Friday, November 14, 2008


Something that kept me very busy this past July was illustrating a book called "Body Language". (I can post this here now because the book was recently released.)

The author, James Borg is a very intelligent fellow who resides in England. My work required talking with him about the concepts and look of the illustrations...and since the book's editor was also in London, there were lots of late night and early morning phone calls/emails crossing the sea because of the time difference.

It is probably the largest number if illustrations I have ever done for a book...all totaled there were 60 -- some of them quite detailed, so it was a healthy bit of work. Fortunately, I was able to set aside a solid two week block of time to work on it, completing it just in time for the publishing deadline.

From what I could see in reading the text they sent, the book itself seemed fascinating. A copy of the book just arrived from the publisher, so I am looking forward to reading it in its entirety. (Maybe I'll be able to go out in public and know exactly what someone is thinking just from the way they are holding their posture. Like, "Mmmm, this Starbuck latte is good and frothy.")

Tuesday, November 04, 2008


My wife and I voted last week, downtown at the courthouse. It felt terrific, almost like the "runner's high" feeling you get after a good mind-clearing jog. (It was also nice to have it out of the way...and knowing that long lines would not once again be part of our election day activities.)

I'm just hoping that regardless of who wins the big race, the vitriol begins to subside, putting an end to one of the most partisan eras in our country's history. (I'm probably dreaming.) Just from a cartooning perspective, it would be nice to do a political cartoon and then not expect to be screamed at by one side and given extreme praise by the other. Things are never really that black and white....except when viewed through partisan eyes.

If you haven't already done so, get out and speak your mind.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!



First of all, a recent illustration done for Northwestern Mutual Life. (A piece commissioned for their ads and marketing...not really a humorous cartoon, but an illustration intended to introduce their services targeted to retirement.)

(Click to enlarge)

The second image is a 'Halloweened' version of that illustration that my daughter Julia and I played with the other night.

Often she will come and visit me in my studio and ask to sit on my lap while I'm working on something. Occasionally we will digitally draw over what I have in process, and then we take turns adding silly details...(the sorts of things that will make an eight year-old laugh.) No one ever sees these Bizarro-versions of the cartoons, (and certainly I never send them to a client.) But it is a fun way to spend some time with my little girl.

Here's hoping you (and your goblins, vampires, pirates, etc.), have a fantastic Hallow's Eve.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008



Under the gun with several deadlines right now... But here are a couple items from a book illustration job I just wrapped up today. The author is a columnist for the Cincinnati Enquirer; very nice woman who has written an intersting book about how to take better notice of the special moments of everyday life, as well as how to make your life less repetitive within its routines. Something worth reading it in its entirety, when I get a chance.

Thursday, October 23, 2008


Some illustrations I created for a healthcare organization in Atlanta. I was hired by an agency who was in charge of creating new literature and posters, (to offer to hospitals), explaining the organization's services and products.

As you can see, they came up with a 'Wizard of' Oz theme, (and the large doctor's office posters included a yellow brick road pathway, etc.) They needed cartoon Oz characters that did not look like the characters from the movie, and yet somehow looked more modern that the ones in the original book.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

A postcard for a business client, who is moving his family from hot-and-sweaty Austin, Texas to nearly-as-hot-and-just-as-humid Nashville, Tennessee.

The skyline in the background is intended to resemble Nashville's...and the strange building on the left is known locally as the "Batman building", due to its pointy bat ear--like towers. (I don't get to draw many armadillos, so this was a fun diversion for that alone.)

Monday, October 20, 2008


Some characters I'm currently creating for a technology business directory website. (The main company is based in Pittsburgh, but has services and websites serving other cities throughout the U.S.).

The client wants to have the characters updated periodically with various activities pertaining to seasons, holidays, etc., much like Yahoo and Google do, (though of course it would not be as detailed.) There will also be opportunity for .gif animations of the figures.

A different type of job than usual, but it has been fun.

Saturday, October 18, 2008


A book cover, completed this week... The author has written several books falling into a unique genre which is a combination of religion and humor. I'm happy to report that he is very funny, and his writing within this niche has garnered him a devoted following. (This is the second cover I've done for him, after one earlier this year.) This particular image involved the use of a drawing made to look like a sepia-tone antiquated photo, with certain prominent characters highlighted. (Photoshop airbrush tool came in handy.)

Friday, October 17, 2008


I was hired by a game manufacturer this week to do some cartoon art for a children's game. (Above is the cartoon name/label...also some images for the game itself, below.) Fun stuff...hopefully the game will be fun for kids.






Thursday, October 16, 2008

Trying something new

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It has been a long while since I have posted anything here. I have been very busy...and that's not likely to change.

But there is also the issue of habit, and I have not had any luck establishing one. (Coming here and writing something every day seems daunting.) In lieu of that, I'm going to try to post a piece of new work each day. Baby steps, right?

This first post: A couple of illustrations for a book written by an author in New York whose dog is known around Central Park and Times Square for her dramatic clothing and personality... (Title of the book will be: "Naked Cow Dog".)