Jonathon Miller » Project Updates

The A.P.E. Looms

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:53:31 +0000

This weekend is the A.P.E. (Alternative Press Expo). I was really hoping to have a complete, finished issue of my first comic, The Dating Misadventures of Young Dave McNerny, ready to stake a claim on some real estate at A.P.E. As seems to be the case with most creative endeavors, everything has taken twice as long as I had planned on. In short, no booth. I will be there, however, along with my illustrator James Lambly, handing out teaser of Dave. It is a ‘zine style booklet filled with previews of the comic, concept art and some info of those of us working on it.

Come on down and check things out. Follow us on Twitter, @Jmiller1534, @DaveMcNerny, and @JRL3001, to track us down to track us down at the con.

I’ll be putting on the finishing touches tonight and and printing tomorrow.

Be sure to look us up.

Shoes, Shoes, Everywhere

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 05:42:16 +0000

The work is continuing on the shoe book. I am past the half way point and can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am still really enjoying the project, but I will be glad to see it complete. I could really use a big win like this. I’ve been pouring a lot of energy into this project and taking the time to learn a lot more about Photoshop as I go. I am still not a hug fan of overly processed photos, but I am learning just what it can add to my creativity.
The boots you see here are on loan from a good friend. They are the kind of boots that just beg to be abused. Nice and heavy, the kind that are made to work in. I love the buckles here. Laces are vulnerable. They can be snagged and torn. Buckles can handle the kind of atrocities that a good pair of work boots encounter.
I was really set on borrowing every shoe in the book from friends, but I am thinking that it’s time to branch out. After two years of plinking away at things, I want to make a big push and finish things off. Hopefully I can knock out a bunch this weekend.
What’s your favorite pair of shoes?

Recentering

admin — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 07:17:24 +0000

It’s been a rough year so far. In light of recent events, I’ve have decided to recenter things around here. I am refocusing my efforts and concentrating on the two true passions I have in life: writing and photography. No more frivolous posts. Well, less of them anyways. Look for a short written piece soon, but for now some of my most recent photography. Hot from the “Shop”, this is a piece from my “Leaving it All Behind” series. I hope you enjoy. Be sure to “Like” the photo page on Facebook. When I get enough, I can get my own URL.

Comic Teaser Art

admin — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:38:29 +0000

I am just too jazzed about my comic book project to keep it all under my hat. I had my first real meeting with my illustrator tonight and things could not have gone better. This is the first sketch he did for me a couple months ago. I can’t wait to see the finished product in print. Our goal is to have this issue ready for the APE. As long as things, ahem, go as planned, it should be no problem. The APE (Alternative Press Expo) is scheduled for October 1&2 this year. Be sure to mark it on you calendars.

The ideal would be to have the first three issues ready to go, but that is a tall order considering how much work it’s going to be. Maybe I can get Red Bull to sponsor me. I know I’ll be consuming enough of their product between now and then to warrant it.

One of the big projects I have on the “to do” list is to assemble a list of indie friendly comic stores along west coast states. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Announcing Hairball Comics, and my 100th post

admin — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:18:51 +0000

Comic books for the rest of us.

First of all, 100 posts. Yay me. I don’t know how much of an accomplishment that should feel like, but it feels as though it is significant enough to warrent celebratory status. I’m excited.

On to news that other people might be excited about; I have my meeting with the illustrator tonight so we can finally get started on my comic. I don’t want to share to much info about the project itself at the current time, but I do want to share something. I am so excited that if I don’t, I fear I might wet myself. So, welcome to:

Hairball Comics

I decided that any self respecting comic needs a company, if in name only, behind it. I am in love with the logo, I have been staring at it as a background on my phone for almost a year now. Deciding on the name was simple, writing an producing my own comic felt like a hair-brained (feels even more hair-brained now) idea. Hemmingway felt that, “The first draft of anything is shit” and since this was my first attempt at such a project, hairball seemed perfect. Not that I think my comic is crap, I just appreciate a little self deprecation. It keeps the ego in check.

The logo is the work of my lovely wife Joanna Crawshaw. I love the subtlety of the hairball behind the cat. Though it is far removed from the abstract art she is known for, I think she was really spot on with the logo. If you have any questions regarding the logo, or her work, check out her website to contact her.

As far as the comic goes, keep checking back for status updates.

Off to a running start for 2011, a little late

admin — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:53:45 +0000

I’ve had to take a break. In the three months since you heard from me last I have bought a condo, been in a wedding, renovated said condo and moved. It’s been busy.

The good news is, I’m back at things. I have a meeting with my illustrator for my first foray into comic book writing next week. I am anticipating good things. My goal is to have a finished product ready so show at APE this year. Think good thoughts for me.

I have some other projects that have been put on hold by the move that I will be trying to find the time for as well. Those being: My shoe book, and the second draft of my short novel.

I am a Winner

admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:13:22 +0000

I know, I shut down for a while, but I have been working my but off. The big news this week; according to NANO, I am a winner. I managed to write a short novel of over 50,000 words during the month of November. 50,000 words in one month. I’m impressed with myself. Now if I can ever find the time to do some revisions, I may actually have a book to share.

In other news: my shoe book is coming along and I have found and illustrator for my comic book. Combine that with a couple classes at the local college and I have a lot of irons in the fire. Look for more info on these things soon.

A Big Step Forward

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 01:16:37 +0000

So I have moved forward with my big photo project. I have begun the search for funding. Scary stuff. Check out where I’m at here.

Project Away

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:49:03 +0000

Wow, I must still be on island time. Or, it could be that shortly after I returned from Hawaii my mother came to visit for a short while. I love seeing her and we had a great visit, but we also had things to do such as scattering my step-dad’s ashes. Thank God that part is done, almost. After a trip to the Golden Gate bridge and one to Yosemite, I still have some remains left that my mom wants scattered at Donner Summit. I’m actually looking forward to it.

In the meantime, I am working away at a new photo project. Check out my new blog to keep track of what’s going on over at I am an American. Check it out. I am going to need to find some kind of funding for it, which you’ll find more information about there, so I don’t know if it will fly or not. I’m hoping. I really want to see this through. Check it out. Let me know what you think. Ideas, suggestions and questions of sanity for attempting such a project are all appreciated.

On Writing – Stephen King

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:53:21 +0000

Every writer needs help and inspiration. There are as many avenues to find help and inspiration as their are writers. Yes, I know that’s a lot. I’m only going to cover my most effective source. I often struggle through multiple methods, but when all else fails, I look to other writers.

While still in school, pursuing the English degree that has brought me vast riches, I would often go to the nearest bookstore and browse for a while. The occasional title of inner jacket synopsis would usually be enough to unearth the needed inspiration or clear my mind enough to knock loos the writer’s block. It was on one of these quests I discovered something would serve as a bottomless well of inspiration for both my writing and my life. It’s how I came across Stephen King’s On Writing. It’s part text book, part memoir. In it King shares insights into both his craft and the life that led him to be the prolific writer that he has become. Previously, I had not been a very big fan of Stephen King. I tried to read a couple books when I was younger but never got very far with them. After reading On Writing, I decided to take a look at his work in earnest and began with Carrie. Something about the passion King puts into his work has drawn me in. That being said, I haven’t made it to any of his later work and as such, I can not speak to any of the geeky criticism attached to his latter canon. So, don’t bother beating mean up with negative criticism of his latest work and how he has last his commitment to the craft blah, blah, blah. What I’ve read does it for me and that’s what counts.

On Writing will always have a place on my shelf. I find myself turning to it often. As I have experienced some family tragedy of late, I find my self turning King’s enlightening text, if for no other reason than to remind myself that who we are is constantly being shaped by experience. It’s these experiences that turn good writers into great writers. I’ll occasionally read a chapter here and there to remind myself that the only wasted experiences in life are those that we come away from having learned nothing. I have learned a whole lot the last year.

Where do you find your inspiration? What helps you refocus your efforts?