Thursday, February 23, 2023

Cautious Optimism

As the snow flies, I'm contemplating the odds of this relic of aviation fueling engineering that I'm driving,  to continue to fulfill its purpose in life by continuing to fuel aircraft (such as the 757 below, that currently has my attention). 






This relic is the last of the remaining dinosaurs that have roamed the Daily Planet since fate brought me here (almost 4 years ago). How ironic would it be that this dinosaur's death would occur on the same day as my rebirth? I'm contemplating the odds…Of course my rebirth hasn't occurred yet (but trust me, it's close). However, this last remaining descendent (at least temporarily) of 1904 American aviation jet fuel transporting ingenuity (filled with not quite 10,000 gallons of extremely combustible Jet fuel and held together with a minimum of 750,000 rolls of duct tape) has seen better days (at least it has heat). 


As you can tell, I'm feeling cautiously optimistic. I'm also feeling a bit guilty, as I really have no basis for, cautious optimism


Once again, the ole cerebral matter is piling up drawings that I have created mentally and not yet physically. As such I need to put pen to paper this weekend because my brain is giving me notices that it's storage is nearly full. Although I could tell you what I'm going to be creating,  I technically can't. because that would break the rules and ruin the surprise…gotta follow the rules, gotta draw...


P.S. Always check out my links on the right side of my blog for awesomely cool stuff!



Talk to you soon!

 

Monday, February 6, 2023

Is Blogging Dead?

Is blogging dead?


That's the consensus among those I've discussed this question with recently. From those discussions, I've surmised that the main reason for the declining health of blogging, is because of YouTube (video killed the blog-eio star) and the fact that people would prefer to watch videos as opposed to getting the same information via reading a blog. Is this because people are becoming lazy or are videos more entertaining? I would hope for our societies sake, that it's the latter. However, from my casual observations of the ever increasing plethora of idiots around me, laziness is on the rise.


While pondering the death of blogs, I've considered doing away with my blog and replacing it with a video blog. However, being the introvert that I am, I have been unable to pull the trigger on that decision (and contribute to the demise of the frontal lobe in our society). Not saying I won't make that decision, however for now, I'm in a holding pattern.


At the same time, another decision I'm contemplating (in an effort to increase sales) is offering free shipping at my online store, The Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store. What’s holding up that decision is whether or not it would actually increase sales or just increase my costs? Decisions…decisions. Which brings up the question, is it better to make an incorrect decision than to make no decision at all, over the fear of making an incorrect decision??


While going through some old storage boxes recently, I came across some old caricatures I created back in the 1990's. So, I submit your viewing pleasure, a few...


Michael Hopkins Caricatures Classics!
(my apologies to those who don't know who the following people are...ask Google)


                        
                         Larry Bird


George Burns 

Jerry $einfeld



Jack Kemp and Bob Dole

Talk to you soon....

Michael






Monday, January 23, 2023

The Best Laid Plans

“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”

Robert Burns 


Indeed. So much for the schedule that I mentioned a couple of blogs ago. However, in my defense, little did I know the creative success the aviation caricatures have become. I should have known, given the fact that I have been drawing aviation caricatures most of my life (of course, in my youth the quality was not what it is today). So is this, "au revoir'' to the webcomics? Possibly. At least it's goodbye to putting out a regularly scheduled webcomic, as I just don't have the time…or at least the time to ensure the quality of my art would not be compromised. Also, for the same reason, I don't make New Year's resolutions any longer, one can't predict the future. Anyways, the good part of not keeping the schedule intact is knowing what I need to concentrate on and that is the caricatures So for now, I'll consider myself a "Caricaturist Extraordinaire '' who occasionally (when time becomes available) makes extraordinary webcomics! However…

Never say never.

Charles Dickens 


Here's a couple of my most recent Aviation Caricatures! Enjoy and be sure to visit The Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store 

https://michaelhopkinscaricatures.ecwid.com/


Eastern Airlines L-1011



Lockheed C-5A Galaxy


Monday, January 16, 2023

Chris




This is the first caricature in a series of commissioned work that I’m doing for a local company (name withheld for reasons that will become obvious in a few months down the road).

Anyways…This is Chris. He is about as unique as they come. However, he’s an important cog in the powertrain of a group held together by duct tape, wire bundles and gang of misfits that without each of whom, would not be the same (whether that's a good or bad thing, I'll let you decide).

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Boeing B-52 Aviation Caricature




My second Aviation Caricature of 2023! This caricature of a Boeing B-52 was created on February 14th, 2023 on 10 1/4' x 16" Canson Illustration Board with Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens, India Ink, India Ink Wash and Watercolor. It was inspired by watching B-52's taking off from Nellis AFB near Las Vegas.


The drawing is available at The Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store (link below).


https://michaelhopkinscaricatures.ecwid.com/Boeing-B-52-Original-10-1-4-x-16-Drawing-p523230206

Friday, January 13, 2023

I Should Be Committed

Now that I've committed myself to committing (to a set amount of weekly output for my blog, caricatures and my webcomics), I need to get in shape, both mentally and physically. I'm a firm believer that one's peak mental fitness and one's peak physical fitness cannot exist without the other. Well, one can probably "exist" without the other (I have probably proven that as of late) however,  I believe that one won't reach the pinnacle of success in one's chosen endeavor without both mind and body in great shape. That being said, time to get the mind and body into shape because I have decided not to settle for less. 


In an effort to pull this success out of my ass, I've created a work schedule for my creativity and a schedule for publishing my creativity. 


Work Schedule 

Saturday/Sunday - Caricatures 

Monday - Blogging

Tuesday/Thursday - Cosmic Fowl!

Wednesday/Friday  - Missed Approach (Yikes! Am I really committing to restart Missed Approach again?!?!?)


Publishing Schedule (starting 1/15/2023)

Sunday - Caricatures 

Monday - Blog

Thursday  - Cosmic Fowl

Friday - Missed Approach 


The "Publishing Schedule" is for you (my readers) so you'll know when to expect new blogs and art from me. I realize I've had a problem with consistency (in regards to my art) so this publishing schedule will also help me to overcome this self made obstacle. Also, please realize this is a minimal output. Once the revenue from my creations (and Buy Me a Coffee) starts flowing, this publishing schedule will increase. 


I am also starting a new webcomic, to be exclusively published on my Buy Me a Coffee
page. This is an added benefit to say thank you to those who sign up for a membership to my page.