Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in Darryl Ayo Brathwaite's LiveJournal:

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Monday, April 28th, 2008
11:16 pm	He's alright, but he's not real. I'm doing some cool stuff that you guys might like in the future: 1) I am reading books on HTML T_T so that I can build that website that I don't have. 2) I lost my imaging software, so I'm plotting and scheming to buy that new crack that people are on about, Manga Studio. 2a) That's why I don't have any good pictures to show you fine ladies and gentlemen tonight. 3) Apparently, I am not going to get a table at SPX this year. That is unacceptable. Does anybody have a want, have a need? 4) Working on 80 billion comics. Some of which you probably know. Be well. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008
11:27 pm	Don't tell nobody I told you. I am just about to get back to work on Little Garden. I don't mind procrastinating from my projects, just so long as I'm procrastinating by working on other projects. The above isn't one of my projects at all, but it felt alright to do. My friend Meg told me to say that we have a drawing group that meets at a secret location in Manhattan every Monday afternoon. We don't have a lot of members which is good, but we wouldn't mind a couple more. If you live in NYC, love drawing comics and are my friend, we can teach you the secret handshake and everything. Alright: draw some comics! -Ayo Current Mood: Beast mode Current Music: Erykah Badu (Comment on this)
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008
4:04 pm	Rabbithole: Ten Years of (sporadic) Comics Before Little Garden, I wanted to draw comic books. Heh. The characters that would populate these comic books were some kids, Sid and Mark along with Mary, Pete and a few walk on characters. I never quite got the hang of these guys, and the spark never quite ignited. Anyway, I was doodling yesterday and it suddenly hit me that it's been TEN YEARS since I started creating the characters that would comprise the Rabbithole world. Wow. Ten years. I really should do a real comic with this. Current Music: Jonathan Bennett on Inkstuds (Comment on this)
Sunday, April 13th, 2008
11:03 pm	These won't be involved in the comic. Just some random stuff that has nothing to do with the next comic. I'm pretty excited about the next comic, it is very short. I've got it figured out for two pages, loose idea of the third, and anything goes for the fourth-to-sixth (assuming that it lives that long). I'm re-learning to write because I've spent so much time in a sub-lingual and non-sequential realm (that of Little Garden) that I have to re-instruct myself as to what is involved in making an Ayo comic. ( Couple more doodle pages ) (Comment on this)
Saturday, April 12th, 2008
3:47 pm	Little Garden by Ursula The weather is great and I really should be on my bike. But first, I want to point at ursulasart, especially this post In which Ursula draws Angela and Iris. True fact: this is the first visualization of any Little Garden stuff in color. I'm thrilled! I have to try now. But first I've got a date with an 18-speed and the wild streets of Brooklyn. Vamoose! -Ayo'08 Current Mood: excited Current Music: High Places (Comment on this)
Friday, April 11th, 2008
4:28 pm	Press (A) To Talk. I haven't used a sketchbook to observe my surroundings in years. I just use them as cheap (albeit low quality) bound art books. This is no good. Sketchbooks are for learning. Bristol board is for comics. I've been trying to loosen up and tell myself that this is what I've got the real paper for. Anyway, it's been a long time since I posted. That's because my computer was stolen. Since then, I've purchased a new computer and installed my scanner and programs, so I'm almost back on my feet. It has been an interesting, although less-than-ideal couple of months. I did not use the time to draw comics. I really just didn't have the stomach for it. Now I'm back in the cockpit, working on pages and such. I like comics. I hung out with people all week. I guess I'll just hang out with myself tonight. I figured out a page that I've been putting off for a long time, and resolved to conclude the Little Garden storybook. I've been writing, or rather, jotting skeletal ideas of stories to come. Real stories, with people talking and panels happening. One of these is the project I started last fall. It's called "Nobody Likes Me." It's not the type of story that the name suggests. I'm setting up my secret base at Brooklyn Public Library. A library is a perfect place to make comics. So much reference material at one's disposal, I'm shocked that I didn't think of it sooner. Have a good weekend, people. Draw me a comic. ( Cut for Butt ) (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, April 9th, 2008
5:14 pm	Something for you. Here's pages seventeen and eighteen of my Little Garden Storybook: In all that you do, do it for comics. -Ayo. (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, January 3rd, 2008
12:59 am	Three years of this little project. #136, page 16 of the storybook: I just missed Lizzie's birthday, she was created on New Year's Day, 2005. Little Garden started two days prior, December 30th, 2004. It's been a challenging and rewarding three years. -Ayo2008. Current Mood: reflective (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, December 31st, 2007
12:58 am	COMIC PARTY (in progress) We're drawing comics here at the Church of Bread and Circuses. Branson and I and our sketchbooks. I've taken a blog break and Branson's already scolding me. ( Several images ) -Ayo2007out. Current Mood: comicking (Comment on this)
Tuesday, December 25th, 2007
12:01 am	Holiday-appropriate sketch update. This has been in my sketchbook for a week or two when I was still getting Rushdie out of my system. I don't have much to say these days. I'm absorbed in several things that are not the internet. Love, Ayo. Current Mood: elated Current Music: hardcore rap (Comment on this)
Thursday, December 6th, 2007
2:02 am	Reading the Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie on the train. First thing I did when my friend lent me the book was take the cover off. First, I don't like carrying around hardcovers with their jackets on and second, I wanted to minimize the uncomfortableness of getting on the train in super-religious A-train-Brooklyn broadcasting THE SATANIC VERSES for all to see. Ironically, I tend to hold it (since it's so big) like a prayerbook; in my hand, spread open, completely flat so the cover (the title is still on the spine) is facing down. Still and all, when the young man spoke to me tonight on the train until he got my attention, he knew exactly what I was reading. Keep in mind it's about one in the morning, on the A-train to Brooklyn, I'm sitting down reading my book and he's walking around selling incense. Young Muslim black guy and when I finally acknowledge he's talking to me I can make out that he's saying "you're reading the Satanic Verses? Salman Rushdie?" Hm. So, I don't know what to do with this. He can clearly see the title upside down, as printed on the top of the actual pages from where he's standing (but I had the spine facing down the whole time; how and why was he looking that close to find out?). All I can think is that it's about to go down. Right here in the sleepy hours on the train. So, I say "yeah; that's right." The young man tells me that he (meaning Rushdie) is a bad man. I try not to be to patronizing or too faux-naive when I reply "really?" At this point, I have about thirty pages left in the book. Clearly, I know a thing or two about the book's contents, whatever my opinion of them may be. The incense guy tells me that Rushdie tells lies--lies about the Prophet Mohammed. I'm sufficiently creeped out, but pretty certain that the interaction is ultimately benign. I refrain from informing him that it is a work of make-believe. Instead, I nod skeptically and he continues walking through the subway car, pockets full of incense. No fatwa occurred. But yes, I am reading THE SATANIC VERSES, and I've got less than twenty pages left. It is what it is. Current Mood: pious (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, December 4th, 2007
11:54 pm	Little Garden storybook, page 15 #135: DO REMEMBER: Jack Demsey's Pub 33rd Street, btw 5th & 6th Avenues 7:00PM-11:00PM(ish) Tonight, December 5th, 2007, Monthly comics jam. All are encouraged to swing by and draw comics, say hello, freestyle, whatever! -Ayo Current Mood: on and poppin' Current Music: Indie Spinner Rack # 100 (2 Comments |Comment on this)
9:15 am	WEDNESDAY: NEW YORK COMICS JAM 7:00PM+11:00PM On your marks, get set... Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 5th will be the New York City comics jam, once again hosted by Cheese Hassleburger and the House of Twelve collective. The location remains at Jack Demsey's Pub on 33rd Street in Manhattan, between 5th and 6th Avenues. That's directly across the street from the Empire State Building and a few doors down from Jim Hanley's Universe comic book store. The event is free, but the bar costs money. You'll need to bring a sketchbook that you want people to draw in and something to draw with. All are welcome, you don't have to be a professional or "good" or whatever. Some people have expressed that it can be an intimidating event. You shouldn't be nervous, it's just some nerds who like comics! So if you feel inclined at all toward drawing, doodling, making dumb jokes or just hanging out, we'd love to have you. Let's go! Current Mood: artistic (Comment on this)
Friday, November 30th, 2007
11:46 pm	Weatherman I just saw I'm Not Here, the new Bob Dylan movie. The concept is pretty neat, but it wasn't as involved as I would have liked. I think the novelty battles with the story for a good portion of the film. But my money was not wasted, it was entertaining. Whatever, Bob Dylan. I'm not feeling a hundred percent these days. There's a lot to contend with. I am having trouble working, but what else is new. I'm getting set to start on a new comic story soon, so hopefully I'll get the blood flowing for that. Blue flower. -Ayo Current Mood: disintegrated Current Music: Bob Dylan (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, November 26th, 2007
5:53 pm	Work scribble 11-26-07: I'm going to get fired one day. I don't do anything all day. Someone's going to figure out soon. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Sunday, November 25th, 2007
9:17 pm	Do it ugly Page one of the new version of the comic that by last post, you thought was the new comic. It was not. This is: I spent most of the day in the local coffeeshop. I'm faintly trying to root down since coffeeshops are my natural habitat. But I had to come home to deliver the coup de grace on the page. It was glorious. Current Music: Soundgarden (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007
2:51 am	Black Friday as well as every other day of life Tomorrow's Thanksgiving, the day after's Black Friday. Psychologically, it feels to me that spending money, or consumption in general takes the place of creating something. I have these periods where I'm making comics and art all the time and my urge for material accquisition is markedly lower than in periods when I'm not as productive. At least for me, there are stages of "input" and "output" that tend to alternate. Darryl=Ayo, Ayo=Darryl. This is the first page piece for my new sketchbook. I like to do something nice for the first page of a new book so that I feel inspired whenever I open it up. Moving right along, I've got the next page of Little Garden right here. In it, another of the core group enters the stage to join the pack. Maybe they're all going to have a delicious holiday meal! I don't know what kind of holidays people celebrate in the Little Garden. -Ayo. Current Mood: I have a cold (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, November 19th, 2007
12:30 am	Delete From Friends, Volume whatever. In fact, let's just start over. I have some things to talk about. Medusa "Reflection" in color I went back into one of my favorite Medusa pieces and made it official. I don't know whether I'll color them all, but so far, the experience has been enjoyable. For the record, I logged somewhat less than 8 hours on this. There's reasons why it took so long, but mostly it comes down to inexperience. And so kiddies... I am teetering on the edge of applying to Pratt. I am thoroughly disappointed with my art education and what it has yielded me in life thus far. I want to take some technical computer classes (art and design related) and eventually begin working toward a graduate program in design. The guidebook/coursebook is confusing and aggravating. I don't have the mindstate for this kind of thing anymore. I just want to take a class for now, but they make it so you need a degree in coursebookology to even apply. This should be figured in a day or two. "HOME" - update I am slowly working on my website. I appreciate the advice and hints. So far, I've only played with WordPress' "pages" feature but I get paid soon and I may be able to start exploring some more heavy duty options that cost money. When I don't have expertise at something I move very slowly. I wish I could move faster because it's very important. I've almost settled on a name as well, since that's also important. Speaking of names... I'm getting sick of Ayo. This was intended to simplify everything, but it's made everything much more complicated. I walk into places and don't even know who I am anymore. I have different people calling me different names at the same time. I don't like confusion. Whatever. My existence is marginal at best. Little Garden storybook I'm back on track with the Little Garden storybook. Had a bad hiccup, but it's going to be alright. I wasn't going to post it, but what am I saving it for--here's #133: Inking this one really made me feel human again. I keep trying to fit in with other comics and doing things that I'm not necessarily comfortable with instead of going in with a project that I intimately understand. Graphic novel Still and all, I love comic-comics. I haven't worked on my storyboard for the comic book project at all this weekend. I want to start working on it, perhaps in December. If it comes out even half of how I want it to, it should be a neat project. Here I am, Ayo. Current Mood: discontent (16 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, November 12th, 2007
6:24 pm	SPX 007 and MoCCA 2007: caught on video News agencies keep scouring the floors of comics conventions looking for Ayo. They get pretty close but still manage to miss the mark. Here's two instances where they were clearly trying to interview me but were too shy and ended up talking to other people instead. Alison Bechdel: Ayo and Mike Stevens in the background Try the direct approach next time, news agencies! -Ayo Current Mood: videographed (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, November 8th, 2007
9:33 am	Home, part 1. Getting back on track, maybe I'll get something completed this time around... As a couple of you undoubtedly know, I am the last person on the internet without a website. Well, I do have a website, but it's garbation. It's a basic HTML Angelfire page which will assault your computer with pop ups. I really need to build a new website for my work, but I barely know how. The simple format of Angelfire worked for me, but can I get something as easy to maneuver that's on a more useful and friendly system? I have noticed that a lot of cartoonists' websites are built with blogging software from things like Wordpress and Blogger. Wordpress looks like the better, but still and all, how does one change it from being a basic blog into a "real" webpage? There is a stability and stationaryness to webpages that one doesn't get in blogs. Where the information in blogs comes in a stream and eventually gets washed away, pages and pages into its backlogs, standard webpages are more like libraries or archives that one can revisit to find the same information in the same locations, consistantly. That's what I need to work on. The other thing that cartoonists tend to have (obviously) is webcomics-software-based sites. I like that format a little bit less than the stationary gallery-style sites because I don't intend to do an ongoing regularly updating strip. I've come up with a decent formatting plan that could combine the elements I need from both sensibilities. I really need to get my hands on the tools needed to put it all together. For instance, I'd love to swipe the comic reading software from ComicSpace or something similar. To anyone who reads this, what's your website made of? Did you have to use your supertechnical knowhow or did you get by with some prefabricated templates? Also, who are the best people to go to for hosting, buying domain names and things of that nature? Current Mood: ambitious (9 Comments |Comment on this)