Sturm und Drang

"Yeah, I think 'Sturm und Drang' is a pretty dodgy name though..."

"You mean Goethe's literary movement?"

"... I think I'm going to go hide. If it's not too late?"

Sturm und Drang is a restaurant in Frankfurt. This was not made apparent during the composing of this comic.

Frankfurt!

This past June I had the opportunity to delve once again into territory far from my Central European home and take a look at ... Frankfurt. It was an awesome weekend (though I barely got any real sleep) and I was able to connect with peeps and take in the sights. I'd do it again (for longer) if I could. So this is what the next few comics will be about!

The first night I got there was the European Cup semifinal against Italy, as well as some kind of Supreme Court decision on Obamacare, so we all watched the game and then got to see the news about America during halftime. (At first I misunderstood and thought the bill had been struck down. Which would have sucked.)

See you Friday!

***
Also: I am currently selling commissioned drawings and minicomics! More details on this post. Shipping to Berlin comes free with commissions!

[ Smashing Pumpkins - Today ]

hypochondriac ii

It used to be a thing of mine
to try to
return
to a state
of perfect
health
as much as possible


I know
circumstances
have changed
since then


I just want to never have to worry

Berlin, 30.9.2012

Commissions!

Hey guys! The end of the year draws close, and on my end that represents a certain need for money. So I'm going to announce a first of mine: commissions - or as I like to call it, The Help Claire Pay For Things Drive.

I'm currently offering three things: small sketches,  black and white illustrations and minicomics. Handily, if you place an order now, you will be sure to get it in time for Christmas!

For 10€ (plus shipping), you can get a custom sketch of anything you want: fandoms, my own characters, a crazy scene from the subway, etc.
The sketch is done in black PITT pen or brushpen on an A5 sheet of sketchbook paper, and it comes with a little thank-you note. Good if you like Rails programming jokes and Doctor Who. (I can do both.)*

For 25€ (plus shipping), you get a black-and-white pen-and-ink A4 drawing of anything that tickles your fancy, while remaining within the realm of the doable: i.e., no distorted-perspective shots of Jeremy Renner scaling Half-Dome with a scuba tank.
The drawing is penciled on an A4 sheet of Bristol board and inked with PITT artist pens, and also comes with a note. Good if you like Millennium fanart.

For both types of commissions, shoot me an e-mail at clairykin-at-gmail-dot-com and we'll go from there.

Also, my minicomics are still for sale here. This time it's 3€ + shipping for one mini. I have about 50 in stock currently; they make great stocking stuffers for trilingual Berlin/comic lovers. If their stockings are A5-sized and rectangular, that is.

Plus! For any art commissioned by Berlin-dwellers, there is a sweet deal on shipping, as there will be no shipping. I will deliver it to you in person, with my delicate hands.  Because Berlin. (Does not apply to minicomics).

So I hope to be able to do business with some of y'all in the coming weeks and draw some wacky fanart! Please take a moment to consider a black-and-white rendition of Ten, Loki and Katniss drinking lattes under the Fernsehturm. I thank you. And so does my snazzy drawing table.

*I once drew Sherlock and John bickering about Ruby programming. I have no fear.

***

That happens.

I wrote this months ago, but I could easily be telling this to the cold I currently have. Ha ha.

[ Bonus sonore ]

Weekend Workpost: Furry Critters

Here's the line art for some critters I drew for work last week.

I have two things to say about this fox. One thing is that he looks like a friend of mine. The other thing is that when I was little, I discovered Calvin and Hobbes and proceeded to draw a comic strip for three years about a fox named Foxy. (My family can testify that it made zero sense.) So it was like a return to roots drawing this fox.

[ Green Day - Kill The DJ ]

Random Friday Bonus Sketch - FDM2012

A little sketch I did during the aforementioned concert. Happy Friday!

The Backstage Experience

I took part in the Fête de la Musique this year as an organiser, which to me is a great honor. In fact I managed to feel honored until about 2 in the morning when my feet gave their notice.

June 18, 2012.

I'd like those two hours of my life back, please.

[ Bonus sonore ]

First steps in language animation.

"In my suitcase I have a a bike...a pen...a pencil case...and...and...his mom."

***

Guys, let me introduce you to a small part of my Franco-German world*. "Animation linguistique" ("language animation") is something that was conceptualized in the early nineties by a research project of the University of Bielefeld and the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ/DFJW), which more or less is to French/German majors what Mountain View is to programmers (I'm guessing). The focus was on how some kids would attend binational youth events and come back hankering to learn French or German, whereas others would return nonplussed after clamming up all week. A set of guidelines for loosening things up was put together, and "language animation" - group games involving verbal or nonverbal communication -  was included as one of the tools used by camp organisers. It's therefore one of those terms that are mainly understood by initiated members of a given professional environment. (I'd use a fancy word for that but it's nearly dinnertime as I write this.)

Language animation is something I do on occasion as part of my current job, and is an opportunity to interact with the young'uns of local Berlin schools and impart the awesomeness of French. Which they then use to make references to each other's moms.

* Only one of the many idiosyncratic people groups which I am proud to call my own.

[ More German young'uns ]