So Long, Stinko!

Well, an unscientific poll declares 2008 as... how do you say? Ah, yes... crappy. Oh well, it's going and I hope for good things in 2009. Yes, even surly illustrators can have hope for a bright future. And though, personally, it's been a craptastic year to note, there was at least one shining thing I take from this past year. And, no, I won't share it with the likes of you...

--B

Sonya Kitchell And The Slip

Two concept sketches that were requested as designs for Sonya Kitchell's (backed by The Slip) fall tour t-shirt. My original "chibi" design on top and then a "Peanuts" style below. Unfortunately, the idea was cut, as things sometimes go, and I never got to do a final. C'est la vie. Figured I'd post them finally and hopefully the musicians (and their lawyers) won't mind.

--B

Catch Of The Day

--B

The Man Comes Around

Because in these tough economic times, we all need a little Cash.

--B

Rare Oul' Sketch

Inspired lately by Shane MacGowan, so I threw this sketch up here. Hope to do a polished version soon when I begin to sober up. Whenever that will be. Sláinte Mhaith.

--B

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year...

Yeah. It's like that...

--B

Missing In Action And Lost In 2008

Hey all,

Don't know if anyone checks my poor, neglected blog any more, but if you're reading this, thanks for dropping by. It's been nearly three months since I posted and, as you can see, Monster Month was hugely successful, profitable, and creative. Heh. However, hopefully things will pick up in January. Here's a few pieces I had worked on in my absence from the blogosphere:




Front cover and disc artwork for WFUV's FUV Live Vol. 11.


Poster for the Abbey's third annual Simpson's Thanksgivathon. Pictured is bartender Mark.

--B

Monster Month Begineth

New project for October: 31 days of monsters! Ooooooooooooo.

--B

Sot! Artwork

I took a few snaps of the artwork, excluding my pieces, hanging in the SOT! art show. The pics aren't lighted great and I'm no Ansel Adams, but below are some of the works very talented artists contributed. Again, my thanks go out to them for making such a great show so successful.


Borracho 1498, Helena Petersen


Utica Club, David Cahill


Untitled, Keith Vincent


Untitled, Kelly Denato


All The Way, George Lowrey


Pink Elephant Stink!, Pedro Delgado


Decisions At The Under The Bed Tavern, Andy J. Smith

--B

Monkey Cake

This confection masterpiece was created by a very talented pastry chef in Rhode Island and was the center piece at my nephew's monkey themed birthday party. The chef created the cake from the invite pictured in front of the cake. What a great resemblance! Pretty cool. Coolest part? Joe had to cut and peel fondant from the back of its head and cut out pieces of cake like a demented brain surgeon. Gory.

--B

SOT! A Man Walks Into A Bar...

Hey! Thanks to everyone who contributed to the SOT! show last night and yay to everyone who showed up. From what I remember, it was a good time. Apparently I ended the night without a shirt on, so, hey, success.

--B

SOT!

Hey, if you're around town this Saturday, pop in the Abbey for the art show I'm curating/exhibiting in:

SOT!
A group art show celebrating the Boozehound.

Featuring work by David Cahill, Pedro Delgado, Kelly Denato, John Holt, George Lowery, Helena Petersen, Andy J. Smith, and Keith Vincent. Curated by yours truly, Brendan Tobin.

Saturday, September 20th, 2008. 6pm-10pm

The Abbey
536 Driggs Ave., between N. 7th & N. 8th Streets
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718 599 4400

By Subway: L train to Bedford Ave, exit Driggs Ave & N. 7th end of platform.

For Info: tobin_brendan at hotmail dot com

--B

...

--B

Trap Jaw

I was inspired by Pedro's rendition and wanted to crank this out, however I didn't have time to finish fleshing out the rest of him. Trap Jaw was one of my faves as a kid and I believe I still have his figure somewhere in the mountains of crap I dwell amongst.

--B

Monkey Boy Melanson

Here's a version of the invite done for nephew Oliver's first birthday, coming up at the end September. The little monkey man is hitting the single digits, growing teeth, and scootin' around the place on all fours. Yet, he's still unemployed. Pfff. Babies.

--B

Nosferatu and Nixon, Best Buddies

--B

Pistol Shrimp & Goby

A buddy skit I'm trying hash out. In the wild, these two do have a symbiotic relationship. Look it up, people.

--B

Spider-Man With Pit-Webs

Just say yes to pit-webs. Working out a background for the Spider-Man.

--B

Senator Quack Quack

Apparently my boss can't get behind birds with hats, but Keith and I can't let go of Senator Quack Quack. He voted against the war and is very progressive. He's also a duck.

--B

Crystal, Inhuman Elemental Girl

There she be.

--B

Something New and Strippy

I'm playing around with an idea for a new comic strip called Angry Time Comix. It's a comic strip that reveals modern man's struggle against his ever-changing and often oppressive social environment. It's kind of like Garfield, but entertaining. I've been slowing down at the ol' blog here, as I've noticed some of my blogging compatriots have as well. As for myself, I'd like to say it's because of all the summer fun at the beach I've been indulging in. If that's what you want to believe, go right ahead. I've been thinking lately about revamping the way I post here, and I am trying to come up with a schedule that features regular, serial posts (maybe even with the above comic strip included) for different days of the week. If I go that way, I might have to take a bloggy break for a bit and stockpile some work. So, in closing, you might not see some new posts, besides the random inebriated doodle here and there, for a little bit. But please, feel free to drop in and peruse the gallery. --B

I Want You!!!!

Hoping you all have a great 4th. Now go blow something up.

--B

In Trouble With The Tombstone Blues

For my Pops.

--B

A Stoopid Pigeon Who Sits Outside My Office Window

I think he's plotting agin' me.

--B

Tim Russert

--B

Screaming Begorrah

My favorite sonic Irish mutant makes a second appearance on the ol' blog. Sean Cassidy, the screaming Banshee, rushes in to help his fellow X-Mens out. Probably the last individual I'll do before making an All-New, All-Different group pic, featuring a villain at the finish line of the group jog. So I leave it to you:

1. Who should they be fighting?

2. Should I include the Phoenix? As we all know, that girl can't stay dead.

I have a secondary idea brewing in me head as well. Aye, 'tis true, laddy.

--B

The Rapture: A Gathering of the Tobins

Well, last weekend, I attended a family reunion and survived. Above is a newly minted family crest to reflect what I remember most about it and what helped me forget a good deal of it. Little do people know that a beer keg was quite commonly depicted on the Tobin family crest for centuries, but due to political pressuring during Prohibition, the Tobins were forced to remove the offending image. I've decided that it's been long enough and that the tea-totaller big wigs on Capitol Hill are safely resting in hallowed ground and thus return the beer keg rightfully to our treasured family coat-of-arms. Pierre Tobin, the dreaded Irish pirate and scourge of the seas, would be quite proud indeed.

Good to see all you Tobins in your many splintered factions and, if you're reading this entry, give me a shout out on the comments. That is, if you're all still talking to me after the whole "burn-the-couch-and-throw-it-in-the-pool" incident...

--B

Heading To The Mil

Here's a pic of the old mascot for the Milwaukee Brewers: The Beer Barrel Man! Heading west for the Tobin reunion at my cousin Mike's place up there and, if I gots the time, I'd like to print this out for him. I know he digs the baseball, but don't know if he supports his local team. In any case, the mascot is a beer keg and that's pretty easy to get behind.

--B

Obsolete and Upset

Poor Soundwave, drinking his sorrows away as he finds himself a relic of a past century. Damn you iPod! Has the world gotten too high tech to accommodate a 20 foot robot who can transform into a mini tape recorder? Well, hang in there transformer buddy. If you keep dousing your sorrows with booze, Child Protective Services will take poor little Rumble away from you.

--B

Luigi's Koopa Kalamity

Luigi's in for trouble, trying to escape from a brown Koopa Troopa. Dig it.

--B

1Up

A new Mario for you. I bet you can guess where the inspiration came from. That Mario, he's a fiend for the ol' 1Up mushroom.

--B

Gerard, the Kitty

Here's a drawring that Cara helped me color, give spots to, and name. She's quite the art director. Meet Gerard...the kitty. He's an angry, ugly kitty. Life can be so cruel, just like Gerard. He uses a kitty litter box full of hate.

Heh. Gerard. Perfect.

--B

The Daily Commute

Ahhhhh, back in town and looking forward to tomorrow's morning-L-train-battle. This commuter here is inspired by a couple DVDs I picked up as I'm trying to study what makes John K's Ren and Stimpy and Jay Ward's Rocky and Bullwinkle tick. Enjoy fellow daily-grinding, train-riding, gridlocked, wage slaves.

--B

Space Morty

Here's a quick Space Morty. What's he all about? Me not know yet. Maybe he works in the fabric sector of the Gamma Quadrant and eats the Early Bird Special at an Interstellar Bickford's. Perhaps he's a galaxy-to-galaxy zero-gravity vacuum cleaner peddler so he can afford his solar condo on Boca Zeebus IV because the winters in the outer rim are too harsh. Eh, forget about it, he's Space Morty, ain't that enough for you people?

--B

Pocket Sketch Series 9

Man on L train. 5/23/08


Man sleeping on L train 5/23/08


Moustachioed man on L train. 5/24/08


Cara waiting for Q train, platform at Union Square. 5/24/08

--B

Doc Savage, Man of Bronze

Happy birthday, Tariqa! Here's the pulp adventurer Doc Savage with his iconic ripped shirt.

--B

Pocket Sketch Series 8

A few choice selections from this month, drawn on the L and ACE subway lines.

--B