RIP Ringo

I was really shocked to hear about Mike. No words. Really ... just no words can describe.

Moving the last of the Studio Equipment

Finally got around to moving the last of the major equipment to the Studio in Kearny, NJ. I decided to bring in my large scanner rather than relying on the portable Canon scanner which I've been using for my powerbook (it was just too slow). Sketches for the Manga for Dummies Art Set have been approved (yay). Beautiful day here in Jersey City. Really wished I could just take my painting stuff and go outside to paint instead of doing thumbnails.

I'm finding it's going to be a very busy fall this year. Another possible large project may come out. I'll keep the blog posted.

Oh, I'm putting my digital SLR camera (Canon 20D) on e bay for sale. Any one interested can follow the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290154747265

Ungh - Tired!

Spent a loong day yesterday at the studio working on the "Dysfunction" book. I'll be working all day on the MFD (Manga for Dummies Art Set today. On a recreational note, I'm going to see the Mets play against the San Diego Padres tonight! Can't wait to get out of work.

Transparent Gesso?

I've been meaning to try out this transparent gesso and use it instead of the matte medium to seal my drawings before painting over it for my illustrations. Haven't been in the city lately to drop by the local art stores yet.

Storyboards for the "Dysfunctions" book is moving along. The page count is probably coming close to 200 pages (the maximum limit). It's going to be a blast trying to trim out the "fat" pages.

Hey - I rented out and saw TNMT. Nothing to scream about, but it's definitely a fun watch. Recommend it!

Contract for Project with Loew-Cornell Signed

I've just signed a contract with Loew-Cornell to do some illustrations for their Manga for Dummies Art Set. Deadline is set for next month. I'm not sure if I'll be able to post the images, but if they say I can, I will do so. Weather is turning out to be quite nice out here. Starting to cool down from the hot summer days. I haven't been out to the studio much this week (I'll see if I can haul myself out there today). Still need to post pictures - sorry for the delay.

Wiley / Asia - Book Deal Signed

Finally signed a book deal with Wiley/Asia (Singapore). It's been in the works for a long time, but it's finally official. The title is called "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Manga Edition" based off of New York Times Bestseller book written by Patrick Lencioni. I'm currently doing the thumbnails of the 150 page graphic novel. It's a challenge in the sense that the original book is twice the number of pages jam packed with dialog. Condensing everything is going to be a challenge!

First day in new studio

Today's my first day working in my new off-location studio! Things are great and going well.

I've been approached with a project contract from an art materials company. Can't reveal the details yet since I have yet to negotiate the details. Once everything is finalized, I will make the posting.

Busy first day at my new studio. Trying to get my daily 10 pages of thumbnails done for the new Wiley book project.

New Studio Space

Back from San Diego and fully recovered. This past weekend, I've decided to move into a separate studio space with my colleague and friend, Mark Smylie, of Archaia Studios. I've already moved my painting and some drafting supplies along with basic digital equipment. I'm very excited about this move. Mark and I have been talking about this for some time (since last year to be exact). It's a very large place in Kearny, NJ. I'll be posting pictures shortly.

Had another rough deadline come up last night. Had to knock out frames for Sam's Club which were due at midnight. It wouldn't have been that hard to do had they not called me right before my comic book art class started. I had to cut the class fifteen minutes short so that I could go back to my studio and crank it out. Aaaahh, the freelance world - some things just never change.

Day 2 @ San Diego Comicon

Sitting at It's a Grind coffee shop, downtown San Diego while putting in this entry. I just discovered this place yesterday and I love it! Much better than Star Bucks and I get free wireless networking. Feeling much better now that I just finished up a freelance story board project and sent it over to a brand new client, DKB Marketing in Manhattan. One thing that I can't get used to taking my freelance work on the west coast is that the time difference. Just when you think you're ahead of schedule, you need to factor in that back home is three hours ahead of you.



(update) Still no work about the missing book and art materials on the plane. Good news is that I'm getting a new copy shipped out to me. I've been trying to jot down as many drawings I can remember from the past couple of weeks.

The locals here are so polite that it always takes time getting used to the environment. Makes you realize how stressed New Yorkers are with the crazy deadlines that go on.

My former SVA classmate, Joy Dey, has graciously allowed me to stay over the past couple of days.


Joy and Bill Dey in their new home.

The floor is crazier than I ever remember. Yesterday (Thursday) was so packed that you couldn't even move around the floor. Picked up my third Adam Hughes sketchbook among other freebies. Feel worn out overall. Haven't had much of a chance to do my routine network (frankly, I think I've met and known all the art directors prior to this convention).


Transformer's Optimus Prime


The Newest and Latest DDR.

Rough few Days @ San Diego

Well, if this isn't the mother of all ____ ___. With clients calling in at the last minute the following morning I get here. My laptop software didn't scan and kept crashing. Finally figured out that the epson drivers were to blame. Live and learn folks - if Photoshop ever keeps crashing on you, delete all epson drivers and plug-ins. Then I realize I've left all my sketches and thumbnails of the book I'm working on along with the manuscript itself on the plane! No words, ladies and gents. I'm depressed beyond words. One weeks worth of hardwork and accomplishments down the drain like that. Simply no words. . . . Unbelievable. Should've never left New Jersey (even for comicon).

San Diego Comic Con

Gearing up for San Diego. I'm dreading having to bring my portable work station with me. The whole thing (portable scanner, laptop, and wacom tablet) weighs close to 40 lbs! On a lighter note (ha ha ha ha) I'm hoping to seal up another book agreement soon. Stay tuned for details coming soon.

San Diego Comicon

Gearing up for San Diego Comicon. I can't believe how fast things are going with summer in full swing. Finishing the details with establishing a graphic novel conctract with John Wiley/Asia. More details to soon follow. Unghh. Here's to another looong and tight deadlines.

Waves

Posting a recent manga digital illustration. I'm experimenting by adding some Japanese woodblock print elements. Comments appreciated!

Panel discussion at Anime Next

Photo of me (on the left) doing a panel discussion at NJ's AnimeNext. I've been invited to MangaNext at October. Earlier I did some demonstrations of incorporating life drawing into manga. It was a blast.

Some Long-Due Photos

This was with my acquisitions editor, Michael Lewis, from Wiley at the Book Expo at Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City.

Here's a photo from MOCCA festival last month. Morgan Spurlock from Supersize Me came by!

Javacomics.com Back Up

Javacomics.com is now back up again. I'm off to North Carolina for a much needed vacation. Next weekend, I'll be doing a couple of panel discussions at Anime Next Japanese Anime Convention, in Seacaucus, NJ. You can visit their convention website at animenext.org for more information about dates and directions. I'll be there on Saturday.

Javacomics.com Temporarily Down

Javacomics.com is temporarily down. It should be back up in 48 hours. Mocca was a blast. I'll be posting pics soon. I saw Morgan Spurlock from Supersize Me.

Got LinkedIn?

Hey guys. Just set up a LinkedIn account. Still trying to get everything together, but for now you can see it at
http://www.linkedin.com/in/kensuke.

Gearing up towards MOCCA

Gearing up towards MOCCA exhibit next week. More details to follow. My girlfriend got me locked on to facebook. My initial intentions were to use it as a way of promoting my work to the college community, but it's becoming just another excuse to procrastinate my work. Fun, nevertheless!

Back To Summer Sessions

Entering my second week of teaching comic book art at the Education Alliance Art School in Manhattan. Classes are on Tuesdays from 6:30- 9pm. I'm taking a break for the summer from teaching figure drawing, but I will be resuming it in the Fall. Call the school at 212-780-2300 ext. 378 for more information. Had a blast in NY Book Expo last week - all the books were signed and gone within 15 minutes or so!