“Space flights are merely an escape, a fleeing away from oneself, because it is easier to go to Mars or to the moon than it is to penetrate one’s own being” ~ Carl Jung
What reminds you the most of home? Maybe it’s smell? Anybody by chance, know what Mars smells like?
The fact is that once you leave home, often there is no going back. It is funny how far the heart drifts in the great expanse. You gotta be that rollin’ stone and put on that smilin’ face. Like the Joker said, “Why so serious?” Speaking of which where did I put my happy face pin? I think I lost mine in the theaters watching the Watchmen.
Ralph’s happy face emblazoned on his suit, I envisioned as a kind of an overly optimistic and happy A.I. that always puts a positive spin on any dire event in a hostile universe. I was thinking along the lines of a high-tech version of Wilson from the movie Cast Away. Pardon me on my third popular movie reference, but I still got one more for y’ah.
They say Forest Gump invented the smiley face or so Robert Zemeckis would have you believe, but it is totally intergalactic and yes, I just threw that out there. Come to think of it, Carl Jung must have totally taken over a small corner of my brain since he also said something about explaining the “symbol” (i.e. retro smiley face) as if you were a man from Mars.
Hope you like the new sketch. I drew it back at my old home. It kept me company on a real late night contemplating how things are never the same and yet there’s no place like home. Ohmmmmmmm…… why don’t you meditate on a little Bob Dylan now……
E.T. Phone Home:
You still here? Bless your heart! I’ve been thinking about tweeting or putting out facebook status updates with little iPhone snap shots of process work. I was even meaning to put this up to tease this post. Here’s the test and don’t forget to connect with me on twitter @SimianZ for future peaks of Martians and otherwise.
Knowing you as I do Jay, I detect a little of that grungey Ren and Stimpy close-up action. What’s with that crazy mechanical ear though?
@Bro: I can’t deny a bit of Ren and Stimpy inspiration, especially with their up close and personal grotesque shots and of course the absolute absurdity that the show had an endless supply of (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmG6LZlZUMk ). As for the mechanical ear, it’s a ear piece that the Martians use for enhanced hearing and communication, but specifically to scan the different frequencies for intelligent life. I’m sure it could be used to phone home if our Martian needed to, but think more a back-up hard drive hooked directly into your brain storing everything you see. Steve Jobs take note.
Hey Jason
Crazy detail on this one, I’m fond of the imagination which has gone into this one. Good luck with finishing the final piece, it looks like a lot of fun to render.
Keep well bro.
Edward
@Edward: The imaginative process for this was somewhat different. I actually stared into one of my Pen and Ink drawings which can be kind of a Rorschach like test, Just starring and see what forms would jumped out at me. I didn’t actually see this exact character, but it led to the idea that inspired Ralph. It will be a blast to render out fully. It was great to hear from you.
Beautiful work. You have great attention to detail, but maintain a nice, organic line.
You always deliver awesome stuff, Jay. Excellent work.
really like the the feel of the original sketch and i dig the Jung quote, that kind of seems to sum up a lot of the westernized world today
I was going to ask the same thing as Adam about the ears too.
Great, now I know why. You are truly talented and creative. Congrats on your latest achievement of the ‘Visualizing Psychology Canadian Edition’. The drawing is fantastic! Everything is in place and can’t help to share it in my link love.
Waiting for more martians, wondering if there going to be any female martians too? hmm..
@wchingya
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@Tony: Organic is my thing!
@Matt: Just realized you were my 400th commenter! I should totally start giving some art schwag away for such milestones. I must think on this…
@Ching Ya: Getting in that psychology education text was really an honor and it was totally out of the blue. Finding someone willing to pay you for your art is always nice too
There could be some female Martians in the pipeline. We’ll see where pen or pencil takes me.
oh wow, the color version is even better! I would totally wear a T-shirt of this and have a poster!
@Daz: Finally, you like the color version of something I did. Truth be told I generally love things in their raw form too. I’ll let you know when shirts and posters are available. You know, sometimes when I’m drawing or painting I wonder if my little creations will ever see the light of day. When they get out there it’s kind of like the pride a parent has in their child. It would be an honor to have some of my art end up with you.
You have a real flair for drawing like your doing a painting.