On the drawing Board: Book illustrations, turkey and all the trimmings

I'm stopping by after a nice Thanksgiving, though it was a little less crowded than usual. I hope yours was enjoyable also. It has been a long day drawing and writing, my stomach is growling, and we have many turkey day leftovers tempting me to raid the refrigerator, so forgive me if I make this brief.

 I'm in the midst of some fun projects in the studio and thought I would share a few pieces...

 

 

A book cover created a few weeks ago for an author who is a humorist and former

 University of Kansas professor. The cover  reveals some details of the 

complex political story within, and its connection to current events. 

---------------------

 

This is one of 15 illustrations created for a book it will be published in December. The layout here is loosely based upon a jail cell scene from the Disney World/Land ride, "Pirates of the Caribbean". The characters are all part of the book.

------------------------

 

A few years ago I was invited to join Cartoonstock (a London-based firm which is the largest source for cartoons for purchase.) I periodically send them some of my published cartoons, and this one was among the latest group.

------------------

One of 32 cartoons and illustrations currently being created for a business book by an author in Boston who has had four books published previously. This project has been in the studio since September, and I'm working with the author as he completes each chapter. (Perfect for filling in between other projects). It is allowing me to have some fun with humor writing, along with the creation of a narrator character that will featured throughout the book.

---------------
 

 I was hired to do a series of illustrations for Ball Horticultural in Chicago in late October. The above piece was created for ads in Better Homes and Gardens magazine. The subject matter is a group of new potted plants that allow folks in apartments and condos to grow fresh tomatoes and peppers...also great for those of us with a garden that is in hibernation in the winter months.

--------------------

 

Two cartoons from a regular gig that I've had for over ten years, illustrating articles for a monthly magazine that covers the Boston and Massachusetts police departments. I enjoy the chance to read the articles before illustrating them...with always fascinating and sometimes crazy stories. These two articles involved a state policeman who fell asleep in his cruiser in a highway fast lane, and a policeman from a rural department who tried to bring in a rogue deer.

----------------------

                                           

 

 A personal commission for the Vice President & Head of Marketing of Public Storage Inc. He is also an avid skier, and a fan of one of my favorite Colorado ski towns. This was commissioned to be presented to him as a gift. I created it at 18" X 24" and after the art was approved, it was printed in Giclee on canvas in high resolution, and finally, matted and framed.