Yeah, it’s late. But I have a really good excuse I promise…
Next up in our Artist’s Studios series: Jim Tierney, artist of Jet Packs and Time Machines, Zoo Keeper of the Panel Mammals, all-around artist extraordinaire.
From Jim: “Well, this is it… Where the magic happens or something. This is where I live and work. What you see is a panorama of my work space (because the room it’s in is too small for me to back up far enough to take it all in with one photo.) This is actually a temporary arrangement though, while I live in chicago. Usually I have a much larger desk (U-shaped) for all my nerd-stuff. There’s a lot going on in this picture, so I’ll only point out a few things of interest:
X-box 360 connected to a 24″ widescreen monitor… Because I apparently like to keep my distractions close at hand.
Cintiq monitor on a separate desk: It’s like a drawing table that way.
Water-cooled PC in between the two desks that also serves as a makeshift table. (People are usually alarmed at how large it is… It weighs in around 75lbs.)
Nintendo Ds on top of another computer (laptop): because apparently I just can’t get enough computing power.
Water and Coffee poised precariously on the edge of the desk near way too much expensive equipment. I like to live dangerously.
That’s about it. This is the hub of both my entertainment and my work. I don’t have much separation right now.”
Thanks, Jim. Now if only we had your address we could steal that crazy Cintiq.
Next we have Lucas Turnbloom, who wins the award for “cleanest studio.” He has the studio that we all lie about. Check it out.
From Lucas: Here is where the magic happens. In my spare room/ storage area/garbage heap/ art studio, I sit down and draw 3 to 5 political cartoons a week and the occasional freelance illustration. My drafting table and art supplies are comfortably smashed between two book shelves and boxes of junk.
On the wall behind me is an original Dave Kellett “Sheldon” cartoon I bought back in 2003 and an editorial cartoon I bought from cartoonist Steve Breen in 2004. Also hanging are my two, 2007 San Diego Press Club, 1st place political cartooning awards. My Daryl Cagle sketch got cropped out.
Behind me, I’m currently working on two projects. One is my first book cover illustration! The book hits stores in December/January. Details soon! Also, I’m working on my third web comic strip. I’m hoping that it will
be ready to go online around Christmas. Details soon!
And last, but certainly not least, we’re going to take a look at Alex Hallett’s “Traveling Studio.” Alex is the artist/creator of The Arctic Circle, which is syndicated by King Features. She had the audacity to rub in our faces the fact that she’s currently vacationing in Hawaii. Cartoonists aren’t allowed to vacation!! DIDN’T ANYONE TELL HER THIS??
From Alex: Here are some snaps of my current working environment: I’m staying in a hostel (cartoonist budget) 5 minutes from Waikiki beach en route to NYC to meet King Features.
Since I am going to be away from NZ (New Zealand) for 2 months, I have brought along my office of sorts: a crapped out G4 titanium laptop (which can just about run photoshop and flash, but struggles with the two simultaneously), a wacom tablet half the size of my usual one, my canon lide20 scanner, cartridge and zeta paper, pencils, eraser, pens, dip pen and ink.
Aloha!
Aloha?? ALOHA?? IT’S 30 FREAKIN’ DEGREES HERE!!! LOL.
Thanks to everyone for the pics. I’m still waiting on the rest of you slackers to send your’s in.
“Jim Tierney….all-around artist extraordinaire”
Wit, linking to that photo is ALL sorts of wrong yet so right! HAHA
I didnt realize Jim lived in “big city” not too far from me.
It’s been really great seeing where everyone creates their strips! You slackers get on the ball and show the rest of the world. I shouldnt take you THAT long to clean up the mess, right? HEHE just kidding
HAAAAAAAAAAA! I laughed out loud at that stupid artist extraordinaire photo. Bob Ross is the man!
Witmer, am I just stupid? Where the characters always up there in the top image? I could be wrong but I don’t remember seeing them before.
Sneaking the characters in on us, sweet. Hey my studio is clean. I’m telling no love man, no love.
hey wit,
love the “inside the studio”. i was just wondering, since it takes the mind of a crazed mental asylum escapey to be a cartoonist ( i working on the beginings of my own) how about a little insight into how you (and fellow artists) fell down the “rabbit hole” (tucker joke…could be?) into the dark and scary world of cartooning.
Teresa – yep, I’m all “city” right now (as opposed to when I’m in the desert and am a suburbanite. I go wherever rent is affordable.)
Bob Ross is my twin. The secret is out. Thanks Mike. (I actually paint angry little trees though.)
As for clean studios… That’s as clean as mine gets. I did consider actually cleaning it up for the photo though to give a false impression of an orderly existence, but figured why bother? Who am I trying to fool anyways?
[...] Hey guys, My fellow Panel Mammal, Mike Witmer has posted a couple of blogs showcasing various cartoonists’ working environments, and today, my own small corner of computing is one of those studios showcased, so check it out! [...]
@ Jim, Angry little trees is way funny!
Tyler: That’s a good idea. Once I finish the last couple Studio submissions I will start working on it. My post would be rather long regarding this subject. The question is: Would you guys be interested in reading such a long and detailed rant?
I would like to hear the story.
For the record, I was not implying that any of the photos that have been submitted were “messy”. Just that the possible reason for the “slackers” was they have been cleaning.
Im ALL suburbanite but travel to Chicago on many occasions for concerts!
Wit: long, short, I’ll read anything.
i know i would! i’m the guy that watches all the extras on dvds just to see how they’re made. anything on the how things are made interests me.
is it just me or does lucas turnbloom look like the guy who plays matt parkman(the cop that can read minds) on heros tv show
Jim, a Xbox 360 and a Cintiq?! That’s how it’s done my friends…I would never leave!
I think Alex really works for the CIA, that’s why she cartoons on the run.
…if her real name is Alex..?
I’m so sorry, Jonathan – now I’m going to have to kill you…
aka Alex
Wow, I hope this doesn’t end up like the last CIA blown cover. Looks like we may have to send in the penguins on a covert mission.