Subconscious Ink.

2009-11-13T09:54:00.002-05:00

2009-11-02T14:38:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween

2009-10-27T22:53:00.001-04:00

2009-10-26T11:44:00.000-04:00

A few new ones

2009-10-22T21:00:00.002-04:00

2009-04-30T14:35:00.002-04:00

Sticky notes

2009-04-28T23:08:00.002-04:00

Finally!!!

A day to make good use of sticky notes.

Inspirational

2009-02-10T22:49:00.005-05:00

Some early studies from a favourite Disney film of mine...The Great Mouse Detective.

Cool puppets

2009-02-10T22:42:00.004-05:00

From a fellow by the name of Craig Denston. Have a look at some more of his work HERE

Little Rascals then and now

2009-02-09T22:11:00.000-05:00

Do you think you could pitch a show like this nowadays? Kids running around a big town getting into all sorts of mischief, parents nowhere to be found. Building their own fun. I remember this one episode where they were firemen. They took over a loft over some wharehouse, built themselves a fire engine out of boxes and old bicycle wheels, and actually went off to fight a fire.

Or how bout this episode...

Teacher's Pet

It's the first day of school and the gang isn't ready for readin', writin' or their new teacher Miss Crabtree. Jackie, Chubby and Farina decide to "welcome" her with gifts of sneezing powder, red andts and a mouse.

If a kid tried this today you'd have the HAZMAT and Health and safety squad at your school in no time. Now I am in no way encouraging this sort of behavior, I'm just pointing out how interesting it is that as time goes on things seem to get a bit more sterile. Even when I was a kid things were different. I have the scars to prove it. Yes I tried to build a go cart out of old scaps of wood. Yes it had nails sticking out the front of it like spikes ment to rip apart my friends go cart. Yes they were rusty nails. And yes I have an inch and a half scar on my left hand where the rusty saw blade cut into it. Nothing a little Hydrogen peroxide and mecurecrome couldn't handle.

I don't know if I'd want my kids doing the same thing. Probably not. I want them to grow up safe and with as little pain as possible. What parent wouldn't? However I still let my kids climb trees. Just have to watch for those slivers. Besides, it sure beats the alternative...

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T11:36:00.006-05:00

Happy New Year to everyone out there.

Looking back on 2008 feels like I dreamt the whole year. Not that anything unusual or exciting happened. It's just that it felt like I sort of slept through it, sort of Rip Van Winkle style. I can't really explain it much more than that.

I seem to have awoken somewhere near the begining of December by dusting off this old blog and have started to post again. I hope to continue this trend in 2009 and to stay "awake" as long as possible.

I'm disappointed in my progress in regards to that secret project I started a year ago almost to this date. But I'm happy in my progress with my online comic strip/journey which I call "Ink".

"Ink" is a strip I've created which will have no regularity as far as posting goes. I have no idea where it's going. You can expect the format to change from time to time.

The only thing that I can expect of myself is that it continue moving forward, along a path, curiosity being the driving force. I have created a seperate blog for "Ink", the link for which is located on the right side of this blog. Please feel free to visit.

I hope this coming year is kind to everyone and that a year from now we'll look back and have plenty to reflect upon.

Happy New Year!

-Jast

Ink

2008-12-21T15:17:00.001-05:00

2008-12-12T10:12:00.000-05:00

The Happy Life of Thom Glum

2008-12-10T21:30:00.003-05:00

My friend Jason Reeves has gone and written and illustrated a great childrens book called 'The Happy Life of Thom Glum".

Self published through Lulu's Press the description of the book is as follows...

"With the help of a very small friend a glum man named Thom finds happiness through giving."

Very well done and certainly worth a look.

Mr.Reeves has many good ideas which I hope follow in Thom Glums footsteps.

You can order the book HERE.

2008-12-09T20:31:00.000-05:00

Decisions

2008-12-06T15:03:00.000-05:00

2008-12-04T20:33:00.000-05:00

2008-12-02T19:56:00.002-05:00

A pattern?!?

Ink

2008-11-29T22:24:00.002-05:00

More Ink

2008-11-26T20:27:00.002-05:00

Two in a row? What's the world coming to?

New

2008-11-24T23:04:00.001-05:00

Now what indeed...

6AM

2008-08-13T10:18:00.002-04:00

When I was a kid there was usually a Saturday morning ritual. Get up as early as possible creep downstairs get a bowl of Frosted flakes ( or the cheaper alternative...Corn Flakes with massive amounts of sugar) and turn on the tv to watch 6 hours of cartoons straight.
The good cartoons usually started around 7AM. For some strange reason now forgotten by me, but since realized by my own children, I would get up at 6Am. Sometimes 5.
Now there were only two things on the television at that hour.
Professor Kitzel.
And Tales from the Wizard of Oz. (Often followed by The New Adventures of Pinnochio).
I've done many a search to find clips from this series but have always come up empty.

Until now.

Thank you You Tube.

A couple of Brownies

2008-03-02T14:33:00.005-05:00

Check it out

2008-02-14T18:49:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since I've posted a link to anything inspirational. So, without further ado check out Julia Rothman's blog on inspirational books called "Book by it's cover".

New year, New blog

2008-01-04T12:38:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure if this is a New Year's resolution but it's something that's been perculating in my noggin over the last couple of months.

I'm going to attempt to create my own series of shorts. They will be, by necessity, fairly simple but hopefully entertaining.

I have created a new blog which I will make available shortly. I hope to showcase development art as well as the shorts themselves once completed.

First up will be animating the title.

Stay tuned for further details.

In the mean time here's a little test colour key, a sample of what's to come.

Yeh, I know

2007-12-07T17:45:00.000-05:00

I'm hoping that with the Christmas break coming, and along with it 3 weeks of vacation, I'll actually have some time to draw again.

I sketched/doodled this little guy at lunch today.

Kind of a Snoopy/Bone/whatcha macallit.

Back again?

2007-08-16T20:10:00.000-04:00

Well it sure has been a while since I've posted anything drawing wise. A little bit of being busy and a little bit of being uninspired. Happens from time to time with everyone only it was my turn this time.

I been getting small little bursts lately and with a combination of Randall Sly's latest post of Ward Kimball designs and Nate Wraggs designs from the Ancient Book of Myth and War, I've decided to jump in again.

Now these images have nothing on the fellas mentioned above, but you can't hide forever.

Drawn on legal size paper with a green col-erase pencil, painted in photshop.

Inspiring

2007-07-27T12:48:00.000-04:00

Check it out. Very dark and rather bleak. But very cool.

http://www.aardman.com/pearcesisters/

An actual painting

2007-04-29T11:20:00.000-04:00

I broke out some of my old water colour paints yesterday to paint with my kids.

Most of my brushes have disappeared, leaving me with only two wash brushes. A little hard to get detail with a flat wash brush.

Anyhow the kids had fun learning to paint with something other than the goop they use at school.

The above is my attempt.

And the award goes to

2007-03-19T12:13:00.000-04:00

I've just won an Emmy award for Individual achievement in Animation!!!

Wow.

I have spent the last couple of years working on The Backyardigan's, a show that I now AD on, and it is for this work that I have been so honoured.

Janice Burgess(the creator of the show) and the rest of the gang at Nick Jr. were extreemly thoughtful in throwing my name into the ring for consideration. It was an incredible surprise when Janice called me last week to let me know that I had won.

I will be traveling to L.A. for the award, which happens just before the regular Emmy awards, on June 14. I can't wait.

Now all I have to do is figure out where my wife is going to sleep once I bring this little lady home.

Cheers.

Reluctant wizard

2007-02-20T22:08:00.000-05:00

I have recently switched positions at work and am now an assistant director on a show called The Backyardigan's. I have been an animator on the show for the past couple of seasons and welcome the new challenge.

A lot of work but very interesting and fun.

As a result I haven't had a heck of a lot of "me" time to doodle.

That being said here's a quick one to hold you over.

and yet another

2007-01-23T21:53:00.000-05:00

Here's another...thing.

First

2007-01-18T19:33:00.000-05:00

First drawing of the year.( First posted one anyways).

Happy New Year

2007-01-04T11:38:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Well it seems as if I've trailed off a bit towards the end of the year as far as postings go. Hopefully taking some much needed time off will help kick start the engines a little.

One thing that was certainly a kick start was taking the family to the Ontario Science Centre yesterday. What made this a special treat was that the science centre put out their Rowland Emmet display. Being one of my favourite artists it was great to see these again and to be able to appreciate them on a whole new level.

If you happen to be in the Toronto area and can get down to the Science Centre before January 7th, you'll be able to check out these fine machines as well.

All the best to everyone!

New trailers

2006-12-21T12:29:00.000-05:00

From Nocturna and Mr.Collieu

Been a while

2006-12-13T11:01:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've last posted something inspirational. Well thanks to the link on DRAWN, I've been given an inspirational boost.

Check out HOTHEAD FILMS for some great 3D work that's different from the usual 3D stuff.
Of note are there bumpers for E4.

Enjoy.

Interview

2006-11-20T11:13:00.000-05:00

Well, well, well. Look who's just been interviewed on Randall Sly's 'Character Design' blog.
Yup, me.
Walk on over and have a look. Not so much for my interview but also for the many other talented artists who've been interviewed and have amazing art and designs to look at.

Thanks Randall.

Interview Here

Wacky

2006-11-16T22:44:00.000-05:00

Here's a quicky. You've gotta love old wall paper patterns. They make for great backgrounds.

Busy,busy,busy

2006-10-29T10:22:00.000-05:00

Appologies but I've been rather busy as of late. I'm working on a show that has me animating 4 characters riding a unicycle. Fun, fun, fun...

Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween.

Kind of a rant plus a drawing too

2006-09-20T14:33:00.000-04:00

I guess this is kind of a rant.

Why don't we have more cartoons with heart? Or perhaps I mean soul. What I'm trying to get at is every so often we get one. I would think Ren and Stimpy had heart and soul. You really felt the creator wanted these guys to live. Spongebob's the same. You really feel like you know him, or you want to know him.
Now no offence to the individuals/commitee's who create the rest of the cartoons we see on tv today, but I don't really feel I want to know the characters in the shows.
Heck, if I was walking down the street I might even go out of my way to avoid some of them.

We need more characters with heart and soul and less copying the characters with heart and soul.

My opinion.

Saul Bass titles

2006-09-18T15:42:00.000-04:00

Check out the cool Saul Bass designed titles on YouTube.To find more just go to You Tube and search Saul Bass.

My Rant and a Drawing too

2006-09-13T10:45:00.000-04:00

I'm going to try something a little different here. For the next few Wednesday's I'm going to post a Wednesday Rant. Feel free to agree or disagree, comment or don't comment. It's just a rant. Something to put out there. So without further ado I present...

School.Enough already.

Why is it that we have so many cartoons that involve school? What's the deal? I mean if I'm a kid and I come home from school, turn on the tv to watch cartoons do I really need to see more school? Is this the only type of shows that appeals to T.V. Exec's?

I have a son in grade 3 a daughter in 2 and my youngest in SK. They go to school and usually have homework when they come home. After we finish the homework (which for a 8 and 7 year old can take a couple hours) we have dinner. After dinner they can watch a little tv. What's on tv? Superhero's who go to school. After cartoons we put them to bed and sometimes my wife will read Harry Potter to them. Guess where Harry Potter takes place? School. (Iknow Harry's a little different but still it all takes place at school.)

Remember when you were young and watched cartoons? Bugs Bunny never went to school. Mighty Mouse never went to school. The Smurfs, Scoobi Doo, and the Blue Falcon never went to school.

SCHOOL SCHOOL SCHOOL!!!!

Of course I know how important school is. And I realize not all cartoons have an element of school in them but hey this is my rant and I say give the kids a little break.

Gruesomestein's Monsters

2006-09-07T11:25:00.000-04:00

Above is an episode of Gruesomesteins Monster's.

The show created by Riccardo Durrante and Mark Ackland. It was posed out by Ackland and animated in Flash.

I had the opportunity to animate Home Sweet Home(above).

In all, 5 5minute episodes were done. Hopefully someone will buy them some day.

Enjoy.

A night out

2006-08-29T21:25:00.000-04:00

What's this? Two posts in a row?
What can I say, inspiration has shown itself once again.
I recently picked up Amid Amidi's truly wonderful book "Cartoon Modern".
It's everything I could have hoped for and more. I can't put it down and yet I force myself to so that I don't wear it out within the week.
If you like this sort of thing as much as I do please check out Amid's CARTOON MODERN blog.
And if you're interested buy the book at Amazon.com.

In the mean time here's my attempt.
The drawing was done with a black felt tip pen, scanned in and composited onto a swatch of 70's wallpaper.

Run

2006-08-28T22:53:00.000-04:00

Run for Illo Friday.

A Fish

2006-08-14T18:30:00.000-04:00

Illo Friday

2006-08-10T20:29:00.000-04:00

A quickie.

I love the Muppets

2006-08-09T22:29:00.000-04:00

One of the few places I have always wanted to work is with the Jim Henson company. Not so much as a puppeteer, more in the design area. One day perhaps...

Opening

2006-08-02T23:39:00.000-04:00

Here's the opening for Mystery on PBS.Created and designed by Edward Gorey.
I believe animated by Derek Lamb, Eugene Fedorenko and Janet Perlman.Below that is Tim Burton's Vincent.
Boy I sure wish they made more of this type of thing.Enjoy.

Vincent

2006-08-02T23:33:00.000-04:00

Yep.Still here.

2006-08-02T22:36:00.000-04:00

I know, I know. It's been a while. A combination of things has kept me from posting for a while. Work mostly. You see there's an old saying "You can't see the forest for the trees". Well that kind of sums up the type of person I'm having to deal with at work. For obvious reason's I won't go into it but it has been a lesson in patience.
I've also been spending time doing development work for the studio I work for so that takes up a certain amount of creative energy. Especially when the project is a little empty.
Add to that an overall lack of inspiration and you end up with no posts for almost a month.

I don't know if anyone is still out there but have patience I will be back and hopefully poting more often.

There are alot of new blogs out there worth checking out which I'll post soon. Till then...

Ciao

Sacrafice and Skyline

2006-07-18T16:10:00.000-04:00

Two quickies for Illustration Friday. I originally goofed and forgot that the topic was changed to Sacrafice instead of Skyline. Oh well, a good excuse to get off my but and draw again.
Enjoy.

B is for Busy

2006-07-03T21:27:00.000-04:00

Wow, been really busy lately and have had a shortage of spare time. Here's a quick doodle for the time being.

S is for Simple

2006-06-21T22:24:00.000-04:00

More fun

2006-06-13T23:05:00.000-04:00

A sneak peak of two characters from a story I've been developing.

Circus

2006-06-11T21:42:00.000-04:00

Portrait

2006-06-06T21:47:00.000-04:00

Illo Friday

Doodles

2006-06-05T20:59:00.000-04:00

Some random doodles over the past week.

Happy Birthday

2006-06-01T00:04:00.000-04:00

Well, this weeks Illustration's theme was cake. It just so happens it's also my daughter Teleri's 7th birthday. She's cute as a button and will someday draw circles around me.
What more could a father ask for.

Happy Birthday Tillybud !!!

More playing with newsprint

2006-05-29T22:26:00.000-04:00

A couple more

2006-05-25T23:15:00.000-04:00

I seem to remember this mole from a Richard Scary book. Or perhaps it was the Provensen's.
Either way the influence is pretty clear.

Guy and Beastie

2006-05-24T13:58:00.000-04:00

I recently bought a few pads of cheap newsprint for the kids and remembered how well it soaks up those black grease pencils.

Angels and Devils

2006-05-15T21:27:00.000-04:00

Those who know me might reckognize this one but when Illustration Friday announced the topic this week as being Angels and Devils I thought..." Hey! Why re-invent the wheel."
Enjoy.

Happy Anniversary

2006-05-11T08:23:00.000-04:00

Has it been 10 years already?
Though we've known each other much longer today is our 10th wedding anniversary.
Thank you for your love and support. Thank you for our beautiful children. Thank you for putting up with me. Here's to the future...

Happy Anniversary my sweet...

Love Jeff

Sesame type illustration

2006-05-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

For some reason when this weeks Illustration Friday topic was revealed to be "Under the Sea" I just couldn't get past this image in my head.
I know it's corny but I guess when you grow up with Seame Street these things are bound to happen.

I'm back

2006-04-25T08:05:00.000-04:00

Well it's certainly been a while since my last post. Been doing a little freelance job on the side which has occupied pretty much all of my free time. Anyways things will be settling down soon and hopefully back to normal.

In the mean time, here's one for this weeks Illustration Friday.

Robot

My Kid Monday

2006-04-17T21:09:00.000-04:00

One my daughter Teleri calls portrait. Of whom I'm uncertain.

Speed illustration

2006-04-14T12:58:00.000-04:00

Unfortunately I was too busy to get this in for last weeks Illustration Friday.

Ironic since the topic was Speed.

Spring sketch

2006-04-06T08:31:00.000-04:00

Wednesday Sketches

2006-04-05T16:41:00.000-04:00

Wow! Two posts in a row. I must be on a roll. Enjoy.

Tuesday sketches

2006-04-04T12:11:00.000-04:00

Monster

2006-03-29T14:23:00.000-05:00

Illustration friday

Animation history

2006-03-22T14:26:00.000-05:00

No new drawings to post so I thought I'd shift gears. First off I'm currently reading Shamus Culhane's autobiography entitled "Talking animals and other people". A fascinating first hand account of the very begining of the animation industry and his life working in it and the people he's worked with. Most copies are out of print now but you can hopefully find a copy in your local library like I did.
Another good book along these lines is "The Moose that roared". A great book as well mainly focusing on Jay Ward and Rocky and Bullwinkle. After reading that book one is left with that old saying "Some things never change".

Finaly I should point out that I have jumped on yet another bandwagon and have opened an online store through Cafe Press. Feel free to browse and shop. If there's enogh interest I will probably move it to a paying account where I'll be able to sell even more types of things. We'll see.
The link for the store in on the right with the original title "Subconscious Ink. Store".

Please come again.

My Kid Monday

2006-03-20T08:16:00.000-05:00

Some etchings by Teleri(6)

St.Paddy's Day

2006-03-17T12:35:00.000-05:00

There's a saying that goes " Shake any family tree and an Irishman is sure to fall out".
Today's the day to celebrate the little Irish in all of us.

Sláinte

Book collection

2006-03-14T18:59:00.000-05:00

Nothing new to post so I thought I'd share a little memory.

I, like many other artists and animator's, have a Lot of books. Books primarily for reference and inspiration.

One of the first books I bought in relation to animation was Walt Disney's World of Fantasy by Adrian Bailey. By no means was it The Illusion of Life (an animator's bible), but it was still full of wonderfuly inspiring images and photos of the artists who worked there.

This book still resides on my bookshelf along with The Illusion of life,Chuck Amuck, The Animator's Survival kit, etc.

It will always remind me of the begining, of that new found excitment, and of that funny feeling which can only be described as a cross between longing and passion.

Illustration Friday's

2006-03-08T22:00:00.000-05:00

Here is my second posting for Illustration Friday's.(I know, I'm posting on a Wednesday)

I couldn't come up with anything terribly clever this time so I just coloured a couple of doodles.

The title.... Bugs.

My Kid Monday

2006-03-06T10:38:00.000-05:00

Here's a sweet drawing my daughter Tilly did for my wife after coming home from the hospital.

Tea

2006-03-01T23:03:00.000-05:00

My first entry into the world of Illustration Friday.

I give you The Earl of Grey.

My Kid Monday's

2006-02-27T09:13:00.000-05:00

My son Breandán(7) went through this stage where he enjoyed drawing kings. Here is one that he's named King Dobon.

Back to the Subconscious

2006-02-22T07:31:00.000-05:00

A bit of a cheat

2006-02-20T22:06:00.000-05:00

I'm cheating a bit with this post. I didn't get the chance to scan any of my kids drawings for today. So, I thought I'd post a drawing I did with my kids. This was done after watching the movie MirrorMask. A fun little film filled with tasty visuals, a real treat.

my last scene

2006-02-19T22:59:00.000-05:00

I drew this while I was working on my last scene. Fairly accurate representation of how I felt while working on it.

Heffalump and Cherubs

2006-02-17T08:15:00.000-05:00

New Blog

2006-02-16T12:39:00.000-05:00

John Kricfalusi has started a new blog. Sometimes I like his stuff, sometimes I don't. But I will say he's a true genius at what he does. I think we'll be able to learn a thing or two by following his postings. Check him out HERE

Another cg feature in the works

2006-02-16T10:40:00.000-05:00

I don't know why but the concept of this upcoming feature looks like it could be fun.
Kind of the reverse alien invasion. Planet One is to be animated by Ilion studio's for Nickelodeon.

Check out their site HERE

Rumpelstiltskin

2006-02-15T08:30:00.000-05:00

2006-02-14T10:32:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day

3 Billy Goats Gruff

2006-02-13T09:45:00.000-05:00

My son has been watching me create these little story book illustrations and decided to have a go at it himself. I helped a little with the colour.

Rapunzel

2006-02-09T21:45:00.000-05:00

Hansel and Gretel

2006-02-08T21:44:00.000-05:00

Little Red

2006-02-07T11:01:00.000-05:00

My Kid Monday

2006-02-06T08:21:00.000-05:00

A drawing my daughter Teleri(6) did of her stuffed Giraffe.

Some girly doodles

2006-02-01T23:13:00.000-05:00

My kid Monday

2006-01-30T15:20:00.000-05:00

Here's a funny little drawing my youngest, Ailis, did. Unfortunately I scanned it in grey scale so the title "Pink Babies" is a little lost.
On occassion I warm up by drawing circles(thanks Charlie) and I'm assuming my daughter picked up on this.

Funny.

Various sketches of Beasties

2006-01-25T09:41:00.000-05:00

Just playin'

Kid Monday

2006-01-23T10:52:00.000-05:00

A comilation of various super hero's and villains by my son Breandán(7).

Storyboredom

2006-01-21T14:37:00.000-05:00

You must bookmark this site I just found courtesy of Cartoon Brew.
Made up of a few board artists from Disney etc. there are some great drawings and funny anecdotes.

Check it out HERE

Some kids

2006-01-19T12:08:00.000-05:00

Bill Peet

2006-01-17T12:30:00.000-05:00

A long time ago I posted a link to the site of the amazing Bill Peet.
Well I was at the site yesterday and was looking at all of his wonderful sketches when I realized people might not know where to look(on the site) to see them. Not terribly easy to get to.
So hears a direct link to his book list.
Be sure to check out each and every book as there are visual treasures in all of them.

HERE