Giving Back

After some serious consideration I have decided to challenge my self to do better next year. With the dedication and help of my customers I have decided to push farther then ever before.
The goal is simple.

SELL 1000 Books Sketch the secret art VOL 1. = $1000 to the food bank in Calgary.

Thats right, From now until the end of 2007 All customers will be participating in helping to make the world a better place. ON your behalf as a customer I will dedicate $1 Dollar to the food bank as a cheque or in actual food value if we can hit the thousand dollar mark for sales of Sketch the secret art VOL 1.

Lets make this happen. The world will be a better place.

Sketch the secret art VOL 1, is avalible at this site : http://www.lulu.com/rgrzela

Thanks for your support and dedication to my art and the world at large.

Holidays

I have finished a brand new painting before the holidays. I guess the snow made me think of a warm jungle so that is what I painted. I will post it soon I just want to make sure the paint sets before I do anything crazy - like move it around.

In two weeks I will be free to my own means, as work will grant me my standard segmented constetutional allotment. So I hope to finish some serious writing in that time and even push out a few more sketches for the holidays.

Hope the season continues to offer you the blessings you deserve and a break to the hard working folk too. Children really are great for helping you relive those innocent days. So feel free to spoil them a little - even if they are a pain in the rump at times.

Hey I find the best thing to do is when they drive you to the point when you are about to throttle them, Just grab them tightly and give them a hug. That usually stuns them just enough to make them think that you are crazy enough to let them get away with the worst.

Then - Just may be- They will cry, and you will know that you are doing the right thing for them. You can let them go on to the merry old way so they can break what ever it was they were going to before you let them know - no matter what - things will work out.

holidays

Getting ready for the fat red guy to break into the house again....This time He is not getting away. His elves already broke my tree out front. Wait till I get my hands on them all.

Hockey Jersey

Flames hosted the Ducks. Flames Won 3-0. I thought I saw another chick wearing my fly gear. I could be dreaming but I am sure the thin air was not effecting my vision. The seats were nose bleeds but still I saw my gear on this chick. Honest.....

I wonder if she is reading my books?

http://www.lulu.com/rgrzela

FInd out for your self

The Real Deal - Designer with Swag

Here is the gear that I recieved the other week. Due to the work load I am facing I just now had time to post it. Calvin has a great store, and great support stafff to make your ideas happen. Hey My christmas shopping is done too! If you want yours vist the sleeping monk site.

And yes I did post the side ways pictures on purpose. It is a design element to see if you are really paying attention.

Time to reflect

I have had a little down time. And in that time some good and some bad has happened. Ryan Smyth of the Edmonton Oilers broke a franchise record with a hat trick in 2:01 minutes. Conversely and Uncle has died.

I received my order of great clothing designs…however my dad has failing health.

I completed a short story with a second to follow, and will accompany it for publishing later this year.

And I have not won the Lottery.

So it is safe to say that no matter how hard I push forward. My life is to be forever trapped in balance. I would love to see the scales tip in my favor prosperous.

So feel free to get a copy of my books at this site.

http://www.lulu.com/rgrzela

Hockey

Since the day I could walk I was a fan of the Edmonton Oilers. So we start the battle of Alberta with a 3-1 Win against the Calgary flames - My home town. Yes Many people dislike me so i will take this moment to not only gloat, but have to promote my books.
www.lulu.com/rgrzela
Buy yours to day...... A guy this good can't be wrong.

shirts

The great shirts I designed have yet to leave the u.s.a. boarder. How can A guy look nobal with out the finest threads on his body. Yes My designs do make you look better so buy yours today.

Hockey is back.

Yes the great canadian game is back on the tube. i am ready for my hocky pools and I am looking to crack the code to have some cash made this season. I have been playing the low odds in the past thinking that my dark horses could pull it out. Never did happen. So now I am going for the kill.
Nothing but the total point count for this season.
I think I could handle a twenty thousand dollar pay bonus for the best hocky pool.
Lets see if the guys let me down this year.

As part of the game I am working on a hockey illustration for the house. Hope fully I can finish it this year as other projects seem to be eating up a lot of my time.

Clothing For you

Every day folks can check out my latest creations of clothing I created for a friends printfection store. Yes the 14U shirt I made for mass market is my first shirt design for the hungry consumer to look hot in.

http://www.printfection.com/sleepingmonk

Buy the 14U shirt. I picked up mine just cause i loved the final result of my own design. If you think you want to see more of my stuff. Buy my books at this web site.

www.lulu.com/rgrzela

Posted

Looking for great web art. Well there are tone of producers on the blog system but great content can be found any where. If you are interesed in putting together a book along with other web artist. Give me a shout at rgrzela@hotmail.com

Dream Job

I know it is out there the question is where?
SO if you dig my work, or have read my creative sketch book, I am more then ready to develop characters for your video game, or simply do what every one else will not, so that we can get rich together.

If you love the Life, then live it to the fullest, and never fear tring the impossible. Failure is only the world saying they are not ready for you right now. But in the following years they may be looking for you.

Country Fair King

As promised here is a pic of one of the many award winning pieces I submitted at surrounding country fair. Yes I did do well but I never thought i would have such an outstanding show compared to others. From what I was told is that there were a few teens that would have whooped me good artistically.
I would expect nothing less. As time moves by, the standard of art and pressure young people face, they have no choice but to bring their best game. Lucky for me, I was in the adult catagory, where other real pro's are just to busy to square off with me. After two fairs and several judges the only piece that earned a double first is the one uploaded here. The others alternated between 1st and second and all were cash wins which was nice. The kids now have a small college fund.

What really made this great was my boys wanted to parade around with the ribbons. It made me blush and proud that they , my boys, at such a young age are able to share in the experience and enjoy the success with me.

Prize Money

I thought it would be fun to try and compete with the worlds talented artist by squaring off with locals at a country fair. Five items in and five ribbons. One First place, One third place, and three second places. I guess that I am still trying to figure it all out but My old work should be framed.
I guess it really does pay to dust the cob webs off the old work and put it for show on occasion. I will post photos of the ribbons as soon as they and the art return home from the show.

Yes I did get a hand full of bills to cover the gas to and from the event.

Marketing

The hardest part of marketing is telling people you exist. The next hardest is telling the right people. So I am looking for people who want to do link exchanges in the next year to help promote their stuff. Music, art, books, what ever that is sitting in a closet.

Great shirts

I support all designers in their craft so I discover A new clothing designer has hit the scene. A little edge and humor all in one. You can see more at the Sleeping monk store.
http://www.printfection.com/sleepingmonk

Any chick would look great in this.

Book2

I consider this the a la carte version of the big book. It has new content and now I need to to make it work as far as marketablilty. i love what has become of the work. I would not do this if it were not for my Fans thaks for taking an interest in what I do I hope to continue to inspire.

In the new year a new book should be coming out. It is well under way and it is dedicated to the closet artist and undiscovered talent across canada. I hope to have moree submissions in soon.
I love what we do here and it is tiem we get it out to the mass of people that need creative content.

Book 2

I never thought I could get book 2 out this year but last night it went to the printers and is printing as I write this. It is an awesome feeling to have a suppliment book follow up the first. It is less expensive and smaller but an awesome affordable alternative to the big, big orange one.
Sketch the secret art Volume 2 is now avalible at :
www.lulu.com/rgrzela
Get it while its hot. The first book sold well and is now having delay issuews so I hope this one keeps you all happy while you wait for book one.

Books

Hey all if you have not picked up a book yet you may have to wait untill september. Demand has been good. So ask Santa for your copy, or perhaps as a school book.

A new Pitch

Hello,
Here is a break down of what I am looking to do with my Publishing company.

Collect art samples from a variety of people / artist, and creators both.
Have a bound collection of editorial and illustrated stories. To be displayed in a one book format. The goal is to have a printed piece that everyone can show in their own portfolios and use to help promote them selves with.

I will front all the initial costs for this project, which will be about $2,550.00. I may have a few extra proof copies done so that I can get them signed and promote those copies out.
All the contributors have to do is submit their work.
The contributors will have to purchase their own copies if they want one. I then can promote the book and try to get more activity (Paid work) for contributing artists in general. But the book contributors will be the highlight and focus. It will be Full color if the book count is under 60 pages. If more then I will have to produce a black and white version.
I will also include contact information for every contributor in the book, if they so request it/ or desire to have that exposure. This needs to be a written request or it will not happen due to the new privacy laws we all face.

Here are the creative details.
Final art has to be no larger than 8.5 “x 11”.
If digital work is provided, than 8.5”x11” 300ppi .jpeg with extension included.
(CD/DVD can be mailed to me or emailed to my gmail account.)
No more than 5 pieces or 5 pages to illustrated story.
Submissions are free. But original art sent in will not be returned, as it would have to be my property due to publishing laws. Digital art submissions become my property, for the purpose of producing the book.
No explicit adult content.


No fees for submissions are charged back to you as a contributor, and recognition is included in book for contributors. I strongly believe credit should be given where it is due.

Other info I would need is.
Contributor’s Name
Contributor’s E-mail
Contributor’s Number for phone calls.

That is the pitch.
Let me know if you are interested and feel free to forward this info to any one else you think might want to do this, or would like to contribute.
I already have contacts to make this project go smoothly, and have had success with my current books. I think this is a good opportunity for me to share that success with others that may be interested.

Yam Roll Fan

Yes I am a fan of every ones favorite yam roll cartoon. It is right up there with sponge bob square pants. If you are all like me and need a fix here is a quick link.
http://yam-roll.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_yam-roll_archive.html

Offer Expires

The offer never expires. Hell I can't think of any one else that can make that much in four weeks so if you want to keep me busy that long of the year. I sure could use the work and challenge.

One red paper clip

One red paper clip = House in Kippling, Sask.
Luck and smart trades leading to a house is pretty cool for the unemployed guy.
I wonder if I have any thing I can trade for 1 Million dollars. . . . Hmnnn, well you could buy my book or better yet if you like some of the work in side I can give you a custom commision painting for $1,000,000. My style and in a subject I choose, and you will get a beautiful surprise.

This is what you can give me.

1) A theme / Motif
2) With or with out People/Characters
3) Your four favorite colors, Max Four.
5) A pre signed cheque for 25%
6) Paper, Canvas, or wood. Max size 22"x34".

And with four weeks later I will have your custom master piece.

You can contact me at rgrzela@hotmail.com if you are interested.

Promo posters.

I said I would post the mini posters as soon as they were availible. Here they are now.

As an independent book creator and illustrator, searching for the truth of attaining a best seller by going on the trek alone. Form concept to completion, the goal is to see if I can make the two top best sellers lists.
In Canada the goal is to attain 5000 sales to make the best selling list in that country and in the United States the goal is 25,000 copies sold. Having produced a verity of works I want to see if he can break the total of One Million from sales in these two country or more. In a discussion with other authors, I have set a goal to sell al least 1000 copies in every state and province of the world. That would not only break any historic records, but also shatter any that have ever been posted ever before.

The Best way to support this effort is to pick up your own copy of one of the works.
Here is the link

http://www.lulu.com/rgrzela
the blog is at
http://Psikik.blogspot.com

SPells & Whistles

http://www.spellsandwhistles.net/guestcomics/grzela.jpg

The link leads to the strip I did for Spells and Whistles. They loved the piece. So for those of you that can not find my effort. Just click the link.
THese guys do great work them, selves and work far slower than i do. But the results are un-deniable. It is always a great piece.

Hockey

Awards are over and now the big trades are happening. We just have to see if things get better or worse for the game. An in no way should Luongo get the same pay cheque as Brodure. Kipper should but not Luongo.

Hockey awards

I love the game. It's nice to see Kipper get the goalden cup for goalies, but I really want to see if the defence can break the the rookie award.
The watching continues.

Marketing Quest

In an effort to get more recoginition for my hard work on my book I have devised a series of small witty posters to draw attention to them. Although they are rough. I still think they have a charm all their own. I will post them here soon.

Distribute book

I have no idea how distribution works. But if any one wants to buy and distribute my book they can do so at.
www.LULU.COM/rgrzela

For every one else, you will suffer from creative blocks, loss of hair and stress that never leaves you, untill you buy these books. Now I must sleep.

Book is published, get it now!

SHOCK and Contentment, That is how this process feel to me. And to fianlly have the piece in my hands. Wow! A thrill beyond words I can only hope you all join in the work by picking up your own copy soon.

http://www.lulu.com/rgrzela

It is a great inspiration builder and coffee table book. Every one who picked one up loves it so far.

Good for me, I now have a blog so that I can add to the mess of the web.