Pig Latin

In my exhaustive research for today's comic, I read that John Steinbeck often signed his books with a drawing of the Pigasus, a mythical flying pig. He also included the Latin motto "Ad astra per alas porci":

"To the stars on the wings of a pig."

You can order a poster here.

Suburban Planning

I didn't feel like sitting at my drawing table for this week's comic. I decided to walk outside and sketch my neighborhood!

Painting for Non-Majors

The extent of my painting education was a half-semester of independent study in high school. I learned the dangers of using turpentine brush-cleaner in a poorly ventilated room, the frustration of using watercolors on thin, cheap paper, and the incredible length of time it takes for oil paint to fully dry. A couple years later, I gave up painting for the boundless rewards of cartooning. 

The Olympians

Required Summer Reading

You can order a poster of this comic at my shop. 

Art Theft for Amateurs

I recently read Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. It was a thoughtful and inspiring book, but it gave no advice on how to literally steal art. 

Opening Night

This comic peripherally references Life in Hell, the great and recently-concluded weekly comic strip by Matt Groening. The overmatched protagonist is wearing a Bongo costume. After I drew this comic, I found out that Groening's strip was ending its 32-year run.

Dancing about Architecture

"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture." 

- Famous saying of indeterminate origins

"Dancing about architecture is awesome."

- Not-so-famous saying

You can get a poster here for your architecture/dance studio.

Murakami Bingo, Translated

I coerced a friend and classmate (who wishes to remain anonymous) into translating my Murakami Bingo comic into Japanese. Big thanks to this mysterious person for her hard work! 

The translated version is also available as a poster.

Kinetic Sculpture

If you haven't experienced the sculptures of Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, first visit the artists' website. Then make a pilgrimage to see one of their giant household objects in person. Here's a quick list of the iconic pieces I drew for this comic:


Shuttlecocks, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri
Spoonbridge and Cherry, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Clothespin, Centre Square Plaza, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Steampunk Summer

For a great introduction to this science fiction subgenre, I recommend Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories edited by Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant. Kelly Link's story "The Summer People" is phenomenal, as is the rest of her work.

Haruki Murakami Bingo

I've spent the last few years devouring the books of Haruki Murakami. Twelve novels, three short story collections, and one memoir later, I came up with this comic. If you have yet to experience the genius of Murakami, keep this Bingo card handy as you delve into his work. I recommend starting with The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Kafka on the Shore, or Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. You can find this comic in print in Sunday's New York Times Book Review.

Cycles of Life

 

In less than 6 months my wife and I will be learning to ride cycle #5! It's sure to be an exciting and terrifying course. 

Summer Night

Economic Signaling Illustration

I had the privilege to illustrate this week's It's the Economy column for the New York Times Magazine. Adam Davidson's article described consumer signaling, messages sent by companies to suggest the superior quality of their product. This assignment gave me the chance to brainstorm a wide range of products for discerning individuals and conquer my fear of drawing cars. 

Also: two of my recent literary comics, Behind Every Great Novelist and The Book of the Future, are now available to purchase as prints at my poster shop.