I thought to try making another ACO card. I used to make these all the time, but ...somehow, drawing mainstream characters has fallen out of favor with me. I mean, I still make OCs based on mainstream characters (Popples, for example), but it's my OCs I'm most interested in (at least for now).
ACO is what got me the watchers I have. Most watchers were able to find me by looking for fan art of their favorite 'obscure' characters (you don't have much competition when drawing, say, Buttons and Rusty lol).
But I have just about all the watchers I'm going to get from that. Moreover, I've draw almost every mainstream character that I personally care to commit to graphite (some several times over), so ...I kinda want to focus on quickies (at least for now).
But obviously I've not retired ACO, so let's get into this one. :3
Our subject is Miles Possum. Miles first appeared as the star of 'Mama Don't Allow': a book by Thacher Hurd (ISBN: 9780812441598 EAN: 9780812441598). The book, incidentally, happened to be featured on Reading Rainbow (link tested 08/13/2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrzJUTbpE3E
However, our incarnation of Miles derives from the animated CBS Storybreak special, which may be seen here (Link tested 08/13/2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO1UWzciLQI
The. Animated. Miles. Is. ADORABLE! XD ...hence I had to draw him. ^^
This card shows my absolute first attempt at the character---no practice sketches. I think he turned out ...recognizable? I dunno. I doubt I could do better. Either way, this card's no worse than anything else in my gallery, so I'll keep it around a while. :3
Pencil...
The featured pencil is the Be-bop by American Pencil Co.
The Be-Bop was part of a series of pencils sporting neon colors and music names (such as 'Rock N Roll', which I featured a year or so ago).
Around the time the aforementioned pencils were made, American Pencil Co. also released a special set of pencils marked, 'Sincerely Yours, Elvis Presley'. Though the Elvis pencils were not technically part of the 'musical' set the 'Be-bop' is from, I've filed them together in my collection. ^^
American Pencil Co. changed its name to Venus in 1956, so this 'Be-bop' pencil was made sometime before then.
All I've got to say about that special is "Cocaine's a HELL of a drug" cause that's what those people HAD to be on to make that!! The 80's am I Right?! :D Also like the Miles Davis reference for the possum (even though he played trumpet / coronet). ;D That's a cute drawing of Miles as well. Actually like it better than the animated version! :D
I like that pencil's design a lot. Do you have any other music themed pencils like this one and the Rock and Roll one you showed a while ago?
All I've got to say about that special is "Cocaine's a HELL of a drug" cause that's what those peopl
I think the cut is so string can be wrapped and tied around them so as to be worn round the neck (but I'm unsure). They resemble, loosely, a flagpole, so I've been referring to them as flagpole pencils.
They are 'E. Faber Sole Agent' stamped, meaning they were made in the late 1870s, a dozen years or so after the American Civil War.
I think the cut is so string can be wrapped and tied around them so as to be worn round the neck (bu
Ok that actually makes sense. I've seen that on other pencils now that I think about it but it just looked so odd at first I didn't put it together. Thanks for the "more info". :D
Ok that actually makes sense. I've seen that on other pencils now that I think about it but it just
It stumped The American Pencil Collectors Society...
TAPCS: "Thanks for contacting us, Marten ! We will return your message within 24 hours. We invite you to check out our website for more information about the American Pencil Collectors Society, current news, and membership"
[time passes]
TAPCS: "Hello Marten! This is [name redacted]"
MARTEN: "Oh my! Well, I have a post-Civil-War pencil I've not been able to identify. I know it's an 'E Faber Sole Agent' specimen (I know some of the history there), but the pencil has an odd cut. I've not seen any other like it"
TAPCS: "Let me relay this message to the other officers and get back to you!"
MARTEN: "Thx!"
[time passes; more than one business day]
MARTEN: "No one has gotten back with me"
TAPCS: "Hi Marten! I’m sorry, I should’ve updated you by now. I have emailed all of our officers, as well as some specific members the officers told me might have knowledge about your pencils. Of the responses I have received, no one knows anything about them"
Pathetic. :P
It stumped The American Pencil Collectors Society... TAPCS: "Thanks for contacting us, Marten ! We
Interesting. Do you think they actually didn't have any information or just didn't bother to check more deeply. I hope it's the former and they get back to you later having researched it more thoroughly. If they do find out more please let me know.
Interesting. Do you think they actually didn't have any information or just didn't bother to check
I told them my pencil story and shared a drawing before asking a different question. This was the response,
"Reading how enthusiastic you are about pencils, I would suggest that you join so you can connect with other members who might could help you better. We have a members-only newsletter with a classified ad section to buy, sell, seek and trade. We also have a convention once every two years for our members. The application can be found on our website at [REDACTED BECAUSE I WON'T SUPPORT THEM] under “Membership.” It’s $10/year if you want to receive the digital newsletter, and $15/year if you’d like to receive print. It’s been great chatting with you, and I’m sorry I wasn’t able to find anyone who knows about what you have. We only share our member information with other members, so once you join, you’d have better luck with finding someone to connect with. Have a great weekend!"
My reply,
"I don't play keep-away games, esp. with very very niche information. Thank you, anyway."
In other words, they were either lying to me before or are lying to me now (about whether they truly knew anything about my flagpole pencil). Had they wanted my business, they should have impressed me at the beginning by saying SOMETHING about the pencil, even if it was something I already knew.. Instead, I didn't receive any notion that these people know any more about pencils than I do.
Without even looking, I promise their newsletter is just 'Collector Spotlights', news about whatever strange materials Japan is making into pencils (etc), and listings for stores/dealers.
Not interested. :3
I told them my pencil story and shared a drawing before asking a different question. This was the re
I gotta say though, the book does better than the toon. There, someone likes Miles' music. Granted, possum-eating gators, but someone LIKES it. In the animation, his music is bad enough to shatter glass. It's kinda sad, even the gators don't really care. (Also I have questions, like why were the jailed guys naked? That sheriff is crooked I think!)
I gotta say though, the book does better than the toon. There, someone likes Miles' music. Granted,
