Happy New Year!

Youz mugs!

Hey Tuff Guy

Been crosshatching a lot of monsters lately, and this fella is one of em. He won that belt being the tuffest drawer this side of town.

Original Recipe

Adoration Of The Captain

Every year Carol And John's Comic Shop (our drink and draw sponsor and pals) have a giant christmas party.  This year that includes an art raffle benefiting the Cleveland Food Bank.  

It's a riff on Adoration Of The Shepards, and I think I broke my hand drawing all those tiny stupid little lines. 

Round 40: A Pig who can't fly is just a pig

I love "Porco Rosso".  

In writing this "brief" description I find myself writing some, stopping and re-writing, gushing like a fanboy and not getting anywhere near "brief".  SO suffice it to say I love "Porco Rosso" and you should check it out.  It's as much about adventure, slapstick and nostalgia as it is about love, longing and coping with grief and loss.  It's so much more than it seems, much more than a flying pig movie!

This piece is not at all what I intended, it started out a sketch while I was rewatching the movie and turned into this.  Kinda inspired by some of the pics of Charles Lindbergh on this one.  Every last bit of it, colored pencil on toned paper.  The piece I intended my still happen someday, if it does check back here!

Tim's Thursday Post (better late then never)

11"x14" Black ballpoint pen

So, I didn't realize that YESTERDAY was Thursday ( it felt like Wednesday all day), and totally forgot to post something up here.

Since today is actually Friday, we (my fellow Rust Belters and I ) are part of Cleveland Exotic Dance Studio's annual "Winter Soirée" party tonight, there will be dance performances, live art being made, and an art show (we are only participating in 2 out of the 3 of those...), this piece is my contribution.

-Tim

Ben: Prepare the Baby's Room!

The times are changing, and the monsters are multiplying.  And with new monsters comes new opportunities.  Its with that in mind that I decided to create a painting for my daughter's bedroom.  With the help of fellow monster, Craig Worrell, we set out to create something special for my unborn child.  Follow along as you see a day worth of painting compressed into less than a minute.  Enjoy.

The Finished Product and my Happy Wife, Courtney.

The Original Sketch

The color treatment

POW!

Hey kids, mid week post because I know how you folks like the superheroes. I'll see you on Saturday, stay cool. 

Happy Birthday Jim!

 

Yesterday was Jim Giar's Birthday.

Jim is many things.... a lover of white wine, a master of ink, a snazzy dresser, an amazing family man, and one of the wisest men I know. AND, on top of all that, he's a Monster! We are so lucky.

 

Happy Birthday Sir!

Ben Hale Presents: The Reverand

I couldn't let Craig have all of the fun.  Happy Birthday to our own Jim Giar.  Your work constantly fascinates me.  You have a way of translating your style and technique to a large scale that I never quite figured out.  There are no tricks, no compromises, just a steady hand and confidence that I one day hope to have.  I'm honored to call you my friend, monster, and a few other things behind your back.  Have a great birthday!

-Ben Hale
www.NeedYourDisease.com

Our very own Revolutionary

A portrait of V.I. Lenin?

 NO!

 Today we celebrate the birthday of our pal Jim Giar!  

Whenever we are nose to mural I like to look down the line, see what everyone is working on and to see everyone's hard at work face.  It looks painful!  My wife regularly asks me what I am mad at when she catches a glimpse of my work face.  Jim's look is all focus, where I would say I look mad and confused, Jim is working on shooting lasers from his eyes!  Downright awe inspiring!  

It only seemed right to do a portrait of Jim using as many inks as I could get my hands on.  Bic pen, Black India ink, color India ink and white ink.  

Happiest of birthdays my friend, I'm looking forward to many, many more!