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jflaxman In reply to chris-the-sword [2015-07-05 22:48:47 +0000 UTC]

Thanks again. This is a very old piece and it's interesting to look back and see how my style's changed. I tagged this as "digital" due to the text but the drawing's ink on paper, which doesn't leave much room for mistakes! Thematically it comes from a time when I had a stronger social conscience. My more recent and imaginative work might partly stem from disillusion.

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chris-the-sword In reply to jflaxman [2015-07-06 21:26:14 +0000 UTC]

i see.

i can also tell that back then you used to worry alot more about social/political/society classes/categories back then, and maybe even about art+philosophy, if i may say so...
(because your older works were clever comments about society/philosophy/art in general.... correct me if im wrong!)

your recent works are more focused in the horror/surrealism category, even tho your artwork now is alot more (visually) interesting and horrifyingly beautiful, imho.
but what never changed in your art, the thing that ALWAYS remains in your drawings, is the creepy factor.
i mean the businessman's evil, piercing eyes shown in ''before the law'' drawing are amazing.
they certainly capture the viewer's attention.

and i can tell, that the fearsome/creepy factor always existed in your artwork, sometimes less prominent, sometimes more prominent. but always there. always existing.
horror and awe beneath the ''surface'' of your drawings.
its undescribable how great this is.

and if i dare to say, you should totally tag your drawing as an ''inked'' drawing, because the text might be digital, but drawing an inked picture is hard as hell, and you should get recognized/credited for that!

also, last but not least, your more recent artworks, might be scarier, and more horrifying, but they are beautifully horrifying, if you get my drift.
i enjoy watching them and looking at all the details, and the stories.
oh man, your stories are perhaps the strongest thing, alongside with the drawings.
a couple made in heaven; powerfull images, with deep, exciting and emotional stories. its the best, imho.

however, i can STILL see the (good) social conscience, even in your more recent works.
for example, the castes of the transhuman-elite, the dark society of the mohr bahru, where the dark gods torment the poor mortals that live there.
the chaos that reigns supreme in the post-apocalyptic world....
you still show good examples of good VS evil, fair power VS abuse of power, the false feeling of ''immortality'' that sometimes the ''strong'' classes have, the arrogance and the evil ways of the ''powerfull'' people in the top of the system....

yes, you have a strong quill, and your write amazing stories with it.
stories with action, emotion and meanings.
keep writing, and keep drawing, you are truly great, my friend!

perhaps you will never read this comment, but if you do, please reply back, and tell me your opinions/views about my comment.
and sorry again for the wall of text.

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jflaxman In reply to chris-the-sword [2015-07-13 02:23:32 +0000 UTC]

Once again I'm overwhelmed by such a long and thoughtful response and I'm sorry about the late reply!

This cartoon isn't very subtle but it gets the point across. My transhumans and dark gods aren't really meant to represent real-world oppressors but if I took these ideas further they could be potent metaphors. At present my dark powers aren't much different from forces of nature - things to be acknowledged, endured, but never really overcome. My more recent surreal work could be viewed as social commentary but I've mostly just been drawing whatever comes most naturally. I've let viewers form their own conclusions and reading their different takes on my work has been very interesting.

I still usually start with some kind of story and I'll definitely include them when I think they're strong enough. It's been great to see some of my personal favourites (by no means my most popular!) are some of your favourites too and wish I could come up with such stories more consistently - I'll have to get better at remembering my dreams!

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. They're some of the most positive and encouraging I've ever read!

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chris-the-sword In reply to jflaxman [2015-07-14 22:40:24 +0000 UTC]

oh, no problem!
i've been also busy with work and life, so yes, i totally understand.

as for your drawings, yes, the transhuman elite+the dark gods of the darklands might not be a direct social commentary towards the situation of the strong VS the weak, or a statement about how the powerfull castes/classes dominate the lower classes for their own pleasure/profit, yet, your works mirror and show many elements of GOOD, clever and very realistic social commentary. (even if its not a social commentary picture, and just a very creative work about a dark power that is strong like the forces of nature; thunder, flood, fire and earthquake.

that is the meaning of the dark powers that dominate your stories, i understand.
however, this is the beauty with your works/drawings/stories: every viewer can interpret them in many ways, often creating constructive dialogue and philosophical debate, about whats right and wrong, social injustice, the inner meaning of good VS evil, abuse of power, science advances and morals about the limits of science, etc etc...

in short, your drawings/stories/art in general is not JUST beautiful and creative, it also sparks thoughts, ideas and debate activities, and for that, your art is wonderful and priceless.

also, wow!
its good to know that some of my favorite stories/drawings of yours are also (some of) your favorite creations.
this feels so nice!

yes, you do create great stories, and you should write more stories like these....
you know, a good way to remember your dreams is to always have a notebook (the paper kind) next to your bed, and when you wake up after an amazing dream, you must write it down in the notebook as fast as possible. (because if you dont, you might forget many details as the day progresses, i am saying that on a personal experience. the earlier you write down on paper your dreams, the more detailed they are.)
i had some wonderful (and scary!) dreams in my share as well.
but im not a good artist, so i cannot depict them!

but you, my friend, you are a great artist!
so you should always write down your dreams, and maybe (maybe) one day you should write a book about the vast enviroment of your dreams, perhaps a book including the universe of mohr bahru, and the chamber of the 36 echoes? (along with many dream-enviroments/stories as well)

you are good artist, and your stories are a pleasure to read!

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jflaxman In reply to grind-the-rust [2009-11-26 02:08:48 +0000 UTC]

So if you had a really big web, you could score some factories, rockets, etc?

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grind-the-rust In reply to jflaxman [2009-11-26 12:44:01 +0000 UTC]

*chortles* possibly, although i just meant his appearance.

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