Interview with Chris & More
August 27, 2008
A few weeks back, a web/print publication called Oranges & Sardines contacted me requesting an interview. Here it is in all its glory.
In other Chris-art related news, it looks as if my painting, Seed Tax, will be appearing in a separate publication and another possible solo show is also on the horizon. More details when they arrive.
In site news, I've begun some under-the-hood tinkering, but you more than likely won't see any of the results for about a week or so. Apologies for any bugs or inconsistencies in the meantime.
Posted by Chris at 7:55 PM | Comments (4)
Introducing... by Chris Leavens
August 25, 2008
My parents were in town, so my normal routine was interrupted, hence the delay. (Illustration Friday, topic: routine)
Acrylic on canvas, 16" x 20"
Posted by Chris at 9:06 PM | Comments (4)
Back End and Database Upgraded
August 18, 2008
Unloosen has been in desperate need for an upgrade for a long, long time at this point. Since I had a few extra hours, I decided to upgrade the back end and database that power the site. This should allow for further enhancements/features (some of which I've been promising for months -- OK -- years at this point). If the upgrade results in any problems or inconsistencies, please let me know via email or by commenting on this post.
Posted by Chris at 7:36 PM | Comments (13)
"Trapped Ashes" -- reviewed by Joe Blevins and Craig J. Clark
August 17, 2008
Editor's Note: Since NBC's Fear Itself is on hiatus during the Summer Olympics, Joe Blevins and Craig J. Clark have taken it upon themselves to review the direct-to-video horror anthology Trapped Ashes, which was released on DVD in July, as a stopgap measure. Their observations follow.
My fellow freedom-lovers:
Let me set the scene for you, citizens. It's Friday night [August 8 -ed.], and I'm sitting on the couch in my apartment watching a movie called Trapped Ashes. Screwy title, huh? Sounds a bit like Slapped Asses, which would also be a pretty screwy title but would not sound quite as gloomy and high-toned as Trapped Ashes. I'd been watching the Opening Ceremonies from Beijing earlier in the evening, but the Parade of Nations soon got to be monotonous, a seemingly endless procession of people dressed up like Century 21 agents, smiling and waving to the crowd in the manner of hometown beauty queens. Snoo-zers! So I succumbed the siren song of Trapped Ashes, which comes billed as a gore-riffic horror anthology, just the thing to substitute for my beloved AWOL Fear Itself. Anyway, the disc starts with previews, and normally I would automatically skip those but I figure, "What the hell? All the better to recreate the true experience of seeing a real movie in a real theater. Let the trailers commence!"
Continue reading ""Trapped Ashes" -- reviewed by Joe Blevins and Craig J. Clark"
Posted by Craig at 7:35 AM | Comments (3)
Science! by Chris Leavens
August 16, 2008
So many things to detach, so little time. (Illustration Friday, topic: detach)
The textures in this one almost brought my computer to its knees. Also, if you're ever wondering which Mouse on Mars CD is best to rock while working, I'd suggest Glam.
Prints: chrisleavens.imagekind.com
Posted by Chris at 4:53 PM | Comments (19)
A Writer Looks at 35 by Craig J. Clark
August 14, 2008
"Nobody writes anything of worth until they're 30." -Dr. William Wegner, learned professor of communications, Trenton State College, Fall 1993
I was given this pearl of wisdom at the beginning of my third year of college, when Trenton State's Television/Theater Production department - which had just been introduced the previous spring - was in the process of defining itself. I had initially registered at TSC as a theater major, but was informed on my arrival that the old theater department had been phased out and was being reconstituted to reflect the changing times. The result was TTP, which was so amorphous at the start that we students were essentially able to make up our own curricula. Since I was in college to hone my skills as a writer, that's what I decided to base my curriculum around - my writing.
Continue reading "A Writer Looks at 35 by Craig J. Clark"
Posted by Craig at 11:11 AM | Comments (2)
They Took The Blue Pill (by alex kinnan)
August 13, 2008
And prior to this, all was calm.
Posted by Alex at 6:43 PM | Comments (4)
Play Time by Chris Leavens
August 9, 2008
Sailing through the air to meet some "friends." (Illustration Friday, topic: sail)
Feeling better about this painting than the last one.
Acrylic on canvas, 24" x 30"
Posted by Chris at 8:10 PM | Comments (10)
Long Hair by Craig J. Clark
August 7, 2008
Dermot had long hair and was fiercely proud of it. So proud, in fact, that he refused to cut it for any reason, even to get a job at the factory like his mother wanted him to.
“Those jobs pay good money,” she told him, “but they won’t hire nobody who has no long hair.”
Seizing his opportunity to be a smartass, Dermot replied, “Ah, so they’ll hire somebody who doesn’t have short hair?”
“No, that’s not what I said.”
“But it is what you didn’t say.”
“What?”
“Exactly.”
Continue reading "Long Hair by Craig J. Clark"
Posted by Craig at 9:09 AM | Comments (4)
How the Moose Was Made by Chris Leavens
August 4, 2008
This is an entirely factual breakdown of the making of "Originally a Moose," one of my illustrations. The aim of this piece is to provide information on my illustrating process to those who may be interested. If you're not interested, I'd suggest skipping this article entirely.
Continue reading "How the Moose Was Made by Chris Leavens"
Posted by Chris at 6:52 PM | Comments (10)
Originally a Moose by Chris Leavens
August 2, 2008
I intended to draw a moose and poof, it turned into this (Illustration Friday, topic: poof!).
In all honesty this is the best I've felt about anything I've done in weeks. It's also one of the most complicated vector pieces I've done in a while. If anyone's interested, here's a breakdown of the process.
Prints: chrisleavens.imagekind.com
Posted by Chris at 11:44 PM | Comments (24)
Fear Itself: "Skin & Bones" -- reviewed by Craig J. Clark and Joe Blevins
August 1, 2008
I have a confession to make. This is very difficult for me because I'm a very private person by nature, but my sponsor tells me that the best thing for someone in my position to do is to come clean, so here goes:
My name is Craig, and I am a werewolfoholic.
Continue reading "Fear Itself: "Skin & Bones" -- reviewed by Craig J. Clark and Joe Blevins"
Posted by Craig at 5:38 PM | Comments (4)
Creature’s Features by Craig J. Clark
July 31, 2008
Something was standing at the foot of the bed, just staring at him. He knew this despite the fact that he had not opened his eyes. He had heard it creep in while he was lying there, trying to go to sleep. Something had been troubling him and it was preventing him from dropping off, but that was nothing compared to what was troubling him now. A monster in the bedroom almost invariably meant trouble of some kind.
Continue reading "Creature’s Features by Craig J. Clark"
Posted by Craig at 8:59 AM | Comments (3)
Seed Tax by Chris Leavens
July 26, 2008
Having grown tired of canned fruit, the King decided to sup upon something fresher (Illustration Friday, topic: canned).
For those who are keeping score, this is the 500th Unloosen post. Thanks for sticking around.
Acrylic on canvas.
Posted by Chris at 11:50 PM | Comments (12)
Fear Itself: “Community” -- reviewed by Joe Blevins and Craig J. Clark
July 26, 2008
“This is no longer a vacation. It’s a quest. It’s a quest for fun.” - CLARK GRISWOLD
Doc!
Doc, you gotta help me!
It’s this TV show, Doc, this Fear Itself. Yeah, that’s right, Doc, the NBC horror anthology airing Thursday nights at ten, nine central right after Last Comic Standing. Boy, you sure know your TV shows, Doc. I didn’t think anybody but me was watching... and judging from the ratings they ain’t. So you been watching it too?
Oh, just heard about it somewhere, huh? Still, I’m impressed.
Anyway, Doc, here’s my problem. I’ve been watching this turkey since day one. Day one, Doc, and I ain’t missed an episode yet. Loyal as Greyfriars Bobby, you might say. And what do I get in return, Doc? Zilch, that’s what. Zero. Nada. Nothing. El blank-oh.
What do I want from it? How about a genuine scare every once in a while! The title is Fear Itself but I haven’t experienced any actual fear itself. Boredom itself, yes. Disappointment itself, definitely. Confusion itself, frustration itself, curiosity about what’s on the other channels itself, you name it. Everything but fear itself. I want the fear, Doc. I crave it like the junkie craves his needle. You grok, Doc?
Continue reading "Fear Itself: “Community” -- reviewed by Joe Blevins and Craig J. Clark"
Posted by Craig at 1:11 PM | Comments (4)
Shame to Waste the Hushpuppies by Craig J. Clark
July 24, 2008
John pushed the plate away, having reached the point where further food consumption was undesirable. He had eaten everything on the plate except for three hushpuppies, which he didn’t have room for and didn’t feel like making room for. He didn’t want to waste them, but didn’t seem to have much choice in the matter. The first couple had gone down okay, but that was because he had had fish to eat with them. Now the fish were gone and the hushpuppies remained. The bland, virtually tasteless hushpuppies.
Continue reading "Shame to Waste the Hushpuppies by Craig J. Clark"
Posted by Craig at 10:10 AM | Comments (3)
