Category Archives: Creative Writing
‘Drawing the invisible’ My interview with James D. Foster
I am a proud comic book fan. (Okay, I’m a total nerd)
I am a member of The Mystic Order of Arachnid Vigilance (AKA: The Tick fan club) True story. Here I am with the Cypher Matic Decoder Wheel!
I am also a fan of artists, of finding out what inspires them. And I am in complete awe of natural talent.
So, it’s only fitting that I asked my long-lost/recently found talented friend if I could interview him. Because he has natural talent in the art department.
In spades.
I’ll start with sharing what he labeled as his ‘nerdy’ stuff. *Cough* bullshit *Cough*
For instance, this ‘nerdy’ drawing. Because we all know, hands are SO easy to draw. Not.
This is my favorite – amazing grasp of lighting and shading and … just everything!
Now a little gratuitous moment – we played around with a short story I wrote, and these were some characters that were going to appear in the comic version.
She’s the love child of Vanna White and Pat Sajak (in my story)
The main character – and I cannot for the life of me remember his name?? Arnold?? Anyway, the bananas had disappeared, but he’s holding one.
And I have to assume this guy was the antagonist – that, or Jim got fixated on bananas – notice the one on his lapel.
Yeah, Jim. Such ‘nerdy’ stuff. Early works – and amazing. Just amazing. Then he really found his stride.
Let’s chat with Jim shall we?
Me: So, you’ve handed your mom your first drawing as a child – it goes on the fridge?
Jim: Yep. That’s remembering pretty far back. But, I drew like any other kid in those days. Family members with pig feet; houses with smoking twirls from crayola chimneys; cavemen riding around saber tooth brontosaurus. I drew like any average kid back then.
Me: That was my next question (talented AND psychic) when do you first recall drawing something, looking at it – and realizing. Oh … that’s GOOD
Jim: 1981. I was bedridden with pneumonia for two weeks when I was 13. My Father had bought me this amazing book on the art of the ‘Dark Crystal.’ Somehow it all just came together, and I realized I was way better at drawing than I had thought. Plus, I was 13, I’m sure what ever hormones I was dealing with didn’t hurt either.
Me: So would you say that being exposed to a certain genre of art made something ‘click’ in your head? Like ‘Ah, there’s this other amazing way to have smoke curling out of a chimney’ The hormones I’m sure didn’t hurt, did drawing become an outlet for frustrations and expressing yourself at that time?
Jim: Like any kid dealing with all of that craziness . . . you gotta have an outlet, an escape. I had whole worlds living in my head, but never could quite express them in any meaningful way. So, that’s when I got my first sketchbook, pen and quill, and started to draw whatever influenced that escape.
Me: I love that you had whole worlds living in your head – only a few are able to translate them into something they can effectively share with others … what was the response of ‘others’ once you found your groove?
Jim: It helped that my first art teacher saw something in what I was doing, and at that age, someone seeing potential in what you’re doing is a tremendous push. All the other kids saw it too. But, it no way put an end to getting pushed around. I always had some kid bug the heck out of me, to draw some girl they had a crush on naked. Pretty much, I was just a kid who drew better than most of the other kids. But, it never won me any popularity contests.
Actually, I have to correct myself. I won ‘Most Artistic’ my Senior year. It did actually win me a popularity contest.
Me: You must realize now as an adult, that ‘pushing around’ stemmed from envy right?
Jim: The girls always liked it. So that always helped. And they always had me drawing something for them. I played two years of high school football, and two years a pole vaulting and track. So sports was not really my problem. I suppose any kid at that age is envious of everybody else. I think it just helped me more or less break out my shyness. It was kinda my ice breaker.
Me: Other than grades K-12, did you have any formal instruction with regards to art, or are you self-taught?
Jim: Mrs. Spann was my first art teacher in High School. She was an incredible influence my first year. Sadly she had a heart attack, and had to retire. The next three years were all subs. So Mrs. Spann was the only formal training I had. In Jr. College I took a painting course and hated it. So that pretty much sums up all my art schooling.
Me: Natural talent. That’s huge Jim. Seriously. Okay – fast forward. When were you drawn to comics? (No pun intended)
Jim: Actually I always wanted to be a writer, Lol. So it just kinda made sense one day. Frank Miller’s ‘The Dark Knight Returns,’ was a big eye-opener when I was 18. The art was great, but the story blew me out of the water. Up to that point, I had always figured that comics were just kid stuff.
Me: They’re definitely not kid stuff – and they’re a lot of work! And, you do it all, Concept, writing – then you’re the penciller, inker, colorist, letterer AND editor. What are your tools of choice?
Jim: A good pencil, a good pen, and blank piece of paper. That’s pretty much it. I love Photoshop, but it always feels like I’m cheating. But, it works, so I go with it.
Me: What kind of pen? Doesn’t look like any ink that’s come out of any of my pens lol
Jim: I used to use Rapidographs. But, i find that they’re too scratchy, and a pain to keep clean. Anything that has a smooth feel to it, and you can just throw away and not feel bad about it.
Me: Then I guess the key is to be wicked talented – not so much the tool. What medium do you use for the coloring process? You mentioned photo shop – I have no clue how that works, but I know you’ve colored by hand too
Jim: Photoshop, that’s it. I really need to get away from that too. Nobody wants to buy stuff you’ve Photoshopped. They want something real and original to hang on their walls. I’ve always wanted to check out silk-screening. Printing your own posters and all. But, for a long time it’s just been on the computer.
Me: Digital inking/coloring. I guess that’s a good thing – if you had spent a lot of time doing it by hand, then screwing up a section – starting over would have to be frustrating as hell. Ever do that? Finish a frame and not like the lettering or something and have to start over?
Jim: More times than not. That’s why I love the computer. It saved me a lot of good pieces. If I had actually gone to art college, maybe I would have a better grasp at doing it all by hand. Raw talent will only get you so far.
Me: Speaking of ‘starting over’ – you lost 6 years worth of art and sketch books in a fire. I can’t imagine how that must have felt.
Jim: Felt like hell. What the fire didn’t get, the fire hose did.
Me: I’m so sorry. So much work. Almost like losing years worth of diaries and photos …
Jim: That was right around the time the whole ‘Capzowski’ storyline really began to seed in my head. That was my first attempt at doing real comic pages. 11 x 14 bristol board. It was a real pain trying to figure out what I was doing. There’s more that goes into a page then one tends to think. Like 6-8 separate drawings that all have to flow and mesh like some weird dance on a page. I got about twenty something pages worth out of that year. Left them all on the drawing table. Got home the next day, it was all gone.
Starsky (on the phone)
Jim: When I stop asking questions at to what they like and hate and what not. That’s something I love to capture when i draw each of these character. I don’t need thought bubbles to explain their ego’s and personalities. You can look at them and see their thought process. That’s my favorite thing about art. Not just drawing cool characters, but drawing what you can’t see. But, it’s there none the less. Like drawing gravity. It’s invisible, but in the manner that you illustrate an individual, you can feel their body weight. That’s what I get a kick out of art. Drawing the invisible.
Me: One character that has a misleading look would be Francis … he’s so menacing, yet Sissy is the heavy?
Francisco (Francis) Wolfgang Capzowski
Francis ‘looking’ tough
Meet ‘Sissy’
Sissy colored
Sissy before color
Sissy after color
Sweet family table time?
Me: I love the feel of Neo Pompeii – I might even be convinced to move my Tick comic books over to make room for the first Capzowski issue. Okay, so the big question – I know your life is in transition – but, let’s say the your Art Fairy Godmother floats down from wherever they float down from … what would be your art related wish?
Jim: Lol. To write a novel.
Me: A graphic novel?
Jim: A novel first. Then a graphic novel. A combo piece let’s say. One would feed into the other.
Letting go
Another fork – and destiny, breaks our clasping hands.
(The path that we are journeying on, once more been split in two)
One stands on the desert floor, while one on ocean sands.
(But reflecting on the stars at night, affords a similar view.)
I know your scars, you’ve seen mine too. We’ve shared our history.
(Reflect no more on what once was, but what His will will be.)
Wonder
Just breathe ….
Let go
I push away
fear dissolves
Release …
me
standing there,
smiling
legs firmly planted
mind searching for purchase.
lost
in thought
vacant smile
my eyes
I see
can’t understand
whirls – words – worlds
apart
and I breathe
let go
and walk away
Spinfarm – Interview with Adam. GMO free
Move over Cameron Crowe – I’m going to interview a rocker.
Before we start, can I just say, Almost Famous (based on his experiences touring with rock bands) has one of my favorite movie scenes of all times … ah yes, the Tiny Dancer bus scene.
Of course I can say that – because this is my blog. And having said that – you should know that I don’t make a habit of interviewing bands, but, like, omg guys, I totally know the drummer. And singer. Okay, we were married. For 10 years, but only together for about 6 months.
The 10 year thing – probably a REALLY good thing, because before I quit drinking, the only reason I didn’t wake up not knowing where I was with a shiny new rock on my left hand was because I was legally married. Phew!
He is happily married with children now and throughout the years, we’ve managed to drift in and out of each others lives and stay friends.
As pathetic as I am maintaining romantic relationships, I do seem to have a knack of being a great ‘friend who’s an ex.’
Adam (AKA: mOji from the SANE days) who seriously rocks vocals and drums, is joined by Mr. X on guitar and Brendon Ghiringhelli on Bass.
(“On guitar” What does that mean? If I had a nice guitar, nobody better be ‘on’ it. Get off my guitar. Now I’m on a Spinal Tap tangent in my head and in Nigels guitar room)
But I digress (as usual)
Spinfarm headed into the recording studio last year and the result was the End Of The World Soundtrack.
You’ll see why on the cover. Those wacky Mayans – they inspire you know?
I asked Adam if I could interview him, and he graciously penciled me in. (I’m typing this intro while waiting for the diva to IM me to do the actual interview … musicians. Pfft. You know how they are.) I jest. He’s busy being a great dad, husband to his beautiful wife and working hard.
Let’s enjoy the music video for the first track from Spinfarm’s CD while we wait.
I responded to my first viewing with ‘”I feel sorry for the dog at the end” 😦 (what every musician wants to hear from someone who just viewed their artistic effort huh?) but was assured that Henry was not left behind and even has his own Facebook page.
What follows is a back and forth interview between myself and my ‘ex who’s a friend’ about rocking out and about making a CD and other ‘stuff’.
There shall be shenanigans and I’m gonna make him name drop, because he’s not only a very talented musician, but a huge fan himself and has had the rare opportunity to jam with some note worthy people.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.
Me: My first rock interview, I’m a little nervous. May I call you mOji or Adam or do you go by Rock God these days?
Adam: Adam. LOL
Me: I recall, a little band called Rooster Stew. Now you’re in Spinfarm. I see a rural pattern …
Adam: Interesting … My current guitarist named the band Spinfarm, but I can see your point
Me: When I google Spinfarm, it wants to correct me to ‘spin farming’. I’m afraid to click. What’s the skinny on the name?
Adam: I’m actually not 100% sure myself … lol. My guitarist likes to say Home Grown sounds with No GMO’s
Me: GMO’s?
Adam: Genetically Modified Organisms
Me: :-O I’m glad you have none of those. They’d make the music odd
Adam: Indeed … Our music is pure and from the soul. So I’ve been told
Me: Your songs always have been. We’ll just cut to the chase. I’ve given my readers some background – we have a brief history lol. I had the honor of hearing Pantomime Circus live … a lot. Are you proud of the CD version?
Adam: Yes I am. I always thought the lyrics were some of my best. But I thought the music was lacking. What my guitarist came up with and the way we build the song finally does it justice IMO
Me: I really like it – but I’m partial to the solo version. You recorded with Charlie McGovern … how amazing was it to be in the studio??
Adam: It was. Charlie is a long time childhood friend, prior band member and an amazing producer and engineer with an amazing resume. We were tight and well prepared and turned out all the music for all 10 songs in 5 hours. I did all the vocals the following day in one take.
Me: I was so excited for you. You’ve NEVER given up on your music. Hey – let’s play a game. No cheating. I’m going to throw something random (lol) at you and you give me the first words that come to mind K?
Adam: OK … shoot
Me: Boondox
Adam: China Town
Me: Peacemaker
Adam: 45
Me: lol, I knew I’d left that off. Electric Chair
Adam: Straight Jacket
Me: Pantomime Circus
Adam: Ghost Town
Me: Sunset Serenade
Adam: Spaghetti Western
Me: Take your Toll
Adam: Hmmm … Don wrote and sang that one. But I think Vampires
Me: Like Edward Cullen or Vincent Price?
Adam: Vincent Price
Me: K. Higher Low
Adam: Hmmm … Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Me: Nice! Loaded
Adam: Dive Bar
Me: and um … Satan Jam
Adam: That’s a song that our guitarist relatives used to play back in the 70’s. It’s an Ode to …
Me: Okay, phew! Then there’s a bonus track that’s a secret – I’ll be buying my copy and will then know the secret, but can we have a hint?
Adam: Baba O’Reily by The Who … lol
Me: OMG! I LOVE the version you guys do. Seriously well done.
Adam: Thank you 🙂
Me: I just sounded 14. Jeez.
Adam: TEEN BEAT flashbacks
Me: LOL. You know my entire room was plastered in hair band posters
Adam: Indeed my Crue loving friend
Me: Speaking of other artists – I was saying you’re not only a rocker, but a huge fan. You’ve had the opportunity to jam with some pretty amazing artists. Name drop please.
Adam: Love/Hate, LA Guns, Junkyard, Rhino Bucket, Blue Oyster Cult, David Lee Roth, Tesla
Me: Did David have his farm bib pant things on? That would have been apropos
Adam: He was actually wearing a Popeye type sailor suit … but badass as always.
Me: LMAO! He was my first concert. I wore a sweater and heels. Yeah … I didn’t know how to ‘concert’ then. So, when you’re playing arenas, what’s going to be in your rider? No brown M & M’s?
Adam: Hmmm … Beef Jerky, Atomic Fire Balls, lotsa Double Bubble gum and Mt Dew
Me: I knew there would be gum. 😉 What happened to fruit stripe?? Have you abandoned the zebra?
Adam: Flavor doesn’t last as long as Double Bubble. lol. But, not Zebra the band. lol
Me: True, very true. Okay, serious question. How DO you keep time on drums and sing??
Adam: As I tell my step daughter (who plays drums) Practice Practice Practice. Seriously, lots of practicing thru the years
Me: Why do you close your eyes when you sing, but have them open when you’re drumming w/out having to do a vocal?
Adam: Actually, I’ve been told recently that I do the WHITE EYES thing while I’m singing and drumming too. lol … it’s quite odd. But I disappear into the music
Me: LOL! I know those eyes. You do tend to do an early Eddie Vedder when you’re at the mic.
Adam: One of my influences
Me: I know – do you still cover Pearl Jam?
Adam: Not in Spinfarm, But I did do this a few months ago solo
The only cover we do is the Who song in Spinfarm
Me: I was going to ask if you were still doing any solo things as mOji
Adam: Just as Adam. mOji is my old Santa Cruz moniker from my days with SANE
Me: I still have the lunch box somewhere
Adam: Nice
Me: You have a lot going on this Summer – lots of gigs
Adam: Yes, we’re excited
Me: did you create all the fliers? They’re really good
Adam: Yes, I create all the fliers – book all the shows … But I really enjoy it. Connecting the dots. AND the fliers I do with ancient programs, no photoshop here
Me: Too much talent for one person Atom
Adam: LOL
Me: Dream tour … who’s on it with you?
Adam: Hmmm … lets see. Pearl Jam, Love/Hate, Janes Addiction and Ace Frehley
Me: Nice! I’d go. Can the Gin Blossoms and Dave Matthews come too?
Adam: On my acoustic solo tour lol
Me: Yes! Hey … Atom?
Adam: Yes
Me: Where’s your gum?
Adam: Right here —->
Me: lol. Did you want to add anything? Say something mind blowing?
Adam: Beware the lollipop of mediocrity – lick once and you’ll suck forever
Me: And on that … we have a wrap.
Teddy and the tomb poem
Finding myself on a hamster wheel. I reached out tonight to a friend so I wouldn’t be morose in bed, hugging on to my teddy – my 40 year old touchstone.
I’m tired of listening to my own thoughts, so I can only imagine how you must feel reading them.
I know what it is important in life. Love – family – serenity – service – enduring friendships.
I’m burned out on the wheel though.
If I had a magic wand, it would put me somewhere with a future. A chance to spread my wings and not have them operated by ‘must’. Must fly here – must fly there – must not touch the light.
I wrote this poem years ago, and it’s become a metaphor for what could have been.
“In memory of …” the tomb began,
I could not read much more.
My loss engraved in cold grey stone, was too much to endure.
I turned away, too pained to stay,
And walked to clear my mind.
All the while regretting what I had to leave behind.
Debauchery Soup 