Aaron Renier Fat Blog

Peanut Butter MoCCA Fudge

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

So MoCCA Art Festival is this weekend... and I will try to get in and walk around and pretend I shouldn't be at home drawing. I'm looking forward to seeing everybody. Liz Prince and Nate Beaty will be crashing on my floor.

Craig recently put up a comic we started to do together... so I thought I should add a little bit to that. Here are some frames I like that he didn't post on his blog.

The reason it didn't work is that we are both working on our own projects... and what started out as a fun game, became a chore. I would love to do something with him when we live in the same city again. Somebody on his blog said our work goes together like peanut butter and chocolate... and that made me really happy. There was such a long time that I was so influenced by him, and compaired to him, that I feared I wouldn't continue on to find my own voice. I feel like I have, and when Walker Bean comes out other's will realize this as well... but I loved that I could still be complementary of him, since he is not only a very good friend, but one of my favorite artists.

On a last note, my comic book cover for Nickelodeon Magazine is out.... it's hidden inside the Indiana Jones issue... so if you get a chance take a look while you are grocery shopping.

I hope everyone is doing well!

Sir Lancelot now in stores!

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

So my first book project since Spiral-Bound is out in stores. You can order it here
at amazon. It's part of a series of books called The Knights Tales by
Gerald Morris. There is at least one more to follow that I have already
finished. I hope it does well, because that means I can continue
drawing and getting better at drawing knights, and horses and hopefully
dragons. My dream is that more and more of these types of projects can
happen, and people will seek out my other work, and then eventually I
can just be doing my own books. I'm very glad to be a part of this
series though. The author is also from Wisconsin, and for some reason,
I feel like it's this that makes our work fit together.

Almost 90% of my friends are in Portland Oregon for Stumptown comic fest. My biggest regret is not being there for the unveiling of BFF by my good friend Nate Beaty.
I wish I was there, but I'm also glad to be home drawing my book for
First Second. I just need to focus on my hermitdom. Here is a panel
from the book that I really like.

It's a junk shop called The Armed Junk & Thrift in a town called Spit Head. You can see a slightly bigger version here.
The owner's name is Taro Tung, and the characters entering are Shiv,
his dog Perrogi, and Walker Bean. Huddled in the corner is a shadowy
character known as Dr. Patches. These are not the real colors it will
be printed in... I will leave that to the amazing Alec Longstreth.

And on a quick note... speaking of amazing people in my life, Nicole Joanne Georges
has a new book of Invincible Summer out for sale. I had the privilege
of hanging out with her for the last couple days, running around the
Natural History Museum, and eating chocolate with hints of sesame and
leather. Anyway, check it out here.

I hope everybody is having a great spring! The weather in New York is
perfect for staying inside and drinking coffee... which I am drinking
out of my new novelty mug that I think is depressing and hilarious at the same time.

Jim Hanley's Kids Day!

Sun, 6 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PST

This coming Saturday I will be drawing at Jim Hanley's with a bunch of really amazing cartoonists for kids. I'm going to be there earlier in the day with Sara Varon, and Geoffrey Hayes. The event promises to be an extravaganza of comics, cookies, and creativity... obviously I am going for the cookies, everything else is bonus. I'm really excited, if you are in the NY area and have children, please stop by!

Here's the lineup:

10-12: Sara Varon , Geoffrey Hayes, and me
12-2: Misako Rocks!, Kevin Pyle, and Fred Van Lente
2-4: Dave Roman, Raina Telgemeier, Frank Cammuso, and Jay Lynch
4-6: George O'Connor, and Nick Bertozzi

I will also be up in the Bronx this Wednesday, in a program between the New York Comic Con, and the New York Public Library. It's a two hour program for children, the first hour I will be discussing my work, and how I write, and the second hour the kids will be making their own comics. So if you're a patron of the Westchester Square Library, I will see you there at 4.

I also just discovered that you can read part of my first book on google book search. Do they actually have somebody scan in all those drawings? I'm sorry, for whoever had to do that. That must have been a pain. I could have sent you jpegs.

Other than that, I'm just drawing the Unsinkable Walker Bean. It's going well, and has a new publisher. I'm now proudly working with Mark Seigel at First Second. So far it's a match made in heaven. I'm very excited to have this project back on the font burner.

More Soon.

Midwest on my mind

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST

Hello. I know. I know. I never update my site, and I never blog. I
really wanted to write this entry earlier, but the picture I wanted to
include was lost in the mail until a few days ago. So... here we go...

I traveled back to Wisconsin for Christmas and was able to see a lot of
really great people. I mostly hung out in Green Bay with my family.
Making pies, watching football (we'll get more into that in a bit!) and
drawing comics in my mother's craft room. So much snow (The view above is from my bedroom window in Green Bay)

I took the train down to Chicago to visit my friends Ezra and Laura. I've spent a lot of time there before, but this time was really different. I've lived in climates for the last 8 years that really don't lend themselves well to sticking snow, and Chicago made me feel really good. We walked everywhere, drank, did last minute Christmas shopping, and drew a whole lot. I posted two drawings I did with Laura in my sketchbook section.

She's really amazing. I was able to look through her mountains of work, and I really don't think anyone knows what is coming with Ms. Park. I declare her the CLOVERFIELD of comics. In so many ways. I can't wait to draw with her again.

I was back in Brooklyn for New Years, and spent it with some very good friends. It was a lot of fun. And speaking of really good friends, one of my best friends, Lauren was recently named a "Young Person Who Rocks" by CNN. She's doing really great work in Bed-Stuy, and is one of the most active and caring people I know. The woman interviewing her is annoying and close minded, but if you can get past that, it's pretty awesome. You can see that here. Congratulations to her.

Like I said earlier, I watched a lot of football in Wisconsin, and.. I've been watching a lot since I've been back. I will not bore you with the details... but the Packer vs. Seahawks game was beautiful. The first two minutes? A nightmare. But then the snow came down and running back Ryan Grant rose from the grave and it was AWESOME. If you care to see what I'm talking about go here. And also a little thank you to the New York Giants. I feel bad we are going to have to wipe your faces in the frozen tundra. Sincerely.

I think there was a bunch more that I wanted to talk about, but hopefully that'll give me an excuse to update sooner. Who knows? Me? Of course not! I hope everybody is have really amazing 2008!

My many faces

Mon, 5 Nov 2007 00:00:00 PST

Hello, Sorry for my writing drought. I'm currently trying to finish the
second book for Gerald Morris' Knights' Tales Series, and a picture
find for National Geographic Kids. Both are going pretty well I think,
I feel like I'm getting better at drawing. I wish I could say the same
for my big project Walker Bean. I've been having some problems outside
of myself on the project, that I can't discuss... but at this rate my
book isn't going to come out at least until 2009. I wish when it came
out the work we be an obviously huge undertaking, but I think it'll be
about the same size as Spiral Bound. We'll see.

On a happier note Halloween was really a fun week. I went to a party at Jason Little & Myla Goldberg's in Brooklyn. I attended with my homemade Snipper Sniper costume, from one of my favorite comics of all time, Mourning Star by Kazimir Strzepek.

I had to explain myself to many people who I was, but I think I peaked
some interest. I also feel like I possibly helped start a cartoonist
trend... dressing up as each other's characters. One of my favorite
people and favorite artists, Laura Park, decided to dress as the sandwich portrait on the second page of my book Spiral-Bound.

Obviously, I was really really flattered.

I also want to show everybody Craig's Pee Wee Herman costume, and the two Pee Wees he was hanging out with... here. If I was in Portland I would have tried tagging along as Amazing Larry.

Let's see... what else? Well, I couldn't possibly not mention the
Green Bay Packers. 7-1? I know. I know. Pretty amazing. Crazy amazing.
My old school friend Pat Somerville, has an amazing Packer blog called the Fontenot...
it's actually a great read. I know some of you think I'm kidding
around, but Patrick is a great writer, really funny and interesting
stuff.

Which brings us to a Packer related Youtube video recently uploaded by my cousin Michael. Which you can watchhere.
I really encourage you to watch it all the way through. I believe it's
from 1990. In the video one of my favorite athletes of all time, Chuck
Cecil, picks my drawing I sent in depicting quarterback Don Majkowski
getting sacked, and horribly injured by Freddie Joe Nunn. My cousin
Michael suggested as a joke that I should draw it and send it in. I was
shocked to learn I was going to appear on the show for drawing
something so mean. And if that is not enough, I decided to wear a rival
team jersey onstage. I was 12 I think. If you listen to Don talk to us,
you can hear in his mumbling that he's not into our sense of humor.
Anyway, I personally think its hilarious. Also, check out my pants!
Check out Michael's Zubas! Check out the hairdos in the crowd! Really,
every second is priceless. PRICELESS.

I'm going to close this with a quick mention of a mini comic I did for
SPX in Baltimore. I didn't make many but you can see it on my secret
Flickr account. You can get to it by secret icon that appears at the
bottom of the screen on my website. It's not always there, so click
around and look for it. When, and if you find the comic, understand
it's really just for adults. Swearing, nudity, and absurdity ensues.

Thanks for putting up with my lack of blogging. I always say I'm going
to try doing it more, but, I am a liar. I hope everyone has a fantastic
November.

Witches, Spiders, and 422!

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:00:00 PST

Hello my RSS feeding crickets,

Sorry for the drought, but I haven't had too much news. I did want to
say that three of my drawings are in the new October Nickelodeon
Magazine. I have them all in the gallery section, but now you can also
see them in the magazine isle at the grocery store. I share a page with
the very talented Bob Flynn.

I've been having some problems with my book The Unsinkable Walker Bean
for the last couple months, someday I will share my woes to those who
want to listen. But... I'm excited to get back on that project really
soon... since I don't really see it as a project, and more a huge piece
of who I am. Wow. That sounds dark and cryptic... if you want to hear
something really messed up, read further...

So, my good friend Craig Thompson
stopped by a few nights ago on his way to Europe, and he was telling me
about how he's been trying to cure his hurting drawing hand. The
answer? Black widow venom, crushed praying mantis, and scorpion poison.
It's true. I'm not going to go further into it, because I told Craig I
wanted to tell people, and hope that the tales would grow themselves...
like those of John Henry and Paul Bunyan.

I did also see the first three basically finished chapters of his new book Habibi,
and without hesitation and with complete honesty, I have got to say it
might be the most beautifully drawn book I've ever seen. Page after
page. I shook my head in disbelief and was grinning ear to ear. I
can't wait for the whole world to see it.

Let's see... what else... Oh, I know! The Packers!
As my bio page says, I grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin. And I've always
been a huge Packer fan. Today I had the pleasure of watching them
defeat the Minnesota Vikings at my midwest-home-away-from-home, Kettle of Fish.
I've been there for the last 4 Sundays watching the Packers go
undefeated 4-0. And... watching Brett Favre surpass Dan Marino's
Touchdown passing record of 420. Today Brett Favre topped it off with
an amazing 422. It was so fantastic. I look forward to watching the
rest of the season there, and I have really high hopes. It's going to
be an exciting season.

Thanks for putting up with my sporadic writing, and I will hopefully have some interesting news for you soon.

THINGS TO DO TODAY

Sat, 1 Sep 2007 00:00:00 PST

Hey Crickets,

Today is my birthday, and I've recieved some cards in the mail from family and friends... but the really telling card was from my Grandma Renier. In the card there was a self addressed stamped envelope and a piece of paper (shown below) that she even started for me.

The frustrating thing about this letter is not only did she date it three days in the past, but that she has done this before... and I never filled it out and sent it to her. Maybe there are others out there, that feel I'm horrible at getting back to them. I'm sure there are, but my Grandma who is lively, sarcastic, and self reliant at the age of 90 should at least not need to beg me to write her. So, today I accepted the guilt trip and wrote her back.

In other news my book has been on the back burner for way too long, and just keeps meeting more and more hurdles that have nothing to do with the story. I want to eventually become a full time cartoonist... and I'm so close it hurts. I hope people will find the books I'm illustrating in the mean time, and I hope everyone will accept my appologies for the great distance between my first and second book. Hopefully after the printing of the first UnsinkableWalker Bean, I will come out with books more frequently.

The summer has been really nice in New York, really mild. I'm not in denial that the warmest winter and the coldest summer during my life were this year, all I'm saying is, I'm appreciating what I get, when I get it. While it lasts. Wow. Can I bring the mood down any lower?

How about, if you've read this TODAY, and you live in NY, you should come and sing and dance with my friends and I at 2nd on 2nd Karaoke Bar. We'll be there after 9 and there will be (hopefully) a lot of really nice people there. Maybe I'll see you. I'm the really old one singing Sinatra and coughing a lot.

Thanks for reading.

Robot Dreams

Wed, 8 Aug 2007 00:00:00 PST

I just finished reading Sara Varon's Robot Dreams and I just want to tell people how much I like it. The story is so simply complex... so beautiful, both in it's message, and in it's drawings and colors. I don't want to give anything away... but if you are one who has traveled and met, loved and lost, it's a very romantic and warming story.

Also during her signing she gave cookies of the main characters away. Mine broke a bit.. and I just didn't know what to do, but eat them. So I scanned them first. Sara is fantastic cartoonist and a very talented baker.

Sir Lancelot from sketch to final

Fri, 3 Aug 2007 00:00:00 PST

Just a quick post to all you crickets out there. I thought some people might find it interesting to see the evolution of an idea... albeit a very simple idea. This is the first cover idea I quickly jotted out in my sketchbook. I wanted to show how for no reason other than it was Sir Lancelot, did he have the recreant knights on the run. Then when I realized the image was boring... but on the right track, I thought it would be cool if he was careening over the knights' sheilds... that the would be so afraid of him that they became a small hill for him to conquer. So I scribbled this. After I got it approved by the art director, I basically coppied it verbatim here. The final image was drawn on bristol inked by the brush pen I raved about in the last post. I hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Sketchbookin'

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:00:00 PST

I decided in order to update my website more... just to get SOMETHING new up more often, I would start putting my sketchbook up... just random drawings from here and there. Partly, I think the importance in showing my sketchbook is that a lot of the time my pages are really rough, and really sloppy, and just not worthy of showing people... so... that's exactly why I should show them. All the drawings in my "illustrations" and "comics" are so labored... penciled and then inked and then erased, then colored on the computer.
One of the most important things to me is my sketchbook, and the mistakes I make inside of it. Getting used to mistakes, liking my mistakes. I'm not sure if that makes sense.
I've been really into my pentel pocket brush pen lately... if you like to draw you'd be wise to get one. You can buy them here. They are sort of expensive... but you can refill them with your own ink... and they really last forever. The one I use the most, I've been using for about a year... and it is awesome. I'm just starting to use them on my final pages for Walker Bean (my new graphic novel). I also really like the pentel water brush. I use it with my water color compact and I have a little portable art studio on the go. All three tools and a good pad of paper is all you need to make the world your studio.
I guess what I'm saying is, if there is anybody out there who likes to draw and wants to try something new, I say put away your pencils, and just use ink... go permanent with your sketchbook, don't second guess your sketches. These tools will give you really pleasurable doodles and mistakes.