Gibberings
Dad told me never to use XTREE when he wasn’t in the room.
July 18, 2008 ~ 09:59:42 PM * -07:00ST
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Log # 318
The Triptych of Despair and Revulsion
Friend Q has rounded up some of the doodled-upon post-its I leave
littered around his place, and tenderly rammed them into this fine
collage frame. I think the effect is quite arresting.
by
Eliza Gauger on February 19th, 2008 ~ 05:28:08 PM
Slotted into Artwork, Comics |
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Log # 304
I’m the DJ. I Can Eat Whatever I Want.
by
Eliza Gauger on February 3rd, 2008 ~ 11:48:14 PM
Slotted into Artwork, Bees, Comics, Paintings, Sketches |
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Log # 230
New on Etsy: Bat Smax!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7585364
This is a print of an original oil painting which is not for sale.
The story of the Bat Smax cereal mascot is a fun one. I was hanging out with a friend who is a comics artist. I drew a wee bat in my sketchbook, zoomingly loopily. My friend redrew the bat so that it was smoother, more cartoonish and rounded. And I painted his sketch.
And this is why I can’t sell the damned thing, because it belongs to both of us.
This print is a few cents more expensive than the others because it uses an incredible amount of ink. Look at all that nice soft blackness!
He will be crunchily printed onto 8.5 x 11″ heavyweight matte archival paper, signed, numbered, and shipped in a tough envelope.
by
Eliza Gauger on October 25th, 2007 ~ 02:25:16 PM
Slotted into Artwork, Comics, Etsy, Paintings |
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Log # 176
Reminder: Art Show Opening Party TONIGHT!
I will be having a gallery opening tonight:
R E A L W O R L D
group art show
Blow Salon
8pm on the 8th
2112 Berkeley Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
Show up, have a snack and say hello if you can. If you can’t be there, feel free to peek in on the party via Stickam, which I installed on Ecto’s About Eliza page.
by
Eliza Gauger on September 8th, 2007 ~ 11:40:19 AM
Slotted into Artwork, Bees, Comics |
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Log # 169
Grinding Noises
I realize, yes, that the last entry was a horrible chunk of insane blither. If you’re interested in actually making a fully-formed answer to the question “what’s up” spring, Athena-like, from my puckered brow, then I encourage you to skim the beast for news of home.
Otherwise you may carry on as normal.
Near the end I said something about acquiring an assistant. What I really need is a manager. Someone to tell me what I’m supposed to be doing, when, and for how much money. Say I’m an irritable young renaissance man with too many irons in the fire, a tight budget, and boundless aspirations. Is it possible to hire someone to organize my horrific life for me? Am I doomed to live in filth, nesting in the wadded-up pages of unfinished comics? What’s wrong with my brain, anyway? Why do I insist on taking on five and six projects at a time? Why can’t I find that other Netflix disc?! It’s been months!
Here’s an illustration from Unhallowed Metropolis that I don’t think I’ve posted yet. It’s a Dhampir, a half-vampire, hunter-for-hire sort of shonen character. I groaned when I read the description Jason gave me. The Sephiroth type gives me hives. Looking at this image now, for the first time in months after I completed it, I can see a slew of little irritating problems that are impossible to rectify, since the thing is already being printed. I sob with frustration.
by
Eliza Gauger on July 26th, 2007 ~ 01:09:09 AM
Slotted into Artwork, Comics, Depressing, Unhallowed Metropolis, Zombies |
2 Comments »
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Log # 165
Straight Blimpin’
by
Eliza Gauger on July 13th, 2007 ~ 12:49:06 PM
Slotted into Artwork, Bees, Comics, Sketches |
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Log # 149
Dave vs. Goliath Update 2: Wassco Ahoy, Bambi Bye Bye
Some quick updates, since I’ve been busy and haven’t caught up with the SA thread in a few days:
1. Goldman’s “Goodbye Bambi” logo has been removed from his site, following a post by goons. There was much discussion on SA about the hair trigger of the Disney legal team, and the Disney “piracy hotline” was called. As reluctant as I am to reinforce Disney’s megalomaniacal grip on ancient intellectual property, I think the ends justify the means in this case.
2. The giant Todd Goldman evidence repository located at Mike Tyndall’s site is now being mirrored at ThirdProject.net.
3. What the fuck, can’t he even spell “weenie” right?
4. Stickypig has suggested to me that Goldman is pulling the biggest performance art stunt ever devised. It is, in fact, more difficult to trace five images to create a shitty cartoon, than it is to simply draw a new one. Does this say something profound about the “remix culture”, or is Goldman just a psychopath? Goon Mythrandir has a similar hypothesis:
It’s no secret that he’s an asshole, but I just realized that everything I’ve heard about this guy doing– from his art thievery down to his bullshit interview comments and asshole behavior when cornered– is complete douchebaggery. Which got me thinking; maybe he’s actually a brilliant artist, and his real “art” is that he’s become the ultimate despicable character and wants to see how the world reacts.
It’s the only logical explanation for how someone can be “the perfect asshole;” down to the most mundane detail of their lives. That takes effort, and a real asshole would need to have at least a couple redeeming (or at least neutral) qualities. I’ll bet he even has an “asshole” way of making sandwiches or starting his car or something.
5. Kelly states that he cannot discuss details of the case, and will not speak to the press at this time.
6. The Consumerist is on board.
7. Kelly also confirms that Chris Wass of Wassco (original artist from which a great deal of Goldman’s tracings have come) has been contacted about all this, and should not be sent any more email on the subject.
8. Goldman is now altering existing designs on his site, such as changing the face on this clipart fat kid, (original can be seen on the magnet, new face [taken from the Boys Are Stupid image] on the sticker) presumably to make them “different” enough to pass as original work in court.
9. The comment thread at Table of Malcontents is alive and simmering with rage, albeit with the absence of commentor “Totally Wrong”, lone defender of Goldman, who had his IP traced to davidandgoliath.com.
10. In the case of Rogers vs. Koons, (thanks, goon ruth232) we find hope for a reasonable outcome, should Dave vs. Goliath go to court: The Court found both “substantial similarity” and that there was access to the picture. The similarity was so close that the average lay person would recognize the copying. Thus the sculpture was found to be a copy of Rogers’ work.
11. On April 26, Kelly closes the thread and says there will be an update on the weekend or the following Monday (April 30). But…no update yet. We’re rooting for you, Shmorky.
This list has been added to the megapost, and crossposted to my LJ.
by
Eliza Gauger on May 3rd, 2007 ~ 11:21:19 AM
Slotted into Artwork, Comics, Depressing, Digital, Future, Hate, Paintings, Pirates, Table of Malcontents, The Internet, Wired |
1 Comment »
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Log # 148
Dave and Goliath: the Internet vs. Todd Goldman, Todd Goldman vs. Me
UPDATED APRIL 24TH, 9PM: See bottom of post. Evidence that Goldman’s probably puppeteering his own online “defenders”, and art distributors are starting to remove his work from their storefronts.
Todd Goldman, aka “Goliath”, maker of the eponymous “Boys Are Stupid, Throw Rocks at Them” t-shirt, stands accused by artists and the internet of mass plagiarism. His lawyers sent Wired.com, where I am a blogger, a cease and desist in regards to an article I posted about certain allegations being made against him. That article has now been taken down, and replaced with an image of the C&D that I received. Here is a Google cache of the original post.
This was not my decision, it was the decision of the Wired higher-ups, who were advised to do so by their legal counsel. I have been firmly instructed not to post anything else regarding Goldman on Wired. The C&D does not address my website, LiveJournal, or any other venue.
This is the straight poop.
A few days ago I posted an article on the Wired blog I work for, Table of Malcontents. The post was on the subject of Mr. Goldmann’s run-in with internet-famous cartoonist, Dave Kelly aka “Shmorky”. Dave Kelly is the creator of the Purple Pussy webcomic and Something Awful’s excellent flash animation column, the Flash Tub.
On April 6th, 2007, Kelly posted in the Something Awful forums about the stunning similarity between one of Goldman’s recent paintings, and a Purple Pussy panel from 2001.
LEFT: Purple Pussy drawing from September 19th, 2001
RIGHT: Todd Goldman’s painting, circa 2007
Goldman made at least two paintings of the same design, which were essentially similar. I am under the impression he sold both of them, almost certainly for several thousand dollars apiece, as this is the going rate for his work. A few days after Kelly contacted him, Goldman’s publicist starting posting the following press release in forums and threads:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POST POP-ARTIST, TODD GOLDMAN, CONTROVERSAL PAINTING
CLEARWATER, FL, April 11, 2007- Popular post pop-artist, Todd Goldman who has made a career of making fun of the world with his sarcastic commentary and cartoon icons, has mistakenly used the design of an another artist in two of his recent paintings. Todd’s painting, “Dear God, Please Make Everyone Die”, was inspired from a drawing he received unbeknownst to him belonging to an underground web comic artist David “Shmorky” Kelly.
In addition to painting, Todd designs t-shirts for his clothing company, David & Goliath. Todd and his design team create and receive thousands of design ideas every month. It’s no secret that Goldman creates a lot of his painting ideas from his t-shirt designs. Goldman says “I made a judgment error and didn’t research the background of this particular submission. “My intention was not to copy Mr. Kelly. I have never seen his work before and would never intentionally knock-off someone else’s idea.”
Goldman has issued a formal apology to Mr. Kelly and has stated that he will not be using his design again in the future. As a gesture of good faith, Goldman has pledged not profit from his mistake. He will instead donate his proceeds from the painting directly to Mr. Kelly or his charity of choice.
However, no money has been issued and Goldman is stalling, claiming that he “needs to find out how many paintings were sold.”Anyone contacting Goldman via his email, or through his official MySpace about the issue received the following reply:
Thanks for the inquiry! Here’s my inspiration! Every month I paint the works of a pedophile. This week, I chose the work of Dave Kelly, he’s a huge infantilist furry. This is someone who draws baby anthropomorphic animals either wetting themselves or jacking off. I’m not kidding. Once again, his name is Dave Kelly and this is his FTP full of his lovely art, there are even some photos of the artist himself, handsome fellow isn’t he?
http://seth.beepboopinternet.com/davekelly/
Next month, please look for my special pedophile/serial killer series when I recreate the works of Jeffrey Dahmer.
Once again thanks for your support and please help me with my cause by spreading the word and showing the world just how creative pedophiles can be.
Do it for the kids.
Todd
Here is a screencap of the MySpace message. Here is a paste of the email, with full headers.
The “pedophile” art in question was a forgotten archive of commissioned work that Kelly had created, to spec, for various clients, as freelance artists sometimes must do. The owner of seth.beepboopinternet.com has since posted an apology in the SA thread for (however unwittingly) giving Goldman any sort of ammunition, voiced his unflagging support of Kelly, and deleted the directory in question.
It is notable that Goldman sent this email, with links to pornography, to several minors. This is in violation of MySpace’s Terms of Service, and caused Goldman’s account to be deleted.
The “toddharrisgoldman” profile address was parked by a goon and filled with comparison shots between Goldman work and the original work of myriad artists. The goon lost control of the account, which was then presumably handed over to Goldman, and filled with obscene material.
Just afterwards, many MySpace profiles of those who spoke out against Goldman, or who were fans of Kelly, were phished, destroyed (all friends and formatting deleted), and some even replaced with an image stating “TODD WAS HERE”. This image was hosted on Goldman’s server, as shown by this screenshot. The image has since been deleted, but the MySpace accounts cannot be restored. Victims who contacted MySpace abuse were sent a useless boilerplate.
Yesterday I was able to talk to a source at MySpace who assured me that the profile hijacking bore all the hallmarks of hacking/phishing, and were almost certainly not an inside job. Furthermore, he described the main MySpace abuse address as a “bottomless pit” and advised all those with phishing grievances to make sure and select “Reporting Abuse” and then “Phishing/Fake Logins” as the nature of the complaint on this page.
Meanwhile, coder Mike Tyndall is busily constructing a massive archive of all images, information, and links relevant to the accusation that Goldman is stealing. While the Dear God painting is most similar to its supposed source material, there is a vast trove of other parallels drawn between Goldman’s work, and older material by other artists. These images and artists include Roman Dirge’s goth comic book character “Lenore”, Jim Bent’s “Happy Bunny” slogans, Liz Greenfield’s “Stuff Sucks” goldfish, Blank Generation Shirts, Threadless Shirts, Windows 3.1, American Apparel, School House Rock, a cartoonist named Kramer from Mitre Magazine, T-ShirtHumor.com, Busted Tees, and a dozen artists who’ve been lost in the seas of time and internet.
Tyndall was threatened with a C&D from the Goldman legal team on April 19th, and has altered the text of his page to remove anything that could be regarded as libelous. He continues to update.
But this, ladies and gentlemen, is the piece de resistance. As mentioned at the beginning of this post, Goldman’s magnum opus is the “Boys Are Stupid, Throw Rocks at Them” logo seen on millions of babydoll t-shirts worn by 13-year-old girls. The Something Awful Goons have come through yet again, and decided to show us this image:
There are dozens of similar examples on Tyndall’s site, but this in particular is shocking. Many goons are viewing it as the masterstroke, although the Purple Pussy similarities are stronger.
Additionally, it appears that Goldman may be Goldman’s only defender. A recent comment on the Wired post reveals the IP address of the outspoken commentor known as “Totally Wrong”, who has been frequenting the comment thread there since just after it was posted, attacking the credibility of me, Kelly, commentors, and generally cheerleading Goldman. Totally Wrong has also posted comments using other aliases, going so far as to invoke the holocaust and Nazi Germany. If Godwin’s law were admissable in court, there’d be an airtight case against him.
Here’s the comment that reveals the IP:
Totally Wrong’s IP is 216.199.39.18.
This IP also posted comments under the following aliases:
- Totally Wrong Again
- Auntie Semite (”This link is funnier btw…”)
- goon number 2 (”Believe everything after…”)
- O.J. (”If the glove don’t fit…”)
- Shmorky (”I’m famous, dammit…”)
LINKS and REFERENCE
1. Purple Pussy [a webcomic by Dave Kelly]
— a. Dear God, Make Everyone Die, Amen This is the panel in question.
2. Holy cow, Todd (Goliath) Goldman ripped me off! [Something Awful forums]
This gigantic thread is updated constantly, and is the best source for super-current information.
3. Todd Goldman: Art Thief? [Mike Tyndall]
This is currently the most comprehensive archive of Dave vs. Goliath evidence and information, and is updated regularly.
4. David & Goliath: Shameless Art Thievery, Ahoy [Wired]
See Google’s cache of the original post here
This is my post at Table of Malcontents, now replaced by the C&D image. Has a thriving comment section full of stuff by a commentor called Totally Wrong that seems like it is from Goldman direct.
5. Kind of a Big Dealio [LiveJournal]
Roman Dirge addresses the Goldman issues and relates the specifics of the Lenore case.
UPDATES
APRIL 24TH, 9PM:
More evidence that Goldman is sockpuppeting his own defense:
“Totally Wrong’s IP is 216.199.39.18.”
That’s Tampa Bay, Florida.
Which by an astonishing coincidence is Todd’s locality. See
for his email headers, showing that his mailserver is at 216.199.185.166 (smtp.davidandgoliathtees.com
Note that all 216.199.x.y addresses are part of the same netblock belonging to FDN:
http://geotool.servehttp.com/whois/?query=216.199.39.18
BUSTED AGAIN ASSHOLE!!!!
As reported by goon Scaramouche, AnimationGallery.com, a fine art lithograph distributor, has removed their Goldman section, and posted this message:
Due to the recent postings regarding Todd Goldman’s artwork,
we are not showing his art until we have resolution from the distributor.
If you have any concerns, please do not email us. Instead, contact S2 directly.
by
Eliza Gauger on April 24th, 2007 ~ 04:17:15 PM
Slotted into Artwork, Comics, Depressing, Digital, Hate, Paintings, Table of Malcontents, The Internet, Wired |
4 Comments »
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Log # 141
Slashfic
The theme for this week’s “Erratic Thoughts” was Slashfic.
by
Eliza Gauger on February 26th, 2007 ~ 05:05:36 AM
Slotted into Artwork, Comics, Table of Malcontents, Wired |
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Log # 53
Dii and the Zombie
From one of my posts on Kotaku today:
“The latex catsuit is flexible enough for everything from cringing and wailing to shotgunkata, and hides none of your delicious curves. In fact, a well-tailored catsuit can go a long way towards hiding cellulite, less-than-perky breasts, or a few extra pounds in the stomach area. And it is absolutely impermeable by pus, mucus, saliva, blood, and any other Z virus-bearing bodily fluid that is not strongly acidic or laced with rubber-devouring nanobots.
And if you keep it nice and lubed, their dull human teeth will slide right off with a squeak.
To better assist my flying monkeys in visualizing this, I have included a diagram.
This is Dii, named such because when she was wee, her parents thought it was funny that she was fat, and called her Gordita. The nickname stuck, as they do, so she’s a little sensitive about her weight. This getup makes her uncomfortable. She’s all grown up and thinned out, and now she works in the mall’s “adult novelty” shop to pay for design college.
Her gear includes: pink catsuit with waterproof zipper and hood (pilfered from the “apparel” section), backpack for carrying inventory (like rubber cement and duct tape for on-the-go repairs), hockey stick (from Jock n’ Go), dust mask (Hungerdunger & McCormick Hardware), and she’s about to acquire a fine denim vest.”
