Plan

Finish the book. Edit and correct. Add notes (150 pgs). Start a new project.

Keep

Keep those Läskimooses issues in a safe place since I'd say that chances there's be a collection some day are slim. In Finnish that is. A French collection pretty sure. An English collection maybe. But chances of a Finnish collection are at 15 per cent. Some issues are already close to be sold out so that's it. That's going to be it.
I left Otava in 2005 after they ruined my Kekkonen book. After that I've been with Kreegah bundolo, easily the best choice for me. And Läskimooses wouldn't have happened without Hans Nissen. Same goes for Kova länsi and India-book. Silvia Regina would've been a mess if I had done it with any other publisher.
Good times.
But Läskimooses in a book form... unlikely. 1500 pages with the notes. That would mean 3 to 4 volumes with separate volume/s for the notes. Sure, send me the euros and it will be done. As it is, I can't see it happening. I will move on in 2021. Already planning the new book. And I will edit the Läskimooses material for my French publisher. Fix some things that need to be fixed. Remains to be seen.

Although

Although starting my next book for real is still 2 or 3 away I'm already collecting material. The structure seems to be based on rather loose chapters. I have clear concepts for 5 or 6 but there's no plot in sight. I really like the concepts though, will be fun to do. Still I might need a plot eventually, and characters. There are all these possibilities... With Läskimooses the plot was pretty clear from the beginning but with this one it seems to be about something else. I might be forced to drop some of my ideas to make this work. Time will tell.

Wrapping

Wrapping up the week. Finished six panels today. Suomaa episode 41 will be done on monday. Quiet day at the gallery, probably because the heavy rain in the morning. Got my shoes and socks dripping wet.

Considering doing a poster for issue 48 or 49 next because of the surprise grant I got. Partly suspecting it was a mistake/dream. 

Latest Suomaa

This is episode 39! You can see them all at kirkkojakaupunki.fi

Just search for Suomaa or Hagelberg

Nuff said

6

Now 6 issues left and I'm planning the book I will do after this one. Six means somewhere 2020 I would be done, closer to Christmas. But the notes and the editing. The book should be out in edited form in French at least. Finnish I'm not so sure. It is costly business. It would be easier to edit the book first for a Finnish version, though. Well...
Not necessary to make any decisions for the moment.
The next 4 issues are Kalevala based. Started reading it to bring it all back. Peculiar thing is that we didn't have so much Kalevala in the school although the book is pretty brilliant. I was also a fan of Rauta-aika tv series when it came out. I'm not sure how it has stood the test of time. Should also rewatch the soviet/finnish Sampo. That one I saw in school. Really cool movie. I wouldn't mind a new Kalevala tv-series. Should start really abstract. Actually I think it should be done bit like Twin Peaks 3.  Plot isn't everything.

Next

Next book in planning stage. Already I've discussed it with several people. In that sense quite different from Läskimooses which started unexpected like cancer. The new project requires some reading and interviews although I'm not going towards any historical accuracy. Other things interest me with this one.
Last night was the night of arts and I stayed at the gallery until 21. Hans came from Hämeenlinna but sales were low. Several people visited the show and I was especially delighted to see some of my former  students there. Time moves on. Managed to finish issue 48 yesterday which pretty much means only 6 issues left. I haven't really considered quitting this book at any stage but it starts to feel long and heavy. I often think of the mistakes I would like to correct. They aren't that many. Most of the mistakes need to stay. The whole thing was built on mistakes.

Know

At this stage it's maybe too late but I would really like to know what it was all about. I mean there are spots in the story that I really think stand their ground and all. I was rereading some issues and it wasn't unpleasent. BUT
What is special about the project? What are the strongest points? What is the direction I should ...maybe...push? Hard to say? I mean, I think there is something in the poor man's Gustave Dore type of drawings. Yes, maybe. And the writing, it isn't all that bad. BUT
Is there something really special in this thing? Or have I wasted the 8 years.
It would be really really helpful to know.

Luck

With any luck this is the last exhibition I'll do or participate in.

One

One of these days I'll do something half decent.

First

First day back to work. Mostly I spent the day drawing panels. Did some writing (and reading) too. Issue 48 being pulled together. There are some spots that I'd prefer to be better written so I might have to get back to those. Interesting issue to do. Several elements to play around with. This will be either 42 pages or 48. More info soon.

August etc.

Next wednesday it's back to work. Issue 48 was left unfinished in June and I will try to conclude it the next couple of weeks. The Song of Läskimooses exhibition is on at the Cable Factory and I will be working at the gallery on weekdays. On 15th is the night of arts and I will be there slightly longer. Come and say hi if you're in the city. Suomaa strip will require more chapters end of August and I will try to deliver. Plan is also to do a surprise poster, but we'll see... Here some pics of the exhibition: