The Curiosity Dept.

A Full-Blown Tramplebeast

2011-09-01T00:42:00.000-07:00

Like an old man falling down the stairs, his hands grasping air, his cane descending in a lazy arc through the stale air of the stairwell; I am now tumbling.

Yeah I got 'em on my Chain Chain

2011-08-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

My lovely lady and I have been renovating our apartment as of late; hence the radio silence on here. That's not the only thing we've been doing together, however. Below you will find a collaborative (colloquially known as a jam) comic that we worked on last week. It is the dearest hope of both our little souls that you enjoy it.

Wrapped in Piano Strings

2011-07-16T23:04:00.000-07:00

The Swamp Feelings show was quite a hit by all accounts (all accounts I have heard, anyway). There is still time to go see it, provided you are of the Oregonian persuasion. If that is not quite your thing, I've posted all of them over at my flickr. I'm incredibly proud of the work that we've done, and if they provide you with even a small measure of enjoyment I will consider them a real success. They are also available on Pony Club's etsy, if your wallet wants to travel a little further than your personage. Well, that's it for me. Goodnight, all!

The Occurrence

2011-07-07T03:03:00.000-07:00

Just a friendly reminder that this evening is the official opening of Swamp Feelings! I, along with über-talented ladies Ms. Julianna Swaney and Ms. Rebecca Artemisa, will be in attendance at Pony Club from roughly 6:00 to 10:00 pm. The above image is one of many I plan to debut tonight; all of which will sooner or later find their way here to the blog. But for the real deal (and to watch me lapse into an incoherent, drunken state), I do recommend stopping by. Hope to see you there!

Pronouncement!

2011-06-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

People of Portland, OR! People in general! Here is a thing! It is a thing that is happening! Please come and enjoy it! Exclamation points!

Your attendance would be greatly appreciated. There will be new artwork from all three of us, and a delightful time will be had by all.

Suitable Cases Part Two: Pages 5 & 6

2011-06-16T11:17:00.000-07:00

I should probably devote some thought to compiling these pages in one place. A way for someone online to read them all without backtracking through months of digressions and unrelated paintings. Any suggestions, oh boundless internet multitudes?

But I Digress...

2011-05-09T02:03:00.000-07:00

Apologies to those of you still patiently waiting for more Suitable Cases. This just sort of had to be made. Dedicated, in part, to my brother Ian and our cousins, and the innumerable hours spent hunched over a table rolling d20s.

Oh Body Mine, Leave Me Behind

2011-04-29T23:52:00.001-07:00

This has been a great month for music. If you'll indulge me; here are some of my favorite songs/videos discovered in the last few weeks:

The TV On The Radio video in particular makes me proud to be a human being. Enjoy!

Punks in the Palace

2011-04-19T00:28:00.000-07:00

Dearest readers, please find (warmly ensconced above) my two pieces for this year's group show at Guapo. They are but two minor contributions to what turned out to be a fantastic show. I would highly recommend either taking a jaunt down to the shop itself, or heading over to Sean's blog for details. Woo!

In Other News...

2011-04-12T23:03:00.000-07:00

Everybody who is anybody who is capable of being in Portland this weekend should head out to this show Friday night:
Many many amazing people will be participating. I'll have two pieces there too. Booze, art, comics, and live entertainment. Really, what more could you ask for? And naturally, as last year, the show is kicking off the Stumptown Comics Fest! I'll be milling about this year without a table. If you happen to see a rail-thin rake, his salt and pepper hair a-sparkle in the sunshine, come say hello!

Nineteen

2011-01-15T23:40:00.000-08:00

You'll have to excuse me; I've been on something of a nostalgia trip this evening. Reconnecting with old friends (and old friends I talk to regularly), sorting through old livejournal posts, listening to friends' music, etc. etc. It is just very gratifying to have so many talented, inspirational people around you.

To all of my friends: your talents (all of them exceptional), and your presence, are always appreciated. In this, our new year, thank you for simply being you. And thank you for the pleasure of knowing you.

Suitable Cases Part Two: Pages 3 & 4

2010-12-12T18:49:00.000-08:00

More pages of Suitable Cases?! Why, yes, I'm shocked my own self. Please do enjoy them, and know that more are forthcoming. As to the work from the Twin Peaks show; once it is back in my hot little hands, it will find its way to your retinas. Until then, thanks for tuning in.

Doom!

2010-10-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

So those pieces from the aforementioned Twin Peaks show might be a little while in coming. I just had to turn in my computer to the Apple Store for what will hopefully be a speedy and not-so-costly recovery. I suppose I'll see everyone in a week or two. Try not to burn the place down in my absence.

Without Chemicals, He Points

2010-10-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

Friends! Compatriots! Well-wishers! I hope you will join me this Friday in raising a cup of coffee to the greatest television show of all time! That's right, Guapo Comics and Coffee is hosting a Twin Peaks themed art show! Do please stop by. I will have my pieces up for all to see sometime later this week.

Suitable Cases Part Two

2010-09-19T20:46:00.000-07:00

Thrilling the hearts and boiling the brains of at least half a dozen people, Suitable Cases has made it's "triumphant" return! I will be updating two pages at a time on a semi-regular (read: I will not die before I complete this) basis. There is some work for a show on the way (and more on that later), but apart from that and the day job, it will be beamed into your occular receivers in a timely manner.

It feels good to get back to the old girl; she's been boring a hole in my head for some little while now. I hope you'll stick it out with me, as this story is probably going to be a tad weird.

The Cabinet Goes Deeper

2010-08-07T23:05:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are the remaining two illustrations I completed for the Curiosity Cabinet show at Pony Club. I hope they provide you with more than a modicum of enjoyment.

Back to dreaming up comics scripts and running another marathon through Twin Peaks.

Curiosity Cabinet

2010-08-02T23:44:00.000-07:00

The above image is one of three that will be appearing this Thursday at the delightful Pony Club Gallery. Please feel free to drop on by for libations and ocular activities. Those of you that can't quite make it will be able to view the other two images online in mere days. Days I tell you! The showcard:
Who needs to update more? It's this guy!

You Will Find That Their Minds Rarely Move in a Line

2010-05-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen, my warmest thanks for your grace and patience. Without further ado:
Periodic Tables is once again open for business.

For all of your Graham Kahler comics needs; ointments, ungents and salves for your eyes and for your soul, visit Periodic Tables today! The following comics are now up for sale:
Blunderbuss no. 1, featuring the stories: Avenues of Teeth, Dream From October, Songbirds, and Eyes in a Field.

The brand new Blunderbuss no. 2, with the stories: Rosalie Rhains, On the Air, Suitable Cases (part one), and the never before seen Hand Sown.

And Teeny Little Super Bean: an anthropological study of the elusive Teeny Little Super Bean, otherwise known as Rebecca.

If any of these periodicals strike your fancy, stop on by the shop and check them out.

Please be a Part of This

2010-05-17T16:55:00.000-07:00

Benni Hemm Hemm - Retaliate from Kimi Records on Vimeo.

Uncommonly beautiful.

Like a Sales Force Into the Night

2010-05-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Just two of the ten images currently up at Guapo Comics and Coffee for the month. The solo show was a huge success, and you can scope it out in its entirety over on my flickr. Thanks to everybody who came out; and to those of you who stopped by the table at Stumptown. I'm still a bit dizzy from not having a mountain of work to do, but expect more updates and comics for sale in the nearest of futures.

Special thanks to friends Tom Neely (sadly, not in picture), Julia Gfrörer, Sean Christensen (Awesome But True), and Franklin (official table baby of Stumptown Comics Fest '10). I would never have had such a delightful time, much less a table to sit at, without you guys.

Electricity Shoots From My Fingernails!

2010-04-13T12:31:00.001-07:00

My sincerest apologies to everyone who regularly checks this blog, expecting it to fulfill its basic function as a font of information on all things Graham. I have been quite busy, as I hope the above advert will help to clarify.

It is also my hope that as many of you as possible will attend this delightful event on the 23rd. I'm pretty pleased with the work I've been creating, and (so long as I don't burn out completely in the next ten days), I'll be releasing two mini-comics there as well.

Woooo! Back to work!

All Drenched in Milk and Holy Water

2010-02-15T21:32:00.000-08:00

Stand out lady and college chum Ms. Sarah Jane Lomba has been doing a series on her blog called Buddy Monday, wherein she interviews the friends who inspire her. Miraculously, mine can now be found here:

Thanks again, Sarah!

I Think I'd Better Put On A Monocle

2010-02-15T00:41:00.000-08:00

The wheels of progress are grinding; but slowly, slowly. I don't know if I can say more than that, but in the meantime, here is a comic. Please enjoy!

Your Kiss Would be a Revelation, So Put a Few Into Circulation

2010-01-16T11:45:00.000-08:00

I realize that the majority of my meager readership (meager in quantity, most certainly not in quality) resides on the east coast; but those of you in the Los Angeles area should make time this evening for my lady's show at LeBasse Projects. I have had the rare privilege of seeing it beforehand, and I must say this is her strongest work yet. I am immeasurably proud of you, Rebecca.

All you need to attend is an extra pair of socks. They will be required after her work blows your first pair off your feet.

He Was Six Weeks A-Fallin'

2010-01-11T22:40:00.000-08:00

Unknown to all but a few of you, the 22nd of January marks my twenty seventh year amongst the living. It is, generally speaking, a time of great celebration. A time in which the various breweries of the world bend down on their collective knees, proffering oblations to their various gods and hoping that my unquenchable thirst favors them this year.

Oceans of gin and porter notwithstanding, the following illustrated guide should provide a suitable picture of what is generally to be found on my wish-list. Tentative titles for said list include: I Am a Poor and Selfish Bastard and I'll Probably Just Ask for Grocery Money.
Anyway, a guy can dream can't he?

For Another Week's Disease

2009-12-12T22:21:00.000-08:00

Long-time devotees of my online musings surely must have noticed by now that my prose is rarely preened of its more extravagant feathers. For a glorious example of such, please see that sentence you just read.

So when someone comes along and candidly bears their soul in simple (but not simplistic) lyrics, my ears stand at attention. If you were to ask me (and who knows, mayhap you will some day) what's been occupying my ipod lately, I'd have to tell you all about this:

Seriously, I've listened to this thing seven times today. The video for Oh Messiah is pretty great as well.

I Am My Mother's Only One

2009-12-08T10:06:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday was the second annual Family Quilt show; over at the always spectacular Together Gallery. The above pieces are on display there now, along with a pretty wide variety of really talented people. Details about the show are due to be posted at their site any time now, so keep a lookout.

I've been rather neglectful of this blog as of late, a fact I'm trying very hard to rectify. I have every intention of posting more often (my sketchbook and notebook are fit to burst with comics stuff), so we'll see how that goes.

Now I'm afraid I have to eat a sandwich, so I will say good day.

The biology of purpose keeps my nose above the surface

2009-10-27T11:12:00.001-07:00

The other day, amidst a cataclysm of fever dreams and coughing (all entirely on my part),Rebecca and I celebrated our first year together. Completed a week late, this painting is a gift to her to mark the occasion.

Volcano Choir

2009-09-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

A recent image for the coloring book Sean is putting together for the Fun on Foster show. The children in the image ended up resembling some people I am very familiar with, but who are not children. It is funny and distressing!

Lots of sketching lately! Let's take a look!

That last lady has been cropping up a lot lately. She's part of an idea I have for my first graphic novel; an idea I've had for what seems like donkey's years now. But more on that later.

Meanwhile, work on Suitable Cases continues on apace. Expect more on that front soon.

Lick the envelope, and cut your tongue.

2009-08-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

Here are my contributions to the Neu! Futurz! 2Day! show currently up at Guapo Comics. If you have a fancy, I hope it is tickled by them.

In other news, some very talented people and I have put together a blog for crowing about comics and illustration. It is called Ink Mountain, and we do hope you will stop by and take a gander at it from time to time.

Melt melt melt melt into the universe...

2009-07-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be in another show at Guapo Comics and Coffee this Saturday! These shows tend to be very exciting (for me, anyway), as they are full to the brim with cool people. Stop by for the opening and say hi to Rebecca and I.

Suitable Cases part 5

2009-07-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

"...of a wet dog who had been smoking a pipe."

2009-06-29T22:39:00.000-07:00

Hauschka - Morgenrot from Jeff Desom on Vimeo.

In the highly unlikely event (that takes place in an alternate future) that I become successful enough to have one of my stories made into a movie (and leaving aside the moral conundrum of selling one's work to Hollywood); I would really appreciate it if Hauschka could provide the score. His music has a tendency to move in perfect time with the worlds in my head.

Incidentally, the video was apparently made by animating old postcards and photos from the Library of Congress. A fact which only heightens my indescribable joy.

Suitable Cases part 4

2009-06-18T21:13:00.001-07:00

Here we are...here we are...there it is! That's the picture!

She don't see so good, but she don't look so bad

2009-06-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

Greetings, all. Here is my contribution to the very cool Beast Masters of the Universe show. See more of the excellent work at Sean's flickr.

In other show news, this Thursday is the 4T: Forty Ounces of Radness show at Tender Loving Empire. In keeping with the theme, I and several of my good compatriots drank our forties and then made art on them. We hope you will enjoy.

After a quick respite, Suitable Cases will be back in full swing. But for now, I must away!

At the time, you were a Rake and a Roustabout

2009-05-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

You'll pardon this slight bit of explication: Suitable Cases is going on hiatus for just a little longer. The above poster should give you some idea as to why.

Yes, that's right, Graham is going to be in another show. I'm just as shocked as you are. Actually, that's a bit simplistic; I was even more shocked before, and now I am probably less shocked, since I've had more time than you to absorb it. Regardless, I will be putting off comics making for another week or two in favor of art making.

In the meantime, I highly recommend you hop over to my brother's flickr. Ian has been jawing a long time now about adapting The Mariner's Revenge Song (propagated and popularized by The Decemberists) for the comics medium. And lo and behold, my fellow owner of a lifetime membership to the Kahler gene pool has gone and put his money where his mouth is. I would advise starting your journey here.

Married to the Sea

2009-04-18T09:54:00.000-07:00

So remember that drawing I did for my friend Rosemary? Of course you do. Well here is her half of our art trade:

I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. Thank you, Rosemary. We really should do this again sometime.

Summertime Clothes

2009-04-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

I was finally able to secure a new digital camera for myself. My old one (hereafter referred to as "The Brick plus Flashbulb") decided to defecate all over the bed, so to speak, and it was months before I could afford a new one. But I like my compact new Olympus, and more recent photos can be found at my flickr.

In other news, I will be attending the Stumptown Comics Fest this weekend, though unfortunately without copies of Suitable Cases, as I was unable to finish it in time. I will have copies of Blunderbuss for those of you who still do not possess such things. And the majestic Ed Brisson should have copies of all three volumes of You Ain't No Dancer, to which I am a modest but consistent contributor. For potential greeting reference, here is a picture of what I look like:

For a more accurate image with which to spot me, adjust your monitor until my skin tone takes on the hue of mint ice cream. Large crowds tend to make me nervous, and unless I A) stick around long enough to settle my humors, or B) show up wasted; I will probably seem a little green around the gills for a while.

Suitable Cases part 3

2009-04-12T15:25:00.000-07:00

A Happy Easter to one and all. Because nothing says "Spring Religious Observance" like vaguely noirish comics-making.

Suitable Cases part 2

2009-04-08T11:36:00.000-07:00

Suitable Cases

2009-04-02T18:00:00.000-07:00

The first two pages of the aforementioned comic, produced in my typically laborious style. I would like to have this thing done in time for the Stumptown Comics Fest, but my chances of doing so take their place next to the clouds and birds up in the air.

Expect intermittent updates of the comic in the next week or so. I promise things will only get stranger.

Come down from the mountain, you've been gone too long...

2009-04-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

Another sketchbook page, to whet your appetites. I took a break from drawing comics to sit in a tea shop and draw in my sketchbook instead. Witness the results of my brain sans direction.

On Monday I owned a turntable for precisely three hours. I got it home, hooked it up and discovered that I had been sold a dud. Actually, if the turntable doesn't turn, isn't it just a table? Words to consider and live by.

Comic pages coming tomorrow. If you are half as excited about that as I am, then I am twice as excited as you.

Burned His Body For Incurring My Wrath

2009-03-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

This is my half of an in-progress art trade with the lovely and talented Rosemary Travale. We had bandied about the idea of a trade for quite some time, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing what she can cook up.

Went to Music Millennium yesterday at the urgent behest of Rebecca (who is in LA), to purchase the new (incredibly great) Decemberists album. Urgent, because the whole band was there signing merchandise. Was it worth it, you may ask, to stand in line for an hour to meet them for all of two minutes? That depends entirely on how much of a fan you are. Also: YES OF COURSE IT WAS, YOU ASS.

I love this city.

Singed Fingers

2009-03-24T10:57:00.000-07:00

A page from my sketchbook, for a comic project I am currently working on. And by currently, I mean as soon as I depart from the internet. After spending weeks upon weeks doing nothing but painting, it has been a real treat to get back into pen and ink work.

This comic will eventually be collected as its own mini. Exactly when that will happen, is anybody's guess.

A New Way of Seeing

2009-03-23T12:46:00.000-07:00

Salutations! Greetings! And just plain Hello! Welcome to The Curiosity Department. Please find contained herein the musings, comics, art, interests, and random effluvia of Mr. Graham Kahler. Clay pipes are optional. Drinking is all but mandatory. A jaunty fez and monocle combination is a welcome bonus.

We trust you will enjoy your stay.