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[private]We start off this episode talking a bit about Kevin's recent experience creating the Comfortable Thrashing project on the fly during his weekend at the Portland Zine Symposium, but then we move on to some rather heavy news: First off, let us start by saying that this wasn’t a decision we came by easily. This has been the result of conversations between the three of us for the past year. We’ve weighed the pros and cons of this decision heavily, with a deep appreciation for what this will mean for the thousands of supporters we’ve enjoyed for the past four years. As of August 24, 2011, we’re concluding our run of the weekly Art & Story podcast and the Art & Story Supreme service. Episode 195, airing on August 17, contains a full discussion on our thought process behind this decision. Episode 196 will be the final episode. The full post with details about the show's cancellation can be found here. We spend the rest of the episode explaining our thought process behind the decision to end the show, sharing our plans for the future of this series of content, and hint at what's coming next from all of us. The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]This week we take on a question put to us by Mark Harmon: How do you approach the panel shapes on a page? Especially when you are working for a client who has in the script the set number of panels already. If I want to break from the "grid" system and do something a little more experimental, how do I make that work and not confuse the reader as to which panel goes first and so on? We spend an hour or so responding with thoughts on communicating with the client, breaking a page into discrete areas of concern, and our own tastes in regards to panel borders. Links mentioned in this episode: Mark Harmon's books on The Illustrated Section Radio, Mark and Kevin's new zine The Kickstarter campaign for Mark's Dagon The Front, Chapter 2, Page 2 Jerzy will be speaking at Ignite Great Lakes on July 30 The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]In this episode we hear from Chris Wilson of Creative Independence, discuss some of his ideas for a KickStarter campaign, and finish with more ideas on making those dolla bills as an independent creative. Links mentioned in this episode: Mark's KickStarter Campaign Blurb Lulu Josh Ellingson Ryan Estrada Got Print Jim Lujan The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]This week we discuss a topic posed by Marshall Couture, asking what are plus and minuses to making serialized comics. We do our best to dig into the the writing and structure side of things as well as what types of stories work and which ones don't as serialized fiction. Links mentioned in this episode: • Jerzy on NPR • Ignite Great Lakes • Rob Stenzinger • Mark's Dagon Kickstarter campaign • Kevin's newly designed site The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]This week it's all about deciding where to put your content. Hosted wordpress? Tumblr? Posterous? Blogger? Each content management system and service proposes its own pros and cons, and we share our takes on the individual services as best we can. We also talk a little about Google+, and our opinions may surprise you! Links mentioned in this episode: Tumblr Posterous Blogger Google+ Twitter Facebook Wordpress and Wordpress.com The Requiem Metal Podcast Big Illustration Party Time Ghettomation Comics Are Great (and the video podcasts) Mat Nastos Eric Orchard The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]Mark, Jerzy, and Kevin are joined by Jamie Gambell to discuss the KickStarter campaign he is running for his new comic, with illustrator Jonathan Rector, called Hero Code. The main focus of this discussion is bouncing around ideas and sharing thoughts on running a pledge campaign for your independent project. The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, Jamie, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]It's time once again for a wrap-up of Kids Read Comics! Mark and Jerzy discuss the ups and downs of this year's event, exploring the takeaways from organizing the show and how it could be used as a model for other conventions. Links mentioned in this episode: Decibel Magazine issue 82, featuring an interview with Mark Around the Town with Linda interview with Jerzy Comics Are Great episode 14's video is now available for viewing The Comic Jam! exhibit and opening reception Jono Balliett Zach Bosteel Frank Hansen Rob Stenzinger Brandon Dayton Paul Storrie Rob Worley The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]Everyone has that one guilty pleasure in their life that they'd like to remain a secret. We're no different, but we are exposing ours for all to see. In this episode we discuss some of our "guilty pleasures" but soon discover none of our pleasures are guilty ones. Join us in a conversation about intent, context and imagination in storytelling telling's more "throwaway" fair. • Frankenstein Jr. & The Impossibles. • Gobots • Superfriends • Commando • Hawk the Slayer • Kids Read Comics • PDX Zine Symposium The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]We love talking about our craft, and in this episode we are joined by Kim Holm to talk about H.P. Lovecraft. Mark and Kim are both doing comic adaptations of Lovecraft stories, so we use that as a spring board to talk about the challenges and thought process of doing adaptations. Of course we talk about Lovecraft as an artist as well. Click here to read some further thoughts from Kim on H.P. Lovecraft. Click here to check out Mark's progress on his adaptation of Lovecraft's "Dagon". The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, Kim, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]This week it's just Mark and Jerzy talking, and they're talking about talking! We take on the "conversation scene" in a comic as a microcosm of all of the storytelling concerns facing a cartoonist. Throughout our discussion we highlight these key areas of consideration when crafting a comics story: Viewing angle Setting Gesture Emotional content Composition We then offer a few creative exercises to help boost the number of tricks you have in your storyteller bag, from taking candid snapshots at parties to reviewing your Instagram feed. Links mentioned in this episode: Kids Read Comics, and the KRC Contest that ends TODAY! Comics Are Great! starts broadcasting live Wednesdays at 12:30 pm EST The Comic Jam! Exhibit in Chelsea, MI Instagram Twilight Zone The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]This week we take on some email questions sent to us by Denver Wagner of the Illopond art group about contacting and doing business with Art Directors: Do you put any images in the body of the e-mail itself? Or do you just have a link to your website? Do you attach a pdf portfolio? How much and what kind of information do you write in the e-mail itself? Do you personalize or write any specific info regarding the company or A.D. on a postcard - or just let the image speak for itself? Is it a waste of time (and money) to send out postcards to the generic “Art Director” title if I can’t find an actual name for the company’s art department? Do you send postcards to local businesses, schools, etc. that don’t have a specific art dept, and if so, who do you address and how do you convey the value of quality art/design to a non-artistically minded person? We close with some thoughts on the subject of advice, reflecting on a terrific blog post by Phil McAndrew: Super Obvious Secrets That I Wish They'd Teach In Art School. We also talk about why Kevin would never work for Redbook magazine. Links mentioned in this episode: Kids Read Comics The Comic Jam! Art Exhibition curated by Jerzy The KRC contest, where you can win a free copy of Dave Roman's Astronaut Academy Frank Hansen's Animatic Press About.me The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]This week we're joined by Jim Lujan for a conversation about animation and how anyone can do it. Catering your animation to your skill set and concentrating on storytelling over refinement, is the takeaway this time. Getting in the trenches and doin' it. Plus there is a lot of joking around. Links mentioned this episode: • Rod Rosse One Man Posse • Subscribe to Jim's YouTube channel. • Ghettomation Podcast • The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]Dude, you know what would be funny? Taking a walk through the mind of a cartoonist, that's what... In this episode we talk about approaches to coming up with ideas for stories, whether we pay attention to our reviews or not, ego searching, the rituals of getting into the mindset of dealing with critics, and finding balance when doing a lot of different kinds of work. Links mentioned this episode: Green Brain Comics Tombs of the Blind Date Super Dinosaur Boulder and Fleet Walking Dead Mouse Guard Mice Templar Redwall Civil War Adventure Storrieville Adobe Ideas Gmail Labs The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]This week we discuss a broad overview of the cartoonist's lifestyle. Time management, studio setup, exercise, and whether or not a standing desk is useful are all covered as we compare and contrast our different working styles for your consideration. Links mentioned this episode: The Animator's Workbook The Ergonomic Knee Chair The Herman Miller Aeron Chair Tweetdeck Instagram Mark and Jerzy's upcoming appearance at Green Brain Comics on Free Comic Book Day The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]This time we talk about various methods for getting your comics work out to a broader audience. Libraries, comic shops, digital devices, conventions and social media are some of the delivery mechanisms we discuss in this fantastic episode of Art & Story. Some of the links we mention: • Webcomics Nation • Brain Burps About Books • The Illustrated Section • No Flying No Tights • Sketchbook Podcast • Jerzy & Mark's appearance on Free Comic Book Day The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors.Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]Art & Storrier Number 1, Gerimi Burleigh, called in with a great topic about how he handled commissions at a recent convention. The A&S dudes chew on that meaty hoagie sandwich of content. Links Mentioned in this episode: Mark's Dark Imagery Lewis in the City Kim Holm Kid's Read Comics Mark Thompson The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]This week we're joined by Jonathan Rector of the new Sketchbook Podcast for a discussion on how one might use video services like YouTube, Vimeo, Ustream, or Justin.TV as part of your identity and marketing for your comic. There are a ton of links to be shared this episode, starting with a slew of podcasts we talked about: Javiland Idiot Engine Ghettomation Big Illustration Party Time Requiem Podcast Comics Are Great The Sketchbook Podcast And we mention these resources to start you on your journey into video: Kevin Nalty's book, Beyond Viral Dave Roman's Astronaut Academy trailer Raina Telgemeier's Smile trailer Kevin's Monkey Mod trailer TeacherTube Cocoapotrace (sorry, couldn't find a reliable link on this one yet!) Toon Boom Studio 5 is on sale (at the time of this recording) Audacity The Vimeo app for iOS The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]This time we talk about the aesthetics of modern design in comics, movies, etc. When you have thousands of options at your fingertips, how do you make a "good" choice? We tackle that question and begin to scratch the surface on what makes a compelling design, beyond just taste. Some of the links we mention: • Austin Kleon's How to Steal Like an Artist • Mark's Tombs of the Blind Date Series• University of Michigan's Mini-Comics Day• Zach Bosteel's Steampunk Anthology• Kids Read Comics Super Fun Tour • Kevin's blog• Colour Lovers • Think Ink App for Iphone The Art & Story Theme is written and performed by Mike Gilmore & Mike Johnston of The Northwoods Improvisors.Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]Comic astronauts, Mark Rudolph and Justin Stewart, just got back from S.P.A.C.E. In this episode, they report on their adventures. Links Mentioned: Mark's Tumblr Page Sara Turner's Tumblr Page Mark's Zine Pronto Spider-Man New York Stories Marijuana Man Mark's haul from S.P.A.C.E. Square Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Justin, Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]

[private]Fresh off of his new project Pronto, Mark shares with us some thoughts on getting projects done fast. It's not always as simple as increasing your drawing speed; there are other strategies you can employ to get your project knocked out quicker, and we do our best to highlight some of them: Getting double duty out of your works Focusing on what you're passionate about Starting with a theme vs. finding a theme We also spend some time talking drawing tools this episode, specifically Pentel 0.5 mm blue mechanical leads and Copic markers. Audio hosting for Art & Story is provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing Follow Mark, Jerzy, & Kevin on Twitter! Subscribe through iTunes RSS Feed Hotline: (262) 299-3729[/private]