Savage Sparrow

SUDDENLY!

2012-01-24T20:01:00.000-08:00

Lost at E Minor and a heavy week.

2012-01-19T03:13:00.001-08:00

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to write some guest posts for the culture blog Lost at E Minor, a favorite net destination of mine since before they helped spread around the video I directed for Firefly Effect back in '09 or something. I was humbled, and took the opportunity to genuinely sit down and think of what inspires me. Two posts are up so far, as well as my introductory post, and more will be published over the coming weeks. For now, here's a tid bit on my friend and inspiration Sam Wallman - http://www.lostateminor.com/2012/01/13/sam-wallmans-comic-book-being-born-is-going-blind/

and my faaaaaavorite band Born Gold - http://www.lostateminor.com/2012/01/13/born-gold-a-band-out-of-alberta-canada/

And here's the silly intro I wish I'd rewritten! - http://www.lostateminor.com/2012/01/19/cartoonist-musician-and-animator-dave-mahler/

I'll add the others here as they're posted.

I've been listening to lots of Sufjan Stevens which has helped me get through a really strange set of feelings which came on as a result of a video, my reactions to my friends, and the uncertainty of the coming year; I make plans at least a year in the future, and I get very anxious when I don't see them to fruition. Mum says I beat myself up too much, but I just say I'm motivated. Hopefully things will work out. Or rather, hopefully I'll learn to modify my aspirations. I wish I could play guitar.

Here's a painting of a villa.

Compewter 'n' Me EP

2012-01-10T02:43:00.000-08:00

Well, I've finally gotten around to uploading some tracks.
I've been making music for a few years now, mostly on various computers. At first I was bugged that I couldn't play any "real" instruments. Only recently have I begun to understand that the computer is in itself an instrument. This simple realization changed my perception of what I was doing completely and I had a bit of a "screw it" moment; time to just have fun, make junk I like and hope others might see something in it too. Interestingly this freedom encouraged me to study music, to work out what I liked in a song and what I wanted to convey and portray. I would call this free digital EP a collection of my more amateur tracks. I'm excited about the songs I'll be putting out in the future, but for now a small teaser. I may not consider these great songs, but at the end of the day I'm proud of what I create. I'm excited about the many flaws that mean potential improvement and self-development, and I'm equally pleased that I've created something I can share with my friends and the wider world.
From David aka Savage Sparrow
PS I don't have much time to do the blog rounds these days, so if you dig it I'd really love if you could pass it on!

http://savagesparrow.bandcamp.com/album/compewter-n-me-ep

Updates! Whew!

2012-01-07T00:48:00.001-08:00

Well. This has just been a damn busy week...

Marisa Lai and I have started shooting a music video, which yeah, is chunks of fun, but the deadline's a bit whack. We're not stressed though, it's turning out absolutely awesome so far, and day four of shooting (of five!) is tomorrow! Hopefully I'll get some stills up soon, but yeah, we're very excited!!

As well as that music video, I'm animating another clip, though more on that later ;)

PLUS, as always, writing heaps (including some posts for one of my fave art sites, again, more on that later :S), AND I somehow managed to find time for a hefty website update. So, it's at last all ready to go! Click the link below, babe.

Talk to you soon, hope you're doing well,
From David

In Anticipation

2012-01-06T15:38:00.000-08:00

I'm getting geared up for a website update, so in anticipation here are a couple of images, more indicative of the junk I'm doing these days.
(I recommend you click to enlarge!)

Life is so exciting these days, more on that later, but I hope yall are as happy as me right now, BYE

I'm Oblivious

2011-12-29T17:05:00.000-08:00

I guess this is an example of the stuff I'm doing these days. Since returning from Switzerland I've been making a conscious effort to study the world and what I want to draw in an attempt to create something I'm pleased with for more than just one day. Incidentally, this has yet to happen.

Kahvillen Comics #4!

2011-11-30T01:23:00.001-08:00

Well. After 6 or so months of writing, drawing and living, Kahvillen Comics #4 is at long last complete. After deciding to jump up to A4 for the last issue (only a couple copies left at Sticky, grab em fast! (And remember, all proceeds are going towards keeping Sticky open!)) I've moved back down to the familiar A5 format before I have some real fun with the next issue. But more on that soon. Although knowing my output schedule we'll only be seeing that in like a year or some shit.

Preview time!! >^<

The chunky 40 pager is now on sale at Sticky and from me directly (hit me up at thedavem@gmail.com if you'd like), and I hope to get them out to Brunswick Bound, Missing Link, Polyester and etc. in a week or two depending how my broken foot's going. Zoinks!

UPDATE: Now on sale at Sticky, Brunswick Bound and Polyester Books

Sketches of paintings

2011-11-14T20:14:00.001-08:00

Cosmé Tura - Madonna Col Bambino, sketched in Venice
Joseph Wright of Derby - Sir Brooke Boothby, sketched in London

I promise I'll start posting more soon. Also, I broke my foot, oh man!!! But it's fine, really...

Twist n Shout

2011-10-31T02:57:00.000-07:00

The latest issue of Australian Scout is out, and with it my full page illustration accompanying an article about John Lennon and Paul McCartney's involvement in scouting. Apparently they both learnt how to play instruments on scout camps, huh. I also did the title for the article which I think I love more than the actual illustration...no clue why, I think the satisfaction of creating something so quickly after slaving for a few good days on the mega illustration endowed it with good vibes.

Article by Chris James originally appeared in UK Scouting Magazine
Art direction by Andrew Taylor

Reflections of Norwegian Wood

2011-08-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

Switzerland is incredible. There's too much to talk about, I'm not even gonna start...

But just a quick little post, if you happen to be in Perth, like, now, head down to Northbridge at 5pm to check out the music show "Reflections of Norwegian Wood" on the outdoor Piazza screen, a project centered around the music of Norway curated by Iris Straume. My short film Magaba, entirely inspired by a visit to Scandinavia a few years ago, is the opening film, and two of the music vids I've directed (for Le Corbeau and Firefly Effect) screen in the show.
The show's played at least once a week, and if you really wanna you can check out when on the Show Me Perth website - http://www.showmeperth.com.au/calendar/2011-08-17
To see some of the fantastic past shows head to the Piazza screen's youtube channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/piazzaTV

Exciting times, I wish I could head to Perth myself!

And just so this post isn't a boring imageless slab of text, here's a badge I made while I was mean to be working this morning!

(It's a totally majestic owl.)

BYE BYE <( 0 v 0 )>

Kahvillen Comics #3

2011-06-07T06:55:00.000-07:00

Well, it's midnight. I officially fly out of Australia this afternoon, Switzerland bound. For the next three months I'll be volunteering at the Kandersteg International Scout Center, nestled in the Swiss alps, and I am looking goddamn forward to it. In celebration I have completed, printed, compiled etc. Kahvillen Comics Issue Numba THREE. Not as many pages as last time, but a big A4-ish (29 x 20.5 cm, to be exact) format to compensate.
Naturally, this will be the last issue for a while, but I'm looking forward to coming home with a bunch of new material (fingers crossed!) for issue 4.

One last note. In lieu of some financial...something... happening at Melbourne's preeminent zine distro Sticky (it's all still a bit of a mystery. Financial trouble? Financial hiccups? Financial not as much money as we're used to but it's still all cool?) I have decided to take the obvious course of action in donating all proceeds from this comic to the incredible Melbourne institution which over the years has encouraged me to pursue alternative creative outlets which have resulted in the haphazard, slightly erratic, but altogether cheery/euphoric fellow I am today. Thank you Sticky!!
On the subject, check out this RAD event which I will unfortunately miss on my little European sojourn. Looks pretty freakin awesome.

E*Klipse tha Champloo - I'm Raw

2011-06-06T01:50:00.000-07:00

Well, the video for E*Klipse tha Champloo's track "I'm Raw" is online at last. And just in time, I'm off to Switzerland in two days, zoinks!
Enjoy!!!!!!!11!1!!@#@!113123Q@##@T$TGEV

Direction - Dave Mahler
Animation - Jonathan Swanson, Dave Mahler

And do check out his new album "Champloo Is Bad For You" on iTunes, it's just a LITTLE bit awesome - itunes.apple.com/us/artist/e-klipse-tha-champloo/id392388949

myspace.com/eklipsethachamploo
softscience.com.au/
davemahler.com

Bat men, rap attackers

2011-05-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

First off, I've been meaning to blog about Firefly Effect's new album for a while now. It's awesome, of course, to the extent that I want to make music videos for every track on it.
Go and buy it now, ok?
But also, a little something exciting for me, you can spy a lil drawing I did a couple years ago hung on the top right corner of the album art -

I love the cover, and I feel silly smiling at the fact I've got a little anonymous rectangle on it. Hee hee.

In other news, mad at work on another music video for the ever eminent E*Klipse the Champloo. It's still in production, but I spent hours today drawing this rad dude, so I thought I'd share -

Latest animation, whew

2011-05-07T23:29:00.000-07:00

So, last Wednesday was the screening of the sixth "This is NOT a Film Festival". Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it as I went in for jaw surgery the day before, but I managed to get my animation (the opening credits to the festival) finished the Sunday before. Which is pretty ridiculous when you think about it...
So yup, I'm still bedridden, doing my best to recover (I've been able to walk around the last couple days which is neat), but I think it's about time to get to work on some more animations and comics, woo hoo! Only problem is I'm heading to Switzerland for three months in June, yikes. Deadlines are never fun.

This is NOT a Film Festival 6

2011-04-25T21:45:00.000-07:00

Hey, so, on the 4th of May, next week, the 6th "This is NOT a Film Festival" will be a-happening, a rad Melbourne based festival showcasing sweet shorts from across the globe.

This year there will be a screening of my recently completed short film "Sans Pitié", which will be sweet, it will be its festival premiere, woo! Also, I'm animating the festivals opening credits, which is a huge privilege and a very exciting task indeed. God, I can't speak today, is this post making sense? I think my grammar's outta whack since I finished school, I should probably read more...although I did just finish Everything is Illuminated (so super good) and I'm currently moving back and forth between the collected short stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind manga.
Anyway, yeah, here are some backgrounds to whet thy appetite. I'm having a looot of fun with them! Well, I was, they're all finished now...yeah.

Photos from a whiles agoes

2011-04-12T05:30:00.000-07:00

Aaaages ago now I was sent a disposable green camera and told to snap some pictures of pretty green things, anythings, that are green and I did. This was a project by a gurl who takes RAD photos, and she's one of those hard core film lovers, not those lil indie juves who snap digi their whole childhood then pick up their mums old pentax for some artsy whatnot funn, this is real, and I respect her, even though I ha-ate lomo. Check out the project, over heeeeeeeeere, where you can read more information and look at some neat photos. The gist of it was the camera travels the globe to predetermined destinations, at which two photos are taken before the cameras sent on again. I was green team, I took two, they were both outside and one was of food and the other was of a statue that I love but my parents want to get rid of her, why would they do that??

CCHHUUGGNNUUTT

2011-03-26T23:32:00.000-07:00

Last weekend (I'm so behind! Busy week, I know it's no excuse for my lack of posting but yeeeeah!!) I drove an hour and a bit out into God knows where to chill with a bunch of incredible comic nerds in what can only be described as a fucking rad time. Chugnut Comics Camp 2011. I was only there for an arvo, night and day, but what an arvo, night and day it was. (What??)

I met some wonderful new friends and hung out with old pals. Highlight would have to be playing ping pong/drawing stoner comics till 4 in the morn, then waking up to pancakes. PANCAKES.

Thank you to everyone who organized (I'm not going to name names cuz I know I'll leave someone out), and I desperately hope I'll be able to attend next year.

Here's a bunch of shit I drew. I did some more, but they're A3 and will have to wait for the day i can be stuffed to scan them. heh.

Why not keep up to date with the Melbourne comic scene by checking out the Chugnut blog on a semi-regular basis? - http://chugnutcomics.blogspot.com/

Website updates. Man, I need to get some work done...

2011-03-14T02:40:00.000-07:00

I got a full time job, I'm working heaps these days! That and Pokemon White means not much time for projects :(
But I updated my website today, felt good and refreshing...kinda like cleaning my room. On a computer.

I know I've got stuff to do, I just gotta get around to doing it.

Kahvillen Comics #2 and 420 24/7 are READY for the zine fair tomorrow, yeah!

2011-02-11T01:10:00.000-08:00

Meow meow meow, lot's been happening in my neck of the woods. Kahvillen Comics issue 2 is all printed and ready to go, as is a random little thing I decided to put together; 420 24/7, a compilation of comics that you'll probly only find funny if you know what 420 means.

Oh, they're for the zine fair this Saturday (oops, it's tomorrow, heh!) in the Degraves St Subway, under Flinders Street if you're in Melbourne. COME ALONG! Even if you're jus there in spirit!!

What else's been up? I just finished a poster for a charity fundraiser, I'll try and get that online soon...
ok, here it is.

Other than that working on some illustrations, comics as always, finishing up an animation, sleeping loooots (I need a job.) and partying, woo, yeah!

Here's some additional comic sneak peaks to pique yo interest! *3*

This first one is a response comic to a comic Marisa Lai did. More on that later!

Um, please note, the below is kinda disturbing...

I got the idea for this comic when I was in Italy. It has nothing to do with Italy, that's just where I was...personally I think this comic is funny, but apparently it's scary, disturbing and intense. Fun!

Both them comics be in KC #2, so check it out. After the zine fair I'll drop it, and 420 24/7, into Sticky and some other places, so keep an eye out.

Peter Ponsil Backgrounds

2010-12-08T05:44:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the oncoming year-termination festivities-day, here are some backgrounds from an animation I'm currently waist deep in. I've got around thirty seconds left to animate, but it will unfortunately have to wait until the New Year as I'm heading over to Europe tomorrow.
Kinda sucks cuz I've been working on this clip for freaking ages...actually, yeah, check out this blog post for some animation from the first third of it (oh, right; so it's a music video, and the clip is divided into three distinct sections, each a different style of animation. The first two bg's are from the second section and the third is from the third) But yeah, more info soon...

Oh, also, I was invited to join Film Annex (are people normally invited? Like, should I feel privileged? Heck, why not. :| )
Magaba's up here - http://www.filmannex.com/movie/independent/animated/magaba/23308
FYI, you gotta click the green button on the right or else you'll just watch an ad, then the preview, then an ad, then the preview etc...took me a while to figure that one out... :S

Happy holidays everyone!

Magaba's Online!

2010-11-08T00:51:00.000-08:00

Woo, Magaba is finally online! Here's what it's all about, taken from the vimeo page:

In 2008 I visited Norway for the first (and so far only) time. I fell head over heels in love with the city of Oslo; the people, the places, the sights, the atmosphere...I have absolutely no idea why, but I was overwhelmed. I can't wait for the day I can travel back and again experience this wonderful environment.
In a sense this animation is my answer to Norway; a foreigner visiting a new city and wanting to adapt and join the flow. I know how pretentious it sounds, but you could really see the character of Magaba as an extension of myself. Not that I'm an orange triangle or anything...
The underground jungle was heavily inspired by the design team Yokoland (try and find the terribly obvious reference to them in the city scene...) whose studio my sister and I were lucky enough to stop by. As well as meeting Aslak and the team, we hung out with some incredible dudes from the Metronomicon Audio alumni. Again, some references to new friends are scattered throughout the city, but until someone decides to comment about them all I'll just them be our little secret ;)
I hope everyone enjoys this little animation. It's taken a long time to make (initial planning was done in January), and I've learnt so much along the way. Some of the animation really, really bugs me, but I'm seriously proud of other sequences. I know what I need to improve on, but please feel free to give me any critique you can; I want to improve! :D

Magaba from Dave Mahler on Vimeo.

Comics now on sale, plus new publishing co.

2010-11-02T23:14:00.000-07:00

Kahvillen Comics and Trees are People Too are now onsale at Sticky, Missing Link and Polyester Books (and soon at Minotaur comics and Brunswick Bound) If you can't be bothered leaving your home or, you know, if you don't live in Melbourne, hit me up an email or leave a comment. For more details check the official post over on the Kahvillen! blog.

Speaking of, Kahvillen! is a new little project I'm working on. Basically, I'm hoping Kahvillen! will one day be popping out comix, zines, cds, records etc.
Kahvillen! Text Division is the first unit I'm focusing on, and these two comics are the first K!TD releases. I've got another artsy-zine thing waiting to go, but that'll probably be out early next year. Who knows after that! Lemme know if you're interested in publishing anything as after covering publishing costs all profits will be going to creators. Fun!

In other news, I've been diligently at work on an animation. Which was meant to be finished about a year ago. Whoops. But before that, I'll be posting about Magaba which I'll hopefully be launching online this Friday. Exciting, yay!
BYE!!

Made some minis! ahkdksudhf!! also I went to Armageddon.

2010-10-17T19:50:00.000-07:00

So I wrote this last week, but our internet died and I'm only posting it now...

"Been making mini comics all afternoon! Well, I've been slyly printing and photocopying the pages at school over the last few days, but I only compiled them this afternoon...

Um, yeah, so I'll be popping "Trees Are People Too" down to some zine distros and comic shops soon enough, so I'll put up a list when I get on to that. Exciting, fun! EVERYONE SHOULD MAKE COMICS!!

Oh, yeah, and if you want one just send me an email!"

So yes, time has passed and I've been stupidly busy and have yet to bring any comics anywhere. So the list is still to come. In other news, I went to my first convention yesterday, yaaaay!! It was Armageddon, and I met heaps of awesome people, and saw heaps of mad costumes, and bought a bunch of old X-Statix comics cuz for some completely unknown reason I got rid of all my old issues a while ago...Mike Allred has since become one of my favorite comic artists, thus I felt obligated to go out and me get me some. (Funny story, one stall was trying to sell issues 1-20 as a pack for ninety bucks. Which is ridiculous as cover price per comic is 3 bucks. Sure I quit maths two years ago, but even I can work out that that guy was a dick |:( )

Oh right, almost forgot...I COSPLAYED AS ASH, IT WAS SO MUCH FUUUUUUN, YAAAAAY!!!!

Ahem.

above - Me and Brigid with THE BEST cosplayer in the joint.

So yes, comics are compiled, waiting to be shipped off. Hit me up if you want a copy.
Lastly, I started a little publisher thingamagig. I'll do a proper intro post later, but for now voila!

KBYE!

Trees Are People Too!

2010-09-27T01:16:00.000-07:00

Yay, 13 pages of blatant melodrama are at last complete and I am pretty freaking proud! (tho knowing me I'll just hate it in a weeks time...)
Read the full "Trees are People Too Comic" below, hope you enjoy!

Story behind this random lil tidbit: a couple years ago I made a ridiculous comic over three A3 pages using a fat black marker. No script, no thought...just one very boring day (I believe it was a school sports day at that)

I didn't mind what I came up with...I was kinda poking at Pixar and all those kids shows that tell the story of inanimate objects and their daily lives and dramatic adventures...I figured leaves were an untouched source, so voila! I eventually decided to re-develop the story into 9 A4 pages. This second attempt was worse than the first in my opinion, therefore I won't be putting up any examples...
But yeah, again I liked the story so in the last couple weeks I rewrote some bits, added in, took out etc and came up with this. I'm pretty proud of it this time and I'll be putting it out as a mini comic when I get a chance. We'll see!

Dark Contrasts; quelle inspiration, non? |:{(

2010-09-23T02:01:00.000-07:00

Oh boy, work on new comic story is underway. In fact I've got three pages to go which I'm kinda hoping I'll finish tonight! The story is one I have revisited three times now (It's about leaves! Instead of people!! Freakin classic!) I'll do a post in the future showing the different stages, but this latest incarnation is definitely the best...I'm not saying that out of arrogance, the other two drafts are childish abominations, seriously.
Aaaanyway, so yeah. Above are the pencils of page 8. Below is the final inked page. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out...I dunno, I'm wondering if it needs colour :\
Any ideas?

OH YEAH, and in regards to this posts title, I went and saw the comic art exhibit "Dark Contrasts" yesterday, a two-man show consisting of the ever-inspirational Mandy Ord and Dillon Naylor, who I am now a FREAKING DEVOTED fan of. Seriously, the above hand ringing the door bell was drawn right after I got home from the exhibit, all pumped up on comicy inspiration. Sooooo yeah, basically it's my attempt at ripping of Dillons style.
Tee hee.
Go to the exhibit if you can! I assure you you'll leave quite frazzled and inspired to pull out a winsor and a bottle of ink! I know I sure did!! (but not really at all, as I'm drawing this comic with brush pens.)

BYE!!

nag champa wafting around my room, aphex twin droning like a mad bitch; freaking love holidays.

2010-09-17T03:59:00.000-07:00

been making a bunch of comics, it seems...i should probably do something else these holidays. maybe study. you know, cuz my end of year exams are nearly here n all.

New comics

2010-09-09T05:48:00.000-07:00

I uploaded some new stuff in the comic sections of my website, including the one below.
It's a one page comic initially intended for an exhibition/anthology sorta deal, but when I found out the proposed dimensions I decided to just turn it into my own thang...tho I guess without the theme it's a bit random, no?
Ah well.
Ups to Mandy Ord for the invite, but downs to me for being lazy

Background development

2010-09-08T02:29:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd make a quick post detailing the development of some of the backgrounds I made for Magaba...you know, just for fun 'n' all...someone may find them interesting, you never know ;)

Magaba's finally finished

2010-08-29T06:58:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been awake the last 32 or so hours, but Magaba is at long last finished. What began as a most-likely alcohol induced little tale of a foreigner visiting a new town turned into my year 12 media folio project. This unfortunately means that I can't put the finished film online yet, but for now; some picturrreezzzzz!1!

OH WAIT, also I made this! - http://vimeo.com/14517025
Just, you know, until I can get the finished clip up...it's a little compilation of all the stages it takes to make a simple walk cycle. FUN!

Magaba

2010-06-01T06:15:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to quickly blog about a little animation I'm working on for my end of year media project. It's gonna be called Magaba, about this little orange triangle...um, the story's very simple, but quirky, inspired by Ghibli films!!
He starts off in this simple, bright world and ends up climbing a hole into our world (Norway to be exact...). The first two bgs are from the first world, and the other two are our world.
Oh, it's so hard to not give everything away! I'll keep posting some screen shots or whatever as I get more into the animating (It's brutal. I suck. Seriously, so much wobbling...)
but for now, just this C:

new paintings

2010-05-02T04:35:00.000-07:00

I turned 18 yesterday! I can finally drink and drive and vote and buy nudie mags. woohoo!
Anywho, it's become a bit of a tradition that I paint a self-portrait on the night before my birthday (by tradition I mean I've done it once.), the last paitning I paint as a, for example, seventeen year old. This is what I came up with this year -

I've also been working on a portrait of my dad. I don't think he likes it very much...it's still unfinished, but I like it.

comic in progress, but maybe?

2010-03-23T02:12:00.000-07:00

I did a lil sketch earlier today, and decided to develop it this afternoon. I've had this idea for a while now...well, it's not really an idea. I've just been drawing this dude in this awesome forest for a couple of years. I'm gonna make it a proper comic one day, and probably link it to another mini-comic i made...um...i think it might have been two years ago? Hmmmm...

new animation?!??!

2010-03-07T22:48:00.000-08:00

As well as three music videos, I'm working on a new animation, my first narrative. Inspired by Studio Ghibli and whatnot...it WAS originally just for fun, but I've decided to use it for this years media assignment, which I think will be a good idea in the long run...
Here's a little preview, I don't wanna give TOO much away just yet, because it's gonna take a while to get done!

Picture taken in Japan back in January - environment designs (aka the trippy tree drawing stage)

picture taken last night - I was watercoloring some of the backgrounds from the first act (is "act" appropriate here? I guess so...)

Children and Corpse Playing in the Streets - Come Home

2010-02-28T01:33:00.000-08:00

Phew! At last everything is done. Here we have the new music video for the track "Come Home" by Children and Corpse Playing in the Streets which I directed and animated. For a full list of credits check out the vimeo page.

Children and Corpse Playing in the Street - Come Home from Dave Mahler on Vimeo.

Children and Corpse Playing in the Streets - http://www.myspace.com/childrenandcorpse

animation update

2010-01-28T16:13:00.000-08:00

back home and right back into animating. Life's getting hectic once again, as a deadline begins rearing it's delightful head, forcing me to choose between my year 12 holiday homework and my job. Also I'm doing a painting for my dads birthday, which is tomorrow and which is not finished. so yeah, a little stressed, but that's always fun, right?

JJAAPPAANN

2010-01-07T18:48:00.000-08:00

First post of the year and I have nothing to show; I'm in Japan and due to heavy skiing I haven't been drawing too much...
but yeah, JAPAN!! WOO!

mini art dump thing-a-ma-jig!

2009-12-11T23:02:00.000-08:00

So I drew this portrait of my sister Kristen aaaaages ago, and I only just got a picture (cut out from my school's yearbook :D) So yeah, it's a lil bit old now, but I still like it...

While I'm blogging about some old stuff, here're some doodles I drew a little while ago of a couple of friends.

And heck, here's one more for good luck...It's another one of Kristen, this time a birthday present. Sorry for the terrible photo, but it's kinda hard to scan A2 drawings that are already in frames...

Featured and Festival

2009-12-01T04:39:00.000-08:00

My website has been featured over on Indie Music Finds! Mucho big ups to Charlie!

UPDATE:

I kind of forgot to post this up before, but the video I directed for Firefly Effect was featured in the Museek Music Video Festival in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Mucho neat!

Website

2009-11-28T03:10:00.000-08:00

I don't think I ever announced my website? Click to TRANSPORT YOURSELF there.

Basterdy Base Base...

2009-11-10T16:49:00.000-08:00

As well as the new music video, I've been scribbling up some arty stuff, and to PROVE it here're some drawings.

In other news, a short film I made won the runner up youth prize at the Aus Post/AFI 200 Short Film Competition! But it's shit so I'm not gonna link to it -_-

Children and Corpse

2009-10-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

We finished shooting a new video for the lovely Children And Corpse Playing In The Street.
There's some animation to be done, and a bunch of editing...
In the meantime, here a photo from the shoot.

Watercolour

2009-10-01T22:08:00.001-07:00

More stuff's happening, very exciting! For now, here's a painting.

Indie Music Finds logo

2009-09-22T19:16:00.001-07:00

I just completed the new logo for the rad music blog Indie Music Finds. Take a peek here, and while you're there why not check out what's what in the world of good music?
Go here - http://indiemusicfinds.com/

Firefly Effect - All The Jokes Are On Me

2009-09-16T02:41:00.000-07:00

UPDATE 16/10/09
Ok, I'm gonna stop updating the list now...it's getting a bit ridiculous and frankly, who the hell cares, am I right? But look forward to some more updates about the video, exciting stuff is happening with it.

Woooooow. I FINALLY finished the music video. Four months, about 1,640 hand drawn and water coloured frames...savage. But so damn rewarding.

I'm proud to at last present - "All The Jokes Are On Me" by Firefly Effect!

Firefly Effect - All The Jokes Are On Me from Dave Mahler on Vimeo.

Check out Firefly Effect here - myspace.com/fireflyeffect

UPDATE

Check it out! So far the video has been shown on these sites/blogs (more will be added as they come up) -
Sundance. Fuckin' Sundance, man. 'Nuff said.
Frankie Magazine
Lost At E Minor
K Nicolai
Antville
Indie Music Finds
The Animation Blog
La Videotheque
NoMusic
Abduzeedo
Atractivo Quenobello
Groove.no
Pentru Ochi
A Pleasant Dream
We Can Be Honest
This Is A Blog
Eardrums
Poplogg
Antowa Kartowa
Smug Lesning
Birds Sometimes Dance
Sammensurium
It's A Trap!
All Scandinavian
Animated Music Video
Animation Magazine EU
Cartoon Brew (I love this opening line - "What were you doing when you were seventeen years old? Dave Mahler made this music video." Nice.)
Animation Blog - a very nice review!

"I'm overdue on the music video front so here's a new band, Firefly Effect from Norway, and an animator new to me, David Mahler. All The Jokes Are On Me represents four months of hard work, and some 1,640 hand drawn and water coloured frames. It follows the lyrics in that a rather pensive individual is brought out of his shell by the smiles and antics of his girl who dons false nose, generally exuding an air of cheeriness. There is one muscle in the human face for every week in the year and at times David captures the movements wonderfully well. I guess the drawings were based on snapshots strung together but whatever the technique the effect is quite different to rotoscoping, particularly given the refreshing use of colour as the video progresses. I found myself cheered by it all. Must be good because I'm a grumpy individual."
- Thank you Ian Lumsden!

UPDATE
Ok, one last comment, because this one really, really made me feel amazing...
"Reminds me of the fancy videos that artists like Justice and Kanye West have been getting, but with a lot more heart." Thank you so very much, Adam from Cartoon Brew!

Animated music vid, oh my!

2009-07-29T00:30:00.000-07:00

I've been heavy into an animated music video I'm directing...so much so that sleep and school and no longer of ANY significance. social life? never heard of it...
Mind you, I am having a shitload of fun with this. Here's a little preview.

a and the j tape

2009-07-16T00:56:00.000-07:00

I made this tape for Marisa. It's Antony and the Johnson's "I am a Bird Now", by far their best album...

Canada

2009-06-27T15:16:00.001-07:00

I'm in Canada. Shit's happening.
I'm animating on a4 paper, which means I had to bring a stack cuz they still use lettersize in canada. I know, what the hell.
We just went to London Drugs and bought some Mr Sketch markers and some crayolas, which I love cuz I've been using them since preschool. I also got an archie comic and a couple of disposable cameras.

guh, everything hits you at once!!

2009-06-22T06:07:00.000-07:00

here's a watercolour study for a second animation I'm doing, this one for Firefly Effect. more on that later...

ripples

2009-06-16T06:27:00.000-07:00

I've done 8 seconds and a run cycle.
animation is so damn satisfying.

animation stuff1

2009-06-11T21:11:00.001-07:00

these are sketchies from an animation I'm starting today. I decided on the character on the second page, the yellow one with red cheeks. he's fly.
the whole things gonna be hand drawn, whichll be exciting. havent done an animation in aaaaaages! I've been watching HEAPS of disney and bluth films, like the black cauldron, and the secret of nimh, so I'm all inspired!
but gawd, I can't wait till I can afford toon boom or something...I might try n convince Sammy to teach me flash, that could REALLY come in handy.

I'm mega-crushin' on someone these days, being a kids exciting!

Supa rAINNNN.

2009-05-31T05:57:00.000-07:00

Look! Hobo Divine is being awesome, as usual!
To make your own image, go here.

last nights comic launch

2009-05-08T07:17:00.000-07:00

I went to a comic launch last night. My Friend (and old Scout leader, and current Showtime director) Andy took me, as his nephew, Tom Taylor was launching his first comic, adapted from his awarding winning short play, the Example. I so sincerely regret not seeing the play, but the beautiful illustrations by Colin Wilson are spectacular. we all had a chat when they signed, i was blushing. so cute.
Oh, yeah. and Shaun Tan was there. Yeah, Andy was blushing about him, I was blushing about Colin...Shaun was very nice, but I think I scared him when I got my pic with him. No one else was doin it...oh no. Oh, right, he was there cuz it was a joint launch with this rad graphic novel called Flinch. Shaun did the cover and some illustrations in it, they're also lovely. Plus, the launch was at a bookshop, so I bought the Lost Thing (my FAVE childrens book!!) and Tales From Outer Suburbia, and he signed them too. Huzzah! I told him Lost Thing was my fave so he drew this for me.

Awesome night!!
and the day was good too, I hung out at sticky for a bit and bought a heapin of zines, including a new Anthony Woodward one.

sorry, i think i went over board with the hyperlink thingo. neat.

watercolour lovin

2009-05-04T04:39:00.000-07:00

I did a drawing of my friend Mike a week or two ago, and then I watercoloured it.

First Article

2009-04-15T21:24:00.001-07:00

I'm an article. I get compared to the Avalanches, which is pretty cool. Go Charlie!

http://www.indiemusicfinds.com/IMF%3A_Indie_Music_Finds/Indie_Music_Finds/Entries/2009/4/14_Savage_Sparrow.html

here's what was written, in case you're too lazy to link -

"Savage Sparrow is a Melbourne based sample artist with a style similar to that of The Avalanches. At the time of writing, there are three full songs on the myspace as well as one other interesting short piece called “The Bird Song” I’ve heard that there may be a few more songs on the way, one possibly featuring a cello. Dave Mahler, the creator of Savage Sparrow also has a blog at blogspot featuring some other interesting items such as drawings and videos."

cool! To celebrate, here are some more drawings from Scandinavia.

New Music Video

2009-04-14T16:51:00.001-07:00

Hello, I directed a new music video.

Le Corbeau - L'Innocence Revient Encore/Rêve D'Ivresse from Dave Mahler on Vimeo.

alternatively, you can find it on youtube here.

2009-04-04T19:03:00.000-07:00

I drew these on a train in Norway. The scenery was AMAZING!

I was at Grant's place last night for a house show, 6 bands at his, then 6 bands at the parking lot experiments house. so intensly awesome.

Oh! I was meant to upload these a while ago...

2009-04-02T23:52:00.000-07:00

painted/collaged/drawn etc. over an old childrens book.
My first little exhibition thingo was called My Heart Hurts. This is kind of a companion.

Coldplay and collages.

2009-03-03T04:33:00.000-08:00

I went and saw Coldplay tonight. I wasn't expecting much, mainly because I only like their latest album. They were really, really, stress-on-the-really brilliant. Chris played a bit of Satie's "Gnossienne No. 1", which was definitely my highlight (mainly cuz I'm STILL obsessed with that song...). There were glow in the dark streamers, yellow balls filled with confetti, lasers and four really good performers. So damn brilliant.

also, these.

I don't remember which way the top ones meant to go. I think it looks ok like that...

Ghost Patrol

2009-02-28T22:05:00.000-08:00

I met Ghost Patrol today. He's real neat. we talked about gameboys (he likes grey ones, i like green), fairy tale creatures, dislike towards kangaroos and lomo cameras.
These pictures have nothing to do with any of that.

MONSTERS!

2009-02-24T00:46:00.000-08:00

for some reason this is upside down. maybe it looks better this way?

It's cooold in Melbourne

2009-02-11T00:08:00.001-08:00

this is the cover of my Scandinavia sketchbook. My sister and I were over there for two weeks last year. speaking of, I met the every amazing Erlend Oye when we stopped off at Bergen, Norway. and voila, a drawing has emerged.