On the Digital Drawing Board: Giving Thanks on Turkey Day

Technically, it's possible for me to go a full week without glancing at social media. (Technically, it's also possible for my divorced buddy 'Steve' to marry Taylor Swift.)

I'm trying to avoid social media these days, both input and output. As for output, my Twitter, IG, and journal haven't been updated in ages because my work keeps me very busy. But Thanksgiving provided a break in the action, and time to reflect.

"Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys.” ― Fyodor Dostoevsky

My wife periodically shares that when she tells her friends about my job, they often respond with something like, “that has to be one of the best jobs in the world.” She assures them that it has frustrating moments, like any job...but that yes, it is usually pretty terrific.

She reminded me of this yesterday - and it snapped me out of my rump-dragging stupor...after a month of late nights, and tight deadlines. 

This should be more obvious to me than it is. As with many creative people, it took time to establish my career. Early on, there were steps forward, (a great art director job out of college)...pauses (rejections from large media syndicates, where one comic strip is chosen from over 6,000 submissions received each year)...forward (two comic strip syndication contracts)...steps back (over 3,200 newspapers closed after I signed those contracts.)

I stayed with it - drawing and writing - while working side jobs early on, before it became a full time thing. I have friends and colleagues who are on that same nonlinear artist’s path, and it can be challenging.

Like most people, I am so caught up in the rhythm of things now, that I often forget the path behind. I once only dreamed of making a good living writing and drawing. Today I took a breath and thought: I am thankful for the career I have now - and even more so for other things, like family, and friends. 

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There has been no advertising or publishing work discussed here in many moons, so, I'll share a few recent things:

McKesson Healthcare decided this year that they wanted to create a regular comic strip for their 31,000 employees. They are a pharmaceutical and medical firm, (and larger than Microsoft, Ford or General Motors, which was a surprise). That inherent complexity made for a lengthy hiring process. 

They contacted me in June, along with 64 other cartoonists, and after a two-month period of portfolio reviews and interviews, I was fortunate enough to be awarded the project. 

It involves writing and drawing specific humor, focusing on cyber security, and corporate IT. We started in October, which was "Cyber Security Awareness month". Below are two initial pieces, with corporate messaging added to the cartoons. 

The cartoons appear on each of their employee's computers/devices at sign-in, so that security is on one's mind to begin the day. A new cartoon about a new subject runs each month. (To be honest, I get tired of seeing the same thing on my monitor say, 30 times. I change my screensavers often. So, I can sympathize with any McKesson employee who's 'had enough' of a cartoon by the end of each month.)

The response thus far has been positive, and even their CEO recently got in touch with an idea for next month's subject. It's been a lot of fun, thus far.

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A few years ago, Fidelity Investments hired me to create a series of financial cartoons for their online investing division and website. 

A separate division within Fidelity decided that they wanted new cartoons, and they sent RFPs a group of cartoonists. After a few MS Teams meetings, I ended up with an offer.

The cartoons will cater to their commercial customers, both the newsletter and website. The subject: Artificial Intelligence, IT, and online security. (There's a pattern here.) 

The project is just getting under way, and above is an initial cartoon.

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A commissioned illustration to celebrate the retiring Director of the Pleasantville Music Festival in New York. Bruce Figler presided over this grand festival for 8 years, and this piece will be printed, famed and given to him at his retirement party in early January.

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 Over the past year I’ve been doing pen, ink and watercolor portraits for an upscale dining club in Norwalk, Connecticut. (Background on that ongoing commission is in this journal post.)

The past month, Martha Stewart and her manager were in the restaurant, became members, and, of course, the owner was happy about that. (It also meant that their images would join the pen & ink drawings framed on the wall.)

They sent me some photos and interestingly, the request for Martha's piece was to draw her with her cat. (Sharp-eyed readers will notice that this has a bit less exaggeration than my usual caricatured pen and ink portraits.)

Martha's manager (depicted below with her husband) is the founder of the 

prominent New York City- based Magrino PR Agency.

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A magazine illustration - for an article covering western states energy policy decisions. 

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I signed a contract last month to create 12 monthly advertising cartoons for Amalgamated Insurance in New York. (That sounds like a company name from a Bugs Bunny cartoon, doesn't it?) Here is the first piece:

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One of several cartoons created this month for Causeway Software, in the UK.

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A cartoon for an online dating book, in progress:

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Two books recently left the drawing board and went to press, in time for 'all important Christmas sales'. At least that's what the publishers called it as deadlines were moved up last month.  One book involved writing and drawing, the other was straight Illustration.

Five Minutes from a Meltdown began as an idea from the head of Yorkshire Publishing. He approached me last year, wondering if I'd be willing to team up with Hollywood screenwriter, David Meyer. He thought it might be fun to see us take turns riffing on various subjects of our choice, (social unrest, dogs, country music - and completely devolving from there.)

David wrote some very funny poems. 

I wrote and drew my own (non-poetic) stuff...some samples:

(Book cover design & cartoon)

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It releases in December (despite what Amazon says) 

- I just received my box of 25 sample books from the publisher. 

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This book wrapped up last month, and it was pure fun, allowing me to illustrate one of my favorite subjects - dogs - in a whimsical style. "Gertrude the Groomer" is a 32-page children's book by children's author, Victoria Wintersperger. It's about a retiree who runs a dog grooming shop, and proceeds to have some serious trouble with her eyesight. 

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Lastly, a recently released business book by Harry Max, former executive of DreamWorks Animation, and advisor to Apple, Adobe, Google, Hewlett-Packard, and Microsoft.

While reading the manuscript for creating illustrative concepts, it became clear that this was a unique take on a subject that can help nearly anyone.  I also realized - between the first and second page - that the author is a terrific writer. 

After chatting with Harry on the phone, reading the manuscript, I started by writing ideas and humor, after concepts were approved, then vignettes and illustrations. Some of the cartoons were was shared in an earlier blog post, so I'll post two pieces, (including a "straight" illustration that accompanies an interview with recording artist, Roseanne Cash.)

The book has received some positive early reviews for Harry's book:

"Harry Max clearly lays out the steps that anyone can use to be more productive and effective. It's required reading for anyone wanting to be a better business leader."  

Marc Randolph, co-founder/CEO of Netflix

"A forceful, clear, and detailed method for strengthening prioritization." Kirkus Reviews

"Approachable, psychologically astute, and deeply practical book has the potential to change all that. Reading it is well worth your time." Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

"Managing Priorities" is available from the publisher, and Amazon.

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Finally, (assuming you haven't dropped off by now) some pics from our Fall trip to the Summit Area. We unwound with some biking, mountain summit hiking, and horseback riding.

This is Lake Dillon, at 11:15 PM in October. The moon was so bright, that it somehow did not look like a night sky. This is looking toward the Continental Divide in the East. It was actually pitch black in the West - where the sun had set 3 hours before. (i.e., no sunlight in the sky.)

Biking along the river coming down from the Continental Divide, a few miles west of A-Basin.

My wife recently injured one of her hip flexors, 

so she was limited to hiking...Julia joined me for biking.

Stopping for refreshments at Keystone Lake

Looking west, from the end of the bike trail.

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The next three weeks are going to be a blitz of deadlines...then a family Holiday vacation near Chicago, visiting my Mom as well as my brother and his family. 

I love my work, and I can get lost in it sometimes. I've even been stupid enough to bring work with me, on vacation. (I finally realized my error).

Happy Holidays!