2011 was one of the best years of my life. Often being an artist is a trudge where you slog through making things and punch your hand to make it stop hurting and pray that people won’t notice your self-plagiarism. But sometimes, so rarely, you’re a conduit. You work constantly, brutally, effortlessly. Inspiration comes. 2011 was like that.
Here’s what I did. It’s a bit.
* Me and John spent most of 2010 working on our rococo steampunk dream project, Puppet Makers ,for DC Comics. DC then folded the imprint, cancelled the series, and we thought it would never see the light of day. In early ’11 they dumped it, sans promo, on Comixology. You can get it here.
*Went to Angouleme, the giant French comics convention in a charming, medival town. The professionals hall is in a castle. Vowed never to go to another American comic con. Spent rest of year teaching self semi-fluent French
* kept obsessive sketchbooks drawing everyone I ever hung out with or drank with or admired from afar.
* Spoke at SXSW, The Brooklyn Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, on CNN Money and as a smart-mouth “expert” on Andy Warhol for the Biography Chanel.
* Was shortlisted for the Groucho Award in London alongside Idris Elba and Nick Davies.
* Had friend and muse Buck Angel present me with a Fleshbot Award for my achievements in depraved art
*Inspired by the Box London, started making giant pieces of art, including 5 huge panels for the PEN Literary Festival and a gigantic drawing for Stumptown
*Hosted a documentary about erotic comics for ARTE, the Franco-German TV channel, dubbed into French, against a green screen, in a Judy Jetson micro-mini
* Traveled to Paris (x3), London (x4), Chicago, Portland, Austin, LA
* Wrote Straw House with John Leavitt, our 200 page graphic novel for First Second Books. It’s due out 2013. 2012 is the year I do nothing but draw it
*overcame my hatred of likenesses by drawing sixty six friends and inspirations
*… and followed it up with sixty six historical reprobates
* Did Week in Hell, the project I am probably proudest of thus far. Raised 25k to draw 270 feet of art in 5 days, going nearly mad in the process. If you donated, thank you more than I can say.
* got a deal to publish three art books with IDW
*drew stuff I was proud of
* Occupy Wall Street happened outside my window and took over my art. I drew posters, made my loft into a press-room, sketched protesters, and even had my favorite journalist, Matt Taibbi, rock a shirt with my art
* drank whiskey with old friends, new friends, and people too awesome for me to deserve to know. Thanks John Leavitt, Sarah Jaffee, Warren Ellis, Clayton Cubitt, Laurie Penny, Jen Dziura, Kate Black, Melissa Dowell, Kim Boekbinder, Steve Prue, Quinn Norton and all the rest of yee for being in my life
* Canson made me a brand ambassador, which upped my art game by giving me all the really sweet supplies I couldn’t formerly afford
* I drew alot of shirts for Dirtee Hollywood, which Stoya looked extremely pretty in.
* Collaborated like mad with beloved Kim Boekbinder. She wrote a song for me. We’re almost done with a short film, animated by Jim Batt
* Am so fucking grateful to my assistant, creative coordinator, Dr. Sketchy’s manager, and whipmistress, Melissa Dowell. In real life, assistants build the galleons, and artists just draw their own faces on the flags. Not 1/10th of this list would have been done without Melissa. Melissa, thank you.
Have been spending the last few days drinking cocoa, sketching, plotting for 2012. What a fucking year its been. Thanks for being with me through it.
Gorgeous! THANK YOU for the gift of this year in review. My husband and I dwell in a cave north of the metropolis with our gifted n’ talented offspring, nurturing her artistic side. When MC has a new project to share, we drink it in and it emboldens us to go mad steeping soulfully in our own projects. You’re remarkable and it’s been amazeballz watching you flourish and spill your imagination across all different terrains. All the best in 2012, Molly!
Gorgeous! THANK YOU for the gift of this year in review. My husband and I dwell in a cave north of the metropolis with our gifted n’ talented offspring, nurturing her artistic side. When MC has a new project to share, we drink it in and it emboldens us to go mad steeping soulfully in our own projects. You’re remarkable and it’s been amazeballz watching you flourish and spill your imagination across all different terrains. All the best in 2012, Molly!
You are so fucking amazing. You deserve all the accolades that come your way, and so much more! Thank you for bringing so much energy, inspiration and passion into being.
You are so fucking amazing. You deserve all the accolades that come your way, and so much more! Thank you for bringing so much energy, inspiration and passion into being.
So much amazing art in one year. Can’t wait to see what 2012 will bring!
So much amazing art in one year. Can’t wait to see what 2012 will bring!
Yes, an exemplary year.
Yes, an exemplary year.
All of this is just so fantastic. I want to hold onto the feeling of drive, inspiration and productivity it’s giving me. It is time for me to knuckle down and achieve all I can. Brava Molly… what a fantastic year.
All of this is just so fantastic. I want to hold onto the feeling of drive, inspiration and productivity it’s giving me. It is time for me to knuckle down and achieve all I can. Brava Molly… what a fantastic year.
Pingback: Inspired not Idolising OR 2011 Sucked and I Miss You | Lady Grinning Soul
Pingback: Inspired not Idolising OR 2011 Sucked and I Miss You | Lady Grinning Soul
Thank you for inspiring me to the core. “But sometimes, so rarely, you’re a conduit. You work constantly, brutally, effortlessly.” – that’s my goal for 2012. You amaze me and I am so happy for your success. <3
Thank you for inspiring me to the core. “But sometimes, so rarely, you’re a conduit. You work constantly, brutally, effortlessly.” – that’s my goal for 2012. You amaze me and I am so happy for your success. <3
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Pingback: End of queer—er, year—post. | Overseas Experiments
Pingback: End of queer—er, year—post. | Overseas Experiments
I love your drawing of Salvador Dali! 😀 You are extremely talented! 🙂
I love your drawing of Salvador Dali! 😀 You are extremely talented! 🙂
Pingback: My truths of 2012 | jessicamullen.com
Pingback: My truths of 2012 | jessicamullen.com
Pingback: » 2011 – a year of many things Audrey Penven
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Pingback: Angeliska Gazette › An Epically Epic and Fairly Tardy Year in Review – or, HOLY SHIT: 2011!
Pingback: Angeliska Gazette › An Epically Epic and Fairly Tardy Year in Review – or, HOLY SHIT: 2011!