ROM

I was invited to be in another tribute show. This one benefits the creator of the ROM comic, Bill Mantlo who was in a debilitating accident some years ago. The show is not until December but I finished early. This stuff is just too fun.

Those Quick and Fun Drawings

These are a few of those drawings I do with pieces of stuff I keep around my table. These happen to be on mat board. I just love to start and go with nary a thought in my head. Which is not hard, I rarely have a thought in my head. The drawings keep me fueled as I work on more involved projects. It happens that these are taking me in the direction of animals and things that have irked me lately. Some of the animals are representational. I didn't really have a run in with a hedgehog.

Carnivorous Airborne Rodents

Newest piece. It's on copper and framed in this wonderful hand-made box crafted by a good friend of mine. You think she can handle the rodents?

Collector

I'm working on a story for kids. This is a pretty evil color collecting machine. Oooh, I can tell you're interested.
Still some minor things to work on but I'd thought I'd post since it's time to move on to something more pressing.

Sketchbook Some More

Sketchbook pages so my millions of adoring fans don't leave me. Actually I keep doing them so I'll keep posting them.

The Main Man

I can't wait. I don't want you all to think I have been slacking. I was invited to be in another tribute show. This one has to do with comic book characters. I don't have an exact date but will post it when I get it. It will be in an LA Gallery which I will give to you once it is confirmed. This guy is just too cool to keep hidden. Lobo, the main man, the universe's greatest bounty hunter has been partially emasculated by me. I'm really sorry but I couldn't resist. Here is the update: The exhibition, Crusaders and Haters will be at Royal/T Gallery opening on July 17th, 2009. If you're in the area. . .

Spectrum Exhibit

Another incarnation for this painting. It has been in several shows winning awards and stuff and now it has been chosen for the Spectrum Show 2 at the Society of Illustrators in New York. 150 pieces out of about 2000 were chosen from Spectrums 12-15 to be in this show. It is quite an honor. Not sure I deserve it but I'll take it.

More Sketchbook Stuff

Thought I'd better post something so you don't leave me for someone more dilligent. Just some more sketchbook things. My sketchbook is my friend.

Terrible Yellow Eyes

Check out this great homage to Maurice Sendak at Terrible Yellow Eyes. We all love Sendak and "Where the Wild Things Are" and Cory Godbey started this project. I did two versions and Cory chose the first.

The Canning Season

I got the go ahead to post this cover and title page for Polly Horvath's "The Canning Season". It is a great book and I really had a good time working on this. Thought I'd show you all that I could do something a little more mainstream. The top is the finish with April Ward's, the art director for this project at Square Fish, type treatment. She actually based it on my hand drawn type from the title page. I thought I'd throw some progress shots in with the mix cause I can post anything I want on my own blog.

Color Men, Guys, Things

OK, so those who know me know that I have been doing more comic sort of things lately. It's really accidental and not something that I pursued actively but it sure is fun. I finished this thing for a Yugoslavian comic anthology which comes out in September. Strange yet cool. I am putting it up here (click here or go to comic stuff in my portfolio) because it will be in Cyrillic, a difficult read even for me. On a side note I am still not completely convinced about the picture word bubbles. Someone pointed out to me that it is being done a lot, which clueless me had not really noticed. Not that I need to be completely original but after hearing that and then looking around it seems uncomfortably close to other things I see. So for my own well being I will probably update those word bubbly things.

"O" Award

I did this interesting award for a local ad agency, Oliver Russell. They let the award winner choose an artist to paint the O. They have about five on the wall. Cool idea. It's about 2 ft. tall.


Detail

Stop Me

Somebody please stop me. I'll get back to work. These can't be work. Too much fun. The story is coming along nicely too. Epic, simply epic.

Sketchbook Break

While we wait for more stuff from Bill we will take a sketchbook break from our sponsors.

Which Faust

Here are the Faust posters a little more developed. I'm at the point of deciding which direction for a final. I like the first one. I tried the textured background with the others but it didn't quite work. I keep going back and forth with tail/pen thing. Seems kind of hokey but then I think it seems OK. Maybe because I never thought it was great I should just take it out.

A comment reminded me of an early sketch where the tail became a necktie. I think I like it. Thanks Bjorn.

Will this Guy get There?

OK, so these things keep crawling out of my head while I should be working on other things. It's not my fault. They just won't stay in there.

3x3

Looks like the same series that got in to Society of Illustrators 51 was also accepted for the next 3x3Pro Annual. Sometimes I forget to enter some of these things but luckily I remembered 3x3 this year. It is a beautiful illustration publication.

Still More on The Way

I tried to stop posting but this little guy just crawled out of my sketchbook and begged to be put on his way to the garden. What could I do? I'll try to show some process steps but these go so fast that I just get going and forget.

Travel Together

These two always travel together. I think this mad posting will slow a little now. Got stuff to do. Thanks for all the compliments and visits. Nice to know that people appreciate my odd little worlds.

Another Traveler

I'm on a posting tear. Here is another traveler whose goal is the garden - not hell.