EXISTENTIAL PEANUTS

"Existential Peanuts" by Bob Rini


The Friends of the Nib and Fantagraphics are proud to present "Medieval Thinkers," an eye-popping exhibition of comix art at the Fantagraphics Bookstore--part of the holiday festivities celebrating its 4th year anniversary in Georgetown. Live music and art! Opening Saturday, December 11, 6:00 to 9:00PM.

This will be an amazing show and I'll be attending as a fan as well as a participant. If you're interested in seeing a showcase of some of the best comic artists out there--masters of the form as well as talented emerging artists--drop by and see original work by Peter Bagge, Bruce Bickford, D.J. Bryant, Chris Cilla, Max Clotfelter, Eleanor Davis, Kim Deitch, Heidi Estey, Kelly Froh, Justin Green, Gerland Jablonski, Megan Kelso, Jason T. Miles, Nate Neal, Bob Rini, Zak Sally, Dash Shaw, Matt Tamaru, Frew Weing, Jim Woodring, Mary Woodring, Max Woodring, Martine Workman and Chris Wright. Curated by Jason T. Miles and Max Clotfelter for Friends of the Nib. Yup, this will be a killer show.

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale Street, Seattle, WA 98108

LA HONDA MEXICANA

Here are a couple of pieces influenced by Mexican art. A a painting of a masked Mexican wrestler mariachi encircled by Day of the Dead spirits and imagery. Part of the fun of painting "Enmascarado," aside from working with such a lurid palette, was toying with attitudes and stereotypes about Mexico in the United States--from the Chihuahuas from TV commercials to the wrestling mask of La Lucha Libre, to the Disney-fied cacti--this piece is a bright and bracing shot of tequila with a sangrita back! Mexico is a land of contrasts, with itself and its neighbor to the north--a situation that explains the Mexican lament "¡Pobre Mexico! ¡Tan lejos de Dios y tan cerca de los Estados Unidos!"


And a tiny portrait of Diego María de la Concepción Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez, otherwise know as Diego Rivera, playing the role of Arlequin from a series of Commedia del'Arte playing cards. (Shown actual size)

FRIENDS OF THE NIB AT BUMBERSHOOT

The Friends of the Nib will be appearing at Bumbershoot in Seattle, September 4, 5, and 6 from 2:30 to 4pm in the Olympic Room. The Friends will be appearing as part of a wonderful survey of Northwest cartooning, "COUNTERCULTURE COMIX: A 30-Year Survey of Seattle Alternative Cartoonists," curated by Larry Reid in association with Fantagraphics Books. The Friends will be drawing cartoons live for your pleasure and enjoyment. Stop by and say hello.

Who are the Friends of the Nib? There are many misconceptions, some fueled by jealous pantaloons, but this is the truth: The Friends are a mysterious guild of cartoonists practiced in the arcane arts of dip pens, crow-quills and black pots of India Ink. They are practically medieval in their methods and exhibit a virtuosity rarely found in this modern age of computer-corrected artwork. Like the Magnificent Seven or the Seven Samurai, each of the Friends has a unique specialty. Collectively, they are fingers that form a powerful fist. Come see them work their magic.

Come and meet us all, and try your luck with the quills.