Happy St. Patty's Day!


To all you artists who follow this blog,
Heed well my warning while sippin' yer grog!
To avoid a good pinch,
You should cover each inch,
With clothes green as the moss on a log!

According to last week's blog poll, you folks agree (or a majority of you, anyway) that The Green Dragon is the best St. Patrick's Day drinking song. So here it is for your viewing enjoyment!

And just so my fellow Scots don't feel left out on this uber-Irish holiday, Slainte mhor agus a h-uile beannachd duibh, cousins!

31 days...

Breath of Embers
I've been invited to contribute to Gallery Nucleus's next show: "Breath of Embers." The theme is dragons and as you've probably gathered from my other blog, I'm a bit of a gaming nerd, so this is right up my alley.

Justin Gerard's take on Smaug from The Hobbit

The Super Big Micro Show will be up at Nucleus till January 4th, so you've got a few days before Micro Rex and his pals go completely extinct. If you're up in the Bay Area, and can't get to the Micro Show, you have till February 11th to see Micro Rex in his full animated glory at the Oakland Airport "Pencil to Pixel" Pixar exhibit. My friend Kristen sent me this pic she snapped flying back in for Christmas.

So did you guys have a good Christmas? Any uniquely awesome presents? Thanks for everyone who voted on the Christmas polls. The official winners are:

Best popular Christmas carol:
"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch"

Best traditional Christmas carol:
"O Holy Night"

True Meaning of Christmas:
The Birth of Christ

Best "12 Days of Christmas" gift:
Five Gooooooold Riiiiiiiiiiiings!

19 days...

CHADES CHALLENGE XXI: SWEATY ROBOTS

My entries for this week's Character Design (or Chades) Challenge, which was to draw perspiring automatons:

"You sure you should be in here, Lew?"

Help Waldroid find and destroy Waldo once and for all!

I thought it'd be fun to see one of Ashley Wood's creations hunt down Waldo, I know I used to sweat as a kid whenever I was hunched over one of those damned puzzles. If you designed any sweaty robots, let me know so I can post your design. Next week's drawing challenge is an entirely new game:

CHOOSE YOUR OWN (DRAWING) ADVENTURE

The challenge is based on the votes of this week's polls: "Once there was a...", "Who...", and "So they could...". This week, there was a tie between: "Once there was a baby-stealing goblin who chased rabbits the size of asteroids so they could shoot an award-winning documentary," and, "Once there was a baby-stealing goblin who sailed the seven seas so they could shoot an award-winning documentary." So feel free to illustrate either (or both) stories.

Since this is a tall order to fill, I'll give you guys a couple weeks to work on it. Post your documentary-shooting, rabbit-chasing/sea-sailing, baby-stealing goblins by Friday, August 28. Sketch greatly!

I also thought it'd be fun to include a little interview with each of the drawing challenges, to offer insight into each artist's work method. The first conversation is with an old pal of mine from school: Laika storyman, fellow CalArts alumnus, and all-around highflyer, Vi-Dieu Nguyen.

Interview with a Genius I: Vi-Dieu Nguyen


me: hey-o
Vi-Dieu: yo
me: mind if I interview you?
Vi-Dieu: do it
me: I'm going to post an interview on each Chades Challenge
Vi-Dieu: ok
me: starting with you mon frere
Vi-Dieu: great
I'll try to be controversial
me: awesome
How do you balance cartooniness and realism in your work?
Vi-Dieu: I try get a certain "feeling" with my drawings. so if it feels too much like hanna barbera then I'll try to add more classical influences
me: nice
What is your favorite thing about drawing?
Vi-Dieu: getting lost in it. flo
ever heard of that term? flo?
me: nope
Vi-Dieu: it's when you get in that groove
me: that's what I figured
Vi-Dieu: like being addicted to the act of creating
me: Do you think about style or how other artists might approach this subject as you design?
Vi-Dieu: both. other artists do certain things so well, but again, I have to be "me," so ... actually, if I think of other artists, I like to use the lesser known ones to reintroduce the old to modern times
or 'hidden artists'
me: I'll let you keep your resources a secret
Vi-Dieu: haha
no, you don't have to. I advertise them all the time
me: How much does composition play into a gag? Do you rework drawings for better clarity or workout the thumbnail first?
Vi-Dieu: sometimes. sometimes the first drawing comes out nicest. but if I want to convey something clearly, then yeah, I'll rework it. but sometimes it's just about having fun
me: How do you decide when a drawing is finished?
Vi-Dieu: when I can't figure out what else to do with it, it's finished. or if I get tired of it
me: haha sounds like my approach
Vi-Dieu: yep
me: okay, last question
What makes a good drawing?
Vi-Dieu: I want to say something really generic, but for me, a drawing can be wonky and stiff and still be a good drawing...I love prints...so a drawing that has something interesting about it. if a drawing is interesting to me, I think it's a good drawing..like if it fits with things I find interesting at the time
me: I'll make sure to do more drawings of cosmonauts.
Vi-Dieu: haha
me: Thanks man, good answers!
Vi-Dieu: well, for example I'm getting into audobon. if you look him up, you'll "ah, of course Vi would like that"
your welcome
that was fun
I will return the favor someday
me: I'll make sure to be crass.

INDIANA JONES
and the Magic Kingdom of the Three-foot Mouse

I've got to say, I'm pretty surprised at the results of last week's poll, What is Your Favorite Disneyland Attraction? I really thought Pirates was going to win by a landslide, but Indiana Jones crushed it like some sort of colossal, rolling object. I love both rides, Indiana Jones has a cooler line, but Pirates has that true Disney magic. Of course, my favorite Disneyland attraction always has been and always will be Star Tours. The technology is dated, and the poorly synchronized hydraulics never fail to bring on a head-ache, but I always feel transported into the Star Wars universe, and I still find myself ducking my head in the ice asteroid. Thanks for the votes. Make sure to chime in on this week's poll. Most of my polls are to determine what the best of the best of any given category is, time to turn it around and dig through the bottom of the barrel, starting with: What is the worst song of all time?

In my search for the worst songs of all-time, I ran across this list of the worst country songs ever recorded. Remember, these are actual songs. Enjoy!

1. Get Your Biscuits In The Oven And Your Buns In Bed
2. Get Your Tongue Otta My Mouth 'Cause I'm Kissing You Goodbye
3. Her Teeth Was Stained, But Her Heart Was Pure
4. How Can I Miss You If You Won't Go Away?
5. I Can't Get Over You, So Why Don't You Get Under Me
6. I Don't Know Whether To Kill Myself Or Go Bowling
7. I Got In At 2 With a 10, And Woke Up At 10 With a 2.
8. I Hate Every Bone In Your Body Except For Mine
9. I Just Bought A Car From A Guy That Stole My Girl, But The Car
Don't Run, So I figure We Got An Even Deal
10. I Keep Forgettin' I Forgot About You
11. I Liked You Better Before I Knew You So Well
12. I Still Miss You Baby, But My Aim's Gettin' Better
13. I Wouldn't Take Her To A Dog Fight, Cause I'm Afraid She'd Win
14. I'll Marry You Tomorrow But Let's Honeymoon Tonight
15. I'm So miserable Without You, It's Like Having You Here
16. I've Got Tears in My Ears From Lying On My Back While I Cry Over
you
17. If I Can't Be Number One In Your Life, Then Number Two On You
18. If I Had Shot You When I Wanted To, I'd Be Out By Now
19. Mama Get A Hammer (There's A Fly On Papa's Head)
20. My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink, And I Love Rovers
21. My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend, and I Sure Do Miss Him
22. Please Bypass this Heart
23. She Got The Ring and I Got The Finger
24. You're the Reason Our Kids Are So Ugly

CHADES CHALLENGE XIX: Nervous Mechas

It's been a long time, but the Chades Challenge is back, with an assignment as challenging as ever. How does one depict a paranoid suit of over-sized mechanical armor? That's up to you brilliant folks to figure out. Since I'm posting late in the week, I'll give you guys till next Friday (March 20) to post your mechas. Sketch greatly!

In other AustinTranslation news, the rivalry poll is over. I was surprised to find how few of the matches were even close. Apparently, the best rivalries are Alien vs. Aliens (20-17, winner: Alien), Scorpion vs. Sub-Zero (18-15, winner: Scorpion), Marianne vs. Ginger (19-16, winner: Marianne), and Kirk vs. Picard (18-14, winner: Picard). Conversely, the hugest shut-out was paper vs. plastic (34-5, paper). I guess we've got a lot of rainforest haters out there (kidding, folks). As for the other rivalries:

Cats or Dogs? Dogs
Coke or Pepsi? Coke
Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
Calvin and Hobbes or Far Side? Calvin and Hobbes
Yeti or Sasquatch? Yeti
Beatles or Stones? Beatles
Marvel or DC? Marvel
Mac or PC? Mac
Flight or Invisibility? Flight
Fortune or Glory? Glory
Montegues or Capulets? Montegues
Democrat or Republican? Democrat
Tyrannosaurus or Velociraptor? Velociraptor
Original Star Wars trilogy or Prequels? Original (And I think we can all agree that Han shot first)

Thanks to everyone who submitted their votes. Having just returned from a heavily Disney-laden vacation, I'm curious which of the Disneyland attractions is truly the most popular. Make sure to have your voice heard once again in this week's poll: What is your favorite Disneyland attraction?

Congrats to Andrew on his win! Now let's see how you guys did. Three out of seven? Not bad, you guys, almost half! I think you deserve a special clip for your efforts.

Best Picture
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Director
Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)

Best Original Screenplay
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Pete Docter (WALL-E)

Best Adapted Screenplay
Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire)

Best Actress
Meryl Streep (Doubt)

Best Actor
Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

Best Score
Thomas Newman (WALL-E)

81st Annual Academy Awards

The polls have closed on your Oscar picks, and you guys have predicted some major wins for Slumdog Millionaire (as if winning a million dollars wasn't enough, sheesh!). Here are your choices; I hope you're right, because I'm putting a lot of money on these predictions.

Best Picture
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Director
Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)

Best Original Screenplay
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Pete Docter (WALL-E)

Best Adapted Screenplay
Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire)

Best Actress
Meryl Streep (Doubt)

Best Actor
Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

Best Score
Thomas Newman (WALL-E)

"Hot as a pistol!"

We finally have an answer to that age-old question of "Why did the chicken cross the road?" That answer is (drum roll, please)....42! Haha, count on the readers of the AustinTranslation to vote that one in. I'm guessing we have some Douglas Adams fans out there. There's one Adams quote that I can personally relate to, "I love deadlines, I like the whooshing sound they make when they fly by."

Thanks for your votes on this week's Oscar polls. Be sure to vote on all seven Oscar categories, if you please. Everyone knows that behind every Oscar-nominated film is a good story, but the video below proves that the movie theater isn't the only place to find an amazing drama. Some of the most inspiring tales come from the faith, courage, and down-right blessings in the world around us. Enjoy!

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To get to the other side? A likely story. Vote on this month's poll so we can finally get to the bottom of this mystery!

The people have spoken! From the very limited selection of 'best pets ever' you guys have chosen Tyrannosaurus Rex. A wise decision. Don't get me wrong, ewoks are great, but I know who I'd rather have protecting my yard from burglars.

In other AustinTranslation news, Chades Challenge XIX is cough-up. As in, the substance that comes up when you cough. This is the first Chades Challenge that doesn't follow the adjective/noun guidelines, but it should make an interesting challenge. Reminder, this is a character design challenge. Cough-up as a sympathetic character...is it possible? As one Alaskan governor I know always says, "You betcha!"

Gandalf wins by a nose...a long, crooked wizard nose!

Thanks for your votes, readers. You've elected Gandalf the Grey as President of the...wait a second, that's not Gandalf, it's...RON PAUL??

Make sure to vote in this week's poll: What would make the greatest pet?

Fictional Presidential Campaign, Part II

Looks like Gandalf is ahead of Xavier in the polls. But the X-Men aren't about to give up that easy. Xavier's campaign has its first attack add ready, and it brings some interesting points to light!

Who is Gandalf the White? Two films ago, he was promoting the Grey agenda, why the sudden switch? And why does he want to sneak WMDs back into enemy territory?



Gandalf holds council with Saruman of Many Colours: a known terrorist, anti-environmentalist, and leader of orcs. Can we trust him with our forests?



When he isn't paling around with terrorists, Gandalf smokes pipeweed with halfling thieves. Irresponsible; not ready to lead.



Gandalf is confused and out of touch. He doesn't know what the internet is, and couldn't even find his way through the mines of Moria.



Gandalf the White: not ready to lead.

"I am Charles Xavier, and I approve this message."

Fictional Presidential Campaign, Part I

Tied at a measly five votes each, Gandalf and Professor X are the top contenders for fictional President of the United States. Personally, I'd vote for Santa Claus--the guy can traverse the entire planet in just one night and knows where all the naughty people live. Bin Laden: check!

But the people have spoken and these our your candidates! Will it be the telepathic genius whose platform is tolerance and education, or the powerful wizard known to work across the aisles to unite many races against a common foe? Get back to that poll and make your fictional voice heard!

While I'm on the topic, a belated condemocratulations to President-elect Obama! Whether you support his policies or not, it's exciting to live in a nation where opportunity is truly available for all. It's also pretty fantastic experiencing in one of those positive-feeling "Where were you when...?" moments I've heard about all my life. God bless America!

ROCK'N' POLL CHAMPIONSHIP

It's been seven weeks since the genesis of the Rock'n'Poll tournament. Songs from twenty rock genres have contended, and at last the finalists have emerged from the smoke and wreckage of rock-combat. Which song will become the champion? Which tune will rock the choruses off of the other contenders? Which ballad is truly worthy to be deemed Greatest Rock'n'Roll Song of All Time? As Captain Planet once said, "The power is yours!" Now rock that flippin' vote.


In other news, the new Chades Challenge is NIGHTMARISH CONSTRUCTION WORKERS. Sketch greatly!

Sorry, I missed this week of Chades posting. Mean Orcs this Friday I promise. Check out the work from the two contenders who were up to the challenge.
Flaviano
Cody Malick

Also, make sure to vote on this week's Rock'n'Poll survey. Next week is the final three genres before THE CHAMPIONSHIP, when the the greatest rock'n'roll song of all time shall finally be revealed. So far the finalists are:

Hound Dog (Elvis Presley)
Paint it Black (Rolling Stones)
Welcome to the Jungle (Guns N' Roses)
Back in Black (AC/DC)
Run to the Hills (Iron Maiden)
Queen-Bohemian Rhapsody
Breakin' the Law (Judas Priest)
Like a Rolling Stone (Bob Dylan)
Whip It! (Devo)
Free Bird (Lynnard Skinnard)
Eye of the Tiger (Survivor)
Blitzkrieg Bop (The Ramones)
Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)

I know my musical knowledge is grossly incompetent, so if there are any songs you feel I've left out or bands that you feel have been gypped, speak now or forever hold your rock.

Again, tune in this friday for orcs and vote for them songs!

Chades Challenge XII: Hairy Gods, Week 2

It is a little known fact that Mars, the god of war, was a kitten.

More hairy gods from these mighty immortals:
Flaviano
Vi-Dieu Nguyen
Moro Rogers
Bobby Pontillas
Josh Billings
Leo Matsuda

In other news, the first round of Rock'n'Poll tallies are in, looks like there were some last minute steals.

Greatest oldies rock'n'roll song: Elvis Presley's Hound Dog

Greatest heavy metal song: Iron Maiden's Run To The Hills

Greatest psychedelic song (tie): Iron Butterfly's In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, The Rolling Stone's Paint It Black

Thor was pretty enraged that Immigrant Song, Led Zeppelin's ode to the Norse gods, was snubbed.

If these titles enrage you, make sure your voice is heard in this week's polls (make sure to choose one each): hard rock, progressive rock, and glam metal.

The Greatest Rock and Roll Song of All-Time
OR
ROCK'N'POLL

I've been talking with Nate, Rob, and Vi about what constitutes a great rock'n'roll song. Specifically, what constitutes the GREATEST ROCK'N'ROLL SONG OF ALL-TIME. So for the next six weeks, I'll be polling to find the greatest single song of each of the seventeen rock genres.

There are eighteen rock genres, and seven songs per genre. Swing on by every Monday and choose your favorite song in each of three weekly contending polls.

I admit that my rock knowledge is shabby at best, so the last genre will be fan favorites. This will include tour de forces that I have either forgotten, or that you have insisted that I include in the battle.

At the end of the six weeks, the champions of each genre (eighteen total!) will contend in an ultimate battle of the bands. May the best song win.
(art by Sebastian Krueger)

Votes Tallied, Astromech Wins By Restraining Bolt!
Wow...another close poll, but you've bestowed the title of Coolest Robot Ever upon the diminutive yet daring droid, R2-D2. Wisely chosen.


Poll results
R2-D2 34%
Bender 31%
The Terminator 17%
Optimus Prime 6%
Data 6%
HAL 9000 3%
Futura 0%
Pimpbot 5000 0%
Thanks for your votes, and don't forget to weigh in on this week's poll!

Results of last week's poll: Which summer blockbuster are you most looking forward to?

The Dark Knight 42%

Indiana Jones IV 38%

Iron Man 15%

Speed Racer 5%

Hellboy II 0%

The Incredible Hulk 0%

I drew this a few days ago when Indiana Jones IV had a commanding lead, and planned on posting it with a terrible caption like "Indy gives Batman quite the whipping!" Let this be a lesson to all of us: never underestimate the Batman.