Illustration: Home Song

"Home Song" by Justin Currie

Written by GMB Chomichuk

"I was contacted by a friend, couple months back, to help out on a poster for an upcoming "Make a Wish Foundation" charity event with a  theme "music as a form of therapy". Music is pretty powerful stuff, especially during rough times, so I was immediately on board with the idea for a visual piece.

At first we played around with an idea of a superhero using music as a weapon- but eventually decided upon a kid discovering the power of song on his own- and wielding it in the face of some fearful odds. Once the poster came together- I just fell in love with the character (Russ- I've decided his name is Russ) and the world. I want to see more! Soon after, I met up with the very talented GMB Chomichuk (we worked on Cassie and Tonk together) and he put together the powerful verbage to go along with Russ's short story/adventure.

Just did this comic because I liked the idea, and wanted to bring attention to a good cause."

Illustration: New Year's Resolutions

Via: FandomLife

Also, Ride Falkor

Illustration: Up and Out

"Up and Out" by Jeremy Kaye of Up and Out Commic

"Happy New Year. Let’s all kick 2016′s ass!"

Illustration: Resolutions

"Resolutions" by Grant Snider of Incidental Comics

...also, pretend do diet for at least four weeks.

Illustration: Avoiding Procrastination

"Avoiding Procrastination" by Grant Snider of Incidental Comics

Prints available for purchase from StoreEnvy. US$18

Illustration: Let’s Make Coffee!

"Let’s Make Coffee!" by Grant Snider of Incidental Comics

Prints available for purchase from StoreEnvy. US$18

Illustration: Blank Page Variations

"Blank Page Variations" by Grant Snider of Incidental Comics

Prints available for purchase from StoreEnvy. US$18

Illustration: Inspiration Falls

"Inspiration Falls" by Grant Snider of Incidental Comics

Prints available for purchase from StoreEnvy. US$18

Illustration: Moving Mountains

"Moving Mountains" drawn by Eastfist

Written by Joshua Sim of Rational Comics

Me: Well that's a cute parable, kind of contrived, but ... oh. Holy shit.  Welp.  I'm a pussy. 
 
Rational Comics is a fantastic creates amazing works of art that are as inspirational as they are beautiful.  I highly recommend clicking through and browsing the site, then bookmarking it for later.

"The tale in the comic is based on the true story of Dasrath Manjhi, a man who literally moved a mountain. Like the comic, Manjhi’s motivation was the passing of his wife. As he was unable to get medical help from the neighbouring village for his wife in time, Manjhi decided that others in his village shouldn’t suffer the same fate.

It took 22 years of digging to carve a proper path between villages. He may look like a simple and humble man, but this man has ambition and selflessness.

You can real the full story and compare the pictures and the comic at Oddity Central."

Illustration: Flower Atop The Mountain

"Flower Atop The Mountain" drawn by Eastfist

Written by Joshua Sim of Rational Comics

Commencement Speech: Bill Nye

"Bill Nye Rutgers 2015 Commencement Speech" by Mikeisreallyneat

Via: Time

On Sunday, Bill Nye the Science Guy, delivered the Rutgers University Commencement speech to the graduating class of 2015. Nye's words came with a strong message: Climate change is a very real threat that we can no longer ignore.

In fact, according to Nye, the threat of climate change should be taken as seriously as previous generations took the threat of World War II. The world faces "the most serious environmental crisis in human history," Nye told the graduating students.

While his message was stern, he also offered optimism, saying he firmly believed the upcoming generation could tackle the problem if they address it in a focused way, whether through voting in politicians who take the issue seriously or by developing new technologies.

Commencement Speech: You're F*cked

"Robert De Niro gives amazing graduation speech to NYU grads" by Miting TV

Actor Robert De Niro provided a comical yet motivating commentary at the recent graduation ceremony for students of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

"When it comes to the arts, passion should always trump commonsense," De Niro says. "You weren’t just following dreams, you were reaching for your destiny. You’re a dancer, a singer, a choreographer, musician, a filmmaker, a writer, a photographer, a director, a producer, an actor, an artist. Yeah, you’re f**ked." 

De Niro’s startling and salty commencement speech was greeted with loud applause as the grinning actor gave the graduates a reality check.  The actor went on to elaborate on the less rosy career prospects his young audience had in store for them, as compared to peers who had opted for more stable and rational career choices, including medicine and accounting.  Wrapping up, De Niro said he intends to pass out his resume and head shots to newly graduated directors in the room.

Lecture: This is Water

"This is Water" 2005 Commencement Speech by Water David Foster Wallace

Via: Reddit

"This Is Water: Some Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, about Living a Compassionate Life is an essay by David Foster Wallace, first published in book form by Little, Brown and Company in 2009. The text originates from a commencement speech given by Wallace at Kenyon College on May 21, 2005. Before Little, Brown's publication, a transcript of the speech circulated around the Internet. The essay was also published in The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2006."

Illustration: Encourage an artist

"It costs nothing to encourage an artist" A Kevin Smith Quote

Illustrated by Gavin Aung Than of Zen Pencils

[ Previously: A Cartoonist’s Advice ]

Commencement Speech: Martin Scorsese at Tisch

"Martin Scorsese - Honored Speaker at Tisch Salute 2014" from Tisch School of the Arts

Martin Scorsese gave the commencement address to the 1,275 members of the 2014 graduating class of the NYU Tisch School of the Arts during a ceremony at Radio City Music Hall on May 23rd, 2014. Tisch School of the Arts recently put the whole Martin Scorsese commencement speech online for everyone to watch.

Commencement Speech: Bill Nye

"Bill Nye UMass Lowell 2014 Commencement Morning Speaker" by umasslowell

Bill Nye the Science Guy addressed the graduating class of University of Massachusetts-Lowell last Saturday.  Nye pleaded with the graduating class to change the world, referencing global issues such as the legitimacy of climate change. 

"Conspiracy theories are for lazy people, people who don't want to get down to the business at hand, so everybody please dismiss those ideas at once," he said. "We have to engage [those people], and bring them around, so we can get to work and dare I say it, change the world. We are at a tipping point and with just a little bit more engagement, and discussion, and a few more hilarious comedy bits, people will get to work on climate change. I want you to spark this movement, and give it direction, and I want you to change the world."

Commencement Speech: John Lasseter

"CalArts Graduation Lasseter 2014" by PhotoCalArtsEdu

Pixar and Disney chief creative officer John Lasseter recently received an honorary degree and delivered the commencement speech at his alma mater CalARTS.  His address was something like a cross between a revival meeting and a rock concert, complete with rowdy audience members chiming in.  Here’s his two-cents on what you need to not only prosper, but stay inspired.

Documentary: The Long Game

"The Long Game Part 1: Why Leonardo DaVinci was no genius" by Delve

The Long Game is a video essay about the pursuit of success and the modern fallacies regaurding artistic success.  The first half of the documentary, posted above, focuses on the career of Leonardo Da Vinci.  The long and short of it is that success comes with persistence, after year of struggle, not overnight.

"Do you ever have that feeling that everyone else is more successful than you?
If you think that's bad - try being Leonardo Da Vinci."

Advice: Wil Wheaton on Nerds

"Wil Wheatons response to a little girl on how to deal with being called a nerd"

A little girl wants to know how to deal with being called a nerd, and Wil Wheaton responds.  (There's a transcript on Medium.com.)  Just after Wheaton posted the video, it reached the front page of Reddit, and both the mother and the father of the little girl dropped comments thanking him for the excellent advice.


This video is the perfect companion to another video featuring Wil Wheaton on Why it’s Awesome to be a Nerd.  For even more wisdom from Wesley, give "Not everyone is going to like the thing you made, and that’s okay" a read.

Advice: Ways to Stay Creative

"29 Ways to Stay Creative" by TO-FU

To-Fu Design has created a video infographic called, “29 Ways to Stay Creative,” which is loaded with good tips to help encourage the flow of ideas. From carrying a notebook, to making lists and making time for free writing, this short little video is full of actions that can help motivate you to complete a project.