November 26, 2009

Jeopopolis Celebrates Five Years: A Blog Giveaway And Momentous Opportunity To Kick My Butt

Photobucket
It was five years ago today, that I sat and sat and stared at the biggest personal creative doldrums I've ever faced. I punched the clock at work. I sat on the couch and watched
Battlebots. I had a tiny point-and-shoot camera I rarely stocked with film. I had for all intents and purposes forgotten how to draw, not having done it for a years. The phrase "use it or lose it" comes readily to mind, and it had become entirely applicable to me.

So since the end of December 2004 I've devoted myself to 218 pseudo-weekly artistic endeavours, and by fits and starts have rediscovered a creative spark I had previously allowed to fizzle through a rut of daily routine.

But that is not to say I'm cured. Perhaps far from it. Each time I sketch it's a struggle. The Rebel I received a year into my blogging life for my 30th birthday sometimes sits for days and days. I still need kicks in the butt. All. The. Time.

But now and then I enjoy scrolling the oodles and wadges of output and see what I've made. Or read what visitors have written in response. And even though the responses have dropped muchly over the past year, what I'd like to do – to honour my great big fat five years of doing things – is offer up a dose of gratitude to those who have stopped by, to those who still belly up to the comments bar, and to all those who silently look but don't touch. I thank you all so, so much for what you've contributed to this site.

In the form of the ever-popular blog giveaway, I invite all poppers-in and stoppers-by to drop a comment. All you need do is – in the form of the written word – kick my butt to keep me going. Be creative; phrase it however you want. A randomly-drawn winner will then receive a 6X8(ish, depending on dimensions) plaque-mounted print of their choice from this pre-determined selection of the 50 all-time most popular Jeopopolis entries (as deemed by favourited status on my Flickr site). And if the comments overwhelm me, I'll make a second print available for grabs.

Remember to leave me a means of contacting you with your comment. An email address (or if you know I know how to reach you, just say so).

December 31, 2009, at the stroke of midnight – that's the deadline, and when the bell officially tolls five years for Jeopopolis. You've got plenty of time, so think hard about how you're going to kick my butt. And I thank you, in advance, for doing so.

30 comments:

Unknown said...

5 years, eh? keep at it buddy. as you said, routine'll get ya. keeping creative definitely keeps some joi de vivre in life. i've had fun perusing your output. i showed my gf and pretended we're good freinds, ha ha: yeah, that's my buddy back home. this is just some of his art. i gave him most if his ideas...

Mark Kruk said...

So, you're saying your going to have a blog give-away draw on the same night as New Years Eve and your Wedding Anniversary? Sweet!!!

Recycle to the EXTREME!

Erin Fuller said...

Keep it going Jeope - or this will happen to you:

http://www.videosift.com/video/Kids-in-the-Hall-Seven-Things-to-Do

(and if I am so lucky to have won an original Jeope print, you may contact me thru my website)

Merry butt-kickin'!

lew! said...

I'll send you a swift kick in the junk via USPS if you don't keep these awesome posts coming!

--

I feel I am in a similar spot as you were 5 years ago though. I have a camera, a little letterpress and design programs that all sit mostly idle. I need to get them all active again.

Mary said...

Congrats on 5 years! We all fight to get into the routine! I think you are winning the fight. Keep it up. I always look forward to seeing what you've been up to illustration and photography wise!

amara said...

I'm sure your "traffic reports" show there are truckloads of us who visit your blog religiously but are too lazy to comment. You should be kicking our asses.

Keep up the absolute excellent work. And please don't find it creepy that I check every day to see if there's something new to read and admire.

Amanda said...

Keep the creative juices flowin' or I'll spread a nasty rumor on the HOW board that you're Canadian!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on 5 years Jeope!

Now...what I would do to you to keep you going? Every time you'd get lazy about posting, I'd toss you out of a plane and only pull your parachute open after you agreed to write for another 5 years straight!

ps. You know who I am.

Dagmar Jeffrey said...

I had my best boots all polished and ready...must look my best when congratulating you on your half-decade of inspirational success. Here's looking forward to the Big 10.

Continue to fight the good creative fight, one blog post at a time.

HOWie hugs, Happy Holidays and Happy Anniversary to Be

^_^

jroz said...

My method of choice: The slap.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtkYcOknQwo

Melissa said...

Great moments are born from great opportunity. And that’s what you have here tonight, Jeope. That’s what you have earned here tonight. One blog post. If you blogged 10 times, they might ignore nine. But not this blog post. Not tonight. Tonight, you blog with 'em. Tonight, you create with 'em, and you inspire them because you can! Tonight, you are the greatest blogger in the world. You were born to be a blogger. You were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done; it’s over. I’m sick and tired of hearing about what great bloggers the Soviets have. Screw ‘em. This is your time! Now go out there and take it!

Unknown said...

If you don't keep it up, I'll tell everyone you're Spider-Man.

Wait...crap.

ICU said...

I have been watching you, I am watching you right this second, and I will be watching you henceforth in the most uncomfortably Sting-like manner, cello between my legs, to make sure your every breath, step and move is directed toward achieving your goal.

ksavage said...

5 years! Wow…5 years is something grand. You know what else is something grand? Sharing the knowledge that an owl does exist on the States one dollar bill. Who gave that information to you? me. And because I love your creative butt so much, I'm going to keep checking out your blog moments. Keep sharing. Keep creating. And boy do those pancakes look delicious. Not Bisquick? Bend over, sir!

Steph said...

Joepe, you must keep going.... For owl's sake! And to continue to inspire me! Don't stop now! Rah rah rah!!!

Jacinta said...

It's fun seeing the creative work of a fellow Winnipegger! I enjoy it! Thank-you for posting.

Eaglegrl said...

A swift kick comin' yer way from the other side of the cubicle wall!

Thanks for the 5 yrs of sharing entertaining reads, gorgeous photos, and beautiful illys.

Here's to another 5.

q

Unknown said...

Congrats on five years of blogging!

And on all the awesome work that has come out of it. Thanks for sharing your creativity with us. I know I'm inspired and humbled by your work.

If you stop creating, I will have to drive all the way from Ohio to kick your arse. Don't make me come up there!

lew! said...

Mel using the Herb Brooks speech. Nice!

Bruce Schneider said...

Happy Jeopeversary!

kaepe said...

if you don't keep making beautiful things that make me wish i was some sort of talented designer child too, you will NOT, and i repeat NOT be allowed to visit me in Waterton EVER!

Danita Reynolds said...

Arrrhgh, you landlubber, lily-livered, son of a biscuit eater. What sayz you be five years and countin'? Why me head nears explode with grog and cannon powder when me seen it with me own eyes. I sayz to me self, that scallywag Jeope needs a swift kick in the arse to keep his head on straight. Me thinks make it a double arse kickin' to make sure ye scurvy head stays the course, ye knowin'. That be right matey, stay the course!

Whatsinaname said...

You shall go on to no end, you shall draw in Canada,
you shall draw on the seas and oceans,
you shall draw with growing confidence and growing hair, you shall draw gilligan's island, wherever that may be,
you shall draw on the beaches,
you shall draw on the grounds of the national parks,
you shall draw in the fields and in the streets,
you shall draw in the hills;
you shall never stop drawing, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, you did, then our Empire below the border, armed with Fruity Pebbles and Necco wafers, would march on Manitoba and commence kicking your ass, until, in God's good time, with all the power of the pencil, you step forth to draw again and liberate us all from wishing you would.

Hugs! Congratulatti

Tony said...

To an artist I respect and have never met. Keep it up or I'll break yer neck!

:)

Merry x-mas and hope I win!

Anthony Woodward said...

I think I first came across your blog through IF[?] and stuck around seeing how I liked what I saw and you were from Winnipeg.

I've noticed that you have been picking up more drawing projects this year and I can see there's some progression happening. Be sure to draw every day and get involved in outside projects as well as your own, perhaps you could make a little book combining your design and drawing skills???

Anonymous said...

Kick thine arse? Don't think so - I worship the chair upon which you sit. Hearty Congrats, Happy Anniversary, and keep inspiring!

WIAN said "you shall never stop drawing". Not even after you draw the winning name...but I'll give you the pencil to draw mine :- )

-howKOM

Missy B said...

Everyone else's responses were too good... so I just came here to say happy blogiversary!! Keep it up, I love seeing your drawings when they hit my inbox (via Flickr) :D

mrsbrak said...

If you dare slack, you Canadian hack, then prepare to face the wrath of BRAAAK! (Manifested in the form of one pint of Mouldy Strawberries, shipped to you COD.)

jroz said...

Gangster 'Johnny': I'm gonna give you to the count of 10, to get your lying, yellow, no-good keister off my property, before
[shouts]
Gangster 'Johnny': I pump your guts full of lead!
Gangster 'Snakes': [wide eyed and calm] All right, Johnny, I'm sorry. I'm goin!
Gangster 'Johnny': 1... 2... 10!
Gangster 'Johnny': [starts unloading bullets into Snakes while laughing maniacally]
Gangster 'Johnny': Keep the change ya filthy animal!


Sorry I couldn't resist!

lady cupcake said...

Thank you for inspiring me constantly, my friend. This isn't about the contest (because obviously my arse is late), although extremely kind of you. The winners shall be thrilled!

This is about something more intangible. That little tug we artists have inside of us. It pulls us in different directions and takes us to different levels, but we all share the feeling.

This year, I decided to keep my resolution simple. It covers everything I want to accomplish with two letters.

"Do."

The choice to create is always yours. Do or don't. When you do, doors open up and possibilities are endless. When you don't it is solitary confinement—living life on autopilot. I hope you always "do," my dear. We'll all be worse off if you don't.

If that doesn't work, then try this:

"I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

LOL! Cheers!

Happy New Year, Jeope! Looking forward to another year of creative endeavors!