The Iron Scythe

4books-004

2009-11-14T23:43:00.003-08:00

4books-003

2009-11-11T08:54:00.002-08:00

4books-002

2009-11-07T16:51:00.003-08:00

4books-001

2009-11-01T20:53:00.007-08:00

From my last 4 little pocket sketchbooks.
The first installment.

PDX---2009

2009-10-09T16:20:00.009-07:00

Portland was amazing. A trip full of long walks, theatre, art, friends, and fantastic coffee. I can't wait to go back.

30

2009-09-30T10:13:00.002-07:00

It's a milestone.
29 was a rollercoaster...lots of changes.
What's next?
Life.

Morning Commute

2009-09-27T22:10:00.002-07:00

Tuesday gestures-001

2009-09-25T14:28:00.003-07:00

This week's class taught by Louis!

Sketchcrawl 24

2009-09-21T23:26:00.004-07:00

Eulogy

2009-08-23T15:52:00.015-07:00

.1979

One month ago on July 22nd 2009 my mother, Debbie Lee Robertson passed away suddenly. With her passing, I have lost one of the great sources of love and inspiration in my life.

She was a career nurse, spending her life in the service and care of others, doing so with the same grace, tenderness and uncompromising diligence she brought to the tending to the hearts and wounds of her own family. She faced life's obstacles with patience, courage and an unwavering spirit that found joy in every moment she was given, too few, though they were. She is the finest person I have ever known, and I am blessed considerably to have been raised in her love, warmth and generosity.

I miss her more than I could ever say, but as memory serves the soul, she will be with me. I will set my life to her example, and hope that someday, I'll see her again.

I love you Mom,

James

Sat Aft.

2009-06-27T15:18:00.003-07:00

Show my bones

2009-06-18T14:35:00.007-07:00

Just some sketchbook pages from the last few weeks. I've decided to post them unabridged, save for a few notes here and there that got the cut.

Enjoy!

Ts3!

2009-05-29T16:27:00.006-07:00

I'm really excited to be posting this. It's the teaser for what I've been working hard on for 2 and half years now. I actually had a tiny in hand in boarding this, with the heavy lifting in story being done by Dan Scanlon and Jason Katz! Big thanks to Lee and Darla as well!

Also; Congrats to the UP crew on their stellar opening and continued success! It's an amazing film! GO SEE IT!

I'll be back a few days with a PILE of sketches and some notes! 'Til then.

Enjoy!

Also, check it out in HD HERE.

Evening sketches

2009-05-23T23:22:00.004-07:00

More from Ritual... gotta get filling those sketchbooks again.

May!

2009-05-07T19:05:00.006-07:00

Some new stuff for May. More from weekends and mornings at Ritual, and occasional Bart rides.
Enjoy,
J

Almost april!

2009-03-23T22:22:00.002-07:00

Good lord, the time flies! I just finished a new sketchbook to boot.
Taking the Bart more often has been paying off.
Also,why don't you visit my new officemate?
He's a big fat genius.
His name is Erik.
Enjoy,
james

4 seasons

2009-03-14T21:22:00.002-07:00

A series of paintings, each one for a friend.

March Already?

2009-03-08T20:19:00.003-07:00

Wow, time flies. It feels as though I've had my head in the clouds for the last two months.
With 'Spring' now springing in San Francisco, and tons of stuff to get traction on, I thought I'd start with a blog post. Hopefully more in the near future....
For now, a sketchbook excerpt.

Enjoy,
james

Taking the Kura Toga for a test drive.

2009-01-25T22:44:00.005-08:00

I'm loving it so far.
These were done friday night during a long commute, and the post-commute cappuccino to unwind.
Enjoy,
J

Weekend Ritual

2009-01-20T21:46:00.015-08:00

What with last weekend being a long one due to MLK day, I thought I'd take full advantage of the three consecutive days off to spend them sitting in my favorite espresso bars in the city, working on some backlogged personal work. I'm lucky in that I live within walking distance of Blue Bottle, Ritual Coffee Roasters, and 4Barrel coffee; all of which take coffee very seriously, so I'm in good. In fact they've sort of spurred an obsession in me about espresso which I'm slowly pursuing and may bring up again at some point.

Anyway, I managed to get some much needed quality sketching time in, amid the deluge of cappuccinos. I spent the majority of my time at Ritual, right around the corner from me, so most of the sketches and photos are from there. It's a great place with a great energy, lots of interesting people that one can easily while the day away sketching. I spent most of time sketching the barristas, who were non-stop action.Process and Result

I managed to finish a drawing for a friend, to whom I was endebted an artwork. I hope this pays it!

For Stef

The patrons, either working on their laptops, or waiting in the long, long line.

When not at Ritual, I was at 4Barrel with Dani. We got breakfast and sketched. It was wonderful.

I also got a new toy! I've not been as happy with my pen drawings as I want to be lately, so I thought I might try something new. An auto-rotating pencil. With every stroke it rotates always keeping the sharp side of the pencil to the paper. Neat! We'll see how it goes.

Until next time!
James

Sketchcrawl+an extra one

2009-01-12T10:15:00.003-08:00

Update-sketches

2008-12-10T21:50:00.004-08:00

I've fallen a bit behind on posting with the holidays approaching. I'll be heading back to Canada for a few weeks, and there is much to plan and do. I have another film post to get to, hopefully this weekend, time permitting for those interested in that.
In the meanwhile, some sketches. Done on the rare Bart trip, and the less rare Ritual sitting.
Also, I picked up the Art of Bolt today at work. The storyboards in that are really fantastic! My hat is off to those guys down in Burbank.
Check it out!

James

The Venice Chronicles

2008-11-04T11:07:00.003-08:00

A good friend, co-worker, and source of inspiration Enrico Casarosa, has just released his latest sketch/narrative/travelogue tome, The Venice Chronicles.
It's a funny and poignant account of a trip to Venice with his lovely wife-to-be Marit, that details their flowering relationship and the city's role in it, told in beautiful, rich watercolours. It's appealing, fun and utterly Enrico.
More info here on how to get your hands on one.
For those of you that are in Toronto, my favorite comic store The Beguiling has copies on hand, so please, pick one up there. You won't be disappointed! I'll be visiting Toronto again in a month or so, and it's one of the first places I'll hit!

Until next time!,

James

A Few Days in the City

2008-10-19T21:43:00.007-07:00

This weekend Dani headed north on a trip with her friend, and I was left alone here in the city. I spent the last two days walking around San Francisco, drinking coffee, writing, visiting bookstores, watching movies and sketching. A relaxing few days that I sorely needed. I can't wait for next weekend!
Here are some of the sketches, humble as they are.

Enjoy,

James

No on Prop 8

2008-10-02T10:02:00.002-07:00

My officemate, friend and hero Adrian, just finished this great little short "Dave and Lonnie talk about Gay marriage", and the great news is he's uploaded it to youtube for your viewing pleasure.
Without further ado,
Here it is!

Once you're done watching that, head over to his blog for more awesome work!
Enjoy,

James