Fixpert

I think most creative folks have this desire to redesign their own web site about once every five seconds. I’ve managed to move to the other end of the spectrum and actually really neglect some core features and enhancements that this site has been needing for umm, a couple years now. For example, when you’re a new visitor and you post a comment, you get no confirmation message, so lots of people post the same comment multiple times. Easy fix, I know I need to do it, just…haven’t.

This site is a little…ghettoey. I’m a poor landlord. The faucet leaks, there’s mice, it smells musty. I wish I could make promises to you that it will improve some time soon, but I can’t. Fact is, I’m just too damn busy and this neglected place quickly falls to the bottom of the priority list when times get hectic.

But! I think a really good indicator that it’s actually time to do a full overhaul is when you’ve stopped posting with any frequency — as is the case with me. I visit Fixpert every so often, look at it, feel a lack of connection with it’s current look and feel, sigh feeling a bit overwhelmed, and quickly alt-tab my way over to something else more immediately actionable.

It doesn’t help that I usually have about 2 dozen ideas for extra projects that I’d like to tackle when I have the time. My idea firehose just gets pointed straight into my stack o’ sketchbooks where 1 of 20 ideas will see the light of day. The rest remain in the sketchbook, only to become…musty.

But check this out. Playing around on The Wayback Machine:

Fixpert circa 2004

Fixpert circa 2005

Well, I’m moving to San Francisco.

SF Money Shot

Yes dear friends, it’s true. I’ve got two weeks of work to finish up here in LA, then I’m headed up North to search for apartments. Once I’ve secured a place, I’ll come back down, grab my stuff and hit the 5 North, past Cowschwitz, and on into the Bay Area.

Speaking of BAY AAAREAAA! I’ve been listening to a lot of E-40 to indoctrinate myself. I’ve already adjusted the gearing on my bike for the hills, so between those two things, I’d say I’m ready to roll. I start my new job March 3. Stoked.

MASH dude Demarco slays the China Banks

Check out this awesome “tattoo” my bike got yesterday. It is an ode to my dog, Pizza, who lives with his pops in Virginia.

The artwork was done by my friend Toons. He’s the “gifted, prolific one.” Thanks Toons!!

Toons does all kinds of artwork and creative projects, so contact him with your ideas and see if he can help you out!

I’m experimenting with watercolor and ink illustrations. Also trying out the Lightbox js gallery effect as a possible way of viewing comics online. I kind of prefer the traditional linear panels, but let me know what you think!

Click Thumbnail to View Invisible Hoody

Also, if anyone has any tips for scanning in watercolors, and getting the colors and textures right, I’m all ears! I really like this way of working, but the colors (even after adjusting in Photoshop) got really blown out on my scans and were not nearly as detailed or sensitive as I’d like.