HIPHOPOLIS

THE CYPHER - MOS DEF, BLACK THOUGHT, & EMINEM

2009-10-29T00:47:00.000-07:00

I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuv me some hip hop. Now, granted...just looking at the line up...you're probably already saying what I'm saying...GAME OVER.

I love all 3 of these dudes. Mos Def?? Do I need to say more?? Black Thought?? The emcees' M.C.??And, please, bruthaz...if you don't respect and appreciate EMINEM'S greatness...you're a HATER...plain and simple. Please schedule yourself for counseling.

Now,

I don't wanna start debates...but, can we just compare 2009 cypher to the 2008 cypher that mixed a few unknowns in with some established heads.

I just love it cuz it's hip hop :)

KANYE WEST - ARTIST

2009-10-19T12:29:00.000-07:00

fresh off the heels of his latest film, "where the wild things are", director Spike Jonze and artist, Kanye West drop sum SH*T.

"We Were Once a Fairytale"

no more talking...judge for yourself.

ROB & REE Season 1 - Complete!!

2009-10-08T13:53:00.001-07:00

SYKE!!!

What is complete is the production of the 8 minute DVD for WILD GRINDERS.

Pictured from L - R during a sound mix at Salami Studios is:

Tracy Tubera (Character/Toy Designer, Art Director)

Rob Dyrdek (Creator, Executive Producer, voice of "Lil' Rob")

me (Director, Additional Character Designer, and Storyboard Artist)

Jeremy Larner (Executive Producer)

Vida Guerra (Model/Actress)

Next up...a BUNCH of short shorts.

BLOKHEDZ IS BACK

2009-09-15T22:01:00.000-07:00

IMAJIMATION STUDIOS, MADTWIINZ, B. SCHULTZ, AND CREW are back with their 3rd installment of BLOKHEDZ on MissionG.com.
My storyboard chores were light on this one havin' merc'ed a gang of footage the last installment. Nevertheless, the crew is still thick on this production.

Also, a big CONGRATULATIONS to LAUREN LONDON who plays as ESSENCE (the spoken word artist). She and LIL WAYNE welcomed a baby boy into the world on 09/09/09.

I leave you with a storyboard to final frame comparison.

ROB & ... ree?

2009-08-29T00:50:00.000-07:00

Pardon the lack of updates...but, as usual...I'm paying BILLS.

The 3D animated series, DA JAMMIES is in post production and coming along nicely. Meanwhile, I'm directing flash animated shorts for skateboard giant, ROB DYRDEK. You might remember Rob from his first MTV show, ROB & BIG which ran for 3 seasons. Now, he's on his second show in its second season for MTV called, THE FANTASY FACTORY.

WILD GRINDERS is the name of his toy line which is now becoming an animated property in conjunction with MOONSCOOP. Check the press release here

I visit the factory once a week and this time I had my flip camera with me to capture some of the action. Check it:

Featured in the video is Art Director/Designer of the Wild Grinders Tracy Tubera and fellow Moonscoop Director, Guy "he's broken" Vasilovich.

Stay Tuned ;)

ETC...

2009-08-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

okay...I've been back from Comic-Con for a week and I'd say I'm decompressed by now. But, to recap, it was a success in terms of awareness. Every kid that stopped by our booth...parents included were in love. See yourself...

We even had a few tyrannical children make their parents stay until the ENTIRE episode was finished. Good times :) But, the main reason i was there (and also the main reason not too many pictures were taken this year) was to promote our panel, which was held on Saturday night (of all times). I wanna give a shot out to J-NAUGHTY for making that happen...and all in all, given our time slot we still mangaged to get a decent turn-out. Thanks to everybody that came, laughed, and supported...
Soooooooo...just this passed Saturday I spoke on an animation panel at the OBS (Organization of Black Screenwriters). I talked a lil bit about my experience, possible methods of getting projects made independently, and just vibe with my people for a bit about the medium...
I finally realized that panels would be a good time draw a captivated audience :) ...
As if I don't draw enough, I went to a church picnic on Sunday and decided to do FREE CARICATURES for anybody who DARED step to me :) ... yes, i said, FREE...because anybody that knows me professionally KNOWS I don't do FREESTYLES, homie. But, hey, it's for Jesus :) So why not?... ironically, the first person that steps up was a COP by day and DEACON on Sunday ;) That's pretty brave if I do say so myself. Anywho, I was way out of practice...but, it was fun to entertain and see the reaction on peoples faces. That meant alot. Here's some highlights from the day ;)
oooo...that volleyball is wonky...eh...next time, Tiger ;)

this kid said he liked to draw...
Yes...she actually requested to be a cheerleader (bad picture on this one)...head a lil wonky...but, her friends were clownin' and said she had a "tomato head" anyway (shrug)
this lady said she wanted to be a cross between Beyonce and Janet Jackson. You be the judge ^_^
(sigh) and to think...it all happens all over again today, and tomorrow, and the day after that, and next week, and...

See ya'll in a minute.

VOTE FOR DA JAMMIES

2009-07-21T06:20:00.001-07:00

CLICK THE PICTURE above to see a COMPLETE 22 MINUTE EPISODE OF "DA JAMMIES" ON THE 4KIDS NETWORK. When you're done, please vote for it and tell a friend...and yes, I personally directed this episode ;)

Also, DA JAMMIES production team will be at the SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON THIS WEEK/ALL WEEK AND AT OUR OWN PANEL ON SATURDAY!

Here's the information:

7:00-8:00 Da Jammies— FarCor Studios Ralph Farquhar (executive producer), Dwayne Corbitt (executive producer), and creators Aulsondro Novelist Hamilton and William Dolla Chapman II of Toon Farm, LLC unveil Da Jammies, a new 3D animated music sitcom. The creator of such Disney hits as The Proud Family and Wendy Wu: Princess Warrior is back in the animation game with this groundbreaking show featuring hip-hop dances, music, and fashion. Join the producers, cast, and creative team for a sneak peek presentation of the new series and Q&A session moderated by Lil JJ of Just Jordan and the TBS series Men of a Certain Age. Room 8

Come by, say hello, take some pictures (whatever ;). If you can't make the panel, visit booth 2105.

SEE YOU THERE!

THE CHASE

2009-07-16T13:50:00.000-07:00

ALLA PRIMA 001

2009-07-13T11:43:00.001-07:00

We're in July and this is my first alla prima painting of '09. Geesh! it's been like FOREVER!! (sigh)

MY MICHAEL JACKSON MOMENT

2009-07-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

SKINNY GUY IN RALPH'S

2009-07-06T19:14:00.001-07:00

i passed by this dude yesterday evening.

ZOO MEMORY SKETCH - 1 HR

2009-06-29T11:51:00.001-07:00

went to the zoo a couple weeks back and frankly, i was more interested in the faux habitats more than I was the depressed animals.

Anywho, this was from the gorilla section.

DA JAMMIES (opening title)

2009-06-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

Here it is ya'll. The first sneak peak of "DA JAMMIES." It's been almost a year since I joined the project as Supervising Director/Director on 13 episodes of this show...but, alas, I finally have something to show for my efforts. The opening titles were storyboarded and directed by yours truly and animated by my peoples BLOWFISH FX in Kalkota, India. It was real fun hanging out with them during my stint in India.

Stay Tuned for more previews, updates, etc.

I've uploaded a quicktime version from REVVER.COM.

REVVER is the truth when it comes to quality. We all know YouTube is the most popular...but, the real heads know who has the best quality.

SHORT COMIC 001

2009-06-08T07:46:00.000-07:00

BLOKHEDZ ACT II at MISSIONG.COM

2009-05-19T12:38:00.001-07:00

BLOKHEDZ returns with their latest episode, "PAID IN FULL."

Once again, a big YEAH-YEAH to the Imajimation Crew and I hope you all enjoy the storyboard work.

EXPERIMENTS

2009-05-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

just trying some new techniques, brushes, and styles. staying fresh.

R.I.P. ERNIE BARNES (1938 - 2009)

2009-04-28T11:08:00.000-07:00

Ernest Eugene Barnes, Jr., was born on July 15, 1938, in Durham, North Carolina. His father was a shipping clerk for a tobacco company and his mother was a servant for an attorney, Frank Fuller, Jr. Fuller introduced Barnes to art by allowing him to look through his art books and by telling him about museums, painters, and schools of art.

When Barnes began school, he knew the works of many master artists, such as Rubens and Michelangelo. Barnes eventually realized that the best way in that era to gain respect as an African

American was to become an athlete. The first year he tried out for the football team he quit after two practice sessions because he was out of shape and unmotivated. The next year he tried to avoid football by convincing his mother not to allow him to play, but the coach visited his mother and talked her into letting him play. Another teacher, upon finding him hiding and drawing, took interest in his artwork and helped him get into shape for football. By his senior year Barnes was captain of the football team and state champion in the shotput. These accomplishments resulted in a football scholarship to North Carolina College, where he continued his art studies.

Upon graduation, Barnes signed a pro football contract with the Baltimore Colts, and painted his first major work, “The Bench.” He carried the piece with him to training camp, where he was pleased with the reactions of the coaches. When visiting New York, he found a portfolio of Charles White reproductions, which was the first time work by a black artist had made a lasting impression on him. While playing for the San Diego Chargers, the team's publicity director commissioned Barnes to sketch portraits of his teammates for the game programs. The success of this project resulted in an assignment to write and illustrate an article about pro football violence.

Barnes' first exhibition was at a team party for the Denver Broncos. The only piece he had was “The Bench,” so he quickly created ten abstract paintings for the exhibition. After selling six of the abstract works, he was asked for a price on “The Bench.” Barnes quoted a price of $25,000, a figure he considered to be ridiculously high, as he did not want to sell the piece. The gentleman handed him a check, at which point Barnes attempted to back out of the deal. The argument caught the eye of a Sports Illustrated reporter, resulting in an article about Barnes featuring “The Bench.”

After an injury forced an end to his playing career, Barnes tried to earn a living as an artist, but had difficulty making ends meet. When selling books at a used bookstore, he noticed a letter from Van Goghto his brother, in which he saw his own feelings in Van Gogh's words. This reinvigorated his determination to succeed. Barnes called Barron Hilton and walked the six miles to the appointment. Hilton was impressed and urged Barnes to write a proposal to the American Football League to make him the official artist of the AFL, as well as commissioning a new work. This led to an invitation from Sonny Werblin, the owner of the New York Jets, to bring his work to New York. Werblin had three art critics review Barnes' work, after which Werblin put Barnes under contract for thirty paintings, starting Barnes' long, successful art career.

His autobiography “From Pads to Palette” chronicles his transition from athlete to artist.Barnes’ ability to capture the powerful energy and movement of sports has earned him “America’s Best Painter of Sports” by the American Sports Art Museum. In 1984, he was appointed official sports artist for the XXIII Olympiad in Los Angeles. His sports commissions include “The Dream Unfolds,” for the NBA to commemorate their 50th anniversary; “Fastbreak” for Los Angeles Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss; and paintings for the owners of the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Oakland Raiders and Boston Patriots football teams.

For over 40 years, his neo-mannerism style of art has been admired and collected internationally. His national traveling “Beauty of the Ghetto” exhibition in the 1970s featured some of his timeless works as “Storyteller,” “High Aspirations” and “The Graduate.” His famous 1971 “Sugar Shack” dance scene appeared on the “Good Times” television show and on the Marvin Gaye album “I Want You.” This image has been widely imitated and Barnes’ expressive style has influenced countless aspiring artists.

Barnes’ art has been used as an educational tool to empower youth. The power, grace, intensity and fluidity of his work – combined with his celebrated variation of genre and sports themes – has given him an unequaled place in the history of modern art, despite the domination of abstract art throughout his career.

DEVELOPMENT SKETCHES

2009-04-17T13:09:00.001-07:00

round 1 complete.

GET YOUR STUFF OUT ASAP

2009-04-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

The sketch above was posted in 2006 here . Just one of those hour long sketches directly in Photoshop to unwind. Then, my buddy GORO was inspired to do some visual development on the theme as well. We had fun with it and that was that. Two artists just having fun with an idea. He and I actually did the same thing with an idea he created called "PLASMABALL."

So back to War Wabbits...3 years later...I get a email about THIS BELOW.

Now, of course, I'm not claiming these people stole MY idea. It's actually based on a Manga called, "Apocalypse Meow (US)" that came out in 1996 by Motofumi Kobayashi. Ironically, I've never seen that manga...but, 10 years later while I sitting in the studio thinking what if I juxtapose fuzzy cute rabbits with war machines and ammo I come up with WAR WABBITS.

I thought it was crazy and nevertheless, NEW. Stupid me...these are ideas! Nothing is new...but, it's really about who gets it out there first. And, of course, with the help of someone powerful and high enough to greenlight funding to get it made. (sigh)

Seriously, the real point I'm making is that we should all be a little bit more invested about our ideas. No matter how off the wall they seem. BELIEVE.

Just because that sketch is on a napkin or it only took you 15 minutes to paint that doesn't mean that it's the end of that idea. Just because it's about an ass with a gun that talks or a square sponge whose best friend is a starfish. Ideas can live longer than you or I but it's up to us, the creators, to take a strong interest in ALL that we create and actually make them as BIG or BIGGER than we can imagine. I never imagined WAR WABBITS as a movie. Maybe, Motofumi Kobayashi didn't either.

But, the point is...we had the same idea...but, one took it a step further...

and his copyrights and trademarks are waaaaaaay more established than mine so there's absolutely nothing i could do anyway :D

/jk

Time to go think of something "new"

- out

DISNEY REEEEE-USE

2009-04-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

Hey, you can't blame a guy for trying to make a buck!

BLOKHEDZ is now LIVE at MISSIONG.COM

2009-04-13T10:27:00.000-07:00

From the MADTWIINZ, Mark and Mike Davis, Brandon Schultz, and the legendary Michael Schultz of IMAJIMATION comes the highly anticipated first animated installment of the much celebrated hip hop comic, BLOKHEDZ.

Show these bruthaz some love!

If you can't stand the wack presentation blogger has given me...please head over to missionG here for a better view.

PEACE.

2009-04-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

MY NEW BEST FRIEND

2009-04-04T13:27:00.001-07:00

we're getting really acquainted these days.

here's to you ole chum!

WORDS OF WISDOM

2009-03-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

"How did you stay so prolific?"

"That's the $64,000 question. I guess you have to be inspired. And your antennas have to be out, so that you're watching everything and listening to everything people say. Then you write about it."

Legendary Producer Kenneth Gamble of Gamble & Huff in an excerpt from an interview in this month's issue of WAXPOETICS.

TRAVEL SKETCHES

2009-03-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

here's a couple of sketches done while waiting in airports.