Doomteenth

Okay so I did the most hipster thing ever and told no one about it. I participated in a Portland Afrofuturist Art Installation: Doomteenth!

Both Lucy and I were invited by the artist to assist with assembling this installation. It took a couple days, but what came together was stunning. Doc Bastard, the mysterious artist behind the installation, had a powerful vision he saw through to the nth degree. The final installation: The Doom Cube.

I’ve been to a lot of futuristic exhibits around the SoCal area, but nothing hit me quite like this. This installation wasn’t just sitting in a gallery. It was integrated with nature and accompanied by small spirit houses and a giant chestnut tree with even more spiritual stuff inside. This is the future and the future is green. It was an honor to help assemble this exciting and challenging piece. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend time off than romping in nature up in the Pacific Northwest. That’s prime day job territory there.

Anyway, I highly recommend you follow the Doomteenth page for more and keep up with the latest news on his art pieces in the PNW area. I know I’m subscribed. This was wild!

Ghosted

A handy dandy guide for anyone I’ve ever ghosted and thrown out of my life.

For those who don’t know, ghosting is the art of quickly disappearing out of someone’s life without confrontation or communication. Polite society considers ghosting in poor taste, but it is the language of those who are just fed up. I am done with folks with nothing better to do than to take up my time and energy. So I will just ghost people.

Not everyone deserves your time and patience. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been best friends or you’re like family. A hater is a hater. And there is no negotiating with haters. They are determined to hate you out of existence. Nobody has time for that.

So yeah, sometimes ghosting is the answer. Protect your peace and simply walk away or mentally check out from people who would turn you into their personal emotional vending machine. It’s what the ancestors would’ve wanted.

Surfriday: Silver Surfer

This was actually my first Silver Surfer comic. Just in time for the new movie to come out in a couple weeks. I'm really happy with the art i did on this. I should do more like this.

I had fun doing my own version of the Kirby Crackle as more exciting, colorful circles that stretch with the surfer's movements.

-Love, Joolz

Muscle Memory

The physics of surfing is way more specific than you think.

Also, I had to discuss the push forward thing myself. Every surf instructor in the world will tell you to work on your push-ups. But nobody bothers to tell you that you not only have to push yourself upward, but push forward with your hands. Get yourself in a downward facing dog position. The key is to get your hips high so you can fit your legs under you.

Your hands must line up with your center of gravity. This was an extra huge challenge for me because of my extra huge ass. Surf instructors on the internet are generally dudes with no asses, so their advice wasn't the most helpful.

Now, I'm out here constantly practicing my muscle memory so I can keep getting my feet under me.

Maybe one day I'll write a proper surf instructional book.

Ancestral Lands

I grew up in Orlando, so I know all about people's obsession with Disney theme parks. Hell, Disney was the reason I didn't pay state income taxes till I moved to California. I've seen people spend obscene amounts of money for the chance to tap dance with a bunch of cartoon characters played by teenagers in mascot costumes.

Disney Adults are weird. They're more than weird. They refuse to live in reality. They uphold an evil corporation that abuses its workers, steals from every artists it touches, and tries to hijack entire cultures. But probably the most destructive things Disney Adults to are to themselves and their families. Disney Adults will drive their families into debt, and never travel abroad. They ever find out who they even are.

This comic asks the questions what if you just went to your Ancestral Lands instead?

The most well-adjusted people I know have been to their ancestral land. They've touched the grass there. They've felt the air. They've felt their bodies attune to the earth. They feel right and whole. I'm pretty lucky in that Puerto Rico is so close by to the US. I don't even need a passport to travel there. I've been to Puerto Rico three times. And every time I have, I feel solid. I understand my part in the ecosystem. I realize I am a creature of the seas. And I honor that with my surfing.

I feel bad for anyone who bought the Disney theme park grift. They're paying for an expensive fantasy instead of embracing their truth. And that's sad. Disney will not save you. They'll only pick your pockets.

Go to your ancestral lands. It'll cost you less and reward you more.

Surfriday: What's a Party Wave?

Last week, we talked about my party wave with a dog. Now I'm just doing a rerun of what a party wave even is.

I throw down so much surfer terminology I find myself having to explain what I'm talking about half the time. Which is fine. Because then that's more to make comics about.

The party wave is like a duet but with surfing. It's legendary. And I got to party wave with a dog. That's epic.