Every year around Ellensburg's esteemed "Rodeo Weekend," the local paper runs a special insert featuring local writings and art on western/cowboy stuff. It's certainly not my point of focus, but I do have a teeny bit of local cowtown pride, so I decided to go for it again this year. I've actually contributed once before, which was sort of fun, but that was at least four years ago I think..

The "western" theme is at once not something I am especially into, but on the other hand, some sources recently have started casting it into something I find more appealing, like Trigun, Last Shot, and Daisy Cutter. My previous attempts were grittier and more realistic, and I found a sort of likability to them, but this time I tried to be more stylish and draw the sort of thing that I would really like to draw. In particular his legs and boots were done using the same sort of technique (perhaps "attitude?") I would have used while drawing a giant robot, and his short stature, large head, somewhat video gamey? Maybe I just enjoy the direction I was heading in with "Sonic Fix," so I'm pleased that I can apply that experience to new things as well.

This year I decided to submit a piece at the last minute (I hope they take it! I was a little worried that perhaps the cigarette and gun combo is not the image they want to portray..), but I had such a good time I'm already thinking about what I could do next time, like coming up with a whole set of characters and doing a short story with accompanying illustrations. :)