Layout, I'm All Laid Out

2011-02-03T15:00:00.000-08:00

So, onwards and upward's with the grand comic experiment...

I have a new layout, so um, thats good. Perhaps It's better, yep It's better. Definitely, Right?

Also I had a weird experience with a gallery... Its still in my thoughts so no more shall be said for now...

Sketchee Dessinee Comicee

2011-01-30T15:57:00.000-08:00

Just got back from Paris, spent all of my food money on Bande Dessinee, was pretty hungry.... Anyhow... Heres a couple O' pages from my sketchbook, just more wee comic's...

Flag Flagger Flags...

2011-01-20T14:36:00.000-08:00

Part O' a series I made a little while ago. (you may recognise the American flag as the background to some of my trading cards... http://nervousinacape.blogspot.com/2010/08/more-on-trading.html )

Thats about all.

Ho Humm...

Super Music Record!- Available NOW NOW NOW!

2011-01-09T14:52:00.000-08:00

Thats right folks, Super Music Record! is now available, free to download at...

www.nervousinacape.bandcamp.com

So what are you waiting for?!!! Gasp as Abe confronts his daemons in "Insecurities", Swoon with him as he falls for first Penelope then Audrey in "Wondering Women" and finally learn the answer to the question 'just what do superheroes dream about?' in "Tail O' Tales (Electric Demo)".

Je Le Fait etc!

Nicolas's Wedding

2011-01-07T05:59:00.000-08:00

Heres a little wedding card I made a few weeks ago for Nicolas (a fellow I knew a few years back, and one of the nicest guys in the whole world!)

Happy marriage day and stuff Nic!

Album working

2011-01-04T13:44:00.001-08:00

Golly gosh! Featuring the musical talents of Abe & the Misspells, Super Music Record! is almost complete...

Ca plane pour moi!

The creative process Invigorates my hips...

& just for fun...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PITnJAnmjqw

Super Album Cover!

2011-01-03T12:01:00.000-08:00

The cover of the album is Super, right? The music is all over the place, but the creative process... C'est Magnifique! Just finishing up everything now. I'm all Gold back in Golders Green & its a new day since yesterday... Apparently a new year since yesteryear!

Gosh!

Archway Studio Living

2010-12-28T07:48:00.000-08:00

I've Been Housesitting over Christmas in an Amazing studio in Archway. Living with Sami the cat has meant early starts and one hell of a productive month...

Ive been recording music, lots of it... Dreaming of producing a complete object... Ill put some up when the albums finished!

Yes I did say ALBUM.

Its terrible, but somehow the best thing I've EVER done.

Xmas Comic! Je Ta'ime!

2010-12-24T10:50:00.000-08:00

Salute The Page!

2010-12-13T07:59:00.000-08:00

Just another page coloured and good to go. Ho humm...

Words will follow images... My own little rebellion to the "screen writing" style of comic creation... Time will tell if it pays off.

Mild et al

2010-12-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

More PAINT artwork. Just a digital doodle...

Cap Heroic and his Nemesis (lit) Crippling Insecurity.

"Depression might flicker in but it does not live here"

-James Kochalka [The Cute Manifesto]

Been Listening to Daniel Johnston of late... Really amazing... Ho humm.

Django & The Shee

2010-12-02T16:19:00.000-08:00

I saw Django Reinhardt was playing, so I stopped my conversation.

UM. Just another panel from the comic...

Also The Shee's Hand Ba' Breakdown is amazing!!! Amazing!!! AMAZING!!!

Yes Siree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVfnfVOOZFQ

Digital Tears...

2010-11-28T17:25:00.000-08:00

What do digital tears look like... Another day, another page for le grand Bande Dessin! (or whatever...)

I found "Save me the Waltz" by Zelda Fitzgerald... Tis most assuredly hard going, and it doesn't exactly flow, however I have faith...

More Paint

2010-11-27T19:30:00.000-08:00

More pretty pictures from Paint.

Inspired by Matisse's "The Thousand And One Nights". The middle has a wonderful Joann Sfar feel to it, I think... Um, or not. Anyhoo its in progress at present.

Maybe I will do a whole comic strip on paint...We must show respect to Kevin Costner & PAINT!

PAINT PAINTER PAINTING!

2010-11-24T17:13:00.000-08:00

Do you remember PAINT?

Do you remember a time when it was the only creative tool to make use of during ICT lessons at school?

I painted a pretty picture using paint.

PAINT PAINTER PAINTING!

Childish Voyage... Um

2010-11-22T17:19:00.000-08:00

Just another page in my wee introspective comic... It's a dreamscape by the way... Representing the loss of Naive Childish Creativity in so much of my work... I dont want to over explain or analyse, as I'm attempting to retain what little innocence remains.

La Dee Da et al.

Lost Princessess

2010-10-31T09:32:00.000-07:00

The first of a series of lost and found posters im working on.... The lost princesses, original images taken from the ad campaigns of a large clothing company, whose adverts feature highly sexually charged images of (mostly) young women.

The images themselves are I believe sent in by the women to be used by this company, an interesting advertising gimmick to be sure... certain stories circulate about the head of the companies sexual habits...

The Lost Princessess... A wee bit patronising?

THE MOVE

2010-10-12T07:46:00.000-07:00

My thoughts exactly on moving to Golders Green.

I now have a wee bit more space, guess I've no excuse not to... CREATE!!!

Apart from my crippling insecurities.

UM.

Page 10

2010-10-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

Here's the 10th page, all tinted blue, because its night time not daytime, silly.

I've been listening to a lot of Mott the Hoople over the last few days. Because the do surely rock. And roll, glamorously.