Simon's Little Bastard

Will the Irn Bru Curtain fall?!

Simon — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:53:05 +0000

Much discussion among my Scottish chums of late about the possibility of an independent Scotland. Like a true woolly liberal, I am totally undecided as to which side of the fence I fall in this on-going debate. I love Scotland dearly. It features (briefly – Aberdeenshire) in my novel LOVE, GUDRUN ENSSLIN and I have made many visits – back-packing round the Hebrides (see my post about the Scottish Wild Cat and the Save The Scottish Wildcat links at the foot of this blog). You also cannot possibly argue with Scotch (the drink!), smoked salmon, Aberdeen Angus, shortbread and (yes, I even like….) haggis. (NB curious fact: 60% of all haggis is exported south of the border to England). I also have some Scottish heritage – a great-grandfather from Campbeltown. And I can do the accent! But will I really soon be needing a passport to visit my Glaswegian friends?!! Watch this space, I guess…..

Krazee Kat from Lah Lah Land!

Simon — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:48:36 +0000

hi amigos

i am still largely unable to get regular internet access so the blog posts continue to be few and far between from yours truly just now.

however, i also continue to toy with the idea of (some day) producing a cartoon/comic strip book (Lah Lah Land) and continue to refine the characters (many of which were created years ago) when time permits.

the final blog on this topic (for now) shows the genesis of one such character.

this one is Krazee Kat – he is generally to be found carrying a parcel; a gift that he presents to the object of his desire (usually a female Poodle known as Miss Poodle Dog). the parcel then tends to explode. Krazee remains puzzled that his unique amorous approach has such negligible success. his usual response next time is to use a greater quantity of explosive!

here he is in B&W mode…

and here he is in full glorious technicolour!….

Owls Of Derision from Lah Lah Land!

Simon — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:21:43 +0000

Greetings amigos! Those of you who read this blog (or who know me from way back when) will also know that I have drawn cartoons, caricatures and comic strips from the age of…well, practically dot. (See my previous blog – ‘Cartoon blasts from the past’ – for examples of some caricatures I did during my boarding school days).

At present I am still lacking regular IT access and only making occasional ‘guerilla updates’ to this blog! In view of that fact, I thought that, rather than post yet another random ‘test card’, I would share with you some preliminary sketches of a series of cartoons (either cartoon strip or comic book format – as yet undecided) I am considering producing when time (and equipment) allows.

For some good while I have had this menagerie of crazy animal characters floating around in my mind (and on various sketchpads and scraps of paper). The vague idea is for a cartoon series entitled Lah Lah Land and featuring these critters. It would be a cartoon strip (or book) that is equally accessible to kids and adults – quirky and zany enough for the latter and cutesy and colourful enough for the former.

The first example is now my new ‘test card’ (see below). These guys are the Owls Of Derision. Effectively they are cynics and will pour scorn on anyone in Lah Lah Land who dares to dream a dream or hatch a cherished plan. First rule of Lah Lah Land? Never listen to the Owls Of Derision!!!

I’m bunging up a series of these preliminary sketches/designs as the days progress. If anyone out there in the worldwide ether-net(!) has any thoughts or comments I’d be interested to hear ‘em. If not, I’ll be posting the sketches up anyway!! (Well, it is my blog y’know!…)