Friday, April 5, 2013

Guerilla Deco

A little while ago, my wife and I were having lunch at Mama's Mexican Kitchen, Seattle's premiere Tex-Max greasy spoon.

I've been going to Mama's for many moons, and although the place definitely has detractors, I love it. The atmosphere, the people, the food, all of it. I'm a huge fan. It's the only restaurant from which I've ever bought a t-shirt, with said shirt being in the current rotation somewhere between Motรถrhead and The Legend of Zelda. Higher praise does not exist.

Mama's is one of those places that is absolutely covered, wall to wall, in posters and cheap paintings. Everything goes together and nothing does, at the same time.

"I bet you could take something off this wall and no one would ever know," I say.

"Or," Rachel counters, "You could leave something on the wall."

I am married to a genius.

From that moment on, I was fully committed to the idea of decorating Mama's without permission. What could be easier? I'd paint a little Elvis Presley tribute or some Dia de Muertos skulls, tack 'em above a table in the corner, and no one would be the wiser. I was INTO THIS.

But then I had an idea. If this stunt were a video game, a really conspicuous painting would be worth more points. A conspicuous painting in a conspicuous location? Even more points.

With that strategy in mind, I painted this:


On the day of the event my co-conspirator Matthew Lee Johnston and I were seated in prime real estate: The big booth by the green wall. I took the painting out of pocket, peeled the backing off the 3M strips, and gave Mama's a high-five.


The kids at the table next to us couldn't believe their eyes. MLJ documented my nonchalance.


The best part was that the staff couldn't care less. If they had a problem with it they made absolutely no effort to let us know. Achievement: UNLOCKED!

I've been back to Mama's several times since and my contribution to the ambiance is still simultaneously complimenting and clashing with the rest of the decor. 


Hooray for mischief!

Friday, March 29, 2013

Face Ripper!

I decided to throw my hat into the ring known as LoopdeLoop, a monthly animation challenge based out of Melbourne, Australia. I only found out about this site a month ago (thanks to a Facebook post from Suzanne Kaufman) but it's quickly become one of my favorite things in the universe.

Each month, the folks at de Loop choose a one-word theme. The challenge is to make a looping animation of any length to illustrate said theme. Subject matter and animation style are open to the participants. This month's theme was FRANTIC, and I made the following in one day (after a week of failed experiments):


Face Ripper from Eliot Mechanism on Vimeo.

I recorded the sound effects myself. At midnight. In the bathroom. Enjoy your new knowledge!

Amazingly enough, this loop made the grade and Face Ripper was selected for posting this month. You can check it out on the LoopdeLoop blog. You'll also be pleased and/or horrified to learn that this loop has spawned a short cartoon of mine own making that will be gracing The Gaping Monte in a few weeks. Please refrain from tearing your own flesh in anticipation!

ARNIM MODOK: REDUX!

So, I made some tweaks. This (I think) is the final version, the one I'll sell at Emerald City Comicon next year. Woot!


Thursday, March 28, 2013

ARNIM MODOK!

It's March MODOK Madness time again! This is my fourth year participating at this coolest of cool mid-WInter traditions, and this year I tried out an idea that's been kicking around in my head for some time now:

The ARNIM MODOK!

It's MODOK one direction and Arnim Zola the other direction. How does your brain keep itself from combusting?!




I just realized as I that I neglected to post my MODOK from last year. So, here it is:

BONUS SHARPIE MODOK THAT'S A YEAR LATE!



Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Luchador Class

Now in session. Check it out on Vimeo!


How about a tiling wallpaper? Okay!