BEARDMONTH!

We've moved!

2011-01-05T20:20:00.000-08:00

Happy BeardMonth! If you've stumbled over this site, you must love beards. (I know I sure do.) And if you're here, you must be looking for more beards. Great, glorious beards. But the unfortunate truth is, there aren't any new beards to found here. Just last year's.

But don't frown. You can still get your furry face fix. You'll just have to check out the new site.

Come on, let's go!

"The Heavens"

2010-06-03T22:12:00.000-07:00

I found this over at Dan Piraro's blog.

Mr. Piraro was recently awarded the 2010 Reuben Award, and if you follow anyone's blog, its his.

"It Projects Thoughtfulness..."

2010-05-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

From Season 2 of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

From Captain Bellshaw. Thanks, for the video.

Beard-A-Thon!

2010-04-15T10:14:00.000-07:00

Some of you out there may already know about this, especially if you're into sports. I was vaguely aware of this phenomenon, even though I sit on the outer fringes of the world of professional sports.

Apparently, during the NHL playoffs, everyone grows their beards out for as long as their team lasts. Which lasts a month? Month and a half? (I'm not really looking this up.) Anyway, while perusing indie-comics superstar Jeffrey Brown's blog, I noticed the above picture. I had to investigate...

I don't remember it happening last year, but this year 'round, the Detroit Red Wings participants of the "Play-off Beard-on" (swing and miss) are putting their stubble to good use. They're growing for charity. You can sponsor a friend, or raise money with your own face.

Check out all the details at the Beard-A-Thon site.

The Search for Superman's Beard - Epilogue

2010-04-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

WonderCon was a couple weekends ago, and you'll never guess who I saw.

Yep, as you may have guessed, it was the last son of Krypton himself.

He was hangin' out with this other guy. This red guy.

Magic Words.

2010-03-09T11:10:00.000-08:00

Shazam! You got cartoons!

Come visit Billy Batson and all the rest at the art show this weekend.

A Beard is Silent Poetry.

2010-03-05T11:10:00.000-08:00

Well, the response to BeardMonth was so positive that its spawned an entire show. Next weekend, Saturday March 13th, we're going to gather around the mighty beard totem and sing praises to the Almighty Beard. Come join us. Everything is going to be for sale. Prints, books, originals. It'll all have a price tag. And its all pretty darn affordable, if I do say so...

In preparation for the Big Event, I'm rounding out the beard collection, revising the ones in need of revision, replacing the ones that need to be replaced, and even making several pieces exclusively for the show.

I've been having trouble keeping one in particular under my hat. So I'll give you a little teaser:

I need to thank everyone thats visited over the last couple of months. You've all kept me going strong through one of the roughest patches in my art 'career'. Hope you've enjoyed everything. See you at the show!

I Told You.

2010-02-10T00:45:00.000-08:00

I told you I'd get around to posting some more stuff. Just took me a little bit.

I had a terrible headache yesterday. It put a damper on the whole day.

You ever have one like that?

Beard Barrage Collage - Farewell to BEARDMONTH.

2010-01-31T18:42:00.000-08:00

Happy BEARDMONTH everyone.

Before you delete this blog from your list of feeds, I'd like to announce that I'll be sticking with it indefinitely. It won't be daily, and may not always be beard-centric, but I will continue posting. I still have a few beard ideas that I haven't gotten around to, and they're too good to sit on a shelf for another 11 months.

If you think of BeardMonth ideas, send 'em in.

I'm also going to try and collect the best drawings from the last 31 days and put together some sort of book. It should be available soon. Hopefully it will be pretty cheap. If you'd like any of the originals, let me know, and we can talk prices (they're pretty cheap, too).

Thanks for following along. Hopefully you'll all stick around.

Until next time, Happy Growing everybody!

-Greg

The Search for Superman's Beard - Jackpot!

2010-01-31T15:47:00.000-08:00

If you've been following the Beard Blog, you know that I've been trying to track down pictures of Superman's beard. And I've gotta tell you, it hasn't been all that easy. Yeah, I know: Why don't you try the Internet, Greg? I've tried that. You look up Superman's beard. Go ahead. Google it. You'll get this guy.

I knew that there had to be pictures somewhere. So I consulted my team of local experts. Namely, James Sime and Storm over at Isotope Comics. With their combined comic knowledge, and determination, they found the following covers:

Action Comics #300

Superman #55

This last cover was actually sent in by long time BeardMonth participant, Chris "Satellite" Simmons. Nice find, Chris. Thanks.

Superman #416

Superman is one of, if not The, most iconic superheroes ever created, and is recognized on a global scale. Google "Superman" and you receive more than 28 million results. But try and find a picture of the world's most well known hero with some stubble... well, throw on some over-alls and gloves, and get ready to dig.

While searching for these pictures, I began to wonder why you never see these heroes with beards. Of course, I'm not the first person to ever wonder about things as ridiculous as a superhero's disinclination to grow some chin fuzz. You can find forums practically overflowing with silly questions like this. (In fact, I think the Internet might have been created explicitly for these questions.) The reasoning against heroic beards usually revolves around the notion of the secret identity. If citizens see suddenly see Superman sportin' a smart smattering of stubble (check out my alliteration, Ma!), it'd be a matter of time before they figure Clark out. Batman wouldn't be able to conceal his identity very well, either. (Plus, Batman's cowl would itch somethin' fierce.) You follow? 'Course you do.

But what if beards themselves were more prominent? Would it be harder to conceal your secret identity without a beard? That may be a topic for another day...

Oh, and if you're wondering just how Superman, with his invulnerability, manages to shave, you're not the first. That problem has been dealt with. He uses his heat vision, reflected in a piece of the ship that brought him to Earth. A regular mirror would melt.

Justice League - Joker

2010-01-30T22:02:00.000-08:00

World's Greatest Detective? Not today.

One glorious day of BeardMonth left.

Justice League - Aquaman

2010-01-28T19:51:00.000-08:00

Aquaman.

Goodness.

Justice League - Green Lantern

2010-01-27T14:31:00.000-08:00

Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern, was always a bit of a loose cannon.

He lost himself to emotion and acted out of instinct.

In recent years he's taken control of his emotions.

I think all of this would be evident in his beard. Intense, but under control.

Justice League - The Flash

2010-01-26T15:07:00.001-08:00

I feel like The Flash would have a long beard if he didn't shave every day.

Because it would grow so fast.

Get it?

The Search for Superman's Beard

2010-01-26T14:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I began my hunt for a picture of Superman with a beard. There are several available pictures of everyone's favorite hero, but none are what I'm trying to locate. There is a very specific bearded Superman that I'm thinking of, and I can't, for the life of me, find a picture of him. I'm going to consult experts tomorrow, and figure this thing out.

On my quest to find a whisker covered Kal-El, I stumbled on a couple Superman-centric items related to this blog.

The first being this incredible rendition of Superman as, what I imagine, is a hermit. Or maybe he pulled a Howard Hughes.

And next, from the pages of Jimmy Olsen, who is from the pages of Action Comics, comes a delightful little page turner. The article's author is a tad snippy, but he sums up the story pretty well. Here's a taste:

Justice League - Martian Manhunter

2010-01-25T20:05:00.000-08:00

Superman had a beard in the 90's. Green Arrow has a beard. Other heroes and villains have had, or still have, beards and facial hair. But of all those heroes, I always thought that the Martian Manhunter, J'onn J'onzz, would've had the best beard.

I looked for bearded Superman, but couldn't find it. I know he's out there somewhere, and I'm going to track him down. Maybe this will tide you over until I can track him down.

Let's Get Growing!

2010-01-25T12:30:00.000-08:00

After a brief, and slightly unexpected recess from daily beard posts, BEARDMONTH is growing stronger than ever. Welcome to the last full week of BEARDMONTH 2010!

Expect even more posts than normal this week. I've got some making up to do, and some links to share. And don't forget that the end of BEARDMONTH is the beginning of February MOUSTACHE MONTH...

In the meantime, enjoy The Beardly.

Jaunty Hat.

2010-01-21T23:38:00.000-08:00

Just barely made it before midnight. Just barely.

On This Day... Part Two

2010-01-20T21:38:00.001-08:00

On this day in 1855, Ernest Chausson, the French composer was born.

He was not a prolific composer, but his works were highly regarded.

He died right as his musical career was taking off.

In a freak accident, while riding down a hill, he lost control of his bicycle, and ran into a brick wall. He died instantly.

He left behind a small body of beautiful music. And a fine beard.

On This Day...

2010-01-19T20:10:00.000-08:00

On this day, 73 years ago, the great aviator Howard Hughes, set a new air speed record.

Ten years later, he locked himself in his theater, with movies on a continuous loop.

For four months.

He survived on chocolate bars and milk.

Needless to say, the man was no stranger to a beard.

MLK.

2010-01-18T17:59:00.000-08:00

Drawn with nothing but respect and admiration for Dr. King.

Beards of the Golden Globes.

2010-01-18T16:21:00.000-08:00

If you watched the Golden Globes last night and were completely taken aback by some of the mediocre-at-best movies being nominated - your mind slowly being pulverized into mush by James Cameron inexplicably being ushered onto the stage - then you might have overlooked all of your fellow BEARDMONTH participants.

You might have, but you didn't. No, you're much too sharp.

Whitney Matheson, over at USA Today's Pop Candy blog, sure didn't let all those splendid beards slip by unnoticed either. In fact, she compiled a list of her favorite beards from last night. I really thought that I'd be able to jump all over that little trend, but she's a bit faster on the pop culture tip than I am. And who can blame her? At least she nailed it. William Hurt did have the best beard...

I met Ms. Matheson when she visited her friend, one Mr. James Sime, owner of Isotope Comics, last year. She's hip to the BeardMonth.

Less Than Success.

2010-01-17T17:33:00.000-08:00

We've all seen this guy on the bus. Am I right? Huh? Anyone?

Concept.

2010-01-16T19:06:00.000-08:00

Friend of the blog, and fellow participant, Ryan Bellshaw requested this.

So don't blame me.

Half Way Mark!

2010-01-15T18:28:00.000-08:00

We're halfway through BEARDMONTH 2010!

I decided a this momentous date needed something a little more substantial than a drawing.

Magneto: Master of ~~Magnetism~~ Beards.

A Little Religion For You.

2010-01-14T16:44:00.000-08:00

You ever wonder why the Devil has that piddly little goatee?

Beard of the Day.

2010-01-14T15:53:00.000-08:00

I found this beard randomly, while searching for another beard. It's a design by artist Simon Crowhurst, done for the British Society for the History of Science. The post is a little old, and may not still be relevant, but I thought the design was too clever to pass up.

January 13th: Clowns.

2010-01-13T13:38:00.000-08:00

This never got farther than the thumbnail stage.

Art School Reason: I felt like the quick lines kept it from losing it's energy.

Real Reason: I woke up late, and could not, for the life of me, get started.

The first reason sounds a lot better, though. Let's go with that.

Death Ain't All Bad.

2010-01-12T19:23:00.001-08:00

Death's not a bad dude. He's quite informative.

How... Does Your Beard Grow?

2010-01-11T13:53:00.000-08:00

Can you guess what tribe he belongs to?

He's an A-patchy.

FrankenBeard.

2010-01-10T20:56:00.000-08:00

I thought this was hilarious. My girlfriend didn't. Maybe it sounded better in my head.

The Moebius Beard.

2010-01-09T15:27:00.000-08:00

Beware!

2010-01-08T17:20:00.000-08:00

Beware of Doc. Laser!

Yeah, thats a LASER BEARD.

Hairy Heritage.

2010-01-08T12:32:00.001-08:00

Lets take a little stroll through the Whiskery Woods, shall we? Somewhere out there in the deep forest of the South, one side of my family tree grows. Grab onto that lowest branch, swing your legs up, and start climbing. Now don't get carried away. Don't get ahead of yourself, there. Haven't checked those branches yet... But look!

I'd say this was around 1956 (actually, my Mom said that when she mailed them to me). It's a group shot of my maternal grandmother's brothers and father. And down in front, on the right, is her husband, my grandpa. I think its safe to assume that this was a frigid Arkansas afternoon, January 1956.

Dangling off a branch from the other side's family tree, just out of reach, you can see this display of fraternal fuzziness. My father's cousins.

If you have any mutton-chopped members of your family, unshaven uncles, or even suitably stubbled sisters, send me a picture. Celebrate your hereditary hairiness!

Bearded Poets' Society.

2010-01-07T15:18:00.000-08:00

This site, cites a pamphlet written in 1913 by one Upton Uxbridge Underwood (bonus points for triple U's), in which the author ranks poets by the gravitas of their beards. While trying to learn more about Mr. Underwood, I've discovered that he penned an entire book, titled The Language of the Beard.

Mr. Underwood is described as "a deipnosophist, clubman, and literary miscellanist with a special interest in tonsorial subjects. His masterpiece, The Language of the Beard, an epicurean treat confected for the delectation of fellow bon vivants, vaunts the premise that the texture, contours, and growth patterns of a man's beard indicate personality traits, aptitudes, and strengths and weaknesses of character."

I've got to track this book down.

Underwood also developed a scale with which to rank the bearded poets, called the Underwood Pogonometric Index. The aforementioned blog, A Journey Round My Skull, reads:

"Underwood's index is intended as an adjunct to broad-based beard typology, which tends to focus on detailed physical features such as kinks, curls, knots and braids, and on their qualitative differences, as between bristles and vibrissae or the wispy versus the filamentous."

Describing this article will never do it justice. Read it, and grow strong.

Confucius Says:

2010-01-07T15:14:00.000-08:00

Congratulations, fellow growers! We're one week strong!

But BEWARE! We're now entering the itchiest week of BEARDMONTH.

Wouldn't It Be Nice?

2010-01-06T17:07:00.000-08:00

Based on actual events:

The Functional Beard.

2010-01-05T16:20:00.000-08:00

Put your beard to use. No scarf? No problem.

Side Beard.

2010-01-04T13:49:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen a beard that was so magnificent that it was visible from behind the owner? Man, we have. And this picture does NOT do it justice.

Remember: Compliments make beards grow.

I Made You A Beard.

2010-01-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

Portland based artist, imadeyouabeard, has made you some beards. Check out her Etsy Shop. They're beautiful. Help out a beardless friend this BEARDMONTH.

Happy growing!

Lynne!

2010-01-03T17:43:00.000-08:00

Lynne has been a faithful BEARDMONTH participant every year. She's one of the only female participants.

Lynne, I'm sorry that I made you look like Charles Manson.

Wario's Revenge.

2010-01-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

It's lucky for Mario that the Princess has a thing for beards.

Beard on Beard Action.

2010-01-02T11:33:00.001-08:00

Fellow Blogspot blogger, Beard Revue, has definitely cornered the beardiest spot on the web, as far as we've found. It's an extensive site, compiling links to facial hair enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. Go check it out. Yeah, right now. It's alright, we'll wait...

Pharaoh, Let My People Grow!

2010-01-01T12:02:00.001-08:00

January is BeardMonth.

Dating back to the 6th century BC, BeardMonth may very well be the world's oldest continued tradition. Confucius himself is said to have been an active participant.

For the first month of the calendar year, celebrate the majesty of your untamed facial hair. Grow a BEARD!

Happy Growing everybody!