Anatomy of a Crime Scene

I tried an experiment, where I left Altoid tins in my garden bed to see if they would rust.

A garden bed littered with altoid tins.

Some of them did rust a little bit, and some faded in the sun! I know you are wondering why you didn’t think to try this yourself – don’t despair! You also can fade your own Altoid tins in the sun! Here’s how:

  1. Place Altoid tins in a garden bed, your yard, a patio, or on the dashboard of a automobile
  2. Wait

My initial experiment involved two regular “red” Altoid boxes, and one Cinnamon box. I started at the end of the summer in 2019, and let them sit outside all winter. It wasn’t until later spring that I noticed the finish was fading. The second batch, shown above, started in July, and some of the boxes began fading within 3 weeks.

This diorama is in a box from the first batch. It shows, as you might guess, the Anatomy. of a Crime Scene.

Faded Altoid box, top edge view
Faded Altoid box
Cut paper diorama in Altoid tin showing a sitting room
Detail from a diorama showing a knife and wellington boot
Posted in Dioramas

Going Dark – Brentwood Arts Exchange

Hey folks!

Here’s a cool event that I’m participating in! I’m not on Facebook anymore, I just copy information from there:

Brentwood Arts Exchange is proud to announce Going Dark, a group video exhibition opening in the Main Gallery on Wednesday, July 23 accompanied by a vibrant virtual component, streaming to your homes through our digital platforms.

Viewing schedule to be released by email, with various works highlighted across online platforms throughout the duration of the exhibit. Closing reception will feature a watch party with all videos streamed in their entirety.

Sign up for our newsletter to be up-to-date! bit.ly/BAEnewsletter

This is the first group exhibition in which I’m presenting animation. Please check it out!

Posted in Joie de Vivre

A few days away….

Jim Doran Weird Science

It’s been a long time coming!

This is a screen capture of digital signage that is displayed on Towson University’s campus for my upcoming MFA graduate show.

I’ll share more shortly, but couldn’t wait to post this.

Posted in Joie de Vivre

Everything is Over

Here’s a quickie I did, to support my old college pal, Frankie Rollins. Her new book is called The Grief Manuscript. It’s powerful and moving and sad and about divorce. It’s available on Amazon, of course.

This animation is drawn from imagery in the manuscript.

Posted in Animation

The Benefits of Radiation

Screenshot from The Benefits of Radiation animation

I am happy to present my latest animation, The Benefits of Radiation. It’s the backstory for some of my action figures.

The story takes place in a Baltimore bar called Roshambos. You’ll figure the rest out if you watch the video above.

I’m happy with how this turned out. I’ve spent more time on this than anything I’ve completed to date. Time, both in terms of the hours it took to make, and also from the time I that had the idea for the story, up to this evening.

A ream of drawings...

I drew each frame on a light box and used about a ream of paper.

Drawing of a hand holding a can of space dust.

I finally found a use for Space Dust, too.

I enjoyed doing the foley for this. I enjoyed getting to know some of the characters. Perhaps you will enjoy this.

In any event, please please please… Enjoy Radiation Responsibly!

Posted in Animation Joie de Vivre