This year wasn't terrible as I would have claimed a week ago. Shit, the last few months was quite the fuck-storm, but perspective certainly changes when a little relief comes knocking at your front door. The year was shitty, no doubt. Poverty showed it's ugly head, the job situation has been a kick in the balls for the longest time, I'm still fat, and I probably lost a friend or two over the Presidential election, of all things. It was an ugly year, but a year none the less.
It wasn't all bad. I loved hanging out with Denary (@darkprince55), be it the bar or long walks in the freezing cold, guided by her tricorder/cell phone (all my fault, really). I ended up being an independent contractor of sorts for Cryptozoic Entertainment. By far, it's the best card company to work for. I worked with Dan Schkade over at the Committee Building. Coming up with a story and characters with this guy was not only a highlight of the year, but a highlight of my career as an artist. Jenn Doudney is another collaborator I love working with and she was a big, positive part of my year as well. Afua Richardson aka Dr. Foo, Candy Mayhem, @jacksbrokenheart, Joe Wozniak, Feng Zhu, Guile Sharp, Melike Acar, and I'm definitely forgetting people...
Adding in those aspects, it was actually a good year. At the very least, I think those aspects/people healed what was turning out to be a broken year. As a matter of fact, 2013 is off to an excellent start. 2012 was rescued by good people.
That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
Happy New Year, folks.
-KG
Currently Ted (Unrated) By Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane, Joel McHale, Giovani Ribisi see related
Apocalyptic vampire movies are a dime a dozen, but this one stands out from the rest of the herd. It's also a nice reminder that I need get my cardio up. Seriously, if we're running from the undead, I definitely don't want to be the guy that slows them down for you. Anyhoo, if you want to see a well written and less cliché vamp movie, I recommend this diamond in the rough.
This one was better than I thought. I had my doubts, originally. Then again, I loved Cloverfield, so the whole POV style wasn't an issue. Chronicle happens to be a well told story---not your average "teen gets super powers" movie. Still, I can't help but think of it as "Diet Akira." At a certain point in the film, I wanted to shout "Tetsuooooooooo!!!!" Clearly, it was inspired by Akira, but that's certainly not a crime. That's like turning your nose up at the Matrix for being influenced by Ghost In the Shell. Of course, shouting "Tetsuooooooo" is just fun and if you feel the need to do that, by all means: Say it with your chest.
I'm just hoping Chronicle was the monkey-wrench that stopped the live action "Neo-Manhattan" Akira from seeing daylight. I'm assuming it's paused, at the least...
Be sure to take some time out of the day to appreciate the little things in life. Sometimes the small stuff really, really matters. Take heat, for example. Hot water for your shower and a thermostat to warm your rooms... Try going without it for a couple of weeks (or months) and you'll have a brand new appreciation for it.
Currently Chronicle By Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kelly, Ashley Hinshaw see related
Writing - Concerning #screenwriting, 2012 wasn't that bad. Quite productive, actually. The pilot and second episode are pretty much worked out for Night Terrors, but I'm probably going to need a reader or Script Doctor to sniff out the flaws (if any--hahaha!). The crappy thing about readers: they fucking cost money. I actually do have contacts in the movie industry (some lower than others) and I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider sending them an email. "Mind taking a gander at this, please." That could take time. Script Doctors are accessible, but they require some sort of transaction. My contacts, despite them being low on the totem pole, are practically free. Of course, the main thing I need to do before either option is to register the show to the WGA and do some sort of copyright dance. It's imperative that I cover my ass because, well... out there be monsters.
- Speaking of screenwriting, I want 2013 to be the "Year of the Manager." As stated in my Who Am I post, I'm looking for someone to be my Yoda in these tough times. I'm looking for a decent and realistic collaboration, which would probably be one of those boutique places, but I'm absolutely cool with that. Smaller agencies means they spend more time with the client.
Art Contest - I was going to go on a rant about my art, or lack thereof, but I realized I'd just be another guy on the web, bitching about his craft. Sure, bitching is certainly apart of the process, but if I were to put my frustrations about that shit to words, this post would go on forever (and ever). I'll spare you, young reader... for now.
In the meantime, a few noteworthy contest have sprung up and I aim to throw my name in the hat. There's one that involves Guillermo Del Toro, so you know I have to be in that one. There's also a Dark Stalkers character design contest, which I can probably squeeze in. I certainly like the "panel of judges" aspect rather than votes from the open public. Less dickery and all that. Seriously, the open public will break your fucking heart so fast. Hahaha...
The fact that Guillermo will be browsing the submissions as a judge makes me ten shades nervous, but that just lets me know I'm doing something right. Nervous means that there's something on the line, some sort of risk is taking place. Just like going out on a date, hoping you don't get stood up or say anything stupid. That's what I go through with these contest. I want to rock her socks for that second date.
- Mentioning the rocking of socks, Warren Ellis has a 3 Panel Comic submission on his site. No deadline for this sort of thing, but he picks his favorite one out of the wave of submissions. In my eyes, it's kind of like an ongoing contest. You can imagine that I would somersault at the idea of getting my work featured on his site. Nervousness tends to kick in because... how do I entertain the old man in 3 panels, let alone tell a story? It takes a special sumbitch to kick ass within 3 panels. That's the thing I'm concerned about... more than the art, but that's another battle right there. The best thing I can do is just throw it at him and hope he's too lazy to shoot me.
See? This blog is already filling up.
Outward - Recently, I realized I'm really a fuckin' social misfit. Maybe "misfit" isn't the best word to describe it. Awkward is more like it. Maybe even just plain "fucked up." I spent many a night thinking of all sorts of words to describe it and ultimately wondering what's up with me. Three in the morning, I finally came to the obvious conclusion: I'm a bloody hermit. I'm not used to being around people and making friends. Having a career as an artist and writer makes me a solitary fucker... and it's been like that for a while. I missed the memo on certain social norms and etiquette. I wasn't out there during my high school years and I definitely didn't go through the typical college lifestyle (Note: Art School is not the best place to make friends). On the other hand, I can write the shit out of things dealing with social situations and all the like. I find that weird... strange. Anyway, I'm wired to be alone, a problem I certainly want to fix. Another goal I can stack on the queue for 2013 is to get out more. Be more social.
I'm nervous.
Music - I'm really digging Adele right now. Maybe it's just me but, when I hear people raving about a particular song or artist, I tend to assume it's Pop music. Nothing wrong with Pop, but it's not my speed. So I skipped that Adele character, avoided her like the plague. The new James Bond theme comes out and much like Peter Parker's reaction when he discovers Mary Jane for the first time, I hit the fucking jack pot.
"I love this woman!" Kenny shouted as he broke Oprah's furniture.
I'm going to sketch today because, well... there isn't really much to do. Writing would be ideal, but my brain demands an activity that doesn't require much of it. Besides that, I don't produce work as frequently as my peers and idols.
Oh, there's a "Carbon Made" portfolio, which might be the 5th online gallery I have on the web. This is what happens when you don't have a proper web site. At the same time, it's better to have more than less. As an artist, the more people that view your work, the bigger the window of opportunity. Who knows? Maybe the right kind of person will browse through and swing a project my way. In the meantime, I need to fill it up with work that's recent. More importantly, I need to fill it up with portfolio level art.
My name is Kenny Gordon, but some folks know me around the web as “Kenesu,” which is simply Japanese for “Kenneth,” but Kenny will do just fine. I’m a freelance artist currently camped out in the city of Philadelphia and while our run-defense is horrible, I’d like to think that our M. Night Shyamalan movies make up for it…
Or maybe not.
Anyhoo, my artwork can range from sequential pages and character design to sketch cards, movie posters and tattoo design. Anything that involves pencil, paper, and Photoshop, I’m usually there with a fountain of ideas.
My current work is for an original comic book called Black Boot, co-created with Dan Schkade (The Private Files of the Fowl) and soon to arrive to the Committee Buildingwebsite. I’m also attached to a portion of a 2012 Anthology, written by Jennifer V Doudney (Womanthology: Heroic). That’s due to arrive by the tail-end of the year.
Currently, while happily juggling endeavors in print, I’m searching for an manager I can work with to help launch my career as a working screenwriter. You see, when I’m not over the drawing board, turning into a caffeine-addicted-cave-dwelling creature, I’m turning into something even worse, writing screenplays for film and television.
I have two feature length scripts and a third that’s moving it’s way into 1st draft territory. There’s also an hour long drama I’m developing, complete with a pilot script and series bible.
If you want to contact me about art or anything relating to business, be it commissions or ideas in general, my email is “kenesu84 at yahoo dot com.” Drop me a line. I tend to check it 3 or 4 times a day because I probably have OCD or something.
If you’re feeling social, you can find me on Twitter and I even have one of those Facebook pagesbecause its seems decent for building a fan base. It’s also a good excuse to post art more frequently and that’s something I promise to do really soon.
Hopefully, by Spring of 2013, my "dot com" site will have a better look and feel. I’m in the process of getting a web guy on it, so be sure to check back periodically for updates.
This one was better than I thought. I had my doubts, originally. Then again, I loved Cloverfield, so the whole POV style wasn't an issue. 
Writing - Concerning 
Art Contest - I was going to go on a rant about my art, or lack thereof, but I realized I'd just be another guy on the web, bitching about his craft. Sure, bitching is certainly apart of the process, but if I were to put my frustrations about that shit to words, this post would go on forever (and ever). I'll spare you, young reader... for now.
