Today marks exactly one year to the day since I posted in this here blog. The first few months of that hiatus were purely due to being very busy at work and therefore having nothing much to show for myself, creatively speaking.
But early last December, I happily broke the sketching-drought with a sketching day with that ever-inspirational fellow, Mr Matt Jones, when we both wandered through the Waterfront and Dogpatch region of San Francisco for a very pleasant afternoon.
Then later in the month, Julia and I went on a road trip with our pal Ted Mathot to see the MUCHA show (in Cedar Rapids Iowa, of all places). It was a very fun trip, and needless to say seeing the artwork of MUCHA in person was highly inspirational. Eating at a few nice restaurants in Chicago didn’t hurt either, and best of all I did more sketching. The slump was well and truly broken.
In fact, over the Christmas holiday break, I was just about to scan and post the bounty of my recent sketches here in my blog when I was flattened by the ’medical emergency’ that explains the next eight months of my silence here. My mind has been elsewhere for quite some time.
I’m only now getting back on my feet and I still have a long way to go before I’m even close to 100%, but at least I can operate a scanner. So without further ado, here are my Dogpatch doodles and Chicago sketches, the latter done just prior to Christmas at the famous Field Museum (and what a marvelous place it is).
It will be some time before I can draw properly again, so any drawings you see over the next few months will most likely be from the archive, unless I actually like some of the left-handed drawings I have been trying to do, in which case I may post one or two of those. We shall have to see how it goes.
A recent creative goal, and focus of this blog up till last Christmas, was to do more sketching from life, with an eye to realism (rather than the cartoons that come naturally to me). Now it is time to put that particular creative goal to the side for a little while and concentrate on other things.
I may do a little writing, so don’t be surprised if that becomes the focus of the blog for a while. I have it in mind to assemble a book of anecdotes from my childhood (I have posted some here before) and there has never been a better time to finish that project than right now.
It’s good to be back.
Beautiful sketches!
Absolutely awesome…
It’s good to have you back.
I haven’t seen you roaming the neighborhood. Glad you are back doing what you do best!
I’m so glad you are posting again.
Jamie, it’s so good to hear your voice again and see your sketches. I love the Field Museum. Post some of those leftie sketches and soldier on mate.
Been loving the writing you’re doing these days and looking forward to the left hand drawing!
Couldn’t have found the local beauty spots without you! Thanks for being the best guide to SF sketch able vistas in town.
Welcome back Jaimie!
the artiste has returned, welcome!
I’ve really missed you Jamie! I’m so happy to see you rebounding here!
So nice to have you back in the blog-o-sphere!
I look forward to reading your written ramblings, you witty, wonderful man!
Next up, let us try to find a moment where we all have a sec to spare for a catch up. I miss you (and Julia) every day! The shop is most inconvenient to my social life (but, you should come see it!).
XOXO
Great to see you posting again!
You miracle, man. How I adore you!
Look forward to seeing your lefty drawings. Hope your all well and great to hear your in good spirit. Much love Ed
welcome back James.
Can’t wait to see the new drawings.
So happy right now. Good on you Jamie. Art is your heart, doesn’t matter which arm you use.
Beautiful drawings here, welcome back to blogging!!
Yay, Jamie! Awesome to see you posting again!
Welcome back buddy!!!
From a left-handed artist, i’ll offer this tip – watch your palm smears, move your right to left, or just leave em in for flavor. Good luck, look forward to seeing more lines on paper and writings. 🙂
aw yeah
Your post is magic man. Welcome back and looking forward to see more
Lovely to hear your voice and see these sketches. Grew up in Chicago and the Field Museum was a fav. Looking forward to more of your posts.
Jamie, we’re really glad to see you back! Keep at it. You’re someone who we’re really proud to know.
Just finished the latest JOCK story. Made me want to take the kid out of Catholic School… but why rob him of having great soul crushing tales of youth to tell his pals when he’s in his forties?
Put that story up here AND I think every tale should come with an image – right or left handed. We all know you can scribble well right handed. I’m a bit intrigued by the what the left handed stuff might look like.
FORWARDish!
Love these Jamie. Welcome back!
Happy you’re back!!!!
Welcome back, Jamie, and keep channeling your inner leftie.
YAY Jamie! I agree, we should all draw from life more. It helps make our cartoons come to life.
Thank you, everyone. Your encouragement is very much appreciated. I hope to have some new ‘lefty’ drawings to share soon. Till then though, my other big landmark is going back to the neighborhood GYM, for some strength building. First time today.
Whew!
So excited to see more drawings!
You are very inspiring! Great drawings too.
‘Lefty’ Baker … kind of has a nice ring to it, dontcha think? 😉
Great to see you back on here again James Baker!
Welcome back, Jamie! I hope you make a full recovery and are drawing again soon, but I’ll be looking forward to your writing as well.
Yay Jamie!
go james… and I agree with pete// lefty baker… wow… so talented !
Go James.. Embrace the left side Dude….
reminds me of our sketching trips together around Tokyo: Ueno Park Zoo , the Fish market and Disney Land, keep ’em coming!
Good to read your posts again Jamie. I’d love to see some lefty sketchs!
Let me add my old geezer’s rumble to the lyrical chorus of welcome, thanks, and pleas for more of this wonderful stuff, dear Boy
Thanks, Dad. It will be quite some time before I can get close to anything like the drawings in this here post, but I will certainly try.