Just Mad Books by Justin Madson

Pipe Dream

2009-08-22T16:32:34Z

"A Sophisticated Sort"

(I wonder when smoking pipes will become more commonplace. How very classy.)

Playing with watercolors

2009-08-15T15:28:53Z

A couple new watercolor illustrations.

"Wandering"

(I don't usually go for pink in my color palette, but this time it just felt right.)

"Whatever It Takes To Survive"

(This is one of my favorite ones yet. Feels like there's potential danger at every turn for these two, but they'll see their way through it.)

Fancy Art Show

2009-08-08T13:21:21Z

Some of my watercolor illustrations are currently on display at the Eclipse Gallery in Algoma, WI. This is the gallery's very first exhibit, so there was a definite feel of excitement at the opening night reception last Saturday. I dragged my entire family along with me and there was plenty of wine, so everyone had a great time.

I like wine.

My target audience.

The Justin Madson wall of weirdness.

The Eclipse Gallery exhibit

2009-07-18T22:28:19Z

I will be one of five artists displaying work at the newly-opening The Eclipse Gallery in Algoma, Wisconsin. The opening reception is on August 1, starting at 5:30 in the p.m. I have a number of watercolor illustrations that will be at the show so, if you're somewhere in the area, try to stop by, won't you? I think I'll drag along some Breathers comics and Birch books too, for good measure.

I don't usually (or ever) do gallery shows, but figured it was about time I embraced the idea. So, there you have it.

Playing with watercolors

2009-06-21T17:51:39Z

Some new watercolor illustrations...available for purchase in my ETSY SHOP

"Sometimes it's Easier to Fly Away"

"Dystopia"

"A Long Way From Home"

"Your Music Magazine" interview

2009-06-20T18:29:02Z

"Your Music Magazine" is a free music magazine circulating around California. An interview I did appears in this month's issue (which can conveniently be read online). Give it a read. I admit I probably spent too much time mulling over the questions asked, but my ramblings perfectly filled up the two-page spread. Nice.

Breathers prints

2009-04-30T16:56:59Z

I whipped up a handful of full color prints, featuring characters from my Breathers books. You can buy them and hang them on your bedroom wall and stare at them to your heart's content. Go to the ONLINE SHOP for ordering info.

"Siblings"

"Haunted"

"Best Friends"

Breathers #4

2009-04-07T19:22:42Z

It may have taken something like 6 long months to finish, but I have finally completed BREATHERS #4. Copies are available for purchase in my ETSY SHOP, for those of you interested. You can read some preview pages by going to my WEBSITE.

One more issue to go. It feels good to know that I'll be working toward the completion of the entire book now. I'm not sick of drawing gas masks yet, so I guess that's a good thing.

Breathers #4 update

2009-03-08T16:57:55Z

I am in the inking stages of the fifth story for Breathers #4. One more to go after that. I really want to have the book completely finished by the end of this month. That may require some serious ass-busting...but it could happen...really...it could...

I have also started a Facebook thang. I know I'm like the last person to have one, but so what? I'm still cool. So, if you want to be Facebook friends, I'm down with that. Word.

Breathers makes Comic Book Noise

2009-03-02T13:42:27Z

Bruce R. talks about Breathers in this podcast. Are they still called podcasts? Well, whatever you wanna call it, you should give it a listen.

http://www.comicbooknoise.com/2009/02/26/indie-comic-book-noise-224-small-press-digital-comics-and-kazoo-funk-orchestra/

Birch: Volume Three

2009-02-17T20:01:14Z

In sort of cathartic exercise of letting go of my old apartment, I compiled a new Birch book, which contains the last batch of drawings I did at my former Birch Street address. It contains 48 drawings and has a black cardstock cover with a sticker on it, for added coolness. It can be ordered from my Etsy shop for a mere 2 bucks plus shipping.

Update Time

2009-02-01T18:42:09Z

Hey, I guess it's time for an update.

Breathers #4 is coming along, slowly but surely, and should be completed in March. It will be at least 80 pages of story. Over 50 pages are alreay done. So, using my keen mathematical skills, I figure I still have about 30 pages to go.

I'm moving to a new place right now, so that's kind of cutting into comics-making time. But I still manage to sneak some drawing time in when no one's looking. Sneaky.

There is also talk of a Breathers film adaptation. I'll keep you posted on that, for sure.

Guess that's it for now.

Here'a page from the next book:

Some pictures

2009-01-07T00:14:04Z

A few more watercolor creations...working on these gives me a much-needed break from the long hours required to draw Breathers. Plus, it's fun to play with water...and color.

"Cinnamon"

"Empty Streets"

New Artworks

2009-01-02T21:48:32Z

Here are some new watercolor pieces to start off the new year. They are for sale in my ETSY SHOP.

"Crown of Flame"

"Flying Solo"

"Man Machine"

"Orchid"

Original Comic Pages for Sale

2008-11-23T13:37:30Z

I have decided to start selling my original pages from some of my books. I am starting with the pages from my graphic novel, The Waiting Sun. You can view all the pages from the book online and if you're interested in buying any of them, just contact me and I'll let you know if they are still available. I am selling them at $25 each or, if you buy multiple pages, at lower combined prices (2 for $45, 3 for $65, etc.). Just let me know! I have listed a few in over in my etsy shop, as well.

Page 25

Page 111

Blogged Birch

2008-10-25T14:31:55Z

Emma of Emerald Arts has written some nice stuff about my Birch book in her blog.
Thank you, Emma!

SPX Time!

2008-10-02T15:49:18Z

I will be heading to SPX this weekend for a few days of comics-loving fun. I will have a hefty stack of the just-completed Breathers #3 for sale at the show, along with a bunch of other comics & prints.

I will get Breathers #3 up for sale in my online shop when I get back.

Until then, here's a look at the cover:

Breathers #3 update

2008-08-30T11:44:26Z

It looks like I will have Breathers #3 completed for SPX the first weekend in October. I still have a good amount of work to do yet, but am surprisingly on schedule. After this weekend I'll have about 20 pages to go. Here are a few random pages for your enjoyment:

In other Breathers news, Breathers #1 is a 2008 SPACE Prize Finalist! You can read all about the SPACE Prize HERE and check out my fine competition.

Also, the Comic Collective interview I did at Wizard World Chicago is now on YouTube. You can watch it HERE.

More artsy stuff

2008-08-06T01:41:17Z

"City Streets"

7" x 11" watercolor and ink on watercolor paper...this was inspired by some fashion from an Anthropologie catalog...

Watercolor My World

2008-08-03T12:50:15Z

Here are a few more watercolor paintings. All are 5" x 7" and can be all yours for $20 each. Just go to my ETSY SHOP and buy 'em up!

"Zimmerman"

"Moody Blue"

"Whimsy"

Watercolors

2008-07-26T17:21:47Z

Been working on some new 5" by 7" watercolors...I'm selling 'em for 20 bucks each over at my ETSY SHOP. More to come soon...

"Extinction"

"Better With Age"

The Comic Collective Interview

2008-07-24T22:59:26Z

Bradley at The Comic Collective has posted an interview he did with me at Wizard World Chicago this past June. This segment mainly focuses on Breathers. You can view it HERE.

The Doctor Is In...

2008-07-24T22:38:55Z

A commissioned Doctor Strange watercolor piece. Original measures 10" by 13" on watercolor paper.

Wizard World Chicago '08

2008-07-02T15:25:15Z

Wizard World Chicago went down this past weekend. It was a looong four day show (well, that Thursday special preview night hardly counts). I shared a small press booth with Neil Fitzpatrick. We had a monstrous display set up with lots and lots of stuff for sale. The show went pretty well for both of us (we beat last year's sales mark...hooray for us!). I moved a good amount of BREATHERS books over the weekend, so that made me a happy boy. There were plenty of costumed folks walking around to gawk at/make fun of, so that helped pass the slow times.

If you want to see a bunch of pics from the show, you can check out Neil's photo gallery. Go ahead. You know you want to.

Here I am, working the table.

The Just Mad Books side of the booth.

Look at all that awesome stuff. We caught a few people drooling...it wasn't pretty.

So, now that I'm done with this insane month of shows, I can buckle down on getting some comics drawn! I hope to have Breathers #3 done for SPX in October. Wish me luck!!

Heroes Con 2008

2008-06-25T17:22:09Z

I attended HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC this past weekend (my second of three shows this month!!). I unloaded a decent amount of books and prints and met some great people. The crowd seemed to be mainly a superhero/zombie/blood-n-guts type of crowd, so there was definitely plenty of down-time at my table. But, I still drew plenty of folks in for a look and came away with, what I feel, is a substantial number of new readers. So...well worth those loooong hours behind the table.

This was my first time at the show. It was a like a smaller version of Wizard World Chicago (which is coming up in a few days), but it still had a surprising amount of "big name" artists in attendance. My seventeen year-old self would have been geeking out big time! The "Indie Island" section (which I was not a part of, or even in close proximity to) seemed to draw in a more indie-friendly fan base, which, I think, helped me out. Maybe next year I'll be cool enough to make it on the island.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by at the show. I hope to see you next time 'round!

NEXT STOP: Wizard World in Chicago. Hope to see you there!!