kennpenn.com

BoB

2012-01-15T21:40:00.001-08:00

A poster I'm working on

cute lil monster

2011-08-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

I was stung by a jellyfish and drew this to exorcise my negative attitudes about those creatures. Drawn in about 90 seconds, PS'd in about 90 min. Enjoy

Bunny-goat

2011-06-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

What a cute feller

Applied aesthetics

2010-11-14T14:03:00.001-08:00

I definitely love drawing the insects, so I decide to do a little more focused development with applying specific aesthetics or concepts. As in the first drawing is a head concept for a caterpillar/mining machine. The second being an WWII era/futuristic plane. Enjoy.

Brains!!!

2010-09-15T12:45:00.001-07:00

Brains

Daddy's first twitter page design

2010-01-21T15:52:00.000-08:00

Image created for use as the background image the WhaleUX twitter page. What is Whale UX? Best to let Antoine or Elisa explain, for them and together with them I am acting as graphic designer and "creative director". That's all I have to say at this time, thank you.

sketchbook drawings (pt 2)

2010-01-15T13:33:00.001-08:00

YES, dragons are fun to draw. I started drawing them as designs for a character for a story my friend had told his daughter. They did get considerably meaner as I went on. Thank you.

sketchbook drawings (pt1)

2010-01-15T13:13:00.000-08:00

The idea of a robot insect is not exactly a giant leap in concept, but it is a habit that has brought me some peace and happiness. The caterpillar is a concept sketch for a sign post for the Bug Theatre (still in development phase)

Crunchy

2009-12-07T11:23:00.001-08:00

... goes well with a nice bordelaise

pg3...

2009-12-05T16:04:00.001-08:00

...of a currently untitled comic project. It's an SF, fantasy, armageddon coming-of-age tale. Coming soon: I'm going to paint it (in greyscale)!

UPDATE! I colored it

Impatience

2009-08-10T19:06:00.001-07:00

Enough, already ! (I know, isn't this foul?)

A SPACEMAN!! (to modify one's circumstance)

2009-07-27T19:43:00.001-07:00

So many of us would like to modify our life circumstance. Perhaps habit, ease, unawareness, and/or a host of other variables contribute to a ceaseless and seemingly inescapable malaise or desperation. Sometimes though, there are moments to strip away life's baffling complexity and provide the clarity and purpose to make the desired change. Our hero, the spaceman, is in just such a place. He must escape or he will be absorbed into the giant space-amoeba. His failure will result in another type of modification, one performed according to the terms of another. Another with no good will or desire toward our hero. Alas!

Next week: FULL-COLOR!

Update: Now in FULL-COLOR!!

Though the machine is idle...

2009-07-24T23:57:00.000-07:00

...it's purpose is clear. DEATH!! Happen into it's maw and be UNDONE!!! I was listenening to Noam Chomsky-Hegemony or Survival, and I drew this. Interesting... It seems to be based in some thoroughly adolescent sector of my mind. Or!... just a sci-fi expression of American global policy, which of course, is not idle.

Happy birthday!

2009-07-06T10:22:00.001-07:00

This fellow is a bit SHAKY, but sated, after a gluttonous bender. He has eaten his fill and is ready fly to the next level. Washed in the blood of the lamb (chop), he has been born anew. Welcome to the brave new world, maggot.

P2

2009-07-01T11:21:00.000-07:00

The second P portrait

Hierarchy

2009-05-06T11:37:00.001-07:00

We all have needs.

"In Capitalism, man exploits man; in Communism, the opposite is true"

-Polish proverb

update: now in full-color!

(full-color next week!)

Theatre (thee-ah-tah) of our lives

2009-04-29T23:21:00.000-07:00

"Incontinence, alas!"

Ten Buddhist Tales

2009-04-26T15:44:00.001-07:00

Not illustration, a set design for the play "Ten Buddhist Tales" for which I was credited as Playwright, Artistic Director, Set Design and Construction and Illustrator; also, I "acted" in the thing. Some memorable quotes from reviews include "Chaotic giant mind-freak that is near impossible to explain..." and "Like watching Ghandi and A Clockwork Orange at the same time" Neat-o! Go to reredundancy.com for more info on the show. It was a lot o' fun (also agonizingly annoying and painful) but I hadn't found the energy or time to draw during the production. Reestablishing my rhythm in that regard has proved challenging though not impossible. More drawings to come soon, thank you. Photos by Josh Reinhart.

Poised

2009-03-29T00:44:00.001-07:00

The vicious bed-bug is poised to strike at the unwitting humans detritus.

P

2009-03-16T21:46:00.001-07:00

An old pale fellow...

2009-01-19T22:04:00.000-08:00

...and his many furry friends have come for a spot of tea.

A ham, unable to be CONTAINED

2009-01-12T22:30:00.000-08:00

His joys, like his juices, overflow.

Religious Iconography

2008-12-16T18:13:00.001-08:00

Created for the "Ten Buddhist Tales", an epic social satire rooted in the back rows of the garden, amidst the corn, where Dad keeps his medicine, also, it's a play. I'm not sure where, if anywhere, this image will find itself of use. Mostly, I did it for my own amusement. To break it down symbolically and aesthetically, it uses the Sacred Heart, The Protective Fire Ring-outermost wisdom circle of the 10-Fold Powerful One, a gesture known in Roman writings as the Digitus Impudicus (impudent finger), and a yummy Sausage. The watery background is meant to evoke Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" and the hand is meant to evoke medieval stained-glass. So, there.

Similar

2008-12-07T22:20:00.001-08:00

Happy stars, so similar in their content. Merrily they prance one by one to their end. Big Sister reminds us of the laws of thermodynamics. We rejoice!

Opinion

2008-11-21T19:17:00.001-08:00

Marcus Auralius said that the Universe is transition, that Life is opinion (or something approaching that in effect). As the northern hemisphere transitions into the long cold and darkness of winter, Americans celebrate their good luck and the joy in their lives. Yes, soon a cry will ring out, an opinion will resound from the four corners of our land, giving wings to our hopes and voice to our desires. Let the chorus rejoice--SAVE THE NECK FOR ME!! (happy holiday)

Another Mole Man!!

2008-11-16T17:41:00.000-08:00

#661- Mr. Denny Withered-Face, a former face pusher. An illustrated concept from John Hodgman's More Information Than You Require. Inspired by this seminal tome is The 700 Mole Men Project, the world's foremost collection of phenotypical substantiation of the 700 Mole Men.

Bonus! word of the day! Obtuse-not sharp, lacking perceptive acuity (see portrait to the right)

Let's play pretend!

2008-11-16T13:00:00.001-08:00

Let's pretend that we're not related. Let's pretend that we aren't transgendered. Let's pretend that you've never walked out of an argument. Let's pretend that you've been here with me these long months. Let's pretend that you are not [there laid]. (Let's pretend that I'm not using this as my new masthead.) Character concept c/o John Hodgman

wise my ass

2008-11-08T08:29:00.000-08:00

At the feet of a great wise teacher one can but ponder or sit in silence.

One can also do that when faced with an absurd buffoon.

Or!

One can be naturally inclined to do so in either case !

Or!

neither.

(image excerpted from a comic story "Screw, F#@*, Pontificate"

from the "Buddhist Tales" anthology, due 3-09)

A cautionary tale

2008-10-03T23:00:00.000-07:00

One may be tempted by delicious sugary snacks. Day after day you may indulge in Hostess and Mars brand food type substances. Yes! but beware, for one day you may just have too much! Let us look above and see what has happened to one such unfortunate. Look on and weep!!!

clutter

2008-09-08T23:01:00.002-07:00

What do we do with all the clutter in our lives? Why not just enjoy the moment like our hero, Schlomo. He isn't worried about things neglected and crumbling around him, unheeded obligations are not a trouble to him. Lurking and ever compiling dangers are mere trifles to his steely resolve. But seriously, it's a work in progress and as soon as I've finished it for real, it will go down into Schlomo Eats Cake where it really belongs. So, it is thus far, as well, it is very clutter-some ad nauseum.

Routine

2008-08-26T23:20:00.000-07:00

Another routine evening in the city. I know what your thinking and no, I'm not an alcoholic or in AA nor do I like sleeping in doorways. Thank you, have a good day!

Schlomo eats cake

2008-08-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

Update: Page 2-3 of "Schlomo", latest version anyway (still working) now available!!!!!!! The first page of "Schlomo Eats Cake" a story in the upcoming anthology comic "Buddhist Tales". Based on and created as a supplement to "The Ten Buddhist Tales" an epic social satire rooted deeply upon a post-neo-pre-deconstructionistic model of the human body and its humors, also it's a play. The name of the title character was pulled right out my ass, but it turns out that "Schlomo" means "his peace". More pages to come.

DRD portraits

2008-08-16T10:16:00.001-07:00

The DRD (Department of Redundancy Department @ reredudancy.com) is a theatre organization which produces short plays involving social satire, gratuitous violence, and pork products aplenty-- for the whole family. Recently described as cross between Monty Python and Gertrude Stein. Also recently, I've been doing portraits of the group, heres four to start. If you think they are cool (no need to answer, I know you can do nothing but utter in the affirmative), I can do one for you, go to www.kennpenn.com/mugs

sour

2008-07-07T20:11:00.000-07:00

A once fruitful partnership has soured.

FIERCE!!!

2008-06-27T22:38:00.000-07:00

I poke you in the eye! Working on a fast-as-hell photoshop approach! Raahhrrr! Cower!!!

Enjoy;)

HOARD!

2008-06-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

No unwashed hoard shall diminish my mighty-ness! No uncanny rabble shall break the cunning of my smithery!! No hoi-polloi shall curb my use of exclamations!!! Enjoy!!!!

Punch-line

2008-06-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

The joke's on him.

Baby

2008-06-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

Inspired by a story my late great friend told me.

My regular job is going gonzo this week, so I don't have time to do a full-color illustration. However, I do plan to work it to completion this weekend! Check back on Tuesday for the full-color version. Thanks to Neil , in part, for the "what the f#@% is that" crazy freaked out

guy in composition.

NOD to DON

2008-05-25T17:49:00.000-07:00

My friend Don Becker died. He had a tremendous heart and deliciously caustic wit. His life and his art opened new possibilities to me. His faith and encouragement are key reasons that I began drawing seriously again. All his WORRY is at it's end. He will be missed always.

I.F.-Wide

2008-05-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

From a wee-little microcosm of subterranean caverns and hydraulic supported clouds manipulated by a tool wielding, run-on sentence writing, mushroom appendage-ed, comma abusing, dual sea cucumber-like happy smiley face, to growth and explosive breakthrough into a beautiful full of potential-WIDE wonderful world, whoa! Really, it's the story of us all, awwww!

Meme: Teen me

2008-05-15T17:36:00.001-07:00

Band wagons Awaaayy!! A three-stage self-portrait, oh boy! See, I'm not that scary after all. Thanks to davario

I.F.-Electricity

2008-05-01T22:42:00.000-07:00

A bit of a wrinkle in this fellows' day. Originally posted as "wrinkle" at 11:45 pm-ish

on 5-1. I was hoping to give it another whirl as it fits the topic so well and maybe nobody got to see it because of its' previous 11th hour status. I tried to tell myself "I don't care if anyone sees it (yet) I'm having a great time exploring design and technique through this I.F. thing!" Though I am enjoying the process (perhaps too much resulting in long development time) I want people to see it, dammit. If you think it's cheating or lazy I'll point you to some seriously egregious examples of that very thing. So, enjoy!

I.F.-Primitive

2008-04-22T20:46:00.000-07:00

Quasi-futuristic kid with strong ties to primitive spirit of the animal persuasion

caption contest winner !!!

2008-04-14T21:42:00.000-07:00

A long time ago, I posted this caption contest, and today I am happy to announce that the winner is...Leona Hartley of Columbia City ind!!! Leona's entry was selected from scores of submissions. Leona is my Grandma but I assure you no nepotism came into play( try matronism, read--"mama's boy"). Thanks to everyone who submitted, especially D.C. and my friends J.B. and R.B.-no relation. Leona's winning caption is "how about some salt with all this slime!"--fo' shiz (ed.) As winner of the caption contest Leona will receive a packet of "Boss Lady" brand chewing gum. Seven sizzlin' snappy cinnamon nuggets per package! that's "Boss Lady" brand --When you want to chew 'em up and spit 'em out-- "Boss Lady" brand chewing gum, ask for it by name.

Illustration friday-fail

2008-04-12T13:33:00.000-07:00

For I.F. "Fail" as in --no time to.

illustration friday

2008-03-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

it's friday! draw! all is well.

the denver voice

2008-03-25T18:09:00.000-07:00

The Denver Voice is a homeless advocacy newspaper published monthly.