webcomics (part one)

I read a lot of webcomics. In case you are curious about webcomics, or need some to read, or don't care at all and I've just been bugging you to read them, here are my top ten currently updating comics (i.e. not already finished or on hiatus--The Meek just started updating again, hurrah!) of the moment, organized more-or-less by my love of them/update schedule.

The Meek: Currently my favorite webcomic. Although only in its third chapter, I am already invested in the story (or stories, rather), the world, and the characters. Also, it just has absolutely great artwork, is formatted wonderfully, and is in COLOR.
Vattu: The latest epic story from the masterful Evan Dahm, who writes comics like none other. Well, maybe like others, but I'm not very well-versed in comic history outside of teh internets. A new part of the world of Overside, a new political intrigue, new enchanting character designs. Same wonderful color and design sensibility.
Hark! A Vagrant: Historical and nonsensical! Very funny. I frequently cite this comic when people are just trying to have normal conversations with me.
Bad Machinery: Brilliant. Nonsense, humor, adventure, lovable monsters, funny ways of talking, kids getting up to no good. Almost slice-of-life, if slice-of-life were just completely AWESOME ALL THE TIME.
Questionable Content: The first webcomic I ever started reading. Why this one? I have no idea. Relatable characters, cultural references. The plot arcs have been picking up again after a lull last year. I'd recommend it, but it is definitely not the best webcomic out there.
Girls With Slingshots: Slice-of-life, about twenty-something women. Sometimes they talk about sex and lady things. When they drink, there's a talking cactus.
Wapsi Square: This comic was really dull when I started reading the archives, and then at some point the tone did a one-eighty and turned into something fantastic. Supernatural. Mayan calendars, golems, personal demons, mythology, charm.
Gunnerkrigg Court: Boarding school meets supernatural, done in a completely fresh way. Will keep you guessing.
xkcd: Read it. Read it. Read it. Possibly the best written gag comic (if that's the right terminology) on the internet. I will be really surprised if you haven't seen any of these before.
The Abominable Charles Christopher: My most newly discovered comic! It's like Calvin & Hobbes, if everyone were animals and the forest they all lived in was being threatened with impending doom. It deals with the everyday lives of the forrest-dwellers, but also tells the story of Charles, because he cannot tell his story himself. And it is absolutely heart-wrenching and lovable.

in all seriousness

Finally wrote a résumé and updated my portfolio. Or at least, mostly updated it. There is still some stuff from 2009 in it. Hopefully I can begin to phase some of that out when I get better about digitally documenting my Illustration classwork from last semester, and the stuff I am currently working on this semester.

I should probably go through stuff I've done outside of class too at some point, but I am less than confident in most of it. Basically, I'll just need to keep refining my portfolio. But at least I have the résumé. That feels pretty good.

Maybe one day I'll actually make myself a real website. Hmm.

un-homework

Un-homework being art things that I am doing while I should be doing my assigned art things. Drew this in my sketchbook the other day, and decided to transfer it to some cruddy illustration board I had lying around for inking practice. Used some manner of small watercolor brush. Tried adding some flat colors in PS, but as always, I liked just the plain lines better. Doodles look so much more official when they're inked.

I am a feminist. So are you.

I am a feminist because I believe in freedom, equality, and justice for women. It is as simple as that. Are you willing to call yourself a feminist? I don't know many people--men or women--who are. I don't know how many times I've had to explain to people that being a feminist has nothing to do with hating men, burning bras, or thinking all women should get abortions. If you think any of those things are linked to feminism, this article by Toril Moi, a professor at Duke University, explains why. Please read it. It discusses not only "How Feminism Became the F-word," but also the power of language in shaping our perceptions.

As a side-note, do you know how "bra-burning" got associated with the feminist movement? No bras were ever burned (at least not, I'd wager, until after the term had already been coined).

For being such an important social movement of the 20th (and even, I'd argue, the 21st) century, it's amazing how little the average person knows about feminism's history. It's amazing how little the average person knows about what feminism is.

Edit: Guys, yes.