Blue Moon Blog

It started raining last night after dinner and a rousing game of Pounce (the rules at the link are close but not exact to how we play). The girls wanted to go out – so we did! Nothing like running around like goofs in the pouring rain, splashing around in the backyard grass, getting thoroughly soaked. Whether middle-aged, teen or tween, we were all kids last night. Showers & laundry followed. Totally worth it!

We didn’t catch any pics or vid, so I drew up this quick sketch in SketchBook Pro, experimenting with layers, tools and effects. I don’t really know what I’m doing with this program yet.

I spied from the corner of my eye a fly who’d died.

Seemingly balanced on the tip of its head, this fly was kissing the sidewalk. Had it taken a nosedive?

Nope. I moved a nearby figurine to get a better look and the fly lifted off. It was caught in a web.

Passed time to clean the studio!

I was a bit lost for a couple days, the server that supports my direct domain name down. So, no bloggy bloggy, no email, no web site. ARRGGH!

Pollack…or no?

All right, I still had access to the internet so was on Facebook and Google+, my virtual lifeline. But recalled near too late I could use my .mac email account. D’oh! So, I drew a bit on the Cintiq and at the drawing board, finished Doug TenNapel’s Ghostopolis while taking in some sun on the patio, and saw X-Men: First Class at the theater with my daughters. Not a bad day, despite my frustration.

Not being able to compose posts for my blog, though, I was forced to postpone the last two posts on my 14-part series on Alex Toth’s Adventure comic, The Land Unknown. The penultimate post appears on Thursday, the final installment next week!

Seriously, I’m not in a bad mood.

I just went grubby for a few days, so had my daughter snap this pic with a double light source, me in a new shirt, behind me the block glass in our art studio. A change of pace from my cheery Bedbugs author photo, anyway!

The Blue Moon Crew hit the road on April 1 (no joke!) so the Bedbugs and I could visit Westfield Comics in Madison, Wisconsin on April 2 for a reading, cartooning workshop and signing.

I begin each event such as this showing children how I created and evolved the Bedbugs characters, then we explore various ways to draw the main features of the face: eyes; nose; mouth. With these tools, anyone can mix & match on any face shape to show a multitude of expressions and emotions. It was great to see the kids there drawing and creating their own characters.

I read the Night of the Bedbugs book as a slideshow on a TV screen, large enough for everyone in the room to see. What fun to hear  kids laugh at different parts of the story – how gratifying! They also loved the Bedbugs Boogie and Bedbug Lullaby music videos.

After the presentation, I juggled Bedbugs beanbags and juggling pins, chatted with those who purchased books, signing and doing sketches, and mixing it up with old friends who stopped by. Good time!

Thanks to our pals, the Carani family for helping set up the appearance, being fine hosts and taking pics & vid. Everyone at Westfield was great – thanks, to Bob Moreau & Co!

Happy anniversary, Mary, my sweetie! Twenty-two years ago, I was fortunate and blessed such a smart, funny, thoughtful, creative, pretty, nurturing, talented, true blue, frugal, tenacious, honest and caring woman agreed to marry me. You’ve stuck by me, truly, in sickness and health, rich or poor, for better or worse. I love you!

My brothers and friends and I played RISK! all the time as kids. Our family would have marathon games during the holidays that went so long we had to break down the game, mark and keep track of who had what, where, so we could continue another day. All of those we played on a board my Dad bought in the ’60s, the same board I still have, what with the good ol’ wooden squares for armies. (Maybe it’s nostalgia, but I still prefer those simple wooden blocks to the newer versions of the game with soldier pieces.)

My wife has no interest in the game, but my kids are finally old enough to play. Over the last months, my daughter, Emily and I have played four one-on-one games, splitting the wins, two a piece. On a recent trip back to Chicago, she played her first game with more players, taking on me, her cousin, her uncle…and won!

She sure knew what she was doing, too, rolled dice like a monster. At times she seemed to be playing emotionally, trying to take back Australia when I took it over – but she did it. Kicked my butt back out! She had a strategy, played her cards and placed her armies just right as her Pink Horde rolled over us and Ruled the World!

Not that we boys were too happy about it:

Way to go, Emily! Winner and RISK Champeen!

Til next time, girly…

I snapped this as the Winter southern sun sliced through the studio window, casting long shadows across the walls. Most of these stuffed toys and statues will be recognized on first sight, others singular; one-of-a-kind.

Two years ago today I slid sideways on a snowmobile into a tree. I broke at least eleven bones and punctured my lung, had two three-day stints in the hospital, shortly after developed PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) and became sleep deprived. I’m very grateful to be here to type this post, one way I’m celebrating my second Alive Day!

In some ways I’m surprised it’s taking so long to recover, physically, emotionally, psychologically, but on the other hand I’m a little startled when I have a flash of panic or anxiety, as it’s happening less frequently and is certainly less severe. Due to a truly bad night of sleep the night before last, I had my worst day in a long while yesterday, so I know this will take some more time to heal, and fully ween myself off all medications. But I’m getting better and better generally, one day at a time.

I’m so happy to draw, play piano and sing, chat and hang with friends, and spend time with my wife and daughters. I love them more than they know, though I show and tell them often.

Due to this, I can sometimes be more edgy and impatient than I used to be, so try to keep those instances and bad habits to a minimum. At my best, I recall how close I came to losing it all, to them losing me, so keep calm and regain perspective. It shouldn’t take something as severe as this to remind us to appreciate life and love those close to us. But, whatever…we’re all human, and I’ll take it and use it.

‘Cause none of us know when will be our last Alive Day.

The Bedbugs and I hung out with lotsa kids at a premiere Minneapolis book store on Saturday, March 5: Wild Rumpus.

We watched Bedbugs music videos, I juggled Bedbugs beanbags/stuffed toys, we drew together during my cartooning workshop, we sang the Bedbugs Lullaby, and afterward I signed books and sketched. What a great place! It was busy and bustling with parents, kids and animals, and there’s plenty to take in and look at. Make sure you make a visit soon or when next in town.

Professor Fricke conducts the cartooning workshop.

Jugglin’ ‘Bugs!

A view of the crowd and shop from behind the easel.

The Wild Rumpus ceiling, as startling and creative as the rest of the store – a surprise around every corner, wherever one looks!