These are some of my watercolor paintings - titled "Portraits from the Animal Kingdom" - that premiered at this year's
Small Press Expo (SPX). They're mostly based on the various customers who stiffed me at my waitering job.
Long story short: if I get bad feelings about a customer I sketch them quickly, capturing as much as I can of their character. Then, whatever tip they left me - if they left me anything at all - and their attitudes along with my disposition determined if the sketch of them evolved into a greater piece.
This is the first time I've ever done this and found it to be rather cathartic - to say the least. :)
(I have sketches of the two other guys she was with. Basically these were three Italian twenty-somethings who came to New York City to shop, as their assorted shopping bags suggested. They barely spoke any English, which proved problematic. But I guess shopping is a universal language as opposed to tipping.)
(This is only painting not based on an actual person. It's based on a sketch. I liked the design and felt it fit in well with the others.)
(They didn't eat some food and wanted a discount, which is pretty reasonable. I explained to them that it was totally dependent on the managers. And lucky me, the manager on duty only gave them a slight deduction. The couple said they understood and didn't blame me for any of the trouble. I guess the long conversation and jokes time weren't enough. They left me less than a 10% tip and thanked me for everything.
PS. They're hair was actually this funky.
PPS. FYI, that's a man comforting a woman.)
(This lady didn't stiff me but was such a nuisance, along with two of the other three women she was with, that I sketched the three. Though they complained about the apparently sub-standard quality of their lunches and their veritable shopping list general dislikes, they left me a good tip. Unfortunately the good tip didn't wash away the ill feelings.)
I made a few other paintings that weren't printed for various reasons. I'll get those up here, so keep an eye out for them.
© Frank Reynoso, Oct. 2008, All Rights Reserved
With expressive art and playful narratives, Geoff Vasile's autobiographical mini-comic is a funny gem that too many people overlooked at this year's Small Press Expo (SPX). A History of Increasing Humiliation stands as an outstanding example of DIY comics.
(I have sketches of the two other guys she was with. Basically these were three Italian twenty-somethings who came to New York City to shop, as their assorted shopping bags suggested. They barely spoke any English, which proved problematic. But I guess shopping is a universal language as opposed to tipping.)
(This is only painting not based on an actual person. It's based on a sketch. I liked the design and felt it fit in well with the others.)
(They didn't eat some food and wanted a discount, which is pretty reasonable. I explained to them that it was totally dependent on the managers. And lucky me, the manager on duty only gave them a slight deduction. The couple said they understood and didn't blame me for any of the trouble. I guess the long conversation and jokes time weren't enough. They left me less than a 10% tip and thanked me for everything.
(This lady didn't stiff me but was such a nuisance, along with two of the other three women she was with, that I sketched the three. Though they complained about the apparently sub-standard quality of their lunches and their veritable shopping list general dislikes, they left me a good tip. Unfortunately the good tip didn't wash away the ill feelings.)
August (left) and Deep Doodle's Masheka Wood (r).
Michael LaRiccia creator of Black Mane, Death of Black Mane and founder of One Time Press rocks out.
Everything you ever wanted to know about the biggest economic meltown since the Great Depression but were afraid to ask.
Handsome paintings, vintage furniture, cold beer and wine, and the odd taxidermied head. Join Jeff and Rusty for a drink and a peek at recent paintings by both. 7:30pm to 11:00pm.
(Liz Tillotson and I sharing a moment.)
(Check out the spread. Toy octopus courtesy of Nik Moore and Liz Tillotson.)
(The always-in-demand Nik Moore and Liz Tillotson on the frist day of the fest.)
(A couple of tired pups after a weekend of comix fun. Moi and James Spruill.)
(James Spruill and I. Finger-raising excitement.)
(Liz Tillotson chilling while I chat with a MoCCA Fest attendee.)
Here are some of the prints that'll be available at this year's MoCCA Arts and Comic Fest. Reserve your copy at ill.jodienda@gmail.com.
Tis that time again: MoCCA Arts and Comics Fest. It's cool, it's inexpensive, and it's sooooo much fun.
MoCCA isn't exactly the scene for superheroes but I'm so stoked about this painting that I want to show folks anyway. Here it's partially inked.
Preparing for this year's MoCCA Arts and Comics Fest took over my life - at least for this month.
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