The Inspiration Behind the Drawing - My Chemical Romance

Sometimes a drawing takes a long time to develop. The initial conception of my latest drawing, My Chemical Romance (MCR) originated on a road trip to Las Vegas in October of 2015. 

To be honest, I had never listened to MCR prior to that trip. I probably would not have, had it not been for Rule Number 4-A, in a set of rules I established regarding road trips. These rules were developed in order to inure sanity during, and at the end of these journeys. Although I could bore you with the entire list, my rules are not the subject of this incoherent rambling, as such, here are a few important highlights...

Rule #1 - Coffee

• Rule #1-A - More coffee
• Rule #1-B - Even more coffee 

Let's focus on my discovery of MCR, following is Rule #4

Rule #4 - Music. Music (or some sort of Radio Ga Ga) shall be played on the entire road trip.

• Rule #4-A - Said music, should be alternated between the musical taste of all passengers in the vehicle.

Ah ha! This is it! This is the "Big Bang" of my latest drawing! Had it not been for Rule #4-A, my latest drawing would have never materialized and its all because of, Bitch Stevie (inside joke). You see, prior to this road trip, "my road mix", would include Paul McCartney, Alice Cooper, Johnny Cash and Queen, among others. However, thanks to Bitch Stevie my musical tastes and have expanded immensely and although I still enjoy the classics, I have discovered new musical awesomeness...

First off, here's the caricature and the picture I used to create the caricature...

Now, the first song that captured my attention and initially inspired the drawing. Great song! Wonderfully creepy video by this young lady, she was obviously inspired as well...

Another great song....

Anyways, until next time....Peace!

An End to Begin Again

Holy artists block Batman! Has it really been almost three years since I started my last Missed Approach?? It’s amazing how time flies when you’re caught in the black hole of comfortableness (see the blog before the last one). It’s also amazing how one’s perception of time fades, while the reality of time marches on. I’m not getting any younger and I’m definitely getting older. To put my inactiveness into perspective, I’ve could go to planet Mars and back twice, since I started Episode 3 – Attention Deficit Disorder. Who’s to blame?? I don’t know, I wish that I had somebody to point my finger at (of course there would be three pointing back at me). Thank goodness assigning blame is meaningless. I think most of the time was spent, trying to figure out an ending. It never came. So I decided not to end it, delete it and just move on. Most of us have the need for closure and I’m no exception, however I decided to make an exception.  I guess it’s now kind of like, The Song That Never Ends (my kids will know that reference). Its time to start a new episode of Missed Approach (it will start this week) and new episode for me.

Shredding 'Roids

Well it’s halftime now and things aren’t looking good for my hometown, Seahawks (Seattle - 0 Green Bay -16). So if the national media is correct, apparently ¾ of the country is currently overjoyed. From what I’ve heard, most of the country hates the, Seahawks. I’ve heard the terms, arrogant, spoiled and fluke (as in last year). I don’t think so. You see, I’m not a huge football fan anymore and by no means an expert (that’s what she said). I think Taylor said it best, Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate hate…  People are still allowed to think and state, what they want (in most parts of the world). I just like rooting for my home team (is rooting still a relevant term??). I can’t explain that either. I have no investment in that team; I hardly even watch them anymore. I mean I live more than 700 FREAKING MILES FROM THERE!?!?!?! Anyways, since growing older, I’m become much more interested and invested in art and music than sports. I mean, come on. I would much rather spend a $100 bill, watching greying guitar Rock God, Brian May shredding through, Tie Your Mother Down...

...than spending that same bill watching some steroid induced, overpaid athletes try win football games. GO SEAHAWKS!!!!

Anyways, Spring Training starts in 30 days. GO MARINERS!!! Have I ever mentioned how I HATE the Yankees???

UPDATE!!! WHATTAFUC**NGGAME!! WHERE'SMYFRIGGINGCAFFEINE?!?!?

2015

Now it’s 2015. 

As for last year, it no longer exists. I rode the escalator, for most of the year. Although I created a few pieces that I was proud of, overall I was disappointed. I felt my dreams fading away. Lying in bed on New Year’s Eve, looking back at last year and trying determine what caused this sleepwalk though the 53^rd year of my existence,…

  

Pink Floyd s, *Comfortably Numb, comes on the radio…

Hello?
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone at home?

Come on, now
I hear you're feeling down
Well I can ease the pain
Get you on your feet again

Relax
I'll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?

There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying

When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain you would not understand

This is not how I am

I have become comfortably numb

510 minutes a day, 260 days a year, there is nobody in there...

On a daily basis, I escape to alternate dimension and observe…

I watch myself coexisting with empty souls who's lives have become what I fear the most. Their “reality”, is a mind numbing slow ride towards an inevitable conclusion…does nobody care?

Are they unaware and unable to realize what is happening?

Okay
Just a little pinprick
There'll be no more
But you may feel a little sick

Now can you stand up?
I do believe it's working good
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on it's time to go

There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying

When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown the dream is gone

I have become comfortably numb

My soul can’t survive, another year in this” reality”.

Time to start drawing…

*Comfortably Numb

Writer(s): R. Waters, Roger Waters, D. Gilmour, David Jon Gilmour
Copyright: Roger Waters Music Overseas Ltd., Pink Floyd Music Publr. Inc., Pink Floyd Music Publishers Ltd., Artemis Muziekuitgeverij B.V., Pink Floyd Music Publisher

Live From the Red Carpet!

Izzy who? D.J. what? The music world has officially passed me by. In fact, I feel sorry for Katy Perry (due to the fact that I know who she is). That fact alone should be the first sign for a contemporary entertainer that the Billboard Charts are leaving them in the dust and local Indian casino shows are in their future. Although it’s sad that I’m even watching, E, thank goodness I am. You see, as of this writing, those underfed, Live From the Red Carpet, hosts are trying and convince me that Fergie is still relevant (I honestly thought she was doing infomercials for Time Life’s Greatest Hits of 2000’s…were there any??). Alas, good luck Fergie. I hope your new album is more successful than your only Superbowl appearance. All of my unrequested musical critique aside, she is at least (from my viewpoint) the hottest woman at the American Music Awards (err…well, that should probably give her concern as well)…oh, wait a minute, look…there’s goes Kacey Musgraves!!!

Is it ok if I quit my job...

“Is it ok if I quit my job and start a blog?”...Well I haven’t succeeded in quitting my job (if that’s what you call how support my cartooning addiction) yet...however thanks to that Oscar Meyer commercial, I’m back on the blog.

There are certain shows I can’t miss (thank goodness my drawing table is facing the TV). Anything with Gordon Ramsey (including tonight’s, Hotel Hell and Hell’s Kitchen), A&E’s Shipping Wars, Showtime’s, Episodes and American Pickers. I think the guys on American Pickers, have the best job in the world...one that I may emulate soon, by traveling around the country and setting up my, Michael Hopkins Cartoons tent at various events throughout this great country of ours…Maybe I’ll see you there???

Also.....The new freeway (I-580) between Reno and Carson Valley has finally opened!!! It’s completely AWESOME!!!!! It saved my 20 minutes on my drive to Reno this morning!!!! I love this place!!!

Support the (good) arts....

Yesterday I took my son to see, Paranorman. I was so impressed and inspired by the film, my son suggested I watch the film, Coraline…he informed me that it was made by the same company (how’d he know that???), Liaka Entertainment. Well…never one to not follow sound advice, I purchased Caroline (we’re watching it tonight). Having the Obsessive Compulsive gene that I do (sorry about that, kids), purchasing the film was not enough and I have now discovered, Liaka Entertainment. It’s the production based in Portland, Oregon, that produced Paranorman, Coraline and Corpse Bride. They specialize in stop-motion animation, combining old technology with new…It’s an awesome company and they produce wonderful animation!!!! Check out their website (http://www.laika.com/) and go see Parnorman!!! We need to support this kind of amazing creativity or all the future will hold, will be nothing more than, Shrek and Kung Fu Panda sequels…..