Home to Roost

Time moves in numbers. Time travels quickly. Months seem like days and after much work, finally an update! I'm back in ATL after working in Hollywood, CA, the last couple of weeks. It was cool to finally put a face to a few clients and link up with some great artists. Check out the work of Jahmad Rollins of !llworkz , Eliza Ivanova who just won the 2009 Cal Arts Producer show, Chris Prynoski, Co-Owner of Titmouse, very talented dude and nice guy to boot, he even had an old book of xeroxed copies of Coon skin model sheets! He was nice enough to show me much of the highly anticipated BET's Black Panther starring Djimon Hounsou, which looks pretty impressive and Tyree Dillihay, dope character designer & artist, currently directing Da Jammies. LA is a very interesting place, so many different cultures. I always learn something there, like never to ask for turkey sausage in an Armenian resturant. My film bug is getting stronger. I've been inspired by the works of Chris Cunningham, Michel Gondry, Floria Sigismondi & Stephane Sednaoui. Beautiful Artistry. Challenging sensibilities. I Iike being challenged. New links added to Film section!!! Here is some really early development. Back 2 Work. peace.

Scribbles ( Six )

Busy, Busy, Busy...some old scribbles from older stories.

New Beginnings

Sequence thumbs

In Progress animation...

I'm amazed just how fast time seems to quietly move
through space. I remember as a kid, how nothing seemed
to come soon enough. Now, years roll by like frames
in a film. A shame we only get 100 frames, and that
is being gratuitous.100 frames of animation at 24FPS
will get you 4.1 seconds of film. I guess life's movie
is over in a blink of an eye. Share your story before
it's all over. Here is some animation in progress.
Figured I'd share it, as there needs to be more
animation on this site. It's still early so be brutal.
Happy 09

J

BLOMICON...???

Chocolate NewsWednesdays 10:30pm / 9:30c

Blomicon 2008

More Funny Videos
Comedians on Tour

Get Funny Ringtones
Stand-Up Comedy

I don't post as much Commercial work here as I would like, the main
reason being that Clients, sometimes don't like me to talk blog about
works in progress :( But Here is something that's aired and I can talk
about. This was a Rush Job we did For Comedy Central's new sketch
comedy show "Chocolate News" hosted by the infamous funny man
David Alan Grier from "in Living Color" Alumni. You have heard of
COMIC- CON! but do you know where your nearest BLOMICON is???
Drawn in Adobe Flash. Then some mild treatment in pshop.
Shout out Comedy Central and Producto Studios.

J

Not Exactly Lovers

Spare parts and Broken hearts...
She kissed a wolf and fell apart..
Gone with the quickness...
I guess it's strictly business..

Happy T day world...

TEMPEST

Well unfortunately the Cartoon network pilot many of us here in the south worked on didn't get picked up. This is usually the case with pilots, as they rarely make it past the pilot stage. Well at least the crew over at Turner Studios showed some real chops. The pilot was praised for it's superb animation quality and high production values which rivaled the CN studio in LA. This is a BIG DEAL as there has never been a prime time CN show completely produced in Atlanta. Most of the shows that are produced here in the durrdy south are for CN's Ultra cool, brazen, hipster, sister network Adult Swim. I guess there is always Super Jail, while not for the faint of heart, looks very well animated. Shout out to Steven Vitale, Jon henshaw, Mario Orlando, Brian Detagyos, Dawud Anyabwile, Dino Fitz, Daniel Bodinof, Bryan Capik, Jeff Brody, Les Harper and Harvey Birdman Director Rich Ferguson Hull and the Turner Studios crew.

Meanwhile, I'm doing the Indie thing, and I've been contacted by several of you in regards to my short film. I really appreciate all the interest in my work, and it feels really good that people out there feel a connection to it. To answer questions, the development has lulled a bit because 2008 has been a remarkable year in which I've been fortunate to stay busy with various commercial work. But it's a double-edged sword because I have not been able to complete the trailer as scheduled. I'm confident in a January 2009 release, either way it will get done because I will have more help!

Lastly I'll be working from New York for 2 weeks at the end of October so if any of you are there, give me a holler. Let's chop it up.

Best

J

Those men will Break your Bones...

After months of hard work I'm Bzaaack! No rest for the weary. Worked with old friends on a fast paced pilot for CN. Unfortunately I can't say much other than it was completely animated in flash and it looks pretty damn good. Not sure if it will go anywhere, I have stopped trying to understand decisions made in the episodic game. I'd rather try to keep to the Indie route, at least in that arena, I feel that there is some resemblance of control. Pssssh Yeah right. Meanwhile above... the War zombies have guns, and they know how to use them. Followed by a kiss of death...she's egotistical. Lastly, random faces, from many places. I'm ready on the other side...

Keep away the Masquerade

The path of an Artist is a rugged one. A narrow windy road, bursting with ego centric folly. Some fatuous thought that your drawings can somehow change the world. Struggles for capacious expressionism. Impossible obstacles to surmount. When I first got into this business I wanted to work at Disney and Pixar. Ambitions are a lot like waves. They often recede, giving birth to new ones. Here is some various personal development stuff. I am quickly amassing a large folder of this stuff on my hardest of hard drives. More commercial work coming soon ;)

With all Fairness

Wow. Almost 2 months no post. tsk tsk. I must do better. Well I have a good excuse.
I've been a busy bee. Turns out that the project I did designs for and didn't know
much about I ended up directing. crazy! Wish I could post more about it but I can't.
Folks won't let me. Soon...Other than that I've been doing alot of design on some
interesting projects. I will try to share more as they come closer to fruition. It's
strange working on stuff for kids. While it can be enjoyable I think I enjoy creating
stories that are more realistic. Those seem to resonate more with me. Perhaps the
kiddie stuff will be redemption for all the sex, violence, and war thats brewing.
Gotta get back on my own Animation voodoo. Above is some work from my film.

Peace.

Laptop Boards

GO SLoW...

Femi watching the Dagu boys playing.

More Kiddie stuff (UPDATED) Animation test added.

Less talk, more post...
Animation Test added Feb 17 2008.
Whats going on here? I believe he's chasing
down the Robot.

Some Character designs

Well its a new year and its back to the grind. I appreciate
folks being patient with me, I tend to post all types of
random things on this blog. Its prob going to get even more
casual and random as I continue, After all if I can't be casual
here, where can I?

Quite a bit of shit going on at the moment. Things are up
in the air. As is the usual come January when things
attempt to regain a somewhat normal atmosphere
after the holidays. Hope yours was da bidness. If not
then, like me, you couldn't wait for it to be over.

Here are some designs. I'm not sure if they will be
used, or even the full nature of the project. I'm just given a
theme and a few guide lines then I run with a few ideas.
Luckily I've worked with them before and they are pretty cool,
so should be fun. This is that flat shaded, no outline style I
mentioned a couple of posts down. Popularized by the
outstanding Samurai Jack I'm sure. Its strength I find lies
in its economy. Its very well suited for vector based
Animation programs like Adobe Flash and Toon Boom.
I'm gonna try to post more often. So if you so care,
check back soon.

P.S. I hear One of America's Icons GARY COLEMAN is
selling all of his stuff on EBAY. The kid used to make 70k per
episode. WTF?

Quantum Human mechanics

Days long past, which make way for the new.
Two thousand and eight soldiers Happy for their cue.
















I don't consider myself a good photographer. These photos are my feeble attempt to capture what I see in life so that it may "inform" me in other areas.

Balaguno Runs de Town.

Been away a bit too long. Dam. Gotta
remedy that.

I'm a Lazy Bum right? cha I know.

Here is a little more Visual Dev on this
Animation project. I started a working
on a Trailer between Projects, should
be finished early next year. If you like
what you see....Stay tuned.

Oh yea I prob won't make it back here
before New Years. I mean I like the
Computer and all but I mean... Dood.
I gotta have life.

Happy Holidays people.

Peace

~J

Political Dancehall Queens

Some more on my personal animation project.
I'll be unveiling more information in the next
few months. I appreciate any comment or
feedback you may have.

Thanks

~J

$2.99 Wacom at Long John Silvers.

Hey beautiful people. I'm feeling pretty good, assisted on some Story boards
for a new Adult Swim show. Errr... its an interesting show. Great Design.
Its no 12oz. mouse or Tom goes to the mayor. Waay better than that stuff.
There is some cool stuff coming down the pipe, Not sure when it will happen
but it looks amazing. More like the primetime stuff on CN. I hope that this
becomes a trend.

Mean while I've got some personal things in the works. Trying to
brainwash some uber talented folks to help me out on it. They are
all saying yes. We'll see how it goes.

Here is a teeny tiny small taste of whats coming...(in Prog)



And Some DINO SMASHING 4 tha kiddies yo...



The Dino Animation was originally created much earlier
this year for a PBS kids show called Between the lions
It has since been re purposed for some shameless self
promotion. Funny enuff its also been featured on Cold
Hard Flash. I used to love this flat shaded style, then it
became over exposed and I hated it. Now I'm beginning
to like it again. Whatever...

Chars...

Scribbles (five)

NOTHING LIKE PAPER

hope ya dig...!

Colored in pshop

KILLER of SHEEP

I love Animation. I've been unknowingly doing it since I was 12
years old. But as of late I've taken an interest in live action film making.

There is something extraordinary about shooting a live human being. The
range of emotion, the subtleties, capturing their essence. Showing these
qualities in animation are no easy task. Your sitting there at your desk, alone,
trying to concentrate, hoping to bring forth some illusion of life. If your lucky
every now and then you stumble on something. A break through! You get excited
and you are recharged. You keep going. On and On plowing forward, looking for
the next plateau, Like a crackhead. Dang.... Yeah animators are crack heads.
I suppose that's where the magic comes in. Why animators do it in the first
place. To get that high. That feeling of satisfaction. Then you play it over
and over, marveling at your new accomplishment. Its supremely
challenging, and can be very rewarding.

Film however is an entirely different story

The thing I love about animation is that you can tell your story entirely by
yourself. You can sit there and create all of your characters, sets, and props.
You could disappear into a dark room for 8 years by yourself and come out
with the next star wars. You don't have to worry about whiny ass prima
donna actors. Every last element is created.

Ironically enough, that's also the same thing I hate about animation. I miss
the human interaction. The bond you develop when you work closely with
others. In animation most of your time is spent at a desk, by yourself.
Focusing and concentrating, trying to create those characters, sets and props.
Your in doors all day, unless you dig laptop glare. Oh and did I mention
that there are absolutely no sistas in animation! I remember hearing
a long time ago that in the animation industry that there are hardly any
women. Well if there are hardly any women in animation. Finding a black female
animator is like finding Al Sharpton at a Ralph Bakshi screening.

Anyway...

Here is a classic I recently discovered that you have probably never heard of.

These are the types of films that greatly inspire me as an Artist and Animator.

Marvelous Film.
Directed by Charles Burnett

South Park Creators Get Online Ad Revenue Deal

Very interesting article from Cartoon Brew.

Not so much the southpark aspect, but more so, what the internet could mean for creators owning control of their products.

"This is a must-read article in the New York Times about the new deal that South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have struck with Viacom. The deal, which is reportedly worth $75 million to its creators, includes a three-year extension of the series and the creation of SouthParkStudios.com, an incubator for new projects that, I believe, Parker and Stone will have an ownership stake in."

"The most attention-grabbing part of the deal, and very likely a first for the creator of an animated TV series, is that Viacom has agreed to give Parker and Stone a 50-50 split of ad revenues on digital platforms, though not on television. The deal was made possible thanks to the duo’s lawyer, Kevin Morris, who in 1997 had the foresight to demand that the creators would share in any revenue not derived from the episode airings on cable. What was then a seemingly minor contract clause has today “created what may be a new model in the balance of power and money between creative artists and companies like Comedy Central,” as so succinctly put in this op-ed in the Times. The precedent-setting contractual victory of the South Park creators is a cause of celebration for all creators, as the antiquated exploitation-based business models of the entertainment industry crumble in this new digital age and artists slowly but surely begin to receive equitable compensation for their creations."

The reasons are unknown. The thoughts...
inexplicable. Bright lights, blinded by the
veil of life's sardonic morality. Souls lost,
devoured by wraithlike beings. Here lie
men, existing, but not truly.

Among them, one stands out in particular.
His eyes are different from the rest. A
perculiar calmness permeates his sight.
utterly amazing, even to himself, that in
times of great despair, an expression of
certainty can yet triumph...

Iyaolde

Char design.

A few character designs

TombRaider Re\visioned.

Sup Peeps! I've just finished some work on a series of Tomb Raider short films for Game tap. Now I remember when Tomb Raider first arrived on the playstation in the mid 90's. It was highly praised for its revolutionary graphics, inventive gameplay, and involved storyline. In otha words... it was da shit.

So now after few games, movies, comics, and novels. Croft finally makes her way into the world of animated filmmaking.

My take on it? Remember that Influential Hollywood "bullet time" blockbuster movie several years ago that spawned the Animatrix?

Well yup....This is the Tomb Raider version.....with a well directed, weird ass, Peter Chung version to boot. The segment directed by Peter Chung was by far my favorite. I'm not a Huge Lara Croft fan. Not that I dislike the character, I sat in a dark theater and watched a few of her films. I suppose the 90's flux of post feminist movement, super invincible heroines is just starting to get stale to me. Seeing her come to life under the supervision of Aeon Flux creator Peter Chung was alluring, but I was far more interested in the quasi religious fundamentalists in the film.

Cool project! Turner Studios produced 3 ( Legacy, Aztec Mummy, and Angel Spit) but there are 10 episodes in all.

To see the shorts visit http://tombraider.gametap.com/

Old Sanguine prince development

ITS BEEN FUN!

Sorry for the lack of updates.... Been silly busy.
A few updates. The TV show I've been working
on is no more. Thats right! Birdman is no more!!....
Its been a good run. I came on during the last
season and didnt know what the hell I was getting
into. Apparently this show has a cultlike following.

So the last episode?

Well its crazy....and

( Andre Benjamin voice)
"Goes a Lil something like dis..."

Birdman falls into a temporal time portal and meets
(Birdman) the rapper, who just happens to need a
third rate superhero attorney to represent him in the
mother of all lawsuits! The case in question? Well
Angry fans all over the world are suing Birdman....
( the rapper) for false advertising. That's right!
Apparently Rap enthusiasts don't think kissing your child
protege is indicative of new millennium gangsta...
Can Birdman surpass this tumultuous feat!?
Will he swoop down gracefully and reignite the world's
Interest in Rap musik! Tune in next time for the final,
last, ending, no more, episode of harvey burrrrd man
Attorney at law!!!

Ok ok,..... this really isnt the final episode. But Adultswim
wont let me say anything w/o tapping a bullet to my
front door. It airs in July check it out.

Image by Brian Mcgee

Scribbles (Four)

SALADIN

Camp Lazlo Animation Test

Aiight so check it. There is this cool show
called Camp Lazlo that I recently had to do
some Animation for a commercial spot. Now Camp
Lazlo is a traditional 2d animated show which
is hand drawn, and the client wanted a quick
Turnaround so the spot was animated Digitally
in Flash and composited in After effects. Now
Being that I was not too familiar with this
show on Cartoon Network, although I've seen a
myriad of posters advertising its existence, I
felt somewhat challeged to emmulate the show's
Traditional thick and thin tapered line weights
in flash. So thus in my short time alloted, I
went on Camp Lazlo binge, watching as much
footage of the show I could get my hands on.

Above are some early tests. I'll post the final
commercial when its available.

The character RAJ and Camp Lazlo are properties
of their respective copyright holders.

Kisura

" My parents moved from Gabon
when I was six. We came to
America with big hopes and dreams.
I would always hear them saying
money is everywhere in America!
You dont even have to be rich! Just
sign here!!. They were so happy.
We have been here for 19 years.
Things are very different now.
I think my parents are still happy.
But I always hear them arguing about
money. I hope they dont get divorced.
Oh well I dont want to think about that.
I have to focus on my books. I'm studying
to be a journalist. I have to make it so my
parents can be happy."
                                           -Kisura

Random pics

The Sanguine Prince (working title)

Some Visual Development.

Moving Foward

After working in Television animation since 2004, I have decided
that While I enjoy working in a Production setting, I would also like
to pursue projects that are unique in cultivating my own personal
Expression. Working on Tv shows is nothing like I expected. You
know how it is when you have this initial perception of something
and you start doing it and you realize how wrong you were! Dont
misunderstand me. I'm sure I'll get mixed up in some more TV
stuff soon enough. But Alas the times are changing. The advent
of new media is looming, and TV will never be the same. The
networks smell the change, they have predicted it for some time
now. Everyone is scrambling. Trying to solidfy their place. Never
in the history of media has there been a time like this. A time
where content is not only restricted to large power brokers.
Thanks to the internet, creators finally have their say, and can
reach the entire world.


So stay tuned. There will be some very interesting projects coming
to fruition this year.

Happy New year Folks!!

Scribbles (Three)

UPDATE

I've found another old animation test.
Instead of making it a new post, I
decided to post it with the other one.
Scroll down to some old pencil tests to
take a look.

I've been working on some Cartoon
network spots that should air sometime
time in 2007. Bloo, Cheese, Puffy Ami
Yumi, and the kids next door all made
the roster. Fun stuff.

The Emperor

Story Idea

Harvey Birdman (Incredible Hippo) Scene Breakdown

Every now and then, someone from Cartoon
network (thanks kevin!) trusts me enough to
let me handle animating characters from Harvey
Birdman. Here's is Birdgirl.

BackStory:
A series of rather strange events have been
occuring in the office of sebbenandsebben.
Sightings of a large, ominous, hulking figure,
lurking in the shadows. Birdgirl, rather adeptly,
confronts the creature in the employee bathroom.

Roughs:

Aiight so here are the roughs ya dig....and er
some notes regarding my thinking process.

Buurgurl enters bathroom...

 
Buurdgurl gets excited...


Buurdgurl thinks for a moment...


Buurgurl confronts the creature...and thus
ending this shot.

If your interested send me an email and I'll
post the vid.

peace

J

Dino Designs (freelance)

Ok I usually shy away from creating cute
characters....but these came out rather
charming.

J

Some Old Pencil Tests!!

Ok I promised some Pencil tests to some folks.
So here they are. This was done a while back
when I was in Art school. I still like this
Animation despite all the flaws. I was able to
get some great energy in there, But the some of
the Timing could be better. There are also some
Volume problems.

Anyway its old and I've learned alot since then.

I'll be posting more tests like this and some quick
rough animation that I've been doing in flash.

Flash is great for Animation although the only drawback
I have to paperless animation is the tactile sensation
you get from drawing on paper.

Maure

Sup Everyone. Hope your holiday was chill.
Im getting back into the swing of things.
(its always hard..... haha). Here's an old
character named maure. Hopefully
I'll have more images of this guy soon.

More vine charcoal

The Emperor has no clothes

Vine charcoal sketches

I'm a big fan of winsor & newton Vine charcoal.
I've been using it for years and really havent found
anything else quite as soft. Its very brittle so drawing
with it may require a brush to wipe away any excess
debris. In my opinion it is excellent for doing really
quick gestural drawings.

Image title (warriors)

Pekin

Moxie Moi

Quick self portrait

Visual cues

Here is a color and style variant of an earlier visual
development piece for a project I've been working
on.

Maghan

Soldier come Soldier come

Femi

Some time ago. In the last century.
There lived a skilled trader named
femi. Now Femi was an admirer of
Gold. He believed that the cash
money system was obsolete. He
Started up from the very gutters
of his city, where the ugliest crimes
where commited. His greatest fantasy
was to get rich trading, and enter the
upper sanctums of power. For him
this was his great destiny, Foretold to
him by the king of dreams.

Lady Sola

Character sketches

The Elusive story

An invisible cabal of conspirators keep story just out of my reach. Haha. Damn I wish... for that would make a much better excuse for my fledgling attempts at weaving an interesting story. The reason for my lack of expertise in the subject is so clear to me man. For years I drew characters for the shear joy of representing forms but not once did I seriously consider story. After years of making good draftsmanship my dangling carrot, I have come to a conclusion. A well drawn character is negligible without an engaging story. As I attempt to strive for perfection, I see so many weaknesses in the process that is my craft. My impatience nags my perceptive faculties doggedly. Rashness, that I would blame on being an Animator, but I'm sure the reasons delve into much deeper waters.

scribbles (one)

Scribbles (two) Not suitable for kids

Visual development

Sakitayo

Music, vibrations, rhythm. I think they all go hand in hand. Well for me they do. One day on my daily grind. I was listening to this cat named Osunlade. (The yoruba soul mixes to be precise). For those who dont know him he's pretty dope. His expertise in rhythm is daunting. If you like house fused with Afro rhytmns, you should definitely check it out. There is this one track called "Sakitayo". Its really sensuous and sexy. Anyway here are some of the images that ooozed out.

Peachtree st. Atlanta Ga

These were taken some months ago over at peachtree st., during my usual tirade of photo snapping. I like chilling over at the underground sometimes. Interesting shit happens over there. For any serious Artist nerds out there, its the perfect place to go and sketch from life. You really get to meet some reaaal characters!

More Gesture.

Brother and sister

Forgotten voyage

Mystical Lagos. The former capital of a
country that bleeds oil. Where black bodies
strive incessantly for abstract prosperity.
There a young boy is caught in the absence
of time.

Dinner time

Lets go put on our cleanest gear and go spend alot of cash at a fancy resturant. And no that not sammy davis jr.

gesture

My Temporary Parturition

After tiring of my own procrastination, I have decided to start my own blog. Hopefully here you will find something visually appealing, or at least read some inventive words that promote discussion and or thought. This will be a place of refuge, a sancutary if u will, for my Ideas, Art, photos and soul. A little about me. I was born during the twilight to an African man and an American woman. My eyes are attracted to the dark. I find solace in the night. After misunderstanding my existence for several years, I discovered that I was an unwilling Artist. Oh yeah I like Animation, Films, and moderate hedonism.