So what is it about us creative types that find it necessary to stay up till the crack of dawn to get work down. Why do the wee hours of the night prove to me the most productive time of the day?

If you are familiar with comic books you’re familiar with Jim Lee. Currently the Co-Publisher of DC Comics, and arguably the greatest comic book artist in the industry. I’ve messaged him a few times on Twitter, and per the MO of the most well known, I never got a response from the guy. Understandable. He’s a busy fella.

Last night I was working on a project ’til 2:30am or so – usual time to work, not a normal project. I was workin’ with the ol’ pencil and paper and struggling with how much I’ve lost over the years.

Any artist knows that clothing is tricky, and making it look real is quite a challenge unless you’re well practiced (which I am not). I abandoned tradition art about 10 years ago or more in favor of digital media; Photoshop became my best friend, and my biggest crutch.

So in the middle of the night last night I reached out to Jim Lee over twitter for some help, and he reached back like a true scholar. He shot a quick video on his iPhone (I knew I liked that guy), and posted in on YouTube for myself or anyone else who might benefit from some guidance.

The dude rocks! Took him a minute thirty to pull that sketch out and it’s better than what I get after slaving for half an hour. There are plenty of talented “celebrities” out there, but the mark of a true master artisan is one who gives back to the artistic collective. Thanks, Jim, for taking the time to help a novice like myself, and it’s nice to know that even the pros work at 3am in the morning to get stuff done.

For a good look at Jim Lee’s work checkout Batman: Hush, Superman: For Tomorrow, or All-Star Batman & Robin.

I dreamed in cell shaded comic book imagery last night. I’m sure it had something to do with all the Batman comics I’ve been reading, and the discussions John and I have been having about our comic book ideas. I never really read comic books growing up, but now as an “adult” I’ve found myself pretty fascinated by them. One of the things that drew me into film was this idea of visual storytelling, and comic books are exactly that. Pretty much any and every story you could imagine could be told through a comic without the need for highly paid actors, or expensive and time consuming visual effects. This is the reason we’ve decided to try and tell one of our stories – which would require James Cameron sized visual effects to tell through film – via the lost art of comic books.

This weekend we’re going to Independent Media Expo called “STAPLE!” hoping to meet up with some local talent and printers. We’ll see how that goes. I’ll post more on this project I’m sure.

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I’m listening to the Oscar winning score from the Social Network this morning. Pretty amazing music, and seemingly a pretty different style than what has won in the past. It’s incredibly diverse in style, pensive, yet energetic. It’s good. It’s different, and that’s probably why it won.

Danny Baranowsky could have done this easily, and I hope to one day give him that chance. The man is Oscar worthy no doubt.

It’s funny how when life seems uninteresting, or when you have nothing to do, you find a way to make yourself seem busy and exciting in your digital social circles. You’re tweets are extra creative or deep, and your blog posts and generously well thought out and written.

It’s when you actually have things going on, and so many genuinely interesting things to share that you can scarcely find the time to to write/tweet/post about them! I find this to be true for myself at least.

I suppose that means right now I don’t have much going on – that’s not entirely true. I am, however,finding myself at the end of a long string of chaotic happenings, and I suppose that why now I’m able to sit and write.

I won’t make in promises on the frequency of my posts, but I have decided to do a regular “AM Post” which will simply be my first thoughts for the day. Perhaps a few will be significant, but most will probably just be short and random.

I do have more things I’d like to share, but I am genuinely a little to busy to wrap my brain around them just yet.

More later.

Been hackin’ away at the Tribal Iris website, and it’s coming along! I’m kind of impressed, actually, at the amount of traffic it’s already generating. So… since people are taking interest I posted a case study this morning about the Baseball Game Plan project we did a couple months back. Interested to see the response! Also interested to know what else you might like to see on there.

You can read the case study here: http://is.gd/cLsRm

Ok, so maybe it’s not that big o’ deal, but SHRINK the church published an article today that I wrote about the relationship between media & ministry. It mostly talks to creative individuals in the church and pastors, but I’d love for all of you to read it and leave your comments on the site.

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