Andy Knight R.I.P.

You never think you'll read about this kind of thing when it's about someone you know. I STILL can't believe it. When I read an e-mail that I received on Thursday afternoon, I was shocked to say the least. Andy Knight died from a stroke at the age of 46. He was the director of Red Rover, a studio here in Toronto. I remember Andy giving me the opportunity to join the studio. When I walked in and saw some of the talent he assembled, I was floored. Andy's talent was incredible. I'm remembering how easily he could draw something, it made me think of Robert McKimson's drawing style. Andy was laid back, easy to talk to, and loved a good laugh....and a good drink. Naturally I felt at home. There are some great memories I have of Red Rover...the "beer fridays", the laughter at the studio, the Charlotte Room pool nights, the friendly atmosphere, the boat trip to St. Catherine's with the studio....DAMN great memories. A class act, a great guy, I'm very honored to have worked with you Andy. My heart goes out to his wife Linzi and their 3 kids. I don't know what else to say. Rest in peace Andy. You'll be missed.

Money don't get everything it's true, but what it don't get I can use

Well, it's that time again where I'm wandering the streets of Toronto enjoying the sunshine but still wondering where I'm going. It seems that in order for something to be a success, it requires three things. You need a product, you need to sell it and you need people to like it enough to buy it so it makes you money. Let's tackle the first. I have a product but I need money to finish it. Now taking a job that pays anywhere from $7 to $8 dollars an hour won't cut it, unless I want to finish my product in 2089...and even then I have the added worry of bills and a mortgage. Having a job that requires you to free some time for your product would be nice, but no one will hire anyone unless they have an EXTENSIVE knowledge of computer programs.....that's funny, I thought the ART work came first. There's also the time factor, if I take the time to learn what I need to know in order to get the job that pays well...well there's that 2089 year again. So basically, I need money. The second issue is the selling. Of course the dollar rears it ugly head again. You need money to make money. The more money you want to make the more money you need to spend it seems. I could do the 1920's method and stand on a sidewalk doing caricatures or whatever and MAYBE get enough by...you guessed it...2089. Now the third issue, the public. People I guess will buy what they are told to buy, you can even go so far as to convince people to get something they don't really need, $5 coffee from Starbucks anyone? Getting people to pay for something is always a gamble. It always depends on taste and whether or not some people have it....and even that can be manipulated. That's why most artists have minor strokes wondering if they're really doing anything worth while. Now most people who aren't in the biz will tell me...well why don't you start your own company? Why don't you do an online comic? Why don't you get a job while your waiting for your "epic" to be finished? I think the first and third questions are answered above, as for the second I can only say that in order to think of something you want to do, have the time to do it, and have the atmosphere to do it in...well that takes...um....what was that word again?