I’m on the cusp of giving up on social media and just going outside for a walk, forever.
2d Illustrator, 3d Modeller. Painter. Barista. Audio mover. Skeleton. https://www.mikehalesart.com/
217 followers 109 following 432 posts
view profile on Bluesky
I’m on the cusp of giving up on social media and just going outside for a walk, forever.
Hi. Related to social media and fascism, have you addressed bot farms? I’ve heard that there’s a high proliferation of bot farms on social media driving most alt right rhetoric, or the “just give up” accounts. I wonder how much AI is contributing to these bot farms?
Just added some extra tracks from Expeditions Into X through SoundCloud, if people still use that thing. soundcloud.com/helicopterre...
Happy Alien Earth Tuesday! Xenonorph shikishi
iiiiiiiiiiiiiin case you missed it: Submissions are now OPEN for Day of the Devs: @thegameawards.com Digital Showcase 2025! Submit your game here, then join us LIVE Wednesday, December 10th for the digital showcase! Video Games!!!! dayofthedevs.org/submit
fARTS!
Recently, I watched a how-to video on installing the Fluid Master Universal Toilet Fill Valve and Flapper kit. The music was so uplifting I feel kind of pumped now.
I agree, but this description of “acid horror show visions” in any other context would be pretty awesome.
made a little comic last year but posting it today for fun
I work at a cafe. Like other cafes, we make breakfast sandwiches. Sometimes on break I’ll make one for myself. Here’s an example. #souvenircafe
I suspect that a not insignificant amount of the outrage and horror at Kirk's death is that theres an entire class of people in America who are more or less safe and stable and used to being able to speak and act without fear of any consequences whatsoever because they've insulated themselves well.
Probably nothing!!!!!!
Today’s observations:
Today’s Observations:
I found a new donut oasis in Mission Bay, Magical Donuts. Not to be confused with Magic Donuts and Coffee. FYI, Magical’s are tastier. And, they make fresh “One cup at a time” coffee! maps.apple.com/place?addres...
Oh HELL yes
Hip hop is 52 years old. At a back-to-school party in the Bronx in 1973, Jamaican-American deejay Kool Herc introduced the technique of playing the same album on two turntables and extending the drum section, which became known as the breakbeat. 🧵⬇️
Some new street art spotted in DC 🤣
New month, New drawing!
12,000+ union baristas. Nearly 650 union elections won. We're strong, we're united, and we're ready for our union contracts. Happy Labor Day, Starbucks... it's your move.
New Mexico has issued a public health order that removes federal restrictions to COVID-19 vaccine access so that pharmacies in New Mexico can vaccinate people of all ages and risk profiles. Every state need to do this!
Hey! Did you know on released a new album on BandCamp and Apple Music? It’s Helicopter Rescue’s album Expeditions Into X: #newmusic helicopterrescue.bandcamp.com/album/expedi...
The Toxic Avenger is clearing medical debt as marketing for the movie.
They should all migrate to California, start a new CDC here. I hear we’re close to becoming our own nation state anyways. Why not?
Today’s observations:
I was challenged to design the new @crackerbarrel logo. Real down home cookin. #crackbarrel #logodesign
T-Shirt Update: My Burger Buddy t-Shirt comes in black now: www.mikehalesart.com/shop/p/hambu...
I just added a bonus song onto Helicopter Rescue’s Expeditions into X album. You can download it and hear it if you buy the album! :) helicopterrescue.bandcamp.com/album/expedi...
Well, I’m pretty happy about this album cover art I made for the latest HR album: helicopterrescue.bandcamp.com/album/expedi...
Hello friends! I just released the latest HR album: Expeditions Into X. Please go poke at it and give it some love! Thanks! helicopterrescue.bandcamp.com/album/expedi...
I'm currently watching Jason and the Argonauts. These classic Harryhausen films are some of my favorite comfort movies. Better run, Hercules.👀
Yes. Ultimately, this is the strongest point.
It’s one of the most fascinating gallery spaces I’ve experienced while living in SF.
This is probably why I don’t like using AI. I’ll do mashups, reference other artists or styles, but I would be doing it with my own hands and thoughts. That’s probably more respected these days.
I can see how using a “middle man” like AI instead of constructing something oneself would come across as lazy and offensive to creators.
If I went through the trouble of animating this myself by hand, would I get the same amount of criticism? It’d be the same principle. I’d be referencing other people’s work.
Right. But, All the images I’ve seen of this caricature have been paintings or illustrations, not actual photos. I was wondering if you were the original artist.
One of the best albums my ears have ever had the pleasure of hearing.
most woke song ever came out in 1990 and it's an absolute banger youtu.be/JFGQdvYIJ0M?...
Juicin’ up!
I’m on the fence about AI, but I’m honestly curious about what element was stolen here. If you’re the original artist of the JD portrait, kudos to you, it’s hilarious. JD and The Shining are popular data points in the memesphere. Also, if there’s a better description than memsphere, let me know.
I have a week or so off to heal from hand surgery, so you’d think I could just sleep in. Nope. My brain wants coffee. It throbs in anticipation.
Just make all immigrants instant citizens so that they can go to work in peace, then we can save millions of tax dollars by not succumbing to political theatre and funding useless death camps.
Been reading a library book on faerie folklore and I've come to appreciate the fae for the fantasy-horror creatures they are in tradition. The folk faerie is a capricious alien of the earth, binding those unlucky enough to encounter them to bargains that make everyone worse off for agreeing to them.
I’ve been drawing again after healing from my hand surgery, back on my tiki shiz:
Today’s observations:
I remember needing to immediately read the series after seeing this film. I was happy to discover that, like most books that get made into films, the book has more details, and a more satisfying ending, which really wasn’t an ending, but a beginning of something new and transformative.
Relatable!
If all their power is all focused in one place (Washington DC) then it would conceivably be easier to corner and block out, right?
all right, this convinced me to share the Annihilation piece, too
Yes! I was hoping for this. Was wondering if it was that kind of movie.
Inks. Splash page. From the new book. This bastard took me three days to ink.
I’m going through hand surgery tomorrow to fix Dupetryn’s Contracture. I went to the pharmacy today to pick up a med I usually take and was surprised by all the other pain prescriptions. Talk about foreshadowing. #dupetrynscontracture
"Life never ends!" Art by Matsu, spotted around the Mission District in San Francisco. #SFGraffiti #StickerSlaps #Graffiti #Matsu
This is a surprise. I thought Crumb had hung it up.
Today’s observations:
Thoughts of regression in skill. But… Perhaps my love of pie will never die.
Today’s observations:
I’ve heard of read-ins where people meetup at a cafe as a group and just read in silence as they drink their coffees. It sounds kind of amazing.
New cup designs!
Current cappuccino making status: It’s more about silky foam milk than a pretty design.
Hello friends. Lately I’ve been photographing observations around my city. I’ve been enjoying that. But I’ve also been sketching, mostly to exorcise demons:
These good old digital sanguine trees ;) #trees #digital #design #sanguine #drawing
"Dogs be humpin" mural by Sapien on 19th and Mission in San Francisco. #SFGraffiti #Graffiti #murals #Sapien
Today’s observations:
This afternoon’s observations:
Here’s some observations from this morning:
The alternative is always another candidate that isn’t Republican. There can be more than one.
Billionaire drug slang.
Watercolor brain paintings #sciart artologica.etsy.com
It should be a year, at least, with no access to any other kind of wealth then that particular job. That’ll learn ‘em.
I need to check these tools out.
Today’s observations:
Break time observation
@docpop.org
Beautiful. A game about a fly!
That sounds like a lovely combination of elements!
I want it to feel organic, like it’s an organism that wants to nestle into your ear and set up camp, beginning its eventual trek into your brain.
You could say I’ve been consumed by the music and the art for the music that I’ve been making for the past few months. I think it’s getting close to being finished. Or at least at a mutually agreeable resting place for which to finally release and spread.
Here’s a typical sketchbook page from my sketch book, the latest:
I’ve been drawing cats lately. Here’s a cat drawing:
I’ll post a larger, version in a couple of days.
Music News: Finally decided on a cover for Helicopter Rescue’s next album, Weird Birds. It’s all inspired by Vandermeer’s Southern Reach book series.
Friends, here’s some drawings from the archives. I’d like to compile these and similar drawings into a book. Do you see one that resonates with you?
Some photos and mini-comics from our recent #CartoonistConspiracy jam in #SanFrancisco. These were created collaboratively by a dozen local artists with no planning in advance. If you like mini-comics, you can print and fold these at home. cartoonistconspiracysf.wordpress.com/2025/06/16/c...
There shouldn’t be an Ice HQ in San Francisco. Kick them out.
Second breakfast before a day of physically and mentally taxing work. Breakfast taco!
Ah ok! I had Illinois in my mind.
Just wondering. When you wrote Midwest, was there a particular state you had in mind? Because that scenario sounds pretty great, actually.
New video: Am I Cigarettes? www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vea...
Message to Universe: I need to sit down in a quiet place for a few hours with someone in person who could help me assess all the creative work I’ve done over the last 5 years, figure out what to do with it, make a plan, then execute that plan. Perhaps a creative business planner. Where do I start?
Real talk, we lost something as a culture when we fell out of love with novelty architecture.
I could only get so close until the moment subsided.
amtrak’s marketing team gets it
“Chronically online Uncle,” a humorous perspective on AI. It’s interesting that I haven’t experienced any AIs that have personalities. like the drunken fun Uncle. Their personalities are mostly “search engine.” Probably better that way.
Checking in on one of my favorite tree clusters in San Francisco. Every time I photograph them, new dimensions appear:
