Operation: Alien

Week seventy four of Operation Graphite – theme: Aliens.

Where once Goblins, Fairies and Elves inhabited popular consciousness, now meddling extra terrestrials are the nocturnal visitors people wonder about. In a thousand years, will we have totally new explanations for abduction myths and lights in the sky, or will we rule out all fantastical explanations for these mysteries? Maybe we will finally loose all these colorful theories once sleep paralysis and other neurological phenomena are understood.  But what if we actual make contact by then? Even if current theories of aliens are disproven, that doesn’t disprove the possibility of aliens. If the Drake equation is ever found to be anywhere near correct, and we do find a celestial neighbor, will it shatter all previous ideas of aliens or will it cement them? With so many popular culture references for aliens, could one of those ideas be close? Lets just hope they are the Phoning Home kind, and not the Face Hugging kind.

Contributing Extra Terrestrials:

Micah – Various Aliens

sethomatic – Xenomorph

Shock – Four Weirdos

Thank you for contributing.

Week 75: Mega Man

The theme selected for week seventy five of Operation Graphite will be: Mega Man.

Mega man, or Rock Man in Japan (ロックマン pronounced more like Rlokkuman) is a robotic boy created by an aging scientist. The origin story is in some ways similar to that of Astro boy, which it self is a modern version of Pinocchio. And while the story begins with a lonely, yet brilliant, elderly man producing a robotic boy as his progeny, this character stars in a video game, so action, conflict and challenge (oh my god the challenge) defines this character. Along with his many allies and enemies, Mega Man is one of the most recognized characters introduced by Capcom via Nintendo.

Please submit any drawing or painting, using traditional or digital media, that fits the theme: Mega Man.

All art work is due on Thursday 8.1.13 Submissions will be published the following Friday 8.2.13

Operation: Devil

Week seventy three of Operation Graphite – theme: Devil.

Red skin, horns and a pitch fork. Actually, The horns were inspired by Pan and fauns of greek mythology. The pitch fork is actually a trident on loan from Poseidon. The red skin parallels the flush of blood when one is enraged or consumed with lust. Like an amalgam of pagan gods and deadly sins to detour the pious, the devil is  an allegory for the side of our nature we try to keep in check. To indulge in these sins is to fall into corruption and villainy, but to exclude some of them all together is to miss out on the delights this world has to offer. Some might say that abstinence from earthly delights is the ticket to paradise, but how dismal that paradise would be if it were only for the puritanical. That actually sounds like Hell.

Contributing devils:

Micah – Devil

sethomatic – Devilish

Shock – Mephistopheles

Thank you for being wicked little deviants.

Week 74: Aliens

The theme selected for week seventy four of Operation Graphite will be: Aliens.

 

This isn’t going to be an immigration issue. Well, I guess it could be if the G’Merlochs from Tau Ceti Prime want to do more than just visit. Seriously, you guys don’t take up much space, but the neighbors are staring starting to wonder about the noise. I don’t want to discourage your religious ceremonies, but do you need to scream ABBA songs whenever the Moon is at it’s zenith? This week is all about Extra Terrestrial Beings. They can be Ancient, Cartoony, Gray, Reptilian, Klingon, Wookie, Xenomorph (though I can pretty much guarantee that Xenomorph will be it’s own theme one of these days) or any other type of Alien being from fiction… or real life. Cause Aliens are totally real, they gave mankind cheez whiz. True Story.

Please submit any drawing or painting, using traditional or digital media, that fits the theme: Aliens.

All art work is due on Thursday 7.25.13 Submissions will be published the following Friday 7.26.13

Having trouble picking an alien, why not Zoidberg?

Operation: Ninjas

Week seventy two of Operation Graphite – theme: Ninjas.

Remember a few years ago when the whole, Pirate vs. Ninja, was a thing? At it’s core it was about who would win in a fight, which is dumb, but I’ll get into that later. What it kinda became was a choice. With which do you identify, are you a pirate or a ninja? Both are very different, and maybe I was the only one who thought this, but it was this great way to divide personality styles. Most can agree that both pirates and ninjas are pretty damn cool, but what do you see yourself as. Are you loud, often drunk and have a chaotic spirit for adventure, or are you quiet, calculating and with a focus on balance? It’s kind about extroverts vs. introverts, not really about fighting styles. But lets face it, pirates were not martial artists. Fearsome, cut throat marauders of the hight seas, yes, but discipline, heightened human focus and agility… no. Most ninja assassinations were accomplished with the victims never knowing what the fuck happened. Ninjas have no honor, they do not meet on a level playing field. Pirates fight pretty dirty too, but ninjas are way sneakier. Some pirate would show up, pistols loaded and cutlas thirsting for blood. Out of the blue, a poison dart, or some stealthy behind the back throat slash takes out the pirate before he even has the chance to get to the first, R in Yarr. Now, if some ninja was stranded out in the open, in broad day light with only a katana, and the pirate has a belt full of flintlocks… maybe the pirate would win, maybe.

Contributing Shinobi

sethomatic – Leonardo

Shock – Foot Clan

Thank you for contributing.

Week 73: Devil

The theme for week seventy three of Operation Graphite will be: Devil.

What is a devil, or who is The Devil? Are they malevolent spirits, tricksters and tormenters. Was it the the Shining one, the morning star, the source of light and illumination? The Devil is often seen as the ultimate evil, and any minor devils and demons just tiny minions furthering that malevolent goal. But for some, the devil is a allegory, maybe even a scapegoat; a wrongly accused and slandered being, or a idea to shed our own dark self upon. If we blame a little red devil for our sins, then we can’t be responsible for them ourselves. Once reviled, now the Devil is almost fetishized; a hero for those who want to rebel and give into their darkest desires. Is the devil the outside influence we fear, or the part of ourselves we try to hold back.

Please submit any drawing or painting, using traditional or digital media, that fits the theme: Devil.

All art work is due on Thursday 7.18.13 Submissions will be published the following Friday 7.19.13.

 

 

Operation: American Folklore

Week seventy one of Operation Graphite – theme: American Folklore.

Hope you had a good forth of July, and didn’t blow off a chunk or yourself by celebrating the the most American of all holidays by lighting off imported illegal fireworks.

Contributing folktales:

Bruku – Jackalope

Shock – Paul Bunyan

Thank you for contributing.

Week 72: Ninjas

The theme selected for week seventy two of Operation Graphite will be: Ninjas.

Shinobi, monomi, nokizaru, rappa, kusa, Iga-mono – all terms for the shadow warriors of feudal Japan, Ninjas. While they were real and historical spies and assassins, Ninjas lore has also been spun into absurdity in the west. Whether you prefer the historical version, the cheese ball version, or some kind of unholy combination of the two, this week is all about mutha fuckin’ ninjas.

Please submit any drawing or painting, using traditional or digital media, that fits the theme: Ninjas.

All art work is due on Thursday 7.11.13 Submissions will be published the following Friday 7.12.13.