Quick biographical update: this blog began in 2007 as a depository for sketches and artistic ideas, and it did not last very long as such, only a couple of years. I was disappointed by my efforts and received little positive feedback, even from those who I thought were earnestly in my corner. Almost 16 years ago, I turned it into a beer review blog, steering my direction away from beeradvocate and ratebeer. (How many people from those sites wonder where I went? At least a few, I’d bet.)
Many people only know me from the bartending, bar manager, beer reviewing aspect of my life from those years, when I was artistically dormant. How I wish I could turn back the clock and whisper to my younger self, “don’t give up, you are good, you are unique!” What if I was drawing Ol’ George while working at the Blue Nile or during the time of Harriet Brewing? Nope, that was during the time of no artistic creativity , of only suggesting that I May return to it one day, after all, I’m not dead yet…
It was in 2022 that I started sketching more and declared that I would find my way, and two years later I came up with the Ol’ George strip, which I’m still trying to find an audience for, but I don’t care, I won’t give up.
Almost two years after that, I’m close to 100 strips. After that landmark, I intend to take the pressure off and release myself from the need to one a week. Spend more time on more art projects. But the strip will definitely continue, in many ways. I don’t want to just be that guy who used to run a couple of beer bars, that one obsessive beer blogger, etc. Yeah, I want people to see the cartoonist in me.
Which brings me to remind you that this blog has never asked for money, ever. No ads. All from my love of chasing after good, high quality, craft beer. It don’t come free! Now that I’m not bartending (it’s been six years), the cash to fund expeditions and purchase’s isn’t there.
But …what if? You bought stuff from me? That would be cool, right? You get something, I get something…cool, right?
We’re starting with stickers. Buy them on Ko-fi.com/thebitternib. Six available to start, more to come. If you’ve ever appreciated what I’ve been doing for nearly two decades, consider purchasing these. You can pay more than the suggested amount or add extra if you want. There are more options coming, as well as t-shirts, hats, etc., from a different site.
Hey, you know what would would be great? Buy several, take some to your favorite taproom or watering hole, stick ‘em where stickering is welcome, give them to the bar staff, let word of Ol’ George grow. I mean, I’ve been calling him America’s favorite beer drinking cartoon cat for a while now, it’s time to make that promise a reality.
