Dark Contrasts

Last night was the official opening to Mandy Ord's & Dillon Naylor's DARK CONTRASTS exhibition at the Town Hall Gallery in Hawthorn.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that comic stories are meant to be read. But the positive thing about gallery exhibits of comic art is that it attracts crowds that may not necessarily be into comic books at all. The upshot, one hopes, is that by getting people to see the medium in a format that they ARE familiar/comfortable with (ie. On a wall), then it may prompt them to also read the stories in book format. It's not a far-fetched idea, right?


I was one of the first there when I took the photo (above)...


But soon the place was jumping.


Lot's of chat and viewing of artwork.


A few familiar faces.


Some rare published comics by Mandy and Dillon were on view.


I didn't want to interrupt John puttin on his 'moves'... "So, ladies, uh..."


Dillon Naylor's work:




Beautifully designed and painted acrylics.


My favorite of Dillon's at this exhibit. Really confident work.




Mandy Ord's work:


Pages from some of Mandy's newer work...


And a close-up.





The artwork showcased on the walls was great. Congratulations to them both, and I hope the show leads to great things. They deserve it. The two have been toiling away at their comic book authoring/illustrating for years now, and while their respective styles are very different from each other, their passion for black ink on white paper is obvious and inspiring.

The exhibition closes on the 25th September. Mandy and Dillon will also be giving a talk about their work and careers on Saturday-11th between 2-3pm. Entry is FREE! So if you don't come... Like, what's wrong with you?

-Bobby.N
www.bobbyn.com

PS: Oh yeah, before I forget... the monthly comics meet up is on again tomorrow.



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B.P.R.D.

Today at lunchtime, as i entered the Richmond Library for my daily routine of working on my book/s, I spotted 'B.P.R.D: PLAGUE OF FROGS' at the corner of my eye. "I remember this." I thought, and proceeded to flick open the pages (just to reminisce) . Then I began to glow. Then I sat down... and before I knew it I had read the entire book and spent my entire lunchtime immersed in the story again.

This is a great, great comic. Real adventure. It's Indiana Jones, horror and CSI mixed together (with a better cast and story). The pacing is beautiful and SO easy to read. Mike Mignola isn't heavy handed with his writing, and allows the art (by Guy Davis) to complete the tense mood. It's a PERFECT example of how comics can out-do straight prose hands down in setting mood & story.

The above image is the cover from the first issue of the original series (which I have from years ago), but after reading it again today, I'm getting the TP too.

So should you.

-Bobby.N
www.bobbyn.com

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Scribble, scribble...

E ] --


At the day-job I have a 'task sheet' where I organise all the things I'm trying to complete before I head out the door at 5pm... and these are the doodles at the bottom of my task sheet.

I just can't help it.

-Bobby.N
www.bobbyn.com

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Progress report...

Ok, so OXYGEN pt-4 is done... and now it's just a matter of finishing two short stories and the next issue of DIGESTED is complete. Should all be done in about two more months.


Two random inked OXYGEN panels from the upcoming issue.

-Bobby.N
www.bobbyn.com

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"Oh, how quaint."

Yesterday at the Richmond Library, while inking the last page of OXYGEN for the next issue of DIGESTED(04), an elderly woman leant over to me and commented, "Oh, I didn't know people still did those things."

Bobby.N
www.bobbyn.com

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August meetup

A nice, cosy, chatty meetup this month. All the regulars came, plus some new faces that are starting to become regulars.



Colin Wilson and Jason Franks came back from the US where they bought back a crapload of comics.


Greg Gates shows us the goodies bag that Colin brought back from the convention circuit this year. I swear they're getting bigger each time.


Colin's copy of a new Moebius comic that Greg and I were in awe over...


(Click on the image for a bigger pic.)



Brendan occasionally brings down some great comics he's willing to sell... for a bargain. We all picked up some treasures.



The travelling, talented, Renan dropped by. His sketchbook is awesome!


... And I'll let Brendan sign off this post.

-Bobby.N
www.bobbyn.com

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Remember...

It's a relaxed get-together in the leafy suburb of Carlton.

Come one. Come all.

-Bobby.N
www.bobbyn.com

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XXX Neon - pt.2

Illustration idea for the back cover.


If you don't know what it is... don't ask.

-Bobby.N
www.bobbyn.com

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XXX Neon - pt.1

A few posts ago you'll remember I illustrated a cover for James Andre's upcoming XXX NEON book that's coming out shortly (as soon as I get the artwork to James I'm guessing)... and here's the inside I'm proposing that'll spread from the inside front cover all the way to the back.


Click on the image above to see a larger version.

Not sure if I should leave it B&W, or tone it with one grey. I'm leaning toward the latter. Anyway, for now, I'll just complete the back cover sketch & it'll be done. I'll show it shortly.

(Sorry for the delay James.)

-Bobby.N
www.bobbyn.com

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Sketching...

-Bobby.N
www.bobbyn.com

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[SKETCHBOOK] - Scribbles...


-Bobby.N
www.bobbyn.com

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[PREVIEW]-DIGESTED.04 --
The pages are coming through steadily. Here's another finished page from the upcoming issue of DIGESTED.04.



-Bobby.N
www.bobbyn.com

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COMICS MEET-UP ----
I was late getting to the meet today, but the regulars were already into it when I walked in...



Melbourne comics heavy-weights were all around.






Jason Franks REALLY hates having his photo taken.



I twisted the arms of some of the guys to scribble a picture in my sketchbook. Curiously, none of them opted for the pens/markers I offered them, but instead, all borrowed a pencil from somebody. Anybody. What have people got against pens, man?


Colin Wilson


Trevor Wood


Greg Gates


Darren Close


Before scooting off with a passenger on his back, Tom Bonin sketched this nice piece...


Tom Bonin

The clock struck about 6pm, the meet-up ended, and a few of us continued into the city to celebrate Jason Franks' birthday at a local Taco Bill restaraunt.


Considering most of the guys began drinking at 2pm (at the meet), they were really tanked and happy by dinner.


Even Jason didn't mind having his picture taken... now that's saying something!



When Paul Bedford ordered the margarita, the waitress asked, "The regular size?", and PAul says, "Nuh, the big one!" (thinking it would be a reasonable step up)... but we didn't know there were only 2 sizes. A normal glass... and a one litre!


It was massive.


What a trooper!




Paul was everyone's bitch after that one litre margarita.



-Bobby.N
www.bobbyn.com

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