Some early Drink Water! sketches and character designs from way back in November, 2001. This story was brewing in my sketchbook for about 13 years before the work really started on the webcomic in the Fall of 2012.
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Here’s a little sneak peek behind the scenes into the making of Drink Water! This picture shows Chapter 10 in progress, as it currently hangs on my studio wall (Catwalk included for scale). Chapter 10 chronicles Munki’s mission to enter the Mud-Wrestling Tournament Supreme at the Netherworld Ranch in an attempt to claim the Devil’s boon and restore his lost soul. This is a true story from Black Rock City 2001.
I generally layout about a dozen pages at a time in pencil, and then gradually finish them in ink over the weeks that follow. Once the inks are done, the pages are scanned, and then finished digitally in Photoshop. This batch is about be taken down to make room for the next set of layouts, the end of Chapter 10 and into 11. Things are going to get pretty crazy as our story moves into Wednesday evening, so stay tuned! There’s a lot more to come . . . )'( . . .
This is a limited edition Drink Water! print comic that was made as a playa gift for Burning Man 2008. The story is basically a first draft of Book #2 (Wednesday), and is functioning as a loose outline for the current webcomics. The Mud-Wrestling match is the first story in this print edition but it’s much shorter, only three pages long (the current webcomic version of the Mud-Wrestling match is up to 32 pages and counting!) There were just 250 copies printed and distributed around BRC that year, so unfortunately they are all long gone out into the world. Although things are currently brewing behind the scenes, so stay tuned for info about new print editions coming soon!
Ahoy Reader!
Here we are 200 episodes and six years into our story and still a long way to go. We are currently in Chapter Ten, Book #2, about midway through Wednesday afternoon. We have an action-packed evening ahead of us featuring battling dragons, flaming stilt soccer, and a visit to the Thuderdome! All this and more coming up, so stay tuned!
This photo was taken in Black Rock City back in 2001, and features Munkus and Neptune standing outside the Netherworld Ranch about to enter the Mud-Wrestling Tournament Supreme. Another piece of evidence from the archive proving once again that all of this is based upon true events, and I am endeavoring (to the best of my recollection) to bring you these stories as they actually transpired.
Thanks again for following along with our story, and stay tuned for many more adventures in 2019!
. . . )'( . . .
Ahoy Reader!
NY art critic, Jerry Saltz, recently declared that Burning Man is #fakeart, which begs the question, is Drink Water! a #fakecomic? While Drink Water! is not specifically about Burning Man, it does take place in Black Rock City, so it may be #fake by association. Unfortunately, I don’t have a witty retort ready for the manhattanite in the ivory tower, just more comics to draw and stories to tell. And for those keeping track, we’re currently on episode 191, chapter ten, book 2 out of 7, with a whole lot more to come. I’m planning to keep to a weekly schedule throughout the Fall, so stay tuned for more #fakecomics! The countdown is on to episode 200!
Ahoy Reader! Wishing a safe and happy burn to everyone heading out to Black Rock City this week. I’m not going to make the trip to the desert this year, but I will have some artwork installed at Kamp Suckie Fuckaye, 4:30 & Esplanade. Stop by and say ‘hello’ if you’re in the neighborhood!
Larry Harvey
1948 – 2018
On April 28th, Burning Man founder Larry Harvey passed away. Although I met Larry only once, I have long admired his work as an artist and as a visionary. His ideas have inspired countless people worldwide, and he has left behind a vibrant and very unique legacy which continues to grow and evolve well beyond him. Rest in peace, Larry. Thanks for everything. You will be missed.
Ahoy Reader! Burning Man’s syndicated run of Drink Water! will be coming to an end soon, but never fear! New episodes will resume in 2018 with a second syndicated run scheduled to begin in 2019. If you’ve enjoyed their run so far, leave a comment under the comic and let them know. And stay tuned, there’s a lot more to come! . . . )'( . . .
Here’s a pic of my Drink Water! mural at Burning Man 2017. It measured 8×16 feet and was pasted up at Center Camp on Saturday before the gates opened. Unfortunately, I was not able to make it out to the desert this year, but my good friend Sharyn Gigglz arrived early and offered to hang the artwork for me. Extra special gigantic thanks go out to Sharyn and her Philly Shrine team for doing such a great job on the install!!! I hope to make it back out there for 2018! Praise Jawn! . . . )'( . . .