Knowing that very soon the work at hand will involve long stretches at the drawing table, I'm taking advantage of the ease of mobility of the scripting/thumbnail stage of TSG's grand finale by taking my work to bars and cafe-like places. An added, albeit unnecessary expense, but important for my sanity.
Still haven't solved how to fit the thing into 20ish pages, but I'm hoping I'll get there soon enough.
Generally speaking, there are 4 types of clients:
1) Very knowledgeable and know exactly what they want. 2) Very knowledgeable, but don't quite know what they want (happy to delegate). 3) Not knowledgeable, but know exactly what they want. 4) Not knowledgeable, and don't quite know what they want.
#1 and #2 are good to work with, although I'm partial to working with type #2. Type #4 can be okay to work with, sometimes, but #3 you need to stay as far away from as possible no matter what they try to lure you with. They do not delegate any of the decision-making and will insist on things you know are terrible.
I'm grateful for all my readers, but especially grateful to international readers. The high price point of each print issue of THE SOLAR GRID is not at all lost on me (an unfortunate consequence of the considerably limited print run we can muster), a price point that is even compounded when you factor international shipping into the equation. And I feel more grateful to those who, after making an initial order of the first couple issues, end up coming back for more.
I'm generally aware that sales of a thing aren't always an indication that you're doing something right. So many things often factor into why a thing sells well; market penetration, aggressive advertising, or straight up name recognition, or in most cases all three. But in our very small, very humble, very independent effort, sales are a very good indication, especially when direct to the reader and especially when the reader feels they must let you know how much they appreciate what you're doing.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.
Forthcoming in September, a comix exhibition in Italy:
”'Their gazes,' writes co-curator Alessio Trabacchini, 'render a multifaceted world, sometimes in dense ink marks, sometimes among fibers of ancient textiles, sometimes in the bright colors of the digital age. Reality and imagination intertwine with memories of troubled pasts and visions of dystopian futures, dreams of broken freedom, nightmares and desires.'”
Curators Alessio Trabacchini and Luce Lacquaniti handpicked a few comix-makers who hail from the Arabic-speaking Mediterranean to represent in this travelling exhibition.
”'This exhibition,' adds Luce Lacquaniti translator from Arabic and co-curator, 'Gives an account of the latest developments, brings together young women artists who, in many cases, are coming to Italy for the first time. Their stories cross more than one border, artistic and geographic, and take their cues from both the Tunisian, Egyptian and Lebanese coasts, and from overseas through artists of the Arab diaspora in the U.S., to land in Jesi, the birthplace of Frederick II, the protagonist of the exchange between the two shores of the Mediterranean to rewrite and redraw together a history of multiple, free and reciprocal crossings.'”
Humbled to be among the list of incredible artists; Deena Mohamed, Tracy Chahwan, Twins Cartoon, and Issam Smiri. No plans to be making a physical appearance in Italy, except potentially in December. Deets forthcoming on that front.
Full press release is here.
Sold out of both issues of THE CURSE OF I from my end. Last remaining copies can still be procured however from Basket Books in Houston and Desert Island in Brooklyn.
Rain came down long and hard last night and I am getting notifications from the airline that severe weather conditions may impact my flight out of New York. Inclined to push it back a couple days to avoid any potential airport inconveniences and general fuckery.
“Daddeee, what's that sound you made?”
Me? (Feeling exposed) Oh, haha, nothing, habibi, just talking to myself.
“That was a funny sound you made, daddy,” he says laughing, which makes me laugh too, deliriously.
“Are you really tired, daddy?”
Hahaha, yes I am, son, you could say that, yes.
It's not that bad. Surviving on 3-hours sleep each night for most of this past week has paid off; Latest TSG is up, newsletter drafted and sent (edition #209: Power of the Package), kickstarter updated, and roundtrip flight to New York booked. And today, I finally managed to step away from work and take the kid out to the coffee shop around the corner for a much-needed treat (for both of us!). We also got to lay on the floor and do some coloring together, and also put together a little chia-planting kit. All in all, a delightful day.
Just announced from Graphic Mundi, wherein Yazan Al-Saadi's dispatches are illustrated by an impressive lineup of comix-makers including one short illustrated by me, originally for the now sadly defunct The Nib. Titled Cairo Under the Crackdown, here's an excerpt.
I'm sure I will regret this 11:00pm coffee, but I need to push to get this chapter in the can.
It's true what they say, the last 10% of any project is always the hardest. No idea who “they” are, but I'm pretty sure it's a thing.
