Pig God Goes Global!

It's no secret that west coast illustrator Randy Bain and I (east coast author Chris Osburn) have never met. Nonetheless, we've found through the creation and publication of our Hawaiian Pig God series, that collaborating via the internet and phone and relying on the good ole USPS is actually a lot of fun and can be very rewarding experience.

But now that I'm about to move an even greater distance from Randy's side of the world (I'm moving to London), is this the end of our collaboration? Heck no. The only real issue for us will be to pay even closer attention to time zones. In fact, we have every intention to continuing our working relationship and see this, ultimately, as an opportunity to take our partnership global!

I'm set to arrive in London on 1 May - just in time to catch the London Luau later in June.

Eventually, I'm gonna sit down with Randy and look 'im in the eye. Until then: thanks for the fun and hard work and for hanging in there with me as I make this move overseas.

Mahalo,
Chris

From the Santa Cruz Sentinel

Illustrator Randy Bain isn't so sure about the fame and fortune yet, but we both really appreciate the plug in the Santa Cruz Sentinel (March 28):

Tiki trophy

Little did Randy Bain know it, but a visit to a Web site brought him some fame and fortune. Randy, a local artist who goes by the screen name Chongolio, popped into an online community for enthusiasts of mid-century Polynesian pop and vintage Hawaiiana. The site, www.tikiroom.com, operated by Hanford Lemoore of Palo Alto, led Randy to friendship with author Chris Osburn of New Jersey. The two of them then collaborated on a three-volume, illustrated series called "Kamapua'a, the Hawaiian Pig God: Adventures on Oahu," which is based on a Hawaiian legend.

Click below to read the rest of the article:

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2006/March/28/style/stories/01style.htm

New Book about Easter Island by Author Chris Osburn

The Law of the Island: A Rapa Nui Travelogue
by Chris Osburn
Photography by Emilia Osburn

Full of color photos, The Law of the Island is a 22-page travelogue about a recent adventure to Easter Island, where the only thing more enigmatic than the island's mysterious stone statues is the cast of intriguing characters who reside on - or travel across the globe to visit - the most remotely inhabited island in the world.

Copies of The Law of the Island cost $8 each (free shipping anywhere in the world).

To purchase The Law of the Island, click here.

Contact us for information about bulk purchases.

Coconut Wired - Adventure 2

This communique's from the Lost Isle of Kamapua'a illustrator, Randy Bain:

Aloha All,

Coconut Wired Adventure #2

has been posted. This time around we are podcastin' from the lagoon and featuring the musical goodness of The Smokin' Menehunes, Kahuna Kawentzmann, Tiki King and the Idol Pleasures, Ape and More!

I also tried something new and have the art of Noah Snodgrass and Shawn Dickinson from Untamed Highway, as well as more of Sam Gambino's work running as a slide type of deal show during a portion of this episode. You will need iTunes and/or the latest quicktime to watch and listen.

Input and feedback are always nice and there are several places you can do it. You can leave comments on the Coconut Wired blog, at the iTunes store, or here at good ol TC. Please leave it anywhere you feel inclined. Thanks again to everybody who has shown there support! Your the ones that make this a fun adventure!

Listen to Coconut Wired

Kamapua'a illustrator Randy Bain has now joined the ranks of the podcastin' community and just uploaded his first adventure. You can check it out at CoconutWired.com This first episode features the artwork of Sam Gambino and and is stuffed with 20 minutes of killer tunes from the Myspace Surf/instro community and from the Tiki Central ohana.

Randy says "Thanks to all who gave me the green light to use your tunes. If you like what you hear, go ahead and subscribe. Of course, any input or suggestions are totally welcome, but hey go easy on me I a total newby at this and have a few more things to figure out. The next adventure is on the map table as I type. If you are interested in having me play your band or feature your art or a link or promo exchange, Give me eHoller!"

Mahalo,

Chris

BAS was a Blast!

The Big Art Show last Saturday at Red Fusion in Asbury Park was a lot of fun. It was great to meet some new people and to see a few familiar faces.

Here's a photo from just before the event started (that's Eric from Geek Boy Press on the left) :

In addition to Kama, I also exhibited the Sheeples, and Untamed Highway. My wife, Emilia, was with me too, exhibiting her photography.


Hope to catch some of you at the Mid Jersey Comicon on Sunday March 19.

Mahalo,
Chris

The Sheeples - A New Series by Chris Osburn

Recently, I have been writing and illustrating a story concept based upon a speculative conversation I had with my wife, Emilia, while cruising around the South Island of New Zealand in a campervan last year.

The result of that conversation is the first five installments of an ongoing saga set in the wilderness of New Zealand’s verdant South Island.

Each installment is a quarter-folded card featuring cover art and six-panels of illustration and text. I don’t expect anyone to be blown away with how polished a publication this is, but I think the story is very readable; the concept is pretty nifty; and the illustrations are just quirky enough for readers to enjoy. Here’s the premise of the series:

The Sheeples are a reclusive race of forest dwellers descended from a few stray sheep that settled within the dense rainforests of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Unhindered by human interference, and without the threat of natural predators, these sheep adapted well to life in the rainforest. Indeed, resources were so abundant that, rather than meet their demise, the sheep actually thrived and incredibly mutated into a new bipedal species capable of speech and rational thought. Although the Sheeples have never encountered humans, their legends tell of an oppressive and bloodthirsty race of mysterious creatures known as the shepherdkind.

These first five installments deal with the Origins of the Sheeples, from stray flock to feral fold. Along the way, readers will learn about New Zealand history and geography as well as all sorts of goofy facts about ovine behavior. Readers will also gain a little insight into my own ideas about individuality, religion, and more. Much like my Kamapua‘a series, each installment of the Sheeples builds upon the last and highlights my partiality to cliffhanger endings. In addition to my drawings, I also incorporate some photographs that Emilia shot during last year’s trip. To see more of Emilia’s photography, check out: http://www.weplanyourtrip.com/PictureGallery.html.

All five installments of the Origins of the Sheeples are now available as a set for $3 to anybody interested (I’ll ship to any mailing address anywhere in the world). You’re welcome to purchase via PayPal. Please use this email address when paying: strayflock@lycos.com – and please enter “SHEEPLES” in the subject line.Alternatively, you’re welcome to send me $3.00 CASH or check/money order made out to “Chris Osburn” … or simply send me a gift that you feel is worth around $3.00 and, in turn, I’ll send you an Origins of the Sheeples set. Email me (strayflock@lycos.com) for my mailing address. BUT PLEASE NOTE that my permanent address is anything but permanent right now; so, unless you intend to mail payment/gift to me this week, PayPal is probably your best bet.

Thanks,
Chris Osburn

March Events

This March there will be two opportunities to meet Kamapua'a author Chris Osburn and check out his work!

Saturday March 4 at Big Art Show in Asbury Park, NJ:



For more details about the Big Art Show: http://bigartshow.com/

Sunday March 19 at the Mid-Jersey Comicon in Bordentown, NJ:



For more details about the Mid-Jersey Comicon: http://www.midjerseycomicon.com/

Mahalo!