19. The stoner version.

While writing the pages where the two guys above appear, I didn't know what they looked like. I still don't know their names - to me they are Fat Festival Goer and Skinny Festival Goer. Then, starting sketching, I realized I could use these two characters as a homage to a couple of my childhood heroes. Not portraits, or even caricatures, but still with a certain likeness. That's what I aimed for, anyway. You may have already guessed who they are.

When I was growing up, TV had no color. You've probably heard of this, maybe you have considered it another urban legend, but it was true. Also, we were used to it. There were colors in the movie theater, but the TV-picture was gray. This meant that the NRK, Norway's sole television broadcaster in those days, could buy old movies, silent and not so silent, and probably cheap, to entertain us kids with. And a lot of grown-ups as well. There was just one channel to choose from, after all. Among these oldies were films by my personal favorites back then: Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton, and, as kind of seen above, Laurel & Hardy.

18. The perfect hunter.

Here in Norway, a rather original threat to the environment has revealed itself - the domestic cat. There's around half a million of them( to a human population of 4.7 million), and, though domesticated, they're still passionate and terrific hunters. They kill around five million birds a year, and now scientists also fear for rare amphibians and snakes. Basically, any animal smaller than itself, as with most predators, is considered prey.

But, before the cat-hunt starts, I hope they try to figure out just how many rats our tiny tigers kill each year. Somebody's going to have to take over their job.

17. The end is near.

Ah. The movie I was talking about the other day--- It's actually coming. In November. It's called 2012, and you can see a trailer for it here. Looks pretty kool, and John Cusack usually picks good scripts. 2012 is the year the Mayans and Sumerians have predicted the end of the world, as I'm sure you know. I did not know about this movie until today, though, but now I feel a bit safer, for since when was Hollywood able to predict the future?...

If the movie will be a big hit in the Philippines, which was just hit by yet another typhoon, is doubtful.

16. Dangerous times.

These days, it's probably not just me who feel like they're an extra in a huge and expensive Hollywood production of Mankind's Last Days. The earthquakes and tsunami in the south seas. Every day a new natural or man-made disaster. Or both. And us extras watch the news with shocked expressions, not knowing the plot twist that is going to bring on the happy ending everybody expects.

15. The wrath of the sky demons.

The People's story continues.

I was also planning yet another praise of bad weather, but, out of respect for the people in the Philippines, I'll shut up. http://article.wn.com/view/2009/09/26/Thousands_flee_heavy_Philippines_rain_flooding/

14. Rain on table.

Merdø, Norway, august 2009.

13. Still Life in the Rain, or Gone Fishing.

Merdø, Norway, august 2009.

12. A dark and stormy night.

Personally, I love thunder storms, and have experienced a couple of great ones. A few weeks ago, me and a buddy was out at his family's cabin, on a small local island called Merdø. It was raining, which means good fishing, but the wind made sure we never got to that. The ocean was white with foamy waves, and it was raining horizontally. And speaking of horizons - since the next piece of land is Denmark, we had an IMAX-view of nature's spectacular fireworks. All along the night sky, electric bolts shot from low, dark clouds... Really kool. And wet. And cold. But mainly really kool.

The next time a storm passes by where you live - not counting Floridians, and folks in other places where bad weather can throw tonnage around - don't just sit inside with your TV unplugged. Get out there and experience it!

Oh, by the way... Wear something waterproof.

11. Pin Cushion Hills.

This painting has taken me over a week to finish, which is long enough, but I could have worked on it for a year. Could have continued adding details - branches on every tree, ripples on the water... It is difficult to stop while doing analog painting as well, but your eyes and brush sizes eventually stops you. In a digital painting you can zoom in, zoom in more, and then zoom in again. Without self control, you'll be working on one tree for a week, and this thing has hundreds.

So, at some point you'll have to stop and say: It is done. Which I just did.