Old stuff and sketchbooks

I recently started a new sketchbook. It's a 5.5 x 8.5 inch Canson basic sketchbook, black hard-bound. It's super tiny for my standards, but I wanted to try something new. I find that choosing a sketchbook that is going to be your companion for the next few months or so is like choosing a new jacket for winter. It's not going to be used forever, but you'll need it for a good while, so you have to make sure it fits you well.

So far I feel like my drawings have been less free, now that I'm confined to such a small space. I'm hoping in the next few weeks that I'll loosen up and learn to embrace my tiny companion.

Anyway, I have nothing to show from it for now. But I found a sketchbook I had from last summer that I abandoned for those nice 8 x 10 inch black paperback Moleskins. There were a few drawings in it that amused me so I painted them for fun.
I don't know why money stuffed in a dog's butt was funny to me 8 months ago. What specifically made me decide to do that? It's weird looking at old stuff. Even if it's only over a span of a few months, your work reflects how often your mind changes.

Or not. Some early sketches of Ice Cream Man characters. Still looks about the same.


Another oldie. Dated June 16th.
As I already told the 4 people who read this, I saw another guy jerking it on my street last week. Why me? I don't think I'll document it this time though.

Some nice places I went to

Last week, I went to some new places and some familiar places. My brain sort of imploded from everything my senses were taking in. The colors and smells of fall, the agonizing yet satisfying allure of the lab...New England graveyards. It was pretty awesome.

If you haven't been, go to the Dream House on 275 Church St. It's like being inside a giant womb. I had the best nap there ever. I won't say more than that.
On the highway, coming back from New Hampshire.

So now my days are really "routine-y", minus a distractive outing here and there. Get up, lab, go home. The best thing about going home is knowing that SCHOOL and THE FILM are over for the day and COZY HOME time begins. I turn on the tube, chat with my roommate, and eat and paint and watch Splash or whatever until I pass out. I dig it.