Winsor & Newton Series 7: THE TRUTH!

 A while back I posted my experiences with Winsor & Newton Series 7 brushes. I got this as one of the comments and thought folks should read it. From Craig M., an English brush maker!:

An interesting thread, whilst I realise that it was posted some time ago I've only just stumbled across it.

I have to say that whilst W&N make good brushes they are not the bee all and end all they would have you believe, especially the ultra high priced Series 7!

Your methods are very elaborate but if they work for you then that's all good. Personally I keep my sables in a jar. I clean them with mild hand soap, rinse, then point back up with good old saliva (disgusting but it works). I just pulled them out to have a look and they're still fine after nearly a year of not being used. W&N do not always seal their brushes in bags, indeed they supply some of their series 7 in a box (even more expensive) with just a tube on. If a brush does splay or friz then good old hot water will bring it back in line quickly.

When it comes to brushes quality does not always come at a price. How can I say this? I've been a brushmaker here in merry old England for 22 years, I don't work for W&N and my brushes are just as good but nowhere near the price ;-)

God and Jon Stewart to Pat Robertson: Shut Your Pie Hole, Old Man!

God already told Pat Robertson to shut up.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Haiti Earthquake Reactions
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On Thursday's Daily Show, Jon Stewart took down TV preacher Marion "Pat" Robertson for his callous reaction to the Haiti earthquake, along with Rush Limbaugh and Rachel Maddow. Of course, "Pat" is the only ordained minister of the three, so you'd expect a more Christian reaction than this:

[S]omething happened a long time ago in Haiti and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French. Napoleon the Third and whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, “We will serve you if you get us free from the prince.” True story. And so the devil said, “OK, it’s a deal.” They kicked the French out, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free.


But ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other, desperately poor.

Stewart notes that this is little more than an urban legend, then advises Marion Robertson to, "Shut your pie hole, old man!"


Reverend Marion regularly claims disasters are payback for sin. He said about the same thing after 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. Oddly enough, he didn't say this about 1998's Hurricane Bonnie. That's the disaster God used to presage Stewart's advice: "Shut your pie hole, old man!"


Now, it's stupid and mildly Satanic to blame all natural disasters on peoples' sins. God "causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" [Matthew 5:45]. But in this case, Robertson warned that God would punish the wicked with a hurricane. Later that year, God sent 1998's first hurricane, Bonnie, at Robertson's headquarters in Virginia Beach, VA. So I think this is an exception to the rule.


Here's what Robertson said in June 1998 from Virginia Beach, VA, warning that the wicked would be punished with a hurricane:

Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, June 10, 1998


VIRGINIA BEACH -- Pat Robertson said Orlando, Fla., should beware of hurricanes, since it and Disney World allowed Gay Days to be held there this past weekend.


"I would warn Orlando that you're right in the way of some serious hurricanes, and I don't think I'd be waving those flags in God's face if I were you,'' Robertson said Monday on his TV show, "The 700 Club.'' [My emphasis]

In August, Bonnie became the first hurricane of the year. "Fearing a major hurricane strike, coastal locations from Florida to Virginia performed extensive preparations in advance of the storm." This storm could have hit Disney World or the 700 Club.


Bonnie skirted past the Caribbean islands and hit North Carolina first. From USA Today:

After watching Bonnie grow weaker all day, Virginia Beach emergency officials were caught by surprise; they had closed their offices for the night Thursday when the storm picked up steam over warm ocean water and became a hurricane again.


...It's rare that Virginia's coast receives such a direct lashing from hurricane winds. North Carolina's Outer Banks jut into the Atlantic and usually bear the brunt of storms moving up the East Coast. [My emphasis]

Essentially, this storm did everything possible to hit "Pat" Robertson by surprise. You'd think Robertson would repent after this. But he continues to blame storms and terrorist attacks on others and ignores the finger God points at him.


I have some familiar advice for you, Marion. I would warn you that you're right in the way of some serious hurricanes, and I don't think I'd be waving those flags in God's face if I were you.

From the DC Comics message board

Re: Top Ten Season 2 #4: why wasn't it finished? Posted: Jan 7, 2010 8:06 AM   in response to: buzz86
Buzz86-- hold tight; I believe that you will be happy when DC announces... a certain something... sometime later. Sorry to be vague; it's not my place to announce things. And thanks so much for you kind words. I'm really glad I didn't realize how daunting it would be to follow Alan Moore when I proposed the continuation, and it does my heart good to know people liked it. Zander

Fall Con

I wrote this post after I got back from the Minnesota Fall Con Monday. But server upgrade from my webhost prevented me from posting it until now.

The show had a great guest list, but I didn't get much time to talk to the fellow guests. I was too busy sketching and creating wacky challenges for fans to get the sketches. Would have appreciated more time hanging out with Michael T. Gilbert (Mr Monster), Peter Bagge (Hate), and José Luis García-López.

Before I go any further, I'll post some images from my current eBay auction. It's for this month's DCU Halloween Special. Click the images for larger scans.

It was a good con for my infamous Challenges for Sketches. No photos of this one, but the first fan sang a poem to the Disney buyout of Marvel as an intro to Peter Bagge's panel. He seemed amused. Next, challenge vet Sonia pretended to swing from a vine as we serenaded her with "Jana, Jana, Jana of the jungle, friend to you and me..." She did a Tarzan scream the whole route. She got a full sketch of Demona from Disney's Gargoyle's cartoon.

The next challenge requires some intro. After I landed at the airport, I was met by a TSA agent who flashed his ID lanyard and asked me to follow him. I decided I had nothing illegal in my bag this time and tried not to get too worried. When we got to the baggage carousel he revealed that he was a TSA op volunteering for the con in his free time. He asked for a sketch and I said he'd have to write a PG rated poem about why he loves Power Girl. I made a nice Supergirl sketch for him Saturday night and let him pick it up before the challenge.

I thought his act was a good laugh, but I later learned that other con volunteers expected me to take horrible vengeance. I can't disappoint the volunteers! So I added another level to the challenge. I had him read his poem during a break in the charity auction, while bending at the hips. I placed a box full of junk behind his hips, put a glove on and extracted the junk from the box...

Joe, I'm afraid this bottle is larger than 1.5 ounces...

Young Hallie here was hanging out with her dad while he shopped for comics. To entertain her, I offered to draw her. She demurred, but did accept an offer to draw her dad!

After he went back to shopping, I gave her some paper and she drew me a sketch.

I finally did draw her, and I got her to ask nearby comic geniuses Kevin Cannon and Britt Sabo for sketches too.

Here's some photos of sketches I got from Phil Moy, Tim Sievert, and a script sketch Peter Gross. And a few of the sketches I did. I'll post up a larger selection on my Facebook page.

I hate John Powers. A lot.

John Powers. The worst critic alive?

If you know me, you know I'm not one to hate people other than political pundits. But Fresh Air's critic-at-large John Powers is an exception. He is the worst paid critic I know of. Of anything.

He loves getting the preview DVDs from the studios and giving away plot points as far into the future as possible. He ruined HBO's In Treatment for me by revealing who's sleeping with whom weeks into the episodes before the show even started.

Here's his criticism of Mad Men [mild spoilers]:

"Most of the characters are less three dimensional human beings than concepts. Even their darkest secrets feel schematic. The hero, Don Draper, is a type. The disillusioned adman who's fleeing his past... Peggy is a young copywriter who's battling sexism with history on her side."

I have never seen these 'types' before. Really. The adman with a completely fictional past? I've seen that with spies in spy novels, but not advertising. And the copywriter battling sexism with history on her side? Seriously, WTF?

Beyond that, all storytelling is an attempt to reinvigorate old tropes with new life. Mad Men does this beautifully. The heroes are incredibly dark. Peggy is the most complex, with huge dark secrets that are always underplayed. You won't find anything like her in 9 to 5 or Private Benjamin. The villains are often nobler folks than the heroes. I'm thinking of "Duck" Phillips here, who becomes Don's antagonist by doing his job exactly the way Don asked him to. With subtle changes in presentation, the villains could be the heroes and vice versa, with no changes in plot.

NPR Fresh Air Critic-at large John Powers is incompetent, evil, and unable to keep a plot secret. A very common type nowadays.

Chicago Area Signing

If you're in the Chicago area, I'd love to see you tomorrow. I'll be signing at Amazing Fantasy Books and Comics Saturday from 12-3pm. Along with me will be most of the JSA vs. Kobra art team: Penciler Don Kramer and Inker Michael Babinski. I've been to their signings at AFB before (for David Lloyd) and they're busy but fun. Lori knows how to throw an event.

I'll try to do small but nice headshots for anyone interested. Ya know, FREE SKETCHES!!! If I have time, I'll also try to do some nicer ones, but no promises.

Amazing Fantasy Books & Comics‎
20523 S La Grange Rd
(La Grange Rd and Lincoln Way LANE)
Frankfort, IL‎
(815) 469-5092‎
Directions via Mapquest

I'm going to include some extra directions because all of Frankfort is Tele Atlas terra incognita, meaning you can find the city but can't find addresses using Google Maps, iPhone, TomTom, etc. But Mapquest is accurate.

For most of Chicagoland, you're route will take you from I-80 to Exit 145, La Grange Road/US45 southbound.

Go 2.7 miles South on La Grange Road. You'll pass a Home Depot and a Dominicks. Two blocks after that it's the next strip plaza, "The Vineyards." You'll see a Dunkin Donuts on the left at the front of the plaza.

If you go a little too far, you'll see the Alsip Nursery. It has an adjoining parking lot, so you can turn there. If you get to US30/Lincoln Highway you've gone too far and need to turn around.

As a final note, Colorist Art Lyon won't be able to make it. He's waiting on some medical results for someone in his family and needs to be in Indiana.

Can you take this without lying?

RULES - Copy, paste, and fill out in your notes section (created on your profile page). Then, tag your friends, including me.


What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
Chocolate chip cookies from Meng and Stéphane, and Pepsi One.

Have you ever kissed anyone named Matthew?
I've kissed Matt Press, but he never kisses back.

Where was your profile picture taken?
The condo I used to live in. Currently, it's a picture of my dogs wearing birthday party hats.

Can you play Guitar Hero?
Yes. Not well, but stylishly.

Name someone that made you laugh today ?
Lisa Sharkey.

How late did you stay up last night and why?
11pm. Which is early for me, because I had a light workload. Today that changed.

If you could move somewhere else, would you?
Depends on the place. If I could have a nice home in Spain, yeah!

Ever been kissed under fireworks?
Nice thing about being married: I get kissed a lot.

Which of your friends lives closest to you?
I'm friends with all my neighbors. Dennis and Elaine, the retirees, are closest.

Do you believe ex's can be friends?
Sure.

Calling or texting?
Calling. It's too hard texting while I draw.

When was the last time you cried really hard?
Watching Up in the theater.

Where are you right now?
Living Room couch, with Lisa's legs draped across my lap.

What bed did you sleep in last night?
My own, with Lisa and our beagle basset Georgia. Nibbles isn't smart enough to get in and out of the bed anymore.

What was the last thing someone bought for you?
Guess that'd be the chocolate chip cookies, chocolate and caramels from Stéphane and Meng. Damn fine food.

Who took your profile picture?
Me. I'm the one who forced my dogs to wear hats.

Who was the last person you took a picture of?
The Flying Crains at my birthday party.

Was yesterday better than today?
Today I had gift sweets, a beer, and Lisa cuddled up to me while we watched Project Runway. Today's better.

Are you mad about anything?
Teabaggers. The protesters, not the folks having weird fun.

Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
Course.

Are you a bad influence?
I rile folks up, but not good at maintaining order.

Night out or night in?
Night in.

What items could you not go without during the day?
My phone.

What does the last text message in your inbox say?
"I will"

How do you feel about your life right now?
If I won the lottery, I'd do the same work, living with Lisa and our dogs. I'd just want a bigger house for Lisa.

Do you hate anyone?
I get more annoyed than angry. I do occasionally get furious, but not often.

If you look in your Facebook inbox, what would you find?
A few from close friends, a little mass emailing, and mostly random discussions with casual Facebook acquaintances.

Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
I'm am pathetically clean of anything illegal.

Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
Yeah, but not in a way that I took it seriously. How can you?

What song is stuck in your head?
Neko Case's "This Tornado Loves You"

Someone knocks on your window at 2am, who do you want it to be?
My neighbor Dennis. He's 83 years old, but he's incredibly perceptive and is our one man Neighborhood Crime Watch.

Wanna have grand kids before you’re 50?
Not afterwards either. I do like being an adopted uncle.

Name something you have to do tomorrow?
Draw.

Do you think too much or too little?
Not incisively enough. It's a waste thinking if you're just going in loops.

Do you smile a lot?
All the time, folks say.

Who was your last missed call on your Mobile phone?
My Wildstorm editor, Scott Peterson.

What was the last book you read?
Comic book, Fables Volume 12 "The Dark Ages".

Is there something you always wear?
T-shirts, sandals and shorts if the weather allows.

What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Drinking beer and watching Project Runway.

Did you have an exciting last weekend?
Best birthday party ever. I turned 40.

Have you ever crawled through a window?
I woulda made a fine cat burglar.

Have you ever dyed your hair?
Once. A blue forelock.

Are you wearing a necklace / Chain?
I don't like wrapping my neck unless it's Minnesota cold or I have to wear a tie.

Are you an emotional person?
Temperately so. I feel intense joy, but most other emotions I take philosophically.

What's something that can always make you feel better?
Rubbing my face against Georgia's ears.

Will this weekend be a good one?
Meh. Gotta work. Hard.

What do you want right now?
Flawless Spanish and French. But that takes work.

Have you ever worn the opposite sex's clothing?
I was such a stunning Pocohontas for Halloween that male friends tried peeking down my cleavage. Sharon, thanks for loaning me the pushup bra.

Have you ever worked in a food place?
Ice cream parlor, which was so much better than Taco Bell.

Whats on your schedule for tomorrow?
Call the vet to see if I can bring Nibbles in for a visit.

Does anyone know your facebook password?
Me. Lisa can't remember it.


**I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THERE WAS NO GOOD REASON TO LIE ON THIS-COME ON PEOPLE LET'S GET A LITTLE MORE RISQUE IF YOU'RE GOING TO DARE ME TO NOT LIE!!!!!**