Jason Shasteen Design

I was inspired tonight to start trying to come up with a character for my first attempt at a webcomic.  I am stilling thinking that the idea of “JaidenTown” is a great place to start.  So as I sketched away to try and capture the essence of my son Jaiden, it was a rough start.  I did however come up with one attempt that led me to another and before I knew it I came up with this latenight scenario.  I am also considering the idea the puppy he sleeps with almost every night could be one of his friends that comes to life on occasion.  Which seems really fun, since he also has an alligator too.  Now it has occurred to me that the concept of a boy, a puppy, or even stuffed animals that come to life has been done before ( Winnie the Pooh, Toy Story, Calvin and Hobbes).  But when it is inspired by one of my boys, whom I love so deeply….it can never be cliche.  So I am hoping that will come across to others who read the comic, and not just me:).  I think an awesome dream sequence every once and awhile would be fun too! ….All that being said, just typing as I get inspired….. maybe I will completely change my mind tomorrow…who knows…..sure seems like a great idea right now though.

Jaiden: Rrrrrrrrrrriiibit!!!

Papa’: Rrrrrrrrrrriiibit!!!

Jaiden: What were we talking about?

(Driving in the car listening to soundtrack to the SNES classic “Donkey Kong Country”, which my wife can’t stand by the way.  The song playing is an underwater theme that brings a memory to Jaiden about playing it together at Joyce’s grandma’s house in Andrews)…..TMI…i know…but I’m trying to set the mood the same way I would if we were talking in person….right?

Jaiden: “Do monkeys swim underwater?”

Dad: “No…I’m pretty sure they can’t”

Jaiden: “Do people swim underwater with their clothes on?”

Dad: “Well….you can, but that would be silly.”

Jaiden: “If they do, they have to save puppies.”

Dad: “What about cats?”

Jaiden: “No….just puppies.”

(Dad and Jaiden sitting at office looking over Dad’s painting gallery for his website portfolio)

Dad: “….And this is a painting I did of an apple.”

Jaiden: “I like eating those!

Dad: ” How about flowers?”

Jaiden: “I like eating flowers too!”

Jaiden: “Dad…do we eat birds?”

Dad: “Some of them…the bigger ones…like turkeys and chickens.  You know…like chicken nuggets.”

Jaiden: “No Dad….do we eat those birds?!

(pointing at picture of smaller birds flying in painting)

Dad: No Son….thos aren’t good for you.  You don’t want to eat those.”

Jaiden: Yeah….they have poop.”