Friday, November 5, 2021

Pink Heart-Shaped Sunglasses

As most of you know, my "side-gig" is fueling aircraft at an airport (although looking at the lack of revenue from drawing lately, some would say that drawing is my side gig...anyways, that's another blog). The reason I bring this up is that I was informed of a tragedy that happened over the last few days. An employee from another company at the airport (that I interacted with occasionally) took her own life. 

Although I couldn't describe her as a friend, her presence was definitely a regular part of my day.


I can remember the first day I saw her, which is interesting because sometimes it's difficult remembering what happened yesterday. Anyways, she had a unique and special sense about her. A carefree, almost flower child type appearance, she would not be out of place in the 1960's. The first time I saw her, she was wearing pink heart shaped sunglasses. That made me smile. The last time I saw her was last week, nothing special, just work conversation. That would be the last time I spoke to her.


Hindsight being 20/20 (and hindered by the introvert that I am) I wish I had spoken to her more. Maybe became her friend? Maybe I could have given her hope...but we were just strangers, doing our jobs, trying to get though the day.


I hope she finds the peace that she couldn't find in this life.




Wednesday, October 13, 2021

100 Blogs

100 blogs, 60 years...not a good, Blogs Per Year Batting Average (.167), unless of course, you consider the fact that I've only been writing this blog since 2012...so this brings the blog's average up a bit.

My goal was to write 100 blogs and I have now accomplished that. The initial intention behind my blog was to increase awareness of my drawings (which I believe I've succeeded). However, after reaching 100 blogs, I've realized it's become more than a marketing tool for my art, it has become a platform for my thoughts, my experiences, my feelings (which I'll never admit to having any of those inconvenient things), my "incoherent ramblings"...and maybe a bit of therapy?? Anyways, I'm very happy with what has transpired through my blog. 

Having said that...if there's one thing that I'd change, it's the fact that I'd like to be more transparent. Unfortunately people are very sensitive these days and when criticized in an objective manner (as I occasionally try to do), that is contrary to their own, over-inflated, unsubstantiated, personal opinion of themselves. These certain unnamed persons, might be offended by this blogger's opinion and might make work at the Daily Planet a bit more unbearable, under the current regime. As such, until that point in time at which I walk out the door at The Daily Planet and say goodbye to our Caucasian Little Richard receptionist, for the last time...


Our Receptionist


...I will have to continue to be careful with my words or risk offending these sensitive and delicate dandies.


The Daily Planets New Operations Team


Things are constant flux at the daily Planet and have been ever since the previous Operations Manager of Safety Practices (I'll bet you never thought we would need one of those at a newspaper!), high tailed it for parts unknown (rumor has it that he's opened his own showroom in Branson, Missouri). A constant flux indeed and that's not a good kind of constant flux. It would more appropriately called a constant flux of unraveling. With the peak newspaper season just around the corner, we're down to one printing press (out of three) and the one that is in operating order (that's a very loose interpretation of "operating order"), is questionable. Lets hope that Willie has a few magical tricks up his sleeve. In fact, if Hans Christian Andersen were alive today (and working at The Daily Planet) he's be inspired to write the sequel to, The Emperor's New Clothes. 

Anyways, maybe I'll get lucky soon and not have to worry about the future of The Daily Planet (Blogger gets off soapbox) 


Now that I'm off my soapbox, let's the back to the real world...DRAWING!!!
Michael Hopkins Caricatures is now in the apparel business (sort of...). Some of my caricatures are now available on clothing through Teespring!





Visit my store via the following link...

https://michael-hopkins-caricatures-2.creator-spring.com

If you have suggestions on which of my caricatures you'd like to see on some apparel, let me know!

So there ya go, 100 Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blogs! Will there be a number 101 blog? Definitely, but probably not in its current manifestation, as I think it's time to shake things up a bit…


Stay tuned



Saturday, August 14, 2021

They can't see it or can they?

 No disrespect to those saddened by the (not so recent) loss of their parents, however do these people really think that their deceased mother or father are sitting around in heaven reading Facebook??? “Oh look honey...our daughter misses us, she just posted it on Facebook!” 


I think Facebook is,  I need attention central, or maybe cheap therapy? 

I can't figure it out?? Why else would someone post their innermost feelings on a social media site? Even meaningless stuff like the food you prepared last night. Besides the fact that I don't care what you made for dinner last night (unless of course, you’re one of my children who made some deliciously, spectacularly, scrumptiously prepared dessert). 


Is somebody needing attention?



 
Of course, you could say the same thing about me posting my drawings on social media, however you’d be wrong, I consider posting my drawings as marketing of my art. Trust me, I don’t need or want attention. I need attention for my drawings. As for me personally, I am not unlike the great and powerful Oz...Look at my drawings Dorothy, don't look at the guy behind the curtains drawing them.


By the way, is there a heaven? Personally, I have my doubts. I think the Buddhist's may be correct. The thought of our souls being reborn into another body after death seems logical to me. I may prove this theory one day. This thought process, of course, changes my original thought process. So maybe your parents are sitting around reading Facebook? However, since they have been reborn into another body, they STILL wouldn’t recognize the fact that you are missing them. 


Still pointless and in need of attention.


So spread the love while you're here. For one day you may be reading meaningless Facebook posts and looking at goofy caricatures.





Wednesday, August 11, 2021

I've entered a contest!

Ahoy, Ahoy!

So, the website where I'm currently selling my prints and other assorted Michael Hopkins Caricatures paraphernalia (Fine Art America - the link in on the right side of my page) is sponsoring a billboard contest (in which I have entered). The winners of the contest, get their art featured on a Fine Art America billboard (which would be really cool!) and a great marketing tool. So if you don't mind, would you click on the links below and vote for my submissions? 

Thanks, Michael!

Vote for my Kurt Cobain caricature below

https://fineartamerica.com/contests/billboard-contest-2021.html?tab=vote&artworkid=38739108&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=billboard_contest_update_2021&utm_content=seller



Vote for my XB-70 caricature below

https://fineartamerica.com/contests/billboard-contest-2021.html?tab=vote&artworkid=20783665&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=billboard_contest_update_2021&utm_content=seller


Vote for my Prince below

https://fineartamerica.com/contests/billboard-contest-2021.html?tab=vote&artworkid=38933601&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=billboard_contest_update_2021&utm_content=seller

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Carpe Diem!


I am sorry to report my friends, that the Daily Planet is on life support...in fact, if it had a pulse, one would have a tough time finding it. So let's save some time and start the future obituary, today.

Ahem...


Today I lost two years of my life, I will never get back. ‘

I’m resigned to resign my position as "a mild mannered reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper", due to its pending demise around me. The cause of said demise? Although it will be written in the journals of future deceivers as covid (to exaggerate the body count) the true cause of death is indifference (nobody cared) the saddest of non-carers is those who had the power to change the course of history. Instead, these power brokers chose to protect their comfort zone and take the path of least resistance. Effectively signing the Daily Planet's death sentence.


Which brings me to the future and I am the only one that controls that future. Since I have already established the fact that I can foresee the future, this should be (if not easy) at the very least, attainable. I have come to that fork in the road (again). I can sit around on my ass or I can, seize the day! 


The future is mine, the past is gone. 44 days and counting...






Monday, July 5, 2021

It's a good day!

It's been a good weekend. Not only because I've been feeling amazing lately, I've also created two of the most beautiful caricatures I have ever created. Yep, I feel good. 


Now of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but being the creator, I take exception to that rule. These are amazing drawings and I'm very proud of them. Let's take a look…


The first one, is a caricature of Elvis Presley. Not only am I a fan, I may be obsessed with the King. Is obsession a bad thing? I guess given the extent of the obsession, it could be. However, I'm not going to obsess over my obsession with Elvis Presley. Trust me, I have it under control...I think??


This drawing was created on, July 2nd, 2021 on 11" x 16" Canson Illustration board, with pen & ink and a tiny bit of wash. The drawing will soon be available at the Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store (https://michaelhopkinscaricatures.ecwid.com/) both the original and limited edition Giclee prints.


Elvis Presley - Circa 1971
by Michael Hopkins
Created 07/02/2021


The second is also a second (huh??). I created my first Charlie Chaplin in 2010. This one was created July 4th 2021. I love this drawing.


This second Charlie Chaplin caricature was created on 11"x16" Canson Illustration board with pen & ink and ink wash. This original drawing and limited edition prints are available at the Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store https://michaelhopkinscaricatures.ecwid.com/ 


Charlie Chaplin
by Michael Hopkins
Created 07/04/2021


That's all for now, we'll talk soon...
Michael



Saturday, July 3, 2021

AGGHHHH!!! I CAN’T DO EVERYTHING!!!!

I realized something yesterday, I cant do everything...

I have six basic components to my art, Pen & Ink caricatures, Event Caricatures, Aviation Caricatures, My two webcomics, Missed Approach and Cosmic Fowl and of course my blog (this is what you're reading)…oh and there’s my side gig, fueling airplanes. So yesterday at 3:30am, while waiting for the FedEx 757 to arrive…




I realized that some of the components of my art are suffering, because of my overreaching on other components of my art. After this self realization at 3:30am (while listening to rough idling sounds of a 10k in desperate need of a tune up),
I decided that I can't do everything and I need to make some changes in the prioritization of my art.

My art is the priority, however for the time being (because of the fact that I need to eat and have a roof over my head), fueling is a close second. That being said, I decided to do some math. Life gives me a total of the 168 hours each week (still haven't figured out a way to increase the total umber of hours in a week). Fueling airplanes takes approximately 40-ish hours of the 168. That leaves 128 hours remaining. I sleep approximately 6 hours a night. (I know I should sleep more, but that will come eventually...hopefully), that leaves 86 hours a week. Life in general (eating, cleaning, marketing my art, shopping, drinking coffee, driving to work, watching Frasier…) probably takes an average of 5 hours a day (35 hours a week), that leaves 51 hours a week for my art. This means that I have approximately 7 hours a day to distribute to all facets of my art. That may seem like a lot, however when I divide that into 6 different categories, that leaves about an hour for each category. Considering the fact that it takes me approximately 4 to 5 hours to make a good drawing (i.e., a drawing that meets my expectations) the arithmetic doesn't work
.

As such, I CAN'T DO EVERYTHING!!!


So I decided that I need to trim down the roster. Although, last week I made a decision to bring back one of my webcomics (Cosmic Fowl) to three days a week, given time the time limitations, it was an incorrect decision. Also, given the fact that one comic takes approximately 3 hours to complete, combined with the fact that I wanted to post three days a week, left the caricatures (my specialties) and the Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog (an important promotional tool) suffering badly. So I’m rethinking the Cosmic Fowl, three days a week thingy. Until have have more hours in my day to draw (i.e., I no longer need to fuel airplanes to survive), Cosmic Fowl, will be posted once a week... let's say, Sunday. This frees up a lot of time for the caricatures, while still keeping the webcomics alive (albeit on life support). 


Speaking of my art, lets look at the newest stuff...



Retirement Drawing


Cosmic Fowl #23



"Larry David"



I tend to make decisions on gut instinct and occasionally forget to consult the brain on the decisions, which leads to rethinking decisions…


Life goes forward...


Thursday, June 17, 2021

Event Caricatures

Things are starting to pick up again, in regards to my Event Caricatures. Not that I’m booking a lot lately, however, the inquiries into my price and what type of Event Caricatures I draw, are increasing. Hopefully this will translate to bookings.

So I was thinking it was time to share a few of my favorite, Event Caricatures, I’ve created over the years...and by the way, If you’re interested, in booking me for a future event, contact me a scribblesisme@yahoo.com or check out the link below to my Bash/Gigmasters booking site.

https://www.thebash.com/caricaturist/michael-hopkins-caricatures  

Now, let’s take at some of those favorites!













Michael

Monday, June 14, 2021

The End is Near

Good Evening...


The end is near...the end is near...the end is near... 


I think my frustrations at the Daily Planet are becoming a motivating factor, in my motivation. That’s kind of like saying that the fire behind me is motivating me to run away from the fire, right? Anyways...There comes a point in time (after you realize that your taxi driver is blind) that forces you to make a decision, to either jump out of the taxi (no matter how much that pavement is going to hurt) or brace for a crash! Working at the Daily Planet used to be enjoyable and that enjoyability caused me to lose focus (through being in a state of comfortably numbness) on the journey toward my destination. However, when the Director of Common Sense, decided to vacate the premises, the proverbial, Deer in the Headlights Look, took its place (through the vacuum caused by the disappearance of common sense) and gained a foothold in what was the last bastion of common sense. Unfortunately my friends,  it now occupies the present….and apparently the foreseeable future.


A couple of new items to report on the Michael Hopkins Caricatures Storefront (https://michaelhopkinscaricatures.ecwid.com). 


FREE SHIPPING! Yes, that's right, we now offer FREE SHIPPING on all original Michael Hopkins Caricatures (unfortunately “free shipping” does not apply to print purchases). However, besides FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORIGINAL ART PURCHASES, the original art you purchase is now shipped in a luxury gift box! Besides being really cool, the box protects your investment during shipping. I’ve always been stressed when I hand one of my original pieces to a shipper. There's a reason for this...You see, I like to spend my spare time fueling cargo airplanes and I see how packages can be mistreated during shipping. YIKES!!!


Anyways, check out the video below for more information..



Let’s see what else there is to report..




Dateline, Washoe Valley, Nevada...Caricatures, caricatures, caricatures!











Dateline, Reno Nevada. A local Caricaturist delivered a caricature to one of his customers....





And that’s the way it is, Monday, June 14th 2021...This is Michael Hopkins...Goodnight

 

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Opinions...

A friend of mine recently critiqued negatively in regards to my original art pricing structure. I was told (in my friends opinion), that I am charging too much for my original artwork. This critique of my pricing structure was then vindicated (also in their opinion) by pointing out to me another artist's website and his pricing structure. Although I value my friends opinion, we're not comparing prices between two, 1972 Ford Pintos. Art is very personal and subjective to each artist's love of their creation. An artist must decide a value for their creation and not base it on other artist's prices. Believe it or not, I don't create my original art to make money. My original art is inspired and that inspiration and creation is not based on financial gain. Its genesis is the love of creation and as such, I can't base my prices on other artists' pricing structures. Do I want to sell my art? Of course! However, its value is based on what my art means to me and not how it compares to other artists' work and the value they place on their work. 


For example, my original Prince drawing is currently priced at $11,000. This price was based on the fact that this is not only one of my favorite and most beautiful drawings, it is also based on what I was going through during that time of my life and the sadness I felt about the fact that we had recently lost one of the most talented and creative artists of my lifetime. All of this inspired this amazing drawing/tribute to Prince. Is it expensive? Yes, however, it is also priceless. I will never create another one like it. It’s value will not decrease, it will only increase. This drawing is an original, as was Prince. 



However, I still understand my friend's opinion and can relate to those who can't afford my originals. One of the first pieces of art I collected was a limited edition print of one of Tim Wistrom's
paintings. Tim is an amazing painter, based in the Pacific Northwest (https://tim-wistrom-arts.mybigcommerce.com/). There was no way I could afford one of his originals, however, I did save my money and purchased one of his limited edition prints.



As a nod to the joy I received from his art (at a time in my life, when I could afford little) I offer limited edition
giclée prints of my work. These prints are priced competitively and offer an opportunity to those who can't afford my original art.


My original pieces won't be created again and the part of me that created them will never be returned to me. Being the artist that created the original, it's my choice what to charge and not based upon the opinion of others. In contrast, the prices for my limited edition prints are based upon the competitive art market and the demand for the original piece of art I created, at a price, that is more affordable and is based upon what the market will bear. When you are purchasing art prints, you are not purchasing the original. As an incentive to create demand and to add value for the buyer, all of my prints are "limited edition prints" and after the original run of prints are sold, , they won't be produced again (i.e., when they’re gone, they’re gone) and their value will probably increase as well.


By the way...A few years ago, one of the original Batmobiles used by Adam West on the TV series, Batman! sold for $4.2 million. It reportedly cost George Barris $30,000 to make the original.




Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Getting It Right

I just completed my latest and maybe one of my greatest caricatures, Cheap Trick.



I started this caricature on May 9th 2021 and finished on May 10th of (a lot of work). My caricature of one of the greatest rock and roll bands in history (featuring guitarist, Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander and bassist Tom Petersson) was created on 11" × 14" Canson Illustration board, with pen & ink and a slight wash. In case you noticed, I left out the drummer. This was on purpose, as a nod to drummer, Bun E. Carlos, who (unfortunately) no longer tours with the band. 


Why do I think this is one of my greatest caricatures? Well, there are several reasons...First off, I love the feel of the drawing, it has life. There's a dance (i.e., a liveliness to this drawing). Some drawings, although technically correct, are just drawings and nothing more...and kind of boring. I am not immune to creating boring drawings. I have created them and although I still have them, you probably won't see them (or at least, you've only seen them once). I like all of my creations, however some bring me joy and happiness, while others...well, meh. However, this little masterpiece is nothing but happiness. When I create a work of art that has life, I can usually tell long before I finish the drawing and when this happens, I get so immersed in the creative process, that I find it difficult to get up from the drawing table and do anything else in my life. When that type of drawing is completed (although it never really is), I can look back at the drawing and I can tell where my head was and what inspired the drawing. This doesn't necessarily mean, I was in a good place or a bad place, it just means I was at a place in my life that inspired me to create that drawing. Not only can joy inspire, any kind of emotion can inspire creation. This caricature was inspired by struggle and yet, this drawing makes me smile and brings me happiness. Another reason I love this drawing was that it was created with a pen, pen nibs, a paint brush and India ink. I consider this technique, the classic technique and I think the drawing reflects that classic look.



This drawing will soon be available at the Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store (https://michaelhopkinscaricatures.ecwid.com/) along with other inspired drawings. The original will be available for sale, along with prints. Please visit the Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store and if you have any questions concerning an original or print you're interested in, please contact me personally at scribblesisme@yahoo.com


Thursday, May 6, 2021

I'm Going Slightly Mad

Random discussion between my left brain and my right brain (usually occurring around 3:30am while waiting for a 757 from Oakland to arrive)


What the hell am I doing here!?!? There’s gotta be a better way to make a living than arriving for work at 3:00am, driving a *circa 1963, barely-idling, jerry rigged, obsessively bouncing, 4ft x 4ft box, attached to a 10,000 gallon tank of potentially flammable, aviation fuel!


*Note. Aforementioned vehicle, maintained, by in-house maintenance professional and Country Music Legend, Willie Nelson. Oh...wait a minute...maybe he's not Willie Nelson...




Oh, and you have a better place to be?


I AM AN ARTIST DAMMIT! I have much better places to be. My drawings have been displayed all over this world! My caricatures have captured the imagination of all who have seen them!


So what are you doing here?


I choose to be here, my good Sir! I chose to participate in the exciting world of aviation to cultivate and inspire ideas for my webcomic, “Missed Approach” See, through immersing myself in the aviation world, I become one, with the aviation community!









Not a bad idea...so how’s your webcomic, "Missed Approach” doing? 


Uhh...I haven't drawn a new one in about 2 years…


I’m going back to bed




Thank you folks! By the way, I just flew in from Reno/Tahoe International and boy are my arms tired!



Don't forget to tip your waitress on the way out!


On a more solemn note...let's, be kind to to the homeless man, in the pastel colored plaid shirt, on the street corner. He may be your former Operations Manager, who decided to give up his career, in his search for happiness.