tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296204142024-03-17T00:33:21.212-06:00The Dancing MooseThe journal of cartoonist & illustrator Mark HillMark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-84646992218943454902023-11-27T18:59:00.067-07:002024-03-07T00:51:12.339-07:00On the Digital drawing Board: New schtuff<p>I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing Thanksgiving.</p><p>It's been a while since I posted, and after an eventful Autumn, h<span style="text-align: center;">ere's a very quick highlighting of recent art and humor on the drawing board...</span></p><p style="text-align: left;">A couple of years back, I created a series of caricatures and humor for the Ralph Lauren Polo Bar restaurant in New York City. It was a project that continued for a while, tying in with RL's advertising and social media. (My process for writing the humor for them can be found <a href="https://blog.hillcartoons.com/2019/09/step-by-step-2-writing-and-drawing.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)</p><p style="text-align: left;">The owner of a new, upscale dinner club in Norwalk, Connecticut had seen these cartoons and caricatures, and contacted me in October. He wanted something similar (in terms of caricatures) for his establishment, and we discussed the scope and terms of the project.</p><p style="text-align: left;">After discussing this and the intended purpose of the drawings, we decided to use a little less distortion and to make an effort capture more likeness in the style. I began with a larger format 18" x 24" piece depicting the owner's grandparents, (who inspired the restaurant). It is being framed and hung in the entry area, near the maître d'. Now, I am doing 8"x10" illustrations of the dining club's members, which will be also framed and hung throughout the restaurant. (Each couple will also receive a framed print of their own.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq2CQ07fsiVJ1wNqzSz8-vLQ5xqr4stLtYp1HqnaDHRpRUBr6fuc8HY_KVPcGSlIA5j-pWnEHwlXwvx4HIbuo_6DN_i9Kzb4bwHNT4yOi7DFERz8VEqzCERBU6mr73SG9CGq-y_lSO-vJ1ysmCQhR1P8ZbIMPaZSPmo50IWNy3L2u6dMBP2s-qw/s1000/Josh-M---Slotkin-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1000" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq2CQ07fsiVJ1wNqzSz8-vLQ5xqr4stLtYp1HqnaDHRpRUBr6fuc8HY_KVPcGSlIA5j-pWnEHwlXwvx4HIbuo_6DN_i9Kzb4bwHNT4yOi7DFERz8VEqzCERBU6mr73SG9CGq-y_lSO-vJ1ysmCQhR1P8ZbIMPaZSPmo50IWNy3L2u6dMBP2s-qw/w456-h343/Josh-M---Slotkin-2.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNK5fX29hsWcIyhev_Bu_vfzR0znXBIvgu6OSCKBL5TZL7WE0I1Xfeo2WY37z5ozl2MY_289NB1ohqImD-43j8WQxazFyF8NPsKKJ2AnWzVUzmLYK3a3wXAVhaoW7qfjgzNsu5eAGlCpjCVcAYeBBfMd6NN6DPoALaPToP2CR94FIZTjjWvTlNZQ/s1200/Josh-Mesnik---Grandparents-2-mine.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1200" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNK5fX29hsWcIyhev_Bu_vfzR0znXBIvgu6OSCKBL5TZL7WE0I1Xfeo2WY37z5ozl2MY_289NB1ohqImD-43j8WQxazFyF8NPsKKJ2AnWzVUzmLYK3a3wXAVhaoW7qfjgzNsu5eAGlCpjCVcAYeBBfMd6NN6DPoALaPToP2CR94FIZTjjWvTlNZQ/w439-h358/Josh-Mesnik---Grandparents-2-mine.png" width="439" /></a></div></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(The owner's grandparents)</span></i></div></div> <div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnQ8n9D1UrnNMaR-1TH379Rx4oTz8A1wkVifxbnyf94EwRuCfPwUzlfQyOn2jWo6cvmzWdLeHNdQXN-RXWlvFEPiuz0rEuLJeRrvWmiFkv4C_oLyCffhu4Whv814sscA_8NRyiSZu5SVLrc5tFwna6-QzBiE4tuzvVCSvK-_jhY6_MiG_9dGBQA/s2400/Josh%20M.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1683" data-original-width="2400" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnQ8n9D1UrnNMaR-1TH379Rx4oTz8A1wkVifxbnyf94EwRuCfPwUzlfQyOn2jWo6cvmzWdLeHNdQXN-RXWlvFEPiuz0rEuLJeRrvWmiFkv4C_oLyCffhu4Whv814sscA_8NRyiSZu5SVLrc5tFwna6-QzBiE4tuzvVCSvK-_jhY6_MiG_9dGBQA/w422-h295/Josh%20M.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(The owner, with some of the framed caricature illustrations)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: small;"><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: small;"><br /></i></div><div><div>I'm drawing these by hand, but digitally, using my Wacom Cintiq. With the latest digital brushes, I can create India ink drawings and watercolor washes, which allows me to create artwork identical in appearance to things I created with traditional brushes, ink and bristol for years. This saves time and effort, (particularly versus packing and shipping physical art). I email the high resolution artwork to the client, and he has them printed at a top notch local print shop, and then matted and framed.</div><div><br /></div>There will be 60 framed caricature pieces with roughly120 people, in total. I'm about halfway through at this point.<i> </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div>A couple of early reviews of the establishment:</div><div><br /></div><div><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.thehour.com/food/article/josie-and-tonys-supper-club-opening-norwalk-18554115.php" href="https://www.thehour.com/food/article/josie-and-tonys-supper-club-opening-norwalk-18554115.php" target="_blank">https://www.thehour.com/food/article/josie-and-tonys-supper-club-opening-norwalk-18554115.php</a></div><div><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.ctbites.com/blog/2023/11/9/josie-amp-tonys-italian-deli-and-supper-club" href="https://www.ctbites.com/blog/2023/11/9/josie-amp-tonys-italian-deli-and-supper-club" target="_blank">https://www.ctbites.com/blog/2023/11/9/josie-amp-tonys-italian-deli-and-supper-club</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The last article mentions me, and oddly, the reporter said that I worked at Pixar...not sure where he got that…(I <i>am</i> currently illustrating a book for a Pixar executive, detailed in an earlier blog post<i>.)</i> Typical journalism these days. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Sounds like good food.</div></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>(Update 2/14: The owner just requested 20 more illustrations. I'll get to have some more fun).</i><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">-----------------</div><div><br /></div>This is a large 18" X 24" humorous illustration created for a longtime client, global technology leader, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capgemini" target="_blank">Capgemini</a>, headquartered in Paris, France. I have worked with their Vice President in charge of Marketing several times on <a href="https://blog.hillcartoons.com/2019/09/creative-process-step-by-step.html" target="_blank">previous pieces</a>, and this was written and drawn for a retiring executive. After discussing the life and accomplishments of the gentleman to be depicted, the various vignettes were written, sketched, and then approved. </div><div><br /></div><div>I created the color artwork, and finally, I sent a high res CMYK (publishing standard 4-color process) file<span style="font-size: 16px;">, </span>which the client had printed locally and then matted and framed for a party in Denmark, for the guest of honor.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KWH9fHIYwImA_H046DkJtsN6cUgJONsQbOxq0vF6-8pgMnuqklXVz4n5aq7mASNeX2zxjkTsTlYzORtEeSYYt-JcjTsH48nQipBZbyJke19qQ9-Z1eg-MrhUctochChk9r8Zo8EJUErEvnDayNYOaRtUgUiQGWvEQ5ynr1Muqr2-D2camkJBNQ/s800/Capgemini---GJ-25-Years--MINE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="800" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KWH9fHIYwImA_H046DkJtsN6cUgJONsQbOxq0vF6-8pgMnuqklXVz4n5aq7mASNeX2zxjkTsTlYzORtEeSYYt-JcjTsH48nQipBZbyJke19qQ9-Z1eg-MrhUctochChk9r8Zo8EJUErEvnDayNYOaRtUgUiQGWvEQ5ynr1Muqr2-D2camkJBNQ/w344-h292/Capgemini---GJ-25-Years--MINE.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9mhx7_9NVLAKpagSCwrmxsVg206iAZBv0Acsbvi681OtMxHEzVQbOpTKDHfFgKlQwi7L-np09Az8Djp4wfQcD68df6ZRY5mKW6cPq0XZUR5ltcSNr6SGwYS5V8RBseW5Ly9Wa1qgQIFeC-TbfllbLU-pBDleTNHzjlYLBIg3uzlYD72_Gol20Q/s800/Capgemini---GJ-25-Years---coyotes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="800" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9mhx7_9NVLAKpagSCwrmxsVg206iAZBv0Acsbvi681OtMxHEzVQbOpTKDHfFgKlQwi7L-np09Az8Djp4wfQcD68df6ZRY5mKW6cPq0XZUR5ltcSNr6SGwYS5V8RBseW5Ly9Wa1qgQIFeC-TbfllbLU-pBDleTNHzjlYLBIg3uzlYD72_Gol20Q/w405-h274/Capgemini---GJ-25-Years---coyotes.jpg" width="405" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI18iKnUKXq0ZB83vHiVwE0-I4_kFYZCASKFIeK809A5zMc5EHaCcQ0BMa-mbSPTd0ppzAdKuImlN6UITtzNjKE6crtKdcP2rhqM09BTfgFa9Q-ZRTQHXyaHsIq09Rjs8TdDZaEVHlvmim2eEbG63mdqJTf0MfHLOw5oJilXuhOQoNXaK4gSstQ/s800/Capgemini---GJ-25-Years--elephant.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="800" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI18iKnUKXq0ZB83vHiVwE0-I4_kFYZCASKFIeK809A5zMc5EHaCcQ0BMa-mbSPTd0ppzAdKuImlN6UITtzNjKE6crtKdcP2rhqM09BTfgFa9Q-ZRTQHXyaHsIq09Rjs8TdDZaEVHlvmim2eEbG63mdqJTf0MfHLOw5oJilXuhOQoNXaK4gSstQ/w329-h304/Capgemini---GJ-25-Years--elephant.jpg" width="329" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkB1VuFwNzsQlgrfntXsr17Hk_VlabPZJAvy-W4bFdobq7nm5xmQY9YKpEbEfCfVFmTHwZGRvcTnadHXJkR4jAzW0JtgGJciGFLerMnvzkhB3kZwuSbMHr_n6JS_GxFaSxjLDrSReJa85J2KBEpMjtnzE15gK1cEFzlhDfWbk4axU7HXKr1OSkag/s3543/Capgemini%20-%20GJ%2025%20Years%20-%2050%20X%2070%20cm-PRINT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2531" data-original-width="3543" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkB1VuFwNzsQlgrfntXsr17Hk_VlabPZJAvy-W4bFdobq7nm5xmQY9YKpEbEfCfVFmTHwZGRvcTnadHXJkR4jAzW0JtgGJciGFLerMnvzkhB3kZwuSbMHr_n6JS_GxFaSxjLDrSReJa85J2KBEpMjtnzE15gK1cEFzlhDfWbk4axU7HXKr1OSkag/w658-h471/Capgemini%20-%20GJ%2025%20Years%20-%2050%20X%2070%20cm-PRINT.jpg" width="658" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">-----------</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The publisher of FREESKIER </span><span style="text-align: left;"> (a magazine I've read since I was in college) launched a new magazine called "The Grom Guide", for kids and and families. The magazine editor contacted me in September to discuss a </span><span style="text-align: left;">cartoon feature, </span><span style="text-align: left;">starting with a two-page in the first issue. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I was given the freedom to write and draw whatever I wanted, as long as it covered skiing and snowboarding, depicting kids with their families. As someone who has skied and snowboarded since I was a kid, this was right up my alley, and I had a great time playing with it. </div><div><br /></div><div>The first issue is in news stands, drug stores, ski shops, and other tawdry establishments.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeX-hyU5YHt3_ADQYgBTdhyphenhyphengrhMYmiC5tCNCicmvhYuYRCd4dKK02UM-1tKwu8kOrVH5t1OHeMQdK-gC3wJJCO1UpaV4hqhbUIC3AeZjt6AShBKUW1h-tf2GGn5qzW-67vO7Y6_Sqdt3_dtgxCbIUqBiS8N1Umxe87CjKzLgFsAn2u5t1jpHVuaQ/s1831/ski%20mag.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1831" data-original-width="1512" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeX-hyU5YHt3_ADQYgBTdhyphenhyphengrhMYmiC5tCNCicmvhYuYRCd4dKK02UM-1tKwu8kOrVH5t1OHeMQdK-gC3wJJCO1UpaV4hqhbUIC3AeZjt6AShBKUW1h-tf2GGn5qzW-67vO7Y6_Sqdt3_dtgxCbIUqBiS8N1Umxe87CjKzLgFsAn2u5t1jpHVuaQ/w206-h250/ski%20mag.jpg" width="206" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4v-I7AQ03DUMig6Z4OcRWY9VM7ecDo8wCBcFPEu7m9tdeJrZltqExwPsA8wuF-Usr_4lGWOYehrXMTZDlQsNAgwKJlgd_FakgY331Z7JcDIZswokPmM_8JSATINTNz35ubFd6c66-WafZJOlGjjleJl3cD2wXQnEDmQI6C63AeWLQPmDxDzutJQ/s2003/Ski%20mag%20cartoon1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1345" data-original-width="2003" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4v-I7AQ03DUMig6Z4OcRWY9VM7ecDo8wCBcFPEu7m9tdeJrZltqExwPsA8wuF-Usr_4lGWOYehrXMTZDlQsNAgwKJlgd_FakgY331Z7JcDIZswokPmM_8JSATINTNz35ubFd6c66-WafZJOlGjjleJl3cD2wXQnEDmQI6C63AeWLQPmDxDzutJQ/w377-h252/Ski%20mag%20cartoon1.JPG" width="377" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzmNkRBhDcziffmHu8-TGDukhxSLgvSYieiZ1diLE0spHwbp0zVyDoeqB6ToN8_9df7i8MnaXVKw19Hod7Y1JW0kohlwlTHe2UUP8FadcJkPDVFabZ6mzuD2AIaS8mopSoqb4qlbbFfloy_YW4XqzQKwX2YlUW5pGbc3OQRM_7xdWzx7AOonYAg/s1837/Ski%20Mag%20cartoonA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="1837" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzmNkRBhDcziffmHu8-TGDukhxSLgvSYieiZ1diLE0spHwbp0zVyDoeqB6ToN8_9df7i8MnaXVKw19Hod7Y1JW0kohlwlTHe2UUP8FadcJkPDVFabZ6mzuD2AIaS8mopSoqb4qlbbFfloy_YW4XqzQKwX2YlUW5pGbc3OQRM_7xdWzx7AOonYAg/w640-h434/Ski%20Mag%20cartoonA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">-------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Over the past several years, I’ve been working with a large group of medical doctors in California who have been in the midst of a battle with the state government regarding health insurance coverage for patient treatment. Many prominent insurance companies, including Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United healthcare have been lobbying for lower patient visits and placing a severe cap on reimbursement for appointment charges. The companies have pushed and lobbied for legislation that requires extensive paperwork for each patient visit, making it a money losing proposition for many of these physicians, and their medical practices.</span></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Here’s the latest in the series, a political cartoon created for the fight against this...</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvfTSNMSt9yi14CL34Cdw_w0f35dEaIa4lngXhrE29aEBR9NCH7sUvNzIFNlYDKB9XHYY0phP5g58LtUD1FxuLoBdz_QW4e2ngAHnZufmbceg9AGP-kHgH7JbKOhhSqGpSNOWPzmjsa_Xlc7odvOsArpz_H3gFbwfRNvvA_F2IjUENZI9EZP0_w/s2000/Gavin-Newsom-and-Dr.-Anthem-Dining-Color2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1673" data-original-width="2000" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvfTSNMSt9yi14CL34Cdw_w0f35dEaIa4lngXhrE29aEBR9NCH7sUvNzIFNlYDKB9XHYY0phP5g58LtUD1FxuLoBdz_QW4e2ngAHnZufmbceg9AGP-kHgH7JbKOhhSqGpSNOWPzmjsa_Xlc7odvOsArpz_H3gFbwfRNvvA_F2IjUENZI9EZP0_w/w428-h358/Gavin-Newsom-and-Dr.-Anthem-Dining-Color2.jpg" width="428" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Update: Three weeks after the cartoon was created, the physician's group called me with terrific news...The legislation was killed shortly after the editorials appeared. Victory!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-----------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A piece created for regular client, Thrive in San Francisco.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIsdhzN4z1vb1M7_a6arT39459ofXtUBTDZs0M7B5Oz_DDFDpBOT9Pc9wHPZyBnBurqddEjIIYOnhZcib7ppgnF9_bSLO8ttuuM-tCs3joPTYgkSRjbi2OlDGFLoa1YE0PelCrrPyzU-DUoBQ69q2Hdys33h2qApo9NfVZSBOOpxS11iQ_vwoa8g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="331" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIsdhzN4z1vb1M7_a6arT39459ofXtUBTDZs0M7B5Oz_DDFDpBOT9Pc9wHPZyBnBurqddEjIIYOnhZcib7ppgnF9_bSLO8ttuuM-tCs3joPTYgkSRjbi2OlDGFLoa1YE0PelCrrPyzU-DUoBQ69q2Hdys33h2qApo9NfVZSBOOpxS11iQ_vwoa8g=w185-h107" width="185" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJeEi1kHby2irZyFLa9PyQ5GgpbM4S-WvJPt2lrbvp7B34eXDSe-ir48TJE7ztsHyPuacyOrFsmgvfNyNV79KRi6pLJTGPJh7fvgAmEBFge0hxPjOCu8lK2v8mYZNjuCRTRxWNOLMaf8-EQRlCVqLf_nrIlaGnJuxtZyfovGUV4WTe666rBHDIA/s2481/Jason%20Scutt%20-%20Thrive%20-Cartoon%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2481" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJeEi1kHby2irZyFLa9PyQ5GgpbM4S-WvJPt2lrbvp7B34eXDSe-ir48TJE7ztsHyPuacyOrFsmgvfNyNV79KRi6pLJTGPJh7fvgAmEBFge0hxPjOCu8lK2v8mYZNjuCRTRxWNOLMaf8-EQRlCVqLf_nrIlaGnJuxtZyfovGUV4WTe666rBHDIA/w435-h352/Jason%20Scutt%20-%20Thrive%20-Cartoon%201.jpg" width="435" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">----------</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I’m currently working on illustrations for a book of humor, and the arrangement this time around is a little different than usual. Rather than being hired by a publisher or author, I am partnering with a publisher and a poet. The publisher contacted me, and their idea was to do something along the lines of the popular humor book by Steve Martin and Harry Bliss. After reading some of the poems by the humorous poet, and I was taken in by his wit and range. I am having fun with it, and need to fit more of it onto my drawing board to make the agreed upon schedule.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">----------</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCK6Mfze9Rq2MJC82beSFKIfyHY711nmS3rLqnJsQR_lgRjxDNnInpTe5why-jNYatXtAcwSkcux6hK8BfECkRj8JaTDVDc4z4cmhswNLG688JLQa9y5DbMD9_Lfh2KeAVTxK6rdJYtRXC24wKN-xr5YlaoSunFBcI_lK3E01mKtjZB4U5FWXMQ/s1400/List-Biological-Labs---Cellfie--Bacteria-Final-Print.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1400" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCK6Mfze9Rq2MJC82beSFKIfyHY711nmS3rLqnJsQR_lgRjxDNnInpTe5why-jNYatXtAcwSkcux6hK8BfECkRj8JaTDVDc4z4cmhswNLG688JLQa9y5DbMD9_Lfh2KeAVTxK6rdJYtRXC24wKN-xr5YlaoSunFBcI_lK3E01mKtjZB4U5FWXMQ/w520-h325/List-Biological-Labs---Cellfie--Bacteria-Final-Print.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Another advertising cartoon for California biotech firm, List Labs. This one is aimed at their clientele...people who spend time behind a microscope. It takes me back to my time as a biology major at the University of Illinois...but we didn't have attachments of smartphones, allowing for easy photos of those microbes, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">----------</div><div><div><br /></div><div> A couple more 'New Yorker' cartoons, (also shared with the folks who market them for me at Cartoonstock.) ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaOS8Pu1-EFKwbSNQk5sI56IeLSrLPyFXaneikbhISqR1bfKkqJjkMDDrnhnrlyfDImGH5PHkMeuN4BmN26GmkitvIOuQ0EFZnO-aUPwJVq7Pb80V6ugOdcHR9RknkmQJWNSghQ0JSeZbxqCZpD5pqZYwN-PZ2jtiHR2UEJobVHS3XrQRzTWNwg/s2520/Hill%20Mark%20Snowman%20-%20dog%20throw%20it.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="2520" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaOS8Pu1-EFKwbSNQk5sI56IeLSrLPyFXaneikbhISqR1bfKkqJjkMDDrnhnrlyfDImGH5PHkMeuN4BmN26GmkitvIOuQ0EFZnO-aUPwJVq7Pb80V6ugOdcHR9RknkmQJWNSghQ0JSeZbxqCZpD5pqZYwN-PZ2jtiHR2UEJobVHS3XrQRzTWNwg/w455-h334/Hill%20Mark%20Snowman%20-%20dog%20throw%20it.jpg" width="455" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljYi2DW_RCpoLoS-IGpxVj7Am7WwW9zPBZyUw_lUK95KvemU5q7JLFZTRG9ocTXZds7OGfMvYzXTN5er1VUcKJQrS0xvSvW2wLZF_zZ7nBRcy9Ev6jWgT8uVxFMmVD5mx8kOVxXN2TH-ckY-4VOnZ5Do7pUAuS3-EqDtfgB97QyE5vm-pI_ieBA/s1000/Innovation-hasn't-been-done-before-new-ideas-cartoon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1000" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljYi2DW_RCpoLoS-IGpxVj7Am7WwW9zPBZyUw_lUK95KvemU5q7JLFZTRG9ocTXZds7OGfMvYzXTN5er1VUcKJQrS0xvSvW2wLZF_zZ7nBRcy9Ev6jWgT8uVxFMmVD5mx8kOVxXN2TH-ckY-4VOnZ5Do7pUAuS3-EqDtfgB97QyE5vm-pI_ieBA/w484-h346/Innovation-hasn't-been-done-before-new-ideas-cartoon.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div> <a href="https://lightmailer.mail.com/WJID20DIzrg/deref/?redirectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cartoonstock.com%2Fcartoon%3FsearchID%3DCS448172" target="_blank">https://www.cartoonstock.com/cartoon?searchID=CS448172</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">---------</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some photos from a Fall trip to the Summit Area for some mountain biking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Aspens were ablaze with color, and we spent a few days unwinding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30VgGe7QcH5UuJKC5zZr6vL8gB_KvruhBfxHayUxf3eK_FdNkecysXBBxgSqRdIaCOwoOXrW3s8MavkXTMlZW55bRT-NtbYb_QU4tuogSm-Gt5Kf65r1o5d3l-T_kW3kxsdEW_LO5rMvIjJG4SOPCAfjna2IyemgCyqRaYsZYX8F_2TeklICsEg/s2016/IMG_3059.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30VgGe7QcH5UuJKC5zZr6vL8gB_KvruhBfxHayUxf3eK_FdNkecysXBBxgSqRdIaCOwoOXrW3s8MavkXTMlZW55bRT-NtbYb_QU4tuogSm-Gt5Kf65r1o5d3l-T_kW3kxsdEW_LO5rMvIjJG4SOPCAfjna2IyemgCyqRaYsZYX8F_2TeklICsEg/w347-h260/IMG_3059.jpeg" width="347" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1vzB7dSci8LLPzObGcK4Am4u3S3P4vXA9rdskfEsO_dpBk47zdom2Tm6j0_T7H6ekKYusErH4jg3CA0jnutk_fXlfs7ZIy_SQ2FJB_iFusowphL46rdUdOQlgZcQ9mGbKo7nrCj1uxlcMX7lvEfHnyvWYaqcaJA9gENyCud5Jeq9V-PTywnpTg/s1266/ks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1vzB7dSci8LLPzObGcK4Am4u3S3P4vXA9rdskfEsO_dpBk47zdom2Tm6j0_T7H6ekKYusErH4jg3CA0jnutk_fXlfs7ZIy_SQ2FJB_iFusowphL46rdUdOQlgZcQ9mGbKo7nrCj1uxlcMX7lvEfHnyvWYaqcaJA9gENyCud5Jeq9V-PTywnpTg/s320/ks.jpg" width="227" /></a></div></div></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6ytyeO6N7vwH8lFnVoElPWpsNUnnng76raF_9s7RIyYgpB15uJMMwsjwZXp3ib2SjmQT_lFkTJZiqK6pI5VkiyfyQfB8ll46-RD3ZH4wzSSy4nrDjmcfJwmEPI1uQJAanEcSs683RlF-3bjngBQrpmM1pp0ii7qFnsColqD0u22dRiBgCveSgg/s2016/IMG_3079.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6ytyeO6N7vwH8lFnVoElPWpsNUnnng76raF_9s7RIyYgpB15uJMMwsjwZXp3ib2SjmQT_lFkTJZiqK6pI5VkiyfyQfB8ll46-RD3ZH4wzSSy4nrDjmcfJwmEPI1uQJAanEcSs683RlF-3bjngBQrpmM1pp0ii7qFnsColqD0u22dRiBgCveSgg/w384-h288/IMG_3079.jpeg" width="384" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">--------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lastly, I sent our family Christmas card off to my printer in California. (One of the few printers that still uses CMYK process for accurate color - not just the RGB colors on one's monitor.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkQ2Iknmm4xdI8WYc3nZSdrDEleKd8SPYK_Pi7aWps64QjFLofjmK7IExrol-LxzYiYwuObq24mbmzlrUMjdGXdX9OvCABy6VufmiHyT92LqGOpGICeDloWYP-czspzSYgJ40SiarA427lNt2NFIG8y3jIBIe0t7CAKwPB8O5aKcGOHmSd4sFSg/s1200/Hills-Christmas-Card-2023---Bandit-popular1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="879" data-original-width="1200" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkQ2Iknmm4xdI8WYc3nZSdrDEleKd8SPYK_Pi7aWps64QjFLofjmK7IExrol-LxzYiYwuObq24mbmzlrUMjdGXdX9OvCABy6VufmiHyT92LqGOpGICeDloWYP-czspzSYgJ40SiarA427lNt2NFIG8y3jIBIe0t7CAKwPB8O5aKcGOHmSd4sFSg/w468-h342/Hills-Christmas-Card-2023---Bandit-popular1.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-77131751020427312542023-07-02T15:50:00.048-06:002024-02-12T12:56:50.774-07:00On the Digital Drawing Board: A brief drive-by<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p>Happy Summer Solstice.</p><p>I'm stopping in, and taking a few minutes away from the studio, after catching up from family vacations (more on that later) to post a few recent things on the drawing board.</p><p>I'll start with a few 'New Yorker' cartoons...</p><p>(with some color added for their inclusion in Cartoon Stock's collection).<br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3000" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKO_PXGftBZ2nCnfehs9Mr0JdN8CtfbGCsFVn-Bne5EyTo-7zFnATAwRMxCic63R4F6MeKGLvIkz8IJ8CChgcGD5acBFh5CEnyyOf92vqtOsm1UkIcKfaBY5HleSqNF62C8Lm2Bpsv1BhztxDA2j3-bU5lupyyhZJJMIbse2aiKiryXzOEByc/w550-h440/download-working%20vacation-beach-workaholic.jpg" width="550" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.cartoonstock.com/cartoon?searchID=CS439384" target="_blank"><i> Link to CartoonStock download</i></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIeTXdE7YOIUKBjkfFUxU-firCkxIqM2YVwvG1BPEj8pqDwf9XRZKn7RmQRXLCFkwUY44izVYGo0lQ6g8O0e0WHbXBXKe8NUBz50oOWAPNOYXHnnZ8oL1Gw3P0FmdncwNTq3qlJ_d8B9au6bMkaerOCtELER2HgCuiWh_ixCVt05Y2MwVCm7KwQ/s1000/Hill-Mark---LASIK-cat-cartoon-Color.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1000" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIeTXdE7YOIUKBjkfFUxU-firCkxIqM2YVwvG1BPEj8pqDwf9XRZKn7RmQRXLCFkwUY44izVYGo0lQ6g8O0e0WHbXBXKe8NUBz50oOWAPNOYXHnnZ8oL1Gw3P0FmdncwNTq3qlJ_d8B9au6bMkaerOCtELER2HgCuiWh_ixCVt05Y2MwVCm7KwQ/w513-h477/Hill-Mark---LASIK-cat-cartoon-Color.jpg" width="513" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href=" https://www.cartoonstock.com/cartoon?searchID=CS590327 " target="_blank"><i> Link to cartoon download</i></a><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">------------</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXpWCWbVEMuD7qf0D3db38KRLtlUXipQHEVTjTFchyDeL4QWpRY8ffmfZB_nL-dBKvXjySSqoy4MJVQ2HHpcjC7k6rbQ5uhZ0RW7muANBrzl95PjvudLS22PiBdoeNjxo5JpUxnANIqEUXYWoyOnR9igKHhMuqJQnuJjD20EjFsUeUmPtP4kIEw/s650/Go-Far-business-teamwork-success-fly-like-geese---go-far.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="650" height="527" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXpWCWbVEMuD7qf0D3db38KRLtlUXipQHEVTjTFchyDeL4QWpRY8ffmfZB_nL-dBKvXjySSqoy4MJVQ2HHpcjC7k6rbQ5uhZ0RW7muANBrzl95PjvudLS22PiBdoeNjxo5JpUxnANIqEUXYWoyOnR9igKHhMuqJQnuJjD20EjFsUeUmPtP4kIEw/w544-h527/Go-Far-business-teamwork-success-fly-like-geese---go-far.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p><a href="https://www.cartoonstock.com/cartoon?searchID=CS452777 " target="_blank"><i> Link to cartoon download</i></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>------------- </i></p><p style="text-align: center;">Here are a few pieces in process for a large book illustration project. I'm working directly with the author, in concert with his publisher. I won't identify him, but he's a charming fellow with scintillating insights. As a former exec with Dream Works, and consultant to Apple, Adobe, Google, and other Silicon Valley notables, he has years of wisdom regarding prioritization, and its practical application to companies and organizations. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I began by reading the book manuscript, and then began writing material to highlight key concepts. The book is going to press soon, and will publish in Spring of 2024.<i><br /></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08NifLST34daqQMnXDeXqhyphenhyphenKAbpS9e_vQsRoL9_6feWe2kvCLdAClMuJL1vXO6s_IrFSm5IhbNswMBpsTtqZopYkSRabGWlB_Nr5BeJ1f5QHSb1Yed8L-3-jd9cSmP2gEWVIoJyvBfhOC4Vq0gmR8v7l-nzH5pQTVzzuAIsd5MMm4z5mwymVHhQ/s900/Harry-Max---Go-or-No-Go-mine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="900" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08NifLST34daqQMnXDeXqhyphenhyphenKAbpS9e_vQsRoL9_6feWe2kvCLdAClMuJL1vXO6s_IrFSm5IhbNswMBpsTtqZopYkSRabGWlB_Nr5BeJ1f5QHSb1Yed8L-3-jd9cSmP2gEWVIoJyvBfhOC4Vq0gmR8v7l-nzH5pQTVzzuAIsd5MMm4z5mwymVHhQ/w400-h381/Harry-Max---Go-or-No-Go-mine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYO7sjBCoLnqg2WT2cb-IYfb6moFnNMdSdCFZQx67fZ48kCg2rsRhgSl_FkF4P1nPxpPsBB2h29sQBnpAM2kOq4lysOmWU7ecEWGan6ujd-06hsFTZ2F0zpasf3crWnwC3i9vf8RWlFySETHRX4WpLQfRhXnu8n1cOYeNsbNRTRcnV9kTyLP_Gw/s1316/Harry-Max--Roseanne-Cash-MINE---Prioritizing-for-Carnegie-Hall---CH-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="1000" height="559" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYO7sjBCoLnqg2WT2cb-IYfb6moFnNMdSdCFZQx67fZ48kCg2rsRhgSl_FkF4P1nPxpPsBB2h29sQBnpAM2kOq4lysOmWU7ecEWGan6ujd-06hsFTZ2F0zpasf3crWnwC3i9vf8RWlFySETHRX4WpLQfRhXnu8n1cOYeNsbNRTRcnV9kTyLP_Gw/w424-h559/Harry-Max--Roseanne-Cash-MINE---Prioritizing-for-Carnegie-Hall---CH-8.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">An illustration to accompany the author's interview with recording artist Rosanne Cash</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-kKcTz_CxbeI05d1SLHSgoezrRgbHJaXIEc_YosHntHuoeamR0OvFdE9AhlffRtDb9fp0CDp4IY6FSNU8ZfW30Ie1qEATJS4o3WGcJorh0gkPu9RtC5dfyvBp0-0t9daFovxaHrjLb8mT5woV6pQbh6vX1Ps5S8C1WTVIYA6UaPsPaVWQHJAiQ/s800/Harry-Max---What-you-lose-when-urgency-wins-INK.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="800" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-kKcTz_CxbeI05d1SLHSgoezrRgbHJaXIEc_YosHntHuoeamR0OvFdE9AhlffRtDb9fp0CDp4IY6FSNU8ZfW30Ie1qEATJS4o3WGcJorh0gkPu9RtC5dfyvBp0-0t9daFovxaHrjLb8mT5woV6pQbh6vX1Ps5S8C1WTVIYA6UaPsPaVWQHJAiQ/w412-h387/Harry-Max---What-you-lose-when-urgency-wins-INK.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">----------</p><p style="text-align: center;">Another ongoing book illustration project - this is from a book about online dating...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONHr4AQN2nAAIGpMs5_PYKiT3QqTOamYZNsBPNu-dkykJBtzo9kQR80-lP_UgcoUI1EJQbuTEaSyH0gatCzTk25uh6THOaFEzW7fYUZjYrliwA_48_WIy7hrgfAyFrlsMFTnRwDI9kWsmrtacDmbPU0Dz9-TY0CgQqjBNOCT5AOjGMbJOGMw/s950/npr-reporter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="950" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONHr4AQN2nAAIGpMs5_PYKiT3QqTOamYZNsBPNu-dkykJBtzo9kQR80-lP_UgcoUI1EJQbuTEaSyH0gatCzTk25uh6THOaFEzW7fYUZjYrliwA_48_WIy7hrgfAyFrlsMFTnRwDI9kWsmrtacDmbPU0Dz9-TY0CgQqjBNOCT5AOjGMbJOGMw/w465-h349/npr-reporter.jpg" width="465" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> ----------------- <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVylIK8RxnYpEWcuIOcfV3iMEetpm8t2HycSwF4dCQPjhr-xfyNchIro-9JJVmBMAcVw7rUPyrk7-hb4wETxoNSGlzkqcfHJh56weivYAC2L9ctLLM5BNvU9WbvNlAlBWHmiTjDD_ZocCyQT1-xLmP80eSBPgmRnLO93yLxpEqpqQFWQ2v0I/s1000/Tom-Manning-National-Grid-commission-C.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1000" height="409" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVylIK8RxnYpEWcuIOcfV3iMEetpm8t2HycSwF4dCQPjhr-xfyNchIro-9JJVmBMAcVw7rUPyrk7-hb4wETxoNSGlzkqcfHJh56weivYAC2L9ctLLM5BNvU9WbvNlAlBWHmiTjDD_ZocCyQT1-xLmP80eSBPgmRnLO93yLxpEqpqQFWQ2v0I/w511-h409/Tom-Manning-National-Grid-commission-C.jpg" width="511" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> One of a series of cartoons for National Grid, in London.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> -----------------</div><p>Lastly, I was surprised and thrilled to take home 1st place for the Editorial Cartoons in the Society of Professional Journalists 2023 awards, for the Rocky Mountain States. The annual contest covers newspapers and media in four states; Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming. <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><a href="https://lightmailer.mail.com/M2wmTY10q-k/deref/?redirectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fcoloradospj.wordpress.com%2F" target="_blank">https://coloradospj.wordpress.com/</a><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></p><p><span>The reason I was surprised is that I</span><span> didn't submit my work for the contest</span><span>...and I</span><span> didn't know about this until it was awarded. (A</span><span> newspaper editor submitted some of my political cartoons on my behalf.) </span><span> </span><span> </span></p><p>One sample, published this past November: </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqRwDoUFG633cmcfkj-iKDaX6iI62kbqA-y-4mGYRv3rLQlpkBYirS9eq0zKtUKaX6AZ9qmPtNKP_s3fXYiWp3O8wVB6eLJ3hzR5u_U6CgX0li8w1b2sv47AuO5Fbxp8QLDC2sFQS08F5rD1MaH-t92bU_IEbeoRAb6tOZyQbB9ZoQ2YuiYw/s900/Wyoming-Truth-Cheney-Hageman-lasso-color1-Hill-Mark.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="900" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqRwDoUFG633cmcfkj-iKDaX6iI62kbqA-y-4mGYRv3rLQlpkBYirS9eq0zKtUKaX6AZ9qmPtNKP_s3fXYiWp3O8wVB6eLJ3hzR5u_U6CgX0li8w1b2sv47AuO5Fbxp8QLDC2sFQS08F5rD1MaH-t92bU_IEbeoRAb6tOZyQbB9ZoQ2YuiYw/w522-h418/Wyoming-Truth-Cheney-Hageman-lasso-color1-Hill-Mark.jpg" width="522" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">------------</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Update: Some additional blathering and pics from a summer trip... We went to see my Mom and my brother (and his family), rendezvousing in Chicago, and then heading <i>way </i>North, to Manitowish Waters Wisconsin, a place where my family had a vacation home for many years. We haven't been back there in over 18 years, and I campaigned to go back again, so that our kids could see what all the fuss was about.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFenH8i0L3l6r6d3zJ7MtWyVzBYBjaIfZSORTZ1i1RNwffURKpwa_o8gqpGF1RzNlvrusIPtLGkaoEwkSey1-s-N00hxOpj6Ax_Zrd0LJmo06t5wpvvHkTtPIhvJT2IHT_m8SL-XZJxUMivalPozgruRvt2QvQosS6b9lRsoEDjJXNWB994VYivw/s2016/IMG_2927.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFenH8i0L3l6r6d3zJ7MtWyVzBYBjaIfZSORTZ1i1RNwffURKpwa_o8gqpGF1RzNlvrusIPtLGkaoEwkSey1-s-N00hxOpj6Ax_Zrd0LJmo06t5wpvvHkTtPIhvJT2IHT_m8SL-XZJxUMivalPozgruRvt2QvQosS6b9lRsoEDjJXNWB994VYivw/w361-h271/IMG_2927.jpeg" width="361" /></a></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">We rented a house on Clear Lake, right near our old stomping grounds, and arrived ready to become water creatures. We kayaked, canoed, and hiked. I also rented a ski boat for tubing and water skiing, as well as a large pontoon boat. The latter helped with allowing our entire group to travel and sightsee comfortably, as there are nine lakes which are connected to each other.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7O35uYmfG2aaFc6uwOEaLWP9V74gdUtEklHRcAB_PS4fmWuEJj-R3M7wn3_bzpaaHonkU4Hnb2FS1NSsUBV1fxEfmOSu75GDtS0JQ0e8Y1J_dukdyyOZZ6eCt88-msch7Yuex1ZTtwcDDEGHCA1ew4gIjGG6y-v_1_dh2dIZtEYXuGDrftONpOA/s2016/IMG_2912.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7O35uYmfG2aaFc6uwOEaLWP9V74gdUtEklHRcAB_PS4fmWuEJj-R3M7wn3_bzpaaHonkU4Hnb2FS1NSsUBV1fxEfmOSu75GDtS0JQ0e8Y1J_dukdyyOZZ6eCt88-msch7Yuex1ZTtwcDDEGHCA1ew4gIjGG6y-v_1_dh2dIZtEYXuGDrftONpOA/w379-h285/IMG_2912.jpeg" width="379" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9w3ux337GQYW1hDDsnHanC9ev6zAKta77SHK0xScSb0UlnddG0oS6EkAezwRO7QoV3zIYVR6ZRRqBE84z1j-YPf2JWChUsVLrfC3Usk3gpnlhTrD_HTgDCR6XeYA0ES4XylPGDRssN4IfnfR8KKO5LtXrOgMI0WQSLNViAz2QXqs4SyDbuaXhw/s800/IMG_2925.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9w3ux337GQYW1hDDsnHanC9ev6zAKta77SHK0xScSb0UlnddG0oS6EkAezwRO7QoV3zIYVR6ZRRqBE84z1j-YPf2JWChUsVLrfC3Usk3gpnlhTrD_HTgDCR6XeYA0ES4XylPGDRssN4IfnfR8KKO5LtXrOgMI0WQSLNViAz2QXqs4SyDbuaXhw/w318-h239/IMG_2925.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGv7TAtfn8RTgpo263FAgVXejhr-yMbGVy_Ukwnq63VdX4QrSwZUmy4n7gcjhRbjVfrvtBOeJpLsuTL4X6N-bxVgpmvp8ZR5BwTG3rxT7j_xPE3ho21gASAvYVL3sn0VA70gl8WivunB0zBJVUSKhz09f7k3zw2BC9VO0pvyKxJy168E-MKEXlA/s2016/IMG_2936.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGv7TAtfn8RTgpo263FAgVXejhr-yMbGVy_Ukwnq63VdX4QrSwZUmy4n7gcjhRbjVfrvtBOeJpLsuTL4X6N-bxVgpmvp8ZR5BwTG3rxT7j_xPE3ho21gASAvYVL3sn0VA70gl8WivunB0zBJVUSKhz09f7k3zw2BC9VO0pvyKxJy168E-MKEXlA/s320/IMG_2936.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CJc9Q7O20OZSt23MD_SINBFXHxzPBci9Ggc4ykpnWIDatYYsbfeUsIs-cjd5FaXqIidcNr2BNf_cR93O6P1D6kTLvnuiW58dC6nQMXLD9yImGJ1VcmBcB6ujFCUxpDy_etfJKAYAQdrt7oUe8lKQrJB-7cG_OwqnPsn4_y22IJTrtlYY88x-1A/s1200/IMG_1964.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CJc9Q7O20OZSt23MD_SINBFXHxzPBci9Ggc4ykpnWIDatYYsbfeUsIs-cjd5FaXqIidcNr2BNf_cR93O6P1D6kTLvnuiW58dC6nQMXLD9yImGJ1VcmBcB6ujFCUxpDy_etfJKAYAQdrt7oUe8lKQrJB-7cG_OwqnPsn4_y22IJTrtlYY88x-1A/s320/IMG_1964.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbf8RyC6gpgFA3JvGnM1pyjQrK345klPRIUzB_-GUyd3CjC0laQoVC_H6y_QMYScBXJi2E-1vE7aXshqGm-CnI_n3FsIlm_BmBOMcqTzlL917IF0YIGup06cOU-cc5nS5hrW8vvOpxShyPymzcyMBSiEYL3-1N07P38NBuNOqsLaLEVmUS1j9ysQ/s1080/IMG_2893.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1000" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbf8RyC6gpgFA3JvGnM1pyjQrK345klPRIUzB_-GUyd3CjC0laQoVC_H6y_QMYScBXJi2E-1vE7aXshqGm-CnI_n3FsIlm_BmBOMcqTzlL917IF0YIGup06cOU-cc5nS5hrW8vvOpxShyPymzcyMBSiEYL3-1N07P38NBuNOqsLaLEVmUS1j9ysQ/w255-h275/IMG_2893.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">After a few vacations over the years that involved tubing behind a boat, our daughter Julia decided she'd like to learn to water ski. So, I began the process of teaching her...which involves an array of things to consider, rope grip, how to curl up in the water, arching your back and bending your legs when being pulled up, (and to <i>not</i> fight the boat or try to pull yourself up.) And then, if/when you get up, you need to suddenly shift to a fully upright position and lean back to water ski. (the opposite of snow skiing's need for leaning forward over your skis).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;">The rule of thumb (as we were reminded by the natives and the purveyors of ski equipment in that area) it usually takes a first-timer an average of 30 to 40 tries to pull themselves out of the water successfully, and then balance long-term with stability on water skis. It seemed like Julia was going to approach that number, but then at around #15 she got up briefly...and by #20 managed to stay up. It seems like perhaps her bountiful time on snow skis helped.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AVSZSXrHSdcOw7CBFYcS7DXQlpqUyIVTB8mVjp1P-wBZwX3u8qtd_FbrYPKcBEoBbj_BN61Zb3pEVMGGqXdBQ6XrDy1j8Gu4PCvbWn5pBb0UQiWQWZAJZN3fFPy-7PT3Q5BRWKNJ4HLvB67Q6FYlU8kqyguvq0OHIk40xgYfIP4gy8_z1OYzEQ/s1280/IMG_2976.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="719" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AVSZSXrHSdcOw7CBFYcS7DXQlpqUyIVTB8mVjp1P-wBZwX3u8qtd_FbrYPKcBEoBbj_BN61Zb3pEVMGGqXdBQ6XrDy1j8Gu4PCvbWn5pBb0UQiWQWZAJZN3fFPy-7PT3Q5BRWKNJ4HLvB67Q6FYlU8kqyguvq0OHIk40xgYfIP4gy8_z1OYzEQ/w187-h332/IMG_2976.png" width="187" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFEspBG39obb9xaPcxq-10vqYsHulfq0d9EYgehRUElgMlx5sSisVUpxalzFlbpCEVoWpqtFIY6N5H3ktGRhNDQ2Dsai4WsLwwBJcKrzSj36kY9pIvhK_w_MKMoGcufHKwh_Yt_NfXwdlMcVu7cKdNM65yHpRsvdrZwkaHcVDIydeK3oMiR6cVg/s1280/IMG_2952.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFEspBG39obb9xaPcxq-10vqYsHulfq0d9EYgehRUElgMlx5sSisVUpxalzFlbpCEVoWpqtFIY6N5H3ktGRhNDQ2Dsai4WsLwwBJcKrzSj36kY9pIvhK_w_MKMoGcufHKwh_Yt_NfXwdlMcVu7cKdNM65yHpRsvdrZwkaHcVDIydeK3oMiR6cVg/s320/IMG_2952.png" width="180" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Next up was my niece, who had been water skiing many times over the past two years with friends with a lake house near her home. She had been trying to slalom ski (one ski) over the past few months, but thus far hadn't been able to do it. My brother and I worked with her, and after demonstrating it, she did it! We were all thrilled with their aquatic milestones. Very exciting stuff.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">I had a few runs, too. This was my first time on water skis in nearly 20 years, and the first lap around the lake was a little rusty. Over the next few days, it all came back, and I was able to kick off a ski and do some slalom laps. (Old dogs, old tricks.)</span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkoaLJK1EwHCI_cFeiDTVC125yfYncMbrB0v8boa7qfvXpaRm-W3m_GSQ9YDZ2zch7SUlt0becJKKG1EIyPKJ6Z6R0pzxwaig6Rgamo9-Hfe1YTfsBn8EJTcivg5Cp7-Yh5wvEa-5m8GH8TScdl7f-CGK3ipuwrFM-7YIGOrd4o698XjYynJazg/s2016/IMG_2898.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkoaLJK1EwHCI_cFeiDTVC125yfYncMbrB0v8boa7qfvXpaRm-W3m_GSQ9YDZ2zch7SUlt0becJKKG1EIyPKJ6Z6R0pzxwaig6Rgamo9-Hfe1YTfsBn8EJTcivg5Cp7-Yh5wvEa-5m8GH8TScdl7f-CGK3ipuwrFM-7YIGOrd4o698XjYynJazg/w381-h286/IMG_2898.jpeg" width="381" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">We saw bald eagles float and soar above us, and also watched loons dive into the lake, and call for their mates in their </span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">distinctive manner</span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">. It was an incredible week in a stunningly beautiful place - and I've found myself thinking about it over the past few days since getting back. </span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">It was like seeing an old friend again after many years. </span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">I get the feeling that my Dad was smiling from above while we were there.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span><!--more--></span><span><!--more--></span>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-51616688451595793252022-11-26T23:54:00.046-07:002024-03-02T17:27:00.080-07:00 On the Digital Drawing board wrap-up: Google, Pixar, Spanx, Elections and Books<div>Over the past few months I’ve had trouble finding time to post here. It remains that way. Seven corporate projects and three book illustration jobs currently reside on the drawing board, and I recently turned down a few new projects, due to being overbooked. Good to be busy, yes, but perhaps a bit too much. Thanksgiving weekend is providing a nice break and time with my family. I have a few minutes while everyone is asleep, to stop in and write a little.</div><div> </div><div>I will waste no time in briefly sharing a few recent things…</div><div> </div><div>We'll start things off with a sample from of a large number of political cartoons
created the recent election. These cover the Liz Cheney - Harriet
Hageman race, Hageman won, (and the final election was all but decided
long before November.)</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmd480puAj8MYh_49RsLqpzW7QknSHM8ABFz78tNA6O8H34jIvLADAyau4pUnLUX_sDwDXsrHfmvc-GAS1VHY9lCToo8MPhqoPTLANUTDuODSmOcmoq-6F781Dd6-ma9qjXDznIYKK5FpqnHhYt6ahsZhS37wv5pgzw69oVTc_QSa1w_s-nE/s1500/Wyoming-Truth-Cheney-2024-Hageman-3-Hill-Mark.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1500" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmd480puAj8MYh_49RsLqpzW7QknSHM8ABFz78tNA6O8H34jIvLADAyau4pUnLUX_sDwDXsrHfmvc-GAS1VHY9lCToo8MPhqoPTLANUTDuODSmOcmoq-6F781Dd6-ma9qjXDznIYKK5FpqnHhYt6ahsZhS37wv5pgzw69oVTc_QSa1w_s-nE/w512-h424/Wyoming-Truth-Cheney-2024-Hageman-3-Hill-Mark.jpg" width="512" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">A side note: after drawing the two women, I feel they're both very interesting looking people.</span></div></div><div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"> ————-</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></div><div><br /> An illustration of Roseanne Cash performing at Carnegie hall. One of over a dozen illustrations currently in process for a book about prioritization. The author, a longtime executive with DreamWorks, just sent it to the publisher for final editing.</div><div> <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWRlNmS8KxJ-V969Qd3ziSRkFztI4usYJ_4WMTFmsgt9zSAgCqnUHGqE2sVJP7yZ7Z61LdqWJNEpfi6iv8AbVaW7UwhyphenhyphenOj0SibiwsCmPDanRDdLuGwZ0xGRjXgMflRuM_TuSM6aEXaKj0b3MXCPhYdzTEWlhjdNFbSg-IWy-37FyR-2omeM_zrA/s900/Harry-Max---DEGAP-Bridge-Step-4-Mine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="900" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWRlNmS8KxJ-V969Qd3ziSRkFztI4usYJ_4WMTFmsgt9zSAgCqnUHGqE2sVJP7yZ7Z61LdqWJNEpfi6iv8AbVaW7UwhyphenhyphenOj0SibiwsCmPDanRDdLuGwZ0xGRjXgMflRuM_TuSM6aEXaKj0b3MXCPhYdzTEWlhjdNFbSg-IWy-37FyR-2omeM_zrA/w551-h440/Harry-Max---DEGAP-Bridge-Step-4-Mine.jpg" width="551" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> ------------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm in the early stages of illustrating a children's book called "The Moon and the Mantis". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Below are some initial design sketches and color studies for one of the main characters. I'm also working on a thumbnail sketch layout of page illustrations for the publisher, (more to come)...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpzRuwQLx2OcWRRjQhFO5AHTQMJ-sVmAUT9YTlCIIL48lMk5d_k4lFlig4B_9JcHvDUUyjNiz4irIkJSLnai90UV_NdF9o9B0QFdNNAKwyILUTp9eC29Wo8vzOAYmVAT73fFHT0jaEaJ0AVtw-1TFcx_NcBKOTFjZ1iGUb8YJfEOnOabEjB8/s1144/Stephany-Slater-Moon-and-the-Mantis-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1000" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpzRuwQLx2OcWRRjQhFO5AHTQMJ-sVmAUT9YTlCIIL48lMk5d_k4lFlig4B_9JcHvDUUyjNiz4irIkJSLnai90UV_NdF9o9B0QFdNNAKwyILUTp9eC29Wo8vzOAYmVAT73fFHT0jaEaJ0AVtw-1TFcx_NcBKOTFjZ1iGUb8YJfEOnOabEjB8/w293-h335/Stephany-Slater-Moon-and-the-Mantis-3.jpg" width="293" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDdKJ9duljkfMOCaNV5BVrYVIovNYcaL_wdnEjLqVDRm4IdoaKpOz_Emm3kenxpGfHtHiyA3BeDcrYyRu3liuyjbD11Sw2r4RJmr7r-_dC_ckE0Kj0ZSRTO5wpy2pOjkGmNgVdOKVH6T5dN572F4AfbH-2Qj2Q14GsKVfHRdjx2x9ukpm38k/s1000/Stephany-Slater-Moon-and-the-Mantis4-color.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1000" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDdKJ9duljkfMOCaNV5BVrYVIovNYcaL_wdnEjLqVDRm4IdoaKpOz_Emm3kenxpGfHtHiyA3BeDcrYyRu3liuyjbD11Sw2r4RJmr7r-_dC_ckE0Kj0ZSRTO5wpy2pOjkGmNgVdOKVH6T5dN572F4AfbH-2Qj2Q14GsKVfHRdjx2x9ukpm38k/w395-h267/Stephany-Slater-Moon-and-the-Mantis4-color.jpg" width="395" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next up is a personal commission for the editor of a publication
with whom I have worked in recent months. She and her husband live in Philadelphia, and her son is a college student at Bowdoin College in
Maine. They wanted to give him a framed illustration of his personal milestones (thus far) as a gift for Christmas. I had fun with this, adding some
thematic elements that reflected her son's interests. I created two
versions, one vertical and the second horizontal, allowing she and
her husband to choose which worked best aesthetically and for framing. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-JSs_0Q2CLY-s78JuBMSGHhZnY-ZxLau22wHp2oZv1e843X-rP16VP_yJ5MliNaJFdUImq2BpfqM0JZ53SoeYaMgCFoH1pbRitXRFZWnhDai3vwHr-96mQ-mDWOqeTLF-M1GGmw3TMG07JJfSeh-nsS2XGrdY-sMp7mqQObPixNDNEXuGwc/s1000/Cindy-Hanson--The-Wonderful-World-of-Eric-illustration.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee7D7PV_NHWuSaMX3wbWjc-ZYN-9-4c8zlRyRSdGhfD95eXo58b9dStmxRo1u1Jw1RCX2f0lbP6TY8Tir5CNHz8sF6NDxz3NeXckp_z8TV8Y0M-33lAOKg93GSRqQ6HCBSi9eIpT_nsP4-C_FnvLzq8XTVXGy8s9Yg20Cs2SFedj_FAgy-a4/s1200/Cindy-Hanson---Eric-Illustration---Mine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee7D7PV_NHWuSaMX3wbWjc-ZYN-9-4c8zlRyRSdGhfD95eXo58b9dStmxRo1u1Jw1RCX2f0lbP6TY8Tir5CNHz8sF6NDxz3NeXckp_z8TV8Y0M-33lAOKg93GSRqQ6HCBSi9eIpT_nsP4-C_FnvLzq8XTVXGy8s9Yg20Cs2SFedj_FAgy-a4/w375-h500/Cindy-Hanson---Eric-Illustration---Mine.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>clicken to embiggen</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">————-</div> <div><p>One of several cartoons created for The Pathway Academy in London.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKor0H3c7Ucs9Gd7TtIbLKJX0iC-t6DpeukYx3uJr1ER6Vt_qDeLxdZ-6iiuSymcOylN5oedKp7C-joM0IzZksQLG_-SWIPuU3KSNxO2bnAKxBORgEf4kA9wyoVro-rwoJYY7SPEviB3dM89PJOF60mc9jFeLUXGcuNUSxscL6OMhTYwUPDA/s900/Tom-Manning-Duck-Rabbit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="900" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKor0H3c7Ucs9Gd7TtIbLKJX0iC-t6DpeukYx3uJr1ER6Vt_qDeLxdZ-6iiuSymcOylN5oedKp7C-joM0IzZksQLG_-SWIPuU3KSNxO2bnAKxBORgEf4kA9wyoVro-rwoJYY7SPEviB3dM89PJOF60mc9jFeLUXGcuNUSxscL6OMhTYwUPDA/w506-h432/Tom-Manning-Duck-Rabbit.jpg" width="506" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-----------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>A cartoon illustration commissioned by a Citi Group Financial </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">executive for a presentation to investment bakers. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qDyj2gw7Ugd9T3ARfh-GtklQlN-ztLuxXDbnNqfj89hMoah9UGUsE40tCav9NxRToc2l1-3KRumxSYP4-bnNHwyaZkLfeGow67rO50z4iSQbIn0jgbmjf12ztgE4x9BlZIYFXqLYERJn93qcVbvjCOQebW_O3-cq8yiTXNH1UcBqoSP49ZU/s4800/Mike%20Trapanese-Fundraising%20Circus%20cartoon-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3334" data-original-width="4800" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qDyj2gw7Ugd9T3ARfh-GtklQlN-ztLuxXDbnNqfj89hMoah9UGUsE40tCav9NxRToc2l1-3KRumxSYP4-bnNHwyaZkLfeGow67rO50z4iSQbIn0jgbmjf12ztgE4x9BlZIYFXqLYERJn93qcVbvjCOQebW_O3-cq8yiTXNH1UcBqoSP49ZU/w505-h351/Mike%20Trapanese-Fundraising%20Circus%20cartoon-1.jpg" width="505" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">-----------------</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of several scenes of background artwork I created for an animated short film.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I am not involved with the animated sequences.) The film will be finished in Spring 2023. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Clicken to enlargen)<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qHMRPXPGraRYH6rke6sBCnZ-sUZa4J1j__RsrhyjrWlAypc8ck4VW4zXbr8yJFr_KFeOoryVX2VYKJHCp2ECiYBzwauAf691L7lhUrOWB3efvZ1rWj5Twvpxv5BzEWLEuAe7IVuFPb_eTcMHcB8Gaw1P4Y552ymDI7594pUXhMtRr0-5U5s/s1400/BG1-(A).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1400" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qHMRPXPGraRYH6rke6sBCnZ-sUZa4J1j__RsrhyjrWlAypc8ck4VW4zXbr8yJFr_KFeOoryVX2VYKJHCp2ECiYBzwauAf691L7lhUrOWB3efvZ1rWj5Twvpxv5BzEWLEuAe7IVuFPb_eTcMHcB8Gaw1P4Y552ymDI7594pUXhMtRr0-5U5s/w507-h254/BG1-(A).jpg" width="507" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="1400" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAaCb3-15uwlTC51NlUXYWU0q5ML_RAfdtSPhnF_FVzSKVPARwbhxyuQR8ITzeIWHMl7DFMf71MDqAfEvo7tuIJhSxToaL4JmbQUMkWo9e9d0VH1vN92vgyLrKs1oAeCrXf-wYEH_MB-AhXY4-7oG3LzKCG5-pMTuA8Ut2C0NsIH1M4vhVzk/w580-h265/BG_1_(B).jpg" width="580" /></div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">-----------------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa9rANchVAHp4raq-oPKWH4XAWti03-1xHMKGOuOh1f6j0ngKBygLy82RyQIuj6jJf21XzuLjl0wthD_bqCemlXKDdG_bdCTf8HndtLkdQjZaBmuI9z6P_2ALQSfanodGhDYy6eT_B5LBUs8TPWptv97oUavRFEfVFxuFvv4LwAs65QyVYKs/s600/google_logo_31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa9rANchVAHp4raq-oPKWH4XAWti03-1xHMKGOuOh1f6j0ngKBygLy82RyQIuj6jJf21XzuLjl0wthD_bqCemlXKDdG_bdCTf8HndtLkdQjZaBmuI9z6P_2ALQSfanodGhDYy6eT_B5LBUs8TPWptv97oUavRFEfVFxuFvv4LwAs65QyVYKs/w279-h186/google_logo_31.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was recently hired by Google to create a series of cartoons for their advertising. They first contacted me a couple of years ago to create some humor for meetings with executives of large client companies. The goal this time is to compare the benefits of their cloud storage to that of AWS (Amazon) and Microsoft. To be candid, data storage is fairly boring subject matter...and they want humor to season it, like herbs added to a an otherwise good-looking but bland quiche or soufflé . (Now I have a hankering for a hunk of Gruyère cheese.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">So, I'm starting by having some fun with the writing. (And Google's plentiful budget allows for lots of playing.) I'm in the midst of initial concepts and rough sketches, and will share some finished things soon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">--------------</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Another fun project currently on the board is a new book illustration project for an author who is a former Apple and DreamWorks executive. He has an agent and publisher in hand and he has been working with an editor. He’ll remain nameless right now…but I’ll just say that he contacted me a few months back to help him by writing humor and then illustrating his concepts in a way that hopefully helps to keep the reader engaged. I can't divulge what it's about or share images, as it is under non-disclosure wraps for now, via his agent and publisher. Suffice it to say that after reading it, this seems like a book that will appeal to a good number of readers, particularly in the corporate world.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">----------</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next up: a personal commission depicting Sara Blakely (Spanx clothing founder) and her husband, Jesse Itzler, (owner of the Atlanta Hawks NBA team) I was asked to create it by a long-time client who is a friend of theirs, and this will presented to them as gift at their home. The scene is an inside joke about online dating, and the language and misspellings used in meeting each other. I don’t fully get that joke, but I have been assured that they will….which is what matters. Meanwhile, it has been fun to draw them in a relatively simple style, (less detailed than I do for most personal commissions and caricature illustrations.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lVELcTaE2VL3jjfsIxJ-8hKtVCjPiZ09m-FIuoYtZ3ueStCOgeAIZaEhhgZq2qtq85iz3nipHLmTHj4O59FxEtXngrWG8gbPTAcm--Z1Vs4QMgCh2TvVr1kPsslJziq1wV6sCK_POuq-z3Fdy_19mbutapTaFelmJU-Ss8ZU4B73z0CN9oE/s507/Sara%201.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="425" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lVELcTaE2VL3jjfsIxJ-8hKtVCjPiZ09m-FIuoYtZ3ueStCOgeAIZaEhhgZq2qtq85iz3nipHLmTHj4O59FxEtXngrWG8gbPTAcm--Z1Vs4QMgCh2TvVr1kPsslJziq1wV6sCK_POuq-z3Fdy_19mbutapTaFelmJU-Ss8ZU4B73z0CN9oE/w185-h220/Sara%201.png" title="Sarah Blakely, founder of Spanx" width="185" /></a></div>Sara Blakely<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbldYlzGrAKQZmDUD_NY8h1NC6KefypiNhve97K5rw20Y3V8C7s50uux0xcSqDHXSbQf4BkL06Ub4nkTHpxr7JZIX8czuzfxMZczx3dY-Vy6eMg_6ulK8zqejMfaHtSwTUWYHrteSvCaoUdNcYfpaUabvBnNMvlDxE1FH5YFK6gikRjHQOyg/s1000/Millrose-classroom-online-dating-101-Sara-Jesse-3C.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1000" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbldYlzGrAKQZmDUD_NY8h1NC6KefypiNhve97K5rw20Y3V8C7s50uux0xcSqDHXSbQf4BkL06Ub4nkTHpxr7JZIX8czuzfxMZczx3dY-Vy6eMg_6ulK8zqejMfaHtSwTUWYHrteSvCaoUdNcYfpaUabvBnNMvlDxE1FH5YFK6gikRjHQOyg/w467-h427/Millrose-classroom-online-dating-101-Sara-Jesse-3C.jpg" width="467" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>—————-</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm in the midst of creating some pen and ink illustrations for Burpee Seeds/Ball Horticultural in Chicago. The illustrations depict various plants sold in Home Depot.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I created for a comic book style illustration for one of their print ads in 'Better Homes and Gardens' magazine two years ago: </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSM1HPCltnoV79Jt5W-77VnxNEpAdeYdF3DVEUyfMaG4UJIf043qqgOWYvWbqHKWHOsA2IhRNLzhdSTHiGPnP3pyFGbz6eiZsBxaS_JBq47uc1B9J2J5h9zWR1jwSuTgjWOecnBaI45mpo0SIM9IOI4rXiVHycLbnx6lAsT0_pNoN2BksdN6o/s1126/Better-homes_KitchenMinis-mine-Color-flat-1-mine3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="800" height="561" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSM1HPCltnoV79Jt5W-77VnxNEpAdeYdF3DVEUyfMaG4UJIf043qqgOWYvWbqHKWHOsA2IhRNLzhdSTHiGPnP3pyFGbz6eiZsBxaS_JBq47uc1B9J2J5h9zWR1jwSuTgjWOecnBaI45mpo0SIM9IOI4rXiVHycLbnx6lAsT0_pNoN2BksdN6o/w398-h561/Better-homes_KitchenMinis-mine-Color-flat-1-mine3.jpg" width="398" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">This time I'm using a pen and ink with watercolor style, which is quite a bit more detailed. My music is on, and I'm jamming while drawing pots, leaves, tomatoes and soil. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">The art will be
part of instructional material sent to all Home Depot stores in March. First draft below:</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQeZoktBEcv1bzJrbM-Bpzphkw3c4Ia20c8s4owSnVHsz_umvHWiUew1PRO0UtulcjZ3Gq1eivkD2B63r4eh0mU1awCXGXwf6mfJ1urBrNvV0lMi96LI7_Kh7U4WteE_bMAZwXF8QjBK7aoeLyGArfpj2tbaGMli4WYwwSx4viaGNeLcpAjE/s3062/Burpee%20THD%20Retail%20Display-Art.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2153" data-original-width="3062" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQeZoktBEcv1bzJrbM-Bpzphkw3c4Ia20c8s4owSnVHsz_umvHWiUew1PRO0UtulcjZ3Gq1eivkD2B63r4eh0mU1awCXGXwf6mfJ1urBrNvV0lMi96LI7_Kh7U4WteE_bMAZwXF8QjBK7aoeLyGArfpj2tbaGMli4WYwwSx4viaGNeLcpAjE/w494-h348/Burpee%20THD%20Retail%20Display-Art.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>(Clicken to embiggen)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">------------</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here’s something currently on the drawing board for a law firm in NYC with whom I’ve worked for several years. This is a Holiday greeting card that will be mailed to their friends and clients and also posted online as part of a charitable donation drive for the homeless. In this case, the concept and dialogue was written by some of the partners in the firm...I served as the illustrator. (Gray scale first draft was just approved, and I added color..will send it off later today.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8xMpwwAlH9CAgTCL0xo36zy_1FRD6Fw9vfpXUdonL3eJFtU-Gwamd2lrRWVu2maEfSgfdm3SdZGlRd_3LNYcMY9BeEarNjCl67eYt9Cl5Lq4MqsoRmrbqTeSv9m3TAKwcJ6W-RA66kxO9cbYryd5-N1OmDtDM7llGpdSM3BIdFb1j2OLqB0/s1401/M-Rakower---Holiday-card-2022-Mine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="1000" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8xMpwwAlH9CAgTCL0xo36zy_1FRD6Fw9vfpXUdonL3eJFtU-Gwamd2lrRWVu2maEfSgfdm3SdZGlRd_3LNYcMY9BeEarNjCl67eYt9Cl5Lq4MqsoRmrbqTeSv9m3TAKwcJ6W-RA66kxO9cbYryd5-N1OmDtDM7llGpdSM3BIdFb1j2OLqB0/w340-h478/M-Rakower---Holiday-card-2022-Mine.jpg" width="340" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> -------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Here's a Holiday piece I'm creating created for a new client, a large biotech company in California. We're discussing quarterly illustrations for their marketing and advertising going forward.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAskQA7_8PQypvscCfjULoRVgZK3ACVQnm17oTZFgn9SF6TnUcIaffZt3iGsezKh6ZjcCa6x1zyFD9P4eUSEcjKzBDYuVgslQXTrSZxHiaDdb1QE2cW0MWWIN5KikZ82tgynC8lktyDMYj9kxaWBnyrjKrLhY12IBUYXKR7Ff1WJIO2TNuFko/s1100/List-Biological-Labs-Marketing2---Holiday-Card----Santa---Bacteria.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1100" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAskQA7_8PQypvscCfjULoRVgZK3ACVQnm17oTZFgn9SF6TnUcIaffZt3iGsezKh6ZjcCa6x1zyFD9P4eUSEcjKzBDYuVgslQXTrSZxHiaDdb1QE2cW0MWWIN5KikZ82tgynC8lktyDMYj9kxaWBnyrjKrLhY12IBUYXKR7Ff1WJIO2TNuFko/w599-h387/List-Biological-Labs-Marketing2---Holiday-Card----Santa---Bacteria.jpg" width="599" /></a></div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">---------------</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I just sent the family Christmas card off to the printer. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZwxTAFJ4toR2m5nMvClDgUrNq0rNDfmRY6iiSaE6Gf40KS-ThVkmCaC-S6sPaWorJpv7zFuYJBdvhcrj9n_Zh-B5NjV9tI58dgmvGhIkHsiOOqadIWmRRvTfMlbMZV2U5GfFl6mmZUU5sxEO9DsysQS_NcMzUYxSuafNHwMALktg6RVbXlk/s1000/Hill's-Christmas-card-2022---1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZwxTAFJ4toR2m5nMvClDgUrNq0rNDfmRY6iiSaE6Gf40KS-ThVkmCaC-S6sPaWorJpv7zFuYJBdvhcrj9n_Zh-B5NjV9tI58dgmvGhIkHsiOOqadIWmRRvTfMlbMZV2U5GfFl6mmZUU5sxEO9DsysQS_NcMzUYxSuafNHwMALktg6RVbXlk/w640-h456/Hill%27s-Christmas-card-2022---1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It features a
recent addition, our Wheaten Terrier puppy, "Bandit". While he hasn't
watered our tree, he has been periodically chewing on the many tempting
things hanging from it.<p style="text-align: center;"> ------------ </p><div style="text-align: center;">Lastly, we’re enjoying a visit from our daughter during college fall break. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Here's a pic from a family ski day while she was home.)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5YhTtgM7hzDlaEL2dK_j06XVUq1Kpqam6Zp_OhcFEcIGnF9KWaSlyFb0e12m33Y0bn-MAwrrhUHHBg18bo8HH4tAxufv7D88-rzSOJaBPR3jGNIY_kmjtsZKQ4phIKbfzU3n8CNsDDNVUGFQkoUFrTQ6jJo4ezHcK3ZbS8b5vJEjqSoP990/s640/2_24_23%20KS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5YhTtgM7hzDlaEL2dK_j06XVUq1Kpqam6Zp_OhcFEcIGnF9KWaSlyFb0e12m33Y0bn-MAwrrhUHHBg18bo8HH4tAxufv7D88-rzSOJaBPR3jGNIY_kmjtsZKQ4phIKbfzU3n8CNsDDNVUGFQkoUFrTQ6jJo4ezHcK3ZbS8b5vJEjqSoP990/w400-h300/2_24_23%20KS.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Thanksgiving - hope your celebration and family time was as nice as ours.</div><div> </div>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-27488921276240280522022-10-02T11:44:00.135-06:002024-02-23T21:22:33.980-07:00Relaxation and reflection<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My family and I wrapped up busy few months of work - with a few trips. The first was a visit to see my Mom and my brother and his family in Chicago. The Windy City was spectacular as always., and we enjoyed some time together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A month later, a jaunt to the Rocky Mountains Summit area. We brought the puppy and spent a few days mountain biking, riding horses and also getting to the top of a few peaks. (The pup was very interested in the view)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfpnjGgLoYGEyMBtvrRgSKoNUjPYSfhZgDHAnclTxY9EN0sFzAFW09EsbtRKzX2mDQksnJ7IXIkkj1SREIWKyby9aRUgR2yXGor8XBwaytzDmi8l-v7RgtxecOYD0UkZS2eE-stDpQk-hqPvhiXlP5xf2OGeMYhLyQ2Lnz7eHuLX-w-joVqg/s2016/keystone3.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKhrUx97H9JQ8H3ESCCJ0bThmdX8bFJ6BOp4a6KtS5V2WzjwX9tKSO-RNmECVWlsxMuICs9KKq_35cthxffE14CxJkXXDQm_PskMsR_ys076Dva5eOWxLhyeSAVhVAa61ghCwyquF7_2u9WOg_2lr3EodLPk2uaCIgKG8Dhto0N1lxFATmMI/s2016/keystone2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKhrUx97H9JQ8H3ESCCJ0bThmdX8bFJ6BOp4a6KtS5V2WzjwX9tKSO-RNmECVWlsxMuICs9KKq_35cthxffE14CxJkXXDQm_PskMsR_ys076Dva5eOWxLhyeSAVhVAa61ghCwyquF7_2u9WOg_2lr3EodLPk2uaCIgKG8Dhto0N1lxFATmMI/w300-h400/keystone2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjLxoz_SGAReg-NRB7aCHsvFGSV3f_v4mw9WoYnI1aKHV7x7XhUqIiRDGW9Dk87uoYU600w6k7bgKrqtHTTGman7cKwuIFScfUKDxZyZRCtgMlcRbaqTNjKlRasotTZgS5mc7PbrSU3cpPENZBJ_vkbJWrx0vpgRmLGqzxP9kVrVSHbIlJ9wUdA/s2016/IMG_1891.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjLxoz_SGAReg-NRB7aCHsvFGSV3f_v4mw9WoYnI1aKHV7x7XhUqIiRDGW9Dk87uoYU600w6k7bgKrqtHTTGman7cKwuIFScfUKDxZyZRCtgMlcRbaqTNjKlRasotTZgS5mc7PbrSU3cpPENZBJ_vkbJWrx0vpgRmLGqzxP9kVrVSHbIlJ9wUdA/s320/IMG_1891.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlxycTrWqX-ae0fuI6oT_TndhYKfYyWSWLjrhDrOOZlzflH2cwyvCLLBs2xxByexlgnFVpeK3fLcRYoDjCLrU5POV0uYE9m1-7fWV6h6mz8vhN44uMmcuOhVqgysqC-BUFWNPZXT3za540tVU-ZQS3I2GQ4OHbjz99huFiHh3EF06bx4TITFFfw/s700/Keystone-8_23A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAGcTYjyUFjTK1271SfJ90VrlBW7hTRuHCxfSoxOmrJuyVTmFdUhX_kpIQUCU3n5H16J9scAy3JZ5ka0ZWL6Si00ue0gCTmBhUFqa-mWPF3uHG-nWD9MCH3skk4yFIWkRYf8v6HEsz3xBT3qbOY6RRH7GZJSGUKBPIRmU3h_xIqztY45R2O8Zxg/s397/KS%208_22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="298" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAGcTYjyUFjTK1271SfJ90VrlBW7hTRuHCxfSoxOmrJuyVTmFdUhX_kpIQUCU3n5H16J9scAy3JZ5ka0ZWL6Si00ue0gCTmBhUFqa-mWPF3uHG-nWD9MCH3skk4yFIWkRYf8v6HEsz3xBT3qbOY6RRH7GZJSGUKBPIRmU3h_xIqztY45R2O8Zxg/w217-h289/KS%208_22.jpg" width="217" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The next trip was a 1,200 mile drive to Nashville. My daughter has been in an illustration and animation program at Lipscomb University over the past three years. She is studying with several Disney artists and animators… and is starting her senior year. This time she wanted to have her car on campus and I guess I can understand that. I had a car on campus my last two years in college - a small British two-seater that I worked two summers to buy (used for the grand sum of $2,500.) The freedom that comes with a spur of the moment drive after a long day of classes - or a weekend cruise to a nearby town or park - is hard to beat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, during the month before the trip I did some maintenance on her car just to make sure it was up to not only making the long trip but being away for eight months, and then returning. I like to work on cars and I needed to take a break. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The two-day trip was lots of fun, with Julia and I driving through Kansas and Missouri, seeing St. Louis and a good part of the heartland. We stayed overnight in Overland Park, Kansas which was just about halfway. The next day we enjoyed the rolling hills of Kentucky and Tennessee.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TEC7BrIURmCP_P6siPh1Ywq87iuwEuruHHM2526BVynyaTg1ZhIjaqjHf8_tH_CBm8FjQ3f2lN7gvyvbnGo6cUrBY_z9Km0Lx9pKh8U2cXqZG633K9Et5zL1hBXugu0naRQGwI9dPdOXhXfMxASLuFSYqgSeC956Xo0hLN1NY2n7yAv3gBY/s2016/lipscomb%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TEC7BrIURmCP_P6siPh1Ywq87iuwEuruHHM2526BVynyaTg1ZhIjaqjHf8_tH_CBm8FjQ3f2lN7gvyvbnGo6cUrBY_z9Km0Lx9pKh8U2cXqZG633K9Et5zL1hBXugu0naRQGwI9dPdOXhXfMxASLuFSYqgSeC956Xo0hLN1NY2n7yAv3gBY/w162-h216/lipscomb%202.jpg" width="162" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KC2k0WvHgXAsroo2WC1tUs5iaTFDCUPyZJtsPblDwj7QNmzOKClQYnZmCZ0skUHSJ-_HRtl9UqCDRKIOTimEXTEfwskoIW7tKAPfLmfDdKi4T7HoMqS0Fp5PVTL7fir88B874Oq7NK3_DQbyQ-8EsRi7XZBKRKmui-eEdwZyVaF6aijbp54/s2016/lipscomb%20trip.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KC2k0WvHgXAsroo2WC1tUs5iaTFDCUPyZJtsPblDwj7QNmzOKClQYnZmCZ0skUHSJ-_HRtl9UqCDRKIOTimEXTEfwskoIW7tKAPfLmfDdKi4T7HoMqS0Fp5PVTL7fir88B874Oq7NK3_DQbyQ-8EsRi7XZBKRKmui-eEdwZyVaF6aijbp54/w163-h217/lipscomb%20trip.jpg" width="163" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Overland Park, Kansas St. Louis<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3igKRyMJRHD1ECCQY_2thsowUGoW1xFuUpM-Z656XkEidSws3BUdxSj8bhfZJYXvD4zsBdLIxwvnUwPsbZCj8CcPBY-iW4diU4dyVVpIE5nzGY4UBY0pmLCS1FwniuFdDJRGOLmXrd0WyqvvXERTC7nPz7c16Vtpkxb4S9KCEOXPGpmy3uCk/s1544/lipscomb%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB10ZTQbByhBZ14KAeqyE7-zRId9f4sboMOJ-k9T3MXoQenIr4cH6WQcx1y8kECrjQiOP8j9dGnZEZ8elZUtZb5DTmfunzTsmRv3a8kUwrL1KZBCOtifMy_4PUDdK-oNtg6hAXbX9W37VDv_4H2-gae8F8bX2vczk-UPj97eXywE3B-XdH_D4/s2016/lipscomb%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB10ZTQbByhBZ14KAeqyE7-zRId9f4sboMOJ-k9T3MXoQenIr4cH6WQcx1y8kECrjQiOP8j9dGnZEZ8elZUtZb5DTmfunzTsmRv3a8kUwrL1KZBCOtifMy_4PUDdK-oNtg6hAXbX9W37VDv_4H2-gae8F8bX2vczk-UPj97eXywE3B-XdH_D4/s320/lipscomb%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6AqmRniwwW7R80D7SVoAySwaCBsbJHlLMNGfopixBOf5A9uJH0mK0J2uF66dNehj611WZaEodWoCdLtXgvl-2hl46aHXPU4kJoPlR6J9csD16EiqEIUscLG-2-k2AGg7iqdXsuZRpHJyD3lBy8UsUy7bGw7vAv5A23ZG9k74_VwAValu9_SkUg/s2856/IMG_1773.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2178" data-original-width="2856" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6AqmRniwwW7R80D7SVoAySwaCBsbJHlLMNGfopixBOf5A9uJH0mK0J2uF66dNehj611WZaEodWoCdLtXgvl-2hl46aHXPU4kJoPlR6J9csD16EiqEIUscLG-2-k2AGg7iqdXsuZRpHJyD3lBy8UsUy7bGw7vAv5A23ZG9k74_VwAValu9_SkUg/s320/IMG_1773.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Setting up Julia's dorm room</i></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When we made it to Nashville, it was a matter of moving boxes, a refrigerator, and shelving into my daughter's new residence with her roommate from last year. Lots of fun and exercise. We spent the last night in downtown Nashville, grabbing dinner and then enjoying some live music. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On Monday AM, I flew back to Denver, and now and I'm catching up, but I have to admit, I really miss my daughter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I arrived home just in time for my wife and I to celebrate our anniversary, which was a perfect reflective finale to a flurry of activities. It often seems life is like that...one task or event after another, in rapid-fire fashion. It would be nice to enjoy each for more than what feels like just a moment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-70501903538585640262022-07-04T14:11:00.011-06:002023-06-11T22:21:58.619-06:00Sophie Brooks: Sleeping with sunglassses<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7u3xl5vNwPb5CjLwn3OZHs7ia6y70Xs3mZ0v86IyImtwUunFLO_ynF7FBoXMZOQc7NwglcCXcTEypa4XtJKJVT1EpyESB3IKg4lzIox15ODC7qHOMjMZHBMRnAr_2jYPxX_lTi2gI7Jk51dnqOGqq_I6BqSeGSQw9Jc0KgWn7NZNknrFhI7s/s1065/A102-bedroom-sun.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="800" height="868" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7u3xl5vNwPb5CjLwn3OZHs7ia6y70Xs3mZ0v86IyImtwUunFLO_ynF7FBoXMZOQc7NwglcCXcTEypa4XtJKJVT1EpyESB3IKg4lzIox15ODC7qHOMjMZHBMRnAr_2jYPxX_lTi2gI7Jk51dnqOGqq_I6BqSeGSQw9Jc0KgWn7NZNknrFhI7s/w652-h868/A102-bedroom-sun.jpg" width="652" /></a></div>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-14883618680354479832022-05-30T12:04:00.023-06:002023-01-10T21:33:51.549-07:00On the Digital Drawing Board<p>Happy Memorial Day! </p><p>The annual Bolder Boulder 10K race just wrapped up, (after a two-year pandemic hiatus) attracting over 40,000 runners from around the globe. It was great to see the race resume and so many people enjoying the spectacle. We just watched the jets fly over the finish line at the University of Colorado's Folsom Stadium. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bi-47Rn45oU" width="320" youtube-src-id="Bi-47Rn45oU"></iframe></div><br /> <br /><p></p><p>This is just a quick drop-in to share a few things that have been on the drawing board... <br /></p><p> First, a caricature illustration of the current POTUS, for a book being published by Wiley and Sons later this summer.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YJjEjMGYc19ojvTpsLO3iL1_hpPuJ_PdZerT4ARzqLteMrK2CTYnfLVsfZZ8m3sGo27I75tILjvE0QSNZfdo7TkAfw17ZjWe6eFf7l2mqohPxWaKmpL--uwnl5_YvDP8UwLh4IpYvfGqdFF7PfjKpRiQ-N4j2DgevZk-fhnBe6mEDT1uy3c/s837/Joe-Biden-color.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="550" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YJjEjMGYc19ojvTpsLO3iL1_hpPuJ_PdZerT4ARzqLteMrK2CTYnfLVsfZZ8m3sGo27I75tILjvE0QSNZfdo7TkAfw17ZjWe6eFf7l2mqohPxWaKmpL--uwnl5_YvDP8UwLh4IpYvfGqdFF7PfjKpRiQ-N4j2DgevZk-fhnBe6mEDT1uy3c/w393-h599/Joe-Biden-color.jpg" width="393" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> ------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>As always, I cover both sides of the aisle <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, a cartoon of the previous POTUS, that I created a couple of years ago, which was <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">recently licensed by McGraw Hill Publishing, for a college political science textbook. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_-KD39Hsk9pxAl2-splg56xwsRgUuK5Q3Azzl1RA3zSOGXrfwo7uBSiMNciAXt07WJa45Czg-65xmGm84nkSL30crtILygZ2pgVXa-0NEVsnsfIAyCf69UjThn1YHEu8PRoGnxLKMK4ebynSvXHuAaGBv9c0I9IH9mLaXyYK3YTSb5-6E_Q/s900/Trump---Twitter-machine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="900" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_-KD39Hsk9pxAl2-splg56xwsRgUuK5Q3Azzl1RA3zSOGXrfwo7uBSiMNciAXt07WJa45Czg-65xmGm84nkSL30crtILygZ2pgVXa-0NEVsnsfIAyCf69UjThn1YHEu8PRoGnxLKMK4ebynSvXHuAaGBv9c0I9IH9mLaXyYK3YTSb5-6E_Q/w640-h466/Trump---Twitter-machine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />-------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPHYMvFmQnq4r7UdRXu9x8pJoe_ERhniz5Ymw9Yq0uxOJgPDYTBJMBihdSeMZXN40uazgE0EqCiwEsT8iggsiXQ4rIrbqzBVquIIkD-ZTVoXnGI5cSY7Cu_QgNqTTrONdyXkal_xd22SbwKD1oJGG9BG0wwXy3U7rR2b-QdrvzX2Fy2nZANE/s1550/bsi-csir-Zscaler-Logo-2680651913.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="1550" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPHYMvFmQnq4r7UdRXu9x8pJoe_ERhniz5Ymw9Yq0uxOJgPDYTBJMBihdSeMZXN40uazgE0EqCiwEsT8iggsiXQ4rIrbqzBVquIIkD-ZTVoXnGI5cSY7Cu_QgNqTTrONdyXkal_xd22SbwKD1oJGG9BG0wwXy3U7rR2b-QdrvzX2Fy2nZANE/w400-h145/bsi-csir-Zscaler-Logo-2680651913.png" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was recently commissioned by a
San Francisco design firm to do 12 large format comic art pieces
for their client, prominent
Internet security firm, Zscaler. The pieces feature caricature-based illustrations of executives and elected officials of their top clients - for whom they wish to show appreciation.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MOst of the companies are Silicon Valley tech firms, and one
of the illustrations depicts officials in the The City of Los Angeles Mayor's
office. These were
created at 5" X 15", printed on high quality archival stock, and then
matted, framed, and presented to each executive as a gift.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are the first two: <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORqqWNa0hBNZk91MDpgNyrRJ0cGNoOFkbJQ0fQ5515HuqqgyuJ8a4SZnKNFV9HCHNDBojwYI4MN38fO4OX7xUMXUBeviwO7i6krIze3vbfRDb6Kcleos4HytMm1yXH56uXx2omih6Qwe82RXhkmmqW87IX5AhVBtINQek3vbXLY3Ac_6iXMw/s1500/Bombardier-M-Ferguson-comic-strip-3Color.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="1500" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORqqWNa0hBNZk91MDpgNyrRJ0cGNoOFkbJQ0fQ5515HuqqgyuJ8a4SZnKNFV9HCHNDBojwYI4MN38fO4OX7xUMXUBeviwO7i6krIze3vbfRDb6Kcleos4HytMm1yXH56uXx2omih6Qwe82RXhkmmqW87IX5AhVBtINQek3vbXLY3Ac_6iXMw/w668-h223/Bombardier-M-Ferguson-comic-strip-3Color.jpg" width="668" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>(Click to enlarge)</i><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4naoj1jXUoyGDyfm7Xd6zbLs-6fEWOlnrR3yhwv151KbevNP9rRn_VG18RQY5xWhJKFQRXZWd3mQ3-g7R1amk8xeOJ9PymR29mUcXoOKeYrKSDAfkh6AQgew-pYc_8xYZO3XPNEUKVnfGUZEJG5VSB1M_jFCLG85e4Ma7qvIF2esKZnXvJd8/s1390/Careem-taxi-comic-strip-Mine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="700" height="984" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4naoj1jXUoyGDyfm7Xd6zbLs-6fEWOlnrR3yhwv151KbevNP9rRn_VG18RQY5xWhJKFQRXZWd3mQ3-g7R1amk8xeOJ9PymR29mUcXoOKeYrKSDAfkh6AQgew-pYc_8xYZO3XPNEUKVnfGUZEJG5VSB1M_jFCLG85e4Ma7qvIF2esKZnXvJd8/w495-h984/Careem-taxi-comic-strip-Mine.jpg" width="495" /></a></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">----------------- <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A commissioned gift illustration created for a retiring English teacher at a high school in North Carolina. A group of his fellow teachers and friends hired me to draw this - and to show he's a poker-playing Elvis fan - who also loves reading Faulkner!<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwojmAsYKE8pqvKNiChEWRdhnCI0M3e8cIY45k8tXdK8tqkEqh1OOKjbsQyx_MyIu-HN7ezpdFzWUtDfBYJ8bPtK4B7juH2u8oFJ0SDVdWhadIdKcqrSFcrJ68kEYY8AmcAtNMGRvmtsJ21FnNNv9P0eyCrftecMdgulFXA4huITmKckAqnM4/s4288/elvi%20scott.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXgwB64pqeyKDa_LESYAtwK2DERi7WmRoJmxEagdKvLROQRjADWVPNyfuTcWZK2PCDOjlGhsVk42mtmX994cXIlnyH4bPWylHBBEx0DDp3KH0NM_Ko_TmQzKIeU_IttX6oxlb8euA7kKkezubgSDwl-D-GfQ45QvyU7I_c3-Y6V2dfgQnNF4/s1100/Scott-Crook---retirement-caricature-3--color2---Elvis.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="1100" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXgwB64pqeyKDa_LESYAtwK2DERi7WmRoJmxEagdKvLROQRjADWVPNyfuTcWZK2PCDOjlGhsVk42mtmX994cXIlnyH4bPWylHBBEx0DDp3KH0NM_Ko_TmQzKIeU_IttX6oxlb8euA7kKkezubgSDwl-D-GfQ45QvyU7I_c3-Y6V2dfgQnNF4/w640-h506/Scott-Crook---retirement-caricature-3--color2---Elvis.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARg1qBq5RHKL4pZjzUgvKYqhnNxmWeNRs640fBSOynByf2SudvWIKd3cKXp97C2tOT2wGpuUKfzmootAcI5tJP59EVzjp5h7QQKNtLqF1yzu3wE2fkygUDV-p7tSna8viXGAwKzRc4lSsTpsUxmDEpaI0jxQIa-1GbZD93_SFFOD3p7zWxG0/s4032/elv-scott.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARg1qBq5RHKL4pZjzUgvKYqhnNxmWeNRs640fBSOynByf2SudvWIKd3cKXp97C2tOT2wGpuUKfzmootAcI5tJP59EVzjp5h7QQKNtLqF1yzu3wE2fkygUDV-p7tSna8viXGAwKzRc4lSsTpsUxmDEpaI0jxQIa-1GbZD93_SFFOD3p7zWxG0/s320/elv-scott.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This was created at 11" X 18", sent digitally to the client, who then
had it printed at local printer on special paper stock, (I always include instructions for that), then matted, and
framed. It was presented to the gentleman at his
retirement party.)<p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">----------- </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfWmUKC4pWthwSTsWc-M_aL5S_QUTcGF6BSUaUXp4jRMlpk6QXwqjhew0MDJZhXN1k0VGVISDfIQ0RriA79zz9kdTLn1GF_awBjH_vHqXHpCcFm2OexlQOA7ia0WE53w3Assl-gpkmgLUfkz3LJmvvI8qZJifSQk2uM-Z_HP9A8jfFK2bxbY/s1500/Jim-Goerges-Hot-Rod-car---Mine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1447" data-original-width="1500" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfWmUKC4pWthwSTsWc-M_aL5S_QUTcGF6BSUaUXp4jRMlpk6QXwqjhew0MDJZhXN1k0VGVISDfIQ0RriA79zz9kdTLn1GF_awBjH_vHqXHpCcFm2OexlQOA7ia0WE53w3Assl-gpkmgLUfkz3LJmvvI8qZJifSQk2uM-Z_HP9A8jfFK2bxbY/w640-h618/Jim-Goerges-Hot-Rod-car---Mine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> This is a commissioned illustration created for a racing team in Minneapolis. The owner of the team contacted me with an idea for an illustration like the old "CAR-toons and Rat Fink art from the 1970's. He wanted something wild and fun to use on posters, signs and shirts. I did some research to see how to integrate the styles with mine, but I have to say this was a great deal of fun. (Added note: I just received a box of t-shirts from the racing team as a thank you!) <br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>---------<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">A large caricature illustration for doctor and his a group of friends, commemorating a vacation they are taking together in June. (It will appear on framed prints, as well as t-shirts. The doctor who commissioned this requested that I draw large heads, ala carnival caricatures, but with greater detail.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> (And in case you were wondering, I was asked to draw the mostly
nude woman just like she was in a photo provided - with exaggeration of course. You've got to love folks with no inhibitions.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBPBkINIq1QDDRla1-yUJX0jPD46xwZZ4sbppK8RvYqT87s-UyZV_0Z5NVsG7l5Ce1sGFSKRmD4ROzQe_mqF43Qt4hrtqUZ2jP7QWRlxH01SZdNFvQl0jKWAo-KS84V5FfR80jsyf3qyoW0cv_rNfRub-I8QUJyswXpSlA1biZ7UzlJeFoVM/s1100/Alan-Plese-photos2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfABXjEVQ0S1ipGZJO4hcIVXDdFv96OERAFlupbeMvM7HQBN8KRlsLmJEAzEPK7_t3XmIJAO4OrQGQn6NGDhbN9O_U9DN5m-JhpTed99JWh5Nmqk5byk574hLN9kCfDXiKEewApRQUSAvhAa9VaekO3dWc9OX_qAbasoxbOHq8s71u6TXwEc/s1400/Alan-Plese---Mine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="1400" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfABXjEVQ0S1ipGZJO4hcIVXDdFv96OERAFlupbeMvM7HQBN8KRlsLmJEAzEPK7_t3XmIJAO4OrQGQn6NGDhbN9O_U9DN5m-JhpTed99JWh5Nmqk5byk574hLN9kCfDXiKEewApRQUSAvhAa9VaekO3dWc9OX_qAbasoxbOHq8s71u6TXwEc/w660-h404/Alan-Plese---Mine.jpg" width="660" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i> Click to embig</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i> </i><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> ----------</p><p>I'm currently illustrating several books. Two are children's books; one for an author on London, and another for an author in Phoenix.</p><p> There are two fascinating "non-children's books" on the board. The first is for a former executive of Dreamworks Inc., who has a unique philosophy for transforming organizations. He also has quite a following with his Ted Talks and at SXSW in Austin. I'm enjoying chatting with him and brainstorming on humor to introduce his concepts. </p><p>Another interesting project of note...a series of political cartoons commissioned to expose the actions of the Southern Baptist Convention. This has been a national news story over the past year, and was covered in the <a href="https://deref-mail.com/mail/client/0I1DIlHKa-Y/dereferrer/?redirectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Freligion%2F2022%2F05%2F20%2Fmclean-bible-lawsuit-election%2F" target="_blank">Washington Post last week</a>. The 8 cartoons I am creating will accompany the writing of a prominent news columnist. Here's the first cartoon, just finished today:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eun6JTax9aklZoPCnxL-q7X-pi2qVOeqcrnqyCfgmTUEfp8r8VTMgAFL0ToabL0WlfNJ1VZ2Px9fXm7cdUBDBkLY8dlGgejKZrbQrS5hNRdODM2UiueBi0_JShLGFRdpt0YEs70I9kXjpQ9axJDY7OdtAPT0RkBEX2oTsWZXJNS8yXr6Pa8/s1200/Jeremiah-Burke--SBC-Circus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1200" height="605" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eun6JTax9aklZoPCnxL-q7X-pi2qVOeqcrnqyCfgmTUEfp8r8VTMgAFL0ToabL0WlfNJ1VZ2Px9fXm7cdUBDBkLY8dlGgejKZrbQrS5hNRdODM2UiueBi0_JShLGFRdpt0YEs70I9kXjpQ9axJDY7OdtAPT0RkBEX2oTsWZXJNS8yXr6Pa8/w661-h605/Jeremiah-Burke--SBC-Circus.jpg" width="661" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Happy Memorial Day! May your summer months begin with zeal!<br /></p>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-91013231538036631722021-12-31T14:30:00.306-07:002023-01-10T21:33:11.764-07:00Happy New Year<div>It's nearing the end of the Holiday Season, and I don't know about you, but it seems like I've had little extra time - for a while. So, I have been absent here. But now that we have an entirely New Year to
play with, our slates are clean! (Kidding.) New commitments and
adventures await, for all of us. <p>For the first time in years we did not send out a custom family Christmas card. I was swamped with client projects, my wife and daughter equally busy with work and school...and just as we were catching our breath,
unfortunately, our family dog passed away. I drew a card, but didn't have the heart, or the time to print it and mail it.</p><p>Without further pontificating, I'll share a few recent things.</p><p>First, some photos from a family Christmas trip to visit my Mom in Illinois..</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR1cGSAVIH2SeveqzpelTytmocpCMoRsA3wqca-4n-APznI5eZSdUeak2uEsy4DRYD4FaV1BiHKVN4Mz9TDvf1AheG9r-ad648mjzotNqszG44u8pIj96aM3L91tR-T4ZOeCEvtOSuJsjwNR2m_KXBmQm0CJ6OZypsYh8Nvd9dHp_NegK_8Ww=s1541" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1541" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR1cGSAVIH2SeveqzpelTytmocpCMoRsA3wqca-4n-APznI5eZSdUeak2uEsy4DRYD4FaV1BiHKVN4Mz9TDvf1AheG9r-ad648mjzotNqszG44u8pIj96aM3L91tR-T4ZOeCEvtOSuJsjwNR2m_KXBmQm0CJ6OZypsYh8Nvd9dHp_NegK_8Ww=s320" width="320" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhql5MqZGAEjzBxflLyT4OphNnH9UgnWBPoESAH-5lqbij4LsMPxmgaeqxXf9dpvXFE1o68RWKexJ9_Jw0bXtUAOmqjLH5TJ5qEE1d09V4SGUjGYN1b5PQhca4lmT1u013aC9eHf8PBurKA1mt8dJ5JEbYCmpjPrRJ-gX7kWLLBayZ4uHijmjQ=s1814" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXZnDv5toHid21zPupMBNyW9P2UseLmfjxUCnil3G8caMzlNxQt9KxyQMdZ2mTuOsRhO_VFbyv5nGwQoO6nLTvh2u78i52j6DAWPcNSmXmYm2ghhARQ3wDY9K4TkMFf3rPTGqi-Eh4UB1g7ig_VlSyCCAXlLWBEHH-0kgsXscG2v7lsBvo5rI=s900" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="900" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXZnDv5toHid21zPupMBNyW9P2UseLmfjxUCnil3G8caMzlNxQt9KxyQMdZ2mTuOsRhO_VFbyv5nGwQoO6nLTvh2u78i52j6DAWPcNSmXmYm2ghhARQ3wDY9K4TkMFf3rPTGqi-Eh4UB1g7ig_VlSyCCAXlLWBEHH-0kgsXscG2v7lsBvo5rI=s320" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">---------- <br /></p><p>First, from the drawing board last month are two New Yorker cartoons. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2oyBxl6cIePd9unjKkavj9JXP2bAQvQ1LjcQXClLpOhs1jh5ATNHn2ZZkHsvQXN4qKdNsREse5aLWl0bii5Gvg7UeNvJ6Kr_qftO7H9hBepyoeY9VQpkHYUc_TvMvF-rDAw4Izzp70rgZV4Cp5CyQW0hRiZ-E_8GLdCypeZ4kQbWcqGu9LNM=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target=""><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="1000" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2oyBxl6cIePd9unjKkavj9JXP2bAQvQ1LjcQXClLpOhs1jh5ATNHn2ZZkHsvQXN4qKdNsREse5aLWl0bii5Gvg7UeNvJ6Kr_qftO7H9hBepyoeY9VQpkHYUc_TvMvF-rDAw4Izzp70rgZV4Cp5CyQW0hRiZ-E_8GLdCypeZ4kQbWcqGu9LNM=w550-h456" width="550" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">This idea germinated after speaking with a client who is a Federal judge regarding the evolution of the legal system during the pandemic. (Find this cartoon here: <a href="https://deref-mail.com/mail/client/vfLH-6pDPQg/dereferrer/?redirectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FNZcKfm4Y9r" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/3nnrtdP )<br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfm-qr5vLLBLmoCjS7jBDFFbWmDgVfI0UA0geJSYJMiFOZf80mrNnCwpN619oWAxZtsnXnJyetBx1Y4j6FTXVtZfbSXgkG5cni8Efn3sScoMR_dqSjlwhqbiv7BZk5BRNJB2cj3Id8K4sImUZYH_NAlRUuvJyr0vucPajJ-E0Ll_YIRGPW5Ro=s3200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="2808" height="553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfm-qr5vLLBLmoCjS7jBDFFbWmDgVfI0UA0geJSYJMiFOZf80mrNnCwpN619oWAxZtsnXnJyetBx1Y4j6FTXVtZfbSXgkG5cni8Efn3sScoMR_dqSjlwhqbiv7BZk5BRNJB2cj3Id8K4sImUZYH_NAlRUuvJyr0vucPajJ-E0Ll_YIRGPW5Ro=w486-h553" width="486" /></a></div><i>Available at <a href="https://deref-mail.com/mail/client/HBT04_nYY8I/dereferrer/?redirectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cartoonstock.com%2Fcartoon%3FsearchID%3DCS565326" target="_blank">CartoonStock, London</a></i><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">-------------</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p></p><p></p><p>The next project goes back to November. Most of my clients are out of state, and this was a rare local gig - a fun one at that. I was commissioned to write and draw five political cartoons to fight a well-funded initiative pushed by a group of real estate investment firms located outside Colorado.</p><p>Here are two of the five pieces...all were published in the Boulder Camera newspaper, and a in series of website pages, posters, mail pieces, etc.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZccldoDboyS8DcFHS6cGTfeV1j2LN3YIgvEfpAOIuC4kHALwF9k4fX7A60_6q9fY-kvcNgu4T6cPBfoocEErFyX8XTHzCe9aDpN8ChuGdj_UyYhyJyHwAinkXfiqjFJ3kPhN9bqQ14jE-MsDoyiKVNjJkNj5s75lb2BPVI0TS5glPCR7FuIc=w640-h428" width="640" /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #4e4756; letter-spacing: -0.2px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #4e4756; letter-spacing: -0.2px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4e4756; letter-spacing: -0.2px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">From the Denver Post:</span></span></span><i style="color: #4e4756; letter-spacing: -0.2px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;"> "The proposed ordinance is so poorly written that it would unintentionally rezone all residential neighborhoods in Boulder. It destroys occupancy limits. It doesn't include a provision to ensure affordability, and it failed to include a clause to prevent rental housing investors from subdividing rooms or scraping houses and replacing them with de facto dorms. It happened in Austin and could happen here."</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #4e4756; letter-spacing: -0.2px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #4e4756; letter-spacing: -0.2px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQwJya0ecn1j-_vDgHMLAnhFxJ9_F2ldgEyjW4CZxKVXZZsrXqs5nf3Wv5XRbKakdNW04suf-cdBHyH4Qc1TWKCqgvbO4JLQZkqAD14J2Anp6csAbU77lNHhdSYMC45H5hM-GvI-QkhxKIr_o3OU-C5QEDnxmVwstXDfOL6XqUwBlP6bAQqaM=w640-h428" width="640" /></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After starting off well behind in the polling, the opposition group who hired me pulled off an upset in the election, and defeated the well-funded real estate consortium, (They filed an appeal with the Colorado Supreme Court, and failed there as well.) Afterwards, I got a chance to talk with some city council members about their relief, and received some nice feedback from the Boulder mayor. It reminded me that the most rewarding and enjoyable work can sometimes be in your own back yard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">----------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was created for a retiring CEO at <a href="https://www.heidrick.com/en/" target="_blank">Heidrick and Struggles</a>, the world's leading executive search and placement firm. I worked with some folks in their their Houston office in writing ad drawing scenes for the gentleman depicted .he final art was printed on 18" X 24" 55 lb stock, then matted and framed. It was presented to him at his retirement party.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDQscHrVOE3r9sBpTkkTIi75E8SUCdyQdh400a6-lUhK4vKtU7FHwB_xg5Ksm7sxJi1-WzXVoVdcbmAUxhDGJoAo6SY__AywVQP19cxBIOiACXM1tbW5XMEJLPhMEI_XkzeoL1VV1xYTCtbu_gHcmY_3qrf8jOK1jOC2zLzC0Rke8SyAzlEmI=s3000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1941" data-original-width="3000" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDQscHrVOE3r9sBpTkkTIi75E8SUCdyQdh400a6-lUhK4vKtU7FHwB_xg5Ksm7sxJi1-WzXVoVdcbmAUxhDGJoAo6SY__AywVQP19cxBIOiACXM1tbW5XMEJLPhMEI_XkzeoL1VV1xYTCtbu_gHcmY_3qrf8jOK1jOC2zLzC0Rke8SyAzlEmI=w640-h414" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Clicken to embiggen)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: center;">------------</p><p style="text-align: left;">I just wrapped up a similar project for an executive at <a href="https://golin.com/" target="_blank">Golin Public Relations</a>. Golin is a Fortune 500 company with 50 offices around the globe, (and I was admittedly unfamiliar with them.) Their HQ is in Chicago, where they occupy the 26th floor of the John Hancock Tower, one of my favorite buildings in the world.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The illustrations are a gift, commissioned to honor a career milestone for Fred Cook, the Chair Emeritus of Golin. I discussed the five scenes with two of Golin's management, via Microsoft Teams. Then I created sketches, and after approval, finished pen and ink drawings with watercolor washes. Everything was matted and framed in a horizontal layout of five scenes.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip6vnYFaTERE_6JfU1WAe4IFbWeMgvHgjXFj3PYr7bxn5fPN8KrBlZH638QY5R9nzOcOUVwXgByiqXCbWC6c5qQ4Yso8cu0mUMoLR7Wv4llsAt5egjWgWXZqpnV8RgXM3mcCuLt5SjHB_j8iIgQk-nGX5y6u_KvEXB7Jo0ifsdHTa2-lqrXi4=s1100" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="1100" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip6vnYFaTERE_6JfU1WAe4IFbWeMgvHgjXFj3PYr7bxn5fPN8KrBlZH638QY5R9nzOcOUVwXgByiqXCbWC6c5qQ4Yso8cu0mUMoLR7Wv4llsAt5egjWgWXZqpnV8RgXM3mcCuLt5SjHB_j8iIgQk-nGX5y6u_KvEXB7Jo0ifsdHTa2-lqrXi4=w640-h358" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCvPp0FY22ssFR1SthmlWdbU6AD8CDQzp_WUgVKb9aHZCvme7MCs-O1KPldi0Fg9f8hslkVELEQ848lwbWI1hKgfUFelI4tM2EVDl2cx2QRQZPNFMbmJ3IpE6Km6S5-kIXDyiFlb3mdQZ-rDJnBtCe7IUEhbqFQuZ7TLFWwTFwFPzrU5kpefA=s1458" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="1458" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCvPp0FY22ssFR1SthmlWdbU6AD8CDQzp_WUgVKb9aHZCvme7MCs-O1KPldi0Fg9f8hslkVELEQ848lwbWI1hKgfUFelI4tM2EVDl2cx2QRQZPNFMbmJ3IpE6Km6S5-kIXDyiFlb3mdQZ-rDJnBtCe7IUEhbqFQuZ7TLFWwTFwFPzrU5kpefA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhA7BZylR3bHKSRHwSXh8VaNzP7lW6529A6KZK08dXdulj8lu4c7WEzkZjVOGr_5jlxF7ytetKh0N4d7EOBKJTolSBvTLB0MblGyloi7peolK3Ku5sIp4wWTS8I4n0I7VHEZsoWmkBYphfOfYhZaHJHWEcSigBOcXFx1LB7DngCFWAh_1zA19A=s1176" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="1000" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhA7BZylR3bHKSRHwSXh8VaNzP7lW6529A6KZK08dXdulj8lu4c7WEzkZjVOGr_5jlxF7ytetKh0N4d7EOBKJTolSBvTLB0MblGyloi7peolK3Ku5sIp4wWTS8I4n0I7VHEZsoWmkBYphfOfYhZaHJHWEcSigBOcXFx1LB7DngCFWAh_1zA19A=w488-h574" width="488" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Hancock building was one of my favorite places to go as a kid while
living </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">near the windy city, (so I was pleased to get a chance to draw it
for this project...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMw3L4LnQfVpoYNfOsk-apPjaKGce_aJoY4WXnEptcQnAnkUBPmucDcZADo-nFiGcVprnY7OxK2rdTnKGY-evJnNVlssMzxdSAwkIGCb5XSffha5kxYBT1Ajc8Krl-Mi2zRMfSyV2YVOe00bCgnIfIpVH0Ocq-u-8sfkOrVXcWxJw3lqiruN0=s2880" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMw3L4LnQfVpoYNfOsk-apPjaKGce_aJoY4WXnEptcQnAnkUBPmucDcZADo-nFiGcVprnY7OxK2rdTnKGY-evJnNVlssMzxdSAwkIGCb5XSffha5kxYBT1Ajc8Krl-Mi2zRMfSyV2YVOe00bCgnIfIpVH0Ocq-u-8sfkOrVXcWxJw3lqiruN0=s320" width="213" /></a></div><br /> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_46pSXWpUfsCbUWmVZvmWDmxXPN6f7Y1YSD20orhlSKrWhLx4VLnvR_aDUICv5SHRMt-Zh_0NZkdnmoNjXBKaWym3FFr5NAnxteBC_xF9Uhs8v_u9qrAg2oTqzRAuD-FlZY8B92ErpT1WHHgwuw5HYWAp8IbljhQ00qgFZYsYoGIdDQHqnJs=s1296" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1000" height="597" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_46pSXWpUfsCbUWmVZvmWDmxXPN6f7Y1YSD20orhlSKrWhLx4VLnvR_aDUICv5SHRMt-Zh_0NZkdnmoNjXBKaWym3FFr5NAnxteBC_xF9Uhs8v_u9qrAg2oTqzRAuD-FlZY8B92ErpT1WHHgwuw5HYWAp8IbljhQ00qgFZYsYoGIdDQHqnJs=w461-h597" width="461" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5NGDDRuq6tQOS4NUUWxOocSZHjxCTiMH4AxCkvMuSCDa7ZVdWUy_BDADdasWWJAF276dy7Q2odEsc04Oj9bZ38kSVXdSrXsVaanZgwShJ55cky8C78YRTsMBtq4zoa08oWlbvLK9R3S1t6A7cohuFYm2fMfvoos4SujXbKiXTCa1ULT2Dpcs=s1105" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5NGDDRuq6tQOS4NUUWxOocSZHjxCTiMH4AxCkvMuSCDa7ZVdWUy_BDADdasWWJAF276dy7Q2odEsc04Oj9bZ38kSVXdSrXsVaanZgwShJ55cky8C78YRTsMBtq4zoa08oWlbvLK9R3S1t6A7cohuFYm2fMfvoos4SujXbKiXTCa1ULT2Dpcs=w363-h400" width="363" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbFW16iB06qrS_WcQFiEEMgpBrTwUO122DjW-QE9BKreEqQDPIZuWq_TwJxekGmhSIJamTcjAZVpv7LLCYOT1tc2Gi0QDZcXhFBO_61cqJI5YPqJjV88F4KmpseIC3WuXTryfDOBr3GUWz7_WdAO_6QmkrlhQGLoMH16Ymu23CwTd4a4v0WaU=s1192" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbFW16iB06qrS_WcQFiEEMgpBrTwUO122DjW-QE9BKreEqQDPIZuWq_TwJxekGmhSIJamTcjAZVpv7LLCYOT1tc2Gi0QDZcXhFBO_61cqJI5YPqJjV88F4KmpseIC3WuXTryfDOBr3GUWz7_WdAO_6QmkrlhQGLoMH16Ymu23CwTd4a4v0WaU=w335-h400" width="335" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">----------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lastly, an illustrated logo for a humorous podcast hosted by a gentleman in Connecticut. His sensibilities and humor were a cross between Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. Working with him was a great deal of fun. I can't wait to listen to his podcast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ10OQY07_RHOY_D6NLKCsD6b8MUW2fOe1FUmJ8yu8S86CvuteGDb4deDf7WFRB2eGHa2dgXIqzAGxzrmJwFCu4uqRczoRM9VkQXQww9-hnkVbmy-o9a0DMc2s3FI87WQJ8A-PEPB8rQMhers_8wFKMeRnhZuTKXKdeEK9rbxYqozDj4XIGT0=s1500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="1500" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ10OQY07_RHOY_D6NLKCsD6b8MUW2fOe1FUmJ8yu8S86CvuteGDb4deDf7WFRB2eGHa2dgXIqzAGxzrmJwFCu4uqRczoRM9VkQXQww9-hnkVbmy-o9a0DMc2s3FI87WQJ8A-PEPB8rQMhers_8wFKMeRnhZuTKXKdeEK9rbxYqozDj4XIGT0=w530-h502" width="530" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinaC8Ucu-iPHwUqlzC2nZGkQmueUIolFHCb_YkIkhE7ytICJJcKSlVEPwTpVLRgny03sweXkkko53_t_KTgzX5gSRtSBr_TKHlAO0w0Eec_UDJDPoF2dIqMbA5XTmQbU12qYPOeKnN9W8eoRBkD5P36xRxh71GlorWQ-cPcdgrhbz7r1brvws=s1500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">----------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Next, an 18 x 24 illustration for a Boston judge, featuring him driving his (rather pedestrian Subaru Cross trek) on a race track in North Carolina. (This was personal commission given to him by an attorney with whom I work each month on the Boston Police Department magazine.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMxLvF-TrxYkJ9sdgxxtXdKylbmyCl3Kbbw6UsAokE20i79FMxNCpgkFvXHZHAE9jdqfxaTiAibnLDxS1AAL81nxWDjYY6Y_DeMvue_csKjcmSPmuLqlCe_Mwd6GIQuhAcOGCMJXtDCg6RX5Htc8DC7DMBmvY7kfZO7qBUMD0knbyTZeOqz9I=s1100" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1100" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMxLvF-TrxYkJ9sdgxxtXdKylbmyCl3Kbbw6UsAokE20i79FMxNCpgkFvXHZHAE9jdqfxaTiAibnLDxS1AAL81nxWDjYY6Y_DeMvue_csKjcmSPmuLqlCe_Mwd6GIQuhAcOGCMJXtDCg6RX5Htc8DC7DMBmvY7kfZO7qBUMD0knbyTZeOqz9I=w400-h315" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnyCEYaKa85BtyUS5aj-E-11_b_AdJkRzAYMbIn33xyMf0MjPvtFKxpd9H1pU2lR7wVV2Jny5Nm0WrCnM7svWprOptNDUvWLrol5x2d9sinQyHbYWdVuGSAOC33zQEM85iVGPYPjWNBDjknhnOebfXzrkVnqfMd7PHgo6TwXa1InRRX0nngx8=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bedeep, bedeep, that's all, folks. Happy 2022!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Update 1/8 - Adding a couple of pics. - We received a foot of snow in the nearby mountains, so my daughter Julia and I went skiing Friday. The sunshine and plentiful soft powder made for a beautiful day. We took her to the airport Sunday, so she could she return to college. it's very quiet around here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjNjsd9KH-Pe6lHH6-J0rY33PLjLQ-qIXLSJvm7LRC3g7ZTtXAM79b04WWWoTGuZ3noImjCTBq6Sj-Q_h2DnSkxK_ygJhj1gX-hMkXUS_7Vs9ETFOfpzXABbCIIEK7q_9yrLhm19RD-zr4dslXo6IMAGv19O2ENQAs9emlCdok7978nG_xrMs=s1512" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjNjsd9KH-Pe6lHH6-J0rY33PLjLQ-qIXLSJvm7LRC3g7ZTtXAM79b04WWWoTGuZ3noImjCTBq6Sj-Q_h2DnSkxK_ygJhj1gX-hMkXUS_7Vs9ETFOfpzXABbCIIEK7q_9yrLhm19RD-zr4dslXo6IMAGv19O2ENQAs9emlCdok7978nG_xrMs=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOZvvEF7pDJzeg6nV9_ssRV8ON_DAvru8ETsqkxfrr9EZ3LC42Ufc2NlsYl4KPOBgSu2kGvYBCNFQpYkPznwzPHRT0Bl0C4Q4Rq9cuo2EpxRZUCICdQX_X9UFFSABXwupw7matQUQJA7BW7i0pGMiyUTVYvDO88PgyK8-P_nD3rpWwmZKR8eA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOZvvEF7pDJzeg6nV9_ssRV8ON_DAvru8ETsqkxfrr9EZ3LC42Ufc2NlsYl4KPOBgSu2kGvYBCNFQpYkPznwzPHRT0Bl0C4Q4Rq9cuo2EpxRZUCICdQX_X9UFFSABXwupw7matQUQJA7BW7i0pGMiyUTVYvDO88PgyK8-P_nD3rpWwmZKR8eA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-89323127432951512722021-09-06T14:34:00.041-06:002023-06-04T12:37:11.746-06:00Books, bikes and back to college<p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy Labor Day! A day off for me, (hopefully for you as well) and a chance to catch up a bit here. It's hard to believe summer is nearly over. <br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">This past month brought some fun writing and illustrating projects, and I'll share one that was a unique biography. The subject is a prominent businessman, investor (and as I found out while illustrating the book, also a friend of Warren Buffet). </span></span></span>The project was commissioned by the authors, via my agent.<br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">To begin, the editor and authors provided me with a manuscript, photos of the gentleman, and written material regarding his investment strategies. </span></span></span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdUrCT_ZjYw/YTZWu2VXSKI/AAAAAAAAF8o/0lXWFNv2DHA7V1_1-vq0dn5powM_3u_dQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Keith%2BBrown%2B-%2B6%2B-%2BKeith%2B%2526%2BWarren%2BBuffet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="2048" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdUrCT_ZjYw/YTZWu2VXSKI/AAAAAAAAF8o/0lXWFNv2DHA7V1_1-vq0dn5powM_3u_dQCLcBGAsYHQ/w591-h430/Keith%2BBrown%2B-%2B6%2B-%2BKeith%2B%2526%2BWarren%2BBuffet.jpg" width="591" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The biography's subject, depicted with his friend Warren Buffet.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TjRCV7ldW4/YTZfqMAGSCI/AAAAAAAAF9E/pah7usezATskvBjBimQ76z2uw7OIjMaVACLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Keith-Brown--8-Make-money-while-you-sleep.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TjRCV7ldW4/YTZfqMAGSCI/AAAAAAAAF9E/pah7usezATskvBjBimQ76z2uw7OIjMaVACLcBGAsYHQ/w536-h536/Keith-Brown--8-Make-money-while-you-sleep.jpg" width="536" /> <br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I wrote concepts for the</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> interior illustrations </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">based upon investment
strategies in the book</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> and submitted them to the author prior to drawing anything. After approval, I created illustration and cartoons.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqEjG363Otg/YTZ31QZl1VI/AAAAAAAAF-0/ozqNVTr3c40Aco_YdN_MSxBxTA3DQeoMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Keith%2BBrown%2B-%2B1%2BDividend%2BAristocrats%2B-%2BBullfighter%2Bcartoon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1524" data-original-width="2048" height="476" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqEjG363Otg/YTZ31QZl1VI/AAAAAAAAF-0/ozqNVTr3c40Aco_YdN_MSxBxTA3DQeoMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h476/Keith%2BBrown%2B-%2B1%2BDividend%2BAristocrats%2B-%2BBullfighter%2Bcartoon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">The book cover (below) was purely illustration. I constructed the scene at the subject's
lake house from photos of the interior but they did not have a photo of him seated in the scene, (or his requisite three devices and stacks of "read" and "unread" Wall Street Journals, and Vernor's Ginger Ale) so I had to work from imagination.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aj2xa7VoT8U/YTZWvEvgEOI/AAAAAAAAF8s/Imvi55w7Rqg8733eb8z7WvcK08L0xbgmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Keith%2BBrown%2B-10%2B-%2BCover%2Billustration-Color.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1795" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aj2xa7VoT8U/YTZWvEvgEOI/AAAAAAAAF8s/Imvi55w7Rqg8733eb8z7WvcK08L0xbgmQCLcBGAsYHQ/w560-h640/Keith%2BBrown%2B-10%2B-%2BCover%2Billustration-Color.jpg" width="560" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">
The book is being published in October.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">-------------------</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMDhKLTgGU0/YTeo37ga-SI/AAAAAAAAF_M/99oNOCW7gMQBFM-46EIMd3GIlFldL0SJACLcBGAsYHQ/s1125/Beth-Seriff---WAZE--Burrito--CarA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="950" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMDhKLTgGU0/YTeo37ga-SI/AAAAAAAAF_M/99oNOCW7gMQBFM-46EIMd3GIlFldL0SJACLcBGAsYHQ/w540-h640/Beth-Seriff---WAZE--Burrito--CarA.jpg" width="540" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">A advertising illustration piece created last month.</span></span></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">----------------------<br /> </span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-34Fc2KIb4js/YTZkAn13-pI/AAAAAAAAF9Q/tGyibo4sn6snF8QtkqgcDmteVnBVb9MNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1335/Alan-Paulk---Pelosi-Biden-Jim-Tammy-Faye-mirror-Color.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="1080" height="724" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-34Fc2KIb4js/YTZkAn13-pI/AAAAAAAAF9Q/tGyibo4sn6snF8QtkqgcDmteVnBVb9MNwCLcBGAsYHQ/w585-h724/Alan-Paulk---Pelosi-Biden-Jim-Tammy-Faye-mirror-Color.jpg" width="585" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
This is a political cartoon for a media outlet and magazine in Atlanta. I was
asked to create two versions of this cartoon, one featuring Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden another
featuring Nancy with Andrew Cuomo. The latter was published due to the timing of </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cuomo resigning from office after his scandal. I was given the concept to draw by the publication editor, and I wasn't sure how many people would remember Jim And Tammy Faye Baker simply from their likenesses...but it is an interesting analogy.<br /></span></span></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">-----------------</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaCTy_fC1tA/YTZk_UA0XaI/AAAAAAAAF9s/kdnknhv9X_IYsmr8piqxsGwm_ZWDbfUIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/Daniel%2BPink%2Bpresentation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="415" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaCTy_fC1tA/YTZk_UA0XaI/AAAAAAAAF9s/kdnknhv9X_IYsmr8piqxsGwm_ZWDbfUIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w624-h415/Daniel%2BPink%2Bpresentation.jpg" width="624" /></a></div><p>A blast from the past. I was recently contacted by the folks at Ted Talks, requesting permission to use an image for their marketing. (This is a scene from a Ted Talk being presented by bestselling author Daniel Pink, featuring an illustration I created for one of his books, below).</p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DZ8di1u_DI/YTZlJKm8daI/AAAAAAAAF9w/m3-mOR1UJJctpyrQwB37r4aemi97dEV4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s957/Daniel-Pink-A-whole-new-mind-525x656%25402x.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="683" height="445" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DZ8di1u_DI/YTZlJKm8daI/AAAAAAAAF9w/m3-mOR1UJJctpyrQwB37r4aemi97dEV4ACLcBGAsYHQ/w317-h445/Daniel-Pink-A-whole-new-mind-525x656%25402x.png" width="317" /></a></div> <p style="text-align: center;">--------------------------</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span>We took a family trip two weeks ago, a last hurrah to summer,
involving mountain bikes & horses. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span>We biked along the Vail pass, 15 miles
past Copper Mountain into Frisco, then on to Breckenridge. Incredible
views and wildlife, including a bald eagle and
bear.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FvuYIjaQNY/YTZpPK6QuXI/AAAAAAAAF-A/wSPsIIl2OroT69zVDVH5uB7qJzJEfU1-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1747.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FvuYIjaQNY/YTZpPK6QuXI/AAAAAAAAF-A/wSPsIIl2OroT69zVDVH5uB7qJzJEfU1-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1747.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> A vibrantly colored lake near Copper Mountain<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6bQsVJ97Wc/YTZpQCCjEAI/AAAAAAAAF-I/_zPNfNBi1rkQ2J8g5VhJJhYXhUkiiMdZACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1758.JPG"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6bQsVJ97Wc/YTZpQCCjEAI/AAAAAAAAF-I/_zPNfNBi1rkQ2J8g5VhJJhYXhUkiiMdZACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1758.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p> Bald Eagle's Nest<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9PbXPgZ4ng/YTZpLukSREI/AAAAAAAAF98/zX_E32v7aO4FyN2oOl8k-6qf451NDZzWwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="188" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9PbXPgZ4ng/YTZpLukSREI/AAAAAAAAF98/zX_E32v7aO4FyN2oOl8k-6qf451NDZzWwCLcBGAsYHQ/w250-h188/IMG_1708.jpg" width="250" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2gw-m-y8hI0/YTZpPhXJrlI/AAAAAAAAF-E/BwrWmh30pBcAXLebnmTEQLG7ZSZL9SnLACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1738.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="189" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2gw-m-y8hI0/YTZpPhXJrlI/AAAAAAAAF-E/BwrWmh30pBcAXLebnmTEQLG7ZSZL9SnLACLcBGAsYHQ/w252-h189/IMG_1738.JPG" width="252" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Morning walk in Keystone Bike ride from Vail to Copper Mtn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAnmF269NUQfr63x4g38Zj0jvdN0SYcZp3PAV7c-0M1BYkfZCKzZh18SHP09OUj3h1K0tn29WLd4VoIBnlAzfquIEZhsMKQdv2dMGinUI97b56SHFZ0xZ7gO0ts0mX7TcyWV3iE2m-oOJ8l5SxahMUgEAteXZlQLcCGFRWnZbYxD3falauxcI=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1000" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAnmF269NUQfr63x4g38Zj0jvdN0SYcZp3PAV7c-0M1BYkfZCKzZh18SHP09OUj3h1K0tn29WLd4VoIBnlAzfquIEZhsMKQdv2dMGinUI97b56SHFZ0xZ7gO0ts0mX7TcyWV3iE2m-oOJ8l5SxahMUgEAteXZlQLcCGFRWnZbYxD3falauxcI=w303-h237" width="303" /></a></div></div><span style="font-size: small;"> Finishing a mountain bike ride in Breckenridge at dusk<br /><span><br />
<br />
Then, three days later, I flew to Nashville with my daughter, taking her back to college
and helping her move in. (My wife stayed home with our elderly dog who needs extra care right now.) I flew to Nashville a few months ago and moved most of her dorm items into a storage facility downtown. So, the reverse this time.</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeBzrwivsmfllMlvgBVUcxxF-AS7AtaMQ0ylk9NSJQ3xiPrG8xN93mxthbtEiXko_PXaiwbeLaEQyg07OFBtuBBYhL97LKet68mEAvGhD8HfYqkSFj2nDj1jLmjwDP5Jsb53aXty79ko7N7daqAEsy5CJEKkXpu26YQKHizaR-N0OvjgRokKg=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1000" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeBzrwivsmfllMlvgBVUcxxF-AS7AtaMQ0ylk9NSJQ3xiPrG8xN93mxthbtEiXko_PXaiwbeLaEQyg07OFBtuBBYhL97LKet68mEAvGhD8HfYqkSFj2nDj1jLmjwDP5Jsb53aXty79ko7N7daqAEsy5CJEKkXpu26YQKHizaR-N0OvjgRokKg=w351-h239" width="351" /></a></span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span> After moving my daughter into her dorm.</span></span><br /></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Lots of exercise, we got her dorm suite set up. Afterward, we cleaned up, and I took Julia and her roommates to dinner....and weenjoyed some terrific Nashville music. Sunday, big hugs and goodbyes before flying back to Denver. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">We all miss her greatly, the dog included. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's back to the studio for me, where some book illustrations jobs, a project for Google, and a few political commissions await. Until next time, stay well and enjoy the autumn. </span><br />
</span></span></p><br />Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-69902759792562342832021-06-27T18:41:00.030-06:002022-03-01T11:03:44.826-07:00On the digital drawing board: What is the proper mix of work and play?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was recently talking with a college friend, and amidst the usual discussion of family and life's pursuits, we pondered the proper ratio of work and time off. We came up with some algebraic formulas with a little calculus thrown in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Truthfully, math was my worst subject in school, so there was nothing of the sort. And we both admitted to being at the mercy of outside forces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our numbers were fuzzy and inexact, but I felt that the Pareto principle ("The 80/20 rule" often used in business) was close. 1/5 of our time spent in absolute joy allows work to flow the other 4/5. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, actually, 100% play, 0% work is a really favorable ratio, but few people can pull that off, except for perhaps trust-funders and ex-Hollywood actresses who marry into the British royal family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even 80/20 is tough for me, with a daughter at a private college. Weekends off usually have to suffice, but a vacation is always nice. </div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have not posted here since February, and that's mainly because I've been swamped. (I know I'm fortunate; many friends, colleagues in my field, and family members, including my wife have had major downturns in business/work since Covid descended.) So, a long gap of no posts. But in keeping with the work/play theme, I'll mention a couple of highlights since last popping in here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My family and I took a few trips, including one late
season ski jaunt, taking advantage of a big snow storm. It was a multi-resort, week-long respite after 4 weeks of intense work. (See, there's that ratio.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I also took a solo trip to Nashville to move my daughter out of her
dorm. Carrying belongings, furniture and what they now loosely call
"dorm refrigerators" (85 pounds and three times the size of what I had
in my dorm) down two flights of stairs, packing and shipping boxes, is not really a vacation. But it's
still a break, and terrific exercise. She and I
also couldn't pass up the chance to see some live music downtown. We saw some new singers, a good Pearl Jam cover band, and of course, some
country, which I tolerate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That was in April and early May. It has been nearly all "play time" writing and drawing. (I call it that so that it remains fun and that I never feel overworked.) Before I go, here are a few glimpses of recent work (or playtime?) from the drawing board:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> ------------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUhZ9Xih35Y/YPyu7lmBE9I/AAAAAAAAF6M/MXG4zfpv1hE1HS4r5TB6WFXwBbmFJacHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/CG-Net-%252360C-Print-Row-Boat-sharks-Ransomware.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="1000" height="401" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUhZ9Xih35Y/YPyu7lmBE9I/AAAAAAAAF6M/MXG4zfpv1hE1HS4r5TB6WFXwBbmFJacHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w546-h401/CG-Net-%252360C-Print-Row-Boat-sharks-Ransomware.jpg" width="546" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>A A few weeks ago, large oil producer Colonial <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/colonial-pipeline-paid-hackers-randomware/" target="_blank">paid a hefty ransom</a> to the hackers
who infiltrated its
system and forced the shutdown of a major oil pipeline supplying fuel to
the
East Coast. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>A long-time Silicon Valley California-based client is a cloud computing pioneer who offers
solutions for the increasingly common ransom hacks of corporate
websites. I worked in concert with the CEO and the Marketing Director on this one, starting with some sketches and gradually refining the scene to this.</i></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">---------------<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QM-oKbAvZAo/YPuOcLJlWBI/AAAAAAAAF58/UJvbFHz57y0RparoiL3uZvSUzyr5NLLdACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Beth%2BSeriff%2BCartoon%2B-%2BBates%2BMotel%2B-%2BOmaha%2Bsteaks4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1480" height="668" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QM-oKbAvZAo/YPuOcLJlWBI/AAAAAAAAF58/UJvbFHz57y0RparoiL3uZvSUzyr5NLLdACLcBGAsYHQ/w483-h668/Beth%2BSeriff%2BCartoon%2B-%2BBates%2BMotel%2B-%2BOmaha%2Bsteaks4.jpg" width="483" /></a><br /><i>This was created for a Disney Channel writer who is transitioning into advertising copy writing. She's with an agency in Los Angeles, and wanted several humorous illustrations to use to pitch to clients. She wrote the concepts and came to me for the art...in this case, the client is Omaha Steaks, with a scene from the movie "Psycho". Fancy a steak grilled by Norman Bates?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7QIpTSX3Cyg/YM5HfUvqj5I/AAAAAAAAF5Y/BeLqsLukR4MDbkEURuqQv_rG3F9v6shugCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Knowlton-3%2BWring%2BCircus-Clowns-Color2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2048" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7QIpTSX3Cyg/YM5HfUvqj5I/AAAAAAAAF5Y/BeLqsLukR4MDbkEURuqQv_rG3F9v6shugCLcBGAsYHQ/w548-h438/Knowlton-3%2BWring%2BCircus-Clowns-Color2.jpg" width="548" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div></div><i>A cartoon for a woman in New York, commissioned as a gift for her husband's birthday. (The concept was an idea he had for a New Yorker cartoon.) It was matted at 8 X 10 and framed at 11X 14.)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> ----------------</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50L8n3147yg/YMz81GR-EpI/AAAAAAAAF40/4xWxIDZYPN0bBCIhs4CPzDoKEDEMidSCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Melissa-Merck-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="900" height="251" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50L8n3147yg/YMz81GR-EpI/AAAAAAAAF40/4xWxIDZYPN0bBCIhs4CPzDoKEDEMidSCgCLcBGAsYHQ/w634-h251/Melissa-Merck-5.jpg" width="634" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><i>A
character and series of humorous illustrations created for Merck
Pharmaceutical & Johnson & Johnson. This was for their corporate website and an interactive
area for customers with questions about Covid vaccines and prescriptions.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> -----------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-asmrnEPQa6I/YTmcqMb5vII/AAAAAAAAF_0/oQpEbQd8xXIf66kOQ1zM--SpfxyATM8BgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Beth%2BSeriff%2B-%2BLazboy-Evolution2-Twitter-mine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1782" data-original-width="2048" height="556" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-asmrnEPQa6I/YTmcqMb5vII/AAAAAAAAF_0/oQpEbQd8xXIf66kOQ1zM--SpfxyATM8BgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h556/Beth%2BSeriff%2B-%2BLazboy-Evolution2-Twitter-mine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i> After a long week of deadlines, I can relate to the guy on the right in the above cartoon.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> -------------------<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M9hT4-aJrAI/YFBbsccHJTI/AAAAAAAAFv4/1nMCyITi1586347crRlyohfs_ZUn2EvRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/DP-book---22-tattoo-parlor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="900" height="435" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M9hT4-aJrAI/YFBbsccHJTI/AAAAAAAAFv4/1nMCyITi1586347crRlyohfs_ZUn2EvRQCLcBGAsYHQ/w580-h435/DP-book---22-tattoo-parlor.jpg" width="580" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A New Yorker cartoon - about that never-ending fad of "ink".</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>--------------- <br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzj5sGxq-gs/YHTFmNpM4FI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/qAsZbDkR3hg-LChYMICQIj6A2rByfvJKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Thomas%2BNaro%2BPT%2B-%2BYoga%2BWindow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1672" data-original-width="2048" height="453" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzj5sGxq-gs/YHTFmNpM4FI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/qAsZbDkR3hg-LChYMICQIj6A2rByfvJKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w555-h453/Thomas%2BNaro%2BPT%2B-%2BYoga%2BWindow.jpg" width="555" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> One of a series of cartoons for a physical therapy business in New Jersey. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Referred to me by another long-term client.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">-----------<br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XB5p1vSy9hs/YG8_X51MdSI/AAAAAAAAFzo/l5PSCLUA_8UUjfObc2rcDGcq1ga3Z9negCLcBGAsYHQ/s1100/Sean-Stephens---Baptism-of-the-1955-dodge2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-USM01j4om9g/YG8-_7o91tI/AAAAAAAAFzQ/AvLvudBGM_o6IwvB2SDangec9niKD9EOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Sean-Stephens---MINE--Book-Cover-Dr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="566" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-USM01j4om9g/YG8-_7o91tI/AAAAAAAAFzQ/AvLvudBGM_o6IwvB2SDangec9niKD9EOwCLcBGAsYHQ/w452-h566/Sean-Stephens---MINE--Book-Cover-Dr.jpg" width="452" /> </a></div></div><p><i>A book cover illustration from a recently published biography of a American physician who became a mayor and then an elected regional leader in the Congo. The stories cover 60 years, and they are fascinating. (In addition to the cover, I was commissioned to create 18 Pen and ink illustrations.)</i></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">------</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x8_wtnQrwng/YSaFLnHO_0I/AAAAAAAAF70/nCjUiF-ioJ82tFGJzKQMb1SSbwykpU5pwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1053/Peter-Linquti---Textbook-Mine--Color-Einstein.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="900" height="590" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x8_wtnQrwng/YSaFLnHO_0I/AAAAAAAAF70/nCjUiF-ioJ82tFGJzKQMb1SSbwykpU5pwCLcBGAsYHQ/w505-h590/Peter-Linquti---Textbook-Mine--Color-Einstein.jpg" width="505" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Peter Linquiti is a distinguished professor at George Washington University, and he recently authored a college textbook on philosophy and practical self improvement. As he mentioned to me over the phone, it applies throughout one's life; in school as well as into the work force. He hired me to create a series of
humorous B&W illustrations for the book, and later the
publisher approved several of them to be prepared in color. One is
pictured above.</i></div></div></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-----------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Y4WPkPAQqI/YSptJ4ZYbaI/AAAAAAAAF8I/yw9qQS5GfP8E1zMAsjp-KBj5ohSlmtKXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/Rabani-group-Mine.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="507" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Y4WPkPAQqI/YSptJ4ZYbaI/AAAAAAAAF8I/yw9qQS5GfP8E1zMAsjp-KBj5ohSlmtKXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w676-h507/Rabani-group-Mine.png" width="676" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Clicken to embiggen)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This
was a personal commission for a gentleman in New York City who initially called me to discuss creating a large 18 X 24 high detail cartoon illustration print to give to
each of several friends. He wanted a group scene set in a famous
casino room, depicting he and his friends seated at a high stakes poker
table. </i> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8vOKbgYeYs/YGKlW2FMdII/AAAAAAAAFxo/m5_UVoHm6hMBnBot_iF9q2l2cYPk7d3_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/Dean-R-Poker-MINE-A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oyT_6SY0jGI/YSptIsxq6RI/AAAAAAAAF8E/YefuHMeKETkIp12xVRhGIm_eJSjBw0xAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Dean-R-photos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="900" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oyT_6SY0jGI/YSptIsxq6RI/AAAAAAAAF8E/YefuHMeKETkIp12xVRhGIm_eJSjBw0xAwCLcBGAsYHQ/w361-h312/Dean-R-photos.jpg" width="361" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I worked from individual photos of everyone, and since they were typical phone snapshots taken with varied lighting, and expression, the trick was giving everyone the same same light
source (highlights and shadows), with a similar range of emotion/smiles.
etc. I also made the decision to draw everyone in tuxedos to fit the tone and to make it cohesive. After approval of the B&W draft, I added watercolor. After he approved the color art, I gave the client a high resolution digital file which he easily uploaded to an online specialty printer, to have the canvases printed and framed.<br /></i></div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">------------</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n61a961p49Y/YM0JoXuq6CI/AAAAAAAAF5Q/wQ-mEI3cv_sbWGu0dkXo5RFRKO9pUfA-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s848/Hill-Mark-Golf---Play-in-sand.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="700" height="552" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n61a961p49Y/YM0JoXuq6CI/AAAAAAAAF5Q/wQ-mEI3cv_sbWGu0dkXo5RFRKO9pUfA-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w456-h552/Hill-Mark-Golf---Play-in-sand.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Lastly, a Happy Father's Day to the dads...and with that, a cartoon to remind us of the importance and joy of spending time with our kids, (both planned and unplanned.)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-80133587251981812542021-02-03T11:47:00.242-07:002021-07-21T15:57:01.560-06:00On the drawing board: Planned and Unplanned Travel<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p>After traveling nowhere but to nearby ski areas over the past few months, I suddenly became more mobile...first flying to Florida for business early in January.</p><p>It's amazing how open it is there. Most people are being careful and wearing masks, but stores, restaurants, and public facilities are operating normally. Florida has vaccinated 80% of their high risk population, including age 70 and over. Their high risk population is larger than most states...so they are doing things fairly well. The best part is that I was also able to visit a close friend from Boulder who moved to Sarasota last year. (Part of the reason I decided to bite the bullet, and travel to do some hands-on work, on location).</p><p> After heading back home, I holed up in my studio for a couple of weeks
to take care of several client illustration and humor writing projects. I
was preparing for more of the same, but that quickly changed.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-i2ks5kYS0/YCl1yct9l0I/AAAAAAAAFs0/dzVUNV8v2I4slQukVu3aEZY-X6cQRxYXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Blog--Hill-Mark---Covid-economy-plane---N95-Mask.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="900" height="441" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-i2ks5kYS0/YCl1yct9l0I/AAAAAAAAFs0/dzVUNV8v2I4slQukVu3aEZY-X6cQRxYXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w547-h441/Blog--Hill-Mark---Covid-economy-plane---N95-Mask.jpg" width="547" /></a></div><p>My brother recently learned that he needed heart surgery due to a severe tear in a ventricle valve. Many people have slightly leaky heart valves, producing murmurs. Those are usually graded as 1 or 2 on a scale of 4 in terms of severity. My brother's tear was classified as a 4, leading to some debilitating symptoms.</p><p>He consulted with a cardiac surgeon in Chicago, and was informed that would require open heart surgery, and the valve replacement would only last 10 years. Dan also consulted with a surgeon at the esteemed Cleveland clinic, who believed he could repair the valve <i>permanentl</i>y, using a much less intrusive procedure. That sounded ideal, however, Dan and his wife couldn't logistically bring their kids to Cleveland for 12 days (for tests, surgery and recovery). So, I offered to hang out with them, and flew to Chicago last Saturday. </p><p>I have enjoyed being with my niece and nephew, who are wonderful kids. I brought my work with me, along with my neophyte cooking skills. Two snowstorms left over a foot of snow, and momentarily I was wishing the snow was under my skis instead of on top of my shovel. It was great fun making snowmen and throwing snowballs with my niece and nephew, one of many memories from the trip that I'll cherish.</p><p>Thankfully, Dan's heart surgery went very well. He and his wife return home in a few days, and I will be exiting westward after that.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> ------------</p><p>On the work front, I just signed contracts this week to illustrate two new books. The first is for an author with whom I have worked several times. This one will be a business book with full color humorous illustrations. The second is a book that will be a memoir of sorts for a gentleman who has had a very adventurous life. I will be doing pen and ink illustrations to go along with stories of events in the Congo, Madagascar, Belgium, and Ethiopia, covering periods of time over the last 60 years, in various parts of the world. It should be fun.</p><p> Here are a few of the cartoons and illustrations that have been on the board recently.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> -------------------</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A commissioned caricature of the CEO of <b>MGA</b> Entertainment, and creator of <b>Bratz</b> dolls, and <b>LOL Surprise</b> toys. I worked from several photos, refined sketches, and then after approval, sent the finished painting digitally to the client. They sent it to a large fine art printing firm, who then printed it on 18 X 24 canvas with
archival ink. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1zkcRkE7bGM/YCbhtYUwbyI/AAAAAAAAFsE/4N7G8U8UcbYkvriuI_y8Q6Ry7P2U-OMNACLcBGAsYHQ/w544-h640/Isaac-L-MGA-Ent.jpg" width="544" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />-----------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An illustration from a middle grade fiction book currently in the studio. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1zkcRkE7bGM/YCbhtYUwbyI/AAAAAAAAFsE/4N7G8U8UcbYkvriuI_y8Q6Ry7P2U-OMNACLcBGAsYHQ/s823/Isaac-L-MGA-Ent.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tSJBjjpPn4Q/YCbhsyxrrTI/AAAAAAAAFr0/m5m-FsNSqScUhtxgUYN8IKxyLoqzrYmVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s860/AA--G%2526D-View-of-flatirons.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="700" height="651" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tSJBjjpPn4Q/YCbhsyxrrTI/AAAAAAAAFr0/m5m-FsNSqScUhtxgUYN8IKxyLoqzrYmVwCLcBGAsYHQ/w529-h651/AA--G%2526D-View-of-flatirons.jpg" width="529" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">---------------------</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An ad piece for a California-based cloud computing company. The theme: The Chinese New Year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLEJVVKDQeA/YCy-pDR5-FI/AAAAAAAAFtA/TfOrNF9aEoQ_FthSswWG3ZloviZ7zOb5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/CG-Net-%252358A-Fortune-cookies-Chinese-restaurant---New-Year-C.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLEJVVKDQeA/YCy-pDR5-FI/AAAAAAAAFtA/TfOrNF9aEoQ_FthSswWG3ZloviZ7zOb5gCLcBGAsYHQ/w588-h440/CG-Net-%252358A-Fortune-cookies-Chinese-restaurant---New-Year-C.jpg" width="588" /></a></div><br /> </div><p></p>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-88884356952860215552020-12-04T15:04:00.009-07:002022-01-02T22:33:56.989-07:00Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship for college cartoonists<div class="separator"><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img alt="http://cartoonistfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/2020jk-768x1024.jpg" height="489" src="http://cartoonistfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/2020jk-768x1024.jpg" width="396" /></p></div><p> </p><p>Every year the <b>National Cartoonists Society</b> awards the <b>Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship</b> to one talented college student pursuing a career in cartooning. </p><p>This includes comic strips, political cartoons, comic books, animation, graphic novels, editorial illustration…any cartooning discipline. </p><p>The scholarship award is $5,000 and a trip to the NCS Reuben Awards. <br /></p><p>Submissions are judged by a panel and an award is given to the best college cartoonist.
This memorial scholarship is the sort of thing that can launch a young cartoonist's career. </p><p>If you think that might be you, enter now! Below is the info on submitting. </p><p>The winner will receive:</p>
<ul><li>$5,000 </li><li>Expense paid trip to the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Awards Convention.</li></ul>
<p>To enter:</p>
<ul><li>8 samples of your own cartooning artwork (copies only); noting
if and where the work has been published — either in print or on the
Web.</li><li>Print out the samples <i>AND</i> copy them to digital media.</li><li>Files should be no larger than 8.5×11″ and no more than 300 dpi.</li><li>DO NOT send original artwork.</li><li>Completed entry form.</li><li><a href="http://cartoonistfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/NCSF-Scholarship-Form2020.pdf">Download the PDF of the entry form for more details</a><a href="http://cartoonistfoundation.reuben.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/NCSF-Scholarship-Form2018.pdf">.</a></li></ul>
<p> </p><p>Jay Kennedy was my editor at King Features in New York for several
years. He encouraged me with notes and phone calls when I began
submitting comic strips for syndication. (King Features receives over 6,000
submissions per year and chooses just one or two. In the face of
such daunting odds, encouragement was in
short supply.) When Jay later offered me my first comic strip
syndication contract, I began working with him daily in editing both my
written humor and artwork for King Features. </p><p>A few years later l
was offered another contract by Tribune Media. None of it would have
been possible without that initial time spent working with Jay Kennedy. It was
essentially hands-on training, particularly in succinct humor writing
and editing, something that was unavailable in any college or
university. For a cartoonist, or any visual story teller, those skills
are as important as drawing ability, (one could argue they are more
important, as drawing skill is fairly common.)<br /></p><p>Sadly, Jay
Kennedy passed away in 2007 while vacationing in Costa Rica. (A
little-known fact is that he died a hero, successfully saving his fiance
who was caught in a riptide.) </p><p>The annual Jay Kennedy Scholarship
was established in his memory, and is funded by an initial $100,000
grant from the Hearst Foundation/King Features Syndicate and additional
donations from professional cartoonists. <br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>https://cartoonistfoundation.org/ <br /></p>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-11478639545631156112020-11-28T21:45:00.021-07:002021-09-08T15:59:12.161-06:00On the drawing Board: Book illustrations, turkey and all the trimmings<div class="separator"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="text-align: center;">I'm in the midst of some fun projects in the studio and thought I would share a few pieces...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">---------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SqS4v_L1NY/YTkx7-DTc3I/AAAAAAAAF_k/U8drk4VQdec0y9aNS83fyGjUjgntESzRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s979/James-Diffley---p18-King--Mine--Papyrus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="800" height="520" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SqS4v_L1NY/YTkx7-DTc3I/AAAAAAAAF_k/U8drk4VQdec0y9aNS83fyGjUjgntESzRwCLcBGAsYHQ/w424-h520/James-Diffley---p18-King--Mine--Papyrus.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aqp3h7C2onQ/YTkxhEUl0QI/AAAAAAAAF_c/92TmFSS2LMwxxUzIe3fXg2QLpV2qVc6gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s979/James-Diffley---p18-King--Mine--Papyrus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-----------------<br /></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0jWf3nQkNE/X7su4Uf8qyI/AAAAAAAAFns/eHcC6u4_YKEk0ubV8TV1ggWooKHszWqhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1100/Eric-Stone-pirates-commission-color3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1100" height="451" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0jWf3nQkNE/X7su4Uf8qyI/AAAAAAAAFns/eHcC6u4_YKEk0ubV8TV1ggWooKHszWqhgCLcBGAsYHQ/w578-h451/Eric-Stone-pirates-commission-color3.jpg" width="578" /></a><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">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.</div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0jWf3nQkNE/X7su4Uf8qyI/AAAAAAAAFns/eHcC6u4_YKEk0ubV8TV1ggWooKHszWqhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1100/Eric-Stone-pirates-commission-color3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-----------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZezPIovGEA/YDhyJA1zHwI/AAAAAAAAFt8/_WAFDhOXTGgaz41tHu2-1mCu12rhFuQ7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Hill%2BMark%2BCovid%2Bmask%2Bcartoon-Pillaging.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="2048" height="431" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZezPIovGEA/YDhyJA1zHwI/AAAAAAAAFt8/_WAFDhOXTGgaz41tHu2-1mCu12rhFuQ7gCLcBGAsYHQ/w613-h431/Hill%2BMark%2BCovid%2Bmask%2Bcartoon-Pillaging.jpg" width="613" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">A
few years ago I was invited to join Cartoon Stock (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.</div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div>---------------<br /> </div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFNN-ZcFyoY/X7svL_cVpOI/AAAAAAAAFn0/WtwQyKS82hUyOsKqlr2ZkNOixpW8ZzAdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1267/Ball---PAS_PrintAd_KitchenMinis2_CLIENT-1-mine3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="900" height="642" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFNN-ZcFyoY/X7svL_cVpOI/AAAAAAAAFn0/WtwQyKS82hUyOsKqlr2ZkNOixpW8ZzAdQCLcBGAsYHQ/w455-h642/Ball---PAS_PrintAd_KitchenMinis2_CLIENT-1-mine3.jpg" width="455" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> I was hired to do a series of illustrations for Ball Horticultural in October. The above piece was created for ads in <i>Better Homes and Gardens</i> 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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">--------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> 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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7cCromT0H04/X8HK812ZcZI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/quZQasC35S01C3IMuT1GCIuNSAcay1LcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/David-Collins-Public-Storage-.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1000" height="493" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7cCromT0H04/X8HK812ZcZI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/quZQasC35S01C3IMuT1GCIuNSAcay1LcQCLcBGAsYHQ/w648-h493/David-Collins-Public-Storage-.jpg" width="648" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Of course we had an election, which brought many requests for political cartoons, for media outlets and also some special interest groups.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lX_LrclUF84/YS3Up0ZnWuI/AAAAAAAAF8U/ihOemmI9T603VmuFstqPQNv41XGPt5trgCLcBGAsYHQ/s984/Biden--Fly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lX_LrclUF84/YS3Up0ZnWuI/AAAAAAAAF8U/ihOemmI9T603VmuFstqPQNv41XGPt5trgCLcBGAsYHQ/w586-h640/Biden--Fly.jpg" width="586" /></a></div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div></div> ---------------------<span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="900" height="534" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F11f_sOFFuM/X7d_eehwFcI/AAAAAAAAFmo/FAWF0VfIP3gAv_MKsj2OKLAIAm3cBHPEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w334-h534/Paul-Wiebe--2020-Hotel-Adios-Oval-office-cover2C.jpg" width="334" /> </div></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">A cover for a book going to press in February, created for an author who is a humorist and former University of Kansas professor. The cover reveals some details of the </div>satirical political story within, and its connection to current events. </div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">This is the fourth book cover I have done for him.<br /></div><span style="text-align: center;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kuGQ93IdYjQ/X8HZzqouaeI/AAAAAAAAFoc/MBWPtEa2beQOZ_uMdV7_ep5tpmU-MS9MgCLcBGAsYHQ/s773/Jennifer-Clay---Skechers---Cal-State-Printoffice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="700" height="525" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kuGQ93IdYjQ/X8HZzqouaeI/AAAAAAAAFoc/MBWPtEa2beQOZ_uMdV7_ep5tpmU-MS9MgCLcBGAsYHQ/w475-h525/Jennifer-Clay---Skechers---Cal-State-Printoffice.jpg" width="475" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another
humorous illustration created for an executive with Skechers shoes. I
was asked to draw her seated somewhere at her alma mater, California
State University at Fullerton. After doing some research on the campus,
(and realizing that most of the aesthetically interesting areas of
campus are largely concrete, uncomfortable for seated casual poses), I
came up with the idea of having her sit in front of the "Fallen David"
sculpture, (which looks like Michelangelo's David, only broken and
scattered.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8G3sVtRFpW0/X7d_p58NS7I/AAAAAAAAFmw/3mACTkblazoFhX78kDtHaLPj-Tmn3ej3wCLcBGAsYHQ/w667-h500/Jennifer-Clay-Skechers-Cal-State-Printoffice.jpg" width="667" /> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The illustration was done using these photos for reference:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNR2ufUYBUA/X8HaGERdVjI/AAAAAAAAFoo/1KwJjMdN5TcDH5HdYJYGxjSS91mwMolbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Printoffice%2B-%2BJennifer%2BClay%2Bleft%2B-black-skechers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNR2ufUYBUA/X8HaGERdVjI/AAAAAAAAFoo/1KwJjMdN5TcDH5HdYJYGxjSS91mwMolbQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Printoffice%2B-%2BJennifer%2BClay%2Bleft%2B-black-skechers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EL5sGOBL2GA/X8HaGAn1r2I/AAAAAAAAFok/aMylWuJi7WEpsAPiJIaP4e5FDUGeszLPACLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/Printoffice%2B-%2BJennifer%2BClay%2B2nd%2Bfrom%2Bleft%2Bpurple-skechers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EL5sGOBL2GA/X8HaGAn1r2I/AAAAAAAAFok/aMylWuJi7WEpsAPiJIaP4e5FDUGeszLPACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Printoffice%2B-%2BJennifer%2BClay%2B2nd%2Bfrom%2Bleft%2Bpurple-skechers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div>The recently updated contents of the fridge are beckoning...so I will sign off for now. Stay well.<br /> </div>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com2Boulder, CO 80302, USA40.038629 -105.371668411.728395163821155 -140.5279184 68.348862836178853 -70.2154184tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-34194909456904680262020-10-06T15:54:00.016-06:002022-06-11T22:34:44.304-06:00A moment of silence for one of my loudest indulgences<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PsajvJvOdy8/X3znLgnG05I/AAAAAAAAFlc/lccX51Gwnj8SD0WDDuPmDoxyiuyIW522QCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/VH2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="326" height="508" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PsajvJvOdy8/X3znLgnG05I/AAAAAAAAFlc/lccX51Gwnj8SD0WDDuPmDoxyiuyIW522QCLcBGAsYHQ/w332-h508/VH2.jpg" width="332" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5aMVZogslew/X3znL2OrVQI/AAAAAAAAFlg/vSgJxlNNp18LIwVKef3NDJrnmS5DWkpkACLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/VH.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1500" height="462" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5aMVZogslew/X3znL2OrVQI/AAAAAAAAFlg/vSgJxlNNp18LIwVKef3NDJrnmS5DWkpkACLcBGAsYHQ/w598-h462/VH.jpg" width="598" /></a></div><p>He was an inventive force in a noisy, typically crude genre of music not known for creativity. His unique guitar sound first caught my ear while I was a 16-year-old in a blue smock/uniform sweeping a floor at Osco Drug. That sound was nuanced, and it was unlike anything else then...and it still is today. </p><p>Eddie Van Halen's guitar play featured melodic, finger-bending string work, pulsing with raw fury, adding direct and sometimes sarcastic lyrics about love and life's pursuits. </p><p>Later, his band became a pop sensation with "Dance the Night Away", "Jump", "Why Cant this be Love?" and "Right Now". He was even recruited by Michael Jackson to play on "Thriller" and the hit song, "Beat it". </p><p>My daughter called me from college tonight to see if I was okay, guessing that I was sad. She said her animation professor was beside himself today, too. </p><p>This stings...and feels much like the untimely loss of Tom Petty, almost exactly three years ago.<br /></p><p>It's a bit embarrassing to admit being a fan of such "noise" at my current age, but the inventive playfulness of this man from Amsterdam and his rowdy band mates has stirred my muse, and made me smile countless times. <br /></p><p>Rest in peace, Eddie Van Halen. (Seems like a contradiction in terms).<br /></p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/eddie-van-halen-grinning-guitar-god-for-a-rock-generation-dies-at-65/ar-BB19LtAI">https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/eddie-van-halen-grinning-guitar-god-for-a-rock-generation-dies-at-65/ar-BB19LtAI</a><br /></p>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-48505086816994693872020-09-08T22:50:00.027-06:002021-09-08T16:03:27.320-06:00Early September illustrations, travel...and snowflakes<div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The past few months have been a divergent path from what we had imagined for Spring and Summer of 2020. Regardless of your habits, things changed, some of them major, some minor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I realized recently that I'm very good at inadvertently making my Covid mask bands pull my ears forward so that I look like Jim Carrey in "Dumb & Dumber". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With regard to seeing friends, out of state family members, and continuing work or school, things have not been as much fun for most people. <br /></div><p>Despite all of that, my daughter is physically back at college, in an illustration and animation program run by a group of former Disney and Warner Brothers artists. She is very fortunate, (in my view) to be enrolled at a university with in-class instruction going on now. For the sort of thing she's learning, (character design, life drawing, illustration and animation techniques) in-person, hands-on instruction is important. After three weeks of classes, her university's Covid cases are extremely low and it seems to be working well. Fingers crossed that it continues. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>We saw the contrast to other universities, like the University of Colorado in our home town of Boulder. While taking our daughter back to college, we made a visit to my alma mater, the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. The campus was much quieter than usual for mid August with Covid concerns. </div><div> </div><div>Prior to that, we carefully planned and celebrated a birthday for my Mom, including my brother and his family. My Mom had not seen anyone in months, except for a few delivery people and neighbors. There was some risk involved but we did our to best mitigate that and as my Mother said, nearly complete isolation is miserable, and this visit revived her spirits.<br />
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPFAgq0QkVw/YGztvrWzOOI/AAAAAAAAFyg/KnL-q8aYCAwIWVNMbgJfmTdhb_kdnRjKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/IMG_1152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="340" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPFAgq0QkVw/YGztvrWzOOI/AAAAAAAAFyg/KnL-q8aYCAwIWVNMbgJfmTdhb_kdnRjKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w453-h340/IMG_1152.jpg" width="453" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
What matters most in life? We spent several magnificent days reminding ourselves of just that, and we agreed that it was much needed for all of us. Several weeks later, we can say we pulled it off...safely.
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With the important stuff covered, I thought I'd share a few of the things from the studio. I am fortunate to have plenty of book illustration projects and advertising work...here are a few recent highlights:<br /></div></div>
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<i><b> </b></i>I had a great deal of fun illustrating and writing humor for the new book<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Humanocracy-Creating-Organizations-Amazing-People/dp/1633696022/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3MQ9N5DTFQVJA&dchild=1&keywords=humanocracy&qid=1599756754&sprefix=humano%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1" target="_blank"> </a><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Humanocracy-Creating-Organizations-Amazing-People/dp/1633696022/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3MQ9N5DTFQVJA&dchild=1&keywords=humanocracy&qid=1599756754&sprefix=humano%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Humanocracy</a>, </b>and blogged about it a few months back. It was just published and released by <i><b><a href="https://store.hbr.org/product/humanocracy-creating-organizations-as-amazing-as-the-people-inside-them/10201" target="_blank">Harvard Business Review Press</a>. </b></i><br />
It is currently a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Business bestseller, and I know that<br />
the two authors are excited to see how it resonates with reader.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DQESwxPZJxs/YTkyqUr_q4I/AAAAAAAAF_s/TFRLKIM8WSkeQ8Du0m4UMLxek4uNQI7ywCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/humanocracy%2Bcover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="640" height="381" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DQESwxPZJxs/YTkyqUr_q4I/AAAAAAAAF_s/TFRLKIM8WSkeQ8Du0m4UMLxek4uNQI7ywCLcBGAsYHQ/w392-h381/humanocracy%2Bcover.png" width="392" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8w1uoUAyoY/YDhzSqhMIuI/AAAAAAAAFuM/1z89gJCusuQkrRtMjRjji5EtwpoLX2ShgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Hill%2BMark%2B-%2Btech%2Bsupport%2Bsofa%2Bphone%2Bipad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1733" data-original-width="2048" height="504" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8w1uoUAyoY/YDhzSqhMIuI/AAAAAAAAFuM/1z89gJCusuQkrRtMjRjji5EtwpoLX2ShgCLcBGAsYHQ/w595-h504/Hill%2BMark%2B-%2Btech%2Bsupport%2Bsofa%2Bphone%2Bipad.jpg" width="595" /></a></div><br /></div><br />
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One of over a dozen illustrations for a book written by a Xerox Corp. executive.<br />
...illustrating something that has been slowly returning to offices, after being notably missing<br />
over the past few months of Covid-19: The rush for the door at 5:00.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kds0WU1AO9A/X12UUPTq0OI/AAAAAAAAFjM/krN-y260-BUAQa_GpELoj4Q-wIzbbbj-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Clock-stampede-Xerox-mine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="950" height="470" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kds0WU1AO9A/X12UUPTq0OI/AAAAAAAAFjM/krN-y260-BUAQa_GpELoj4Q-wIzbbbj-gCLcBGAsYHQ/w648-h470/Clock-stampede-Xerox-mine.jpg" width="648" /></a></div>
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A cartoon for a newspaper in Encinitas California. I've always wanted to draw Nancy Pelosi as a</div>
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parrot. (I wonder if she's telling Gavin Newsome about a special salon where he can get his big hair shampooed, cut and blown out - despite all California hair salons being closed.)</div>
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I had a chance to work with one of my favorite authors again in August. This was a second book project for a prominent guitarist and guitar instructor, this time encompassing 20 book illustrations. The manuscript is very creative, with several methods for overcoming creative obstacles that apply to many artistic endeavors. The author is a pleasure to work with, and when it is published I'll share a link here.<br />
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Several more projects danced through here past month, but I don't want to bore anyone. So, b-deep, b-deep, that's all, folks.<br />
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There are some exciting projects residing in the studio right now...one involves humorous illustrating for book by a business and personal development author in Massachusetts. He has had several books published, but this will be my first time working with him. There are a few corporate and advertising illustration jobs on the board, including a fun illustration for <a href="https://www.ballhort.com/" target="_blank">Ball Horticultural</a>.</p><p></p><p><span style="text-align: start;">A
highlight of this past summer was that Julia was able to do a part-time
internship with me. We had discussed it loosely this past year, given
her desire to pursue a career as an illustrator and animator. It made
additional sense this year with Covid, rather than having her work at an
unrelated outside summer job, (last year she was at an ice cream shop) I
periodically get busy to the require the help of an assistant,</span> so
when that happened in June and July, I hired Julia to help me. She did
background sketches for a large book illustration project - and she did
quite well! We did not have to travel far for our creative meetings.<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span><br />
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I just went outside a few moments ago and breathed deeply as snowflakes were coming down. It was 94 degrees here yesterday (Labor Day)...and now it's 34 degrees. There's nothing like Colorado.</p><span><!--more--></span><span><!--more--></span><span><!--more--></span>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-23337381460826847412020-06-19T12:27:00.004-06:002021-07-21T15:56:10.111-06:00A few new things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The past couple of weeks have been a blur, with some book illustration jobs on the board, </div>
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as well as corporate work...and some family outings. I thought I'd pop in and share a few things:</div>
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A B&W sketch for another Ralph Lauren Polo cartoon. This one was created for them earlier and saved, but since it features Michael Jordan, it is being used to tie into the recent airing of "The Last Dance" on ESPN. It will be used in ads and SM for their New York City Polo restaurant. Michael joins the surprisingly lively Carol Channing and Clark Gable. </div>
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The next step is to add some more contrast and color.</div>
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A piece for long time client, California-based Cloud computing firm CGNET</div>
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(The characters are still telecommuting, and the male character, "Bob" is still not very smart.)</div>
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A sample illustration from a new book about an author's journey through cancer treatment.</div>
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This project recently started and it will be going on over the next few weeks.</div>
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Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-53849095746916484842020-06-10T12:44:00.004-06:002021-09-08T16:04:08.631-06:00Book illustrations and dreams of getting back to normalJust checking in. I hope you are staying healthy, busy and sane.<br />
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An old school friend called last night to catch up, and he brought up the subject of personal passions...so I thought I would lead with one.<br />
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Those who know me are aware that I've loved skiing since childhood, usually getting in 20+ days a year, which is less than I once did when I was single. But this season was cut short nation-wide by Covid. (It also caused our week-long family ski trip to Vail Resorts to be cancelled 48 hours before leaving in late March.)<br />
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Happily, Arapahoe Basin reopened 14 days ago, (by lottery-based reservation only.) It was one of only three ski resorts in the U.S. to do so, and my daughter and I were greatly tempted to try to go. But then we considered the Covid rules in effect. I have thought of skiing as the perfect social distancing sport...until one gets to the lift line.<br />
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Skiing, coming to a stop in a socially distanced lift line and quickly donning a mask - while juggling gloves, goggles, helmets, poles, etc. - would be a strange experience. Additionally, A-Basin's mid mountain lifts are not like the modern widely spaced areas at the big resorts, and I couldn't imagine how they could physically make it work. Many of those upper lifts are accessed via steep runs, with shortened waiting areas. Asking people to suddenly slow/stop and distance themselves six feet from anyone could be dicey if the "line" is lengthy.<br />
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The final straw was looking at webcam shots of the snow near the base area...not great. It looked like a negative photo of a golf green with sand traps, open areas everywhere. A-Basin is the highest altitude ski resort in North America, and I have skied there into May & June, as recently as last year, with surprisingly good conditions. But with warm temps last week, what looked great was now less than serviceable.<br />
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It turns out that the snow and the awkwardness of all those Covid rules caused A-Basin to quickly close operations a few days later - nearly a month earlier than usual. Oh well. We will just live on the memories of some grand skiing from Dec-Feb this year.<br />
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Onward, to some things in the studio.<br />
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In addition to the usual corporate client projects, I'm currently illustrating a few books. I thought I'd share an illustration from one of them; a book with a light-hearted theme about families and schools recovering from the Covid-19 situation.<br />
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For this book, I'm pairing with an author with whom I have worked previously. (That was a humor book, published a few years ago by Pelican Books.)<br />
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This will be featuring a pen & brown ink children's book drawing style, with some splashes of watercolor... A great deal of fun so far.<br />
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<br />Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-3151934323500069992020-04-17T13:21:00.009-06:002023-10-09T21:21:04.608-06:00Stopping by for a breather, (through the requisite face diaper, of course)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope you and your loved ones are staying well in this science fiction movie-like existence.</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Like nearly everyone, I am mostly sticking to one GPS location, (and not chasing the siren songs of the deep snow at A-Basin, as usual this time of year). Being busy drawing and writing prevents most rumination about the no-skiing rules in effect. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I'm taking breaks by doing things like teaching the dog to point. </span><span style="text-align: left;">We're also, shaking hands/paws, as I am out of practice. By the way, the dog is the happiest of anyone in our family...he is </span><i style="text-align: left;">thrilled</i><span style="text-align: left;"> that no one leaves the house for long. So, our relationship is definitely on an upward swing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Another benefit: All of us can say that our cooking skills have improved, (well, except for the dog.)</span></span><br />
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The impact of the global pandemic is considerable in its reach. Kids are no longer in school and sadly, many people have lost jobs or have been furloughed. (Let's hope that is short-lived). Many more are working differently, staying put and utilizing video meetings and apps.<br />
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So far, I am fortunate to have enough work with books and corporate clients, and for now, I'm taking on more projects than usual because I don't know what lies ahead. Most of the people I know in my profession are staying busy. I hope the same is true for you.<br />
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Over the past few years, I've become well accustomed to working from home. I leased offices for over a decade, but changed that several years ago. I realized that I rarely physically met with clients (over 95% are out of my home state of Colorado), and didn't need splashy commercial digs, much less a conference room, or receptionist.</div><div>
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I decided to stop signing leases, and instead, we put an addition on the house, creating space for a new studio. I've been walking twenty feet to the studio, instead of seven blocks, ever since. I miss the social aspects sometimes - and certainly more so now, as friends are not dropping by, and I can't visit them, either. But other things are not missed, like the monthly rent. The office on the iconic Pearl Street Mall (right upstairs from where Robin Williams and company filmed the intro sequence to "Mork and Mindy") - has since increased to being more than our mortgage payment. It was fun, but not a good value.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">One of a series of advertising cartoons created this month for a </span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Microsoft affiliate and long </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">time </span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">client <a href="https://cgnet.com/cartoons/" target="_blank">CGNet</a>. Very timely </span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">with most of the country working from home.</span></i></td></tr>
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My wife and I are both used to working this way...just not <i>living</i> this way.<br />
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I need to get back to some deadlines, and I don't want to make you snooze, (you can nap anytime these days, right?) so I'll wrap up soon. So before signing off, I thought I'd share some of a current project in the studio.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">------</div>
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I was recently hired to illustrate and write humor for a new book by noted author, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Hamel" target="_blank">Gary Hamel</a>. Gary is the originator (with C.K. Prahalad) of the concept of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_competency" title="Core competency">core competencies</a>. He is also a visiting professor at both Harvard and the London Business School.<br />
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<img alt="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Gary_Hamel_and_Eric_Schmidt_at_MLab_dinner.jpg/300px-Gary_Hamel_and_Eric_Schmidt_at_MLab_dinner.jpg" height="321" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Gary_Hamel_and_Eric_Schmidt_at_MLab_dinner.jpg/300px-Gary_Hamel_and_Eric_Schmidt_at_MLab_dinner.jpg" width="388" /></div>
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Gary Hamel interviewing Google CEO Eric Schmidt.<br />
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His new book is<a href="https://www.hillcartoons.com/book-illustration-nonfiction/" target="_blank"> <b><i>Humanocracy</i></b></a>, written with co-author Michele Zanini, and will be released in August by the <b>Harvard Business Review Press. </b><span style="text-align: center;">It has been fun collaborating with him and I'll share an early sample illustration: </span><br />
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I have written and drawn roughly 20 pieces so far, and I'm doing them all in high resolution, as some of them will also be used by the author in presentations on a book promotion tour.<br />
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When time allows, I'll share a story about Gary's unique interview and "tryout" hiring process, as well as some other client work, including two other book illustration projects that will be starting soon.<br />
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Meanwhile, stay home, and try to keep your sense of humor...though it's not easy to do both long term.<br /><br /><br />
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<span><a name='more'></a></span><b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><i>Edit: A break in deadlines allowed this to be added on 5/12</i></b><br />
<b><br /></b>A story about author Gary Hamel's hiring process: After an email inquiry, Gary asked me to do a phone interview, and he revealed that he had set up interviews with twenty cartoonists nationally. (That must have taken him some time, as my call alone lasted over an hour.) The chat was enjoyable and fortunately, I made the next cut.<br />
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Five of us were invited to participate in a paid humor writing and drawing "try-out". I don't usually agree to that sort of thing, but for certain projects it is worth the effort, and I liked the author, so I agreed.<br />
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Gary told me that the other four finalists were "<i>New Yorker</i>" magazine cartoonists. (Yikes). Tough competition, as those guys can draw <i>and</i> write top notch humor...so I have to admit I was a little uncertain about my chances when I heard it.<br />
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We each wrote and drew two sample cartoons to fit a chosen theme in the book. After the try-out ended, I was hired, along with one other cartoonist, and the two of us were tasked with creating roughly 50 cartoons. (Yay).<br />
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The initial group of cartoons and illustrations is nearing completion, and it has been a great deal of fun.<br />
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Next up: I just signed contracts to illustrate a few books; one is about families handling the Covid situation, going back to school, work, etc. It will feature whimsical children's fiction style illustrations. The author is someone with whom I worked previously, on a book published by Pelican Books. That starts in June, and I'm looking forward to it.</div>
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<span><!--more--></span><span><!--more--></span></div>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-66916706050131742232020-03-18T20:13:00.002-06:002021-07-21T16:08:49.366-06:00The CoronaMarket virus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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And a few more editorial cartoons, leaning left and right.<br />
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Given the focus on the global pandemic, it's easy to forget that this is an election year. But it is indeed, and I'm reminded of that every four years because I get an increase in commissions for political cartoons and editorial illustrations. The political 'climate' is as polarized as ever - and that means diametrically opposed viewpoints on the same issues.<br />
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Here are few pieces requested by some magazines and media outlets to accompany articles and stories. I try to cover both of the very disparate sides of the aisle...<i>(See if you can tell which side each media outlet resided).</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Created for a group of newspapers in California</div>
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<i>Commissioned by a political blog</i></div>
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Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-38892404724059563982020-01-20T17:32:00.006-07:002021-09-18T20:33:27.029-06:00A new book release...and some R&RHappy MLK day! Are you off or are you working?<br />
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I have been away and I'm catching up in the studio, but thought I would pop in to post a couple of things...<br />
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First, I wanted to mention a book that I enjoyed working on this past year: <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Good-Habits-Bad-Science-Positive/dp/1250159075/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23DFRDLROIJUV&keywords=wendy+wood+good+habits%2C+bad+habits&qid=1579460656&sprefix=wendy+wood+good+habits%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Good Habits, Bad Habits</a> - </b>which was recently released. The author, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_Wood_(social_psychologist)" target="_blank">Wendy Wood</a> is Provost Professor of Psychology at The University of Southern California.<br />
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From the publisher: "She has written for The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, and her work has been featured in The New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, Time magazine, and USA Today, and on NPR."<br />
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I was contacted, interviewed and hired directly by Wendy prior to the book going to editing stages with the publisher. (<a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250159076" target="_blank">MacMillan</a>) This was a little different than straight book illustration, in that each piece needed to have a written element to it: something to communicate the author's point and to make the reader laugh. (Really this is what I do for corporate clients regularly, but not that often in book illustration.)<br />
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Wendy initially hired me to create a concept to humorously explain and depict a sample theme. <span style="text-align: start;">After doing one piece for her and being fortunate enough to make her laugh, I signed a contract to do the rest</span>. </div>
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Next I chatted with Wendy over the phone about some of the themes in her book. I wrote some humorous concepts, which were later turned into cartoons and chapter-leading illustrations for the book. An example below...</div>
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I enjoyed reading the author's manuscript even more than usual, as the subject matter is interesting to me. I am fascinated by the process of establishing habits, and had previously read other books in this genre, (including Charles Duhigg's now classic "<i>The Power of Habit" </i>as well as "<i>Grit" </i>by Angela Duckworth, who wrote the review blurb on this book's front cover).<br />
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I was recently notified that <i>Good Habits, Bad Habits</i> is off to a healthy debut with positive reviews and strong sales.<br />
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Secondly, as I alluded to above, my family and I were out of town for two weeks, and we're now back home from a 3-generation family jaunt. After a long period of work, it was time to unwind.<br />
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We began by skiing a few days around Christmas...lots of early season snow has made the resorts and folks like me in Colorado quite happy.<br />
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And then shortly afterward, we embarked into a different climate, on a tremendously enjoyable trip to the Caribbean.<br />
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My wife daughter and I joined my brother and his family along with my mother. for a vacation in several island areas. I visited the Virgin Islands with my wife 15 years ago, and though I appreciate warm climates, that sort of trip is not my first choice. You're more likely to see me skiing, biking, hiking, riding motorcycles, rock climbing or exploring - rather than sitting on a beach. But this trip added a few elements that made it more active.<br />
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We started in Barbados where we ended up doing some diving near a shipwreck off the coast of Bridgetown. My daughter Julia was amazed at the clear blue waters, allowing one to see well into the depths.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> Exploring the reefs in Barbados</span><br />
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Next was Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis...This time snorkeling and swimming in shallow waters, with some friendly stingrays and sea turtles.<br />
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St. Kitts<br />
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After that, Tortola and Virgin Gorda. <span style="text-align: center;">Climbing through the stunning "Baths" rock formations was challenging and fun...The formations are closely related to those at Red Rocks amphitheater here in Colorado. It was my second time here, however the first visit allowed much less time for exploring...as it was just a quick boat drop for snorkeling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times";">The Baths rock formations at Virgin Gorda/Tortola </span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
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The last stop was St. Thomas and nearby National park known as St. John. (Also our second visit here) We took in breathtaking beaches and snorkeled, swimming with brightly colored fish dancing beneath the waters along the reefs. After 9 days, Beth, Julia and I were browner, a bit blonder, and despite all the activity, I hate to say it, a little less lean...it is hard to avoid when eating out continually.<br />
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This was a perfect family trip for three generations...lots to see, many beaches, activities for the kids and opportunities to choose among them for my Mom.<br />
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I'm happy to be back in the studio, refreshed and ready to go...(but first must empty sand from my shoes.)<br />
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I hope your year is off to a fantastic start!<br />
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<br /><br />Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-92086242883509329142019-12-12T17:22:00.002-07:002020-05-06T12:46:36.055-06:00Children's book sample IllustrationCurrently I'm engaged in several book illustration projects, as well as some corporate client projects, (including one ongoing gig detailed here earlier).<br />
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I thought I would stop by to share a page from a children's book that I'm working on in my spare time...("Page 3" to be exact - which means little to you at this point.)<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3kre-iU7ikA/XfLZJaEwpvI/AAAAAAAAFGA/OMaaUk6lYbY9eGiRyTu43gryyogxqufKACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Page-3-Gwen%2527s-Dream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3kre-iU7ikA/XfLZJaEwpvI/AAAAAAAAFGA/OMaaUk6lYbY9eGiRyTu43gryyogxqufKACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Page-3-Gwen%2527s-Dream.jpg" width="537" /></a></div>
<i> (Clicken to embiggen..)</i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-76799716558579579082019-09-23T00:12:00.033-06:002024-03-04T21:16:05.384-07:00On the Digital Drawing Board: Writing funny - for cartoons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wrote about my drawing process in "step-by-step" manner a few months ago, and that post received a good response, so I thought I'd try another. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>This one is involves writing, for an ongoing project for <i>Ralph Lauren Polo Inc</i>., that started a few months ago.
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RL's Director of advertising contacted me in June, to discuss doing a series of humorous cartoon illustrations, focusing on their Polo-inspired restaurants. (I was aware of the restaurant in New York City, but learned there are also "Polo" establishments in Paris, London and Chicago.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_g_wWK0WEs4mGMRiMpFMYkE5u5hFZbV5_sWGwc0EmkuBw5D9psXppv6Bj5KguUe-dvSvosLFs-1imQZf-T8T449YTIADS57cj98_kYF6zVJWE6DiuPDFG42YW839iEO7txVfO_TjOzTrfkrSXDqGPEeJflCDX9gNxfbILIORBhwUHU93ZAc/s1138/Ralph-Lauren---Polo-Bar---Elvis--Marilyn-Cartoon-MINE3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="900" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_g_wWK0WEs4mGMRiMpFMYkE5u5hFZbV5_sWGwc0EmkuBw5D9psXppv6Bj5KguUe-dvSvosLFs-1imQZf-T8T449YTIADS57cj98_kYF6zVJWE6DiuPDFG42YW839iEO7txVfO_TjOzTrfkrSXDqGPEeJflCDX9gNxfbILIORBhwUHU93ZAc/w482-h610/Ralph-Lauren---Polo-Bar---Elvis--Marilyn-Cartoon-MINE3.jpg" width="482" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">"The Polo Bar" in New York</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/polo-bar-ralph-lauren-restaurant-manhattan-article" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="768" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTmggySKxik/XUUbNf0C82I/AAAAAAAAE3Q/aMO0ZlAjZYUyVzNW_BCe0VjtqciGOPeZgCEwYBhgL/s640/RALPH-slide-3TAK-videoLarge-v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="clear: both;"> Their advertising director told me that the<a href="https://gawker.com/the-best-restaurant-in-new-york-is-ralph-laurens-polo-1687795615" target="_blank"> Polo restaurant</a> in NYC is frequented by celebrities, and their goal was to highlight that fact with humor.<i>..</i>i.e., depicting some of these well known humans, and to write funny concepts that fit their personalities. Both were right up my alley.<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T_U5ShD2E-o/XZbgSNO4zcI/AAAAAAAAFD0/bBA7b0OopDMcqfJJuPrME4Z7B4LQ1YOOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2019-10-04%2Bat%2B12.00.20%2BAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="481" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T_U5ShD2E-o/XZbgSNO4zcI/AAAAAAAAFD0/bBA7b0OopDMcqfJJuPrME4Z7B4LQ1YOOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2Bshot%2B2019-10-04%2Bat%2B12.00.20%2BAM.png" width="520" /></a></div>
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Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, dining in the Polo Bar earlier this week.<br />
(They were in NYC promoting the Martin Scorcese film, "The Irishman".)<br />
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</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">(Photos from an article </span><span style="font-style: italic;">provided to me by RL for background; covering</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> the Duchess of Sussex/former 'Suits' actress, dining there earlier this year </span><span style="font-style: italic;">-.)</span></div>
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An added challenge arose: RL's execs felt that I should write and draw concepts only for <i>deceased </i>celebrities. (I get it...and deal with this dynamic often with political and social commentary cartoons. The living are much easier to offend.) </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">However, that is a significant restriction, especially when trying to create content that will resonate with today's social media savvy audiences...more on that later in the post.</div>
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Another caveat: Ralph Lauren's upper management wanted me to write humor in my own style and 'voice', but wondered if I could aim my celebrity caricatures in a direction toward the style of the late, great caricaturist, Al Hirschfeld. (Al is widely considered to be the greatest caricaturist of all time, and his flowing ink lines were mesmerizing. During his heyday, he was fixture in NYC and was known for drawing celebrities - hence the tie-in to the NYC Polo Bar.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Al Hirschfeld Limited Editions and Originals" class="detail__media__img-highres js-detail-img js-detail-img-high" height="373" src="https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.herndonfineart.com%2Fimages%2FHirschfeld%2Fhirschfeld_abbey_road.jpg&f=1&nofb=1" style="display: block; height: 395px; width: 512px;" width="483" />
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There are challenges in trying to emulate someone else's work, especially that of a legend. For one thing, it is difficult to nail such a distinctive, well-honed (and frankly, brilliant) style. Then there's the issue of drawing in another person's style while also getting good likenesses of the aforementioned celebrities. Every caricaturist's method of finding the "right" likeness is different, and I had to combine his drawing style with my own sensibilities about how to depict a person, and what to exaggerate. Of course such a challenge can be fun, and this proved to be true.</div>
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Here's the process outline for the first cartoon, which was a test, or proof of concept for RL - to see if we could make this "work":</div>
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<b>Step 1</b>: I sat in the comfy "writing chair" in my studio and brainstormed a bit. (I find that for me, writing is best suited to the quiet of the morning, before activities of the day march forth, including client calls/emails.) After noting some seeds of ideas, I wrote out around ten concepts on a notepad. These were all done with some piece of humor present, but the specifics were very rough. </div>
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<b>Step 2</b>: <b>Editing ideas and sharpening humor:</b> Afterward, I selected what I thought had the potential to be the funniest four concepts, fleshed them out a bit. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">These were all written out, using only words and phrasing to get across the concept, without images and sketches. I've found that a funny written idea will stand on its own. After such an idea is identified, funny art can really enhance it. But weak ideas and unfunny concepts are almost never brought to life with even the most badass funny drawings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">I finished writing and editing, and emailed those four concepts to RL's corporate folks in New York. </div>
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Surprisingly, they liked all four ideas, (that does not usually happen, at least for relevance reasons), and they approved starting the artwork on two immediately.</div>
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<b>Step 3</b>: I began the first art with a sketched concept featuring Elvis and Marilyn Monroe...</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6JbJWlFye0/XWqgB9SojAI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/Lt2Ch3_jI-k8HLgNkHhgLfKMXVYyjjhsACLcBGAs/s1600/Ralph-Lauren-Polo-BarElvis-Cartoon-Blog-Sketch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="900" height="385" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6JbJWlFye0/XWqgB9SojAI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/Lt2Ch3_jI-k8HLgNkHhgLfKMXVYyjjhsACLcBGAs/s400/Ralph-Lauren-Polo-BarElvis-Cartoon-Blog-Sketch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>
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</b> <b>Step 5</b>: The sketch was passed around their management and with a positive response, I went forward with finished artwork in "ink" on my Wacom Cintiq.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYWQ2PeiMwvWZO8VzuTChcTt74dWCXb1zGbttg56R-cjahCI8KK9lCHk4TvxK0gVdFXGGJroxs5I3A-_ZJtTOOKe6XqefKEEQKz7nrxWU9TDjJsrNHiuysR5Jv-PzBtzg-Ocskb6a5vho6VlnjLfHUzZNXIBIVpHIJhY-eMxemWPR-5fFcyA/s800/Ralph-Lauren--Elvis--Marilyn-Cartoon-MINE3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="800" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYWQ2PeiMwvWZO8VzuTChcTt74dWCXb1zGbttg56R-cjahCI8KK9lCHk4TvxK0gVdFXGGJroxs5I3A-_ZJtTOOKe6XqefKEEQKz7nrxWU9TDjJsrNHiuysR5Jv-PzBtzg-Ocskb6a5vho6VlnjLfHUzZNXIBIVpHIJhY-eMxemWPR-5fFcyA/w426-h421/Ralph-Lauren--Elvis--Marilyn-Cartoon-MINE3.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
Elvis and Marilyn Monroe were the two elements that I felt were the strongest, so I refined those, and then built the cartoon around them.<br />
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<b>Step 6</b>: I added or "spotted" areas of black ink for contrast and to lead the viewers' eyes to Marilyn. The text was simplified and shading was rendered.<br />
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The cartoons are appearing in RL's various social media, for example, their <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1robGSlWCX/?igshid=s9ygqmieqooq"> Instagram</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4G-Joy9Zq8/XkpWlbJJYEI/AAAAAAAAFJk/PTrrq33lZIYjTc3SddjjJHDCMKZu7TuhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2020-02-17%2Bat%2B2.01.59%2BAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="889" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4G-Joy9Zq8/XkpWlbJJYEI/AAAAAAAAFJk/PTrrq33lZIYjTc3SddjjJHDCMKZu7TuhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2Bshot%2B2020-02-17%2Bat%2B2.01.59%2BAM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Later, I simplified the scene, and added some splashes of watercolor</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> for further social media and print ads:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjuVPdEyLntZOeU36GP0ImAGcdozAQSFZj7JWntSxxgmJ7TU78vZMWdv7WcNQrl6PXznPmgnsLJeerGurarnOzElBBpAzJNBw4Vv0v37GYf1MZh_LU2q391_c47wGq5AJRIoRk-SUieLTkZnAkFdPibgckfIcJJci4kCSUKETepRtv2f3wLx85g/s1265/Ralph-Lauren-Polo-Bar---Elvis--Marilyn-Cartoon-MINEC2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1000" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjuVPdEyLntZOeU36GP0ImAGcdozAQSFZj7JWntSxxgmJ7TU78vZMWdv7WcNQrl6PXznPmgnsLJeerGurarnOzElBBpAzJNBw4Vv0v37GYf1MZh_LU2q391_c47wGq5AJRIoRk-SUieLTkZnAkFdPibgckfIcJJci4kCSUKETepRtv2f3wLx85g/w433-h548/Ralph-Lauren-Polo-Bar---Elvis--Marilyn-Cartoon-MINEC2.jpg" width="433" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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On this second cartoon, an abbreviated glimpse of the process. I went with a Polo theme concept and a young Paul Newman, Clark Gable and Marlon Brando. </div>
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...But later I decided that it might be fun to have some continuity between cartoons, so I switched Clark Gable for the King. He finally gets a table - as he should. (Paul Newman is also at the table)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvaYyEDqstk/XfWPDVcVqKI/AAAAAAAAFGM/jJZ7BBiGnEYJd59RrxBYpvuzSs3VZqdjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Ralph-Lauren-2%2BPolo-Bar%2BPolo-players--Mine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9HUt7Ijdg8/YDMa75R_BKI/AAAAAAAAFtg/bl9CDbuNA80vvEBjjxmU4eJ85q0SWkqUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s742/Ralph-Lauren---Polo-Bar---Polo-players--Mine2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="539" height="653" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9HUt7Ijdg8/YDMa75R_BKI/AAAAAAAAFtg/bl9CDbuNA80vvEBjjxmU4eJ85q0SWkqUQCLcBGAsYHQ/w473-h653/Ralph-Lauren---Polo-Bar---Polo-players--Mine2.jpg" width="473" /></a></div></div>
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I made other changes: Redrawing the woman in the left foreground, (giving her less contrast, so as to not draw the reader's eye away from the action. The folks at RL also asked me make her a bit more attractive. I added contrast to the area behind the men. Lastly, I added the RL Polo Bar logo to a window on the right.</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">We have done four cartoons so far, with two of them released. Both have received a positive response in their various ads and social media platforms, and</span><span style="text-align: start;"> RL's management decided to go forward with more. I have enjoyed the challenge and scope of this project so far, (pleasing the client, the main goal for me) and we</span><span style="text-align: left;">'ll see how it goes over the next several months. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">One thing is nearly certain...I think that I will soon run out of deceased celebrities who are recognizable to today's audiences, and that I will need to talk the RL folks into allowing me to draw and write about some people with a pulse. <br /></span></div>
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<br /><br />Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-31851119933849566492019-09-20T21:38:00.003-06:002023-11-29T15:36:35.825-07:00Step by Step IllustrationMost illustrators and cartoonists with blogs post regular samples or "round ups" of their recent work. (Actually, this is also done by most writers, photographers, painters, loan sharks, etc..)<br />
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These posts keep clients and colleagues up to date...and they also serve as great marketing tools. For visual artists, there's an additional benefit: people doing Google image searches for (cartoons, photos, art) click their way to the images in these blog posts, and some become new clients. I'm not enough a marketer to post for that reason alone, but I've read about it, and have seen that it works.<br />
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But I'll tell you, doing "What I've been up to lately" posts can be a snooze fest.<br />
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I feel similar sleepiness doing the social media marketing that nearly all businesses use now. (It also feels a little too self-involved at times.) But as one of my longtime clients (social media marketing pioneer, <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/23861/10-Social-Media-Cartoons-Guaranteed-to-Make-You-Smile.aspx" target="_blank"> Hubspot</a>) proclaims, "inbound marketing" is essential today.<br />
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<a href="https://gum.co/pDIy" target="_blank"><img alt="Buy this cartoon" border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="600" height="536" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rbB0CPt6Eik/XZ_phH8wbHI/AAAAAAAAFEA/QcKdXni3o-UU5Fo20NnsO_M8mPwMmxGRACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Download-HR.Social-media.Facebook-w.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Due to to my disenchantment with that kind of blogging, this journal has gone from weekly, to biweekly, to monthly, to quarterly, to biannually...and it's now creeping up on annually. That is fine, because I have more free time, and my drawing board has been steadily busy with clients without it.<br />
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But rather than to announce the death of this blog. ..or to make another post filled with (in my estimation) boring Whitman's sampler boxes of 15-20 recent client projects, I've decided to do something else.<br />
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After surfacing here the other day, (my first post in 9 months) I realized that some of the more popular posts here, (based on view counters) involved sharing the creative process.<br />
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No, I don't think there's a large group of people out there clamoring with wonderment about this stuff, <i>("Tell us, Mark...how does the fun in your cartoons get unleashed?")</i><br />
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But based on views and comments, there appears to be curiosity. So for those folks, here we go:<br />
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This project was on my drawing board a few weeks ago. It's unlike most of the work I post here, as it is a personal commission or gift...something I typically do about once each month.<br />
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What makes it different than most of my client work, is that it is not published or featured online. It is only seen by that individual and whomever happens to see it hanging in that person's office or study (or garage?) wall. A relatively small audience.</div>
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The client was global utility sector leader, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capgemini" target="_blank">Capgemini</a>. I was surprised to learn that the Paris-based company has over 300,000 employees, but I'm embarrassed to admit that until they contacted me, I had never heard of them. (Unless you live in France or Canada, I'm betting you haven't either.)</div>
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They celebrated the retirement of one of their executives recently, and they wanted to create a gift to present to him at a party - a custom drawn humorous illustration depicting key milestones during his career. One of their Vice Presidents contacted me and, after a brief interview with him - an exceedingly nice guy - they hired me to do it.<br />
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<b>Step 1</b>: After discussing what they had in mind, and learning about the retiring executive's career, I requested several reference photos to help in creating a good likeness.<br />
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When drawing someone I have never met or whom is not a famous public figure, it is crucial to see front and profile photos with a range of emotions.</div>
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<b>Step 2</b>: I worked on the concept for the layout with another executive of Capgemini...someone who had worked with the gentleman to be honored. I was given a list of his achievements and set about illustrating them in a lighthearted and humorous manner.<br />
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<b>Step 3</b>: The concept and layout. I discussed two theme ideas with Capgemini: A series of small comic panels depicting milestones of the gentleman's career. I thought this sounded workable, but not really visually interesting, especially for something to be presented at a large group gathering. It needed more visual punch. So, I suggested a caricature drawing/painting of this gentleman surrounded by smaller vignettes. They liked that idea.</div>
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<b>Step 4</b>: The sketch.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"><b>Step 5</b>: After discussing the sketch, some minor revisions were made, and a few more scenes were added.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-uADgRbdec/XYUnqSl8g_I/AAAAAAAAE_s/DthQERB_neI-wYAEzflwUV8Kyx-tpuKGACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Capgemini---expand-Perry-retirement-illustration.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="900" height="573" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-uADgRbdec/XYUnqSl8g_I/AAAAAAAAE_s/DthQERB_neI-wYAEzflwUV8Kyx-tpuKGACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Capgemini---expand-Perry-retirement-illustration.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><b>Step 6</b>: </span><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">I formatted the artwork at 11 x 17, which is a nice standard size for printing - and for easy framing. </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">Color was added in the form of digital watercolor washes. </span><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">The art was drawn/painted on a Wacom Cintiq drawing screen. (photos below)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Wacom CINTIQ 22HD Review | Warrick Wong Design" class="detail__media__img-highres js-detail-img js-detail-img-high" height="480" src="https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwarrickwongdesign.files.wordpress.com%2F2013%2F10%2Fphoto-3.jpg&f=1&nofb=1" style="display: block;" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><b>Step 7</b>: I emailed a high resolution CMYK (publishing industry standard 4-color process) file, </span>which the client had printed locally and then matted and framed.<br />
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I still occasionally print and ship artwork, but with tight deadlines, is it more expedient and more efficient to email these to clients.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 16px;">A photo taken at the</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> celebration in Toronto: The </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">gentleman with his executive assistant, and another Capgemini Vice President (with whom I worked on the piece).</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qOSgGlRr30/XYE-20QfQ7I/AAAAAAAAE9M/Rh85q1MfQLkhkdGDjGvnLIuZk8tirFYzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Capgemini-custom%2Billustration-2IMG_0739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="1600" height="617" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qOSgGlRr30/XYE-20QfQ7I/AAAAAAAAE9M/Rh85q1MfQLkhkdGDjGvnLIuZk8tirFYzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Capgemini-custom%2Billustration-2IMG_0739.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><b>Commissioned Illustration #2</b></span>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">I thought I'd share another similar gift commission, to show a slightly different process. (This was created two weeks ago, for a financial industry client in New York whom I first worked with over ten years ago.)</span><br />
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This piece involved depicting the director of another NY financial advising firm who easing his way into retirement. The client's idea was to create a two-paneled illustration...also showing the subject's long time assistant, who will assuming his position. This became a bit of a fun challenge.<br />
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I was asked to illustrate the first subject playing guitar while seated on his motorcycle at his desk. (i.e. not really working very hard anymore.)<br />
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Meanwhile, on the other side illustration is the new director of the firm...and she was to be shown as clearly very busy after taking the reins.<br />
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<b>Step 1</b>: the sketch was a layout of that theme, along with caricatures based upon a photo of each person.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AyviesAhoJk/XYEXfCYwTJI/AAAAAAAAE8U/yCI8xdEUwxA1K5-TXCowh3OsSl3W2sPhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Doug-Panero--initial-sketch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="900" height="390" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AyviesAhoJk/XYEXfCYwTJI/AAAAAAAAE8U/yCI8xdEUwxA1K5-TXCowh3OsSl3W2sPhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Doug-Panero--initial-sketch.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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As I mentioned above, having more than one or two photos is very helpful. And as it turns out, in this case, I did not 'capture' the woman's likeness very well. I wondered about that, as I was told that we only had one photo use, and it was several years old.<br />
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Step 2: I tried to revise the drawing, (aging her slightly) based upon comments, but it really wasn't close enough.</div>
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Finally, the client was able to find additional images, in the form of a video. So I was able see her as she looks now, from several angles, which is almost as good as meeting her. It helped a great deal.<br />
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<b>Step 3:</b> A revised sketch below:</div>
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Since I had already gotten good likeness of Kevin, the man on the left earlier,</div>
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I took the liberty of adding color to that part of the cartoon.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CyEGvYyC1DA/XYEXfVeIteI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/19JgK4chNeQYiZnLiVbk2G6UVKevXssOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Doug-Detail-Kevin-mine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="900" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CyEGvYyC1DA/XYEXfVeIteI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/19JgK4chNeQYiZnLiVbk2G6UVKevXssOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Doug-Detail-Kevin-mine.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b>Step 4: </b>The client liked the layout and the new drawing, so I applied a </div>
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watercolor wash over everything else in the illustration.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyXehAdjQZc/XYEXfsYkg7I/AAAAAAAAE8g/G3sVqm4DoD8pxFxE8v2qYK94w1UNurXFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Doug-Panero-2A-offices-Brittany-%2526-Kevin%253DColor2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyXehAdjQZc/XYEXfsYkg7I/AAAAAAAAE8g/G3sVqm4DoD8pxFxE8v2qYK94w1UNurXFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Doug-Panero-2A-offices-Brittany-%2526-Kevin%253DColor2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The client approved the finished piece, so I emailed the digital artwork to him. He had two copies printed on a large format printer at Staples, and then matted and framed them as separate gifts f<span style="font-size: 16px;">or each of his depicted colleagues.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">He emailed a few days later, related that they were well received and being hung on each of their office walls.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Lastly, I'll share the process used for an animated commercial created for Intel Corporation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">This is artwork that I was commissioned to create for a third installment of a series of videos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">I </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">worked in concert with a media firm in New York who was </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">also</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> hired by Intel Corporation.</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> It was my responsibility to design and draw the backgrounds and characters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">There were dozens of scenes, but I chose one to give you an idea of how everything went from sketches to finished art.</span></div>
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<b> Step1</b>: The sketch of the main scene: The spokesman character created to introduce a new technology, and a typical corporation level user of the new technology.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Lt-rr61WL8/XY7iB-tP01I/AAAAAAAAFDA/x9UaiBiAtEQx4dpHj7Vaw9Dl9Z-pFK-0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/INTEL-Bob%2527s-Tech-Wow3-2-Convention-Ctr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Lt-rr61WL8/XY7iB-tP01I/AAAAAAAAFDA/x9UaiBiAtEQx4dpHj7Vaw9Dl9Z-pFK-0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/INTEL-Bob%2527s-Tech-Wow3-2-Convention-Ctr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 2</b>: Watercolor and shading added to the approved art.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cnQkRT-x-KY/XY7iBmdWFlI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/l1enRa80URQMrRqUGZXjm-1TskOKqGooACEwYBhgL/s1600/INTEL-Bob%2527s-Tech-Wow3-2-1C-Convention-Ctr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1100" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cnQkRT-x-KY/XY7iBmdWFlI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/l1enRa80URQMrRqUGZXjm-1TskOKqGooACEwYBhgL/s640/INTEL-Bob%2527s-Tech-Wow3-2-1C-Convention-Ctr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 3</b>: A zoom in look at the scene with employees of the corporation.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cnQkRT-x-KY/XY7iBmdWFlI/AAAAAAAAFC8/-Ms1QtOc4wEeUQWTXUu85GhL-iN3eh_WACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/INTEL-Bob%2527s-Tech-Wow3-2-1C-Convention-Ctr.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VV_793WlPQ8/XY7iCBHQqEI/AAAAAAAAFDI/_FNa0vuRrFUNf9ca8LshTSxFCvbQl6SVACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/INTEL-Bob%2527s-Tech-Wow3-3-Convention-Ctr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VV_793WlPQ8/XY7iCBHQqEI/AAAAAAAAFDI/_FNa0vuRrFUNf9ca8LshTSxFCvbQl6SVACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/INTEL-Bob%2527s-Tech-Wow3-3-Convention-Ctr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Step 4: Color is added to the scene and all characters. There are several angles and views of this scene...all of which are completed in in similar fashion, in succession. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RpULfzsAiFw/XY7iB1KYBJI/AAAAAAAAFDE/i_wjvLWJDiQcr6Q2D6VZVhyVxnZt0qyGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Hillcartoons-Intel-commercial5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1000" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RpULfzsAiFw/XY7iB1KYBJI/AAAAAAAAFDE/i_wjvLWJDiQcr6Q2D6VZVhyVxnZt0qyGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Hillcartoons-Intel-commercial5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">After the artwork was approved by Intel, I worked with animation team also NYC, giving them poses of each character to to work with for the animation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Well, that took some time, but it was a nice change of pace, and also fun to write something rather than simply post images. I hope it didn't send you to REM slumber. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">One of the things currently on the board is a commissioned illustration for a prominent Internet security</span><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">company</span>, as a gift to their CIO. It's just an office scene and a few executives standing around talking with each other about IT, so I'm looking for a way to add some interest and humor. (Other than say drawing them all in their underwear.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Cheers!</span></div>
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Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-29039568075727799052019-09-16T23:50:00.003-06:002021-02-14T11:50:04.530-07:00Summer in the rear view mirror<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been many moons since I spend any time on the blog. As I mentioned in my last post (nine months ago), I have been spending more time with my work and family it's working out pretty well.<br />
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A few trips in recent months, including a trip to see my Mom for her birthday, two visits to Nashville Tennessee, as well as an excursion to Alaska.<br />
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Well, I'm somewhat embarrassed to say that I have gotten into a nice groove of <i>not</i> posting on my blog, so to break that streak I'll just share some glimpses of those trips.<br />
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In May, (not quite summer but close enough for us) we took a work/play trip to Anchorage Alaska...<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">While took a 25-mile bike ride along the ocean, on the "Alaskan Coastal Trail," </span>It was spectacular, with some views that surprised even us, <span style="text-align: start;">having been spoiled by great views at home in the </span><span style="text-align: start;">Rocky Mountains. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">We spotted a female moose enjoying her lunch, just off the bike trail on the way back.</span></div>
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There is a small but beautiful ski resort about 20 miles north of Anchorage, known as Alyeska. The mountain does not have the vertical elevation that most large areas in Colorado have, but the terrain is varied with some nice steeps and cornices. The lodge and base area are new and rather upscale.</div>
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A July visit to Chicago/Rockford see my Mom for her birthday...below are some shots from an evening boat trip...and a beautiful Illinois sunset.<br />
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<i>Two trips to Nashville in June and early August, (bracketing the trip to Illinois) </i><br />
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A couple of years ago, I took my daughter Julia to Chicago for a cartoon art & animation camp with former Disney animator Brian Ferguson. It was a great deal of fun, and allowed Julia and I to also spend time in downtown Chicago enjoying the lakefront, Michigan Ave., museums and of course, the Art Institute.<br />
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So, we decided to try another similar jaunt in June. We went to Nashville for a cartoon art camp with several folks who have worked with Disney, Pixar and Big Idea. And this time, the whole family came along, (Well, that means my wife Beth joined us, but the poor dog had to stay home with our dog-sitter.)<br />
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It was a terrific time, from start to end, fun and lots of drawing. Nashville is home to several other things as well, including a full scale replica of the Parthenon, tantalizing BBQ, and some incredible music downtown.<br />
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Finally, we flew Julia home from college for a summer-capping Labor day weekend adventure. Biking, hiking and horses - through the Arapahoe National forest and the Vail Pass, with a dash of luxuriating.<br />
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Julia scaling a fallen tree in a task appropriate Wonder Woman shirt.<br />
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Well, that's it, folks. Hope you had a wonderful summer, with some adventures, too. Back to the studio for me.<br />
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<br /><br />Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-75714682001330675282019-01-13T21:50:00.001-07:002020-05-09T15:47:42.150-06:00A Flight of Reference<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><i><span style="font-size: 12px;">Note: This flight - and the included photos - were taken in October. I've been saving them, as I did not have time to post it until now.</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">When most cartoonists draw cartoons, they draw images from their imaginations, often without much regard for realism. You never know what it might look like, or how distorted it might be. That's usually the best path to humor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">I also illustrate books, so some of that work leans toward </span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">realism, and l</span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">ike most book illustrators, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">I sometimes use photos as references</span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">Unfortunately,</span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;"> with things that involve depth perception, photos don't always work well; especially </span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">larger things like mountains, buildings and expansive views of terrain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">Over the next month I'll be illustrating a children's book that features aerial views of mountains and ranges like</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> those found here in Colorado. So, I decided to charter a tour flight to get some actual glimpses of exactly what I need. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">I was able to find a flight that took a path over Rocky Mountain National Park, south to Red Rocks, </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">and then further west over the Continental Divide. We had several days with 70 degree temperatures late this Fall, along with clear skies, so it was a perfect time to do it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">My wife does not like to fly in small planes any more than necessary. So, my daughter Julia came along with me, and we had a great afternoon of fun. Even though this was a Cessna and not a speedy jet, we both found it truly amazing as to how much ground you can cover "as the crow flies", rather than sticking to roads...especially ground that varies greatly in height and topographical detail. It would have taken two days to drive a car along this flight path that took less than two hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">We had music going in the plane, which was perfect until some lowlight efforts of Bob Dylan came on moments before</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> the only part of </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">the flight</span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;"> that wasn't fun...autumn turbulence. We momentarily had wide eyes and bubbly stomachs after we hit some cold air and pressure near the Divide. Our pilot said that it's common to have big changes in air temperature and pressure there this time of the year. </span><i style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">Indeed</i><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">. It's a good thing we were well between lunch and dinner (and sans stomach-churning crooning.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Combining what I have in my mind's eye, several sketches, and the photos Julia and I took, I was able to get some terrific views. I'm hoping to have plenty for some interesting things to wander out on the page and drawing board.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">A special thank you to Ben and Cam at </span><a href="https://www.bluebirdaviation.co/" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;" target="_blank">Bluebird Aviation</a><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;">, for making it an incredibly enjoyable and successful day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">A note about growth: When I moved here over 30 years ago, the population of the Front Range of Colorado was roughly half of what it is now. A stunning sign of that increase</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">was visible from altitude in the sleepy mountain town of Nederland, (a half hour up the canyon from Boulder, and the inspiration for Dan Fogelberg's "Netherlands" album). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">After 30 years of staying nearly the same size, the past two years have have had buildings popping up like prairie dogs on a warm day, stretching into the forests in every direction. As Thomas Wolfe said, "you can't go home again"...nor can you see previously small mountain towns like Nederland from 5,000 ft.</span></span><br />
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Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29620414.post-73194410450532401362019-01-13T21:49:00.000-07:002019-10-20T13:49:37.130-06:00The Digital Drawing Board: Recent Illustrations (and a respite from my hiatus)Welcome to the semi annual posting of the Dancing Moose Journal.<br />
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I've been absent here, taking a seven-month break from posting - as well as from most social media. So, Happy Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Holidays and New Year - and likely, happy birthday.<br />
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This unplanned hiatus started with being too busy with clients, family, etc., and then extended itself...with me wanting to spend more time with family, friends and some personal projects. And suffice it to say, I just wanted to get a break from my iPhone. As a NYT article stated this week, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/25/opinion/sunday/steve-jobs-never-wanted-us-to-use-our-iphones-like-this.html" target="_blank">Steve Jobs Never Wanted Us to Use Our iPhones Like This</a><br />
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I quit Facebook three years ago because it took too much time, and that feeling spread to other platforms. (And to be honest, posting on social media has always seemed to feel so self involved.)<br />
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Last year I overheard my daughter talking with two neighbor friends about social media. One girl announced that she had nearly a thousand friends on Instagram and that by comparison, the other two girls were not nearly as popular. The second neighbor wondered how many of this girl's followers were <i>real </i>friends, and suggested that they could feed her graduation party attendees with a couple of sub sandwiches. Ouch.<br />
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I realized that described my feelings. No offense to social media fans, but I question spending many hours per week with social media "friends", many of whom I will never even talk with over the phone. Why not focus more on people closer to the heart...you know, folks who might actually show up for my funeral.<br />
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During this "social media vacation", I was contacted by some out-of-state clients and Twitter friends whom I had not talked with recently, to see if I was okay. So, in a clumsy way, even that worked out - I got to talk with them and catch up, instead of simply seeing a "like" on a photo or post.<br />
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The social media blackout continues, but I'm temporarily breaking the streak here just in case anyone else is wondering where I went.<br />
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I thought I'd also quickly rummage through the recent art bin to share a small sampling of enjoyable client projects that have graced my drawing board:<br />
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First, a poster created for the latest theatrical production of <a href="https://www.hexagon.org/" target="_blank">Hexagon</a>, "Washington DC's only original political, satirical, musical, comedy revue."<br />
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From their website: <i>Since 1955, Hexagon has produced an annual show that parodies local, national and international political issues. </i><br />
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The new production is set in the future and is titled "<b>Romp in the Swamp</b>"...<br />
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Below is an editorial illustration created for the <a href="https://whitemarlinopen.com/" target="_blank">White Marlin Open</a>, the world's largest ocean game fish tournament, located every year in Ocean City, Maryland.<br />
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It was filled with <a href="https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/sports/2018/08/03/white-marlin-open-officials-stand-polygraph-method/862650002/" target="_blank">controversy</a> in its 45th year, for the use of polygraph tests for fishermen. This year the winner took home a prize of $2.5 million...but had t undergo a polygraph test to ensure he did not cheat.<br />
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Also included is a small drawing of Ernest Hemingway, one of the best-known bill fisherman.<br />
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Over the past several months I have written and drawn several pieces for Maryland wealth management firm, <a href="https://wms-partners.com/wms-partners-recognized-by-barrons-as-a-top-ria/" target="_blank">WMS Partners</a>. The financial themed cartoons are being featured in their news publication, blog and their advertising.</div>
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I have been working with their new publication editor Malcolm Fitch, the former Editor-in-chief of "Standard And Poor".</div>
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I was recently commissioned by an AP History society to create political cartoons to accompany articles for high school AP History students. This involved concept writing and art, and the first cartoon accompanied an <a href="https://apprend.io/apush/period-8/truman-doctrine/" target="_blank">article on the Truman Doctrine</a> . Others covered The Dawes Severalty Act, (affecting native Americans), Roosevelt's Square Deal, and the 1930's migration from the South.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XngIdA6Tv94/XEIVWvJSqvI/AAAAAAAAEw8/wHPywB1aSIgEJljfYwteJ3rKpU84ZVz-wCLcBGAs/s1600/Great-Migration-Jim-Crow-1930s-CarA-240-tutoring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XngIdA6Tv94/XEIVWvJSqvI/AAAAAAAAEw8/wHPywB1aSIgEJljfYwteJ3rKpU84ZVz-wCLcBGAs/s640/Great-Migration-Jim-Crow-1930s-CarA-240-tutoring.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cq7bsoDqNcA/XCx07OtMw3I/AAAAAAAAEuM/U3yiNwfsUwU8Uf5ZSe404swVP-aD6dy8QCLcBGAs/s1600/Truman-Doctrine-240-tutoring-Flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1000" height="588" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cq7bsoDqNcA/XCx07OtMw3I/AAAAAAAAEuM/U3yiNwfsUwU8Uf5ZSe404swVP-aD6dy8QCLcBGAs/s640/Truman-Doctrine-240-tutoring-Flat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">In October I was commissioned to write and draw a series of humorous promotional postcards and posters over the next nine months for </span><a href="https://www.westaf.org/" target="_blank">WESTAF</a>. They are the <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 16px;">Western States Arts Federation,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 16px;"> a nonprofit
arts organization dedicated to strengthening the infrastructure of the arts in the West. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 16px;">WESTAF
is located in Denver and governed by a 22-member board of trustees
comprised of arts leaders in the West. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 16px;">They serve the largest
constituent territory of the U.S. regional arts organizations and
includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana,
Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #333333;">Here are the first several postcards...The concepts I wrote are intended to point out the benefits of working with WESTAF vs other grants organizations. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyHv5Dw114w/XAYvy_u-auI/AAAAAAAAErE/SOvMkJA3guo4xY_61ifSo54Sev_2L8VewCLcBGAs/s1600/Westaf---alien1-MINE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1000" height="422" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyHv5Dw114w/XAYvy_u-auI/AAAAAAAAErE/SOvMkJA3guo4xY_61ifSo54Sev_2L8VewCLcBGAs/s640/Westaf---alien1-MINE.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyHv5Dw114w/XAYvy_u-auI/AAAAAAAAErE/SOvMkJA3guo4xY_61ifSo54Sev_2L8VewCLcBGAs/s1600/Westaf---alien1-MINE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyHv5Dw114w/XAYvy_u-auI/AAAAAAAAErE/SOvMkJA3guo4xY_61ifSo54Sev_2L8VewCLcBGAs/s1600/Westaf---alien1-MINE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyHv5Dw114w/XAYvy_u-auI/AAAAAAAAErE/SOvMkJA3guo4xY_61ifSo54Sev_2L8VewCLcBGAs/s1600/Westaf---alien1-MINE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJCoGBfMi9o/XHg7rWAp4TI/AAAAAAAAE08/Wlj3i0Kjwu4mNiCU26l3qIHcYULhhTaOACLcBGAs/s1600/Westaf--We-know-your-business-Nova-Grants2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="1000" height="348" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJCoGBfMi9o/XHg7rWAp4TI/AAAAAAAAE08/Wlj3i0Kjwu4mNiCU26l3qIHcYULhhTaOACLcBGAs/s640/Westaf--We-know-your-business-Nova-Grants2.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyHv5Dw114w/XAYvy_u-auI/AAAAAAAAErE/SOvMkJA3guo4xY_61ifSo54Sev_2L8VewCLcBGAs/s1600/Westaf---alien1-MINE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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One of several illustrations commissioned for a<a href="https://creeknationcasinos.com/#locations" target="_blank"> group of nine Native American tribal casinos </a>in Oklahoma.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SMXttDLyUf4/W8vZ5X3XePI/AAAAAAAAEm8/N2BH5dLpAL4F2EteMfqjmA8BQzSMAEx7QCLcBGAs/s1600/Creek-Nation-Casinos-SPARK-Greet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SMXttDLyUf4/W8vZ5X3XePI/AAAAAAAAEm8/N2BH5dLpAL4F2EteMfqjmA8BQzSMAEx7QCLcBGAs/s640/Creek-Nation-Casinos-SPARK-Greet1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some illustrations for a longtime pet care client in Washington DC...<br />
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I enjoy creating regular cartoons for cloud computing pioneer <a href="https://cgnet.com/cartoons/" target="_blank">CGNet</a> and their advertising and marketing. Here are two recent pieces:</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZIrTef5EgM/XJECzMLVt2I/AAAAAAAAE14/-7m-BMILgPIUshTAUuA0v3YQCOqfZESZgCLcBGAs/s1600/CGNet-Update-masthead-2019-Spring-color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="1200" height="252" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZIrTef5EgM/XJECzMLVt2I/AAAAAAAAE14/-7m-BMILgPIUshTAUuA0v3YQCOqfZESZgCLcBGAs/s640/CGNet-Update-masthead-2019-Spring-color.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2PfoV3-Gm0/XGyP-OtdD7I/AAAAAAAAE0k/ssJaNgRJRXgsRy885_VnNSKdW-NFhhs4ACLcBGAs/s1600/CG%2BNet%2B%252344%2BFortune%2BTeller-Print2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2PfoV3-Gm0/XGyP-OtdD7I/AAAAAAAAE0k/ssJaNgRJRXgsRy885_VnNSKdW-NFhhs4ACLcBGAs/s640/CG%2BNet%2B%252344%2BFortune%2BTeller-Print2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was commissioned to create a last minute illustration for a keynote presentation illustration to stockholders for <a href="https://www.fivepointenergy.com/" target="_blank">Five Point Energy</a>, an energy investment firm in Houston, TX. This cartoon help depicts the volatility in the energy futures market, and possible unseen dangers ahead.<br />
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I received the call on a Sunday afternoon from one of their executives who pleaded with me to help. Usually I would decline, but it was right between the end of mountain biking and ski season, and my wife was volunteering, our daughter had homework...so, after explaining that given the nature of the rush deadline and my double fee policy for 24 hour weekend turnaround, they had the art the next day.<br />
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />An early rough rendering of a map for a new large scale dog amusement park in Northern California. This is a large park (and drawing), and I'm zooming in on the right half of it for now...more later. </div>
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A character comp for <a href="https://actionavatar.com/" target="_blank">Action Avatar</a> https:// a virtual reality gaming company in North Carolina, Their proprietary software and camera system allows you create an accurate, lifelike avatar of yourself to be inserted into many games. B&W version shown, it was finished in several color versions. (This illustration is 6 feet tall, and is being used in their booth at Comic Cons.)<br />
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I regularly draw cartoons to accompany editorials and articles for a magazine covering the Boston Police department...below are two recent samples:</div>
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Two illustrations for a magazine article on artificial intelligence,<br />
authored by Pedro Alves, founder of leading AI firm, <a href="https://ople.ai/about-ople/" target="_blank">Ople Inc.</a><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T2SUlpNLDdc/XCxILvo9ZhI/AAAAAAAAEtc/TwfenTVAc9wLD_Bw-IlzcvZ2WWxYDZUDQCLcBGAs/s1600/Pedro-Alves--Artificial-vs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1200" height="385" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T2SUlpNLDdc/XCxILvo9ZhI/AAAAAAAAEtc/TwfenTVAc9wLD_Bw-IlzcvZ2WWxYDZUDQCLcBGAs/s640/Pedro-Alves--Artificial-vs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">In October I was commissioned to co-write a humorous presentation for <a href="https://cloud-sliver.com/" target="_blank">Cloud Sliver, Inc</a>., a new client in Austin, Texas. Their specialty is moving large scale corporate data to the cloud, applications like Oracle, Microsoft with storage for tens of thousands of employees. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Their proprietary software has saved companies like AT&T and Citibank millions of dollars and years of work. The process is hard to explain in a typical PowerPoint sales presentation to executives, so I was asked to create some funny metaphors</span> to get the theme across. Their sales team will use these themes and illustrations in presentations to prospective clients.</div>
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Several book illustration projects graced my studio over the last few months, but I can 't share much of those until they are released by the publishers. <span style="text-align: center;">Today, after a great afternoon out hiking with my wife daughter, I'm working on a New Yorker cartoon. I have the sketch rendered and some watercolor ready and waiting, so I'll wrap up soon.</span></div>
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It felt good to take some time away from the blog, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. No pressure to update, or to read the latest fake news and noise.<br />
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We have taken two ski trips, spent time with my Mom and brother in Chicago, and with in laws here - in the past month alone. I'd gladly make that trade every time. With that said, after my next post, (which I had written a while back), I may disappear again for a while. Until <i>that </i>respite ends, adieu. I hope your new year is off to a wonderful start.<br />
<br />Mark Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11539011030129280227noreply@blogger.com1