25 Years Ago Today!

 

Yeah, I know this is about the third time I've posted this image here, but there is a reason. The lighthouse is a kind of symbol for me, its  somewhat off-kilter and a weathered through tough times, but its still standing, holding its own and doing what it's supposed to do. Kind of like me. It's hard to believe, because it seems like both a million years ago, and just the other day that I gave up drugs and for the most part, alcohol. To clarify, I didn't give up alcohol completely, but one or two drinks a year is what I would call pretty well controlled. However, no marijuana, or cocaine in 25 years, now that's saying something. Not only that, I'm nearing 5 months without cigarettes, which is something I never thought would happen—ever! So, there you have it, 25 years drug free, and still doing okay.

-Cheers!

Road Trip—Guess Where?

Seascape: Walnut Ink.


Beach Cabin: From Sketchbook.


Stubby Lighthouse: Walnut Ink


Hey Kids! If you guessed the Oregon Coast—sometimes called the Pacific Wonderland, you are 100% correct. Yup! Me and my gal, Ace, are heading for the Oregon Coast today so these images might look familiar to you, it's because they are all reposts, a first here at Walk on the Wiles Side, by the way. This will be something of a working road trip: gonna do some sketches, get some reference photos, do some research & get some inspiration, as well as scout for venues to carry my T-shirts, but it's not all work, I fully plan on eating way too much and lounging a bit, but most importantly, hanging out with my gal. Anyway, we'll be back soon and I should have stories, sketches, and maybe even some exciting news. Have a great week.

-Cheers!

Beacons: Unfinished Splash Page

Hey Kids, sorry for the missed posts, I've been busy with T-shirts lately, so haven't posted like I should, but I'm trying to beat the holiday deadline. Anyway, this is something from 2005, its the splash page for a graphic essay (an essay in comic book form) which I never finished. The title is Beacons, and it was to be about depression and hope, but I never got around to finishing it, although it may happen someday. Just for the record, the image in the bottom right corner, is actually a photograph that I took of the spiral stairway at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse in Newport Oregon. Hmm, the more I look at this, the more I would like to return to this project, although I would need to start over completely, if for no other reason than my skills have improved since I first started.

Stubby Lighthouse

This one captures all the rustic, dilapidated charm of the beach trips to the Oregon Coast I remember as a kid. It evokes the smell of damp smoke (from both bonfires and fireplaces) in the salty air, which is one of my fondest childhood memories. Pretty short for a lighthouse, but I'm quite pleased with it just the same. Hmmm. I might just have to revisit this one. Walnut ink & brush and pen on watercolor paper.