I was going to say something about this...

...but now I can't think of anything.

Happy New Year!

I've always wondered...

When in doubt, ask Google. More Christmas stuff on the way!

Do you recall?

Context? "You know Dasher and Dancer, and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, and Donner and Blitzen, But do you recall, the most famous reindeer of all?" Wow. Wow. How stupid do you think we are Bing? Do you think we remembered the names of the all the obscure reindeer forgetting the name of the most famous one? This is a duh moment, and thus needed to be preserved in comic strip style.

Christmas songs have a lot of der-moments: Do you hear what I hear? No, I'm not you. Shall I play [my drum] for him? (Par-um-pum-pum-pum) First of all, you're already playing it (duh-duh-duh-duh-duh). And secondly, heck no! The child is shivering in the cold and probably trying to sleep! Do something useful. There'll be scary ghost stories and tales...that's enough. What family were you raised in? Ya, let's scare the kids on Christmas. Instead of opening gifts (which it doesn't mention in the entire song) let's freak out the children. What a good idea.

Not to be repetitive but I talked a little bit on this last year.

More epic der-moments to come as my month long Christmas posting continues.

Got some 'splain'in' to do!

Christmas time is here again, so settle down for story time with Ben! If the big sign I'm holding isn't self explanatory, let me clue you in on how much I love Christmas, and am not a Scrooge. Can't you see my big, otherworldly, and cheesy smile I have pasted on? Not to mention my loving and totally wanted one-armed side hug? Since I know you do see 'em, let me explain the sign a little bit...

Four score and back in July ago, my brother had the crazy idea to start listening to Christmas music *eh-hem* six months in advance. This I would be totally fine with me except for the fact that it's six months in advance. After having to put up with this in years past, I voiced my opinion, as in years past, and got some lame excuse about how Christmas break was the next break he had to look forward t-anway...it was lame. Thus our "family feud" continued into October but wasn't accompanied by Al from Home Improvement or that loud buzzing sound, and I decided to take my argument of playing Christmas music during Christmas time to the next level. The Internet. I informed the public of my brother's ill problem, but to my surprise and dismay, everyone supported him. Thus began a continuous, down word spiral of my beautiful name being soiled by the same crotchety one as Scrooge. That's crazy! Me in line with Scrooge? That's like putting Justin Bieber in line a good musician. It just is not right... I am only here to inform you folks how much I am not a Scrooge and how much a just looove hearing the songs of Christmas, all twelve of them, throughout the year. Can't you tell by my smile?

And just to show you how much I am a Ben (and not a Scrooge), I will be posting Christmas stuff all December long! Remember, I love Christmas!

Wondering what I been working on?

Dis what I been working on! I know I have been gone for a long time but I was just so fond of the skull I just didn't want to post anything else.

So, I missed November. Sue me! But I do feel sort of bad that I was working on these storyboards for my music class all month and didn't post anything. I was busy working on this for my music class, paintings in my art class, and studying for history. However, I can now say that all of those are officially finished as of this morning! And to celebrate I am going to post a ton of Christmas stuff to bring a little cheer back to this blog. Yay! Go me! And Go Santa!

My Pixar Story

Halloween was yesterday, and I really have nothing more to show for it, but my trip to Pixar on the other hand...

Right outside of the front doors. Always a good way to start an epic, first time to Pixar, with one of Pixar's first short films: Luxo Jr. The area around this looked a surprising amount like the set of Gerry's Game, even though they made that short before they moved into this building, but I noticed it instantly.

Inside the front doors (which you have get insider access to get it).

Lego versions of my bros. After this we went around in the upstairs of Pixar and looked around at a bunch of art from Cars 2.

...But my favorite part of the trip was lunch! The food was cheap and the drinks were free! Oh, and meeting my ultimate storyboard hero of all time was pretty cool I guess...it was because of this tall guy, Bob Peterson, that I want to do storyboarding! And I met him! AT LUNCH! There's my friend Kevin and I with him.

This is the inside-man, or so I called him. He's the connection Kevin had to Pixar to get us in! He is pretty awesome...I mean he would have to be to have his picture on the wall that I could take a picture.

And last, but certainly not least, my friend Kevin; the guy who got me in (with Mr. Tanaka's help). Thanks so much Kevin for asking him to let me come along! I had an amazing time! One more childhood dream I never thought I would be able accomplish you made possible. Thanks a ton!

And last last, but most not least, my mom. I know I haven't given her much credit in this post, or when talking to any people about my trip, but my mom did all the work, I just came along for the fun part. My mom was the one who asked Kevin if he could ask Mr. Tanaka if I could come along, and thanks again Kevin for doing so. Not to mention that, she drove the long way from Tustin to Emeryville at two in the morning to getting to Pixar at 10, and then drove all the way back to our house, getting home at 10:30. Not to mention sitting around and waiting for me to be done at Pixar while I was touring around. Thank you SO MUCH Mom! Love you so much!

And that is my Pixar Story. If you have anymore questions I have plenty more thoughts and a few more pics from the place, and I would happy to put 'em up here. Until then, Happy Day After Halloween People!

I went to Pixar!

I went to Pixar animation studios this week! It was completely amazing! I am hoping to post some pics and some thoughts on the day trip I had with my mom on wednesday. I just wanted to say that one of my childhood dreams was just fulfilled...it was awesome! Thanks to my friend Kevin for making it happen!

Rest in Peace, Steve Jobs

Someone at church asked me today if I was going to color it, my mouth said yes, but my heart said no.

So to be safe I say, "More Halloween stuff on the way, maybe."

It's a Skeletohhhn! (Oct. Banner)

I ended up drawing a bunch of sketches for the banner for this month (believe it or not); some of which took me a good chunk of an hour or two. And then there's this one. Me likey. I kept in the original sketch below, because he has this whimsical look which I feel I lost in the colored version. But whatevers. And you may also have noticed that the composition I have in my blog header and the one in this post are different (props to you). I like the one in this post more as a picture, however, it looked weird compressed into the header (namely my John Hancock), so I have a different one up. More Halloween posts still to come! and I changed some pics on my blog around for the haunt-ivities!

There you go, the original sketch! I drew this in history class, because you know I had nothing better to do, after all...it is history class.

Art 140

duuhh-duhh-duhh-dUuhh-dUUHH-dUUUUuuhh-DDUUUUUHHHH! Behold, a few of the steps to painting a PAINTING! Hahaa...well there go. I sort of like how you can see the still life in the background of the second one.

As you can see the first two were taken at class, and the final one was taken yesterday, on my bed, right before I went to class. I find it sort of ironic that the one thing on earth that could possibly ruin and destroy my beautiful painting just happened to be the vile thing falling from the sky yesterday! I don't think I ever walked across the school parking lot from my car faster than I did yesterday. Here's hoping I get a good grade!

As I mentioned last time (and as if you could guess), these pics are from my Beginning Painting class. It is lotsa' fun, but kind of slow. However, I didn't tell you about the other thing I have been doing with my friend after my Beginning Painting class on Wednesdays: Animation Club! My friend's dad knows the instructor, so I have gone with them the last two weeks, and let me tell you--it is AWESOME! Last week I did I walk cycle (similar to the September banner except more frames), and yesterday I did a four-legged walk cycle which was suUUUper fun! I'm learning a lot already, and I have only been there twice.

Well, this took waaaay longer than I was hoping it would, but I thought I would catch all two of you up on my life right now...and right now...its time for history. :'(

September Banner

Who knew my quick Pengy walk cycle I drew up a few months ago would turn into the banner for this month! I guess that's what happens when you want to put in little time as well as little effort. However, this was a lot more fun to draw than to make a blog banner-that's for sure.

So, there you go. I am hoping to put up some pics I have taken of some art I have been doing in my Beginning Painting class. Until then, hasta'pasta.

Hehe History with Ben!

Gather round kids as I tell you the story of Benjamin Franklin! Be-Franks was a smart guy, some might even go so far as to say a wise guy. That being said, he decided to test fate a little and did what every mother tells their child not to do: he played with lightening. After waiting for a storm to start brewing, Franks tied his car key to a kite string and let her fly. Attempting to figure out if lightning was actually electricity (or so he claimed), Franks let the kite loose in the name of all that is good and right in the world, as well as the name of science. Benny watched as lightning began to gather, and before he knew it-WHAMMO-he was electrocuted! When he came to, it was already morning of the next day. He had laid out their all night in the rain, probably caught himself a cold too. But the worst part was his transportation! His car key was so mutilated by the lightning strike that he had to walk all the way back to town. The End.

Well, I hope you enjoyed History With Ben! Tune in next time when we discuss George Washington and the Mole People!

10 Years

I'd like to say I had something to post...

...but I don't.

Deathacus (Beginning/End of Aug. Banners)

I know I have been a little late on this months' as well as past month's blog headers, but let me tell you this! You can tear this tower apart brick by brick, but without my help you will never find your precious satchel. ...Oh wait, that's not what I was gonna' say. Guess I have seen Tangled a few too many times. (Yes that is actually from the movie.) What I was gonna' say is instead of working on April, and July banners, I spent that amount of time making two for August instead! YAAAAYY!!!

Now, I know what you're all thinking, "Why does that tree look like the legs and feathers of a bald eagle? And why did he just quote the most random line from Tangled in the last paragraph?" Well, I can answer both of those. Answer to #1)Because you're stupid. #2) My grandma was just here for the week and between the times of epic board game playing we did what we always do--watch movies. I probably saw more movies this week than I had all Summer (which believe me was plenty). But one of them was Tangled; the fantastic, 50th full length feature film from Walt Disney Animation Studios. I have probably seen this movie four or five times, (which most of the time for me is like bobbing for apples in a toilet bowl) but Tangled is different. That could just maybe be that I have a slight crush slightly on the film's leading lady, but that's probably not too much of the main reason that I like it-slightly.

Well, I have rambled and confused you long enough. I suppose all of you readers will be glad when school (aka deathacus) starts on Monday, because then my sentences that slightly talk about slight-main characters might start to make sense. You know, because I will learn to write well in school ...you got that right? ...I quit.

Happy Deathacus, everyone! And to all a good death!

Mums the Word

I had some spare time over the weekend, and went up to LA. Mum's the word that I did this guys, because if my mums finds out this happened, bad things are gonna' happen... to me! And we wouldn't want that, especially not me. So, we'll just keep this to ourselves. However, I was too lazy to spray paint the texture of the bricks so maybe nothing will happen...maybe she'll just think I made this with oh, I don't know, Photoshop?

Storyboards to The Billboard

Here are the storyboards I was talking to you all about last time. Hope you enjoy 'em! Oh, and sorry about how quiet the first part is...and then that it gets real loud. But I gotta' keep you on your toes or else you wouldn't be interested.

Probably the hardest part was making all my own sound effects. But totally worth it.

Old Characters=New Post

Hey ya'll! Fun times have been of late, so my coloring skills aren't so great... But there you go! Something new! Which is actually something old for me. I came up with the character in the first pic, Pengy, five or six years ago, and the polar bear below was almost that long ago.

Why do I post these guys now you ask? Well, it just so happens that I am working on the storyboards for a short film that I came up with probably two years ago and have been perfecting ever since. Why did I post the pic of the polar bear, you ask, since he's not in the short film? ...I don't really know why I did that either...

Pixar Rocks

Just saw Cars 2, and let me just say, "It was the bomb."

Blessed

Hey guys, I just got back from 5 days of camping at Pismo Beach. You can read about my travel right here.

I also got back from an amazing conference which I don't think I have talked about over here yet which was the NEXT 2011 conference. It was awesome! I think my two big take aways would be 1) Amazed at God for how he has blessed me with the fellowship of believers; not only getting to hang with Anthony, Alex, Paul, Kevin, and my Uncle Malcolm all weekend, but also getting to meet and hang with people that God has saved from all over the United States, some of whom I had never met, and some I hadn't seen in a long time.

2) Amazed that God has blessed me with the privilege of hearing speakers who are a. super devoted to God, and b. some of the best speakers to speak on the topics they spoke about. (Catch all that?)

Both trips were real blessings and encouragements for me. You can listen to the messages I heard at the NEXT conference here.

June Time

Don't know how well this goes with color scheme of my blog, but there you have it! Its June time baby, and you know what that means...BEACH TIME!

I got this one up so much faster than my last one, which reminds me of a comic book which I am eventually going to finish and put up on here. Eventually means whenever I catch up on posting monthly banners. Don't worry February, your banner is on its way! ...Only four months late!

May Banner! Finally!

I started feeling bad after my little cousin said I didn't post anything anymore, so at that moment, I started drawing this. This is the banner I have for May. What does it mean, you ask? Well, bear with me as I tell you a tale of a poor child who waited for Summer to come...

Once upon a time there was a poor child who waited for Summer to come.

Well, there you have it. The big reveal at the ending of the story is this: that little boy was me at the beginning of this month. School is hard when Summer is so close to anyone's grasp, but I made it through alright. Now that my classes at the community college are done, its time for fun.

So, see ya' later summer haters!

Black and White and Rambly

Hey fellers. I haven't had time to do many more sketches, or photoshop work for that matter, so this is all you get. Both of these were concepts I have been working on for some time (especially the second one). The guy in the picture above is Tiki Man who is from a somewhat abandoned tv series I created called Tiki Man and Hammy Sam. The idea for the show was alright, but lacked the flair and wide range of characters I wanted for the concept. It's ok, however, I have hundreds of other ideas.

Guy number two is from a long developed story I have been working on probably since a little after I moved to Orange County. The story plays off the famed character, Buck Rogers, and the drawing here is of the main character of my version who is Buck Roger's son.

I did this drawing in the car on my family's epic road trip-tacular. All I can remember is it was done awkwardly on my lap, and Joey was bugging me about his pencil that I was using or something like that. Actually, I made up Tiki Man right before that same trip. Wow, good times. Not to be self-promoting, but you can read all about my epic-venture here.

Sorry about the long, rambly-ness, and the lack of color in this post. Summer has almost arrived, and I should be putting more photoshop work up once it comes. Until then, peace out.

Ever run out of ideas?

...well I have apparently. Actually, I had to do this for Art 40 in our monochromatic study. Pretty much the same thing as last time, except greener.

Looking back at these two posts, I am starting to wander if I am already anticipating Christmas. Seems absurd, and yet I keep making songs out of the tunes of The Little Drummer Boy and Do You Hear What I Hear? Why can't you wait, O my singing soul? Don't you worry soul, Christmas isn't for another seven months. "Sigh," -SS (singing soul).

"Hey"

Hey guys, here is a painting I did for Art 40. The assignment was to go around the campus and take pictures of objects or buildings from interesting angles. Here is a fire hydrant (if you couldn't already tell).

Well, I have been noticing that pretty much all of my blog posts begin with "Hey guys," or at least just "Hey." Then the second paragraph usually begins with "Well" followed by a comma. Just to shake things up I bit, I decided to start the first and second paragraphs of this post with, ...oh wait.

Been lazy

Hey guys. I was hoping to get an April Fools drawing up here. And I did!!! ...April foooooools!

I have been pretty lazy in drawing lately (at least when it comes to this blog). I have been really busy with real school. Fact, I drew these back on the same page as the Super Bowl. But I have been working on a comic book. So whenever I come up with some free time I put that up, along with my rendition of the Mona Lisa. April Foooooooooools!

The first is a remake of an old concept I've done once on this blog, and a million times with other animals. The weird growth coming out of the fro of the girl was part of another football drawing.

Hopefully I will get an April banner up before May comes around. See ya tomorrow when I post more drawings! April Fooooorget it.

More Birthday Times!

Well, like I said in my last post I just had a birthday. I also mentioned that I was a little busy (and if I didn't it was because I was so busy that I never had the chance to say it). But I was able to create this month's banner by using ...(pause for dramatic drum-roll)... a Bamboo Tablet!-which was one of the gifts I received from my good buddies the Torres Boyz! And Paul too. What's a bamboo tablet you ask? -Well here you go, admire to your heart's content.

Another thing I said in my last post, or didn't, is that there are a lot of good hangout times been going on lately; prayer/game night-hangout on Friday, Celebrate the Baird family party Saturday, Church and all day hang out with the Torres Boyz Sunday! Wooohoooo!! God has been so gracious, and has given me such good friends! -Thanks again guys for the Bamboo tablet! It is awesome!

Birthday and Other Things

Hey ya'll, I had a birthday! It was great! God has blessed me with so much, and so many good friends! My ear is probably still ringing from all the cheering. Haha. No, my friends are so awesome.

This week we had Prayer Seminar with our church and other churches, and this week is my spring break. So, great things ahoy!

(I hope this cheesy, microsoft-paint picture covers for all the pictures I haven't drawn and put on my blog. Haha.)

Feb Banner

Hey folks, nothing new to report. I figured I might as well post this as I said I would since this is the banner for February. I made this with my last one (obviously), but I don't have anything new to post so there you have it.

Art class has been keeping me kind of busy. Thankfully this was a three day weekend so I could do some catch-up.

Happy Presidents' Day people. Now go enjoy some burritos.

Happy Valentines Day!

Get your woman the gift you know she'll love this Valentines Day.

Hahaha, well there you have it, Don't Hide the Love Take 2. I have pretty much been working on this one since the rain one, but it is totally worth it. Who could resist these morbid lovers? And what girl could resist such a thoughtful gift as a freshly slaughtered Zebra carcass? If I were a female in the animal kingdom, this would pretty much make my day. Unless of course I was a Zebra.

Happy Morbid Valentines Day everybloody! And YAY for Valentines Day drawing traditions!

The Super Bowl

This has got to be the best superhero ever! Not only can he catch helplessly falling victims, but he can also serve chips and salsa! Yay!

So, I'm a little late? Wadd'aya gonna' do aboud'et? If you have been coming here for at least a year, or if you have come in the last five minutes, you may (or may not) know that I have a tradition of doing a drawing every year for the Super Bowl. Unfortunately I had to change it a little and instead of drawing it the day of at my friends' house, I drew it a few days after. But there you have it.

I didn't quite get around to the coloring job, but I have been working on another one of my blog's traditions, and that has taken most of my time. Wadd'aya gonna' do aboud'et? Well, you can stay tune for Valentines Day and see what I have been up to (or not).

Poor Little Groundhog

Well, it's Groundhog Day again. Poor little guy, scared of his shadow. Who was the one that figured out that groundhogs have the mystical power to either keep the season winter or change it to spring? Sounds like little Pusxutawny has got a lot on his hands... Not to mention all these news people up in his face about his decision; the poor fellow just woke up too. Decisions, decisions; sounds like a lot to handle for a guy who is scared of his shadow. Poor little Phil. Use your power wisely young rodent, and may the force be with you, 'cause you're on your own.

dat sum art!!!

It has only taken me about a year and a half, but I am finally in another college art class! More work! YA! Well, there you have it.

Art 40 is 2-D design and color. At the top is our first design project, and I am currently working on the the second one. The second picture in this post is some quick sketches I did in my sketchbook while my little brother Joey and I were drawing...cuz all our family ditched us to go to some place. But lucky for you they did ditch us, cuzzz then I wouldn't have put thezze on here.

I would like to draw your attention to the little cartoon heads on the second page. Yeah, the panda with a rain cloud over his head, and the suave, bodiless, yet has a hand-guy. Why do I draw your attention to those you ask? Well, let's just say I didn't "draw" them very well. Haha; no. Those are actually the only two drawings I like on there.

Well, I've blabbed long enough. But while Joey and I were drawing those he said, "I would draw a panda, but I just can't get their noses right." ... ...Wow... I don't think I have ever heard anything quite like that.

"I just make it up," I said, "'cause I have no idea what they're supposed to look like."

Maybe if I did know what panda noses are supposed to look like my other panda drawings might have looked better. But obviously not knowing what a panda nose looks like hasn't stopped me before.

Ok, I have blabbed way too much. I probably won't post too many other art 40 pics on here, but you can check them out when/if I do on my facebook.

Our Fridge Died...

...a teenage boy's worst nightmare.