1001 Black Men–#53

The last drawing from my Comic-Con sketchbook, this is one more study based on my experience watching how the Black folks in the audience watched the Black panelists and presenters on stage, especially in those conferences sessions that were focused on issues related to African Americans in the popular arts. I think the expression I saw, again and again, could best be described as proud anticipation. I know that, at times, I probably wore it myself.

8-Rock

1001 Black Men–#52

One more drawing in the Comic-Con series. I did this one during a panel on costume design. I love going to events like this. Aside from getting to hear a lot of cool people talk about art and literature and film, I also get a kick out of being one of a bunch of Black folks who refuse to let stereotypes and limitations keep us from doing the things we really love. In reality, no Black person truly fits the stereotypes associated us. This drawing acknowledges the experience of all African Americans — of being talked about, studied, strategized about, and obsessed over. But all of this is, for most of us, nothing but background noise. We go about the daily business of living our lives, with little attention to the voices that tell us that being Black is supposed to be a problem.

8-Rock

1001 Black Men–#51

Because I don’t really use models in the traditional sense, my drawings rely pretty heavily on memory. Most of my Comic-Con drawings were done while I was sitting in panels thinking about people I’d seen at other panels–or on the street or in the corridors, etc. This drawing was inspired by the experience of watching how people watch each other, especially in those moments when fans are watching and listening to people whose work they admire. This drawing attempts to capture the serene attentiveness of a fan who, at that moment, wouldn’t want to be anywhere else except exactly where he is.

8-Rock

1001 Black Men–#49

This is another of my Comic-Con drawings, and this time it captures that intense moment when a long-time fan gets his turn to step up to the mic and ask a question of one of his heroes. It was fun to watch people question, comment on, or compliment writers, directors, and artists whose work they had admired for years. The comic book fans were the most intense, with the possible exception of the Charlaine Harris fans. And, yes, I stepped to the mic a few times myself, to ask questions of actor-director Bill Duke and sci-fi visionary Samuel Delany.

8-Rock

1001 Black Men–#48

This is another drawing from my Comic-Con sketchbook. I’m sure I’m not the only one who actually can pay closer attention to what’s being said when I am doing something with my hands. For some people it’s knitting, but for me its always been drawing. I’ve stopped trying to pretend I’m just doodling. Now I just bring a real sketchbook wherever I go, and if I draw something I really like I can add color with paint or markers, or I can scan it and post it without having to deal with the problem of lined paper.

Anyway, I decided to scan this drawing and format it as a comic book cover. It was a lot of fun to try, and I’m definitely going to try it with some upcoming posts, as well.

8-Rock

1001 Black Men–#47

This is one of a series of drawings I did at Comic-Con in San Diego, inspired by the Black people I saw in the conference sessions, hallways, and in the exhibition hall. Having never attended this conference before, I was as surprised as I was thrilled to seeĀ  so many Black folks–as attendees, vendors, and panelists. It was fascinating to hear Black sci-fi novelists, comic artists, film directors, and costume designers tell the story of how they got their start. Afro-nerd pride was in the air, and I was happy to be among so many of my people.

8-Rock

PS: The t-shirt design is the San Diego skyline.

1001 Black Men–#46

This drawing was inspired by a recent trip to a local Walgreens. The line at the pharmacy was incredibly long, and some of the customers were less than cordial with the staff; but this one pharamcist in particular remained cool and contained, greeting everyone with respect and a smile. In the brief moments between customers, though, his smile would falter for a moment and I could really see how tired he was. I admired him, though, for treating everyone well, not because they were nice to him (because several people were not) and not because he necessarily felt like it, but because it was the right thing to do.

— 8-rock

An Online Sketchbook @8-Rock.com