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

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.

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

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...

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

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 #21

Cosmic Fowl #22
 

Cosmic Fowl #23

Cosmic Fowl #24

"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...

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