Neon Boneyard, Las Vegas.

I've just discovered a place I need to visit. A part of the Neon Museum in Las Vegas, the Neon Boneyard is where old signs are left after they are no longer needed. The signs do not light up, but there are still plenty of vivid, stunning pieces. It's strange to see the signs magnified at a close view.

(Photo by Matt Gross via New York Times.)

After studying how signs are made, I have a much greater appreciation for the fragility of neon, the work to make a sign, and it's saddening that some of these signs are not going to be restored.

(via Vegas Chatter.)

(via Boston.)

Check out some beautiful panoramas of the Boneyard (by Zach Wise via Las Vegas Sun).

Songs & Videos:

Rag & Bone - The White Stripes

DVNO - Justice

Bones Become Rainbows - The Wailing Wall

Hourly Comic, 2011.

Yesterday I participated in the Hourly Comic drawing. Inspired by John Campbell of Pictures For Sad Children, the hourly comic consists of one comic (panel) for every hour you're awake. Here was my Tuesday.

My favorite parts are the lunch drawing, because that is a pretty accurate depiction of how much I enjoy sandwiches, & the venturing out in the snow with my roommate Sarah. She was very enamored with the snow, & I was... not.

Songs & Videos:

The Snowpocalypse - Will Yates (via Myspace)

Bookends - Simon & Garfunkel (YouTube)

Stormy Weather - Ella Fitzgerald

Around the World In Eighty Days.

Illustration Month just ended. I drew a little bit from Jules' Verne's Around the World in 80 Days.

This is my favorite drawing from the series. Travel by elephant through India, when the rail line is closed for construction. Mr. Fogg is nothing if not resourceful.

Title Page Text.

Some Character Sketches.

In the beginning of the book, the whole world is caught up in his astronomical bet, and it's all that the papers and tabloids can talk about.

Songs & Videos:

Pink Sugar Elephants - Mates of State

World News - Local Natives

Race For the Prize - The Flaming Lips

Bioluminescent Giant Squid.

I made a giant squid out of fabric that is going to light up with EL wire. I love the versatility and portability of EL wire despite it not being as bright as neon. The battery pack for the light can be velcroed into the body, and the legs are posable. I'm planning on using turquoise EL wire, similar to the plush coral I've made before.

Pre-Lights.

Light Rendering (Day View).

Light Rendering (Night View).

 

Final Squid.

Songs & Videos:

Giant Squid - RJD2

C'mon Sea Legs - Immaculate Machine

I Louvre Lino Cutting.

I've always been a fan of stenciling and printing my images over & over again. I usually would do this with an array of spray paint on fabric or paper, but thought I'd try printing with a positive instead of a negative. I made the "I Louvre You With All My Art," stencil a few years ago, and tried to re-create a mini version in lino.

Cut.

Printed! Fun.

Songs & Videos:

Grey Cut Out - Sandwell District (at Last.fm)

Cut Outs - Project Film (Myspace.com)

Hearts on Fire - Cut Copy