Brain Power Studio sings for Sick Kids Hospital TO

Hi everyone,

Beth Stevenson's animation studio Brain Power Studio in Newmarket ON (where I freelance part-time) put together an amazing video this year to raise money for Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. Please take the time to check out the video, click and share with folks you know to help raise more $.

Brain Power Studio is one of the co-sponsors of the monthly Ottawa Comic Jam, along with DragonHead Studio. Without the help of Brain Power, it'd be a lot harder to make the Jam happen on a regular basis. Beth Stevenson and crew have always been there for us, so I'm doubly thrilled to be able to promote the video and see if we can get those views/ numbers up to help with their great cause!

Thanks again, and have Merry and safe Holidays.
Cheers!
Suzanne.

24 Hour Comics Day Noble Failure

Photo credit: Troy Little (c) 2011, Summerside PEI.

October 20th was this year's 24 Hour Comics Day. Usually I like to host the event at my place in Kanata (DragonHead Studio), but unfortunately due to renovations, I wasn't able to!

That didn't stop me from jumping into the challenge and tackling it with the ridiculous bravado for which I've become famous. It's been a long while since I've tried a 24 Hour Comic challenge solo, in fact, it's been 11 years. My first one... which has yet to be completed and scanned, was done solo. It was a brutal experience, even 11 years younger. And this October's event was no exception.

I kicked off around 10:30 am. I highly recommend starting in the morning. The one time I gave 'er a go in the evening (2008 I think), was an exhausting and abysmal failure. I only managed to get to 19 pgs that time 'round (yet another comic clamouring to be completed and shared!)

This time I also was missing critical supplies I usually have on hand for such things: jellybeans, icy squares and the horrifying 'drink' known as Rev. Apparently no one in Stittsville drinks Rev (which is the location of the LCBO I tried first).

This time 'round I also decided I would do things differently. Instead of doing a complete page/ hour as Scott McCloud suggests, I was going to tackle the problem by penciling my pages first. That meant I had to crank pages out in 1/2 hr increments. Crazy!

But, my thought went something like this: if I don't finish my inking entirely, at least I'll have all the pencils done. I'll have a complete story told (instead of the several 24 hr comics languishing around that all seem to peter out around pg 19 or so!)

Things trucked on well. I was using the 110 lbs. white card stock that I prefer (the same stuff we use at the Ottawa Comic Jams), penciling with Bic #2 mechanical pencils, ruling out panels (I hate rulers and panels in general, but this time they seemed appropriate). The story rolled out and I hit the 12 hr mark with the entire comic penciled and fairly lucid. I was a bit disappointed that the pacing of the story goes crazy in the last 3-4 pgs ('Oh my God, I'm out of pages!?') Oopsie. Anyway, they do wrap up somehow. And no splash pages!

Splash pages are a cheat when you get behind, doing it the old-fashioned way (case in point, pg 7 from 'The Magic Cauldron', my 24 Hr comic from 2007!). This time I found I needed every single page at my disposal for the story I was telling. It felt satisfying to be able to move through the pages and panels and honestly use every bit of them to the best of my ability (and not feel like I was 'behind' all night!)

Around 4:00 am or so, I was flagging. I had coffee, horrible candies I'd found somewhere (augh!) and my eyes were getting blurry. My inking was going to hell and I was ruining my comic. I was also utterly exhausted and realized that although I firmly believe anyone regardless of age or ability can tackle these things, that I was feeling every one of my sleepy 43 yr-old-bones  yelling at me to GO TO BED.

So I did.

And didn't feel guilty for one minute.

I got up the next day after about 5 hrs of sleep and kept inking for a bit, til the time ran out. I was pleased that I had a comic, pretty much finished, where before there had been absolutely nothing.

I'm a procrastinator, big time. The beauty of the 24 Hr Comic is that;  if you do it, once a year, you will have in your hands, at the end of that period of time: a comic. This means, no matter what happens during the rest of the year, you will have produced at least one physical comic with no delays, procrastination, what-ifs, over-thinking, guilt or apathy. Hurray!

I've been inking the beast on and off all week and I'm happy as a peach. The panels are pretty clean, the lettering isn't wobbly and I'm using templates for my word balloons(!) I hauled my folder to the Ottawa Comic Jam last night to share and had some really supportive and sweet comments on it (thanks Emily!)

Sure, it's a "Noble Failure", since it does not adhere strictly to the Dare's rules. But that's ok. I'm in good company (what with the likes of Neil Gaiman and Kevin Eastman setting the bar!) And I'm proud that I created this thing.

When it's finished, I'll post it over on my Deviantart gallery, which you can get to by clicking here.

Cheers, and thanks for reading my ramblings (as always).
And.
If you haven't tried the 24 Hr Comic challenge yet-- do it! You have nothing to lose (except a bit of sleep). It's worth it and it is an experience unlike any other.

Next year, I WILL be hosting the 24 Hour Comics Day Event at DragonHead Studio. Get your pencils ready!

All the best,
Suzanne.

Even more painting and zombies

Hi all!

It's been a busy week or so. Last week was the Ottawa Comic Jam's 3rd Anniversary party! Wahey, as my pal Nia would say n__n. If you go over to the new Jam site, you can ogle photos and fresh artwork as well! Thanks again for all the love and support guys--it is so much appreciated.

It's very tough for me to host things like this because I'm naturally quite shy, even though I can fake being an extrovert. I like being in a quiet, creative space, just pooting along doing my own thing. It takes an enormous amount of will to organize the Jam and keep it going--even though people assure me I make it look easy (?). So, to everyone who endures the ridiculous angst the week before the Jam and the day itself, (when I'm freaking out and crawling the walls)...and who still talk to me the next day... THANK YOU.

So! On an unrelated Jam note, I started an experimental Acrylics class at Art Mad in Stittsville, with Bernice, our lovely instructor! I had my first class last week, which was about 3 hours. I worked from a photo I'd taken last summer in Fredericton, when I'd been invited to crash my friends Rob Anderson & Bobbie Stewart's family reunion. I had a great time and got to see many interesting salads (and pick up the very cool Harris Family Cookbook, courtesy of Goldie, Nina (Maya) & Rick Stewart's hard work!)
I still would like to put more work into this, but I'm happy with how it is coming along:

The acrylics class students were all really excited and supportive of my effort, as was the proprietor of the shop who asked if it was for sale?! My Mom liked it too. She has expressed a strong opinion that I should be painting more often, and I think I'll take her up on that advice ;-) (To see more of my early efforts, check out the Argle blog here!)

I got to catch up with my pals Nadine & Westin Tuesday, which was good. We went to Carlingwood Mall and I got to browse Pet World. There were Siamese kittens, little turtles, huge hermit crabs (I do like hermit crabs!!) I saw cute Dumbo rat teenagers with funny bellies and cute 'Mickey Mouse' ears. We watched a hamster jam tons of rodent blocks into its cheek pouches 'for later'. Then I headed to the back and watched puppies rolling around. There was a giant Labrador on his back w/ massive paws in the air. He was three times bigger than Hank. Apparently I'm not permitted more puppies :-P

After grocery shopping and a stop at the LCBO, Westin & I spent time finishing a few of the Jam stories from last week. He couldn't attend the party but was keen to get some drawings in. He also received 'UNION' by Image comics as a freebie--lucky guy!

Westin and I decided we'd work on a co-written/ plotted/ etcedrted Zombie comic. I got excited and drew panel 1 yesterday. I have no clue what he's going to follow-up with, and I don't know where or how we'll host the comic so it can be read in order..but here at least is my 'Panel 1'. (Possibly we'll compile them over on Deviantart).

It was fun doing something completely different. I've never drawn a zombie story before, so it should be interesting!

Cheers, and a moment of silence for Mr. Bradbury, who passed away June 5th. I was sad to hear that he'd passed, though at 91 he had a great run! Some of my favourite short stories were penned by him; and no one can describe gothic Americana... Rockwell with the hidden razor in the apple, quite like Bradbury!

Suz.

All artwork (c) 2012 Suzanne A. Marsden (except the Ray Bradbury novel covers).

Get your JAM on!

Comics Comics Comics.

It is that time of the year. The Comic festivals, cons, parties, celebrations, free comics, etc are coming (or in some cases are in full swing). What better way to get your comic fix than by coming out to a free Comic Jam in the Nation's Capital? This month, the Ottawa Comic Jam group's event takes place Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 at its usual home, the Shanghai Restaurant, 651 Somerset St. W. Ottawa ON K1R 5K3. Our theme this month is Open!

What do you mean, Open Theme? Is Sue too lazy to pick a theme? Nosirree Bob! This month, our Open Theme is literally that. Bring your own work to share; if you're cranking out comic pages for publication (book or web) bring it to the Jam to let others check it out! Or, participate in our traditional jam where everyone works on continuous stories, each adding a panel until we get to the end and have a hilarious and weird conclusion!

Ultimately, look at this April's Jam as almost a 'mini-con' in anticipation of the Ottawa Comiccon happening May 12th-13th. Only at the Shanghai, the tables are free and we don't have to bus to the airport n__n. Bring your zines, comics, buttons, t-shirts, whatever promo you have and shill to your fellow artists. We're broke (yes, it is tax time), but there are no greater supporters of indie and zine comics than indie and zine comic-creators.

Everyone is welcome to this event. Come out and get excited about comics in Ottawa and see what everyone is up to!

Cheers and hope to see you April 25th.
Suzanne.

PS--I WILL be bringing back-issues of the lovely indie comix anthology by yours truly: "Abraxia's Dream" 1-3, "aBraxIa" #4, and if I can get them printed in time, the sweet and ground-breaking mini "Ivy & Dummy" (c) 2012 Suzanne A. Marsden.

PPS--Even if you don't have current work (or physical work) to promote, feel free to bring business cards to hand out w/ your links and such to your art and comics.

Who reviews the reviewers?

I am in great spirits! Creatively, February is my 'go' month, I believe, thanks to St. Brigid (who reigns over fire and creativity n__n). I also think that part of my creative burn also stems from February 1st being Hourly Comic Day (invented by John Campbell)

I finally was able to scan and post my Hourlies and you can find them on my Deviantart page! Huzzah! I find it hilarious that I reference 'Iron Chef' not only this year, but last hear as well. What can I say, mysteriously, after my Gastric Bypass, I became interested in the Cooking Network.

Another very Cool Thing that has happened was receiving my contributors copies of the 'The Antigonish Review' Winter 2012 issue. I reviewed Carol Little's "Hide Your Life Away"; which actually was featured in the Hourly Comics 2011 and 2012 (coincidence?! :-) To read the review of Carol's book, head on over to the Antigonish Review's site.

The Comic Jam has been going very well as of late. I just finished uploading the January Jam's art and tweaking the site. The Orleans/ East End Comix Jam, run by Dwight Williams on the 3rd Friday of the month has had two meetings so far and the artwork is posted.

Also, for fun, Westin Church, Nadine Fazio, Clayton Jacobs, Colleen Temple and I started the 'ArgleBlargle Art Blog of Collective Creativity' to try and boost each other's creative impetus. It has been fun so far. I should be posting links to some of our ancient "Drink & Draws" on the site, which date back to 2005 or so (I think?)

In the meantime, I am keeping busy planning my Next Big Road Trip which is from here (Ottawa, ON) to Key West FL with my Mom. We have been accumulating some cool incidental desinations to check out in our travel-log, but if anyone has some suggestions, feel free to share!

All best, and big hugs
Suzanne.

Repetitive stress

Deadlining is always fun (no wait, shouldn't that read "never" fun??) I remember once doing clean-up on an animated show years ago and I think I probably did over 100 drawings in a day. My hand got completely mad at me, it was numb, tingling and pulsing. I'd abused the thing so badly I couldn't even write my name!

I try and take care of my drawing hand a little better than that these days...but it's still very easy to overstrain the poor darlin'. Frequent stretching breaks are good..but it's easy to forget when you're rushing to do a pile of drawings. Arg!

Hackin

It is one of those days. I have a zillion things to get accomplished and...no time of course :-D
And..I'm not really sick..hack..not really... grumble!

Cheers
Suzanne.

The NEW Ottawa Comix Jam

Starting this month, something familiar will occur in our Nation's Capital. What? Whaat? The new Ottawa Comix Jam will have its launch this April, at an as of yet undetermined location (TBA soon!).

Drawing inspiration from the successful Montreal, Toronto and NY comic jams, the event will be a monthly occurence, where comic artists gather and draw for a few hours together.

"HOW: Bring a nice piece of paper, divide it up into segments, and start drawing (painting, colouring…). When you have filled one square you pass it to someone else and they fill the next square and pass it on. There are no rules, styles vary, stories unfold, people fall in love, wars break out, the world is knocked off it’s axis, Days of Our Lives is still on television, shit is fun."
Thanks to: Aimée van Drimmelen' Montreal Drink & Draw site

Produced drawings will be scanned and displayed on the Jam's Facebook Group page. There is also a bare bones site for the Jam where people can acquaint themselves with the Jam FAQ, check out the bios of regular contributing artists and find out information not covered elsewhere.

So, throw caution to the wind; come out, come out and share your talent and have fun. Meet some new people, meet some old people and have a drink :-) Then, draw on each other's pages (that's always fun!) I am looking forward to meeting everyone who is interested in re-igniting this sadly missed Ottawa event.

Cheers!
Suzanne.

For more information, contact me via email, FB or txt: 613-323-3377.