I keep getting annoyed with new Oklahoma legislature.  It’s usually incredibly backwards…but what can you expect from one of the most conservative states in the union.  The latest disgrace is HB 1895 which is going before the House of Reps on Feb 4th, 2013.  It is proposing to cut all funding to the Oklahoma Arts Council to save a measly $4 million dollars of a $6.8 billion dollar budget.

How do I fight back?  The only way a graphic artist can; infographs.  I’ve whipped up two that I think illustrate just how little money we’re talking about to run the OAC for a full year.  I encourage you, if you agree, to take these bad boys and put them everywhere. Contact your rep and tell him/her to vote against this pile of crap. Also, here is the official Arts Council’s response to the bill.

Happy Holidays ya numb skulls!…and yes, that’s my dog done up like the dog from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. You’re welcome.

It’s a Holiday miracle! I’ve decided to take orders for Christma-I mean, Holiday Cards this season, however supplies are limited. So act fast  and make sure you get your personalized cards before my hand gives out!

The ”Holiday Card Package” includes a custom illustration, up to 100 5″ x 7″ professionally printed cards on heavy card stock, shipped directly to your home, and a digital copy of your image to deck the halls of all your social networks. All that for only $200! And the first three orders get a $25 discount.

I know what you’re thinking, “but Dan, I was going to do ANOTHER standard photo-card of my family this year, just like every year, just like everyone else.” That’s fine, if you’re into that sort of thing. But for those of you that want a piece of one-of-a-kind ART* this season, now’s your chance. And remember, the first THREE people to place an order get it at the discounted price of $175!

Orders must be in by December 1st! All transactions will be done through Paypal. After the payment I’ll e-mail you to get the details of your custom card. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at danjodon@gmail.com or leave a comment below.

HURRY AND GO PLACE YOUR ORDER!!

*The word “art” in this context is used quite liberally.

Thought I’d give you a heads up that I have two new drawings over on the Illustration page.  Check ‘em out!  Or don’t.

This speech was given 50 years ago on Sept 12th 1962.  I’ll be honest, I’ve never watched the whole thing until today.  It’s still incredibly powerful and poignant.  The way he speaks about the national effort in space is hard to believe.  There’s a surreal point where he actually BRAGS about tripling NASA’s budget which is followed by an applause break.  What a change we’ve had in 50 years.

“However, I think we’re going to do it.  And I think we must pay what needs to be paid.  I don’t think we ought to waste any money, but I think we ought to do the job…and it will be done by the end of this decade!”  How could they fail with talk like that?!

First up are the falsehoods:

1) “The Space Program ended in October [2011] with the closure of the Shuttle program.”  Why does everyone keep saying that?!?  NASA has about 100 current missions running simultaneously, including the ISS.  Did people forget we still maintain a home in the sky like a FRIGGIN GOD?!?  That doesn’t sound like “ending” to me.

2) “Not even NASA has a free standing LEM like this besides the ones on the moon.”  False.  Of course NASA still has a few LEM’s lying around.  I know for a fact you can see one on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in DC.  It’s a fully flight capable LEM left over from a cancelled Apollo mission.  I’ve seen it.  It’s amazing.

With that in mind I wonder what other stuff they screwed up, but in the end I think it looks great with a ton of smart and funny little touches.  For instance, packing the LEM with liquor and cigarettes for the long journey was a stroke of genius.  It’s reassuring to see other passionate art nerds spreading the word on the importance of space exploration.  I’d love to see more over-the-top-space-inspired work come to light.

Armstrong was the first human to leave the earth with a destination on his itinerary.  The first to get Moon dust on his boots.  He is among the last of the great explorers; a fearless and determined breed who have yet to be replaced.  Armstrong will be remembered for as long as there is human history to speak of, but his family asks us to remember him when we “walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.”

Godspeed, Neil Armstrong.

UPDATE after the jump:

NASA released a nice little tribute video for Neil.  Honestly, it has some awkward soundbites, especially from Charlie Bolden, but it’s still nice hearing from some unusual characters like engineers and managers.  There’s a lot of God talk which was unexpected in a NASA video.  But as usual, Gene Cernan steals the show with his eloquence:

Continuing with the Willy Wonka Creature theme I started a few weeks back, here is my version of the Vermicious Knid.  I loosely based it on Roald Dahl’s description given in the book sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory entitled Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. 

In this scene an Oompa Loompa is startled by a Vermicious Knid while picking Snozzberries at night.  You see, it’s easier, however more dangerous, to pick Snozzberries at night because they glow in the dark.  Dahl never gives a description of Snozzberries so I just winged it.  I thought a bio-luminescent fruit was a cool idea and fit the look of the Oompaland I’m creating.

Wonka mentions 2 more creatures; the Hornswogglers and Snozzwangers.  Will I draw these last two beast?  Probably.  But don’t hold your breath.  Check out more of my work on my Illustration page.

Hello, True Believers!  I wanted to let you know I’ve posted some new drawings over on the Illustration page.  I’ve been bad about updating this site with new drawings but hopefully I’ll be better about it in the coming months.

The above image is a creature mentioned in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the Whangdoodle.  He’s known for eating 10 Oompa Loompa for breakfast and thinking nothing of it.