Brigand’s Lair
This strip has a painful story.
The original drawing for this strip was in my portfolio, and I had yet to scan it. I struck up a conversation with another artist at a convenience store, and they asked if they could see my work. I happened to have it with me, so I took my portfolio out, opened it up on the hood of my car, and gave an impromptu showing.
About six hours later I went to find that portfolio – it wasn’t in its usual spot! It was then that I realized that I had driven off, leaving my portfolio on the hood of my car! In a cold sweat I raced to the location I had shown the work, about ten minutes from my home. There is no way, I thought, that I was going to see that art again. Some random person is pawing through it right now, they probably couldn’t care less about the art, but hey, it was just lying there!
I stormed inside the store, panicked, asking “Has anyone turned in a portfolio?” “Have you seen it?” I don’t think the word “portfolio” meant anything to the clerks. I put my hands out to try to show the size and shape, “It’s black,” I blurted. There was a look in their eyes like they didn’t know what I was talking about. My heart began sinking. Then, one of the clerks reached over and pulled out my portfolio! I can’t tell you the relief I felt, even with the car tire crease on the cover. It was all there, all my art was still intact and OK. I guess someone had found it lying in the parking lot and was nice enough to bring it inside. The feeling was just like I had lost a child or something, the work meant that much to me.
So now you know the saga of “Brigand’s Lair.” And I learned a valuable lesson – no more “hood of my car” portfolio viewings!
Been there, done that, own several t-shirt which say “what a boob!”
Nothing says “boob” better than a stunt like this!
Wow, Mark! My stomach sank just reading the story! I would be mortified to lose my portfolio!
It really was a gut wrenching feeling, Tim. I had so much art in that portfolio, some I could probably never replace. The worst part was knowing that it was all my fault for getting distracted!
Oh God what an insanely scary story! I can’t imagine the cold sweats you were getting as you were searching for that portfolio!
What made it worse was that so much time had passed between when I lost it and when I realized I didn’t have it. I’m just grateful for that person who rescued it and brought it inside. I can only compare it to driving away distracted and leaving your child alone in a supermarket. Of course, not that bad, but very close in terms of emotion.
Ah, the crowning scene at the End of Lord of the Rings. I’m waiting for the elves.
Now come the days of the Brigand. (Not sure about the elves…)
… I love a story with a happy ending. Had you not found it, it would have been like losing a child you’ve nurtured through the years!
There were a lot of strips in there, plus some of my freelance illustration work. What added insult to injury was knowing that it was all my fault!
That would have been horrifying Mark, I would have flipped out too! Glad to know it was found and you can share the art today. Hang on to that baby!
Almost as bad as the panic and feeling of loss was knowing that I did it to myself! Hopefully, I won’t ever let that happen again, David!
Whew! I’m glad you got your portfolio back! What a nightmare it would have been otherwise!
Love ZB’s nest, er, layer! 🙂
It would have been a sad, sad day for me, Marieke, if I had lost it for good! Glad you like the Brigand’s lair… he didn’t do so bad for a little bird, eh?
Yikes! I am glad you got the portfolio back. You even taught the store clerk something.
He probably still doesn’t know what a portfolio is, lol.
The story only lends to the great artwork before us. I would love to see a war with Woodstock, cause I don’t think he would have a peanuts chance in a circus on surviving. lol
I really wouldn’t want to see that, Roland. I’m kind of squeamish! Glad you like the art!
Good story, good ending. The pic reminds me of Tom Cruis in the Last Samurai.
Happy endings sometimes do happen in real life!
I was going for a tent-like look with a lot of color, and I do love the color and style of traditional Japan.
And what a compliment that whoever found your portfolio found your work something that was worthy of saving from the parking lot. 🙂
Either that or they didn’t want it, lol! Just goes to show there really are decent people out there. Whoever that person was is my hero!
Actually, a gritty tire-tread effect might look kick-ass on a comic strip…
Never mind.
I won’t fault anyone who wants to try driving a car on their art, Aidan, as long as its not my art!
That is an awesome base.
Also, I could feel that story in my gut. Glad to know it all worked out, Mark!
Artists can feel for other artists in that situation, Brandon. I’d cringe if someone else told me that story, too! Glad you like the Lair!
Trying to give yourself a heart attack? That must have been quite an experience. Nice ending, though. Lucky lucky lucky.
Yes, fortune smiled at me on that day, Peter. Normally, it’s just a frown or a very slight smirk, if that.
Look, Mark, if nobody else is gonna do this, I am: I’m the one who found and returned your portfolio. But to make it look good, I drove over it a few times first. You’re welcome. -v
You are a gentleman and a scholar, Vince, with bald tires.
Did the same thing, except left my iPhone on the car.
Found it in pieces in the middle of an intersection.
Glad you got the work back. Good stuff!
Thanks, Nye. Some things – like iPhones and portfolios and car hoods in motion – don’t mix…
I know this feeling way too well. I’ve lost an art collection (or two) before and was lucky to re-locate a vast majority of stuff. Art can never be replaced, and the euphoria you get when you find it is indescribable.
Reminds me of a story an artist friend of mine told me of how he couldn’t afford his storage unit anymore and the storage company confiscated all his possessions (including his original art) and sold them. Later he started seeing his work being sold on Ebay! That’s adding insult to injury! And yes, I felt so releived when I had that work back in my hands, it was a good feeling!
That fort could easily withstand a Gorr attack.
Let’s hope it never comes to that!
Good ending to a “lump in your throat” story.
I was 100% sure I would never see that work again, Tom. That kind of feeling I could do without!
Wow.. I feel the pain (and the relief) of the portfolio story! I think that must be why I keep all of my finished art in one place where I can see it!!
I keep all my strips in two large flat boxes in my studio, Jerry. I had a lot of them in that portfolio to show to interested people and perspective clients. This is just one of those occasions where Karma came back in a good way.
There are still good people on this earth. Awesome story. 🙂
Yes, there are, Daniel. Fortunately for me!
Oh no, Stokes! I’m so relieved you found your treasure after all. I would have absolutely lost it.
The strip is beautiful though! Great lines, and really great colors!
It was an experience I don’t want to repeat again, Hatch.
Thanks for the nice comments on the strip. Now that autumn is coming to a close I feel I’m finally getting into the fall color groove. Oh well, there’s always next year!
Complete with razor wire, a fine lair for our Twigand Overlord.
Glad you were able to get your portfolio back.
Thanks for pointing out the thorn razor wire, Tony. I was pretty proud of that idea.