I’ve enjoyed the work of James Kochalka ever since N’s brother Ken loaned us American Elf years and years ago. Back in 1998, Kochalka decided to keep a daily journal by drawing a comic a day. It seems like a project destined to peter our after a few months, but Kochalka kept at it and is still at it today.
American Elf: Volume One collects the first five years of daily comics. (Regarding the title, Kochalka draws himself as a somewhat balding, buck-toothed elf.) The comics range all over the place: some capture funny exchanges between him and his long-suffering wife Amy, some highlight a moment of beauty or wonder that stands out from the mundane, some celebrate the mundane, and some just defy description. As you would expect from the daily format, there are a few throwaway strips, but as a whole Kochalka’s work is solid and enjoyable. Kocahlka doesn’t pull many punches and so following the lives of him and his family (sons Eli and Oliver are born during the course of the project) is engrossing and charming.
Kochalka is still drawing daily comics. In addition to the first collection, volumes two
“But what does this have to do with art?” you might ask. Well, a couple of months ago I saw that Giant Robot was having another Post-it show. And I saw that James Kochalka was participating and that his Post-it was still available. The drawing was of his cat Spandy (frequently featured in American Elf) and was just $20 so I snapped that baby up.
I had it framed and now it hangs in our bathroom. I look at it as I’m getting ready in the morning and it makes me smile.
I also heart American Elf and I love the picture of Snappy. You have such a nose for finding great art online!
Gwyn is like a senile Simpsons character in that comment. “I love Switchy and Sneepy!” Just kidding, Gwyn! You know I love you.
That framed post-it is awesome though. We need some hip Giant Robot stuff for our house. (Basement, and also staircase to our basement.)
D’oh! I said Snappy. You KNOW I meant Spandy. SPANDY!
Gwyn, I thought about saying something but decided to let it go. But then Ken said it anyway (as is frequently the case with him or N)!
Ken, I’ll keep my eyes peeled for cool stuff and let you know when I see something (unless I really like it and there’s only one copy, in which case I’ll tell you about it after I buy it (e.g. Spandy Post-it)
Thanks for the link to my post about the post-it show!!