Operation: The Monster Squad

Week two-thirty-three of Operation Graphite – theme: The Monster Squad.

In a summer of lack luster sequels and reboots, and even another Squad movie, old movies and new TV shows that have the feel of old movies are extraordinarily popular. Not to completely rag on all this summers movies, Civil War was pretty good, and I just saw Kubo and the Two Strings, and that was really fun. There were’t many other films I even got out to see. It’s not as easy to get out and see a movie these days, so when a flood of weak reviews come in, I lose much of my excitement. We don’t need reboots of movies from the 80’s, we need new movies that feel as if they came from the 80’s. Is that a strait up remake. is that dissecting multiple films and creating a nostalgic Frankenstein, or is it about capturing the fun, pacing and innovation of some of those early film?

Shock – Wolfman (with nards)

Week 234: Deer

The theme selected for week two-thirty-four of Operation Graphite will be: Deer (for a second attempt)

Remember that one time we were going to have the deer theme, but life got in the way? Well here is the second attempt at that theme. There will also be more time allotted for this one, but I am sure I too will procrastinate until the last minute. Time for deer, elk, moose or caribou; any member in the deer family is fair game.

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

All art work is due on Friday, 9.16.16. Submissions will be published the weekend of 9.17.16

Operation: Stranger Things

Week two-thirty-two of Operation Graphite – theme: Stranger Things.

Sorry about the delay with this post, I was trapped in the Upside Down. While we wait for the second season in this Netflix series, we will have to rewatch all those 80’s movies that inspired the show.

Contributing Things:

shawnbrookwilliams – Bike Sketch

Shock – Lucas and Dustin

Week 233: The Monster Squad

The theme selected for week two-thirty-three will be: The Monster Squad.

On one summer night in 1988, I was sleeping over at a friends house. We watched The Monster Squad on HBO, and stayed up late playing the first Castlevania. The two complemented each other perfectly.

80’s nostalgia is all the rage, and what better time to think about the Monster Squad, especially since there may be a Shane Black reboot. Goonies and Stand By Me get all most of the attention when it comes to 80’s adolescent adventure tales, but The Monster Squad has always been one of my all time favorites. It’s got all the classic Universal Monsters, Stan Winston did the creature effects, including on of my all time favorite versions of The Wolfman and a fantastic Creature from the Black Lagoon. And it was the 8o’s so the soundtrack was pretty cheesetastic, but totally in a good way.

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

All art work is due 9 P.M. PST on Friday, 8.26.16. Submissions will be published the weekend of 8.27.16

Operation: Work

Week two-thirty-one of Operation Graphite – theme: Work.

As I fill out my unemployment forms, it certainly adds a depressing closure to this weeks Grey OP, or is it Gray Op – I really don’t know. Everyone says enjoy your time off, as if it is a vacation. It is just like a vacation though, but one where you are haunted minute by minute about your impending financial disaster, where feelings of inadequacy, worthlessness and absolute dread wash over you like El Nino waves against the CA coast circa 1997. Yeah, its a fucking blast. But going to work, that’s almost as bad.

Shock – Pick Axe

Week 232: Stranger Things

The theme selected for week two-twenty-three of Operation Graphite will be: Stranger Things.

The new Netflix original series, Stranger things, has been gaining a lot of fans. It is absolutely one of my new favorite things. An adolescent adventure reminiscent of the Goonies, combined with dark horror tones and a super creepy monster, all rapped up in a nice eight part mini series. It’s very 80’s, but totally in a good way.

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

All art work is due 9 P.M. PST on Friday, 8.19.16. Submissions will be published the weekend of 8.20.16

Operation: Pokemon

Week two-thirty of Operation Graphite  – theme: Pokemon.

Monsters are cool, finding and befriending monsters is cool, fighting dangerous monsters is cool, but all those at once? Pokemon is fantasy dog fighting, you capture a wild animal, then you train it to fight other animals who were also trapped and trained to fight. Is it just me or is that premise really fucked up? Maybe I am missing something, but that is how it appears. There are some cool creature ideas, I just feel bad for the poor creatures trapped in a tiny ball and forced to fight for sport, thats all.

Shock – Geodude

Week 231: Work

The theme selected for week two-thirty-one of Operation Graphite will be: Work

Work, get it? cause after Friday there won’t be any. Yes, once again I will be joining the Unemployed. Working in entertainment means it is a pretty common thing, that still doesn’t make it feel better. I could have had this theme be about the lack of work, or the waves of crippling depression and feeling of absolute worthlessness that are associated with job hunts by those with few skills, but why dwell on all that negativity? I spend enough time regretting all my life choices already. No, lets think about getting to work, building shit, or whatever the hell you do to pay for your insanely high rent.

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

All art work is due 9 P.M. PST on Friday, 8.12.16. Submissions will be published the weekend of 8.13.16