Making Christmas

My girlfriend hosted an ornament making party last night. When I saw the black pipe cleaners, my thoughts went immediately to Halloweentown. Above is a very sassy Jack Skellington (maybe this is from when Jack decides to take over the Bravo network).

I followed Jack up with a spider ornament before turning to more traditional Christmas decor with my Skiing snowman.

Here are a few ornaments by the other massively creative party-goers:

"The Snowman Who Doesn't Ski, but Enjoys a Nice Drink at the Lodge" by Jackie, which my snowman was inspired by.

"The Inception" by Angela, featuring an ornament inside an ornament inside an ornament...

"Rudolph The Red-Nosed Clothespin" by Tim.

"The Terrarium" by Kim, with actual soil inside the glass bulb.

"The Containment Zone" by Alanna, containing mutating virus.

And my personal favorite, "The Christmas Tree with Ornaments Christmas Tree Ornament" by Chad.

All in all, it was a very productive party! Maybe we'll have a gingerbread house making party next...

1 day...

Over Hill and Under Hill

Some goblin drawings in anticipation for the Hobbit.

Goblins don't take well to authority...

...or personal hygiene.

2 days...

Fantasy Football XV: Chargers vs Steelers

"Macs...why'd it have to be Macs?"

4 days...

What Really, Actually Happened to the Dinosaurs

As a response to yesterday's post, I thought I'd post Douglas Henderson's version of what really happened to the Dinosaurs. What I love about Doug's work is, just when you think you've seen every interpretation of prehistoric life, he comes up with an entirely new perspective.

I don't think I've ever seen a depiction of the asteroid's approach that is so eerie and ominous. I love the idea that dinosaurs, like any animal spooked by a coming storm, would have started acting erratically. This is the inciting incident of Act I.

In story, we're always looking for contrast as a way to show escalating drama, which is why I love the difference between the calm, cool-colored approach of the asteroid and this cold, black, existential over-the-moon's-shoulder shot of the asteroid entering atmosphere. This is the escalating action of Act II.

And, in what would only have lasted a fraction of a second, the brilliant, near black-and-white sizzle of the K-T event in progress. This is the crisis moment at the end of Act II.

The final impact puts even Mt Doom to shame.

This is the dramatic climax of Act III.

And finally, our story's resolution. A tragedy from the dinosaur's perspective, a comedy from the asteroid's. 

More of Doug's amazing paleoart can be found here.

8 days...

What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs?

Way back in 2009, when folks were looking forward to a new Star Trek movie and Barrack Obama had recently been elected President--things were much different back then--my friend Mike Sundy and I collaborated on a children's book called "What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs." 

The book was about a paleontologist and his son theorizing about where all the dinosaurs had gone; whether they had left in a massive exodus aboard an alien spaceship, or been obliterated by a Cooties epidemic.

Sadly, the book was never produced, but Mike and I had a blast collaborating, and I think we contributed some very valuable ideas to the scientific community.

10 days...

Fantasy Football XIV: Jaguars vs Bills

"For relaxing times, make it Buffalo time."

Huge thanks to whoever put my Fantasy Football series on Reddit. There has been a lot of positive feedback, and I'll definitely be compiling the sketches into a book at the end of the season. Stay tuned, sports fans!

11 days...

Mrs. America and Frau Redskull

My buddy Everett does a Daughter Drawing of the Day where his daughter tells him exactly what she wants drawn. Like Captain America...and his family...in swimsuits.

I love the idea of a Rosie the Riveter-type Mrs. America.

...but as Sir Isaac Newton says, to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. So here is Mrs America's equal and opposite: Frau Redskull.

I can't wait to draw her squad of assassin cheerleaders, the Ditzkrieg.

14 days...

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Shirtmas!

That's right, it's everygnome's favorite time of year! A time when any passerby on the King's Road will gladly give you the shirt off his back, or at least off his Amazon account. Shirtmas is a holiday my gaming group, The Dandies, created because DVDs and White Elephants are for suckas (I mean, at least buy your friend a White Mammoth)! It's an annual T-Shirt exchange where the challenge is to give your assigned friend the t-shirt most specifically tailored to their nerd taste. Here's a form for any of you who wish to become Secret San-T Clauses to your gaming group!

 

15 days...

Snowetry II

Oh the weather outside's delightful,
80° Christmas makes me spiteful,
Where'd the Winter weather go?
Why no snow? Why no snow? Why no snow?

Other hits from "It's a Very Climate-Change Christmas!"
Rocky the Snowman
Here Come Sandy's Floods
It's Beginning to Look Like Something That Vaguely Resembles Christmas
Walking in a Perennial Summer Wonderland
I'm Dreaming of a Beige Christmas

17 days...

Chades Challenge LXXIII: Thanksgiving-Themed Superheroes

Behold, TURDUCKEN! The terrific trifecta of tyranny-toppling troops.

Duck is the only hero of the group with the power of flight, but it's okay; with Chicken tucked in Duck's cavity, and Duck stuffed unsanctimoniously in Turkey's, they manage to fly around as one epic entree of justice!

If you have any Turkey Day supers of your own, let me know and I'll post them below. Otherwise, you can join in December 7th for...

Chades Challenge LXXIV:

Shiny Sleds

21 days...