Random Thoughts and Demons

Random thoughts at 3:18am while waiting for a flight from Oakland…

My new website, Michael Hopkins Cartoons, is now working and available on the internet! The genesis behind the new site is to create an online location where fans of my art can access everything that I have created through one location. To use airline terminology, a kind of *hub and spoke system for Michael Hopkins Cartoons stuff. 

*hub-and-spoke

adjective

ˈhəb-ən(d)-ˈspōk 

: being or relating to a system of routing air traffic in which a major airport serves as a central

point for coordinating flights to and from other airports

My new site does exactly that, which includes the following,

• The Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store 
• Michael Hopkins Event Caricatures 
• The Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog 
• My webcomic, Cosmic Fowl 
• My webcomic, Missed Approach 

I have also included an event calendar so people can see where I'll be appearing at events (and I have some ideas for some pretty quirky events, so stay tuned). This way, people who are interested, can get their caricature drawn. I'll also have my prints available at these events. So, checkout my website and let me know what you think.

Michael Hopkins Cartoons

My plans for the future also include a revamped iamscribbles YouTube channel (because my last attempt sucked!)

Welcome to My Nightmare

I actually had a nightmare last night, something that was totally unexpected. The premise of what seemed like a short nightmare, was that I was living in a house which had several items that were possessed (that’s right! evil spirits!!). Anyways... these items had to be removed from my house to exercise these demons (which I did, thank you)…and then I woke up. 

My amateur analysis of this dream is that I have to remove certain things/bad habits from my life that are impeding me from achieving my goals (i.e.,success). Although I'm not going to get into what these personal demons are (that's too personal), however, they are in fact, impeding me from achieving my goals. I definitely can identify these demons and I'm definitely going to exercise (exorcise?) these personal demons (that was a bit of a clue)...and no, I don't use drugs or drink too much alcohol, so guess again :)

Well, the flights here, so I need to go pump some Jet A into a well used Boeing 757.

 Enjoy the rest of your sleep!

 

Lollygagging

One of those thought provoking moments happened the other day, while discussing my future caricature events with a *wantrepreneur.

*wantrepreneur a person who aspires to be an entrepreneur, especially one who never realizes this ambition -https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wantrepreneur )

I realized something during our conversation, this guy’s got his shit together more than I do (which doesn't mean he's got his shit together, it just means that he's got his shit together more than I do) The difference between him and myself is that he has specific, formulated and even some activated plans. I don't know if I’d agree with him that his plans are good plans, but at least he's got plans and I respect that. Lately, I feel like I’m just lollygagging through this life of an artist (with an end goal of self independence (or happiness, as I like to put it.) He’s proactive about his goals, I’ve been reactive about mine.I need to become proactive.

Skip : You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!

Larry : Lollygaggers!

Skip : Lollygaggers.

Bull Durham (1988)

To that end I have decided to quit lollygagging. Sure I've gotten by as a Lollygagger. Luckily my talent has been carrying this reactive person through life lately. However, the talent side of my brain is getting tired of carrying the load, so it's time to wake up the other side of the  brain and become, Proactive Man!! (UGH! I’m going to need more coffee…). With that end in mind, I'm working on my first step.. I’ve reutilized the name Michael Hopkins Cartoons, built a new website and now I’m just waiting for Internet Gods to recognize my URL, michaelhopkinscartoons.com (in the Internet Gods defense, it’s been a while since I used that URL) Through this new website, one will be able to access all my stuff though one website

• The Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog
• The Michael Hopkins Caricatures Store
• (Booking) Michael Hopkins Event Caricatures
• Missed Approach (webcomic)
• Cosmic Fowl (webcomic)
• A list of upcoming Michael Hopkins Event Caricature Events. 

So as of this moment in time, I'm still waiting on Squarespace to get it's shit together and help me get my shit together. I'll keep you updated.

Following are a few highlights from my latest gigs. Enjoy!

Caricatures vs. Caricatures

I'm currently working on what I consider to be one of my most amazing drawings. Its also my latest attempt to exorcize my personal demons of being lazy (in regards to my artistic output). 

To be fair to myself, I've had quite a substantial output of drawings lately. However, these drawings mostly involve Event Caricatures and various other scribbles (Not that there's anything wrong with that), but I don't find myself as challenged as I do with my Pen and Ink Caricatures. Don't get me wrong, I love creating Event Caricatures. There's almost nothing as rewarding as creating a little joy and happiness in this occasionally fucked-up world up live in, by drawing my silly caricatures of people. However, my pen and ink caricatures hold a special place in my soul. When I rise to the challenge of successfully transferring my thoughts (via the pen nib, dipped into the India ink and onto the paper) it's exhilarating and completely satisfying. Maybe it's my homage to the great Caricaturists that have drawn before me (Al Hirschfeld, Mort Drucker and Jack Davis) that have brought joy to my life through their work. 

By the way, if you're wondering who's the subject of caricature I'm referring to at the beginning of this blog, here's a clue…

The two subjects of my latest caricature share the same first names with another two people of historical significance. 

Oh Well

Contrary to all of the religious organizations that I sampled throughout my youth, I don't believe that heaven is up there above the clouds somewhere. I believe that heaven surrounds us. I also believe that when our physical bodies live out their usefulness, our souls remain. 

Moving on…

I adore a good conversation,  however I loathe, chit chat or mingling. On a daily basis I'm faced with individuals (basically two people, we’ll call them Frick and Frack) who will come up to me and just stare at me (I presume they're trying to engage in a conversation). Besides being creepy, I don't work that way. If you want a conversation with me, say something. If I wanted a conversation, I would definitely let you know. On occasion when I ignore these puzzling advances into my personal space I will occasionally ask the person, “WHAT?!?!” “Oh nothing”, is their usual response. Then what’s the FREAKIN’ point? Some might consider this antisocial behavior on my part, but it is not. It's merely me refusing to participate in idle chit-chat. On the other hand, if you want to have a conversation with me, let's do it, I'm all ears! However, proceed with caution and start with a question, not a stare... 

I can't help about the shape I'm in

I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin

But don't ask me what I think of you

I might not give the answer that you want me to

Oh well

Now, when I talked to God I knew he'd understand

He said, "Stick by my side and I'll be your guiding hand

But don't ask me what I think of you

I might not give the answer that you want me to"

Oh well

I can't help about the shape I'm in

I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin

But don't ask me what I think of you

I might not give the answer that you want me to

Oh well

Oh Well-Fleetwood Mac

Random thoughts at 2:00am

Not Leaving Las Vegas is the most irritatingly pleasurable channel on YouTube. It’s host “Steven J.” is a contradiction in personalities. A man who would not be out of place in the lead role in one of the, “Revenge of the Nerds" movies. However, this individual with the nerdy look (probably has his pants tucked into his socks, a pocket protector and a fanny pack) also has some mighty kahunas (or he's just not very intelligent) as he ventures into the dark recesses of Las Vegas for our viewing pleasure. I’ve seen Steven accidentally filming drug deals, wandering into swingers clubs and sprinting in the opposite direction while being chased by local ne'er-do-wells. 

Steven J.

I believe Steven is the classic closet narcissist with self doubt tendencies that are only exceeded by his overblown self importance. Even with these character traits, I enjoy his channel. It's fun to watch him explain his philosophies about the “YouTube  business. However, when faced with critical comments, he will occasionally reiterate the fact that it is his YouTube channel and that is his business, so he can do and say what he wants (true). Unfortunately at the same time, Steven whines like a little bitch when a casino decides that they don't want him live streaming in their business and asks him to leave…

Cringy things to watch for, besides his whining…

• His Michael Scott-esque pop song references (no he can't carry a tune) at every possible and obvious opportunity he gets and then blurts out the name of the group and song title.
• The way he points to locations with his hand (in front of his camera, that's already focused on the location) when he's referring to a specific building or area (and lord knows he's not the only youtuber that does this!). 

Even with all his cringy faults (God knows I have my own) I'd recommend his YouTube channel. Not Leaving Las Vegas. He seems like a nice and genuine little fella (even if he is a little self absorbed) who makes original and interesting content, in a YouTube world full of insincere and unoriginal content.

The New Party Planning Committee

Last Known Photo of The Chosen One

It's official, the inmates have officially (officially official??) taken over the asylum (literally) and unfortunately it appears that there's no turning back. It's unfortunate, because the Daily Planet, as an institution, had its merits and some of the inmates that have taken over since the departure of The Chosen One (see above) are sufficiently intelligent people (however there are sufficiently unintelligent people as well). Due to the amount of incoherence, lack of logic and the overall notgiveashitness emanating from the Federation Council, there’s more chance of a full Beatles reunion than a logical decision finding its way out of the new committee. Why? Because once Shari Lewis retires and Lamb Chop, Hush Puppy and Charlie Horse no longer have her hand up their ass (making their every decision for them), and in turn, these puppets must make their own decisions...well, it'll be time for this Cartoonist Extraordinaire to move on.

To paraphrase Yukon Cornelius, "Oh, well, now I'm off to get my life-sustaining supplies: cornmeal and gun powder, pens & ink, drawing paper and hammock's. I'm going to go draw some funny pictures..."

                                     Lamb Chop, Hush Puppy and Charlie Horse

For those of you who question the factuality of my blog, the following are classified minutes from Lamb Chop's, Hush Puppy's and Charlie Horse's the most recent Party Planning Committee (Shari wasn't in attendance). Although I can't divulge the name of my inside source (I will just call him Deep Throat for now)…these minutes were obtained via The Freedom of Useless Information Act. 

• 12:37 pm - Meeting called to order (actual start time was 8am, however the entire committee failed to show up until 11:28 am).
• 12:45 pm. Argument breaks out as to who’s in charge here???
• 1:15 pm - After what was to be a 5 minute smoke/cool down break, the meeting is called to order again.
• 1:57 pm. After the tape measures were found useless in the, Who’s got the Biggest Penis contest (or was it, who is biggest dick??), the decision was made to use a micrometer. Unfortunately, due to their tiny sizes, the lengths still could not be judged accurately (even with the micrometer) and thus it was agreed upon that all members of the Committee are equally tiny (by the way, 9mm is nothing to be proud of).
• 2:36 pm After another “5 minute” after a smoke break, the meeting resumed.
• 2:59 pm The meeting adjourned after it was discovered that no member of the Party Planning Committee could read the corporate supplied instructional booklet, Supervising Employees for Dummies. 
• 3:05 pm Orlando, Babs and Howdy Doody clean up the meeting room while proclaiming, “this is not our job!”

Orlando, Babs and Jimmy

My Own Worst Critic

One of my best creations is my webcomic, Missed Approach.Its the story (in webcomic form) of an airline, it's crew and their daily pursuit of their next destination. Starring, Capt. James P. Kurt, First Officer, Dan Doodles and Flight Attendants, Doris McKenna and Cali Crystal.

 My first Missed Approach webcomic was self published on September 12th, 2011 and has been published very sporadically since then but not due to lack of effort, want or even ideas (as i constantly think about this webcomic and feel it is inferior to very few comics). As I have stated before, I am my own worst critic and this self criticism has stopped many amazing ideas from seeing the light of day. However there is hope for the future as I have been influenced greatly by the philosophy of Rick Rubin. Although I'm sure that when Rick is referring to artists, he's referring to musical artists, his philosophy of creation for oneself first and putting the public second has helped me in my self criticism. When I say that I am my worst critic, that criticism has it genesis in my doubts about whether the public will like my creations. I love my art, but that self doubt about whether the public will like my art leads to my self doubts about my love for my art. The result being not letting a lot of my creativity see light of day. This must change.

It's not that I don't appreciate the appreciation of my art, but I have decided to put myself and my art first and to no longer worry about adulation, because it doesn't matter. What matters is that my art will no longer limited by my self doubts. If you like the art that I created for myself first, then that's amazing. You are appreciating my true art and not art being filtered by what I think you want to see, but instead the uncensored creativity that is coming from my soul and finding its way onto my paper.

And now a few of my favorite pictures from my most recent gigs…

This is one of my favorite event caricatures. This event took place 

at the Virginia City High School Prom. 

 

This caricature was drawn at Virginia City High School Prom as well. Gracie and Luke were in a serious car accident in which both of these kids broke their backs (yikes!). Thank goodness they're recovering amazingly! 

This couple was at An Evening of Music and Motion presented by 

Drive Toward a Cure for the Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada.

Another couple from the event. I think I did a great job at capturing their personality!

A Father and Daughter at the event. Although when I drew her glasses it partially changed the look of her eyes, it still turned our to be on of my favorite event Caricatures!