Monthly Archive: April 2006

Apr
14
2006

Earthquake!!! Bay Area Cartoonists Look at 1906, 1989 and Beyond

I am part of a new show at the Cartoon Art Museum: Earthquake!!! Bay Area Cartoonists Look at 1906, 1989 and Beyond is now on display at the Cartoon Art Museum, and will be running from now until June 25. Please check it out.

*Phil Frank (Farley–SF Chronicle)
*Steven Lait (Oakland Tribune)
*Jeff Walker (Mad Happys)
*Brian Kolm (Beyond the Great Chimney)
*Jon “Bean” Hastings (Terrabella Smoot, Mad Science)
*Keith Knight (the ‘K’ Chronicles)
*Terry Hollowell (Hollow Press Posters)
*Mark Bode & Bill Fitts (Heavy Metal)
*Trina Robbins (The Great Women Cartoonists)
*Lee Binswanger (National Lampoon)
*Grant Corley
*Tamara Lusher-Stocker
*Nate Orman (Mad Happys)
*Floyd Johnson (Tahoe Daily Tribune)
*Paul Madonna (All Over Coffee–SF Chronicle)
*Betsy Streeter (Brainwaves)
*Peter S. Conrad (Attempted Not Known)

for more information:

Cartoon Art Museum
655 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) CAR-TOON, ext. 314
www.cartoonart.org

Tags: Brian Kolm|Earthquake|CAM|Cartoon Art Museum|

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Apr
14
2006

BTGC Graphic Novel update 4-14-06

by Brian

Yesterday, it finally set in that I am re-doing much of what came before in the Beyond the Great Chimney saga. That is not to say that the story will be greatly different, but that trying to fit a story around two issues of a comic book that were created over 3+ years might not be the best choice. I have learned a whole lot since I self-published BTGC #1 and BTGC #2 and now I can fix a few of the errors that don’t require me to have it consistant with those issues. In fact I was struggling to get the story to work including the first two issues intact. Not to float my own boat, but my art has improved over time and the look will be very different the previous work.

So with the idea my story being told anew, I was free to look into ideas I had felt would not work before. Most of the cast is the same, but a few of the second tier characters might have less of a role to play. The story will be more clear and we will get to know our heros better. Plus, being a graphic novel, you won’t have to wait years for me to do another issue.

Here is a rough sketch of the pub, “the drunken unicorn” where Victor meets Sir Tuggert in the BTGC Graphic Novel.

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Apr
11
2006

Upcoming/Updated Cartooning Classes with Brian Kolm (April and May)

Blogroll

by Brian

First of all I am scheduled to teach two kids classes at the Cartoon Art Museum. NOTE: The day I am teaching has been changed. I will be teaching this Saturday!

Drop in Cartooning Classes at the Cartoon Art Museum
~~April 29, 2006 – 1-3~~ April 18, 2006 – 1-3
May 13, 2006 – 1-3

For more information visit: http://www.cartoonart.org or call (415)CAR-TOON. Due to increasing popularity, reservations are encouraged.

I also am teaching two classes at the Charles Schulz museum in Santa Rosa for their Spring Break week. It’s a great time to take the kids down to see the museum.

Crazy and Cute Critter Creations: Wednesday, April 19
Learn how to create your own cartoon animals and how to make them cute, crazy, or maybe both. Professional artist and designer Brian Kolm will teach children ages 8-14 how to draw creatures, complete with big, adorable, cartoon eyes. Brian is the creator of the comic Beyond the Great Chimney and CEO of Atomic Bear Press.

Heroes and Villains: Friday, April 21
Children ages 8-14 will learn to draw and create a superhero, complete with a secret alter-ego, side kick, and evil adversary. This class will be taught by Brian Kolm, professional artist and designer and creator of the comic Beyond the Great Chimney.

To find out more visit HERE.

I am also avalible for private parties and classes. Just e-mail me at staff@atomicbearpress.com

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Apr
11
2006

(Pirate) Tales of the Seven Seas

by Brian

Ever have one of those weird moments where things from the past are connected. In February this year I attended Wondercon 2006. One of the photos I took was this one:

These guys and gal’s are part of Tales of Seven Seas group. They can be seen around the San Francisco Bay Area appearing in all their piratey glory for fund raisers and events.

When I was at APE last weekend I met Richard (seen below) who recognized “atomic bear press” on my badge. He mentioned that he was in a photo from Wondercon as a pirate(above) that was on my blog. It was one of those very cool moments.

See…

(trivia: another member of the group in the top photo is Richard’s Brother. quiz: can you guess what talented artist (who was at APE’06) Richard is related too?)

I have to say that I have a lot of respect for anyone who is willing to dress out of the norm. When I worked at FAO Schwarz I played the company mascot, Bobby the Toy Solider, so I know what it is to stand out in a different way. I also have to say that I would be willing to dress as a pirate some time, but it’s funny that I get very shy why I am not getting paid to do it. But I give extra points to those brave folks who make Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Comic Book conventions so much fun for everyone else.

As an added bonus here is Tanya, who is a very talented artist as well as a snazzy pirate. She was nice enough to let me take a picture of her at APE’06. Check out her work HERE.

For more pirate fun:

Pirate Tales comic book from
Black Swan Press.

The Pirate Store at 826 Valencia, San Francisco CA.

Click here to see some trading cards for the members of Tales of the Seven Seas.

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Apr
10
2006

APE 2006 – part 1 (lots of images)

Orginal Art by Brian

by Brian

Here artist and writer John “Bean” Hastings models a home made Gus the Ghost Shirt. John has contributed to a comic about a certain theme park ride which the ghost on his shirt is from. Any guesses?

The artists’ identity is being protected from evil theme park lawyers.

“So, what the heck was the Guide to Other Worlds book all about, Brian?”

Well, I wanted to create a theme for my sketchbook for 2006, so I created the tale of Prof. Bezora and how he got lost for a year visiting different fantasy realms. Each of the books had a blank page for a special drawing in them. Here is 6 of the 7 drawings I did.

Each patron could pick what ever they wanted drawn. I love when I can be challenged to new things. I do some of my best work at conventions like APE.

Some where just plain weird, even for me.

Always fun to draw pretty gals.

…and the challenge of drawing a horse.

I love this mermaid/fairy combo. Home the makers of Barbie Fariytopia don’t sue me.

And of course a drawing of Victor from Beyond the Great Chimney with a
mean looking pirate too.

IF YOU GUYS HAVE A FAVORITE IMAGE, COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW. THEN I CAN GET AN IDEA OF WHAT KIND OF STUFF, YOU THE READER LIKE.

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Apr
10
2006

APE2006 follow up!

conventions

by Brian

Thank you to everyone who came by the ABP table at APE 2006. You made the convention a lot of fun. Make sure you check out the great stuff on the site.

If you would like to be on the email list…Send me a message HERE.

To find out the latest artist happenings, visit the Production Log (its a blog thing).

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Apr
10
2006