tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-181821172012-01-29T17:43:07.211-05:00“I’ve just discovered Chris Browne’s new blog. It’s crammed with good stuff—stories of his life, terrific paintings of commonplace objects and new cartoons. It shows other sides of Chris than his Hagar the Horrible work.”—senior editor, Sarasota Magazine, Robert Plunket.Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.comBlogger2041100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-76819766981392008092009-01-17T02:18:00.164-05:002012-01-15T20:35:37.147-05:00

Here are my sketches and notes for my graphic novel work-in-progress. It's a large story about the entire cold war between the US, USSR and China. It's also a small story about three friends whose little, nuanced relationships end up effecting us all, both for good and for ill. Augustus Merwin was a strategy and probability consultant to the Pentagon and a special adviser and friend to

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-9407936141549943842009-01-09T23:22:00.006-05:002009-01-10T20:24:08.168-05:00

This is the alien case the little gray guys left behind. The case was found by a young boy named Newton who discovered that it contained the Who Ray, a non lethal device that changes people into other people; a pen that sends you somewhere else when you click it; glasses that show you who people really are; a ring that slows time down to a crawl and a push to talk phone that lets you talk to

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-58397043275712435722009-01-09T02:28:00.002-05:002009-01-09T02:31:17.745-05:00

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-65123475072788083492009-01-06T00:14:00.002-05:002009-01-06T00:22:49.329-05:00

I saw this at the antique fair, this sweet little dog waiting patiently for his owner. It really got me. Dogs are so good! I painted this as best I could, from memory. An exercise for "the little gray cells".

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-65354767798400867522009-01-01T12:59:00.001-05:002009-01-01T13:02:11.686-05:00

Her name is Cera, but her friends call her Topsy. My first painting on the new year!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-62661751426487120152008-12-29T23:30:00.000-05:002008-12-29T23:32:04.090-05:00

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-82491478204878462222008-12-28T21:19:00.003-05:002008-12-29T00:06:23.571-05:00

My daughter, in London, with vegan leftovers and pink hair.I saw the rough coated bunny today, eating apples I'd left out for him. I just love these rabbits. God bless and protect these dear creatures through the winter.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-66888755550446948342008-12-26T23:11:00.005-05:002008-12-26T23:33:20.564-05:00

This is Carroll sitting in the World Food Cafe, a vegetarian restaurant in funky Neal's Yard court in the Seven Dials section of London. My daughter and I loved the food, my mother-in-law hated it, but it was a beautiful, fun day and one of the high points of the trip. I love how Carroll looked in her blue knit cap, sort of a latter-day Agatha Christie.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-252608212397797492008-12-18T20:45:00.004-05:002008-12-18T21:03:50.592-05:00

My latest cookie painting is of the wonderful chocolate chip cookie from the magical Queen City Bakery on North Weber Avenue. Just the thing to have in when the snow blows and the hot cocoa flows!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-23520666643994960712008-12-17T22:38:00.001-05:002008-12-17T22:38:02.559-05:00

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-39766749187284363232008-12-15T13:18:00.003-05:002008-12-15T13:23:56.402-05:00

Thirty below with the wind chill. BRRRR! We had to cancel two doctor appointments today. But oddly it is beautiful out and we really got off easy- just miles North and West a huge blizzard hit. Time to make the cocoa!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-82822882718643833752008-12-09T03:22:00.004-05:002008-12-09T03:25:59.043-05:00

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-81804553366147855682008-12-08T03:08:00.000-05:002008-12-08T03:10:37.687-05:00

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-5743314866460789532008-12-04T03:29:00.003-05:002008-12-04T03:32:54.693-05:00

More magic from the wonderful Queen City Bakery in downtown Sioux Falls!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-62839061342729258782008-12-01T00:27:00.013-05:002008-12-04T02:16:09.436-05:00

Here is the latest in a long and noble line of monkey dolls I've owned. My Chihuahuas think this is their doll, but they are sadly mistaken. Dogs should NOT get people dolls because they often contain non-dog-friendly substances. And besides, THIS IS MY MONKEY!!When I was a child I had a monkey doll named Pheobe Beegeebee. Loved her! When I was about eight I was bitten by a pet monkey tied

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-54774656825871532452008-11-29T01:19:00.003-05:002008-12-04T01:08:00.205-05:00

These biscottis are so good I couldn't just eat 'em, I had to paint one! We got them at the amazing Queen City Bakery near the train tracks in Sioux Falls.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-50122652203380262152008-11-27T12:51:00.009-05:002008-11-28T00:05:18.477-05:00

This is a street person and his beloved dog. I met them in Piccadilly in London this October. They were huddled in this doorway against the wind and cold. You could see the love between these two. "Dogs are a blessing, aren't they?" I asked. He replied simply, "He's my whole family." I think he called the dog 'Captain'. I'm really not sure. It was cold here in Sioux Falls this morning

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-65862624786625166342008-11-26T04:08:00.004-05:002008-11-26T04:15:25.886-05:00

Recent works, some silly, but all helped me in in some way.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-44097485932141138062008-11-21T00:05:00.004-05:002008-11-24T01:45:45.661-05:00

You know I've never seen a book on cartooning go into the importance of erasing and it occurs to me that it's a big part of how a lot of cartoonists work. A lot of cartooning is course correction. You get the basic shape and the dialogue balloons in the right place, but then you brush it down with a kneaded eraser or an eraser bag and redraw, correcting as you go. I know it's just a little

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-60676496237014502732008-11-17T23:20:00.003-05:002008-11-18T01:18:17.728-05:00

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-37508136915531090422008-11-17T00:24:00.003-05:002008-11-17T00:27:23.967-05:00

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-68280229470515247812008-11-16T01:01:00.002-05:002008-11-16T01:06:07.969-05:00

Feeling a little better today. Drew some, painted this, watched TV, took meds. Haven't quite got my land legs back yet.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-24384916424820481362008-11-02T01:03:00.005-04:002008-11-02T11:40:58.138-05:00

I have not been well lately and this is the first painting I've done since my return for London. Can you tell, even the critter in the painting doesn't feel well? By the way, what is he? Bear or mouse? Mousebear? Bearmouse? The full painting appears on my Sketchbook blog.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-18866887279587227222008-10-25T10:18:00.011-04:002008-10-25T10:57:10.933-04:00

Halloween is my favorite holiday, probably because it's all heart. It's the most creative one and it really is all for kids.I loved making costumes, masks, cardboard robot suits. My father taught me how to make a papier-mâché mask one year. I made Quasimoto, the Hunchbach, with the droopy eye and discolored purplish skin tones. We sat on the flagstone patio outside the family room on

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-28807244813545420672008-10-24T01:57:00.001-04:002008-10-24T01:57:55.920-04:00

Thank God for second chances.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-53084500422534448092008-10-17T22:16:00.002-04:002008-10-17T22:23:53.846-04:00

My beloved, life-long friend Barbara Moore sent me this postcard- Landscape with Rabbits by Vincent Van Gogh! I love it! I have just returned from a long trip, hence my long silence here on the blogs. But I am back and read to rumba! I will be posting an update on our vacation on my other blog, The History Lesson, shortly.Good to be back!Chris

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-86126739327923493962008-09-28T15:13:00.004-04:002008-09-28T16:11:58.152-04:00

I paint so many cookies, today I decided to design one! When I have time I may actually make a cookie mold and make a bunch. The Nemo, named for my favorite anti-hero, would be a toasted vanilla bean cookie with a raspberry creme filling. It would contain no nuts or dairy of any kind. Half the thickness of an Oreo, with a crisp baked cookie (tapered like the new iPod!) It would also be

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-37496614978203503882008-09-23T18:29:00.001-04:002008-09-23T18:30:52.662-04:00

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-83392134084803731772008-09-23T01:40:00.001-04:002008-09-23T01:40:46.490-04:00

This was a favorite of mine when I was a kid. Wish it were out on DVD! Before LOST, before The Prisoner, there were other mysterious islands run by diabolical evil geniuses. Hooray! Starring Robert Wagner, Jill St John and Peter Lawford. Be seeing you!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-47623779372770384462008-09-21T22:08:00.003-04:002008-09-22T00:28:07.103-04:00

(An Imaginary Man)

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-18644542170478686802008-09-20T14:06:00.004-04:002008-09-22T12:41:24.631-04:00

Here is a Dum-Dum lollipop that has been floating around in my bag since my last visit to the dentist.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-18259979737401367832008-09-17T16:06:00.006-04:002008-09-17T16:31:36.466-04:00

Another cookie painting! This one is another Chessman featuring a Rook. In the game, Rooks are strong but limited, useful but vulnerable. In other words, a tough cookie. But still, a cookie. I talked with a friend at my syndicate today and he raved about his Cintiq tablet. My brother and I have talked about getting them so I feel I am ready to take the plunge now. They really look cool and

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-8717138881183897522008-09-17T02:47:00.001-04:002008-09-17T02:47:03.280-04:00

This may be the best thing ever. I love this beyond words. Does that make me a bad person?

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-37768049553593920922008-09-13T12:34:00.002-04:002008-09-13T12:50:05.176-04:00

I found these sugar free Gummi's in the bottom of my bag. Too far gone to eat but never too far gone to paint!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-88535684213057403502008-09-11T11:00:00.002-04:002008-09-14T17:10:05.811-04:00

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-39712934822776601292008-09-03T02:15:00.001-04:002008-09-03T02:48:32.732-04:00

...and mine!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-11907046654576052312008-08-30T23:07:00.003-04:002008-08-30T23:11:25.264-04:00

We attended a cartoonist picnic gathering at a park right near our house today and it was GREAT! Very fun and talented people, great breezy weather and conversation and everyone put up with my silly and long stories of my misspent youth. And great homemade cookies! Yea! Thank you to all the Sioux Falls cartoonists, my new friends- you ROCK! Chris and Carroll

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-65732139075019955432008-08-28T01:45:00.006-04:002008-08-28T02:04:52.801-04:00

This is a very rough drawing of a tree. I LOVE trees. My ancestors were Celts and before that, Druids. Tree worshippers. They had the right idea. Trees are divine.This tree figures prominently in a book I'm laying out, about a little boy who gets stuck, up in a tree. In the finished artwork the tree won't be outlined in red. I promise!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-14998361263944423112008-08-25T18:18:00.003-04:002008-08-25T18:37:32.046-04:00

This is a Murray's Sugar Free Chocolate Chip Cookie. Not bad! But given my druthers, I'd opt for Pepperidge Farms version of the same thing.We had a nasty dog fight here today, a territory & food dispute between our 2 males (6 year old Scotty and 20+ year old Terrier mix!) It ended with the elder dog going to the animal hospital but amazingly he seems okay now. I am making huge progress on my

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-41690873469000236412008-08-21T03:40:00.005-04:002008-08-21T03:55:19.930-04:00

Here's another cookie painting. Nice to have a model who can sit still. Although cookies don't seem to stick around long after the session. I finally saw The Dark Knight tonight- what a wonderful movie! I love how it all suddenly pulls together at the end. Just lovely writing, directing, acting. Not for kids, though.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-71172773973839320662008-08-17T21:55:00.003-04:002008-08-17T22:05:52.034-04:00

If they had had modern anti-depression drugs back in 1890, Vincent Van Gogh would still be alive today.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-21723123471867690692008-08-15T03:19:00.006-04:002008-09-18T01:39:08.489-04:00

I love this song by great indie band The Age of Rockets. Great music to paint by!Ironically, I was once in love (from afar) with a waitress (and friend) from the Elephant and Castle restaurant; but I never told her. Darn!"Take every opportunity, because one day they just stop coming along!" ... John Irving, The Hotel New Hampshire.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-40817630249922925592008-08-12T12:58:00.002-04:002008-08-13T02:26:47.898-04:00

Had a great day. Friend Ken and I hung out at Kaladis and then went to Rainbow Sports Carts, a comic book shop in town. It was fun! Got my comic book fix!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-64962704225073222972008-08-11T10:33:00.003-04:002008-08-12T02:23:23.289-04:00

This was fun to paint and took less than an hour as opposed to my Black Book painting that took a week.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-18297817402342488962008-08-09T03:49:00.009-04:002008-08-16T03:09:02.297-04:00

George and Ira Gershwin were working on the film The Goldwyn Follies when George suddenly died of a brain tumor. The last thing George wrote was the melody of this song, which Ira completed after his passing. Few people realize it's really about Ira's love for his brother and a bond that survives all challenges; even death. The more I read the papers The less I comprehend The world and all

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-86356877740723264072008-08-06T13:10:00.004-04:002008-08-06T13:26:09.054-04:00

Here are more paintings of cookies. A Milano and a Chessmen Rook. Yea, Pepperidge Farms! I used to live in Wilton, Connecticut, not far from where these are made and they really are wonderful. And fun to paint. My blood sugar this morning was 122. Ha! It's raining on Bunny Hill, but lots of birds outside, beautiful cardinals, robins and crows. They are loving the newly mown short wet

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-47543301693339947392008-08-02T12:03:00.004-04:002008-08-02T12:14:53.443-04:00

Part of a work in progress. It's fun to get to use my watercolors on Hagar. Wouldn't I love to do a graphic novel about Hagar! The comic strip format doesn't give you the chance to develop character or story arcs. And I'd love to do 2 page spread battle scenes! Wouldn't that be fun? I actually have an outline for a sort of 7th Voyage of Sinbad graphic narrative. Maybe someday!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-8978281862085025182008-07-26T20:00:00.000-04:002008-07-26T20:01:42.176-04:00

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-80481502617784217002008-07-15T18:42:00.001-04:002008-07-15T18:45:34.179-04:00

Women, be wise: they're not all princes. Many are just toads; some are worse!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-74519308704606253952008-07-15T02:40:00.003-04:002008-07-15T02:54:42.987-04:00

Why indeed can't we all just get along?

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-25437844828255814532008-07-11T02:05:00.012-04:002008-07-23T03:24:35.532-04:00

Carroll and I just came back from an amazing road trip that would've made a fabulous movie, sort of a sequel to The Big Chill. Here's the pitch: The Bigger ChillAn extended Baby Boomer and Gen X family and friends gather in a lodge near Mt. Rushmore to relax and regroup for the last 4th of July before the elections. Humor, angst and reflections on the meaning of independence (an co-dependence)

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-17762975122378564492008-06-23T05:04:00.003-04:002008-06-23T05:07:57.107-04:00

Here's a screen shot from tonights Twilight Zone episode, The Parallel. Isn't that Mr. Gray in the background? What an intergalactic ham!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-84760041573649953552008-06-21T10:19:00.005-04:002008-06-22T01:46:06.295-04:00

Great news! I've seen 2 bunnies on the hill. One large male and 1 medium probable female. It bodes well!Okay, this is not the real Dove of Peace, it's a Dove Bar. But it'll have to do for now.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-299950282377182992008-06-18T12:00:00.003-04:002008-06-18T12:18:57.894-04:00

I haven't seen the bunnies in about a week and now I am worried about them. If I'd just see one I could feel that the other's are safe somewhere, but not seeing any of the four of them for so long is ominous. What could have happened to them? Cottontails have about a one acre range so where are they? I'm especially concerned about the baby bunny we saw last week.I'll post more about this,

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-42128076189298783532008-06-15T02:33:00.005-04:002008-07-13T23:58:46.659-04:00

Out of life's school of war: What does not destroy me, makes me stronger.Friedrich Nietzsche, The Twilight of the Idols (1899)German philosopher (1844 - 1900)I feel the same way about cookies.Top to bottom: Sugar-free shortbread; Oreo; Archway Windmill.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-35105327711592205362008-06-14T01:33:00.006-04:002008-06-14T01:40:03.686-04:00

Detail of my new painting, Veg Out!"Could this be the un-met friend?" ...from The Year of Living Dangerously.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-52735223813742725662008-06-09T13:07:00.008-04:002008-06-09T13:17:02.912-04:00

Inspired by wonderful Indie band The Age of Rockets, now touring America with MC Chris Is Dead (not me, another Dead Chris). Click the title above to go to their MySpace page. MySpace and The Age of Rockets? Sounds like a movie!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-34316040147269448682008-06-08T03:00:00.003-04:002008-06-08T03:04:30.369-04:00

For my beloved friend Swan and her beloved daughter, Rose. Two amazing women in a long line of amazing women, continuing to illuminate, educate and improve the world with every breath they take.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-28026598254256410772008-05-21T15:07:00.003-04:002008-05-21T15:21:41.762-04:00

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-70804302357118397972008-05-15T03:31:00.003-04:002008-05-15T03:32:30.054-04:00

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-39011265406301751882008-05-03T02:49:00.012-04:002008-05-03T03:27:30.455-04:00

I added a little more color, shadow and depth. I also added a black mask to this and posted that version to my sketchbook blog. I love painting these little cozy womb-like environs. Children's books have many safe little realms like this: Peter Pan's hollow tree, Narnia's coat filled wardrobe, James' giant peach. We are creatures of comfort. We need cozy! And ice cream!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-7610543481871926052008-05-01T14:43:00.008-04:002008-05-01T17:15:47.575-04:00

This is as far as I got today... some watercolor, some color pencil. Hmm. A skull and a crystal ball? What are these foxes up to? What is the little book the little fox is reading? Homework? A play by Lillian Hellman, perhaps? Maybe it's an underground comic (they are underground, after all!)And what is down those stairs behind that secret panel? I hope you're liking seeing this picture

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-34105481806902144662008-04-29T16:46:00.006-04:002008-05-01T16:48:53.797-04:00

First pencil! Click for larger view. Who are these foxes, anyway? More soon... Chris

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-64099502587787658322008-04-28T13:31:00.005-04:002008-05-01T16:47:21.356-04:00

I had such a good time painting "Down In The Hole"- and got such nice letters and feedback from y'all, that I am doing a sequel painting, "In The Secret Library". Here is the first sketch, scrawled on the endpaper of a Sudoku book... I will post more as it develops. Thanks! Chris

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-47497148825807732682008-04-25T16:22:00.005-04:002008-04-27T00:52:39.204-04:00

Darker, moodier, spookier, as promised! "All colors are the friends of their neighbors and the lovers of their opposites." Marc Chagall

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-34762431674752009372008-04-24T21:13:00.008-04:002008-04-25T23:40:04.448-04:00

My favorite hat, from Hanna Hats of Donegal, IrelandNo two are alike, just like people and isn't that the way it should be? Carroll gave this to me and not since Linus loved his blanket has a person loved a clot of cloth like I love this hat.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-24823269010237194912008-04-23T01:47:00.005-04:002008-04-23T01:57:12.008-04:00

This is far, far, far from done. It's going to get real dark, moody and spooky. It started out to be a mole but now he's looking more like a badger. Inspired by the great James Taylor's song "Down in the hole"

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-7294755277304801662008-04-20T23:47:00.004-04:002008-04-20T23:54:45.301-04:00

This was my first published drawing. I was 11. I sat in the woods at Camp Hazen and drew this chapel in pen and ink. It always bothered me that the rock at the foot of the tree looks like a cabbage. Somehow this drawing ended up being used on the camps brochures and Christmas cards. My folks were so proud. It's not a very good drawing, but it's a very good memory for me.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-79489480815223347302008-04-17T00:14:00.013-04:002008-04-17T11:11:04.482-04:00

This poor, dear little bird flew into our window today. He lived only a short time...I called my vet, then the Humane Society, then Animal Control looking for someone who could help him. Although to late for this little creature I did speak to a good soul at the Great Plains Zoo who told me that Dr. Dayton Williams here in town will care for a wounded bird. Good to know! "Poor wand'ring one!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-22278019774785790382008-04-14T12:40:00.004-04:002008-04-14T12:42:30.450-04:00

Paikea, my best friend and confidant.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-4979689078684064652008-04-13T16:05:00.005-04:002008-04-13T16:13:36.705-04:00

I found this rock in the yard today with a thin organic looking strip running through it. The stone was cracked from the freezing weather and the stripe extended an eighth of an inch under the surface in a "u" shape. What do you think? Worm? Plant? Twizzler from the Pleistocene? Click image to enlarge!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-81385061062001678912008-04-13T14:11:00.004-04:002008-04-13T14:17:38.066-04:00

Mary is a thoughtful, empathetic little girl in a Christmas story I'm writing. The title of this work is top secret!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-84630108104996850512008-04-13T00:22:00.004-04:002008-04-13T00:29:01.219-04:00

Last week we had visitors and we took them to the Sertoma Butterfly House here in town. Beautiful! What an amazing place! These beautiful Jungle Blue Morphos and Yellow Swallowtails, etc. live only days or weeks at most but they are amazing, transcendental living poems. They remind us that life is brief and precious and occasionally beautiful.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-24381150315899273202008-04-08T13:47:00.005-04:002008-04-11T02:04:50.551-04:00

"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."T.S. Eliot

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-35893076137632414112008-04-05T01:05:00.008-04:002008-04-05T23:54:01.185-04:00

Today I got the nicest note back from a person at the Moleskine company in Milan, Italy today. And good news! They are not made of real moleskins! Or any other leather! Yea!To celebrate, I ran out to Barnes & Noble and bought a large plain notebook Moleskine pad and drew the above drawing/painting in it. What can I say? I dig moles!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-81612685552098719002008-03-31T01:20:00.004-04:002008-03-31T01:24:52.816-04:00

Rough for a magazine cartoon, sketched on a Sudoku puzzle.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-4119238949475004082008-03-27T11:48:00.008-04:002008-03-27T12:28:32.407-04:00

It's snowing again! Very beautiful, but enough already! Ambient or trance music is the best music for snowfalls, by the way. Terry Riley's A Rainbow in Curved Air or Frpp and Eno's Evening Star. Man does not live by Flaming Lips alone.The sun is shining and yet the snow is hammering down. Last night we had thundersnow. Thundersnow?! I didn't know that existed! Sounds like something

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-43679093196196895632008-03-27T03:14:00.005-04:002008-03-27T03:24:06.331-04:00

I just loved this moment. The snow has receded and Duncan was on Bunny Hill when he ran into an old friend he hadn't seen since Thanksgiving- his old blue rubber ball. He kissed it hello and then pressed his head against it and gave in a little roll. "It's very clear... our love is here to stay."

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-3988909758517999602008-03-23T00:49:00.004-04:002008-03-23T00:57:21.387-04:00

This is a possible children's book character I've had bouncing around in my head for a while: a sophisticated pachyderm, raised by a wealthy matron as her adopted child.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-77780380919740004462008-03-21T13:51:00.007-04:002008-03-21T14:20:51.326-04:00

St. Patrick used a shamrock to teach about the Trinity: "three divine persons in the one God". I love that! These shamrocks were given to us by a dear woman we met named Teressa. They have thrived beyond our wildest hopes and might be transplanted into my window box after the thaw. They also proved to be a patient model. How shines a good deed in a weary world!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-7022240623524941682008-03-18T04:05:00.005-04:002008-03-18T04:16:49.288-04:00

We thought we were done with the snow but early this St. Patrick's Day morning we got snowed in! By nightfall this mist crept in turning Bunny Hill into a scene from "House of Bunnystein". But spring is around the corner, you can feel it in the air. Here comes the sun!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-21070000079373728002008-03-17T01:08:00.001-04:002008-03-17T01:08:19.349-04:00

Happy Saint Patrick's Day, you! Love, Chris

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-49975521831856981262008-03-14T23:07:00.004-04:002008-03-14T23:21:59.303-04:00

These little red Cardinals kept me (arguably) sane this first winter in South Dakota, so I have put one of 'em in a suit and tie and made him the executive v.p. of inner peace for Bunny Hill studio.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-27509613785088546972008-03-11T15:31:00.005-04:002008-03-11T15:33:28.477-04:00

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-86122456741540331392008-02-25T13:54:00.009-05:002008-02-25T14:56:57.614-05:00

Antique bunny sign above the studio door...My light table desk with Mr. Natural lamp......and my FAO Schwarz bunny guards the Fax/copier. I'm making progress in my Bunny Hill Studio!With cardinals and chickadees at the window, squirrels and rabbits on the hill and dogs at my feet, this is the best studio I've ever worked in! Yahoo!It's 26º out but toasty inside. Just 4 days till LOST! CB

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-56438781683297414762008-02-23T22:45:00.005-05:002008-02-23T23:06:37.772-05:00

Just discovered in the garage, my old mailbox from my first house in Florida. I had a white cat name T-Bird, I lived next to a filmmaker and across the street from a senator, I was dating the love of my life, my future wife and I was pretty happy with the way things were. My wild days were over (although I didn't know that then) but I was still enough of a hippie to paint my mailbox. The

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-78476856943793271482008-02-14T23:17:00.004-05:002008-02-14T23:25:15.906-05:00

I loved you once, nor can this heart be quiet;For it would seem that love still lingers there;But do not you be further troubled by it;I would in no wise hurt you, oh, my dear.I loved you without hope, a mute offender;What jealous pangs, what shy despairs I knew!A love as deep as this, as true, as tender,God grant another may yet offer you. ...Alexander Pushkin

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-39356725115099435892008-02-13T23:08:00.004-05:002008-02-13T23:58:49.467-05:00

Here are the most recent visitors to Bunny Hill: a pair of cardinals and Rocky J. Squirrel. The office is in great disarray due to major revamping of everything (listen to my podcast, LIVE FROM BUNNY HILL- episode 2 for more about the big mess!)But the studio is just about up and running now. The phones, FAX, scanner, web cam and computer all work, I have flat files for my Strathmore paper

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-62552935716460856912008-02-03T20:41:00.000-05:002008-02-03T20:44:23.496-05:00

This little magician will figure in one of my future projects. More of him later...

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-90988615517069089462008-02-02T15:50:00.001-05:002008-02-02T15:57:52.232-05:00

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-20991261094027604982008-02-02T14:40:00.000-05:002008-02-02T23:58:59.724-05:00

We found my helmet! Since we moved here, it's been an Easter Egg hunt looking for all our stuff in the hundreds of boxes that travelled west with us. Well, today Carroll found my helmet that I wear (occasionally) for public appearances. I am going to wear it when I speak at a school near here in March, but then I am going to not book any new appearances until after my birthday in the summer.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-56922000480450587842008-01-31T02:05:00.000-05:002008-01-31T02:09:16.618-05:00

Sunny, my amyrilis, is doing fine! But how much should I be watering her? Anyone know? I'm just guessing.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-88862429444634310232008-01-28T13:44:00.000-05:002008-01-28T23:22:55.400-05:00

My friend Ken Alvine, my wife Carroll and I were honored to have lunch with Sioux Falls Mayor David Munson this week. The Mayor is a great guy and we all had a great time at Minerva's Restaurant.We had nice weather the last couple of days so our icy hill and driveway have returned to normal, freeing us to escape from the house today.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-56947474801188841122008-01-21T02:22:00.000-05:002008-01-21T02:26:38.797-05:00

We had vegetarian chili tonight. Carroll made the chili beans and I cut up the peppers and onions, etc. stopping occasionally to snap photos for future watercolor paintings. What is prettier than peppers?

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-31843184846683014872008-01-15T23:10:00.000-05:002008-01-15T23:19:36.964-05:00

I just discovered something called Photobooth on my new Mac Leopard system that resulted in this psychedelic shot. Do I look like an aging hippie? Well, aging ex-hippie. Nothing new to report, just worked like a dog all day (while the dogs slept like a cartoonist, so that's fair). Looking forward to Cloverfield! But it'll probably be next week or beyond before I can break free to see it.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-19597473534512848152008-01-08T01:08:00.001-05:002008-01-08T01:19:19.827-05:00

I've planted an amyrilis and named her Sunny. Every day I mist her and turn her so that she will grow straight and tall. She is not as playful as my dogs, but on the other hand, she does not bark. Caring for a plant is calming and centering. It appeals to the zen side of my brain and probably to my inner Druid (my ancestors worshipped trees, you know). Well, it's been a long day, full of

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-75693476436917867352007-12-18T00:18:00.001-05:002007-12-18T00:30:53.293-05:00

When Chance and I were little, living in South Orange, New Jersey, our parents had little more than their imaginations to make Christmas come alive for us. One Christmas we came outside to discover they had made a beautiful snow dragon on the front lawn and decorated it with food coloring. Only a couple of photos still exist of the snow dragon but it is a memory more precious than gold to me.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-57644515516243327502007-12-15T21:49:00.000-05:002007-12-15T22:09:23.002-05:00

Our plans for a great evening out were dashed. We've been looking forward to tonight for weeks... we really needed a relaxing night out, away from the constant unpacking, cleaning and trips to storage. But our plans fell apart like dominos when illness struck last night. In the words of Curly, "I'm a victim of circumstance!" Ah, well. Better days ahead.

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-1398010879361612592007-12-06T23:13:00.000-05:002007-12-06T23:19:52.912-05:00

I still haven't got my scanner working, but I snapped a photo of this painting I did a while back of an acorn I found in the driveway. Seeing this painting today made me miss my old house on Siesta key. But, I love our new place, too. The heart is a fickle thing!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18182117.post-12999435878339377342007-12-04T11:54:00.000-05:002007-12-04T11:58:42.745-05:00

Don't want to sound like those people who think they see deities in their pancakes, but this face appeared by my studio door. Ice is no friend of mine!

Chris Brownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02613406344473389343noreply@blogger.com0