Janis Joplin - 4/22/2018

This is my latest, Janis Joplin. I created this drawing on April 22nd, 2018, with black India ink on white drawing board. 

The inspiration is missing, but she's always there...

Justin & Caroline's Wedding!

Last night was the second, Michael Hopkins Event Caricature event of 2018. I was at West Shore Cafe & Inn in Homewood, California (Lake Tahoe!) to draw caricatures at the wedding reception of Justin and Caroline. The wedding was beautiful, the venue was spectacular and I have to say, I think I was pretty, pretty, good, myself. Of course it helps, to have such a courteous and professional staff at the West Shore Cafe & Inn, hosting the event. With all the perfection around me, my job was easy. Here’s a few pics from the event...

Of all the locations I’ve drawn caricatures at Lake Tahoe, I can honestly say this was my favorite. If you’re planning a visit to Lake Tahoe, you should definitely visit the West Shore Cafe & Inn! Here’s the link below, give it a look…

https://www.westshorecafe.com/

Update - April 7th, 2018

So I'm back on the drawing board and here’s my latest…

This is  my daughter Jennifer and her beau Eli. I’ve never met Eli (mostly ‘cause they’re 700 miles away). However, being the expert facial analysis/caricaturist that I am, his facial features suggest he’s a nice guy. I drew this caricature using, Faber-Castell, PITT Artist Pens…

The major advantage is, that it makes the drawing process much quicker, while still providing good detail Although they do work well, I feel like I don’t get the depth from the drawing that I do when I use pen nibs and ink.

Last Saturday I performed at a gig, at The Ballroom of Reno. It turned out really well and it was an enjoyable way to kick off the 2018 Michael Hopkins Caricatures roadshow. Following are some of my favorites from that event. Next Saturday, I’m back at Lake Tahoe where love is in the air and I’m drawing caricatures among all that love.

On the Little Red Haired Girl front (see the January 11th blog), I’m making progress. There were major advances this past week. Stay tuned…

AND...although I stated previously that Cosmic Fowl is returning..it still is.

Distractions...again

I’ve had a bit of an artists block lately. However, to be honest, I’m not sure if it really is an Artist Block?. I’m easily distracted and there are plenty of distractions (“like butterflies are buzzing ‘round my head” - from the 1989 Paul McCartney song, Distractions) anyways...Is there such a thing as Artists Block? Personally, I don’t think so. I think to be a successful artist one needs to put their art, above their distractions. I create many distractions on my own, watching YouTube and Netflix, donating money to various local casinos, dating sites (yes, I know…), letting moronic things at my bartending gig (i.e., Gnomes with over-inflated, unjustified egos-bigger than they are, get to me) and of course dealing with the “walkers” (I’ll go into that another day...or maybe not...it’s not politically correct). So, tonight I’ve decided to try and let go of many of these distractions and focus more on things that pump blood to the right side of the brain.

Believe it or not, one thing that helps me think and in turn, starts pumping blood to the right side of the brain is golf. Although, I am not a great golfer (and I don’t care) I find the game of golf fascinating, relaxing and peaceful. I’ve gotten some of my best ideas on a golf course. I don’t worry about my score, I just relax and let all the stress go, for a couple of hours. While golfing, I’m in another dimension and become one with my thoughts. I believe that a lot of us have lost the ability to separate ourselves and our happiness, from this Facebook world we have created.

Another activity I miss is road trips, with no destination. I use to do this when I owned a motorcycle (back in my 20’s) and coincidentally speaking, that was also that same time I was producing some great cartoons.  Hmmm..maybe I should buy another motorcycle???

So we’ll see what happens. In the meantime below of some examples of my, Cosmic Fowl Webcomics. I don't know how many of you are familiar with them, but this is one of the projects I’m currently working on. Enjoy them...and if you like them, please visit my web comic by clicking the link below,

Cosmic Fowl! 

by Michael Hopkins

http://cosmicfowl.blogspot.com/

By the way, the Michael Hopkins YouTube is still coming….

Stay tuned.

Michael

The Little "Red-Haired" Girl

Love is not defined by the end result, love is defined by the journey.

She walks into the room...again. Your eyes and attention focus solely on her. Your heartbeat increases and that spell, that she has unknowingly cast upon you, consumes you. Everyone and everything that is happening around you, becomes insignificant, to the point of disappearing. What were you thinking? What were you doing, prior to the point in which she walked into the room? It doesn’t matter, for she is the sole focus of your universe. You’ve never seen anyone like her before and you know, you’ll never see anyone like her again.

This is the moment from which love songs are inspired and love stories are written. We all wait for this moment, but alas, it taunts us with paralysis. We can’t act. Life has taught us to be cautious to point of being jaded. How would one dare to approach such an immortal. For we are mere mortals and now our attention is focused on the unattainable. There is no place on this earth, where one who bows down before, rises and captures the heart of the princess like her.

So we move on...and yet we never forget.

Today you think she noticed you, or was that a mere glance of courtesy? When she is not looking, you capture her essence..a photograph for your memory. We all take moments to dream.

Days turn into nights and nights turn into tomorrows. Our indecisiveness causes our paths to divert. One path not taken, creates a new path and changes our future forever.

By Michael Hopkins - January 11th, 2018

*Peanuts by Charles Schultz

A New Year

Happy New Year everybody (albeit...a little late). As 2017 disappears in our rear view mirror and 2018 stares us in the face, I would like to thank you for continuing to read my blog. Although I updated my blog more often in 2017 than any other previous year, I hope to increase those blog updates in 2018 and give you more reasons to follow Michael Hopkins Cartoons.

Here’s a few more reasons to stay tuned...

Reason #1 - I’ve had a few new ideas for my webcomic, Cosmic Fowl. As I stated previous blogs, I struggle with webcomics (especially strips style, web comics) so when I think about drawing more, Cosmic Fowl!, webcomics, occasionally I break out in a cold sweat...On the Other Hand (by the way...one my favorite, Randy Travis songs) if I don’t follow through on these ideas that pop in my head, I feel as though I wasting inspiration. Besides, Cosmic Fowl! is a panel webcomic which I enjoy drawing much more than a strip webcomic. So I’m going to follow through, create a few new Cosmic Fowl! webcomics and see what happens. I should start publishing these in the next couple weeks

Reason #2 - I’m starting a YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/user/MHopkinsCartoons. I’ve actually had this channel for a while, but recently I’ve decided to take it a bit more seriously. I only have two videos on there at the moment, however I’m working on an another one and I will publish that one as soon as soon as i figure out how to edit videos. I’ll post it on the Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog, as soon as I figure it out :)

Anyways, enough for now. I’ll be back soon!

Muse

MUSE

By Michael Hopkins

12/12/17

This is my latest Pen & Ink Caricature. It's of the band, Muse (specifically, left to right, Dominic Howard, Chris Wolstenholme and Matt Bellamy). In my opinion, the greatest band to have ever walked the face of the earth. 

I used to think it was The Beatles or Queen, but this band blows me away on everyone one of their albums. I have yet to find a song on any Muse album that I don't like. I can't say that about any other band or performer. I am in awe of their music and talent. They're amazing.