Goodbye 2019

Two days to go, until we say goodbye to 2019 forever! Good riddance! I’m looking forward to 2020 like no other year before. Many things happening in 2020, the Presidential election, the 2020 Winter Olympics and I get my Batmobile back (long story, I explain in the future)

Most importantly is the return of my critically acclaimed (well, slightly acclaimed by a few), webcomic, Missed Approach!

That’s right folks,Captain James P. Kurt, First Officer Dan Doodles and the entire crew are returning for 2020! Ready to be amazed at how far I cross the line with my irreverent humor and complete lack of respect for all of the overly sensitive issues of the day?? Then fasten those seatbelts and place your tray tables in their upright locked positions..and hang on! Missed Approach is back January 1st! 

Also, due to the return of Missed Approach, were kinda going to drop one resolution already...and that is daily Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog entries. We’re going to replace that  with many new Missed Approach episodes. Unfortunately, due to the fact that also fuel airlines for 8 hours a day, that doesn't leave as much time in the day, for blogging, creating a webcomic and drawing caricatures (at home and on the road). So until I can afford to give up the day job, sacrifices need to be made. Unfortunately, the blog is going to take a backseat to the webcomic. I’ll still blog (and probably more than I did in 2019) , but we’re gonna place the emphasis on the webcomic. However, I’m sure you’ll enjoy both and I have many big plans for, Missed Approach!

Below is my latest caricatures. It’s my interpretation of one of my favorite Instagram people. Her Instagram name is @dazey_duck.

Besides being very easy on the eyes, she’s also a very talented Artist from my home city of Reno, Nevada. Be sure to follow her on Instagram and if you do, tell her @iamscribbles sent ya! 

Have a great rest of your night and pray for the Seattle Seahawks. The way they were looking tonight when I turned off the television, they're gonna need it.

Opportunity Knocks

Hello Blogosphere!

So Pewdiepie...

is taking a break from YouTube next year and at the same time, Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog is going full time...hmmm? Coincidence? Is this fate? Have the planets aligned for the Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog? Maybe I can snag one percent of his 100,000,000 plus, subscribers? Of  course, we don't have the same
demographic/audience (is that the correct term?), however maybe some of his audience would like to start reading a blog from a child of the 70's while their idol from the last decade, is taking a break from YouTube?? Ok, probably not gonna happen boomer, but it's an interesting thought...massive amounts of YouTube youth, flocking to a blog about the life of a 50 something cartoonist...Nope, not gonna happen.

Thanks to my son (one of the YouTube youth I was referring to), I have watched a few of Pewdiepie's videos and they're decently entertaining.  In my opinion, they're more entertaining that 95% of what's passing for entertainment on television.  Also, probably because of my son's interest in Pewdiepie I have subscribed to a few YouTube channels myself. Some of my current favorites are, L&C Travels, The Carpetbagger, Matt Bridger, Slotlady and Captmoonbeam. Basically, if you want my attention on YouTube, make sure the video is hosted by a beautiful woman, who visits Las Vegas often and loves aviation (coincidentally...the exact kind of woman I want to marry

Just saying...

Michael

Opps... I forgot!

As I was re-reading my blog from last night, I realized I didn't post pictures from my Saturday night event...so here ya go!

Life is Good

It's a peaceful Sunday night here here in the world of the Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog...however...what a busy weekend it's been! Two events this weekend (as you can see in the last two previous posts) and two entirely different types of people to draw. Both groups were fun, however both were socially and economically different. One group was a local community outreach group, while the other group were employees of a recent start up, tech company. It's funny how two different types of employees can be so similar. Both groups had the a person that laughed entirely through the drawing process and thoroughly enjoyed the process (and the outcome). However, both groups also had that one subject that was not amused with my rendering of their caricature.

Which makes me wonder, how many people know exactly how closely I listen to every word they say while I'm drawing them? Their facial expressions (reaction) during the course of me drawing them, their words (or their silence) and their interaction with me and the people around them, during the process. 

Something I've also realized while drawing caricatures at these events is how much I appreciate women. I look into the eyes of these goddesses and realize how easily I could fall in love with each and every one of them. Women are the wonder of nature. Each woman has a specific aura around her. It doesn't matter what shape or size, I find beauty in all of them. I wonder if they realize how amazing I find them? I look into their eyes and try to read them and find their personality beneath. I then I look at their facial features, their lips, their smile and think, "I am indeed a fortunate man". Oh, and then there are the guys...n yea..I just have fun drawing the guys...ahh but the women! 

Life is good.

Nevada Rural Housing Authority Holiday Event

Good morning everyone, I hope you're having a fantastic Saturday. Last night, Michael Hopkins Caricatures was invited to the Eagle Valley Gold Course in Carson, City Nevada to participate in the Nevada Rural Housing Authority (NRHA) Holiday Event. It was an fantastic evening and it a pleasure drawing caricatures or some of the NRHA employees.

Driving to Carson City from my home in Reno, was an adventure in itself. The wind was blowing hard (from what I heard the wind gusts were blowing up to 50 mph!) and at times it was raining so hard that it was difficult to see the road ahead of me. However, I survived and after I arrived at Eagle Valley the weather calmed down and the rest of the evening was beautiful (inside the Eagle Valley Clubhouse:)

Here are a few pictures of the event, I hope you enjoy them and if you're interested in booking Michael Hopkins Caricatures for you next event, please contact me at (775) 276-0256 or email me at scribblesisme@yahoo.com.

7

Prospectors Club

Last night, Saturday December 7th, 2019, Michael Hopkins Caricatures, was at the Reno, Ballroom in (of course) Reno, Nevada, for the Prospector's Club celebration. I had never been to the Reno Ballroom before, in fact, prior to getting booked for this event, I had never heard of the Reno Ballroom. Well, now that I've been there, I'll never forget. What a magnificent venue! This place was beautiful and the person that organized the event, did a spectacular job. Also, the guest's attending the event were wonderful subjects. I enjoyed my time drawing there thoroughly and hopefully I'll get a chance in the future to work with these people again. Below are some pictures from the event, included a picture of the Reno Ballroom, I borrowed off the internet...

A New Focus

Greetings!

This has been a slow month for the Event Caricatures (although December is busy again), so I have been focusing on a couple of other things this month. First off, I have returned to ebay, as an outlet for selling my original art. Along with Fine Art America(where you can also order prints of my work), you can now purchase my original art on eBay. So far the feedback from eBay has been good and at the very least, my drawings are being viewed by people who have never seen my work before. Below are the drawings that I have for sale on eBay. Just click on the drawing to access it on eBay.

I also have been dipping my toe into photography.  Basically right now, I’m educating myself on the technical aspects of photography. I’m doing this because I’m fascinated with the art of photography. Being an artist, I believe that I naturally have the eye for photographing things that I find are beautiful. I’m not looking at photography as an outlet for gaining income (although if that happens I won't be displeased) I’m looking at photography as an outlet to capture what fascinates me and what I find beautiful. It’s the same reason that I create art, it’ll just be doing through a different medium. What do I find beautiful? I find aviation beautiful, the female form, cityscapes and nature. So we’ll see what happens and of course, I share the results with you.

Below are some images I have taken with my Samsung. I consider these practice until have a stronger understanding of photography

I love Aviation (and Elvis)

Besides art and trying to find that significant other in my life (still looking), aviation consumes my free time. I watch aviation channels on YouTube, I collect aviation related art and aviation paraphernalia. I have a job in the aviation industry and of course I create aviation related art. So is this an interest or is this an obsession? I believe that it’s an interest, a consuming interest nonetheless, but not an obsession. I have an obsession (Elvis Presley), so I know the difference.

(c) 2019 by Michael Hopkins

                                                        

                                     (c) 2019 by Michael Hopkins

(c) 2019 by Michael Hopkins

It’s a blessing that I work in the aviation industry, it feeds my creative addiction. My job also serves as creative inspiration for my aviation related art. So it’s no coincidence, that when I first started working in the aviation related industry in 2011, I also created my webcomic, Missed Approach.

Looking back, it’s also no coincidence, that the fire in my soul (that helped me create Missed Approach, turned into a mere smolder, when I left the aviation industry and started bartending. While bartending, I was often asked, “why don’t you start a webcomic about bartending?”  Easy answer..
I loathed bartending. It was a job that paid the bills. One can also look back at the time and see that my artistic creativity diminished

Unfortunately for most artists, until they are financially successful in the chosen field, they must work a side gig (a real job) until their creative side can (hopefully) one day can pay the bills. It’s a fact of life. The key to not destroying and crushing your creativity, while you are working that side gig, is to find a job that you can enjoy and at the same time, ignites your creativity. The good news is that I realized this prior to stepping off the cliff last summer. As such, since I left bartending and got back into the aviation industry, my artistic creativity (and not to mention, my happiness) has flourished once again. So I guess there’s a lesson to be learned. One needs to find happiness for their creativity to prosper (i.e., if you're miserable in life, if will reflect in your creativity or lack of..). 

I’m sure there are exceptions. Scholars would say, the most notable exception was, Vincent van Gogh. History books have told us, that he was not a happy man when he created the greatest masterpieces of all time. That is the prevailing belief. I disagree. Through years of being fascinated by his art, I believe that he painted what made him happy. He had found his happiness and shared it with us.  However, the “scholars” have chosen to focus not on what was in his heart, but focus instead on history's observations of a man who did not meet their definition of joyful person. 

People who are not creative, should not judge the creative.

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

"Hello my friends! I just flew in from San Francisco, California and boy are my arms tired!"

I know...that joke is even older than me (believe it or not) and I’m no Henny Youngman (now I’ve really lost you).

For the sake of honesty and truth in "media"...I just drove back from San Francisco, California (actually Stow Lake @ Golden Gate Park) and boy is my bum tired! 

However, it was worth it!

I was invited to draw caricatures at the One Year Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser of Beyond Rescue! https://www.gobeyondrescue.org What an amazing organization! We met some really wonderful people and their loved ones! Please check out their website to find out more and support them in anyway you can! 

Also, thank you Corina Beczner of Vibrant Events https://vibrantevents.net. We appreciate the opportunity!

Enjoy the pictures by Photographer Stevey https://steveyphotos.weebly.com  from the event below!!