Long day

Started with teachers meeting and continued with a class of freehand drawing. Honestly...even though I in many ways enjoy teaching and even though I feel that's it's one thing in my career with some certain value, I still maybe probably would quit it if I had the chance. Or would I? Who knows.

Plans

Big plans but no funding. I don't know... I know some people with huge potential in storytelling and I would really love to help them reach their potential. But I'm no business man and I'm not even sure whether there would be any money in it. Still... I would like to push these people to some strange direction.

Looking like this

Magically

14 pages drawn for issue 31. Oh but, wait... Texts are missing.

I have an exhibition coming up in Marseille. Still today the plan is a bit vague...I would like to work there, make it more of an installation. But what will I bring along? This stresses me somewhat, but I seem to be unable to actually sit down and plan. Instead I want to push issue 31 ahead. Next week I really have to start thinking and packing, confirming at least something. Oh well...

It varies

Sometimes I feel it would be good to get a book out in English. Sometimes. But I'm not going to make the move

Finish

Ok, I'll finish this, although I don't know why.

Stupid

Is it just me or are these the most stupid of all times. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of stupid. But without any contrast all this stupidity is a bit overwhelming. Stupid is the new black worn by everyone in all occasions. Give me some variety!

Occasionally

Occasionally it would be good if someone read the story from the beginning and then comment on it. After reading past 5 issues I got this urge that I need to start editing and fine tuning right now. Although this thing in many ways is a work in progress and all sorts of mishaps are welcomed I still would like to have each issue as good as I possibly can. Sometimes this is not the case. Maybe I should start to come up with the solutions for the issues I feel are problematic. Maybe or maybe not. Maybe the nature of this thing is its sketchiness. That nothing is really settled. That there remains this friction. Thart sometimes the thing just doesn't work.

Possible

It's possible that this thing will never be published in book form nor translated to any language. If I can I will finish it by 2020 and then move along. Currently I'm lacking in time. The project should probably stay as it is. Not to become anything else later. Or whatever.

Writing

Slow to start. The supposedly 16 pg issue 31 is turning into a comfirmative 24 pgs. Of mostly dialogue...or monologue. Either one. The two characters have never been seen (or heard) in the same panel. There are times, it seems, the other character hears what the other says, but this is not revealed to the reader directly. Anyways. Writing is slow, but getting there.

Starting issue 31

Sketching

As it is

I felt that I'm sort of at loss with issue 31 & 32, but then I started writing issue 32 and suddenly once more I started to feel I'm on the track. And I am. There's real pain and suffering coming up.
Yeah, but, yeah... Sorry to say looks like 55 issues...crap...who needs this. 2 days to finish issue 30.

Set

I'm set financially until October and maybe longer. Läskimooses is not really bringing in any money, but I got a grant from Taike that'll help me not to worry too much during the summer. And I'll continue teaching.
But what makes me wonder is this: is Läskimooses too long project to be funded on grants? I mean it might start to look like a scam... Or something. And also: while it is not "finished" it won't be getting any reviews. Although it has gotten a couple very nice ones... So the  project that is now over 700 pages is in danger of turning invisible. And taken for granted. And I'm not sure if people realize that the story actually has an ending and it is approaching. Sometimes a bit slowly, but still. And I know the numbers don't look too good. The project  has now been going on for 4 years 4 months, it will continue for 4 more years, the explanations& additions book will take another year AND we have less than 100 readers. Something doesn't add up.
Oh, I know that some are waiting the book to come out and that's ok. Ofcourse. But the thing is that this is not that kind of project. The book, if it'll come out, will be a side product of the process. When it comes out the thing will be over already and the book is the epitaph. Yes well...
Point is I worry a bit. Not too much. But I'm considering whether I should apply a grant for some other project. But it's hard to say. All and all not much is said. Some people seem to like Läskimooses and I have a feeling I'm onto something.  But how is the project seen from the outside? Anyone?

Week

It was a shitty week and I want a refund

Hands

Got my hands on the fresh book by me and Riikka Ala-Harja. Literary themes from here and there. Soon in bookstores. Made the design a bit on the typographical side, but maybe you like it maybe.

Drawings

It's not drawings, but only one very complex drawing.

Talent

Sometimes sometimes I come across great talent while teaching. And when this talent is not quite aware of itself... And I hope I'm then able to help to direct it to the mark. To the right mark. Right for the person with the talent. Whatever that is.

This year

Might be hard to get 7 issues out, but not impossible. In a way I already drew one issue when I concluded the material for my LDC book. Later I will rearrange the material for one issue. BUT it looks like that issue comes out in 2017.
So, issue 30 will be the first issue of 2016. I should be able to finish another before midsummer and then 3 in the fall...four if I'm lucky.

Tracking

Just to keep you all informed: issue 30 will have 32 pages. Half of these are now drawn. The issue will continue my interpretation of the Finnish national epic Kalevala. Nuff said

Moving on

Issue 30 in the works. Should require 13 days to finish. For a change the story gets back to Mars. Been fun to draw those things for a change.

Scott Eder Gallery

http://www.scottedergallery.com/hagelbergG.htm

Issue 30 proceeding

Lettering

Been lettering...and writing...mostly writing. Over half of the pages of issue 30 now written. Drawing will then be faster, or not. At least different. This felt like a tough issue to write originally, but maybe it wasn't so tough after all. Most of the difficult areas now solved.

Läskimooses-powerbook 2016

It's the name of the forthcoming Le Dernier Cri book that is currently in the process of being scanned.

Getting started

with issue 30

Grants

I've gotten my share of grants. And in Finland that is pretty much the only way to make it in comics. At least the kind of comics I'm doing. Läskimooses was supported by Kone foundation for three years and this year was the first that I didn't have any grants for. Until now. It's not enough for the whole year but I'm set until June. Taike gave me a grant of 4000€ for this silly book, thank you.

And...

The LDC-book requires something. Two panels for starters... Color for inside cover, two extra pages, if I feel like it AND a go through. Then only then can I turn my attention to that issue 30.

Internet

Internet is a scam.

Digital download now available in English

A PDF version with English subtitles is now available of the nine first issues: Läskimooses digital download

Also available international subscription with translations.

Class

One more class ends. I have been teaching at the University from 1998. That's almost 20 years. Haven't had any pedagogical studies, all i know I've learned from example. That and practise. But the example I had was the best possible to be had. The example from such brilliant people as Sakari Marila, Helga Reinikainen, Kaarina Kaikkonen, Raimo Puustinen. I was fortunate enough to study under all these people. And I learned a lot from them. And what I learned about teaching was:  be interested, pay attention, care. None of my teacher's knew much about comics, but without them I would never have gone to the direction I went. I got from them exactly what I needed at the exactly right moment. And because of them I think that teaching matters.

What I have

What I have left to do of the LDC- book is colors for front and backcovers, 4 panels on four pages... And that's it. More or less that's it. Some adjustments here and there, but looks like I'll get back to the actual Läskimooses soon after the winter holiday.

Aprés Ken Barr

Honest

To be honest....I would like some greater challenges. And yes, I know, plenty of challenge with this small book I'm working on, but... Like that opera that I wrote the libretto for. But but but
I do have this one plan. And I hope it'll work out BECAUSE it's so cooool...

Maybe

Name of the LDC book: Läskimooses Powerbook

Burn

Wonder how scraperboard burns...

Scraperboard

Bought 4 packages. That's enough for 320 pages. I have a couple of packages at the studio too so maybe I'm now all set. Estimate is that I'll still have to draw 500 pages to get the story finished.

Subscription

 

International subscription with ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS is now available at the publishers website. Check it out: Läskimooses subscription

Changing trains

TGV

On a train to the gates of the Magical Kingdom - EuroDisney. Changing trains there for CDG. Over all Angouleme was excellent. Got to spend a lot of time at the booth of my great French publisher L'association. Met some old friends and made some useful contacts. Now I keep my fingers crossed for the chance to see Mickey. Excelsior!

Time

After Läskimooses I still have time for 5 or 7 projects. A few more if I'm lucky, a few less if I'm not. I try to make at least one of them really good. Good in some lasting way. And I don't know yet how Läskimooses will be. It'll be finished perhaps. At the moment that's enough for me.

Angouleme

Been here now for 24 hours and it's as crazy as ever or I don't know. Lots of people you see quite seldom and then you try to say something that is not idiotic to at least one or two. Anyways... Could've done a few more signings, but maybe tomorrow.

29

While I struggle with the LDC book, issue 29 is getting ready for the press. It's one of my favorites as is issue 28 that will reach subscribers later this week. Direction. Finally I think I found it for the LDC book.

It varies

Sometimes I feel I have no patience for the so called Finnish comics scene. Sometimes I don't think about it at all. It varies.

Slowly

Everything proceeds slowly. I have a book coming out from LIKE by me and Riikka Ala-Harja and now finally all bits and pieces have come together. The LDC book proceeds equally slow and doesnt have much of a structure. Send me money and help me to get back to LÄSKIMOOSES.

Photoshopping

Try

Secret

Let's keep this a secret, but Läskimooses has now reached 700 pages. Meanwhile: some reviews here and there, mostly quiet. I am repeating myself, but: Läskimooses is meant to be a comic book not a graphic novel. IF there is going to be a book of 1200pgs someday, it won't be the thing as the thing is. Therefore all the press at that stage is totally unnecessary. When Läskimooses comes out as a book the show is already over.