The City of Tacoma believes in the arts. Through the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program they encourage artists to conceive and complete new artistic works that improves artists’ talents and enrich the city. If you’re an artist who lives in Tacoma you should check out the program and download an application at their website. 

I presented to the Tacoma Arts Commission a fairly interesting project proposal. I’d been involved in doing the art for a few Whiteboard videos. To improve my skill set I wanted to show that I could do a Whiteboard video from concept to completion with the only outside work being done for narration and music. I also wanted to make the video a public service announcement to artists about copyright. I’ve been an advocate for copyright for several years and teach the topic regularly. Since a public service announcement average length is 30 to 60 seconds I decided to do two videos. Each video would focus on just a few key bits of information that would help any creative to significantly understand copyright better. As part of the project I would post the progressive stages of the project online.

Several artists submit proposals to the Tacoma Arts Commission. I was extremely pleased when my proposal was accepted.

My first step was to then write the script for the two public service announcements. To make absolutely sure my message on point I my friend, Daniel Abraham, attorney at law, review my scripts. I want to thank him for his insight, which sharpened the message.

There was quite a bit of delay between the writing of the script and the drafting of the storyboard. Thankfully the Tacoma Arts Commission provides a two-year period of time for artists to complete their project. They understand that obstacles arise and the project sometimes is required to be placed on the back burner. For me the factors were an increased workload and a change of plan regarding tools and techniques to complete the project. Whenever a change of circumstance occurs, even a little, considering your options, and plotting a new course to your goal takes time. In this case the issues required resolution before the storyboards could be completed.

Back on track it didn’t take long to take the storyboard and create the final video. I want to thank Adam J. Manley for his narration, and Joe Izenman for his composition and performance of the music. With their talents, and Tacoma Artists Initiative Program’s support, I present to you my complete whiteboard video public service announcements about copyright:

This month’s Open Swim was Evolution, wherein creatures were drawn at their various stages of development. It was a rare all-ages event. Voting was done for two categories: Group, and Individual. In Group, the three stages of life for one creature was drawn by three different people. These were determined randomly by the Gamemaster. As you might have guessed, Individual had all three stages drawn by the same person.

The Group category was won by Monlux, Brill & Stowe
The Individual was won by Monlux

Evolution – Monlux, Brill, Stowe – Group Winner

Evolution – Individual Winner – Mark Monlux “CAT”

Evolution Rob Larson “Magnetorpion”

Evolution “Hooksnorkle”

Evolution – Cory M. “Doug”

Evolution – Barrett Stowe “Holy Mother of God What Is It?”

Evolution – Rob Larson “Heinous Electrocution Fiend”

Evolution – Lawrence Erhardt “Eggranodon”

Evolution – JAR “Catzer”

Evolution – Audrey Stowe “He/She will come and get you.”

Evolution – Lenny “Untitled”

Evolution – Stan! “Untitled”

Evolution – Brill “B.E.M.”

On Wednesday, July 23rd 2014, The CLAW Open Swim featured “You Complete Me”. Participants were given a partial drawing to complete in an hour. The rules were simple. You could do as many drawings as you wanted, but each would be voted on separately. All participants were given four voting marbles. Black marbles were given to the images that were the most creative and/or interesting. White marbles counted as negative votes for being too mysogynistic. There was a three way tie for third place, and one image was declare more mysogynistic than the others. Credit is given as clearly as could be read from the signatures.

The template

First Place – Mark Monlux

by Mark Monlux

Second Place – Mark Brill

by Mark Brill

Third Place [tied] – RR Anderson

Third Place [tied] – Hank

By Hank

Third Place [tied] – David

Most Mysogynistic – by RR Anderson

Josiah Martin

Kason C. Coulter

RR Anderson

Kevin Knodell

Mark Monlux

Kason C. Coulter

by Kason C. Coulter

Draden

Josiah Martin

RR Anderson

Mark Brill

by Mark Brill