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CLAW JULY OPEN SWIM RECAP #1

Stowe — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:59:16 +0000

Last night CLAW hosted another absurdly entertaining Open Swim meeting. The B-Movie themed poster contest was well received… producing such never ran movies as Dino-riding Werewolves From Beyond Space, I Married an Alien Squid, ANTS! and Hirsute Cartoonist Overtakes T-Town (seen here). CLAW also welcomed our twelfth member Shawn Clayton with the first musical member initiation ceremony EVER!!!

Stowe's Co-Winning B-Movie Poster from the Open Swim

Brill's Co-Winning B-Movie Poster from the Open Swim

Other entries include:

Monlux's attempt at B-Movie Poster from the Open Swim

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RR’s “Aliens vs. Pet Detective vs. Predator”

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Debivan’s FREDO PLANET

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B-Movie Themed Open Swim

MarkMonlux — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:43:04 +0000

Classic Attack of the 50 Foot Woman Movie Poster

Once again The CLAW will be holding its Open Swim on the fourth Wednesday of the month, July 28th at 7:30pm at The Mandolin Café, located at 3923 South 12th Street
Tacoma, WA 98405-1508. Look for the secret gathering behind the French doors just to the left of the stage. Dress for the heat. This month’s them is “B-Movie Posters You Wish Existed”. The challenge is to pitch your idea for the greatest B-Movie ever to our stellar room filled with studio executives. You will have just over an hour to create a poster comp to support your one-minute pitch.
The CLAW Enters the Man Cave of the Northwest Convergence Zone

Mark Monlux, Big D, Double D, Wonderboy, Electric Elliot and Adam Botsford in The Man Cave

Every Sunday, Big D, Double D, Wonderboy, Big Joe and Squeeze post a podcast that keeps the South Sound up to date on all that is happening in Tacoma’s musical and pop-culture scene. After Big D saw The CLAW host Tacoma’s 100 Monkeys, he just knew that they needed to be guests on the show. So on Sunday, July 15th The CLAW (represented by Elliot (Electric Elliot) Trotter, Adam Botsford and Mark Monlux) entered the Man Cave of The Northwest Convergence Zone.

Check out the podcast at http://nwconvergencezone.com/wordpress/2010/07/the-boys-have-a-secret-meeting-with-c-l-a-w-and-talk-with-the-falcons/

Secret Meeting Notes July 2010

RR Anderson — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 09:28:41 +0000

Meeting is called to order. SECRET CLAW OPENING RITUAL: What are Robots? Robots are Cool. Zombies Must Die! Shoot ‘em in the head. [One CLAP] Ceci nes pas une pipe. [Rotate Self 3 Times]

Old Business

CLAW vs. the World Bowling Challenge . . . ?
Non Profit Status? Mark Monlux is much to busy to do the paperwork.

New Business

Adopt Amocat as new Open Swim meeting space – RR tasked with talking our way in there.
CLAW online store – So far only RR has posted anything
STAN SHAW REPORT – motion to taunt professional Tacoma cartoonist Stan Shaw PASSED.
Beautiful Angle Local Currency project – limbo. Motion to pester Lance exponentially in September PASSED.
Tacoma Art Museum – members committed to July 31st CLAW team-up with Frost Park Community Chalk Militia to bring chalk art to dead concrete of TAM. Passed.
FeedTacoma.com Comics Page – Members discussed picking a day to post their comic strip. New members are still thinking of new strip ideas.
Agreed to appear on PODCAST: Northwest Convergence Zone – Sunday July 25th at about 5PM?
JUNIOR CLAW CADET NO. 12 to be voted in soon! Check out Shawn Clayton

Show and Tell

Mark Brill has a new gay-furrydom time travel comic out. UNBELIEVABLE + ASTONISHING!
Stowe gave a preview of his latest SCATS web comic
VEX zine is interested in a CLAW collaboration… RR brought in his VEX zine collection. CLAW’S MESSAGE TO VEX: Show us the money! Minimum donation to CLAW Scholarship fund is $150.

SECRET CLAW CLOSING RITUAL: What are Robots? Robots are cool. Zombies must die! Shoot ‘em in the head! [1 CLAP] Beware the flying monkeys.

CLAW does 100 Monkey Photo Diary

RR Anderson — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 05:14:55 +0000

Some favorite photos from the 100 Monkey party courtesy of war photographer Derek Tong, huckster RR Anderson and Friend of CLAW Kevin F. Remembering the times. Oh, the times! (click to view larger img)

Purchase original cartoon mystery art!

RR Anderson is going to pump you up!

Mark Monlux can’t control his mind!

Stowe is merry

Ms. Stowe is kind

Business is brisk!

Derek and RR discuss photography in the field

Mr. Fusion wins hearts and minds

Jinxmedic and Jr. CLAW Cadet

Electric Elliot is a true patriot.

“I love cartooning!” ~ Anonymous

Mark Brill, Winner of Best Fez People’s Choice

Anique can’t stop drawing!

Adam M. Botsford owns the mean streets

Kevin.

Thorax O’ Tool aka Larry (Government Informant)

Stowe Signage

Ms. Darcy enjoys drinking

“Look at all these awesome cartoon fans!”

Art is selling like hot cakes!

Adam the Alien doing his thing

Ms. Fusion, bowler roadie

100 Monkeys was a Success!

MarkMonlux — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:53:34 +0000

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markmonlux/4729912345/in/photostream/

Everyone loved the cartoons at the 100 Monkeys

There was music, there was laughter, there were folks eagerly waiting to look inside their bags to see what their cartoon looked like. We are happy to report that all of the tiles sold out. We even sold a few extra that were drawn on location. Half the proceeds to the extras will go to the next 100 Monkeys and half to the CLAW Student Scholarship Fund. Thanks to everyone who participated and came together to make this happen! To see more photos of the event you can check out the CLAW flickr account here.

Sneak Peek at Monkey Tiles

adambotsford — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:19:20 +0000

Here is a glimpse of just a few more tiles available for a puny $4.00 at the 100th Monkey event.

It’s FREE to attend. Free to mingle. $4.00 for an elusive tile. And well meeting the C.L.A.W….priceless.

(Disclaimer: For legal reasons, value may not be assigned to meeting any member of The C.L.A.W as most victims are haunted by the experience well into their senior years.)

Monkey Tile Preview

Here are some details:

100th Monkey Tacoma

Location:

The Stonegate
5421 S Tacoma Way
Tacoma, WA 98409

June 23rd 7:30 to 9:30.
Band: Mr. FUSION
Tile artist: THE CLAW

Bring food and beverage to ’share’ and measly $4 for collector art piece and support the monk

NO cost art community building

A special note from the artist:

Dear reader,

Please join us in an effort to lessen our shame as fez wearing artists. We hope that through community awareness, other artists will take us more seriously. Only with the help of viewers like you can we overcome the life of oppression that awaits us. Shed some light on the plight of the artist.

And while you’re at it take home one of these cute monkey. They need loving homes where they can be admired and doted over.

Humbly yours,

-Adam M Botsford

ps: If you’re making baked good to “share”…The C.L.A.W. really likes cookies. Big ones! Much thanks.

Cave Monkey – Tile 57

Briller — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:10:39 +0000

Cave Monkey - 100th Monkey tile #57

Evolution meets Creationism dead on in this clash of critters that time forgot which is 100th Monkey tile #57!

100th Monkey Tile #46 Sneak Peek!

thoraxotool — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 16:08:35 +0000

Ladies and Gentlemen! As you may well know, CLAW is hosting this June’s 100th Monkey on June 23rd. As such, Talons of the CLAW were tasked with creating the tiles. I was assigned tiles #40-50 and #98. My tiles contain everything from a cameo by a famous cartoon character to ancient deities to motorcycles and female nudity.

To whet your appetite for what’s in store at 100th Monkey, CLAW is offering sneak previews of our hand drawn tiles. All of my tiles are drawn with 100% REAL India ink and a nifty red paintbrush from Tacoma Art Supply. How can you get more local than that?

Tile #46 above is your taste of what the warped mind of Thorax O’Tool can conceive… and yes, that hard-rockin’ monkey is a southpaw.

Want to see the rest of my tiles? Come to the show on the 23rd and buy a tile or seven!

CLAW Open Swim: “Sell this Reboot!”

RR Anderson — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:51:00 +0000

UPDATE:

Space Invaders the Summer Blockbuster (winning entry by Mark Monlux)

Stowe – Second Place

Adam – Steam Punk Mario Brothers (Second Place)

Mark Brill -

McWars by Thorax -

Anique “Moby Dick and Monster Trucks”

SpeedRunner! (Junior Guest CLAW Cadets)

Jihadfield by RR

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Join the CLAW tonight at 7:30 PM at Mandolin Cafe’s back room! This week’s OPEN SWIM cartoonists game activity will be to REBOOT any intellectual property; making it appealing to today’s audiences with their cynical, post post modernist world views AND pitch the TV show/comic/movie to the group who votes on the best one.

ACTION STEPS:

1 . split into teams

2. pick your character franchise that could really use a reboot.

3. DRAW DRAW DRAW! (Transformer Babies? Lego Garfield Video Game? Family Circus with Zombies? Fraggle Emo?)

4. Make your pitch. Sell it!

Adam M Botsford is CLAW NO. 11

RR Anderson — Thu, 13 May 2010 06:40:22 +0000

Please welcome Adam M Botsford. He is our first Young Cartoonist of the Future Scholarship winner way back from 2009, fellow Frost Park Chalkie, and now a full fledged member of CLAW making him FEZ NUMBER ELEVEN! Here are some photos from tonights secret initiation ritual:

see more of our cartoonist absurdity in our flickr pool.

Open Swim’s Organic Sponsors

Electric Elliot — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:28:56 +0000

Thanks to a generous donation, winners of this week’s Open Swim game, CLAWduct Placement, will receive a ONE MONTH’S SUPPLY of Organic Produce from Terra Organics, a Tacoma-based Produce Home Delivery Service. How do you say? CLAWsome!

Thanks to Terra Organics for the prize and congrats again to RR and Thorax for their brilliant product: the Eco Pancake.

The winners: R.R. & Thorax. photo by Kevin Freitas

Eco Pancake

thoraxotool — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 10:51:05 +0000

The winning entry in the Open Swim Game for 4-28-2010. By a gigantic margin of ONE vote, this brilliant creation of Thorax and RR causes side stitching-laughter… and stomach-pumping, should you eat it.

…and to think of what you miss when you don’t go to the Open Swim.

CLAW’s April 2010 Open Swim :: CLAWduct Placement

Electric Elliot — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:15:13 +0000

At this week’s open swim, the CLAW and CLAW fans alike will participate in yet another exciting game of adventure, creativity, and dare I say, extreme DANGER! This week the game is called CLAWduct Placement. The way the game works is teams of two have 45 minutes to conceptualize and create a visual cartoon advertisement for their made-up product.

After the posters have been created, teams will have the opportunity to present a 3 minute pitch to the rest of the participants. The team with the most votes wins the grand prize and recognition as the CLAW’s Official Marketing Team for 2010.

Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. April. 28th 2010
The Mandolin Café
3923 S 12th St
Tacoma, WA 98405

Be there or be CLAWed.

The CLAW Report for March 2010

MarkMonlux — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:36:40 +0000

The CLAW, while founded by a bunch of guys, extremely pasty white guys, was meant to be a secret organization, but never a fraternal one. However it remained one as our pasty ranks swelled, in number that is, until the highly coveted tenth member position became available. And who would become the mysterious member X? The CLAW is very proud to announce Anique Zimmer as its newest inductee into its most hallowed ranks. Congratulations, Anique, you signed “The Pact You Were Better Off Not Signing” and are now a talon of The CLAW!

As decided through a random drawing, the theme for the Open Swim in March was “Win, Lose, or CLAW!” Two teams, the Whites and the Blacks, pitted their pens and their wits against each other to draw such things as: Amish Crab, Aroma of Tacoma, Potato Canon, Hailey’s Comet, Nazi Camel, and Sheep Running in Fear (to name only a few). But in the end the much coveted basket of spoils went to the Whites. Keep an eye on the CLAW just subscribe to the RSS feed, or our email and and you will learn what’s planned for the next CLAW Open Swim. CLAW Open Swim meetings are open to the public at 7:30 PM on the 4th Wednesday of each month, at the beautiful Mandolin Café, 3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma 98405.

CLAW’s March 2010 Open Swim!

thoraxotool — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:23:12 +0000

The CLAW (Cartoonists League of Absurd Washingtonians) will be having our monthly Open Swim this Wednesday evening, March 24th, 2010. Normally we have a theme, but this time the theme has morphed and hideously evolved into… wait for it… A GAME!
We’ll be playing the game that will soon be sweeping the nation: WIN LOSE OR CLAW! Bring some friends and get ready to team up with and take on CLAW. We’ll provide the paper and the pens, you provide your imagination and some fun.

Did I mention there’s hoppin’ good prize for the winning team? Be there to fight for the sweetest prize yet offered…

Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. March. 24th 2010
The Mandolin Café
3923 S 12th St
Tacoma, WA 98405

RSVP if you can, space is limited. Feel free to bring a friend, but as this is an adult only event, no kids unless they can draw better than TO’T (which isn’t all that hard to do).

CLAW’s January Open Swim – Wednesday, 27th @ 7:30 – Theme: Robots

MarkMonlux — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:03:09 +0000

The CLAW (Cartoonists League of Absurd Washingtonians) will be having their Open Swim this Wednesday evening. The high and mighty council of the Four Eyes has decreed that each open swim will have a theme for attendees to participate in, if they so choose. This month’s theme: Robots! Drawings will be judged by all those attending, with the WINNER being announced. The Open Swim is for both member and non-members. Anyone who wants to be part of the festivities is welcomed. Besides the usual hijinks of doodling and preparing the path for the robotic overlords, there just might be a secret ceremony performed. The time and location are:

Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. January. 27th 2009
The Mandolin Café
3923 S 12th St
Tacoma, WA 98405
(In the New and Improved back room, to the left of the performance stage.)
RSVP if you can, space is limited. Feel free to bring a friend, but as this is an adult only event, no kids.

CLAW’s Great Yearly Ceremony for 2010

MarkMonlux — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:26:30 +0000

Elliot Trotter, Mark Monlux, James Stowe, RR Anderson Photo by Kevin Freitas

Rumors have been flying for the last month about the CLAW’s Great Yearly Ceremony. For a secret society that has been not-so-secret with its secret ceremonies, this secret ceremony was kept…well…pretty secret. In fact only a select few other than the membership were invited to the event, which was his in the historic Knights of Pythias Temple in Tacoma, Washington on the dark and gloomy evening of January 4th 2010. The extravaganza showed the changing of the guard with Two of the Four Eyes stepping down, and Two new victims being called into leadership.

Unlike other organizations, which have a democratic process to determine leadership, the CLAW thrust leadership upon its hapless membership. When you are called, you serve. Bu wa ha ha ha ha ha!

Shaking their mantle of responsibility were Elliot Trotter and RR Anderson, the masterminds behind the CLAW’s conception. Now sharing in the wealth of chores and labors are Jeff Hawley and Michael Shaudis. Remaining on the council for another year of sterling leadership are Mark Monlux and James Stowe.

The CLAW also took this time to semi-publically thank the Friend of CLAW, individuals who proved themselves to be very strong supporters of the CLAW. You’ve seen the invites, now you get to meet the recipients:

Kevin Freitas, Warren Caves, John Munn and Dave L. Photo by Kevin Freitas

Kevin Freitas – Photographer Extraordinary, and creator of FeedTacoma.com
Warren Caves – Owner of Tacoma Art Supply
John Munn – Owner of Comic Book Ink
Dave L. – A Really Good Guy

Yet more rumors abound! It’s possible that the CLAW might make next year’s Great Yearly Ceremony available to the public. If you think that tickets, supporting the CLAW Student Scholarship Fund, would be a good idea, then let the CLAW know.

The CLAW sends a special thanks to the Knights of Pythias. The CLAW encourages its reader to check out the Knights of Pythias, who believe the ideals of loyalty, honor and friendship.

And here is Adam the Alien’s special Vlog-Tag of the event”

Friend of CLAW Invite 4 of 4

Electric Elliot — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:15:17 +0000

CLAW’s Open Swim Tonight Features White Elephant Gift Exchange

MarkMonlux — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:59:12 +0000

The CLAW Open Swim is open to anyone who likes to draw cartoons, and hang out with the CLAW. In short membership is not a requirement for attendance. However, December’s Open Swim will require anyone attending to bring a gift for a White elephant gift exchange. If you do not bring a gift, you will be scornfully kicked out with much derisive laughter and catcalls.

Rules for the White Elephant Gift Exchange:

1. The gift must be “absurd”.
2. If you buy the gift, you must not spend more than $20.

Upon arrival your thoughtfully wrapped gift will act as your ticket of admission. All gifts will then be placed on the gift table. Numbers will then be drawn. Participation will be in order of number drawn. The first up will have free choice from the table. They have the option of leaving their chosen gift wrapped. The following participants can choose to steal a gift from those before them, or take a gift from the table. Those who have a gift stolen from them can steal a different gift, or take a gift from the table. A gift can only be stolen three times. A gift cannot be stolen back from a previous owner. Once the exchange is completed all gifts that are still wrapped must be unwrapped. The Trading, purchasing, bartering or auctioning of gifts after the exchange is allowed.

Location: The Mandolin Café in Tacoma
Date: Wednesday, December 30th 2009
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Friend of CLAW Invite 3 of 4

RR Anderson — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:31:27 +0000

What are these strange mailings about? Four lucky citizens will soon find out.

No Open Swim Tonight

MarkMonlux — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:06:53 +0000

from the archives of Mark Monlux

This is a reminder that there will NOT be a CLAW Open Swim tonight. The meeting, which is normally scheduled fourth Wednesday of the month, is re-scheduled to the last Wednesday of the month. Yes, that’s right, the next CLAW Open Swim will be Wednesday, December 30th 2009.

To get into the Open Swim a White Elephant Gift will be required. Review the December 13th Posting for rules and details.

The CLAW December’s Open Swim will feature White Elephant Gift Exchange

MarkMonlux — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:01:24 +0000

Rules for the White Elephant Gift Exchange:

1. The gift must be “absurd”.
2. If you buy the gift, you must not spend more than $20.

Location: The Mandolin Café in Tacoma
Date: Wednesday, December 30th 2009
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Contract Negotiation for Artists, lecture presented by Mark Monlux at Tacoma Art Supply

MarkMonlux — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:08:12 +0000

Contract as Blueprint

As part of Art @ Work Month Tacoma Art Supply is hosting a series of presentations. If you would like to hear the sage wisdom of the august Mark Monlux, a full time cartoonist and illustrator who has been in the trenches since 1985, please attend the presentation to be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009, 10:00 a.m. at Tacoma Art Supply, 1552 Commerce Ave., Suite 101, Tacoma, WA 98402. The event is free but please RSVP as space is limited (253) 444-2341.

Mark Monlux is the local Chapter Representative and Ethics Chair for the Graphic Artists Guild, of which he was the international secretary treasurer for a number of years. His “Ask Mark” column provides answers for all sorts of business and ethics questions from creative professionals. Besides earning a living as an illustrator he also get hired to provide his assessment on contracts, project negotiations, and arbitration. And lastly, he is one of the founders of the C.L.A.W..

Secret Meeting Notes: Stowe Quest

RR Anderson — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:21:04 +0000

Something is not right… The council of the FOR EYES is concerned that Stowe has repeatedly not worn his maroon issue CLAW fez.

What can we do about this fellows? The Fez of shame has had no effect. We require a QUEST OF WORTHINESS!

Harrumph! Harrumph!

Stowe is sent on a quest to bring the members of CLAW chocolate candy.

To safeway!

Purchase completed. Quest objects obtained. Let’s see that receipt.

“Perhaps you will not be so keen to forget your FEZ in the future comrade Stowe.” Says a skeptical Electric Elliot.

Come let us return to the lair.

Stowe is redeemed.

IN OTHER NEWS: planning end of the year council succession ceremony. Electric Elliot and RR Anderson are stepping down from the Council. Stay Tuned!

CLAW’s October Open Swim, Wed., October 28th at 7:30 p.m.

MarkMonlux — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:25:32 +0000

The Great Northwest Pumpkin Crab

Are you feeling dead? Rejuvenate yourself by attending this week’s Open Swim. The CLAW (Cartoonists League of Absurd Washingtonians) will be having their Open Swim this Wednesday evening. The Open Swim is for both member and non-members. Anyone who wants to be part of the festivities is welcomed. Besides the usual hijinks of doodling and preparing the path for the robotic overlords, there just might be a secret ceremony performed. The time and location are:

Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. October. 28th 2009
The Mandolin Café
3923 S 12th St
Tacoma, WA 98405
(In the New and Improved back room, to the left of the performance stage.)
RSVP if you can, space is limited. Feel free to bring a friend, but as this is an adult only event, no kids.