Cry me a rainbow 1:

Cry me a rainbow 2:

Cry me a rainbow 3:

(More on my Flickr page)

For the 2012 Sketchbook Project, where Art House Co-op and 3rd Ward very nicely sent me a free sketchbook, I included illustrations from an ongoing illustration project called Project Superfriends, where I draw my friends as superheroes based on my memories of them. The title of the sketchbook was The Encyclopedia of Superheroes You Have Never Heard Of (to follow the encyclopedia theme I picked). Here are some of the sketches:

See how the project unfolds here. 

Thanks, Art House Co-op and 3rd Ward!

A poster for the DrawHappy project:

Free downloads here. Put them in your local cafe, community bulletin board, walls, etc. Spread the love!

It’s…. Magical Rainbow Bridge Time!

For Benjamin.

P.S. Brainbow is also an awesome neuroimaging technique.

This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Elizabeth Streb, extreme action choreographer, for a series of articles I am writing about how drawing figures in a creative person’s process.

Article/s to follow in my writing blog, but I was so moved by the interview that I decided to draw. She is one classy lady and a true artist. Thank you, Elizabeth, for such a lovely, gracious interview. And for showing me your markers.

I was cleaning my archives when I found this card I mailed to the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop for one of my projects. I love these guys; it makes living in the East Village so much better.

Damaso, Salamat (ink on paper, 9 by 10 inches)

On September 30, 2010, exactly a year ago, performance artist and cultural activist Carlos Celdran protested against the Catholic Church in opposition to the controversial reproductive health bill in the Philippines. Specifically, he entered Manila Cathedral dressed as Jose Rizal (the Philippines’ national hero) during a mass and stood before the altar bearing a sign that said, “Damaso,” a reference to the villainous friar in Rizal’s novel, Noli Me Tangere. He shouted, “Stop getting involved in politics!” before he was arrested and charged with “offending religious feelings.”

This is a drawing of both remembrance and gratitude. Carlos always wears a hat. Above and below are words that say “Damaso, Salamat.” (Salamat means “thank you” in Filipino.)

Here is a short note for my friend on this unusual anniversary:

Dear Carlos,

I know that you didn’t mean for any of this to go so far, and that you’ve apologized many times for the manner of your protest. While few would ever have done what you did, in a way, I’m glad that you’ve opened the way for a lot of dialogue that should happen. It’s about time people started to question things. In any case, I’m glad you’ve had a peaceful September this year. Continue your work promoting Philippine culture because the country needs you.

Oh, and don’t get yourself arrested again. It’s quite upsetting to get a Facebook message from a good friend telling you he’s in jail. Oh dear. 

xoxo

C

For a rainy day like today.