Welcome to Michaels Hopkins Cartoons Blog…a place for Michael's thoughts, observations, remembrances and general incoherent ramblings concerning the creative process behind his drawings and life in general...
In my previous blog, I stated that I was no longer going to offer prints of my Pen & Ink Caricatures. Today, I've spent the entire day, thinking about that decision. Although I am correct in stating that this would increase the value/worth of my original drawings, after a full day of self-debate (in which I always win) I feel that was an incorrect and probably a bit of a selfish decision. Why? The reason is, that it would limit the number of people (who really do appreciate my art's value) who want to purchase my art, but can't afford an original drawing. I understand that problem, as I have struggled with the cost of living in this world, for most of my life. When looking back on my life today, I realized that would never have been able to afford an original drawing of my favorite artists work. When I have purchased art in the past, it was always a print, as that was all I could afford.
Alas, I have decided to alter my decision. I will continue to offer signed, limited editions of my drawings and lower cost than the original. This will continue to ensure that those who appreciate my work (but cant afford an original) will have the opportunity to enjoy ownership of my art.
Prior to my latest epiphany, I believed that the value of something was based on what someone would pay for it. Based on that mindset, I priced my Original Pen & Ink Caricatures on what I thought someone would pay for them and priced my art as such, with little regard to my true feelings for what I thought my art was actually worth. By following this pricing structure, I actually gave the power of placing value (or worth) on my art, to others. As such, I have often felt that my art was undervalued (yeah, I know...boo hoo, poor me). No longer...
I have decided to change my pricing structure. By making this change, I risk not selling my art to those that disagree with it’s value and that's ok. My art is now priced on my opinion of my art’s worth. I have decided that preserving my art’s value is more important to me than selling my art to others (at what I believe is an undervalued price). I would rather sell a few pieces of my art to patrons who really appreciate it (and agree with my value), rather than sell it to the masses, who don’t appreciate my art at the same value I place on it.
In step with this change (and going forward), I am no longer going to create and sell prints of my new, Original Pen & Ink Caricatures. This will in turn, preserve (and maybe increase) the value of my originals to those who purchase my art, as they will truly be a, “one of a kind” work of art.
*Note. I will still sell prints of my Aviation Caricatures (and try to keep them as reasonably priced as possible), as I view them more of an expressive outlet, and a way to share my love of aviation (which is also why I created my webcomic, “Missed Approach”). P.S., this is also the reason I’m fueling airplanes at 3am each morning, Matt…
So this is a beginning. The beginning of a change in the way I live my life. The way I do things, why I do things. I am no longer going to to live the status quo and do what is expected of me. From today forward, I will follow the path I choose to follow, not the one that is expected of me, but the one that I want.
"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover."
I just realized it’s been almost two months since my last post. Geez! A lot has happened in these last two months and a lot hasn't happened. However, I’m still here and still reaching for my goal (i.e., financial independence through funny pictures).
With 2021 less than a week away, I like everyone else, has set a lofty expectation for next year. I didn't achieve what I had expected in 2020. Of course, SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) was no help at all. Personally, I never got it (at least from what I know), however the virus did its best to destroy large wedding gatherings, corporate events and conventions (which is a large part of my business). Thank goodness I have a back up gig, fueling airplanes.
Not the type to be patient, I’m not going to wait around for the virus to go away. I'm going to take 2021 by the horns and succeed. Many plans are being formulated in my mind and on January 1st, The Michael Hopkins Caricatures Traveling Salvation Show is departing the station! Watch out world, here I come!
In the meantime, I’m going to share my recent artwork with you...enjoy!
It’s been a productive week at the Michael Hopkins’ Cartoon/Caricature Factory. I proved to myself, that given the time, I CAN be productive. The availability of time came from the fact that I had a week of vacation from the jet fuel. Although, I originally had other plans for my vacation, allergy season and surprise car issues, got in the way. It turned out to be a mixed blessing however, given the fact that I was so productive in the art department. Besides, I still plan on fulfilling the two original objectives of my vacation soon...more than likely during the weekends, So all’s well that ends well.
The first thing I want to show you is my second JP Patches (Gertrude) caricature.
For those of you who don’t know who JP Patches is I’ll let JP Patches.com fill you in with the history of JP Patches. Follow the link below
JP Patches was an important part of my childhood and definitely an significant influence on my sense of humor, which of course is embedded in everything that I have created.
Anyways...I created a short montage (is that the correct word?) of my latest JP Patches drawing from beginning to end.
The next drawing I’m going to show you is my tribute to Eddie Van Halen. Although I was never an aficionado of the group Van Halen, I was definitely in awe of Eddie Van Halen’s talent and the world was a better place because he shared his gift with all of us. Rest in peace, Eddie.
My next creation is another drawing that came to me in my sleep. Something told me to draw a caricature of Jackie Gleason as Sheriff Buford T. Justice. Besides his portrayal as Minnesota Fats in The Hustler (1961) his performance as Sheriff Buford T Justice in, Smokey and the Bandit was my favorite.+
So that’s it for now. Since I’m back at the drawing board I’m going to try and produce more work, we'll see how that goes….
Good morning world. It's 4am. One fueled and several to go. Sometimes is a pain in the ass to start work at 3am, however it does have it's advantages...most noticeable, getting off at 11:30am. Disadvantages? Starting work at 3am! Ha! Sometimes I think I'm too old for this sh*t, but I do love this job. Sometimes I think my mind tries to talk me into not liking it, but the heart wins over the convoluted brain and I press on...besides, what am I going to do? Draw??? Oh, yea…
What you see above, is an opening paragraph of a blog, uncompleted. It’s from a few days ago at work (as it states it was about 4am). Anyways, I liked it so I didn’t delete it and here it is. I actually took a picture to go along with the incomplete blog (see below).
The blog, the webcomics and even the caricatures are suffering because of the hours I work. Once you get home after waking up at 2:00am, one doesn't feel like doing much else, let along creating. But create, I must.. because I probably can't fuel airplanes forever (no matter how much I like it). I hit these roadblocks to being a successful artist every so often. This is the reason you haven't seen a new blog, caricature, webcomic or caricature in a while. So it’s time to quit whining and start producing art again.
This blog stuff is difficult to figure out. An example...I decide to update my blog every Sunday and my readership stats declines, I don't update on Sunday and my readership stats increase???
I do believe I need to update on a more regular basis, however, I'm not sure if, Sunday updates, were the answer. So here's a updated blog on Wednesday...take that!
Nothing much new and exciting my world (either as a Cartoonist or a Aviation Fueler). Actually, I'm not sure whether my blog readers are interested in my life as a Aviation Fueler? Personally I love the job! It keeps me involved in aviation, which in turn, inspires me. Also, it grants me access to some fantastic photo opportunities (which is one of my other interests). I wouldn't have had this opportunity, if it wasn't for the fact that I work at the airport. So today, I'll share of my favorite photos I've taken, while working at the airport.
Below is my latest.It's a beautiful sunrise a couple of days ago, taken right after a early morning thunder and lightening storm.
My next picture caught my eye, because of the clouds. It's looking the same easterly
direction as the previous picture.
This next picture is of a American Airlines Airbus A-319, taken over the wing of
Skywest/United Airlines CRJ-200
Another sunrise..over the fuselage of another CRJ-200
The Antonov 124
The Spirit A320neo
I have hundreds, if not, thousands of airport pictures. If you're interested, I'll share more in the future.
I remember the exact moment when I heard the news. I was 15 years old at the time. It was a warm Tuesday afternoon and I was sitting in the front passenger seat of my former brother in law’s, Datsun B-210 (ugly orange).
We were heading to Lake Washington Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park in Renton, Washington (my hometown) for some swimming. My brother in law was driving and someone was in the back seat (I don't remember who...maybe my brother, Roger??). They interrupted the radio station’s regular broadcast with news. For me, the music world would never be the same.
Besides being devastated by the news of his death, the one thing I kept thinking (and I still do, to this day) is, if I could somehow go back in time, I would go back to Memphis Tennessee, prior to his death and try to somehow warn him, so he wouldn't die. Of course, there’s no way I could have done that. With what we know today, his tragic downward spiral started long before his death. Yet, if there was a way to go back in time, I would head to Memphis prior to his death and try.
My earliest memory of Elvis was his 1973, “Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite Concert”.
I watched it with my mom and I distinctly remember my dad making a point of his dislike for Elvis (he was a Hank Snow fan), my mother and I watched the concert anyway. I was 11 years old. From that day forward, I was hooked. So while I only had a few short years to immerse myself in Elvis prior to his death, he made a major impact on a quirky 11 year old.
My favorite Elvis album was 1977’s Elvis in Concert.
It was recorded during his final concerts. Again, I watched that CBS concert with my mother.
Earlier this year I purchased the 2016 Elvis album, “Way Down in the Jungle Room”.
It was recorded prior to his death in 1976. It’s a magnificent album and would probably be my favorite album, if it wasn't for, “Elvis in Concert (it has the sentimental edge - probably from watching the original broadcast with my mom).
Although most Elvis fans give lists of their favorite Elvis songs, following are my Top 5 Elvis Presley performances, because he was all about the performance.
Number 5 - Hurt. Although he sang this song at several of his concerts, his final performance still blows me away. Listen to his magnificent voice. He throws everything he had into this performance and it proves that he was the best ever, even at the end.
Number 4 - Trying to Get to You. I just love this song. This was taken from his, ‘68 Comeback Special.
Number 3 - Polk Salad Anne. - From Las Vegas (my second home) in 1970.
Number 2 - Blue Hawaii. The bellow clip is an outtake from his 1973, “Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite Concert. From what I’ve read he performed this after the concert was over.
Number 1 - Unchained Melody. From one of his final performances, prior to his death. Unbelievable!
By the way, have I ever mentioned that I impersonated Elvis for a Charles A. Lindbergh High School, talent show in 1979? Yep! There are pictures out there somewhere that prove it and if I get a hold of them, I’ll post them here!
