Manga!

I've drawn my fare share of what is considered manga style for many many years. (See "Heirloom" listed on the left side in volumes on my deviantart gallery: http://kuthinks.deviantart.com/gallery/ ) However, because I liked to move along at a quick pace, I called my drawings finished at the pencil stage. I enjoyed the later stages of comic making in this assignment. I started traditionally because that feels so right to me. Everything went smoothly until the half-tones (added in photoshop). They sure are tricky business! I quickly learned that they can destroy line work. I'm guessing it takes years of half-toning to become good at it.

These two pages are meant to be the start of something longer. The story and characters come strait from my thesis (a fantasy video game concept).

Family Story

Lots of comics out there now depict personal experiences from the artist's past. Many showcase lots of pain, loss, bullying, and growing experiences. Mine would be SO different! Of course I had my share of growing experiences, but my childhood was a warm golden ball of fun and love. I have great memories that I would turn into a comic in a heartbeat! For this reason, I thought at first: "Well, people might think my childhood isn't suitable for storytelling today. There's not enough conflict!" But then.... I thought "Well, what's so wrong about reading something fun and nostalgic for enjoyability alone?" Perhaps my comic will make you smile.

"Luck O' The Murrays" is an expression we've always used in my family. Whether it be a trip to the store and finding a #1 parking spot, or witnessing a bear catching a salmon on our vacation to Alaska, us Murrays always seem to have great luck! Or at least, a positive attitude that turns experiences good.

Meditation - My Center

I enjoyed today's class because of its meditative nature and connection with nature. For the assignment, I placed myself back home, in the place that is by far my main 'center'. I've lived in the same house for my entire life and enjoyed the backyard (Parr Park) with my sister and neighbors. I was practically raised in the trees, creeks, and grasses of that park.

The nature of this exercise lead me to create a more fine-artsy comic than the conventional type (this leads us back to the question: what makes a comic a comic?). I find it fitting. The colors of directions correlate to my synesthesia (I match some symbols like letters and numbers to colors). Here is the layout of my comic before it is cut:

 Center: The color red, or pink. Passion and happiness. A simple symbol of a heart as an attempt to represent the complexity of a single person. Me, in this case.

North: Yellow. "Into the forest, there are bountiful memories of play with my sister and neighbors. Scrapes, scabs, and sweat are all embraced as the adventures course through our minds like the flowing creek water."

East: Green. "Tall grass, momosa trees, and secret pathways behind neighbors' houses and under the highway to get to Glenhope Elementary."

South: Orange. "Behind me, there is home. The warm, comfortable home base to return to upon the sound of my father's trumpet calling into the park. Hot summers, pool parties, Patches the dog."

West: Blue. "Sunny fields, grass mazes, wildflowers and the animals that accompany them. A good place for the family photo during spring time. The wind feels cool under the cloudless sky."

When laid flat, it creates the Buddhist swastika symbol. It can be folded two ways, inside or out. Concealed behind each image are my written thoughts. :)

Slice of Life

Fun assignment... my neighbors had some friends over. They were grilling and drinking out on their porch. It was all too easy to eavesdrop from my upstairs bathroom window. Muhahahah.
Their conversations were not very exciting... I believe I've captured it well...

Character Sketch of ME!

SANDSTORM chapter 1. (Comic from a dream)

Read the story strait from my subconscious HERE.
Click link. Scroll in to view. Wait for resolution to clarify. Click and drag.
Preview Below! :)

Read my fairy tale, character oriented comic script HERE