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An article praising Jim’s amazing painting skills on BoingBoing. 

Check out these funny photos from last year’s Halloween.  Jim makes a fine stake-tartar:

Shawn Wolfe (Ghillie #1) and Matt Tamaru (Ghillie #2)

Mary Woodring, Tom Dougherty and Dubble-ya?

These photos are to help you get ready for the Cafe Racer art and costume extravaganza this weekend!!!  See you there.

What drives Knoxville’s most famous cartoonist? Total fear. 

Check out this inspiring article from Metro Pulse about our friend Joel Trussell and his rise to success as an animator. Way to go Joel!

Attention ghoulies and art scenesters. Bring a costume (or not) and freak out at the Café Racer on October 27th. Freaky creepy art on the walls, food stuffs on the table and me passed out on the floor.

What’s not to like?

Love Matt

Café Racer Halloween Party is Saturday, October 27 at 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at 5828 Roosevelt Way NE

The show will feature the work of artists Max Badger, Bruce Bickford, Mark Campos, Max Clotfelter, Tom Dougherty, Heidi Estey, Scott Faulkner, Kinoko, David Lasky, Jen Ralston, Rob Rini, Angela Stork, Matt Tamaru, Dalton Webb, and Jim Woodring.

Years ago, I put myself in recovery after living with a TV addict by disconnecting from everything but a DVD player and Seasons 1 – 7 of The Simpsons. I have no cable, no TiVo, not even a tin foil-covered antenna. I don’t miss it, but occasionally I do wonder what’s changed since I rolled the metaphorical bowling ball into the old Zenith. To find out, I checked in with Plexi folks on what has them riveted this fall:

Hands down, the studio favorite has to be Heroes. Not only is Drake B. an addict, but Paola R. says this super superhero show, “kicks off my week like nobody’s business and makes me want special powers to save the world and kick some ass!” Vicky T. recovered from last year’s disappointing finale only to get reabsorbed in the character development and the brain-puzzle aspect again this year.

Kristi T. has been glued to Damages. Of this law drama starring Glenn Close, she says, “I’m not sure what I’m going to do with my Tuesdays now that it’s over.” Joshua S. similarly hangs on the British sitcom Black Books because, “Dylan Moran is so funny it makes me want to spit!” And then he quoted something from the show, or at least I think he did. It went soaring over my cultural-tourist head.

Amie S. plans to delve into Frontline, as the news show goes in-depth to look at issues such as global warming and climate change, the aftermath of Katrina, growing unrest over the war in Iraq, and conflict in the Middle East. She adds, “Frontline makes 60 Minutes or any other ‘news’ program look like child’s play. They ask the tough questions and don’t pander to politicians. This season, they are going to tackle some of the most pressing news stories of our lives.”

Allen C.’s a sucker for The Office. He says, “Jim and Pam are finally together, Dwight’s still crazy, and Michael’s as insensitive as ever. In other words, awesome.” And, I might add, the show bears no resemblance to his actual workplace.

Jesse R. hates to promote Ashton Kutcher, but he’s all for promoting the dating reality show Beauty and The Geek. “It’s trash television the way it’s supposed to be: socially awkward ‘indoor kids,’ vapid, silicon-enhanced belles, challenges, and prizes!” Speaking of reality shows and silicon-enhancing, Lisa S. and Vicky T. both got suckered into the Bret Michaels vehicle Rock of Love. Lisa claimed it was against her will, but I think it’s just her rocker side showing through.

Lisa S. also digs House because, “Who doesn’t love a pill popping genius doctor who strikes sarcasm and hostile comments to all that pass while he cures the rarest of ailments ever encountered?”

Other favorites include Weeds (suburban MILF drug slinger), Tell Me You Love Me (free therapy), Curb Your Enthusiasm (absurdities of normal interactions), Prison Break (thickening plots), Pushing Daisies (dark humor), Bionic Woman (former stars of Battlestar Galactica), Journeyman (time travel), Amazing Race (racing, natch) and Lost (desert islands).

All in all, it’s a busy season in TV land, which makes me sigh in relief that I don’t have to keep up with all those involving plotlines. Besides, they just released The Simpsons, Season 10, which should keep me busy until at least December.

Our own Matt Tamaru was featured on Cold Hard Flash today for his animation of the opening sequence for The New Ballard & Ballard Cartoon Hour. It’s great to know that this project, part of a collection of collaborative installations exhibited in 2005, is still getting attention!

Fantagraphics is having a sale of original art on Ebay.  Items include a print by one of our favorites, Jim Woodring, as well as Robert Crumb and Dave Cooper .  They’re drumming up some money to help them with legal fees.  This is a terrific opportunity for folks to pick some some amazing art while helping out a great small business at the same time.

The third annual “Plush You!” showcase of DIY plush toys highlights the movement’s innovative artists. A forthcoming book includes toy tutorials so that readers can take a swing at crafting their own plush creations. With the book arriving in October, we anticipate 2007’s Plush You! to be teh best yet and the most comprehensive display of plush craft ever.

An opening reception will be held at Schmancy, Nancy and Fancy+Pants on October 12th from 5pm to 9pm. Plush artists from all over the country will be in attendance.

Plush You! logo designed by Matt Tamaru.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is the first young-adult novel by Sherman Alexie with art by Ellen Forney.  The book about a 14-year-old Native American budding cartoonist named Junior.

The book is getting high praise for its writing but “reluctant readers can even skim the pictures and construct their own story based exclusively on Forney’s illustrations”. 

I can’t wait to get my copy.  Yay Ellen!

Super7 presents the Halloween Monster Mash custom art show, featuring the custom figures of a variety of artists from both sides of the Pacific! Western and Eastern artists come together to create the coolest collection of customs ready to haunt your shelf for the month of October.

Saturday, October 6 at 7:00 - 10:00pm

Super7 Store | 1628 Post Street | San Francisco, CA 94115 | Phone: 415.409.4700