Now the Fun Stuff

Hey there sports fans, Al here with the latest-

"TOTAL DESTRUCTION" DAY 3/4  16"X20" scratchboard
2013 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

"THE AQUANAUT" TRANSFER

THE ONE MAN SHOW:
Within this next week I have to start getting the framing done for the art pieces for the Slingshot Lounge.  I was approached by Joey Maas whom is the curator at the Sling.  He had asked me how the work was coming along which I had told him that there was three images left to go.
But Mid-October is the month of the show.  I will have and exact date by mid September.

O.M.S. 2013 UPDATE:

Currently I have managed to get two out of three transfers completed and ready to etched "TOTAL DESTRUCTION" and "THE AQUANAUT".  Both are 16"x20" images.  And both are looking good so far.  One more to go and we'll see.  I should have these both done within the next two weeks.

Corpse Cop "Inhuman Torch"
thumbnail page 1

Corpse Cop March  copyright 2013 Alan Bennett and
BBVA

CORPSE COP NEWS:
Corpse Cop "Arctic Wolf" has been finished and  handed over  to my friend Paula Akin for proof reading and editing.  This would be the second project that she and I have worked on before the other deals with small film production of the Velvet Coffin.  

Of course there is a big difference between a small film and a comic book but she is enthusiastic about the art and the project.  Thank you for coming on board Paula.

AND ON THAT FRONT :

There is another story I have mentioned that Corpse Cop is involved in but I may have to rewrite and re draw it for it to work.  That story is the "Inhuman Torch".  Watch for it - wait for it.  "Cause it's gonna happen.

COMMISSIONS:

I am currently waiting to hear back from Sean of the Re-Scrubs to see if he like the design that I came up with so I am in a holding pattern currently.

COMMISSION UPDATE:

I did hear back from Shawn of the Re-Scrubs that he and he music partner liked what they saw for the first image, I still have two more to make and send them.  I am hoping to have those completed very soon- like today. 

I should mention that I do commissions. It usually depends size, complexity of the piece, varnished and framed.  I.E. Gilrandree Commission 11"x14" varnished, one subject, no frame- $175.00  Usually half down and half on completion of project.  Easiest way for payments is through Paypal  using my email address blackboxcomix@yahoo.com.

If you are curious about it please email me at blackboxcomix@yahoo.com

ALAN'S SOAP BOX THIS WEEK:

There was a time ( a dangerous time) when I would,  in the past, start to write several outlines for one character and get caught in a creative sinkhole that had no way out.  Again it's that addiction to creativity that you experience a continuous high you just keep  impressing yourself with your ingenuity of how these characters will interact with one another and further a story in your head.  No one knows the whole story except you. Word to the wise- always stay focused on what you can do and do it well.  One character,  one story, one villian.

ON TOP OF THAT..

THE WATERY ADVENTURE OF RICHARD PARKER:

In talking to one my old buddies over some beer at a local watering hole, began talking about the old Johnny Vega comic and the other characters I had created over the years.  Dax and I had come up with over the years some pretty funny and very irreverent characters and story line ideas.  Just to people out a little saying "Knock it off with your political correctness".

In this, another character was created and using the Steampunk motif to help it along, Johan Veganado was born.
A man's man and world wide explorer.
And with that and deep sea exploration Richard Parker joined the crew.  Absolutely hilarious and fun.  So be watching for something with him in it.

ODDITIES:

Actual film work being done for webcast show called the Velvet Coffin.  Initally I had been brought into the production as story board artist but as continued my association with production I began to wear many different hats.- as story boardist, screenwriter, producer,  props, assassiant director, assassiant camra man and a zombie extra, second unit camera man, assistant director, producer guy.

More of this info can be found at  www.thevelvetcoffin.co.

Also this note worthy extra 

OTHER NOTE WORTHY THINGS :

If your wanting to look at some of the older blog for Black Box Comix you can check them out here. Black Box Comix Blog.

There is also Twitter https://twitter.com/blackbox13 to follow and Tumbler The Other Scratchpad

blackbox13.tumblr.com/   as well 

Or if you're interested in purchasing something that catches your eye  check out here on the Big Cartel web site.  Big Cartel.

And of course is always the backlog of comics here at Indyplanet.

And the kid is out of here! 

And then Suddenly...

Hey there sports fans, Al here with the latest-

The Tower of Drying Boxes for One Man Show

"Total Destruction!" soon to be a
16"x20" scratchboard.  2013
copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

THE ONE MAN SHOW:
Well like the title implies then suddenly.  I realized in the course of me doing an impromptu art show out on the porch during my birthday I suddenly realized that I didn't have enough pieces of artwork for the one man show.  Now you would ask "How could you have miscounted?"
The answer to that is easy, I was excited just to have a one man show. 
So with that there are three new pieces that need to be made.

ONCE THIS WAS FIGURED OUT then I had a task ahead of me, what I could I do to whip out three new pieces?  All of them are 16"x20" as well.  Then I realized that some of the smaller 8"x8" pieces that I had and even a  5"X7" would make prime candidates for enlargement!

"The Aquanaut" soon to be a 16"x20" scratchboard
based upon the "Into the Future" image of
Johnny Vega.  2013 copyright Alan Bennett and
BBVA

OF THESE new larger images I choose the following.  "Total Destruction" featuring DestructO!.  "The Aquanaut".  This is a reworking of the 8"x8" "Into the Future" this features a character called Johan Veganado.  You might see some similarity to this character and some other I had worked on in the past but this piece also is being influenced by some steampunk works as well.  

The last of these truely awesome pieces of work will be another Richard Parker. This time he and a large octopus locked in mortal combat before Parker's meets his fateful end at the hands of his treacherous crew.  

Varnishing and curing are truely my enemies.  But I think I have found a way to expedite several pieces all at one time.  And this comes with the working knowledge of duct tape, cardboard, plastic garbage bag and a garage. 

And another thing is the  marketing thing to do and the scans of the work.  As I have said before Mister Daniel DePaolo (see here for details-http://danieldepaolo.blogspot.com/) has a great fine scanner that has been brought up for doing large scans of the work in the past.
I think that this show will really give me the chance I need to step in the lime light.

Cover for Corpse Cop "Arctic Wolf"
2013 copyright Alan Bennett and
Black Box Comix

CORPSE COP NEWS:
By this time the whole of Corpse Cop "Arctic Wolf" will be done.  The over all book will ne handed off to my friend Paula Akin to begin editing.  Now there is a great possibility the I might be able to unveil this latest work at Rose City Show this year. For me that would be really awesome. Here is the cover for the book.  I wish it were longer for the story but I had only so much that I was able to get done before any new shows came around.  Printing ain't cheap!

AND ON THAT FRONT :

There is a partiality completed Corpse Cop story entitled "Inhuman Torch".  I think the title says it all.  The format of this book will much different than your traditional kind of comics but still a fun book to layout and look at.

I had already set up a couple of stories that have a basic outline that have been mentioned already in which Corpse Cop is involved.  I plan to follow that outline and see what happens.  

COMMISSIONS:

"Wash the Throne" 2013 copyright
the Re-Scrubs prototype 1

Well the Re-Scrubs piece is coming along but it has been hard to work on as there are so many layers that I hadn't really planed on, title design, logo and the actually piece but the end result I think will be rockin'!  There will be more to come in following weeks.

No ALAN'S SOAP BOX THIS WEEK.

ON TOP OF THAT..

THE WATERY ADVENTURE OF RICHARD PARKER:

One more bit of scripting of Richard Parker's demise and apparent watery resurrection into the story.  It reads like a old Twilight Zone episode. And currently I have this one on the run as we learn how Richard Parker met his demise and the introduction of Rose, his watery companion.  

It's been fun writing this.

W.A.O.R.P introduction of Rose is complete and now to start laying out the horror book for another show down the road.  It'll follow suit just behind the Arctic Wolf Corpse Cop story.  Just means I'll have to buy a sheet-ton of white markers and black bristol paper and hopefully with a smooth surface rather than a vellum surface.  I'm trashing a lot of my markers really fast because of this.

ODDITIES:

Actual film work being done- as a zombie.

More of this info can be found at  www.thevelvetcoffin.co.

OTHER NOTE WORTHY THINGS :

If your wanting to look at some of the older blog for Black Box Comix you can check them out here. Black Box Comix Blog.

There is also Twitter https://twitter.com/blackbox13 to follow and Tumbler The Other Scratchpad

blackbox13.tumblr.com/   as well 

Or if you're interested in purchasing something that catches your eye  check out here on the Big Cartel web site.  Big Cartel.

And of course is always the backlog of comics here at Indyplanet.

And the kid is out of here!

On the Horizon

Hey there sports fans, Al here with the latest-

THE ONE MAN SHOW-

All the creative part is done and now comes the hard part finishing and framing.  The biggest issue that I have is varnishing the work right now.  Since as a lone artist making his way in the world i don't have access to nice large temperature controlled studios to do mass work.  So mother of invention that is my brain, I have to opt for the garage to finish the work.  My biggest foe right now is time and weather.  Time for the amount left to get this bad boy off the ground and weather for how fast the work will dry and cure.  The outside is prefect when it is hot outside but with the weather changing outside I've got to get these big pieces going.

AND OF COURSE there is marketing thing to do and the scans of the work.  Now Mister Daniel DePaolo (see here for details) has a great fine scanner that has been brought up for doing large scans of the work in the past.

Like so many other times I have helped out people like Adam of Darkslinger with some of his projects Dan has stepped up and helped with mine.  Thank you Dan!

I think that this show will really give me the chance I need to step in the lime light.

CORPSE COP NEWS:

Ever have have one of those kind of characters that you thought was a throw away or just a one book character?  Y'know, kinda like one hit wonder?

Well I guess that is not true for the character of Corpse Cop.  It seems funny to me that he just keeps turning bak up and up.  And it gets better as I have been asked if someone can use him in their books.  I said hell yeah.  

Like I said this character has an appeal that was totally underestimated by his creator.  

AND ON THE FRONT the story for "Arctic Wolf" is nearing completion.  And I have asked another one my friends Paula Akin to help edit the book for me when totally completed.  Much to my joy she was visibly thrilled with the idea. So it may look like Corpse Cop may have another book coming out AND another one shortly there after.  Sure we have seen how zombies are taken out hand to hand, gun to head other ect. but I keep looking for a walking corpse take out another and that has been a little bit of challenge but fun and I think that there may be another one coming out after words. So keep watching.

COMMISSIONS:

Well the Re-Scrubs piece is coming along but it has been hard to work on as there are so many layers that I hadn't really planed on, title design, logo and the actually piece but the end result I think will be rockin'!  There will be more to come in following weeks.

No ALAN'S SOAP BOX THIS WEEK.

ON TOP OF THAT..

THE WATERY ADVENTURE OF RICHARD PARKER:

One more bit of scripting of Richard Parker's demise and apparent watery resurrection into the story.  It reads like a old Twilight Zone episode. And currently I have this one on the run as we learn how Richard Parker met his demise and the introduction of Rose, his watery companion.  
It's been fun writing this.


ODDITIES:
Actual film work being done- as a zombie.

Just lookin' for a bite!

More of this info can be found at  www.thevelvetcoffin.co.




OTHER NOTE WORTHY THINGS :
If your wanting to look at some of the older blog for Black Box Comix you can check them out here. Black Box Comix Blog.
There is also Twitter https://twitter.com/blackbox13 to follow and Tumbler The Other Scratchpad
blackbox13.tumblr.com/   as well 
Or if you're interested in purchasing something that catches your eye  check out here on the Big Cartel web site.  Big Cartel.
And of course is always the backlog of comics here at Indyplanet.

And the kid is out of here!

Closing in on Target

Hey there sports fans, Al here with the latest:

"Juice Box" detail 2013 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

As this kid's birthday gets closer and closer the faster the art pieces are getting to being completely finished.  Thats a HUGE SIGH of relief.  Whew!
Currently the "Juice Box" piece (which is the largest and the most detailed as well as being the last) is nearing completion.  That's a wonderful feeling.  Of course now comes the hard part of the marketing, framing and some of the other merchandising that goes with a show.
BUT AS ONE PROJECT comes to an end another one waits right around the corner.  

THE ONE MAN SHOW :

Firstly there is the 88 STRONG show that is taking place at the end of this September.
As of this last monday I was contacted via email that Chris Haberman and Jason Brown (both of the People's Art of Portland Gallery) were getting another group of artist doing 8"x8" images and their theme based upon 88 different word terms.  Hence the 88 Strong title.
In years past I had the fortune to be part of such a show and had the chance to play up my painterly skills.  But now comes the question- could I feasibly do a show , in acrylic paint and have it done by September and have a comic ready as well for the Rose City Show?
The answer is no.  As much as I would like to be part of a show like that I just don't have the time.

In addition to this, another group show popped up.  As I was working at one of my local hangout and working between commissions another gallery group representative  approached me for hanging up work also in September.  This gallery called the ARFU gallery.  Not much  is really known about these guys but I will keep my eyes open ask my fellow artists if they have any feeling about this place. 

But again just no time.

Corpse Cop "Arctic Wolf" page 5
White Marker on Black Bristol
2013 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

CORPSE COP NEWS:

As the marker drawings have been coming fast and furious another book looks like it is beginning to take shape and this is a good thing because I can't be living off the old stuff forever.  I have seen what happens when a independent doesn't have a new book of any kind to show and their credibility as a creative force in comics looses it's potence.
I have seen a lot of talented guys just skating buy on their work of the past while lesser talented artist drive on by and actually achieve the success that the more talented creators should have had.   This is why I have to work as hard as I can to get things done the way that I see that see that they should.

This means even turning out a mini.  An I know it's been a while since I have done that.  And it also looks good up on my wall as kind of plaque that says "I made this."

ALAN'S SOAP BOX:

This kinda goes along with a talk that I had with my old friend about  entitlement. What is meant by that is as any creative force it isn't just enough to have the talent or the drive to finish what you have or even the belief to be compensated for all your hard work but the belief in yourself that you are deserving of success. I mean Everything. 

You look at any pro out there and you'll see a confidence radiating in the work, in the attitude of the creator  and a pride that most artists just cower to when faced with true real success.  We all have the tendency to belittle ourselves and doing so, self sabotage our ability to be more than we are.   

When you hear that common phrase "I'm just the artist" thats the self sabotage I'm talking about because reinforces the idea that we are no better than where we are.  That's a lot of bull!

I know that sounds a little preachy but I believe this to be true.  When I look at the new images  that I have been making over this last year, it just looks better and more thought out than I have ever done before.

So here is to the success that I am rightly due.

COMMISSIONS:

Design for the RE-SCRUBS

BIGFOOT & THE RE-SCRUBS

CD images are being compiled to send off marker sketches to the group, the Re-Scrubs.  Of course working a toilet into an image that is interesting has been a bit of a challenge for the kid but that's part of the process I don't mind.  I'm getting paid for my artistic ability.

Soon after that I should be getting Bigfoot ready as well.

ON TOP OF THAT..

THE WATERY ADVENTURE OF RICHARD PARKER:

One more bit of scripting of Richard Parker's demise and apparent watery resurrection into the story.  It reads like a old Twilight Zone episode. 

It's been fun writing this.

ODDITIES:

Actual film work being done- as a zombie. Amongst other things that I do during production.

More of this info can be found at  www.thevelvetcoffin.co.

OTHER NOTE WORTHY THINGS :

If your wanting to look at some of the older blog for Black Box Comix you can check them out here. Black Box Comix Blog.

There is also Twitter https://twitter.com/blackbox13 to follow and Tumbler The Other Scratchpad

blackbox13.tumblr.com/   as well 

Or if you're interested in purchasing something that catches your eye  check out here on the Big Cartel web site.  Big Cartel.

And of course is always the backlog of comics here at Indyplanet.

And the kid is out of here!

Working forward for Success

Hey there sports fans, Al here with the latest:

THE ONE MAN SHOW:

A large version of MAJOR TOM is being worked on.   Hopefully by this posting I will have started the last of the large images for the one man show.  

MAJOR TOM UPDATE:  He is finished and now it is on to "JUCIE BOX".

"Juice Box" Day 1 18"x24" Scratchboard
2013 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

A moderately offensive title for a slightly scandalous image.  But considering where it came from (meaning inspirational place of origin like a dream I had over a year ago) I like it a lot.  And when I explained to George Leon's (my partner in crime) wife Damian that there was a much larger version of "Brain Cage in the works she got very excited.

The other few things about Juice Box is the size of the piece- 18"x24".  I have never attempted to work on something that size ever before but that' part of the challenge of doing it.  The other is the art techniques that I have incorporated into the piece.  It will cool to see how these all work into the piece.  

 But now things are moving in several different directions updates on Big Cartel, post cards and where to be made, the buttons, prints and scans of the work, varnishing, framing and the promotion of the show.  And above all else the cost of putting it together.  I know what needs to be done it's getting the raw cash to get completed.

But there are ways of doing this.  Just keep your fingers crossed.  

Corpse Cop "Arctic Wolf" page 1
2013 copyright Alan Bennett

CORPSE COP NEWS:
The question had been brought up by Jason Pott- will there be another Corpse Cop book for Rose City Show this year?
YES.
Will it be a new one?
Maybe....

With the advent of the One Man Show proposal after the Stumptown Comic Show earilier this year, I am not sure.
But the original clash of the undead will be up for sale however.

I have started working on a marker version of the "Arctic Wolf" storyline rather than putting out as a scratchboard piece.  Not to worry though, all the Corpse Cop stories will be scratchboard pieces  eventually.  And collected into one volume. 

I think that would be an great collection to have.

COMMISSIONS:

BIGFOOT & THE RE-SCRUBS
This is such a Northwest kinda thing that eventually I would do it and since one of my friends kids are into well I think it would be fitting to make one. I have never worked on local legends before (at least not seriously.  Take Bigfoot VS Yeti for example.) 

"Rose's Embrace" 5"x7" clayboard
2013 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

The Re-Scrubs are a small local two man band that had hit me up for a CD cover for a pressing of their work I am working out the details of this but it could be fun as well.

ON TOP OF THAT..

THE WATERY ADVENTURE OF RICHARD PARKER;

In my time of working on the images for Richard Parker like any  good researcher you always find things that way more interesting than the story that you are currently working on.  And this character has such a interesting background I had to dig around to find some really eye opening bits.

There maybe a series of images that are based around this character and fathomious adventures beneath the sea dealing with the ever elusive Giant Squid.   

ODDITIES:

Actual film work being done- as a zombie.

More of this info can be found at  www.thevelvetcoffin.co. 

OTHER NOTE WORTHY THINGS :

If your wanting to look at some of the older blog for Black Box Comix you can check them out here. Black Box Comix Blog.

There is also Twitter https://twitter.com/blackbox13 to follow and Tumbler The Other Scratchpad

blackbox13.tumblr.com/   as well 

Or if you're interested in purchasing something that catches your eye  check out here on the Big Cartel web site.  Big Cartel.

And of course is always the backlog of comics here at Indyplanet.

And last but not least the addition of instagram  @ alanjohnbennett.

And the kid is out of here!