PATREON

Well, I did it...I’ve opened a Patreon account. What is Patreon? If you don’t know, please click on the following link and Patreon will explain it to you,

https://www.patreon.com/about

At first I was hesitant. However, Patreon represents an opportunity for an artist (such as myself) to earn a sustainable income with their art, through the patronage of supporters of the arts. Although, patronage of arts is nothing new, Patreon is a platform in which artists and supporters of the arts come together to achieve a common goal of the creation of art.

https://www.patreon.com/michaelhopkinscaricatures

It is difficult for most artists to earn a sustainable income, from their art. When I first started drawing, my dream job was to have a comic strip in the newspaper (a la, Peanuts, The Far Side, Calvin and Hobbes…). One would achieve this goal by selling your strip to a syndicate and they would in turn, sell your strip to newspapers across the country, in turn, Cartoonist’s would receive income from those sales. Alas, due to newspapers heading the way of the dinosaurs, so has the potential for a Cartoonist trying to break into that industry.

So instead of being an old man bitching and moaning about how tough things are for an artist (Why, back in the good old days!!!), I decided to do something about it. I joined Patreon. Now I am offering a way for people who enjoy my Caricatures and Webcomics to support the creation of them, for as little as $1.00 a month. For that small amount, you will have access to “Patreon Only” content, including.  

• Start to Finish Caricatures - This is where you’ll see how my caricatures are created, step by step.
• Advanced Previews of my latest drawings and webcomics, prior to being published on my other websites.
• Patreon Only, Photographs and Videos from Michael Hopkins Caricatures, Special Events.
• Michael’s Time Machine - This is where I'll post "historic" drawings from my Triassic Period (when there were dial phones, cursive writing and six channels on the TV).

Should you decide to subscribe to a higher amount than, $1.00 per month, you will be eligible to more rewards from me including, monthly contests for free drawings, postcards, paraphernalia from my webcomics, discounts on my services and original art.

So please check out my Patreon account by clicking on the link below and hopefully you’ll consider subscribing.

https://www.patreon.com/michaelhopkinscaricatures

Thank you,

Michael Hopkins

Day Number 20,453

Greetings!

Tomorrow is number 56! Let's get back to The Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog. 

I’m in Las Vegas to celebrate my 20,454th day on earth...coincidentally, the day I was born (September 7th, 1961) and tomorrow, (September 7th, 2017) are both Thursdays (pretty cosmic, eh??). As Las Vegas being one of favorite cities (along with Los Angeles, Seattle and Ocean Shores, Washington), I’m here, to start my 56th year. By the way, it’s too damn hot. Current temperature 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

I was going to start a “Vlog”on my birthday, however, I decided that there’s too many damn Vloggers out there already (that’s my “old man” talk). So instead, I decided to rededicate myself to the Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog and dedicate it to those who still like to read (and look at pictures...which, by the way, I’ll be posting from my birthday in the coming days). Besides, I don’t want to be one of those "Vloggers" who walk around with a camera in their face. Not that there’s anything wrong with that (in fact, I follow several of them), it’s just not me. However, I may post a video, once in awhile...but officially I’m a Blogger dammit! (Bloggers = Good, Vloggers…Bad). Potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto... 

So how do I feel about 56? Pretty, pretty good. Looking back, I would have to say, the greatest joy of the previous 55 years of my life, are my children. I have been blessed. They’re all accomplished, well rounded and independent individuals. I couldn’t have asked for more and I love each of them. So the first toast (of year 56) is to, Kristina, Darrel, Becky, Jennifer, Anthony and Savanah. I love you all and I couldn’t be more proud of each one of you.

However, looking toward the future, there are things in my life that I need to work on. I guess I will call these, My 56th Year Resolutions”.

• #1 - Rededicate myself to my Art. Although I’ve created a lot of art and I’m proud of what I’ve created, I see myself as a bit lazy, when it comes to drawing. I’m going to fix that. You’re going see a rebirth of one of my web-comics (http://cosmicfowl.blogspot.com/  http://missed-approach.blogspot.com/) and a lot more caricatures.

• #2 - My health. I’ve let myself go a bit and as I've gotten older and I’m feeling it. I’m gonna fix this (I’ll keep you updated).

• #3 - Wanderlust. I remember before my mother passed away, we had a discussion about how many times I have moved over the years and I remember exactly what she said to me...she said, “Michael, you need to settle down”. She was right and she’s still right. God only knows how many times I have moved in my life. At least four states, a dozen cities (??) and countless moves...I’ve had enough. As such, the next move is "hopefully" going to be the last...

So there you have it. My final blog as a 55 year old. I’m looking forward to 56!

Stu

Drawing of Stu Blumberg by Michael Hopkins - 4/2/17. Quote by Sir Anthony Hopkins

Deborah Harry 2.0

I always had a fascination with watercolors (and not one to leave well enough alone), I decided to play with Deborah Harry (in my dreams...right?). Anyways, I got up this morning and started tweaking, Debbie. I originally used a little pastel on her lips and eyes...wasn't happy with the results. So this morning I used watercolors on her lips and eyes, Then I added a bit to her hair. I was thinking about paining her dress but held off...So here you have Deborah Harry 2.0. Thoughts?

Debroah Harry

Deborah Harry of Blondie - Created by Michael Hopkins on 3/29/2017

Stephen King

Per my daughters request, may I present my, "Stephen King"....

The Blog is Back...Again.

Me: Hello visitors! I say, "visitors", because apparently this blog has no followers...Really??

Blogosphere God:: Yes, really.

Me: DOH!!! But I have a lot of visitors??

Blogosphere God: You need FOLLOWERS

Me: Well, I guess, if I had a link on my blog, where people could subscribe to my blog, maybe I’d have some followers??? (It’s a vicious circle).

Blogosphere God: Well, hopefully.....Don't quit you day job.

Me: TA-DA!  I have now solved that problem and quitting the day job (eventually)!

If you look to the right of this post,

you’ll see I've set up a link so that you can now easily subscribe to my blog. So if you like what you see, please follow me….Of course, if I continue to have no followers??? Well, we’ll file that under future concerns.

I'm back from Spring Vacation 2017, feeling well rested and ready to conquer the biosphere!! Of course, I went to my Mecca (Las Vegas) and Los Angeles (I love L.A.!). So grab some popcorn, let’s start the slideshow and I'll show you a few highlights of last weeks journey…

The highlight of the Vegas trip, was our nighttime flight over Vegas.

Given the fact that I combined my love of  flying with my love of Vegas...this experience was a “can't miss” and it wasn’t. It was so worth the $100 per ticket, that I’ll probably do it again in the future. The experience was 10 times as cool as it looks and it looks really cool! The experience was provided by Maverick Helicopters of Las Vegas http://www.maverickhelicopter.com/ Hell, just avoid the slot machines for an hour and you’ve paid for the helicopter flight. Besides you can always go gambling when you get back to the casino (LANCELOT SLOT MACHINE, YOU MAY HAVE ONE THIS ROUND...BUT WHEN I RETURN TO VEGAS, I WILL OWN YOU!!!!)

A few more highlights...

A room with a view!

Raiding the Rock Vault!

Hard Rock - Elton!

Hard Rock - Freddie Mercury

Hard Rock - Johnny Cash

Our visit to LA began at Universal Studios Hollywood. This theme park kicks the mouse's ass!! The highlight for me was everything, although my favorite was The Simpsons attraction. If you’re as big a fan of all things Simpsons, as I am, this is a MUST SEE!!! Besides the fact that you get to visit Springfield (don't forget to eat at Krusty Burger!!) the Simpsons ride is amazing!

Our second day in LA was in Simi Valley, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Whether you we’re a admirer of the former President (and I definitely am) or not, the history contained in the library is amazing. Do yourself a favor and plan a visit on your next journey to Southern California.

And finally for this post...Do yourself a favor and visit my amazing daughter, Kristina’s, website and check out her stuff https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZipperEnthusiast?ref=search_shop_redirect I’ve added a permanent direct link to her site, under, “These are a few of my favorite things!”