Madam X and Crew

2008-03-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hello there!
Well, it's been ages. Lame!

Here are some things that I have been spending my time on:

My Myspace Blog
Where I write about life and stuff. Not much of the arts in that blog. But I love to have more readers, so check it out!!

365 Self Portrait project on my flickr account!

Some freelance work! I need more! All the time!

More soon. Bc I miss you guys!
love and rayguns,
-m

Our Town

2007-08-10T00:25:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody!
It seems that my Comp is back up and running!
I have plenty to share with you.
Firstly, let me just say the the Balthrop, Alabama double CD finally dropped. It features art from all the towns people, including me! I am the Minister of Tourism, after all. I did two paintings illustrating songs and some of the package designy stuff, too.

Here is the illustration for Down On Us

And for Satellite

This is the version if we had done the booklet in black and white.

If you are interested in buying the album, Your Big Plans/Our Little Town go to the Balthrop, Alabama website: balthropalabama.com

More soon!
Love and Rayguns,
-m

something new that I am working on

2007-07-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

we'll keep it mum for now...

Love and rayguns,
-mo

Another Gigantic Photo Post!

2007-04-24T22:09:00.000-07:00

I have discovered punk rock and my drive to create has returned for what promises to be a fruitful summer!
Don't you dial up people loooooooove me?
So spring has, like, sprung here in brooklyn. For now. But here are some photos I have taken of flowers and outdoorsy type things.

Except for these first photos. They are from a series I did with dead and dying flowers... They were the flowers that people gave me for my birthday, I believe.

Now we move on to newer and living, like winter moving into... spring!

This lot is from vt last year. Some critters made their way into this series.

I have a zine project that I want to get off my chest. And I want people's help with, if they are interested.
But that's all to come...

For now?
Love and Rayguns,
-mo

Photos From Castle Anthrax

2007-04-01T21:22:00.000-07:00

Hello,
Photos from The Balthrop, Alabama video shoot abound! Here is the first batch!

Love and Rayguns,
-Elba Millry

Real Post This Time

2007-03-16T12:45:00.000-07:00

Well, sorta.
Hey, everyone!
How are you?
I have been using the fun but archaic "Paint"!

Illustration Friday: 3/9/07 "wired"

More "Paint" doodles.

Also this is THE BEST THING EVER, today.
everyone should see this!

I was right, tho, right? I mean, come on!!
If I could accomplish anything nearing this artistic brilliance at some point in my life time, I could die happy.

OK, I don't know if you can tell, but I'm trying to get into the habit of posting more often. That's why my last posts (and this one) have not been up to my usual standard. But isn't it better to post something, even if it's silly, than to post nothing?
Clearly, I think so.

Until next time,
Love and rayguns,
-mo

These Don't Coun't As Blogs.

2007-03-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

Your results:
You are Jean-Luc Picard

Jean-Luc Picard		85%
Will Riker		70%
James T. Kirk (Captain)		60%
Deanna Troi		55%
An Expendable Character (Redshirt)		55%
Geordi LaForge		50%
Uhura		45%
Mr. Scott		40%
Chekov		40%
Worf		40%
Leonard McCoy (Bones)		35%
Spock		27%
Mr. Sulu		25%
Data		22%
Beverly Crusher		10%

A lover of Shakespeare and other
fine literature. You have a decisive mind
and a firm hand in dealing with others.

Click here to take the Star Trek Personality Test

Just a Note to Say I'm not Dead!

2007-03-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends Of Madam X,
I'm not dead.
New and varied posts to follow.

My results:
I am Malcolm Reynolds (Captain)

Malcolm Reynolds (Captain)		80%
Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic)		75%
Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command)		70%
Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic)		55%
Wash (Ship Pilot)		50%
Inara Serra (Companion)		50%
Derrial Book (Shepherd)		50%
River (Stowaway)		45%
Jayne Cobb (Mercenary)		40%
Alliance		20%
A Reaver (Cannibal)		15%

Honest and a defender of the innocent.
You sometimes make mistakes in judgment
but you are generally good and
would protect your crew from harm.

Click here to take the Serenity Firefly Personality Test

Love and Rayguns,
-mo

Is There Any Such Thing As A Anti-Super-Hero?

2007-02-06T07:54:00.000-08:00

Hello,
What do you think, dear readers? Is Madam X a super hero? Let's make this the question of the week. Send me your thoughts on the subject, either via comments of email. Email this blog at madamxandcrew@gmail.com anytime you feel like it. If I get enough feed back maybe we'll make this a weekly or bi-weekly feature of Madam X and Crew.
OK, down to business, stating with the reason for my query:

Illustration Friday from last week (1/19/07):

I'm not sure if the scan of this drawing is crooked, or the actual drawing is.

Here are two watercolor paintings for an old Illustration Friday topic: "dance" (6/16/06)

These are two of my favorite kinds of dancers to draw. My third favorite is flapper! Awesome!

Illustration Friday from 1/26/07: "red"

My first impulse was to do a red headed girl, or girls. I even sketched them out. But then I thought to sketch a boy, too. And this is the only one that got paint. This is the only one that ended up interesting me.

This is a commission I did for my friends Daryl and Janie. They are really wonderful people and artists. I did slightly change the piece from how you see it now. I made her lips pink!

These are two little warm up paintings I did while getting ready to paint the dancers. I'm experimenting with doing a sketch, then over painting, then erasing the pencil makrs. I don't usually do that. The girl on the left is done as I tend to, with the pencil lines still there, under the paint. The one on the right is the newer way. Any thoughts?

I'm so off track with blogging and The MX Newsletter...
I gotta catch that train again!

Love and rayguns,
-mo

I'm Sick

2007-01-11T02:54:00.000-08:00

Meh...
I have tonsilitis but I'm getting over it. I think. I hope.

Illustration Friday "Buzz":

This is a flier I did for the wonderful Kansas State Flower! I finished it mere hours before the topic for IF was announced. I couldn't believe it! Anyway, Here is another "poster" flier I did for them. Please read the flier and go see the show because it will be great! If I'm well enough by Saturday I will be there!

So, thanks to Jeannette for pick a topic that works so well with my schedule!

Last weeks IF was "pheonix":

I had to do Jean Gray, The Pheonix, Of The X-Men. I had to. But maybe one day I'll do another illo of this topic.

I went to visit Toots last week. I gave her folks the pic I did of her for IF "smitten". And I took some more photos of her. I got this one of us together.

Okay, I'm going Back to Bed.
Love, rayguns, and antibiotics,
-mo

Color Squares

2007-01-05T03:21:00.000-08:00

So, I didn't do IF in time this week. But the next one coincides with something I happen to be working on. That means, rather then skip this weeks blog, I'm going to post now, and then again on the sooner side of next week. Post all the time!

Fun with colored paper!
I bought this pack of different colored and sized heavy weight paper a while ago. I like to bring some to work and doodle if I have time.
Here is some The BLOW fan art! I LOVE The BLOW!

This piece is actually four "joined" together. They can be scrambled and used like a (albeit, very simple) puzzle. They are backed with cardboard.

"make a connection"

Staplers are sooooo cool

some peas...

And other stuffs...

Rocketship fan art. I LOVE Mary Gibbons!

I hope Mary doesn't get too mad at me for this!

Have fun and see you soon!
love and rayguns,
-mo

ps- I didn't realize how terrible these scans were until after I posted. Not gonna change them now. We are all just going to have to live with them. Forever.

Friday All Week Long!

2006-12-29T11:02:00.000-08:00

Hello!
Illustration Friday: "Peace"

So, I started doing Illustration Friday waaaaaaay back in February. I have seen 42 (wow, magic number. I love you DNA!) IF subjects and managed to illustrate 21 of them. Exactly half... that's crazy (Note; as I'm writing this, I have not yet completed this weeks. But I will, by god! I will!).
My point is I want to illustrate some of the topics I skipped.

So here are the IFs from the last two weeks.

Illustration Friday 12/8: "Help"
This one I had done on time but didn't post a blog that week.
Side One:

Side Two:

Illustration Friday 12/15: "mask"
This one I did just after the deadline. I couldn't get the inspiration that I needed until way late. I was not going to go this traditional route. Or at least I was trying not to. But when I doodled this image, thinking of IF, and then painted it I had to use it. Even if it is cliche, I'm happy, really happy, with the way it came out.

Now some that are way old!

4/07: "speed"
This one I took the photos for right around the time of the topic. I'm not sure way I didn't post them... Maybe I didn't do a post that week... I also know that I've felt a little self conscious about posting photos in the past. It sees that the IF community looks down on photographers. The don't even have a category for them... Ho hum.

Hey, does anybody know how to make the picture a little animation? But rapid changing from one to the next? Am I making any sense at all? Anyway if you understand me and you do know how, I'd like to know, too. It would be a more effective illo if it was rapid fire!

8/4: "capture"
Here is another photo entry.

8/25: "run"
I love to draw these clunky disembodied legs and shoes. I don't know why.

10/13: "smitten"
I'm COMPLETELY smitten with Toots the cat.
Sketch from the first time that we met.

Drawing from a recent photo.

Almost all her fur is growing back!

Here's a photo of me and toots together. I can not get enough of this cat!!

So there you have it! Seven IFs for the seven days until the next MX blog.
Enjoy!

Love and Rayguns,
-mo

ps- I did finish "peace" before friday but only by the skin of my teeth and then I got distracted and didn't post it in time for the deadline . Damn!

Mighty Post!

2006-12-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

Hey, Art!

Illustration Friday: "might"

These are two small (5x7 inches) water colors I did for a silent auction for the Catskill Animal Sanctuary. CAS is a really great cause and organization. Please visit their website! CAS

And then shows, shows, shows!!
Chris Buckridge solo acoustic at the NY Irish Center in Long Island City.

Balthrop, Alabama at Bait & Tackle in Red Hook.

Now,
Go be inspired,
Go rescue some animals,
Go hear and see some live music!

Love and Rayguns,
-mo

I'm In The Band! Well, Sorta...

2006-11-30T00:54:00.000-08:00

Hey Y'all!
Quick entry this week with some quick comics and WC paintings!
But IF took me a while. I really really like this one.

illustration Friday: "invention"

Check me out playing one of these sweet birdies on Sunday Dec 10th at the Balthrop, Alabama show at Bait and Tackle Bar (Red Hook, Brooklyn. Corner of Van Brunt/Pioneer Sts). We also have a show on Dec 17th opening for Rainer Maria (At North Six, N 6th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn)... Can you beat it?

Two little comics I did around Thanksgiving:

Water color sketch of naked ladies:

Join the Madam X and Crew Mailing list!
Email me at madamxandcrew@gmail.com

Thanks everyone!
Until next time!
Love and Rayguns,
-mo

November Makes This Blog One Year Old!

2006-11-21T22:35:00.000-08:00

I didn't even realize that this month is this blogs one year anniversary!
Yay blogs! Everyone who doesn't already have one, go out and get one! They are fun and easy! To everyone who does have one, good job! Hey, while we are talking about blogs, check out These great ones:
The Ne'er Do Evers
The Story And The Sound
Little Bird House
Just Drawn That Way

Illustration Friday: "thanksgiving"

This is one of the hand embroidered cards I make. It's fallish and certainly can be used as a "thank you" card!
No word yet on those teeny avitars, huh?

I did this commission for a friend and an amazing artist, Daryl Walker
This is a terrible scan. But he very kindly put two scans together to see the whole image. It's Bambi Woods, mysterious porn star!

If anyone else is interested in getting a commission piece by me, buying any art, or trading art for art, or art for music, let me know! Art for sale includes much of the paintings or drawings seen in this here blog (or things very similar), embroidered cards, custom embroidery, etc... You can contact me by emailing madamxandcrew@gmail.com.
You can also write me there if you just want to chat!

And this is that art I did for Chris Buckridge's Vessels CD release present. It's also a terrible scan. The colors are much darker and richer in real life. Oh well.
I also did a tiny painting kinda like it that you can find in this entry (scroll down, you'll see it!).

Wow! This blog is linktastic!
Should I give you one more? I think I should!
Nedroid Comics and Art
There is nothing but good good gooooood here!

Later 'Gators!
Love and Rayguns,
-mo

It's Raining Frogs!?

2006-11-15T00:45:00.000-08:00

Hey Y'all!

Illustration Friday this week is "clear":

I'm having a lot of trouble making one of those little tiny avitars they use over there. Anyone have any advice for that? I can't seem to meet their specifications no matter how hard I try.

Here are some not too clear scans of three paintings I did recently.

They are a set, the go together. Here is a photo of them, framed. I got these super cheap wood frames at Ikea. But they were the raw wood and the wrong color. So I painted them.

I was gonna use the paintings for one thing and now I'm gonna use them for something else.

And here is a photo of me as a zombie.

I like zombie me. She's in the bathroom. She'll eat your brains.

Until Next Time,
Love and Rayguns,
-mo

HAPPY HOLLOWEEN!!

2006-10-25T15:00:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday:
"ghost"

It doesn't really look like it but this was inspired by Jess Finks ghostly hotties: Jess Fink's Live Journal.
Check out the rest of her LJ to see many more spirits (all of them awesome, some of them naughty)!

Chris Buckridge also did an illustration on this topic. I've got Chris' ghost...

In other holloweeny news here is a few new Balthrop, Alabama (B,A!.)
fliers.

Come see the show!! We are all dressing as ZOMBIES!

I might add more to this post later today. But for now:
BRAINS!!!

brrrrraaaaaiiiinnnnssss,
-mo

Come one, come all...

2006-10-12T23:25:00.000-07:00

See the show!
Everyone go see some live music!
Here are some fliers for shows that I have made recently.
This first show you can still make!!

Balthrop, Alabama ROCKS!
Really, I love this band!

This flier I made at work. I like to do fliers like this; four quarters of a 8 1/2 by 11 piece of paper. I fold them and make an image that will be cut to 4ths. But I like the way it looks as a whole, too.

And I've been working on this:

Anyone read any Kurt Vonnegut??!!
Cats Cradle???!!
Oh god, it makes me so freaking excited, like crazy!

Color tests...

Hey! While your on the computer, why not check out Madam X and Crew's myspaces?
Madam X's myspace
Cat's myspace
Sawl's myspace
Now, go read something, or listen to something, or see something, or create something, that is wonderful and magical.
Okay?

love & rayguns,
-mo

Four Paintings And Big News!

2006-10-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

Hello!
I've been doing a lot of things since I got back from VT a month ago!
MADAM X AND CREW are now on MYSPACE!
MADAM
CAT
SAWL
I sure do hate myspace, so it's taking me forever to get their pages finished.
These four small watercolors are from VT.

Made this Red Wing Black Bird for Candice. It's my favorite of all birds.

Based on an idea I used in another painting. The monster was only a small aspect of the original piece. It was a painting for the release of my friends CD, Vessels. Listen to a song from vessels.

Just a cat.

A cat I painted for a friend from Threadless

Later cats and kittens!
Love and Rayguns,
-mo

NIghttime Vermont Photos

2006-09-06T18:41:00.000-07:00

THE comic!

2006-08-02T23:45:00.000-07:00

Get ready! This post is super image heavy!

Illustration Friday: "clean"
(triptych)

Gavin suggested, or inspired me, to put a whole comic up on this blog.
So here it is, in it's entirety, just as it would be if you were holding it in your hands! Spelling mistakes and typos and everything! THE comic! The first ever Madam X!
To think that I made this waaaaaaay back in, golly... what was it now? 2001? 2002? ick. Well, hopefully I've gotten better. But I think y'all can get the idea of where I'm going with it.
Here ya go!

OK! Now go listen to this:
I've Got A Bad Feeling About This
and this:
Madam X: Galactic Sex Queen
And tell me and everyone what you think!
Until next week,
Love and Rayguns,
-mo

Yippee-ki-yay,

2006-07-12T21:55:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Seems like I'm keeping on schedule so far.

Illustration Friday: "skyline"-

I had alot of options for this one. It was hard to narrow it down. I might show some of the others later in other blogs.

I also have been doing a lot of portraits lately. Here is the funniest portrait I have ever done. Ever. It makes me laugh everytime I see it. Pen and ink in my sketch book.

Here is Pris's owner. She's reading Jack Karoake.

And another version of this photo:

Two late entries!
Kerrn:

And Loserbeech:

Here is a sktech portrait I did of my friend Rachel. She is a very special person and she has no qualms about showing off her sports bra. She enjoys freaking people out with it. Or winning an argument by showing it. No one can go on after that.

And I guess neither can I.
See you next week!
Mucho Amor,
mo

Illustrations, Portraits, and a Comic!

2006-07-06T22:55:00.000-07:00

Hello All!

I hear some of you like talking, but art rules the day!
Sorry, Rholli, sweetie!

Illustration Friday: "sticky":

More of a sketch, really. Look! She even has napkins!

And here is one from 4/14/06--
"spotted":

I did a portrait of Vulcanhalfbreed for Threadless. She is great! She is an amazing photographer and all around cool lady! Visit her blog!

Here is a sketch portrait of Pascal from Balthrop, Alabama. They very kindly mentioned me in their blog.
Find it here.

And finally some fucking Madam X!

This was a teeny tiny comic I did at work.

Thanks everybody! This was fun!
Until next week,
Love and Rayguns,
-mo

Guess What?!!

2006-06-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

It's true, I'm back.
Let's not talk. Let's just enjoy the art work.

This weeks Illustration Friday:
"Rain"

Yep, that's one of the illos I did with Isaac for the children's book. I know that I have promised to show his pencils, but I'm not gonna. Not this week anyway. I'm still just trying to get back on my blogging feet, people. I'm taking it slow.

Here also are some older Illustration Fridays:
06/02/06, "portrait":

05/26/06, "cake":

05/19/06, "sorry":

(I might send this one into Stuff On My Cat)

Here is a photo I took. It's this great sign right near my house. I think that they are gonna tear it down soon. I may use the photo for something Balthrop, Alabama related in the future.

So, I think that's it for now. I have rushing around to do.
I'll try to resume my once a week schedule from now on.
Love and Rayguns,
-mo

Super Late Blogtastic!

2006-05-04T16:13:00.000-07:00

Ick, late again. But I won't apologize, I don't have time!

Illustration Friday! "Under The Sea"

Jellyfish coat. It's too warm to wear it now.

I finished those children's book illos. It was a really fun project! I've seen the finished book and it looks really beautiful. Bea, the author, did an amazing job. She is a wonderful and lovely person. Very full of life and verve. She cropped some of the pics and bound it. She said that her students really liked it, especially the illos! Yay us three!

Next week I will do a side by side comparison: Isaac's pencils and my watercolors. But for now here are some of the colored pictures. I am amazed at how well Isaac can draw building from his imagination! And everything else, too! I really got to see how he works. It's so different from me! But that's what is so great about working with him! Jeez, will you look at how great his pics look! I liked to see his process of sketch to finished drawing.

It was very fun to think of what colors the scenes that he created would have. I feel like there was a lot going on color wise in some of my versions. Do y'all think, they are too busy? It was hard with so much going on in each pic to pare down the colors. I like the effects I was able to create by using I's pencils as a base (no inks). Ok, some one remind me next week (don't laugh! I will to have a blog up next week!) to post the pencils as is, ok?

Here is a little self portrait. I really like it except that crap on the mirror that looks like it is on my face. I was talking to Geoff Freeman the other day about always having a camera with you and always taking pictures so you don't miss things. I didn't even know he was a photographer! But we were just saying how great it is to have these digital cameras now. They are so easy and fun! I'm still trying to take photos all the time as much as I can, but most often I'm home alone at night so I get a lot of photos of Bippi and myself.

Speaking of photography this Live Journal

Pinstriped Clouds

is amazing. This woman is so talanted. The site is worth checking everyday for new photos.
Also Lis

From The Pear

has had some great photos up lately. She's recently back from Italy and dropping *ahem* names all over the place, too. Thanks Lis!

This is not from M.O.N.S.T.E.R. but it could be. It is just a little drawing from my sketch book. Remember M.O.N.S.T.E.R. everybody? It's a contest and it's still going on!! Come up with a good acronym for M.O.N.S.T.E.R. and win an original piece of artwork. It's that easy! There have only been one entry so far (my fault, I know). But I know someother people have made ones and just not sent them to me. I won't name names (ok, I will, Stan and Chris!). Please comment here with your entry or email me at the Madam X address attached to this blog page. It's up there in the right corner in my profile! You can figure out! Please use this picture and the two from the previous post (04/13/06) as inspiration!
Here is that one lonley entry:

Mutant
Occult
Ninja
Squad
Trained to
Execute
Revolutionaries

Thanks Rholli!!

So, homework for you: Work on M.O.N.S.T.E.R. contest.
Homework for me: Post blog with Isaac's pencils, more drawings etc...
Yep, that covers it for now. Next week, by god, next week there will be more!
Until then my kittens,
Love and Rayguns,
-mo

I Only Skipped Two Weeks...

2006-04-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

But it feels like forever! A lot has been going on but until this week it was not artistic stuff. But this week was a mother load!

I did not do this weeks Illustration Friday yet but I do have the last two weeks done and ready for perusal. The first weeks I missed was "Monster". I did several drawings for this one but they all came out very badly. I like this sketch the best out of anything that I did.

But I also worked on a Mike Mignola inspired piece that totally went to shit. I was going for his style mixed with mine as well as a B.P.R.D. type team. But it fell apart pretty hard. I'm gonna post it anyway. Just because. I was trying to come up with an acronym for M.O.N.S.T.E.R. and that was to be the name of the team. But I messed up the inking so bad I just dropped the whole thing. If anyone can come up with anything good I may try to revisit the idea.
So, let's make that a contest! Come up with a good meaning for M.O.N.S.T.E.R. and win an original piece of artwork. Sound good? I'll be sure to include the rules and specifics in the next newsletter (which will come out next week). Anyway, here is the crappy picture. Whoever wins will get a much much better piece of work. I swear!
Last weeks (two weeks ago? this is confusing...) the theme was "Spring". I did this pencil illo on the train. This is almost exactly what I first thought of when I heard about it. I wanted to do something really different then what I am known for. And to use a method I don't usually work in. I really like the way it came out. I only wish I hadn't done it in my sketch book so it would have been easier to scan.

Check out my friend Spacesick's blog for his awesome entry!

Spacesick

The other big project I have been working on this week is illustrations for a children's book. Isaac's friend Bea wrote a book for a class of her's. She asked that Isaac do the illos and he asked that I help him. I wanted him to draw them b/c he is such an amazing artist. (I am hoping to work on many other projects with him soon. I want to have many comic babies with him. He has an amazing sense of panels!)

So these are Isaac's pencils with my colors over them. The scans are very crinkly and a little color intense, but you get the Idea. I chose to apply watercolors directly over copies of Isaac's pencils. I had planned to ink the originals but that boy is crazy! He draws the most tiny teeny details and makes everything look so good! I didn't want to mess with any of his fine lines. By coloring the copies I got to keep all his hard work and detail and infuse them with some detail of my own. I really think that they came out nice. I tried to choose a color theme for each illo. I hope I can keep it up b/c there are nine or ten more to do. These are just two of four that we already completed. I won't post the other two this week but may post them and others in the next blog. Do you people want to see more?

And here is a doodle of Madam with the last word. So true Madam, so true...

Until Next Week,
-mo

Not Much Madam X This Week, Sorry...

2006-03-23T10:35:00.000-08:00

The topic for this week's Illustration Friday is "feet". I have two.

I would have had three but I couldn't set up the picture in time or get anyone to take it for me. Although, if I had had someone it would still have hard to take if it wasn't set up.

If you want to see some great drawn feet check out Colleen Coover's work.
Colleen Coover

And here are the inks for last weeks I.F. The topic was "Tattoo". If you want to see the pencils just scroll down. I didn't have the chance to post it over at the I.F. Web Site. I got it done late last Thursday but couldn't get the Blogger site to post my entry. Does any other Blogger/Blogspot-er have this problem?

I used a portrait I took of Candice for reference. She doesn't have any tattoos in real life but I turned her into a painted lady. These ink drawings for I.F. were both fun and challenging. And a nice change from the paintings from previous weeks.

Here are some very silly photos of St Patricks Day.

Sorry, not much for this blog this week. I don't have much to show or report for Madam X but I will be back with more.

So, have fun everyone!
Love and Rayguns,
-mo

A little Late

2006-03-17T13:45:00.000-08:00

Ick, so my week has been very busy. I have not had time to do as much art as I would like.

So, my Illustration Friday illo is late and unfinished. Here is the sketch for "Tattoo":

Remember it is just a sketch. Points to the person who can tell me who's portrait I referenced.
Hopefully, I will finish it for next weeks blog.

And now on to the BIG NEWS!!
The winner and the subject of the first Madam X and Crew T-Shirt is BLACK OCTO 2!!!

But it will probably look more like this:

Thanks so much to Jay and Margaret for all their help, support and ideas!
I'll have more details about the shirt and everything next week.

Madam X and I got mentioned in one of the best blogs here in cyber-inter-web land! Check it out here:

From The Pear

Everyone should be reading this! It is amazingly funny and smart.

Alright everyone, more Madam goodness next week.
Go read From The Pear!
Love and Rayguns,
-mo

Some Say Pins, I Say Buttons!

2006-03-09T01:17:00.000-08:00

Week Seven is also a big week. Strangely, I thought I had nothing to talk about today. I was wrong.

I think I will always start with Illustration Friday (http://illustrationfriday.com/) so that when people come from that site they will see it right away. If they choose to stick around for the rest of the blog, they're welcome. But this way they don't have to.
This weeks topic was INSECT. I had planned on doing an actual insect, a Praying Mantis. (I'll tell you a story about it later)
But I decided to stick with what I do best:

That's right, pretty girls!
So here is the Mantis story. When I started thinking about insects I thought to do a real insect. Something tiny, something unnoticed. I thought to do a small bug at the bottom of the composition, with New York towering over him. But I didn't know what kind of bug to draw. Then I was talking to Candice and (Cat and Crane cover artist) Stan, and remembered that once I saw a Mantis by my subway station. It was a hot summer day and I was on my way to work at 6:30am. It was sitting, swaying on the steps. I have always found those bugs quite disturbing and ominous and the light was so early and weird. I found the whole experience spooky and strange. I think it will be one of those things I will always remember. (Even though it did take me a little while to think of it.)

MADAM X HAS BUTTONS!! CAT HAS BUTTONS!! Oh my, I can't believe it. I have wanted to do buttons from the very beginning of Madam X. I actually made some huge ones once. They were made with some scraps from the comic and they weren't very good. Plus they were gigantic. I know that some of you people floating around still have them out there. And that is awful sweet. Did I mention they were huge?
Well these beautiful buttons are new, wonderful, and of a manageable size. I ordered them from Busy Beaver Buttons (http://www.busybeaver.net/index.html). And aren't they great great super great? I will use them all the time when I need buttons. They were easy to order from and quick to get the order done and sent out. They use USPS, which I always prefer. I'm not home enough to use UPS or Fedex. Eeek! It makes me want to get buttons all the time I want to get more buttons right now!!
But, in order to get more buttons, I have to sell some of these buttons (1$ each. Contact me for purchasing information). I have been giving them away, mostly. I feel that there are people, Madam X supporters, who deserve them.

Here are two photos I was playing with in photoshop. The first is Deb on her birthday. Or at her party anyway. She had a crown on and it's her pretty pretty princess shot. I messed with it to pink it up. I like the way that the crown kinda shines. One day I want to figure out how to isolate items with in the picture and mess only with them. PS is still alien to me. I'm just starting to muck about with it in any way. I think that the originals of both these photos are better.
The Bippi pic, I also pinked up. I tried to get the contrast up so that the pic would be pink and greenish. She is just so cute. I think it might be a good idea just to get better at taking the actual photo taking. I really need to learn to use all the modes on my camera. One day I may even read the owners manual. Shocking, I know.

Okay, I have more stuff that I could/should put up her (nobody say octo!). But I think I want to wait until next week. I don't want to over load you guys. A little at a time is usually best. My ink stained fingers can attest that there may be some more Madam coming next week and maybe other things. I did not say anything about any octo, I don't know what you are talking about!
See you later,
-mo

Thursday For Week Six

2006-03-03T13:34:00.000-08:00

To make up for last week, I'm starting early and thinking BIG!

First off, here is my first Illustration Friday submission. The theme was "tea".
This was one of the Busy Owl series of paintings. It's acrylic on bristol.

Here is the sign I made for Balthrop, Alabama. We just had our first show last night. It was really great. Unfortunately, this sign was the only set that made it to the show. Our fences are still quarantined in Castle Anthrax. The back drop is coming along. It will be ready for the next show. I just hope that the show will be ready for the sets. The show also gave me tons of ideas for later. It's all terribly exciting!

http://www.balthropalabama.com/
http://www.pascal.com/

I put together Cat and Crane: Up On The Roof #4 last week. (It's on sale now! Cover by Stan Yukinaga!) The process goes like this;
Step 1: First I come up with the idea for the issue and draw it.
Step 2: Then I ink it.
Step 3: Now it's time to copy, cut, paste, copy again. Then make 40 or 50 more copies.
Here are some pictures.

Step 4: Next I get together all the stuff I need to start assembling Issue 4. I usually set up on the livingroom floor and pop a DVD on. I always work with background noise. Mostly it's Douglas Adams, on cassette or ipod, but often (as it was this time) it's FireFly. My paper cutter is on the left. The fancy fancy long stapler is up top. And all the copies are on the right.

Step 5: Then I measure and cut each page. I cut the pages 5 or 6 at a time. Then I group them together in four different piles. I try to lay them out in the way it will be easiest to assemble later. You know, like putting them all turned the same way, first page first and so on. Because...

Step 6: ...is to put all the pages together. I pick one from pile 1, one from pile 2, one from pile 3, and one from pile 4. Then fold them all together. I use a herd surface placed on the rug to help make a clean fold. This time I used the new Paul Pope Batman Year 100 comic. What a good comic, by the way! I <3 Paul Pope! And thanks to Bob for turning me on the him. There is no reason why I used this comic. It was just lying around the livingroom.

Step 7: Next I take the collected and folded comics and staple them. The stapler is so awesome! It has a ruler and a marker bar. The bar can be adjusted to the measurement of the middle of the comic. This way each comic is stapled perfectly (yeah, right). Here is another picture of me stapling. Because it is just so fucking exciting!

Step 8: Then they're done! Look at all the comics I have! Mwahahahahahaha!

So, that is the story of Issue 4 of Cat and Crane: Up On The Roof. Which is on sale now (did I say that already?). Email me to sign up for the Madam X Newsletter to find out where to buy #4 or any of the other comics. My email is madamxandcrew@gmail.com. Easy to remember, right? The Newsletter tells you other useful things, too. Like which of my t shirts designs are winning, which shirt will be made first, um.. and other stuff.

I think this qualifies as the longest and most image intense blog so far. I think it's time to say "goodbye" until next week.
love and rayguns,
-mo

These Things Are Getting Later And Later...

2006-02-25T12:15:00.000-08:00

And maybe smaller and smaller...

Well,
Exciting news:
Issue 4 of Cat and Crane is printed!!
The cover was done by Stan Yukinaga!
And it is amazing! I won't ruin the surprise by posting it but everyone should check it out!
THANK YOU, STAN!!!

I have been busy this week and don't have a lot else to report. So I will just put some random work up.

Here is a little water color concept sketch I did for balthrop, Alabama. (What?! You've never heard of balthrop, Alabama?? I can't believe it! Go check out pascal.com to find out more... Go! Right now!) This sketch is not going to be used but I kinda liked it. The scan is pretty terrible.

Last week was my birthday and here is a photo of me on that special day. I'm trying to imitate my Threadless "Pillow Fight" t shirt. If you don't know Threadless.com, you should check them out. The sight is super fun! I took a bunch of photos that day. But Candice took this one of me. I figured since it is my blog there should be a picture of me some where on here.

That's all for now. New and Better Blog next week, okay kids?
If you scroll down, you can check out last weeks widely unnoticed blog.
relatively speaking.

Thanks everyone,
-mo

Another Friday (week four)

2006-02-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello!
It has been a busy week!
Valentine's Day was great and my birthday was wonderful!
Mostly because of Candice. Also because my friends are so wonderful. (particularly Chris and Kimberly, but also everyone who went out of their way to call or send a card or wish me a good birthday or send some good vibes my way.) Thanks to everyone! And happy birthday to you all when it is your turn!

So as for art work, I have been doing quite a bit. I am trying to master my digital camera. I'm not really succeeding. Candice and I went out on the 16th around Williamsburg and took photos of graffiti and interesting neighborhood things. Some of them came out ok. Mostly what I seem to be good at it taking very moodily lit, sultry pictures of Bippi. I'm good at those. I also took that sultry, moodily lit picture of tulips you see above.

This month on the drawing board (http://drawingboard.org/) there is a Wonder Woman "jam". Everyone does their interpretation of Wonder Woman. Here are mine.

And Just to throw some Madam X in to the mix. Here is one of the first Madam drawings (circa 2002). Madam had already taken form in this one, but, as you can see Sawl was still in the early stages of development. He came a long way in personality and looks. I don't think he looks as nervous or as studious in this picture. He doesn't seem intelligent here. Madam X was always very tough even though her appearance changed over time. In the beginning I also toyed with her having a very open personal life. A side that the audience saw even if the other characters did not. Now I realize that she lets very few people in and even that takes a long time (for reader and for friends). It seems to me that Cat was always Cat but Madam X and Sawl took some tweaking. I thought y'all might like to see what they grew up from. I have a few more preliminary sketches hanging around but I will save them for another time.

Don't forget the Madam X Newsletter comes out next week! If you want to sign up to receive it just contact me (via the comments section of this blog or my email address). The same goes for questions comments or requests.

Until next week cats and kittens,
-mo

ps- Happy Birthday Alan!!

Week Three ~ Better Late Then Never

2006-02-10T14:20:00.000-08:00

Okay, well, I've been a bit sick this week. So, I was late starting this blog and late getting it out but here it is.

I've started inking Madam X: The Hunt #2. And let me just say, it's not going so well. I started right before I got sick, so maybe that had some thing to do with it. I have put it aside for now because I'm having real trouble. I actually might have to REDRAW some pages. YUK! I have never had to do that before. See, I had all these elaborate backgrounds but they are just not working out. The panels are altogether too busy. Tell me what you think:

Remember this is still rough. I haven't erased the pencil marks or white outed the bits that need it.

And here is a wee sketch of me fucking inking.

Many people have already voted for Octo Vs City. As it stands now blackocto#1 is in the lead with blackocto#2 close behind. whiteocto is far far behind in third place.
THANK YOU to everyone who has voted! SUPER SPECIAL THANKS to Patrick who mocked up this amazing image of blackocto#2!

It looks completely amazing! What does everyone think? These are not the finished colors but they are food for thought, don't you think?

Some people have been confused about how to vote for the t shirt designs. You know me, there isn't a high tech bone in my body. The only way to vote and have your vote recorded is to email me at madamxandcrew@gmail.com. It doesn't have to be a long email or anything. Just the number 1, 2, or 3 is fine. Thanks again to everyone who has already voted and/or looked at the Newsletter and Blogs.

You can also leave comments on this here blog. I'm not sure how that works but I have confidence you'll figure it out.
I think that covers the week. Pretty much.

Love and rayguns,
-mo

Week Two!?

2006-02-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

So, the internet went Batgirl crazy this January. A lot of artists that I follow did their own version of the lady Bat. Here is mine.

And another take.

Also, My friend Finkenstein, aka littleegypt, (www.jessfink.com) started a gay boys thread over at the drawing board.
http://www.drawingboard.org/viewtopic.php?t=40341. If you scroll down you will see a Cat avatar and that's me. If you can't see them or you would rather see them here in this venue, contact me.

Lately, people have noticed the dedication in Madam X: The Hunt issue one. That issue was dedicated to Tia Carrere. Many people have been confused by this and have asked "What's all this about Tia Carrere?". Now, I have always been a fan of hers, but from 1999-2002 she starred in a little show called Relic Hunter, and I might say, iced the cake. I thought she was also a producer or something but, no, she had no other (credited) influence on the show. Relic Hunter was close on the tail of the Tomb Raider video game craze. Tia played Sydney Fox, a hot professor by day and a hot treasure seeker by night (think Indiana Jones, b/c she basically is Indiana Jones). It was quite a terrible show. But the best kind of terrible! Now people are saying "What does this have to do with Madam X?". Well, Tia Carrere and Relic Hunter were the inspiration for The Hunt story line! Madam X and Tia, two great ladies great together! (Oh jeez, I can just hear the dirty jokes now....). ps- congratulations, Tia, on the birth of your second child!

The first t shirt from Madamxandcrew T-Shirts is going to be Octo vs. City, but which one? Here are the three choices:

So far people seem to be leaning towards blackocto1. Here is what people are saying:

"Definitely the first one- he sort of looks like he's coming from back behind the buildings, I like that." -Kate

"As for the T-Shirts, my vote is # 1. I like the city structure..." -Hannah

Which would you prefer? Please email me your vote.

Until next week,
Love and Rayguns,
-mo

Can It Be Done?! A Blog Every Week?!

2006-01-26T18:49:00.000-08:00

Hello,
Well anyone who reads the Madam X newsletter knows that this blog is the first of the new weekly blogs. I plan to make this more of a journal and leave the news for the, um, newsletter. Not that what is written here isn't news. But, well, you will see what I mean, I hope.

So, anyway. I have been trying really hard to work on art in 2006. I have been doing some little paintings.

They are super fun to do. I use acrylics and bristol. Maybe I will post some more in later weeks. Tolga and Olivia from FC really inspired me. Why is everyone so into Owls? They are fun to draw and so mysterious. These little paintings can get pretty addictive so, I had to stop so that I could focus on Madam X. I did this sketch a month ago, but inked it today, for practice.

I like to do a few warmup inkings before I settle down to do an illo or some comic pages. It lets me get the feel for the brushes again. I work almost exclusively in brush now-a-days. For the comics I do use pen and ink for the lettering. Today I was inking some t-shirt designs. They are connected to the newletter. If you receive the newletter, please vote for
which you like the best. If you want to see the choices please contact me and I will post them here.

Otherwise, I am working on the pencils for Madam X: The Hunt #2. They are almost finished. I like doing the pencils, but they are the hardest part. Well, aside from writing, which is so hard b/c I am not good at it. I like to ink the best because that is when the pages really come together. Hereis a sneak peak of the pencils.

I think that's all for now.
love and rayguns,
-mo

WINNER!!

2005-12-07T13:01:00.000-08:00

And we have a winner!!
MXgun will be the new cover/label for the Madam X soundtrack!
The Madam X soundtrack has been remastered by Geoff Mann.
The image will be printed directly on to the CD and sold in a clear sleeve.
When printed the CDs will be 10$ each. The proceeds go to all artists involved.
Remember, the CD features original songs by

The Werewolf Brothers
Chris Buckridge
Pascal with Kyle Fischer
Geoff Mann featuring The Eternal Buzz Brass Band
Slow Loris

If you are interested in purchasing please write to
madamxandcrew@gmail.com

Special thanks to all who voted for the CD cover.
Most of all to Deb Klowden who actually printed both images to see what looked best live.

-mo

Madam X Mailing List

2005-12-06T23:36:00.000-08:00

Hello,
It has been a while, but I am proud to announce the new Madam X mailing list.
Get an email to tell you when new books are out, where you can buy them, where you can listen to the Madam X soundtrack, and generally get MORE MADAM!

So, if you are all ready to sign up and get all the Madam X gossip delivered directly to your e- step just email me here:
madamxandcrew@gmail.com

-mo

Comics Abound

2005-11-06T17:01:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody,

Cat and Crane #3 is now in place and available in three locations:
The Fall Cafe at 307 Smith Street, Brooklyn
Rocketship Comic Book Store at 208 Smith Street, Brooklyn
and via my email.

If you are interested in purchasing the books they are three
dollars each or four books for ten dollars (five each at Rocketship.
Show them some love, too).

Remember, C&C #3 has a wonderful cover by C. Buckridge!
Learn more about Chris here:
http://www.myspace.com/chrisbuckridge
I won't show the cover to you here but these are the first two pages.

I was planning to write more but changed my mind.
-mo

Madam X presents: Cat and Crane up on the roof #3

2005-11-04T22:00:00.000-08:00

Two blogs in one day.
Well, this won't happen very often, let me tell you!
I already spend way too much time on the computer. Candice
(my girlfriend) hates it. So, I actually can't do this often.

But today is a good day in Madam X land. First, the new frontier
that is blogging. And now another comic in the can. That's right,
kids, Cat and Crane #3 is finally here! It continues the story of
how Madam X's long time companion and confidant, Cat, meets
their brainy and neurotic helmsman, Sawl. Here's how Kimberly
Mora Buckridge described it:

"A 'prequel' to the original series, Cat and Crane: Up on the Roof
presents the story of Cat and Sawl, the Crane, meeting in rehab.
The two characters bond over their shared lack of enthusiasm
for being rehabilitated, spending most of their time avoiding art
therapy by hiding on the roof."

Cat and Crane #3 features a great cover by Chris Buckridge!

You can learn more about lovable Mr. Buckridge here:
http://www.myspace.com/chrisbuckridge
He has a great song on the Madam X soundtrack. Look for the
newly mastered album soon.

Friends; you know where to find me! Come pick upthe new issue
at the FC anytime.
Strangers: If any of the above bable interested you please contact
me. Cat and Crane #1-#3, Madam X: The Hunt #1
and The Fury #1 are all available now!

-mo

ps- The above images are the cover of
Cat and Crane #1 by Robert Donnelly and
two scenes from the book by me!

First Blog

2005-11-04T16:57:00.000-08:00

OK,
my frist blog ever, and I'm not sure this is even going to work.
I'm dubious about this whole process and computers in general.
How do these thing work, anyway?

Enough about my own issues and on to Madam's:

Madam X, for those who don't know is a comic I have created,
sell and destribute. It is what I would call a "minicomic" or
"independent" comic because I just use my images and a copier
to make it. Then I call it publishing a comic. Fun, hey?

Madam X is a bounty hunter in space. She and her crew have many
wonderful adventures and mishaps. Cat is her second in command.
Sawl rounds out the three man crew. Each have their specific jobs
on Madam's ship but mostly they just get in her way.

Madam X, Cat, and Sawl have been seen in the original four issue
Madam X mini-series (series 1). They can now also be seen in
Madam X: The Hunt (series 2).
Cat and Sawl are currently starring in their own mini series:
Madam X presents: Cat And Crane, Up On The Roof.

I have other comics and interests happening now, too. But I will
expound on them at another time. All this blogging has made me
sleepy, time for a nap.