Consider the Critics of the Field…
A big, big thank-you to everyone who came by to see me at TCAF last weekend. The turnout was unbelievable! The TX room was so busy that I barely had a chance to see the rest of the show, but what I did see was inspiring – so many people producing work they’re passionate about. You just can’t ask for a better atmosphere than that.
The Abominable book was a big hit with existing readers and with people who had never heard of it before! We saw a lot of convention-goers just standing at the table stroking the velvet cover. Which I’m still doing, myself, actually. 
A REMINDER that today is the last day for PRE-ORDERS of the book! They’ll still be available in the store, but without the limited print, and the $40 version will be unsigned from here on out. Shipping will begin next week (and I’ve got a LOT of books to sketch in before then).
Also, if you’re in Toronto and you missed the show, you can pick up a copy of the book at The Beguiling. Even if you already have the book, check out that store because those guys are amazing.
May 12th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
LOL! Classic! Especailly having just read Roger Ebert’s article about video games, stating that they can NEVER be concidered “art”.
wonderful Karl…
May 12th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
I’m so glad I came out to TCAF; thank you so much for the Townsen sketch in my copy of the book. Everyone I showed it to was surprised that it wasn’t already printed in there due to how gorgeous it turned out! When I brought it home and left it in my family’s kitchen, my dad ended up reading the entire thing.
May 12th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Fantastic!
It’s funny cause I have a new gardening app and i was thinking about how funny it was that i was watering fake flowers – and i would want to do that because they are so amazing, as the racoon describes.
i also water real flowers.
May 12th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
totally forgot today was the last day to pre-order! awesome, just did!
cant wait to see charles in all his printed glory!
May 12th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Awesome! Reminds me of when I visited the Matress Factory in Pittsburgh, a weird alternative art museum. Most of the exhibits baffled me or left me cold. I advised them to put a bucket of marbles outside each exhibit with two urns marked “Art” and “N’Art” to allow the wisdom of crowds to decide!
May 12th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Thanks again for the fantastic book my friend! It turned out beautiful! You surely spared no expense!! Did you manage to nab a copy of the Anthology Project?
May 12th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Does the fact that this is a bud and not a fully opened bloom have any role in this discussion? This reminds me of the new documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop” that I’m trying to see.
I love the mock seriousness/insouciance of the graffiti artists/urban artists and they’re connection to everyone, not just the rich gallery crowds.
BTW, have we seen this mouse before? He’s kinda cute.
May 12th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Hey Karl, It was great to meet you. The book is beautiful! I’m looking forward to reading the series again from the beginning (and to seeing if I can spot the little changes between the printed and web versions you were telling me about). Thanks so much for the Charles sketch. It’s great! I’ll always remember you drawing it–standing up with an array of pens in your pocket.
May 12th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Thanks for the reminder Karl, just ordered my copy.
May 12th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Hehe! I think I know that mouse!
May 12th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
*sniff* The day before payday and when the exchange rate is only marginally less against me that it was last payday. Guess I’ll just have to settle for an unsigned copy in a few months.
May 12th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
That’s actually a really interesting question. I guess theism must totally change the way people see the world.
May 12th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
It was great meeting you at TCAF, Karl! Thanks for that cute little sketch of the drunken bird as well.
Today’s comic really got to me. I’ve been hearing so very much of this lately, and it’s nice to think of it more lightheartedly.
Oh yes, speaking of the book, I fondle that delicious velvet cover all the time.
May 12th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
omg, this is brilliant (like always)! i love how you captured that deep thought and admiration of little things. great job as always!
May 12th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
BAH! Post-bhuddist-pre-neo-modernist-romanticist twoddle!
May 12th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Good question, mouse.
May 12th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
This totally made my day.
Down with subjective labeling, I say! Down!
May 12th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
This is so funny. Me and the musicians I used to hang out with used to ask each other that sarcastically all the time. That and “Yes. But, what does it *MEAN*?”
ROFL
Now I have kids that age (also musicians) but the whole thing is out of context.
*heavy sigh* Thanks
May 13th, 2010 at 3:10 am
I really like the art in this comic and these two characters. It looks like the ultra-busy raccoon found some time to smell the flowers after all…
May 13th, 2010 at 3:37 am
Haha, just as I’m wrapping up a topic on art and creativity – I just had to pass this one on to my tutor! Wonderfully done (and as beautiful as always), thank you, Karl!
We’re looking forwards with almost explosive glee to the arrival of your book!
(Although I’m afraid it will make me cry again…)
May 13th, 2010 at 4:02 am
Love the eyes in the first panel!
May 13th, 2010 at 5:21 am
The question that immediately came to my mind was: what field of cannabis had the coon been in just prior to this strip? The mouse, on the other hand, reminded me very much of Walt Kelly’s “Mouse”, including the comment.
May 13th, 2010 at 8:57 am
classic
May 13th, 2010 at 9:49 am
I love it, Karl! I’m going to toddle away and ponder stuff like the question of nature vs. art, whether art requires interpretation (is a flower art before you do something to it — arrange it, paint it, sculpt it?), and so forth, all day… and all because of a webcomic. A smile followed by a lot of hard thinking… what more can one ask of art in any form?
May 13th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Fantastic
May 13th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Reminds me of my first college drawing instructor. First day of class, last day of class, anywhere in the middle, he would ask each and every one of us, no matter what we were drawing – “But does it work?”
May 13th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Is it art? arrgh don’t get me started xD
May 13th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
The mouse is lucky the coon is stoned, or else he’d be lunch.
Now I think of it, I always suspect that people obsessing over whether something is art or not are stoned. It’s just such a wacky question, you know?
May 13th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Reminds me of “the first, most dread review” — http://www.everypoet.com/archive/poetry/Rudyard_Kipling/kipling_the_conundrum_of_the_workshops.htm
May 14th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Stop questioning the artistic merit of it and let me enjoying for what it IS.
This precept applies to so many things, guys you have no idea.
May 14th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
This feels so much like a Calvin and Hobbes strip.
May 14th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Karl,
Congratulations on the nomination! I’m pullin’ for ya!
Cheers.
May 15th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Karl, I have learned about your comic today, and it is such a GREAT read! It’s so great that it has inspired me to make my own comic. The only problem is, I dont know where to start….lol
But anyways, AMAZING job on the comic! Im definitely going to buy the book as soon as I can!
—-Dominic
May 27th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Oh my gosh, this made me LAUGH. XD WHY ARE PEOPLE LIKE THAT? It’s hilarious.
June 1st, 2010 at 11:26 pm
I love this comic! And who hasn’t had this conversation at some point or another?
October 3rd, 2010 at 3:09 am
I’m halfway between laughing and crying. The whether or not it’s art argument will one day drive me completely crazy.
…I do love this one, though.
May 19th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Why? Why is it so perfect that the raccoons are the Daoist/new-age gurus (or just the wannabe self-improvers) of Cedar Forest? I don’t understand your brilliance. Please tell me where it comes from.
October 3rd, 2011 at 9:41 pm
This is absolutely my favourite strip in the entire comic.