whatintheworld

Arcade Nerd Alert

2008-03-02T22:01:42+00:00

Just finished watching King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, an awesome documentary on grown men playing classic arcade games at the World Record level.

trailer at Apple

I recommend not going to the official movie site since there's a spoiler right on their front page - just go rent it

sketchbook

2008-02-29T19:45:29+00:00

Staten Island Yankees

2007-06-25T20:54:06+00:00

Friday night was Drawger-nite at the Staten Island Yankees! Well, not officially, but we made it that anyway! Zina, Nancy S. and Peter C. met up with me and some WSJ folks and friends and family for the ferry over and the game.

It was a picture -postcard kind of night and actually turned a bit cold for the first Friday night of the summer. The thin-skinned three mentioned above bailed early but I stayed til the bitter (Yanks lost) end and got to see my niece and nephew run the bases!

tickets, 10 clams

beers, 5 duckets

good times...priceless

Happy Spring!

2007-03-21T16:04:01+00:00

Winter came late to the Northeast this year but it stuck around too dang long! Spring has sprung not a moment too soon...

Sophia Anne Bamundo

2007-01-31T04:43:29+00:00

My wife Nancy gave birth to our first child, a baby girl named Sophia Anne, on Monday January 22. I could never hope to create a work of art as beautiful as she.

Frazetta doc. - DVR/TiVo Alert

2006-11-13T14:56:34+00:00

Had dinner with the wife and friends on Saturday at Carol's Cafe on Staten Island - the owner/chef is Carol Frazzetta, sister of Frank who removed one 'z' from their last name professionally.

I came home and was searching through my cable guide and came across "Painting With Fire" a documentary on Frank, that I had seen some time back - its running today on IFC and is well worth checking out.

Rutgers: 28 Louisville: 25

2006-11-10T15:04:44+00:00

N� Goolies

2006-10-31T02:56:03+00:00

I had previsously posted the lead singer here, but here's the rest of the gang in sketch form. I never got around to fully fleshing them out in time for Halloween.

These were inspired by the Groovie Goolies cartoon from the 70s that I only have a marginal memory of

NYCdrawger drinx/dinner 2 nite

2006-10-26T15:38:11+00:00

join Steve "House O' Wax"man, Dave "the rave" Flaherty and ME for a drink and/or a bite to eat at ACME in NOHO on Great Jones and Lafayette tonight, Thursday 10/26 @ 7pm http://www.acmebarandgrill.com/ pants are required (or a skirt)

Regina Spektor

2006-09-27T01:35:44+00:00

Please do your self a favor and go here and view the video for "Samson" (I believe QuickTime 7 is required)

tip: make sure the MySpace audio player at the top right of the page is OFF before playing the video or you'll hear a cacaphony of 2 songs playing at once

A gorgeous girl, voice, song, video etc.

I am seeing her tomorrow night at Town Hall and could not be happier about it.

Oh - I forgot to mention that me 'n her are pals (not really but a guy can dream, can't he?)

daveB Book Club

2006-09-25T14:23:31+00:00

This fall will see the release of "Little Children" a movie based on the novel of the same name by Tom Perrotta. Perrotta also wrote the book on which the critically acclaimed movie "Election" was based. A movie that helped pave the Oscar road for Reese Witherspoon.

The day before my honeymoon in 1995, I was in a drugstore getting last minute sundries for the trip and thought I'd better get a book to read on the flight. The cover photo and title of "Bad Haircut" caught my eye. It became one of my favorite reads ever and one of the only books besides "The Catcher in the Rye" that I would read more than once.

Like "Catcher", "Bad Haircut" has become a touchstone for an important time of my life, when I became husband to Nancy who all along has helped me become a better friend, son, brother and artist.

Latest Halloween NYer REJECT

2006-09-23T16:46:03+00:00

Got my polite reject letter today from the New Yorker : (
But now I can share my image with YOU - my PALS : ) !!!

Anyway - with CBGBs set to close this Halloween, I thought this was a no brainer. Any other publications want it - oh, Rolling Stone, SPIN, Time - give me a call!!!!

Halloween New Yorker Rejects

2006-09-18T18:28:36+00:00

I love the fall in New York. The changing leaves (I bagged about 25 bags last year) the crisp air and Halloween - a holiday the wife and I love but is a bitter reminder for me of some rejected New Yorker cover ideas.

20 years on

2006-09-18T13:03:38+00:00

This past Saturday was my 20 year High School reunion. A classmate brought this picture of Sandi Pinto's graduation party (check out the modern art!). I highlighted some of us as a "then and now". White pants and short sleeve shirts with some of the sleeve carefully rolled up were all the rage in 86. Oh yeah, and mullets too.

Staten Island 9-11 Memorial

2006-09-11T03:53:38+00:00

Halftones/Baby! Go Baby! Go!

2006-09-09T15:45:30+00:00

Some pics from Thursday night's GRRRReAT time at the Society! Check out the pics in my gallery. Will post more later this weekend - gotta go clean my basement now...

Say it ain't so, Joe (Piscopo)!

2006-09-01T01:54:56+00:00

In my never-ending quest to bring some classy celebrity gossip, and since he is a close personal friend of Edel, I offer the following link to the salacious going-ons of mr. piscopo and his babysitter...er...wife...er soon-to-be-ex

all the news that's fit...

It happened!

2006-08-31T12:09:17+00:00

The skies over NY quieted just in time for the first ever NYC Drawger Happy hour. Pictured: Dave Flaherty, Scott Bakal, Nancy Stahl, Peter Cusack, daveB, Edel Rodriguez, Steve Wacksman.

Good times.

more pics tK

NYC drawger happy hour

2006-08-28T18:38:24+00:00

This Wednesday (Aug. 30) at the Spiegel Beer Garden at the South Street Seaport (pier 17) - shall we say 6-ish? Rain location: Heartland Brewery, Seaport loc.

Significant others welcome (to come and listen to a bunch of kooks ranting about gradient mesh filters and the affect of gel mediums on acrylic paints)

info link here

first published illustration

2006-08-28T02:33:29+00:00

I was toiling at my suit and tie job at Blue Cross and Blue Shield when I planned my escape - I'd take some night classes at SVA and then make my prison break (I didn't need to tattoo a map of the building to my skin, I was just able to walk out the door and never return).

One class in particular was a revelation - "Editorial Illustration" a class co-taught by illustrator Paul Corio and Art Director Florian Bachleda. Real pros offering real advice and assignments and critiques that echoed their true experiences. The switch went off in my head and I realized I could be an artist and work "for myself".

After the session had ended, I was contacted by Florian who was then at the Village Voice and he offered me a spot illustration for their upcoming events calendar. It must have been some magic thing for kids 'coz this is the masterpiece I came up with. It's a miracle I parlayed drawings like this into something like a career. If not a miracle, then something like magic.

NY dolls

2006-08-23T02:17:12+00:00

free show last friday at the seaport. Fellow Staten Island Native David Johansen and 1 other surviving doll (and some new dolls) played on an amazingly comfortable august night. my pal said he was wearing a wig - if so - it was a damn good one! they sounded great but they could've been louder - after all they are the NY dolls!

The Rat Pack

2006-08-11T00:53:04+00:00

I came across this illustration on the great Joe Ciardiello's web site and I just LOVED it, especially since I dig the source photo (see below). In case you've lived in a cave for the latter half of the 20th century, neither I nor Prez. Kennedy was in the original photo. Joe had his reason's for placing him there (which hopefully he can elaborate by posting a comment or JOINING DRAWGER...how's that for a subtle hint, joe?) and I placed myself there after my wife and I hosted a Birthday party for Frank Sinatra at our home last year (he couldn't make it and Frank Jr. couldn't get past the velvet rope (yes we had one in our foyer).

I might need some legal help...

2006-08-07T19:39:43+00:00

Anybody know where a poor illustrator can go for "free" legal help. I'm about to come to blows with a client over a measly illustration - when all is said and done, I'd love to post about the whole ludicrous situation here. It would be nice to say, call my lawyer, Mr/Ms Fillintheblank. Needless to say the fee for the illustration probably is what most lawyers charge for 1 to 2 hours of work.

Beautiful Baby Entry

2006-08-07T18:11:40+00:00

Here is my entry for the "Beautiful Baby" show

here again is the picture it was based on (sure I made myself cuter! its bad enough pam K and Lisa K called me Dumbo Bamundo in 5th grade causing a lifelong self-consciousness about my ears)

my desktop now

2006-08-03T03:09:59+00:00

Edel's recent blackout pics gave me an inspiration for a drawger show "My Desktop Now!". Where you take a screengrab of the state of your current computer desktop and post it. Are you interested in posting yours? Let me know and I'll set up a drawger show.

This Just In!!!

2006-08-03T02:36:58+00:00

Pop star Avril Lavigne marries longtime radio DJ and LA scenester Rodney Bingenheimer. The bride was radiant. The groom commented after the nuptials, "She's no Cher or Gwen Stefani, but I figured, what the f**k!"

drawger tees

2006-08-02T03:06:56+00:00

Edel's excellent "drawger gear" coincided with my actually thinking of approaching you folks with a t-shirt idea. Here is my concept with the asymmetrical placement that you "hipsters" prefer (goes better with your cockeyed trucker caps). this is revised to hopefully make the second R look less...erhm...manly

Here's the idea close-up p.s. why didn't the new york times want to write about discoskater : ( I'm ready to sell out : ) : ) : )

Chris Spollen Art-A-Que

2006-07-31T00:56:57+00:00

Just got back from Chris Spollen's place where he hosted a most excellent art-a-que. Good food, conversation, drink and live music (they played my request for "Little Wing"!). Chris is a long time friend and my mentor in the illustration world. He is an artist, a gentleman, an educator and a personal transportation engineer. I wish you all the opportunity to meet him someday if you haven't already had the pleasure. More pics inside my galleries

finding a way

2006-07-30T23:49:06+00:00

the challenge: a low budget and a quick turnaround. Deadly, right? But the A.D. is a great guy and a long time supporter and friend. So, what to do? For this assignment, I streamlined my process to the bone; limited colors, don't stress over the drawing etc. Here is the end result....

Beautiful Baby Show

2006-07-26T02:18:18+00:00

Peter C. posted his terrific painting that he created for Mr. Tinkelman's upcoming show. I'll leave a bit of mystery and suspense (I can almost sense your anticipation!) to my piece (especially since its not completed!) I'll post my final illustration after the opening. But here is the photo I'm working from.

Earth-shattering-life-changing news

2006-07-11T00:02:35+00:00

I am happy to say my wife Nancy and I are expecting our first child in January 2007. It feels a bit weird for many reasons to post this on Drawger, but I wanted to share our happy news with my friends, real, imagined, virtual etc. Send your prayers, karma, clean diapers and formula care of us!!

Happy Independence Day

2006-07-03T11:44:39+00:00

Have a safe and Happy Independence Day!

art and baseball

2006-06-23T18:53:49+00:00

Any local NYC drawgers that care to take in an evening of cheap fun on this sunday 6/25, let me know. Fellow drawger nancy stahl, and scads of others will take in the Murray Tinkelman helmed Baseball Card exhibit at the Staten Island Museum around 2:30 - 3:00, then go across the street for the Staten Island Yankee game AT 4PM. Both events are steps away from the SI Ferry which is the greatest way to commute outside of a rocket ship. Please reply via comments if you and your family, friend, cohort or sworn enemy would like to attend. I have a few more discounted 8 dollar tickets and I'm sure more will be available at the gate.

Enos Visits Dizney

2006-06-21T19:38:31+00:00

Last night I had the pleasure of once again hanging with our esteemed Randy Enos. He was asked to create a poster announcing the going away party for The Wall Street Journal's departing Design Director, Joe Dizney. The poster was a major hit and was plastered all around the Dow Jones offices. I hope that maybe Randy can post the full poster image on his drawger page. Illustrator and good pal, Danny Pelavin was also there and it was great fun for me to connect my "illustration world" with my "design world". As for Joe Dizney, I did not know him well, but I along with many off you, and illustrators in general, owe him a debt of thanks for helping make the Journal an important venue for great illustration.

MoCCA art fest this weekend in NYC

2006-06-08T02:41:24+00:00

This weekend I'll be at my table for the third (?) straight year at the MoCCA art festival inside the esteemed Puck Building in Manhattan. The goal for me is to make more scratch than I spend on the gorgeous books, t-shirts, original art and other assorted goodies. If anyone's in town, drop on by - I think the daily cover is 8 bucks. Come by my table (where I'll mostly be pimping my discoskater t-shirt line) and you'll get the DrawgerDiscount!! more info here p.s. our own Zimm designed the MoCCA site, did their cool logo and curated their 1st online gallery show "Duck!" - he's quite a dude!!

Bushy Illustrators (not a political statement)

2006-06-01T02:49:39+00:00

So, I've noticed many drawgers sport facial hair. Is it a sign of wisdom? Is it a way of thumbing your nose at the establishment ("no one on wall street looks like THIS", one thinks when looking in the mirror)? Is it something to stroke while reading mind numbing stories that need illustrating from National Banking and Real Estate Trust Magazine? In any case, there appears to be a correlation much the same way there appears to be a correlation between the ability to draw and play a musical instrument. So, gents, who among you has been the longest without a complete shave?

iMac back from the grave

2006-05-22T13:25:13+00:00

So I made the appointment at the Staten Island Apple store and brought it in. The tech diagnosed the problem and told me I'd have to wait about a week to get it back. "Hmmmm...I NEED this computer to make a living... "Well, sir - If you upgrade to "PRO CARE" you move to the head of the queue". "How much?" "99 dollars" "Then what?" "I can probably fix it in 20 minutes" The Amex comes out of the wallet... "Do it" A classic shakedown. But in some ways the best 99 bucks I ever spent. Oh and for anyone who has an iMac G5 (the one that looks like an iPod on its side, but without the built in iSight camera...) you may want to get the Apple Care Protection plan since the bill notes what the repairs would have cost. The tech mentioned there is a recall on my particular model, but of course, they don't inform current owners, they only fix it if it breaks and if its outside of your warranty period - then tough luck... FYI, both my internal power supply and logic board were fried.

farewell iMac?? I hardly knew ye...

2006-05-17T02:41:19+00:00

so here I sit frantically trying to burn CDs to back up some work (using the slow burning time to make this post) after my just over 1 year old iMac started acting funky - oh, you know the usual fun stuff - will not boot past the "blue screen", screen gets all fuzzy then indecipherable - oh - did I mention the plastic burning smell???!!!?!??!! Fortunately I have the apple protection plan so as soon as I can this puppy is going to have a dr's appointment at the apple store. whatever happened to things that last? my folks and grandfolks had fridges that were older than many uncles and aunts - the cubans drive around today in cars from the 40s... I've already had a few iPods crap out and now this. As most creative types are, I am a HUGE apple fan (and a teensy shareholder) but this is either planned obsolescence, bad engineering, a public willing to buy anything with a little picture of an apple with a bite taken out of it or all of the above!!! As I write this, I just ejected the CD I burned and it flew out and came out steaming hot like a piece of toast!! oh well - let me get back to it....

Props to Luc L.

2006-05-15T19:44:12+00:00

For a number of weeks now, I've been freelancing for the Wall St Journal, not so much as an illustrator - I've been designing pages and charts and commissioning illustration for their weekend "Pursuits" section. Its been fun being on the other side of the phone calling some of my favorite artists to hire them. My batting average is pretty good - but I couldn't get Cuneo for a quick-turnaround thingy. Anyway, last week I got to work with fellow Drawger Luc Latulippe. He was kind enough to accept the job even though he was preparing for an art opening in Chicago, where he was flying out to on the due date. With his permission, here's how it went.

The story started by the writer telling of a screenwriter pitching an idea for a movie that would be like "Kill Bill" meets "Napoleon Dynamite"....

Here is the slacker pose from the N. Dynamite poster....

The editor wanted a change - to have the illustration read more like an equation "A + B = C".....

And here is the terrific finish (even though it probably printed in b+w)....

Drinks at the Society (NY)

2006-04-27T21:00:11+00:00

Tomorrow (Friday 4/28) myself and loads of other artists from far and wide will converge for Wendy Wray's opening on the bar level of the Society. C'mon out all you local drawgers! I have it on good authority that a terrific lady (initials N.S.) will be in the house and I'm thinking Mr. O'Brien may be on his usual barstool.

Better late than never...

2006-04-24T19:35:25+00:00

I'm a little late with the "old photo" fun y'all have been having. Here's one taken the day I showed up for college. Dig the pencil neck...

Here's one from a few years later after some hard living...

Sorry Vegetarians...

2006-04-24T18:55:10+00:00

Just going through some old photos and saw a bunch I took on my last visit to McHale's bar a few months ago. The historic old-school Beer 'N Burger joint closed its doors after losing its lease. The property owners were turning the (probably) century old building into another high rise commercial and residential property. I had celebrated many occasions in its hallowed bar and back room, usually with my college buddies - engagements, new jobs, new babies - all feted with the consumption of monstrous burgers piled high with melted cheese and deep fried bacon. (Did I mention I'm going on a diet starting May 1?) The place was also notable for being a hockey lovers bar (just try asking for the yankee game when ANY hockey game was playing) and for acting as an underground and probably illegal ticket outlet for nearby broadway shows. The burgers at Corner Bistro were probably tastier, but no burger could match McHale's for quality AND quantity. The family that ran the place may open in another location and I'll be one of the first in line if it does.

Drawger in the hi-zzay

2006-04-09T13:19:10+00:00

Drawger was well represented at the Society's "Advertising, Institutional, Unpublished" opening. To my wondering eyes, appeared Tim O'Brien, Dave Flaherty and the blokes pictured. Good to see the breathing embodiment of their virtual avatars. The beers were good as well. Thanks to Alan Witschonke for getting me in the door...

Artist and the Baseball Card opening

2006-03-27T18:29:51+00:00

Last week was the opening of The Artist and the Baseball Card at the Staten Island Museum. Murray and Carol Tinkelman are the caretakers of this traveling show and I am honored and humbled that I've been "called up to the big leagues". The opening was big fun replete with hot dogs, beer, peanuts, crackerjack and a boisterous reading of "Casey at the Bat". Check out my gallery for a few pictures. Better yet - the show is up through the better part of the summer - so add a visit to the museum to your "to do" list.

Reminder-opening Th 3/23

2006-03-22T14:52:36+00:00

for all you city-folk (NY area peeps) tomorrow is the opening for the exhibit "The Artist and the Baseball Card" at the Staten Island Museum, curated by the legendary Murray Tinkelman. The museum is a skip away from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and I myself will be taking the boat across around 5:30ish so if anyone might care to meet me for the ride - send me an email - david@bamundo.com more info for the exhibit can be found at http://www.statenislandmuseum.org/

Opinions Sought

2006-03-02T20:09:11+00:00

I keep flushing (er) spending money on various ads etc. This one will appear in a "trade" publication this summer but I have to turn it in soon. Please let me know what you think - don't pull any punches - I cry easy but I get over it quickly.... p.s. the image at middle left is from a digital photograph of a painting- anybody know how I can get the black line in that image to more closely match the rest? (everything else was colored in illustrator as C35 M35 Y0 K100)

NY Comic Con 2006

2006-03-01T21:54:38+00:00

I attended the NY Comic Con last weekend and it was quite interesting. The folks at Reed Exhibitions/Javits Center clearly underestimated the fanboy turnout and had to turn many people away. My pal and I were pre-paid so we had less hassle but a hassle nonetheless. Once inside, we couldn't leave to attend a Pat McDonnell panel (of "Mutts" fame") for fear we might not get back in. On the whole, I enjoyed it, though having been to Licensing and Stationery shows there, I expected it to be much bigger. One highlight was seeing a former teacher of mine, Carmine Infantino who was a big-time DC artist in the 60s and 70s. p.s. I am a nerd, but haven't bought a DC or Marvel comic in years

all american rejects

2006-02-22T00:17:54+00:00

Matcho got me thinking about rejected sketches - and I thought drawger is as good a place as any to bring these to the light of day. see more in the gallery section.

"N�" style

2006-02-21T19:04:55+00:00

I've been working in a "n�" style on occasion, and like most things it was a happy accident. I scanned in a sketchbook drawing and didn't want to lose my pencil lines over which I had drawn with marker. So I left the file as a grayscale tif and placed color fields over it in photoshop. There are a few more examples in the "n� style" gallery.

Pitchers and Catchers

2006-02-17T20:41:21+00:00

Spring is around the corner. The senses will be awakened by the smell of hot dogs and popcorn, the feel of the sun and the crack of the bat. I was asked by Murray Tinkelman to contribute to his traveling exhibit "The Artist and the Baseball Card". For all I know, some of you other drawgers are a part of it. Well, the show is coming to my home court of Staten Island with an opening planned for Thursday, March 23 at 5PM. The show will be up for a while and I promise that if any of you make the effort to come out to the Island during it's stay, I will endeavor to meet you and bring you for a world famous slice of pizza or Italian Ice... link for the Staten Island Museum

john K has a blog

2006-02-17T17:17:01+00:00

john K of ren and stimpy fame has a blog and on it are THE GREATEST CARICATURES I HAVE EVER SEEN - he calls them his "beautiful people" drawings and they are hilarious!!! N-JOY... here is the link daveB

dog years

2006-02-16T18:08:07+00:00

this little dittie is based on a postcard/calendar I sent to the ultimate destination of many an A.D.'s trash bin...

Here's what the postcard/calendar itself looks like. I think you have to have Supersonic Vision to read the dates on the calendar...

Storm O' The Century!!

2006-02-13T21:54:48+00:00

They say it was NYC's biggest on record. Didn't seem so to me. 96 and 03 seemed worse, but the official record was for Central Park which may have had as many as five more inches than we did on Staten Island. See more pics in the gallery....

The top Dog

2006-02-09T20:33:35+00:00

Thanks to Zimm for putting this whole thing together. Back in the day we were one of a few lonely illustrators using AOL's early chat room capability to rant about all things illustration. When I searched "Zimm" on my hard drive, I found this picture....