On the Digital Drawing Board: Giving Thanks

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, and I've thoroughly neglected this journal because my work keeps me 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 tells them that it has frustrating moments, like every job...but that yes, it is also pretty cool. 

She reminded me of that yesterday, and it snapped me out of my rump-dragging stupor - after a month of late nights and tight deadlines. I tend to overlook my blessings. 

Like many creative types, it took time for my career to get established. Early on, there were bursts of success, (a great job out of college)...pauses (rejections from large newspaper syndicates)...bursts (comic strip syndication contracts)...more pauses (newspapers languished and closed.)

I spent many years staying with it - drawing and writing - while working crazy side jobs, (moving furniture, modeling ski wear, and managing a B&B.) I have several friends and colleagues who are on that same artist’s path, and it can be very challenging.

I am now convinced that everything is a gift - both challenges and joys. I am thankful for the wonderful career I have...and even more so for other things, like family, and friends. 

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There has been no gabbing about advertising or publishing work here in a while, so, I'll only mention a handful of recent things:

I began working with a new client to create a regular comic strip for their employees. McKesson is a pharmaceutical and medical firm, (#9 on the Fortune 500 list - bigger than Microsoft, Ford or General Motors, which was a surprise to me). - That size 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 lucky enough to be awarded the project.

The project involves writing and drawing specific humor, focusing on cyber security, and corporate IT. We started in October, which was "Cyber Security Awareness month". 

Below is an initial piece, with corporate messaging added to the cartoon. 

The cartoons appear on each of their 31,000 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. (I'd get tired of seeing the same thing on my monitor say, 30 times...so I can sympathize with anyone who's 'had enough' of any of my cartoons by the end of the 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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Several years ago, Fidelity Investments hired me to create some financial cartoons for their online investing website. 

A separate division within Fidelity decided that they wanted some cartoons recently, 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 large 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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I singed 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 are two of the first pieces:

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One of several cartoons created this month for Causeway Software, in Great Britain.

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This project was just completed last week. It was a large-format executive gift illustration created for Capgemini, the Paris, France-based, global technology and management firm. 

This is the latest in a series of pieces done for their executives over the past few years. They send photos, and a PowerPoint with the exec's career and relevant personal info...I begin with ideas and sketches, then proceed with B&W artwork, then digital watercolor. 

This was drawn at 20" X 28. A high resolution print file was emailed to the client, then printed, matted and framed, and presented as a gift to an executive celebrating a career milestone.

(Clicken to Embiggen)

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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 very funny poems. 

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

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   Five Minutes From a Meltdown - 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 former DreamWorks and Adobe exec, Harry Max. 

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 - and that the author is a terrific writer. 

I worked closely with "Mr. Max", writing humor, creating instructional vignettes, and illustrations. Some of the humor created for it was shared in an earlier blog post, so I'll just post one piece, a straight illustration that accompanies an interview with recording artist, Roseanne Cash.

The book has received some impressive early reviews:

"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 - 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:

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The next three weeks are going to be a blitz of deadlines...then a vacation. 

I love my work, and I can get lost in it sometimes. I've even been stupid enough to bring work with me, on family vacations. (Though, I finally figured out that I was being a cretin, and stopped that practice.)

Happy Holidays!