It's been quiet on the animation front since I tried making a building for my set and wasn't too happy with the result. I think I may have an idea for a modification that will get me back on the right track, but we'll see. That would help me pick up steam, but in the meantime I've been working on other stuff, including music and writing. I'm also tinkering with a new site design. [1/23/10]

I'm having some real success now with my tests for the upcoming animation project. I've been playing around with ideas for a more hand-drawn look, and those ideas are starting to take shape. I have figured out how to get a nice, rough line quality and 2D feel inside a 3D environment. There's a lot more to explore, but I think I'm headed somewhere interesting. [12/9/09]

My animation tests continue... I have now completed a very basic walk cycle test, which looks incomplete and terrible. However, it nevertheless is a proof of concept that is inspiring me to keep pursuing the project I'm planning. I think the next (big) step is to make some stylistic decisions and get cracking. [12/1/09]

I just completed an interesting animation test. I've had a theory for a while about how I might achieve a 2D look in my 3D animation environment, and how I might set it up to create a relatively effective animation method. I drew an arm and attempted to animate it waving, and after some trial and error, it worked very well. This is not very useful for anyone, really, but it does tell me that I could probably create whole characters in this way, and that I could come up with cool systems for controlling their motion. So, it's early days, but at least this is an exciting development in the run-up to my next project. [10/8/09]

Occasional animation tests are still taking place, but I've been rather "distracted" by music lately. Working on a pseudo-classical piano piece, and a couple of other songs. I think I'm doing music stuff in part because I need more time to bat visual ideas around in the back of my head. That, and, you know, music is pretty fun! [9/21/09]

In preparation for a possible new animation project, I built the head of a character and did some simple tests. I'm pretty sure my conclusion from the test is that it's the wrong character or the wrong project... but I'm still excited about getting an animation project off the ground as soon as possible. I have a couple of different ideas, but am trying to figure out what to tackle first and how. [8/17/09]

The last couple of weeks have been spent mostly going through old demos, and working on some new and some old songs. I feel like I'm getting more ready to start my next animation project, but it's almost like I'm in a holding pattern while my brain adjusts to the reality of taking something that big on again. A lot of tests will be necessary to see if my ideas are even viable. [7/28/09]

Just thought I'd drop in with a few words to ensure those who may care that I am actually alive. I've been busy with a move to a new apartment, and other things. I am in the planning stages for a new animated short, and also have been sketching a good deal of new images. I'm not sure yet what form they'll take exactly, nor when I'll actually create them... but there are things in the pipeline. [6/23/09]

We're up to episode 4 of Monkey Talks. This one's called "Jobless", and features a discussion about our troubled economy. [3/12/09]

Check out the third episode of Monkey Talks; "The Penis Crock". This was the first script I wrote for the series. [2/23/09]