Aya Rothwell

Ice sculpting photos

2012-01-30T09:12:00.000-05:00

Our team designed a Jackalope.

Ice sculpting at BU Winterfest next Saturday (Jan 28)

2012-01-22T19:38:00.000-05:00

I will be ice sculpting at BU Winterfest next Saturday (Jan 28)

http://www.bu.edu/winterfest/

I don't think I'm in the video on the page, but at 0:38 you can see m'friend Julia Abrams hacking away at what I think was a version of Cerberus we were sculpting.

Also if you are in Hartford, CT in the week of Feb 14 - 17, you should go see my cousin Tom perform in William H Hall High School's "Cheaper by the Dozen".

Covers and art on display at MIT

2012-01-08T21:28:00.003-05:00

I have an art display in MIT's infinite corridor during January. I am displaying the two covers I did for Trends in Cell Biology [link], along with some of the original watercolors and a blurb about the process.

The display is in the main infinite corridor, very close to MIT's main entrance at 77 Massachusetts Avenue (Lobby 7, the bright lobby in the photo). After entering at 77 Mass Ave, continue walking into the main corridor. The display is to the right.

Below are the blurbs I used:

Atomic force microscopy techniques, or AFM, allow scientists to observe and manipulate cell surfaces using a small probe tip. This conjured an image of a scientist kneeling on a cell surface and prodding things, which lead to this cover. Graphite, watercolor and gouache were used.

Many thanks to MIT graduate students, who assisted by donning lab gear and crouching in the hallways while I took reference photos.

Protein molecules are transported through the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane by translocation channels. I read as far as “protein transportation” in the abstract, then put it down and drew the cover. (I did do other research, but the basic design was very fast.)

Pen and watercolor were used to finish these illustrations. Both covers were digitally edited with Corel Painter.

Jamcomics from MIT

2011-12-06T20:10:00.007-05:00

Update: I won't be at the Hollyfair after all, health not up to par. I think one of my minicomics might be for sale there, though.

========
Weather's oddly warm for December in Boston.

I had a minicomic (Mark and the Gillys, "Reading") for sale as part of a minicomic giftpack at the Bazaar Bizarre last weekend. This weekend, I plan on helping with a table at the Hollyfair on Sunday.

Holly Fair 2011

Sunday, December 11, 2011 from 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm.
42 and 56 Brattle Street, Cambridge Ma. 02138

You can see Jamcomics (lead by me) from MIT's community service event here:
http://web.mit.edu/community-giving/events.html

Or... here, I copied what was on the website:

Above: each drawing was based on the caption above it (and nothing else), same thing with the caption.

This one below was done from the last panel backwards.

Above: Exquisite Corpse with four feet.

Occupy Boston and Global Day of Action photos

2011-10-16T17:39:00.004-04:00

Photos from Saturday Oct 15 with Occupy Boston and Global Day of Action.

Near South Station, across from Tent City, around 1pm.

Tent City. A whiteboard at the front (not pictured) showed the layout of the tents and where the food, legal representation (I think?) and other tents were.

After assembling at Boston Commons, activists (and curious people) began marching through Downtown Crossing. The crowd seemed quite diverse, including young people, old people, different faces, families, children and dogs.
(*Labs, whippet, chihuaha)

The march continued through to the financial district. The crowd was especially agitated and loud in front of the Bank of America building, it was quite dramatic. In front of BoA's doors, some people were drumming and dancing as a way of protest or expression.

I thought this was interesting.

Assembling in front of South Station again, speeches were given.

24 hr comics day this Saturday (Oct 8)

2011-10-04T12:06:00.004-04:00

Most of them were last weekend, but here's one at MIT that I am helping to organize:

MICE, MIT comics, Harvard Bookstore

2011-09-20T12:41:00.003-04:00

Recap of This Week in Comics and Aya Nearby Them!

Thursday night: Minimum Paige anthology release party!
I have a story in here, and I will be hosting jam comics as well.
7pm Harvard bookstore, Harvard Square
http://www.harvard.com/event/minimum_paige_release_party/
* Google Map

Friday: MIT Comics Fair!
I will be selling books and hosting jam comics here too.
9-4pm Lobby 10, MIT
http://web.mit.edu/community-giving/events.html
* Enter 77 Massachusetts Ave or see campus map or Google map

Saturday: MICE (Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo)!
10am - 6pm at Lesley University, Porter square
http://www.masscomics.com/
* Get off at Porter Redline T stop and look for signs taped everywhere, or see: map

Also new cover up at Trends in Cell Biology

2011-09-01T11:33:00.002-04:00

http://www.cell.com/trends/cell-biology/issue?pii=S0962-8924%2811%29X0008-9

The company is sending copies of this issue to Exciting Biologies, a conference they are co-hosting in Japan.
http://www.excitingbiologies.com/

Harvard Bookstore anthology "Minimum Paige" and release party

2011-09-01T11:27:00.002-04:00

Just got news that I've been accepted into "Minimum Paige", Harvard Bookstore's comics anthology. There will be a release party on Sept 22!

http://www.harvard.com/event/minimum_paige_release_party/

So as of now, this is where I will be around town, doing comics things...

Sept 17 (Sat) 6-9pm: Art Show at Lesley University, 1815 Massachusetts Ave.
Sept 22 (Thurs) 7pm: Harvard Bookstore anthology release party
Sept 23 (Fri): Possible comics event at MIT
Sept 24 (Sat): MICE at Lesley University

Now a hurricane. Also MICE and comics.

2011-08-31T11:47:00.003-04:00

Quick update -- the power went off in my neighborhood for a day or so, and a great deal of tree bits and some trees have fallen onto the road. But now the weather is sunny and beautiful, as if nothing happened.

Saturday Sept 24! I will be at Porter Square selling comics at MICE.
http://www.masscomics.com/

I will also have art in the comics art gallery at Lesley.
http://www.masscomics.com/art-show/

Also something possibly comics-related happening Friday Sept 23 at MIT, more details to follow.

Whoa! Earthquake!

2011-08-23T14:21:00.004-04:00

Just felt a small earthquake. I thought the chair moving was my imagination, then I thought there was a heavy cart rolling through the building, then I thought someone was trying to get into the neighboring office door by banging on it.

But stepping out into the hallway, there was no one there.

I realized the door nearby was rattling on its own accord -- because -- as I held on to the doorjamb and felt the floors and wall sway -- the whole building was shaking.

By then, other people were trickling out in to hallway, asking if they were feeling the shaking as well. A few more moments, and it stopped, and little groups began to form to talk about what happened, and quite a few people were forming groups outside and calling others on cellphones. Despite one person's ideas that something blew up in the basement, it was soon confirmed to be an earthquake.

Trends in Cell Bio

2011-08-14T12:10:00.005-04:00

Check it out! I illustrated the August issue cover for Trends in Cell Biology. You can click on the thumbnail on the webpage and see a larger version.

Giant protein structures riding on horses

2011-07-29T14:19:00.003-04:00

Above: part of a cover I made for the Trends in Cell Biology September issue.

Those are alpha helices and beta sheet proteins (sort of) riding horses.

The September issue may be appearing at Exciting Biologies, a scientific conference in Japan this fall, hosted by Cell Press and RIKEN. More news as I find out!

Happy 4th of July! And picture of a cat

2011-07-10T22:10:00.004-04:00

Happy 4th of July!

I am working on another cover for the cell bio journal I mentioned previously.

Unrelated, here's a picture of a cat I saw while traveling:

Trends in Cell Biology (upcoming)

2011-06-27T22:27:00.002-04:00

I have a cover that will be used in the upcoming August issue of Trends in Cell Biology journal...

http://www.cell.com/trends/cell-biology/

Roadtrip!

2011-06-19T21:37:00.003-04:00

I have recently returned from a roadtrip partway across the US (Boston to Chicago).

Top to bottom: Somewhere in Ohio, somewhere in Indiana or Chicago, and Lake Erie at sunset.

Going to Camelot, BRB

2011-05-13T12:39:00.003-04:00

I am going to Camelot this weekend.

It's in New Hampshire.

I thought about bringing along coconut shells to clack together, but it seemed like extra weight.

(Camelot is a MIT Outing Club hiking cabin)

New mini-mini-minicomic and MeCAF show on May 22nd

2011-05-08T20:55:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, I spent part of the afternoon at Million Year Picnic, a comic book shop in Harvard Square, drawing jam comics with people. (Part of Free Comic Book day events)

I should probably try and promote events before they happen, so: May 22nd, I will be at the Maine Comics Arts Festival in Portland, Maine. http://mainecomicsfestival.com/

Here is my bio for the site --

Aya Rothwell currently lives in Arlington, MA. Aya was recently attacked by a Canada Goose when she foolishly walked too close to its nest. (She apologized and ran away.) Aya's minicomics include "The Wolf and the Sun" "Mark and the Aliens". She also has stories published in the "Inbound" and "Show and Tell" anthologies. www.AyaRothwell.com

And below, the cover for a recent mini-mini-comic I made...

Park Serve Day 2011

2011-04-25T21:00:00.002-04:00

April 16 -- A group of volunteers out on Spectacle Island for Park Serve day 2011, including me. (There were at least 83 volunteers on the island) That's Boston in the background. It was really cold that day. I helped here and there and took photos for the park service.

This photo was taken by one of the Park Rangers.

MoCCA this weekend

2011-04-07T10:26:00.002-04:00

Comics festival this weekend!

I will be with the Boston Comics Roundtable table, at location "F2, 3 & 4."

MoCCA Festival
Saturday April 9th and Sunday April 10th 11am-6pm

At the Lexington Avenue Armory
68 Lexington Ave (Between 25th &26th Streets)
New York City

http://www.moccany.org/content/mocca-festival

Also, I will be going to MeCAF on Sunday May 22.
http://www.mainecomicsfestival.com/

Doodle at Stata center

2011-04-04T18:07:00.002-04:00

Doodle of someone sitting across from me at Stata Center.
(That is not a drawing of me)

Podcast review with my minicomics

2011-04-01T11:58:00.002-04:00

"Tales from the Parents Basement" did a review of independent comics from Boston, which includes some of my comics:

http://parentsbasement.libsyn.com/for-boston-tpb-podcast-indie-500-5

My comics are mostly mentioned from 16:00 to 21:20.

First, see you at NECAC this Saturday in Rhode Island!

2011-03-25T11:42:00.003-04:00

I will be showing up at the New England Comics Arts in the Classroom conference this Saturday (March 26) at the Rhode Island College Campus. (John Lincoln Alger Hall)

http://necac.net/

I will help hawk "Show and Tell", an anthology of stories about school. I have a story in there from highschool involving hydrochloric acid, Mrs. Stein and Mrs. Gilbert Smith.

See you at MoCCA 2011 (April 9-10)

2011-03-22T12:13:00.003-04:00

I am going to be tabling at the MoCCA Festival (link) during the weekend of April 9-10! I will be with the Boston Comics Roundtable.

I also have a new story in an anthology related to the New England Comics Arts in the Classroom conference. I think. More info to follow.

New Store (on website)

2011-03-21T22:17:00.008-04:00

I have set up a store on my website, where you can order my comics and books.

http://www.ayarothwell.com/Store/Store.html

Flower shop anecdote

2011-03-13T20:43:00.006-04:00

I was at a flower shop yesterday. A young guy, a slightly acne-faced college student with a styled black shirt, was helping a customer, an older man with silver hair and a worn face.

The older gentleman shook his head, saying gruffly, "I just can't decide which rose."

"It's a hard decision, sir," the younger guy nodded, quite seriously. "But you gotta go with your heart." He soberly thumped his fist against his heart to emphasize his statement.

For some reason, this scene stayed with me for the rest of the sunlit day.

Melting ice lake

2011-03-06T22:13:00.004-05:00

Photos from Spy Pond this weekend.

Traveling and being evacuated out of workplace

2011-03-02T17:31:00.003-05:00

I have been traveling to Montreal and finishing a comic.

On other news, I was dawdling at leaving work today. Then someone spilled a chemical in the hallway (or so I heard), and the entire building was evacuated. At that point, I did pack up and leave work.

If it wasn't for deadlines, we'd get nothing done.

Sam the Dog

2011-02-13T21:23:00.003-05:00

This is Sammy T. Dogg.

As his owner pointed out, he's wearing cotton. But everyone else should avoid wearing cotton for winter outdoor activities.

Winter Mountain

2011-02-05T12:31:00.005-05:00

A hike up Wachusett Mountain.

Arisia photos and new comic

2011-01-30T12:51:00.010-05:00

Photos from Arisia!

Me, standing next to my art panel. The original watercolor of the red bird was bought by Jim Belfiore, who was also paneling next to me.

I also sold a few of the prints. (The larger watercolor was not for sale.) For the most part, I was at my table in the artist and authors alley:

I debuted a new minicomic, "The Wolf and the Sun", which I drew last October.

Rick from Dandelion Studios was kind enough to review the book:
http://dailycomicreview.blogspot.com/2011/01/bonus-review-wolf-and-sun.html

Here's also a review for a goofy jam comic Julia and I made: http://dailycomicreview.blogspot.com/2011/01/bonus-review-how-trendy-dog-went-to.html

And I made a flyer for the show.

I have also been hiking and cross-country skiing recently.

Happy New Year! and shows and drumming

2011-01-07T21:19:00.006-05:00

Happy New Year!

So I will be tabling and showing things at Arisia next week (Jan 14-17).

At the Art Show, I will be displaying "Mark and the Gillys book 1" cover (see here when I displayed it at the Marblehead Museum) and probably some small watercolors for sale. (I may update this.)

At the Artists and Authors Alley, I will be tabling on Friday (3pm-8pm) and Sunday (10am-8pm), selling comics.

Unrelated to anything, here is a photo of my cousin drumming.

Lunar Eclipse tonight!

2010-12-20T11:13:00.002-05:00

There is a lunar eclipse tonight! It will be visible from all of North America, and part of will be visible from South America, Asia, west Europe, west Africa, NZ and Australia. On the US east coast, it will peak at 3:17am apparently.

There is also a meteor shower -- the Ursids, which will appear to fan out from the Little Bear constellation, according to the news.

It is also winter solstice for the northern hemisphere.

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/monday-total-lunar-eclipse-moon-preview-101220.html
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/eclipse/dec21-eclipse.html
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2010.html#LE2010Dec21T

Multiplying post-docs

2010-12-18T12:28:00.003-05:00

Some photos from work.

Where am I showing up in the next month or two

2010-12-07T11:20:00.003-05:00

My laptop is being repaired, so blog updates are a little tricky.

Update on where you can see me and my comics in Boston:
* Last Thursday, I was at MIT's winter craft Fair, selling minicomics.
* I wasn't at Boston Bizarre Bazaar, but I had a few books at a table there.
* I think I will be around Arisia and Boskone this January and February.

Cat and drawings

2010-11-21T11:44:00.004-05:00

Kitten sleeping next to drawings of itself. (Drawings by me, not by cat)

Sunrise

2010-11-12T19:57:00.001-05:00

Sunrise in the Boston Harbor, from last month.

24 hour comics, party this Friday at Atomic Bean, DC rally, icy puddles

2010-11-03T13:57:00.006-04:00

Quick update on what I have been up to:

* A 24 hour comics event.

* Traveling to Washington DC for the Sanity Rally. You can see Alice and I in the background of this Getty image [link]. Arianna Huffington gave us pistachios and told us to try the free yogurts. I held a sign at the rally reminding people to vote.

* Oh -- Promotion stuff! This Friday, Nov 5th! Join me at a party at Atomic Bean Cafe from 7-9pm to celebrate Inbound 5's release, a comics anthology about food. I have a story about eating Durian when I was a freshman. (If you know what to look for in the background, you can tell the incident specifically took place in Warren Towers floor 5C at Boston University....)

Atomic Bean Cafe: 904 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA

Update: link to the book

* The leaves outside have suddenly changed color, and I think I saw ice on lakes and puddles.

Green Waves

2010-10-17T19:00:00.001-04:00

Bit of sightseeing on the ocean.
(Part of the fieldwork for Harvard bee study, actually, which is wrapping up for this year.)

Oktoberfest 2010

2010-10-11T21:34:00.004-04:00

Oktoberfest in Harvard Square.

(Restroom line)

Tree

2010-10-03T19:04:00.005-04:00

(From the Franklin Park festival)

Somewhere in this photo is the author of this blog.

MICE photos

2010-09-26T16:45:00.011-04:00

Photos from the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo. (No photos of actual mice, I'm sorry.)

The durian story I mentioned a while ago has been published in Inbound 5, put together by the BCR. As the BCR also co-hosted MICE, a table with stacks of Inbound 5 was arranged near the entrance.

I tabled with Jesse Lonergan.

I visited a table with a furry hat thing. One of the people behind the table, Betsey Swardlick, said I should put it on.

(In the background on the left, you can see Cathy laughing.)

Another tangent of silliness ---

Above: there was an extra spot at my table, so I decided to display a copy on Inbound 5 there, with a sign saying I had a story in the book (as did my neighbor).

As the festival continued, I also thought it would be fun to have people sign the book (as many of the contributors were wandering around). I didn't have other copies of the book on me, so I grabbed my display copy and gave it to people.

However, the labels (which I'd left on) did not go un-noticed.

I suppose I will just have to keep the labels on this copy of Inbound 5, or it won't make much sense. And I suppose I will be forever reminded of my hapless attempt at self-promotion.

Anyway, it was a fun day!

Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo this Saturday

2010-09-22T21:23:00.003-04:00

I will be exhibiting at MICE, the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo. (website) It takes place in Kenmore square. Come and stop by!

(The above logo is something I made early on for the convention, but it was never used by the organizers.)

Comfortable chair in Harvard Square

2010-09-12T13:21:00.003-04:00

It was by the bus stop too. How convenient!

Then the owners came back. Ah well.

(Thanks to Tom for taking the photos.)

Dog on Porch and Pigs

2010-09-03T13:46:00.004-04:00

Some sights from traveling.

(That is Patrick, the Australian Heeler)

I got chased by pigs.

Firework pics and flying object

2010-08-02T21:43:00.003-04:00

Belated 4th of July firework photos...

And here's four balloons and some kind of unidentified flying object that showed up. (I noticed it when I was reviewing the picture, later.)

And that's this week's update! As a note, I will be traveling the next few weeks and may not update this blog during then.

Boston, Shadow-Sketchers and Friday Night Noodles

2010-07-27T19:20:00.004-04:00

Boston from across the bay.

Below --- scenes from Boston nights.

(Man chalking the shadow of a bicycle)

Friday night sights in Allston.

Durian comic preview

2010-07-18T15:05:00.002-04:00

Above is the first page of an upcoming comic about eating durian, set to be published in Inbound 5 (food theme).

A lot of rain...

2010-07-13T22:25:00.000-04:00

Sights from the weekend.

Leaf Butterfly

2010-06-27T19:20:00.002-04:00

Leaf butterfly outside my apartment, one morning.
(I'm not sure what this butterfly is specifically called.)

Watercolors at MIT and "Consent" film (I worked on) showing in NYC

2010-06-15T10:28:00.007-04:00

Some of my watercolors and comics are on display at MIT's Infinite Corridoor this summer, including the large cover illustration for the recent "Mark and the Gillys". You can see the display by going to the main entrace of MIT (77 Massachusetts Ave) and walking into the long corridoor. The display will shortly be on the left.

Also, if you are in NYC Wednesday night - "Consent" will be playing at VisionFest (Tribeca Cinemas). I was an art department production assistant on this film, three years ago, when I graduated as a film major and went to NYC. I was living out of a backpack in Manhattan and working on film sets... interesting times....

CONSENT NYC Premiere at VisionFest:

Date: Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Time: 7:30PM

Place: Tribeca Cinemas (54 Varick Street, one block below Canal Street on the corner of Laight Street)

Festival Site: www.visionfest.com

Tickets: http://tinyurl.com/CONSENTtickets

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SElNF4RtqA

http://www.visionfest.com/film_festival/films/2010/

If you watch the trailer -- see that medicine cabinet? (0:58 - 1:01 ish.) That was all me and Adrianna G. (art director) remodeling the same cabinet for the separate shots, and rearranging the stuff in there. Also that gravestone (1:34), that's us; we didn't buy a gravestone, though, we just added things to someone else's gravestone.

Also, 0:33 to 0:38... that dramatic circling effect is what I allude to in the cartoons "Movie watching part 1 and 2"

That clip actually does the effect more subtly then "Forbidden Kingdom," which is what I was making fun of. Regardless, watching a crew shoot this kind of scene looks pretty wacky (something about the camera whirling around and around) and I have never quite been able to watch a "dramatically circling shot" in a movie without thinking of how silly the set-up must have looked.

(Actually, on the whole, I was not able to really watch movies for a while after film school and working on sets. It is only now that I can finally watch general mainstream movies and somewhat enjoy myself.)

Ocean

2010-06-13T22:14:00.003-04:00

I travel beyond on the wild seas!

(Photo from earlier this week... more recently, I was strawberry picking)

Beez

2010-06-07T21:33:00.002-04:00

Quick update -- I didn't table at the Cambridge Riverfest after all, mostly because we thought it might rain. Regardless, the festival was really fun.

Today I helped an entomologist do fieldwork with bees.

More waterfalls

2010-05-31T14:32:00.002-04:00

By the way, next Saturday I will be at the Cambridge River Festival (Link). Look for the one odd table that is selling books and comics among the crafts and jewelry.

MeCAF this weekend

2010-05-21T19:51:00.003-04:00

This Sunday, I will be at the Maine Comics Arts Festival! In Portland, Maine! (Official site here) Come stop by!

A lot of water

2010-05-17T21:51:00.001-04:00

Images from traveling....

Goose chasing away another goose

2010-05-11T21:12:00.001-04:00

Drama at the park, recently.

Park Serve Day 2010

2010-05-02T20:38:00.008-04:00

Above: the author of the blog, city skyline in the background.

Park Serve Day 2010 at Spectacle Island!

We get there by boat.

Above: I would just like to point how, in the corner of this picture, there is a dog.
Also there are volunteers clearing out the vegetation, in this photo.

Collecting rubbish. This area used to be a landfill, and 100 - year old marbles and things still turn up once in a while.

A lot of dandelions here, around this time of year.

Above: fungi

Below: bumblebee

MoCCA 2010

2010-04-25T18:06:00.007-04:00

Some photos from MoCCA 2010.

Above: I have to say, this person looks kind of suspicious of my books.

This person (Max Ink) however, was not as suspicious of my books.
In fact, he cheerfully traded comics with me.

100th post and two year anniversary of blog!

2010-04-19T21:30:00.006-04:00

This entry marks two years and 100 posts since this blog started!

To celebrate, here's some sketches and watercolors from a visit to the zoo recently.

Kangaroo grazing, peacock sunning (or resting) and flamingoes.

Also, special guest photograph by Junko Rothwell --

Black swallowtail from Callaway Gardens

I'm at MoCCA

2010-04-10T21:52:00.003-04:00

I'm at MoCCA in NYC! (The Armory at Parkstreet and 25th) I'm at table C3, and you can see a blurb about me at Robot 6.

Shoreline, and will be at MoCCA in April

2010-03-28T22:05:00.004-04:00

Shoreline photograph from a while ago.

So I will be at the MoCCA Festival (Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art) in two weeks, April 10-11 in NYC. In May, I will be at MeCAF (Maine Comics Arts Festival).

MAA Comics exhibition and Boston Zine Fair/Blastfest III

2010-03-21T20:16:00.004-04:00

Some photos from the opening of the Marblehead Arts Association comics exhibit on March 7th.
* The show runs from March 6-28 at the MAA’s location at 8 Hooper Street, Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Below: cover illustration and pages from my new comic.

An animation I made, "Ghosts by the Road", was also screened as part of a looping reel of animations during the reception. (See it at YouTube or Newgrounds)

Later we ate at Gulu Gulu's in Salem. And posed with signs.

Also, some photos from Saturday's Blastfest III or the Boston Zine Fair or whatever the event wants to call itself.

This was an interesting event. Lots of music, which was nice, but depending on the style of music or decibel level (and the show does live up to it's name) it was hard to talk or hear people. Still, I liked the peanut butter jelly sandwiches.

Lots of rain recently

2010-03-16T08:14:00.001-04:00

Rivers were flooding yesterday, and lakes have risen at least 3 feet.

Kresge show photos

2010-03-07T20:26:00.005-05:00

Photos from a one-day show at Kresge (as part of an event at MIT).

Pictured: illustration for cover of "Mark and the Gillys" comic and excerpt (left), as well as a series of watercolor studies I did (right).

That person above (bending over to look) came back later, and continued to stare at the presented works. Finally, I made some sort of comment to him about how he seemed to be intensely peering at the pictures and comic.

"Yes," he said. "They're so weird."

Maybe I should have told him that I painted them.

(Below: posing at the show)

Round creature from the zoo and more shows

2010-03-02T21:46:00.005-05:00

I have some artwork being displayed at Kresge Auditorium (MIT) tomorrow, for one day. Stop by if you're in the area!

This Sunday March 7th, join me at the Marblehead Art Gallery opening of a show (where I will have some comics related work on display). The reception will run from 2pm-4pm.

And here's a sketch of a round creature I saw, some time ago.

"Cowpaths of Waltham" mentioned on radio

2010-02-22T23:42:00.005-05:00

Inbound 4 on the radio, again! Callie Crossley likes the Waltham Cowpaths comic that Dave Unger and I created.

http://www.wgbh.org/programs/programDetail.cfm?programID=855
See the program for Feb 22 2010.

To hear the interview with the Boston Comics Roundtable, go to 34:50

To hear the specific segment that mentions my cowpath comic, go to 45:10.

Joel mispronounced my name ('Ah-ya', not 'Ae-yah'!), and also he described the cowpaths as a little off from what Dave's reseach and the comic suggests*. But he captured the basic interesting idea behind the story - of how cattle and cowpaths affected Waltham history. Anyway, very cool.

* The roads in Waltham that have an association with cowpaths look pretty straightbuilt, to me. The better-known urban legend of twisty downtown roads being based on cowpaths is probably what Joel refers to. But that story, from the brief research I did, does not seem to be true. Those convoluted roads of inner Boston are just what happens when people settle somewhere without planning roads... NYC used to be like that, until a fire resulted in most of the roads being rebuilt in a grid pattern. Except the very lower part of Manhattan, which still has the jumbly roads of old.

New Book and Boskone 2010

2010-02-15T19:49:00.009-05:00

I have a new book!

Some upcoming events relating to it....

* The original watercolor for the cover illustration will be on display at the Kresge Center at MIT on Thursday March 4th, along with comics pages and other watercolors from me.

* On Thursday March 7th, the Marblehead Arts Association will be hosting a reception for their new exhibition, which will include the above watercolor as well as some other comics pages I have done. Come and join me! (The book may be on sale there.) Click here for map.

* Saturday March 20th, I will be at the Mini-Zine Fair at the Cambridge YMCA, hosted by the Papercut Zine Library. I will be selling my new book as well as other comics. Click here for a map.

This book was also sold this weekend at Boskone, a 50 year old sci fi/fantasy convention with a literary bent. I hung out at the Huckster's room with a table full of indie comics to see what would happen.

Here are some photos from Boskone:

Some people stopped by with bright eyed squirrels.

There was a marble-and-track toy set up in one corner. The first photo shows who was typically playing with it through Saturday and Sunday. The second photo is actually Friday night, before the younger attendees showed up.

At one point, a gentleman stopped and sort of stared at one of my books. When I found out why, I was completely tickled and had to take a photo --

So apparently, Maine is populated by many "Gilleys". According to Chad, it is an old last name.

Below, my table in the Huckster's room:

My neighbors, NESFA press. Tony Lewis is pictured, as well a gentlemen I keep calling "Morrie" or "Death", but I think his actual name is Dave.

Bruce Coville was also tabling next to me, pictured here posing with Suford Lewis. I managed to not do a stupid dance in front of him this year, but I was too caught up in tabling and general shyness to really carry on a conversation with him. Many thanks to Mary, Alice, and Sue and Everett Soares for helping me table.

Mountaineering! And Boskone next weekend

2010-02-07T10:50:00.003-05:00

Me last weekend, flinging my arms open on a mountain in New Hampshire. (The trip leader strikes a pose behind me, as well.)

Convention/comics news: I will be at Boskone (science fiction/fantasy literary convention) next weekend! Tabling in the Huckster's Gallery! If all goes according to plan.

Ice sculpting: Trilobite!

2010-01-30T12:06:00.005-05:00

Ice sculpting at the BU Winterfest 2010!

After brainstorming, Julia and I ended up settling on a Trilobite. The theme this year was "Olympics", which was optional to follow. But Julia and I decided to show some school spirit, and we added the theme into the sculpture.

As you can see, the trilobite won everything in the Olympics. But we live in a cynical age, when an honest trilobite can't win every single 1st place in the Olympics without casting a shadow of doubt.

Erik (I think?) from Bookline Fire and Ice uses a chainsaw to cut the basic form for us.

Julia and I sculpt the rest with wood chisels.

I forgot to take photos, but it probably looks a lot like last year:

(Image from Winterfest article, here. )

Oddly enough, more people seemed to get this year's carving then last year's Viking Kitten. Or at least, they laughed more.

Book presentation and signing at Porter Square Books this Thursday!

2010-01-18T16:32:00.005-05:00

This Thursday (Jan 21st, 2010), contributors to Inbound 4 will be giving short presentations on how we put together our history comics. Dave Unger and I will be there, talking about our Waltham story. The event starts at 7pm and will probably go on till 9pm. Join us!

Location: Porter Square (see googlemap)
http://www.portersquarebooks.com/
Book signing info on the BCR website

News: I'm on a lake and it's frozen!

2010-01-10T20:36:00.008-05:00

The lake has frozen!
There are people playing hockey and skating on it.

I go out to the middle of the lake and eat lunch.

Then I hang out with some gulls.

Then apparently I dance around.

Later, I go trekking across the lake again. (This time with the power of crampons.)

On other news, I have a mini art show in MIT's Infinite Corridor this month (during MIT's January Independent Activities Period). One of the glass display cases holds a few of my watercolor sketches and comics pages. The comics including pages from the 24 hour comics last October, printed copies of the cow comic for Inbound 4, and a page from "Sights and Smells from MIT" (a minicomic).

The display is near MIT's main entrance at 77 Massachusetts Ave (Building 7). Tim Fish and other MIT staff/affiliates also have work in the display cases.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-03T22:58:00.004-05:00

Here's a big ol' spider to say hello to you and the New Year!

(Actually it's the shell of a spider)

Winter shore after a blizzard

2009-12-20T21:06:00.006-05:00

Below: a shoreline and some gulls hanging around it

A worried look

2009-12-13T22:36:00.001-05:00

A worried look...

Over a gingerbread house.

MIT, Show Opening, Boston Bazaar photos

2009-12-06T20:20:00.009-05:00

Thursday at MIT's Craft Fair, Dan and I find that our table is in a strange corner of Stata Center. While it makes for an interesting photo, foot traffic was low.

We decide to make a sign that clearly states what we are selling.

Friday, we get a better location, near the center of Stata.

We also take advantage of the blackboard behind the table.

Below: more Stata shots. It was a bit slow overall, but it was interesting to interact with students and people at MIT.

It was fun when people came over, eyes wide and arms open in curiosity, asking out loud -- "Comics?" I had a good time chatting with people.

At one point, two gentlemen looked interested in the comics and came over, while continuing to discuss something. They kept up the discussion (about the recent climatology scandal?) at the table for about 10 minutes, before they finally started browsing.

I had a new minicomic for this shows, a series of cartoons about things I'd seen at MIT. One of the gentlemen was very critical of this minicomic, particularly on one cartoon about how I watched students electrocuting a pickle in the hallway. I had to explain it was a real experiment that Prof. Bulovic occasionally performed for people, which his grad students were replicating.

I also sold the minicomic to researchers who had come into Boston for the Materials Research Society meeting that week, as well as to many other people.

Saturday -- reception for Inbound 4's debut and the corresponding art show at Atomic Bean Cafe!

Sunday --- Boston Bazaar Bizarre!

Above: someone looking at my minicomic... with a suspicious expression?

Above: people looking at my "Bored Angel" book.

Eric B, who organized the table at this event.

Shows, shows, shows and a skull

2009-11-29T15:22:00.011-05:00

The engimatic drawing above is courtesy of a figure drawing session where I ran out of time. It's a long story.

And now --

Show, shows, show!

Going on right now! Holly Fair! I'm not there, but some stuff I worked on is there.

Where: First Parish Unitarian Church - corner of Church Street and Mass Ave, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA
Website: www.harvardsquareholidayfair.com

Dec 3 and 4th: Catch me at MIT selling comics! In an Authorized Manner!

Thursday and Friday, I will be at the Stata Center, selling minicomics and anthologies!

When: December 3-4, 9am-5pm
Where: MIT’s E25 Atrium and Stata Center (see MIT campus map for directions)
Website: web.mit.edu/abd/2008-2009calendar_sp.html

Dec 5th: "Inbound 4" Opening Reception this Saturday 4-6pm at Atomic Bean Cafe!

The Book about Boston History, drawn in comics! Original artwork will be gracing the wall of the cafe, and the book will be sold there as well. I'll be there, and so will the cow comics pages I keep mentioning on this blog. (Here, here, here and here.)

Atomic Bean Cafe location
Events Link

Dec 6th: Boston Bazaar Bizarre!

I will be there selling comics!

When: December 6, 12-7pm
Where: BCA Cyclorama, 539 Tremont St, Boston, MA
Website: www.bazaarbizarre.org/boston.html

Dec 12th: Comikazi Bazaar! I won't be there, but again, books I worked on will be there!

When: Saturday, December 12, 10am-4pm
Where: George Dilboy VFW, 371 Summer St, Davis Square, Somerville, MA
Website: www.comicazi.com

Jan 21 (?) Inbound 4 even at Porter Square Books in Cambridge. Signing and reading, I think.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-23T20:57:00.004-05:00

It's a little weird to celebrate Thanksgiving with photos of live turkeys. (At least, I think so, although I can't explain why exactly.)

But since I have the chance, here's some photos of wild turkeys in Kenmore Square, from two years ago.

Turtles, ducks and exhibit at Atomic Bean Cafe

2009-11-15T22:39:00.005-05:00

I'm part of a new show at the Atomic Bean Cafe!

With the soon-to-be released Inbound 4 (Boston History done with comics), the Boston Comics Roundtable is putting up an exhibit of the original pages from the anthology. In the above picture is the short comic that Dave Unger and I collaborated on, "Cowpaths of Waltham". It's a side tangent of Dave U.'s dissertation.

There will be a release party at the Atomic Bean for Inbound 4 in early December, I'm not sure when.

You can find the Atomic Bean Cafe on Mass Ave between Harvard and Central.
904 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139-3041
(617) 499-0972
Link

Also this week, a guest photo:

"Ducks and Turtles" by Junko Rothwell

Halloween 2009

2009-11-08T11:23:00.005-05:00

The author of the blog at a Halloween party....

Below -- from Halloween.

Tom dressed as H1N1, I dressed as a Luna Moth, and that's Alex in the back. We rocked the town. Or at least got some puzzled looks.

And that's why the toaster was on the porch this morning

2009-10-30T14:29:00.007-04:00

This morning, I started to make toast. After a while, I looked at the toaster to see how it was coming along. The bread was on fire.

I don't know about you, but I think it's a pretty auspicious way to begin the day.

Obama at MIT

2009-10-23T17:36:00.013-04:00

Mini update: forgot to mention, but I'll be at the Boston Comicon today (Back Bay events center, click for map) and at the Comics Guild meet and greet this evening.

===
So I was given the day off today, because Mr. Barack Obama visited MIT.

Specifically, he toured some labs before giving a speech at Kresge Auditorium. One of the buildings he toured is where I work, so the building was locked down Thursday night and opened up Friday afternoon. (Before the lockdown, of course, the building got very spruced up and sparkling... see previous journal entry)

Having given the day off, what did I do?

I went back to where I work around noon, to watch President Obama's visit.

Some photos of the event.

Click and zoom in, you can see someone smiling, in the middle of the crowd.

Despite all the craning of necks, the president was transported around in a black limo and all. We all saw the lines of limos, but I didn't see the president himself. ( * However, my sister did meet him, last Tuesday.... see later in the blog.)

Still, the crowd was interesting to look at.

Some fliers informing people about Low Energy Nuclear Reactions, also known as Cold Fusion. (click for LENR.org, the site with papers and information about this alternate energy source.)

Above: one of the live broadcasts shown around campus. This one was in Lobby 7. People watching, below.

Seemed like a good speech about renewable energy. Read the Transcript here.

In the intro, President Obama applauded MIT, adding at one point, "And I'll probably be here for a while... I understand a bunch of engineering students put my motorcade on top of Building 10." Youtube link

(More info here on the hack this refers to.)

And speaking of President Obama ---

(She said she was already putting this Proof photo up on the internet.)

Here's my sister Naomi meeting with President Obama last Tuesday. My sister organizes a lot of healthcare rallies in New York City.

President Obama is visiting where I work

2009-10-22T09:52:00.005-04:00

I was wondering why there were groups of men in black suits walking around the hallways, earlier this week. And now I know.

President Obama is visiting where I work and giving a speech on clean energy. (Link to article in the Tech) He is also visiting some labs . . . hence why the floor (where I work) is being turned upside down. The labs are being thoroughly cleaned and tidied. Hallway walls and doors are being madly renovated and repainted.

The hallways are now very sparkly.

The president ought to visit more often.

Kabuto and Vegemite

2009-10-18T22:02:00.004-04:00

I wonder if Kabuto beetles would eat Vegemite.

Anyway, Martin Dolan has written a review of Outbound, and my Time-travel Vegemite story was mentioned. (Read the Vegemite story online here.)

(Mister Martin Dolan mentioned he enjoys eating Vegemite. I am hoping I didn't offend him.)

And now for some beetles!

Here's one walking.

Here's the beetle falling, by accident.

Don't worry, I caught it. We later returned the beetle back to some earth and bark.

24 Hour Comics Day: relatively peaceful, actually

2009-10-11T22:19:00.008-04:00

I went to 24 Hour Comics at MIT this year, hosted by the Student Art Association and MIT Anime club. The crowd was a mix of MIT students and local artists.

A 24 hour comic (for those who have not heard of it) is where one draws a 24 page comic in 24 hours. There is also a webcomic equivalent. All conception, planning and drawing must take place during the 24 hours. And since a couple of years ago, there has been an official 24 Hour Comic day. People can gather and draw comics together; it's a bit like pulling an all-nighter with friends during school, but it involves comics instead.

Unlike last year, this year was relatively peaceful and quiet. I spent the first part wandering around and brainstorming, and eventually settled down later. In the evening, we ate some really delicious and somewhat healthy pizza. It was interesting to watch people draw different stories and in different styles. For instance, near the end of the event, some people started drawing manga on slices of bread using a felt tip pen.

(I didn't take much notice at the time, as I was busy coloring my comic. But now I find myself wondering about this.)

Below: some shots of the event. No photos of the bread manga, sorry.

The title page of my comic, below. (Color was added this afternoon, after the event.)

In-progress shot...

I finished lettering and added washes of color to the main characters, before the Sunday 11 AM deadline.

I considered inking the dessen of my comic, like last year, but have decided to experiment with color instead. So I will be adding more color and fixing up some of the text. The layout and internal structures of the story will remain as created during the 24 hr event.

PS: Thank you for condolances from the last blog post. I am happy to report some good news -- I got my backpack back! It was found and delivered to the police station. Although things of actual monetary value (and one tin can of chocolate) were missing, everything else was left in the bag.

Komainu and Sheepdogs

2009-10-04T21:11:00.009-04:00

My sprained ankle is mostly recovered; thanks again to everyone who helped me.

However, last Friday, someone(s) stole my bookbag and everything in it. It has been a huge pain for me and a lot of other people. I am hoping the police catch the scum.

But here's some photos, regardless...

(Actually, above is kind of how I felt on Friday and Saturday.)

The photo stars this week are Komainu and Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

The Earth, Bagels and a Wasp

2009-09-27T22:31:00.004-04:00

More photos from traveling....

So I went traveling into outer space.* I took a photo before I left the earth.

* (Maybe)

Above: I went to a place where bagels are wrapped individually.

Below: I saw a wasp about to haul away a caterpillar for its young.

Return from travels and a Praying Mantis

2009-09-19T19:26:00.007-04:00

I have returned from traveling.

A few days after returning, I sprained my ankle while walking around Harvard Square. But two strangers off the street -- and later some friends -- helped me with getting ice and getting to a medical center.

* Hobbling on crutches, I showed up at the end of a Boston Comics Roundtable meeting, where I was greeted with "Oh no! What happened!" "Are you all right?" and "Whoa! Gimpy! Sorry, no cripples allowed in here!" Despite the last remark, I think the incident overall shows how nice people are.

Anyway, a photo from traveling.

I shooed the insect to the roadside after taking its photo, so it wouldn't get run over by a car.

Traveling and will be away for a bit

2009-09-01T21:35:00.002-04:00

I am traveling for a week and a half, and likely won't be posting blog entries while then.

On other news, I am almost finished with my submission for Inbound 4.

Also, a shout out to my sister Naomi, who helped organize a Healthcare rally this weekend in New York! Some press coverage here:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/29/774133/-3000-NYers-RALLY-for-Health-Care-in-Times-Squarephoto-diaryd

http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/29/slide-show-health-care-rally-in-times-square/?emc=eta1

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hE-j9cGPeL-81pa5NhW9Qy8oN58gD9ACNMA00

Fighting Boston heat and humidity

2009-08-23T22:06:00.006-04:00

Why, this is the 70th post. I guess I should have noticed when it was 50th, and celebrated?

Anyway, Wild Ink party was success. I'll get photos up pretty soon. Meanwhile, I'm still working on my comic for Inbound no. 4. Specifically, I'm hanging around the nearby public library and Starbucks and drawing the comic. Because those places have air conditioning.

Take Friday -- I don't know what the temperature was, though I imagine it was in the 80's. Still, I've spent summers with 100+ Fahrenheit days, and it's not the heat that gets to one. Rather, it's the addition of the 80% humidity outside, if what I overheard at the library was correct. (I also overheard a lot of comments like, "Oh, I didn't know this library is so nice inside!" "I've never been here before!" This makes me think I was not the only person to seek refuge at the library that day.)

But it's kind of fun when I work on comics in libraries and cafe's, and people ask what I'm drawing.

The Lake, and also a comics party

2009-08-16T20:08:00.007-04:00

The lake I live next to . . .

Oh and Wild Ink Party this Thursday Aug 20th at P.A.'s Lounge in Somerville, MA (map) Live Music! Live comics! Yes, kicking live fresh comics! I'll be there helping with things and drawing.

Stars, mosquitoes, cows and a Wild Ink Party

2009-08-13T22:17:00.009-04:00

Returning from travel, I am trying to catch the Perseid Meteor shower and being bitten by mosquitoes as I do so.

I am also drawing a comic about Waltham and cows with Dave U, for Inbound no. 4. More about that to come... and speaking of which, I'd like to mention a party that I'll be helping host, next Thursday:

WILD INK: Live Comics, Live Music Event - August 20, 2009

“Wild Ink,” a live arts and music event, will be held at P.A.’s Lounge on Thursday, August 20th. “Wild Ink” is a fundraiser for the Boston Comics Roundtable, and will include amazing live comics creation, artistic head-to-head showdowns, the world’s most unusual live sketch gallery, big raffle prizes, and live music from Rotary.

Created in 2006, the Boston Comics Roundtable is a collective of comics creators in the Greater Boston area. Its mission: to network, teach, workshop, encourage, and publish the best and brightest artists and writers in the creation of comics. All proceeds will benefit the upcoming publication of Inbound #4, A Comics Anthology, featuring local artists taking on the strange but true history of Boston.

The event begins at 9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.) at P.A.’s Lounge in Somerville, MA (345 Somerville Ave., 617-776-1557). This is an 18+ show. Tickets are $12, paid at the door.

For more details, and to learn more about the Boston Comics Roundtable, visit www.bostoncomicsroundtable.com.

(Link to this press release.)

If you are in the Boston area, come on by! I'll be there, drawing something. Maybe I'll be doing the event where two people face off and try and draw something as fast as they can.

New apartment

2009-08-02T21:31:00.001-04:00

Moved into a new apartment. There is a lake nearby, with swans.

Sparrows and Baboons

2009-07-25T14:44:00.003-04:00

More photos this week....

Above: Baboon at Franklin Zoo.

Below: Sparrow at my window.

Dragonfly Nymph

2009-07-22T22:59:00.003-04:00

A shell of a dragonfly nymph, from Walden Pond.

Sketchcrawl and Zoo

2009-07-12T21:40:00.016-04:00

Saturday Sketchcrawl with Dave M!

*Like a bar crawl, but people bring along sketchbooks and watercolors and draw whatever they see. In this case, the crawl started at the Middle East restaurant in Central and ended at Grendel's Den in Harvard Square.

** I don't think I've ever taken 7 hours to walk from Central to Harvard before.

Update! See more sketchcrawl info here!

Dave Marshall's Sketchcrawl main page
Sketchcrawl 23
Dave M's Flickr page
Dave M's facebook photos
The Cambridge Sketchcrawl on the International Sketchcrawl Homepage

Article in Wicked Local
Below: Video from Wicked Local
(You can see me at 0:17 and 1:08)

Above: Middle East.

(The restaurant.)
(Not the geographical location.)

Streetways of Central Square, outside Phoenix Landing.

Photo courtesy of Dave M.
Yes, that is a bomb. I think.
Pop by People's Republik and see it.
I don't think its active.

Below: zoo sketches!

I hope Franklin Zoo and Stone Zoo stay open.

4th of July in Atlanta

2009-07-05T22:28:00.002-04:00

Lovely 4th of July in Atlanta with family, fireflies and fireworks.

Weather was fantastic, too.

It's almost July and I'm wearing a jacket

2009-06-28T11:04:00.004-04:00

It's June 28 and I'm wearing a jacket because of the temperature outside.

. . . . .

And unrelated, but I just discovered that I might have mis-stapled a copy (or several copies) of "Kattan"... if you bought a copy and managed to read this blog entry, please email me and I'll do something about it!

Now here's a photo of some clouds from Cambridge River Festival two weeks ago, when the temperature and sunlight was at a level where one could walk outside and say "Ah, it's summer" with more confidence.

Meme: Draw youself as a Teenager vs Now

2009-06-23T22:32:00.005-04:00

I don't usually do memes, but this one was pretty interesting: Draw yourself as a Teenager. (And more importantly, draw yourself now, because comparing the two is the most interesting part.)

http://drawn.ca/2008/05/05/meme-draw-yourself-as-a-teenager/
http://davario.livejournal.com/30861.html

Not that I followed the classic examples.

(Click for zoom.)

Cambridge River Festival 2009

2009-06-14T15:44:00.020-04:00

Saturday was the Cambridge River Festival!

(Above: Lindsay striking a pose)

I was there, selling comics and jewelry. And eating kettle popcorn, Samosas and Jamaican food.

As the photo above correctly suggests, it was a gorgeous, sunny day. We had a lot of fun!

This may have been one of the nicest events I've sold comics at. For one thing, it was outdoors, with live music, dancing and food stands happening nearby. Also, we were the only ones selling comic books.

A lot of people wandered up to the booth, not entirely sure what we were. At least one person remarked, "Well, this is an interesting change from all the jewelry booths." It was fun to watch people pick up books and read them, and I had a great time meeting interesting people.

One girl bought my pop culture minicomic mostly because of "this gag about Ed Elric and a cheesegrater. My friend will like it."

I met Ben, who had picked up a copy of "Mark" at Atomic Bean and emailed me about it. A few other people recognized the comic from being displayed at the Cafe.

One gentleman recommended a German movie for me, seeing my "Angel" comic.

I forgot to ask someone how her scavenger hunt went.

One person picked up "Kattan" and said he had heard about this story involving dentists, while on the streets of Harvard. I'm a bit surprised, since there are about 15 copies in print, and I imagine most of those are somewhere out of state. In fact, I only had two copies for sale at the festival. Perhaps I misheard him.

Or perhaps, by some strange chance, he walked by the dentist who had bought the only other copy of the book (earlier in the day).

Anyway, more pictures below --

(I'm repeating this photo just to emphasize how nice the weather was.)

And finally, the festival ended and the day drew to a close.