Chris Benoit

Talk about strange, shocking and depressing all in one. Anyone that knows me, knows I am a big fan of wrestling. And Canadian wrestlers are pretty close to my heart because of my short friendship with Bret Hart.
And I was just like everyone else in the respect line for Chris Benoit. So you can imagine my horror when I stumbled on to the net a few days ago and came across headlines of Good bye Chris, and Benoit dead.
As I read further into the headline I saw that his family was gone too. I wondered immediately had if they'd been in an accident?
But the details that have now emerged have made me sick and sad at the same damn time.
And I ask myself why?
I actually had the chance to meet Chris Benoit and his son out at Disney about two years ago. And He seemed so nice, so calm. They were trying to grab a soda refil in the food court of The Caribbean Beach. Unfortunately for them the building had closed. Fortunately for them, I was a Chris Benout fan, so I let them in, so long as he'd pose for a photo.
Hmm. I have it somewhere, but at this point I'm afraid to look for it.
Me and a murderer side by side. Two very different fathers.
The same goes for this piece I post today.
A part of me thinks I shouldn't have drawn or finished it. But how do you differentiate the talent and career of Chris Benoit, respected wrestler, from Chris Benoit : Killer?
Can you? Do we just forget the accomplishments? And figure it as good riddance to him, and prayers for them?
There seems to be all kind of conspiracy theories abound about what might have gone down. Fingers pointing to the possible "Chris was framed" angle.
I don't know what to ultimately make of it except for this.
Three lives are gone and nothing is going to bring any of them back.

Free Sketch Cards

I know I'm a bit late with this post, I was fortunate enough to be able to have my daddy come down and visit and hang with us for a bit. And given the fact that I hadn't seen him in ages, well, he took priority!
Anyway, you read the headline right, I'm going to start giving away free sketch cards. One per week, sometimes of the winners choosing, sometimes one of mine, and sometimes both!
How do I win sketch card goodness? All you have to do is post comments on my blog! You will recieve one entry for everytime you post a comment on my blog per week.
So basically if I post a new entry, and you comment, you are entered in the drawing. If you comment more throughout the week you'll be entered for those comments as well. The contest will run from Sunday to Sunday, and at the end of the week, I'll draw at random one winner!
Oh and by the way, posting something like "that's cool" over and over on the same piece will not count. Each comment should have some substance and be different. Locoduck will be sitting here right beside me filtering out the junk comments!
This is a short, almost over week, so anyone that comments this week will have their entries carried over to next week.
Good Luck, this contest will go on indefinitely, or until I get tired of giving away free cards! Bleh.
In the meantime, enjoy this image of wicked Captain Jack!

Pan's Labyrinth

There was no doubt that when I first saw the trailer for this movie I was intrigued. But having two little girls makes R Rated movies tough to get to. SO I was elated to grab this at the video store.
Came home, popped it in, and saw SUBTITLES?!! Oh man nothing bums me more than having to read subtitles while watching a movie. To my delight the movie was filmed in Spanish, which I speak with some fluency.
I have to say, it's kept me thinking about it four days after watching. I really get into World War 2 time period movies, and creepy fairy tales and mythology were an added bonus.
I can see why it was R rated, pretty violent and gory. But the little girl who plays Ofelia, the main character was phenomonal.
Overall it was a great flick and it looks like it will definitely be jumping in my collection at some point.
Anyway, enjoy an illustration of the Pale Man, one of the film's creepiest characters.

Be sure to check back here Monday as I begin giving away free artwork....more details then.