Four-thirty in the morning

The military doesn't work on a 9-to-5 schedule. The other day, we got to the shopette just in time to meet the donut truck at 0330 hrs.

This one's from the archives: April 23, 2006. I love the drool on Jenny's face.

~ jewls

Jenny Comics and the Ohio State Cartoon Research Library

October 30, 2007: I signed the official inventory listing two years of "Jenny the Military Spouse" materials to be archived by the Ohio State Cartoon Research Library.

November 16, 2007: Curator Dr. Caswell signed a letter saying Jenny is now part of the library's permanent collection.

It's exciting for me and a milestone of sorts in military-themed comic strips. "Jenny" is the first - and, so far, ONLY - comic strip about the life of a military spouse.

The storylines follow spouses, both female and male, who are constantly keeping things together while their mates are often deployed to the Middle East.These storylines chronicle not only my life but that of my friends and family.

The uniqueness of the strip is what caught Dr. Caswell's eye. I'm honored more than I can say and hope to keep the collection full with original sketches and tear sheets for years to come.

~ jewls

Comics Coast to Coast

Here's the newest addition to my iPod: Comics Coast to Coast.

A few months ago, I saw a post on theispot.com with links to audiocast interviews of illustrators. The links led me to some pretty boring stuff and I surmised there was no such thing as a good audio interview of people who draw for a living. After all, they draw. I need video to see what they're talking about.

Then I found CCTC and it turns out this audio interview thing can work...if the hosts are as curious and talkative as Tom, Justin, and Brian. The guests are top-drawer, which doesn't hurt, and the guys ask the questions I'd like to ask.

The best part is that the hosts seem to know their guests (like Dave Coverly and Stephan Pastis) and talk to them as if they're hangin' out in the art room, yakking about their next project or a technique they're having difficulties with or just laughing about each other's work. Between the lighter interviews, they aren't afraid to ask heavyweights - like editor Amy Lago - the questions we all want answers to.

Most days, I load up a random episode of CCTC (even if I've heard it before) and hit the treadmill. By the time the show and my run are both over, I'm energized, inspired, and ready to sit back down to the old drawing board.

Go on over there and give them a listen. Tell them Jenny the Military Spouse sent you.

Enjoy! ~ jewls