An Oldie, but Goodie

Here's something I did a while back that I liked...blah, blah, blah....

Are You My Mother?

One of my favorite children's books when I was younger was Are you My Mother? which was part of the Dr. Seuss series. This is just my little twist on it of a little girl lost in a strange world
looking for her mum. Plus I figured it's not too often I draw monsters, so why not start!

...and found

Hmmmmm, this started off as something completely different. But I'm still satisfied with the result. I've discovered that at times with my art I have to let it tell me what I'm drawing. Yeah, pretty heavy huh? I guess in a way it represents me creating this image, in that I was lost for awhile and now...found.

Over and out!

Not Giving Prop 8 Its Props

Sarah and I attended the No on Prop 8 protest rally in SF this past weekend. Good times! Lots of people, which was nice to see. Lots of colorful "characters" too, and ALL for a GOOD cause. I believe a pro-gay marriage will pass eventually, but obviously not enough people are ready for it yet. It's just unfortunate that a marriage has to be voted on period.

Draw Ya Later Alligator

Yeehaw, another fun day at the Oakland Zoo. It was so nice and warm in the Bay area this weekend, I had to get out. I decided it would be lizard day. I was about 3 ft from the alligator, which even though there's a small iron bar fence between, it gives you a rush. I get the feeling it could have easily crawled over it if it wanted to. AND now that this is done, we get to go to my other favorite zoo tonight...Zachary's Pizza!!!

I've Got A Hunch

Oh the beauty of classical music. It just give me so many ideas! Obviously many of the Warner Bros. cartoons were to classical music or operas. I heard the song from Romeo and Juliet 'Montagues and Capulets (No. 1 from Suite #2)', and I just had this vision of the hunchback going through the town square with his distinctive walk, frightening the townspeople, and of course eyeing a certain young lady. Good times! I'm thinking of animating it too.

Peace out!

Raymond

I created this for my fiance Sarah. This is her brother Raymond who passed away in July at a relatively young age. I suppose this could be posted on illustrationfriday.com for "Repair" because death is something that obviously cannot be repaired. Certain emotions and feelings relating to the death of a loved one can never be repaired, but in general time seems to heal, and a certain degree of closure and acceptance comes to fruition. Sarah was very close to him and he in turn loved her very much. He lived a very adventurous life traveling the world and living in such locations as Miami, San Francisco, New York, Puerto Rico, and Brazil. She and I both admired him being able to move about so freely seeing what life has to offer. We'll miss him and look forward to seeing him again ;)

On the aesthetic side, I know this is a little different from the style generally seen from me here, but again this blog for me is about exploring and experimenting. I created this in Photoshop as a speed painting in about two hours, which may not necessarily classify it as a speed painting, but ya know. I've never been good at painting in Photoshop so I figure it's now or never! I'll be back to more cartoons next week ;)

No Strings Attached?

Well normally I'm not one to be a political commentator, and I'm probably going to hell for this one, but it was my immediate reaction to this week's theme of "Strings" for Illustrationfriday.com I know John McCain has a handicap in his arm due to a war injury (and then some), but I can't help but think when I see him talk that he moves like a string puppet. Who's controlling the strings is another issue, that I'm sure everyone has their own answer to.
Interpret it as you will.
I don't think John McCain is a bad guy by any means, but I have no plan in voting for him. His VP pick certainly helped make my decision concrete. Thanks John and good luck next month! ;)

Wolf Pack(ed)

Playing around with tessellation again for this week's illustrationfriday.com

No Go

Here's a couple illustrations I did for clients recently that didn't get the green light, but I still liked them. There may seem to be some awkward empty space in there; this is where the lettering went that I took out for the company to remain anonymous. Yeah, good times!

Watermelon Bliss

Ok, I've been a little slow to post lately as I've been busy with projects, sick, yada, yada, yada.

I made this recently for a friend who's favorite food in the world is Watermelons. Well what better then to be living in Watermelonland.

Two Year Tribute

Ahhh, I miss him. 'Ol Stevo, the Crocodile Hunter. It's been two years to the day of his tragic death. He was so full of life and passion. That's really what I liked about him. Many people had their criticisms of him, and I'm first to admit I didn't agree with everything he did, but I overall what a great guy! It's that drive that really brings about the best in people. When the fire's there burning inside, there's no stopping a man. Look at Walt Disney, Bruce Lee, or Henry Ford. All these men had incredible passions for what they did, and it skyrocketed them to success. All mentioned here are among my heroes, whom I emulate and study.

Memories Of More Innocent Times (?)

A quickie for the illustrationfriday.com theme of "memories. I'll try to be as brief as possible with this. When I first saw my little cat Tuna at the local animal shelter she was with all 9 of her brothers and sisters. At the time they were all nine week old kittens. She was the MOST laid back of all of them, which I liked. All the rest were jumping on, clawing, and biting everything, including me. I saw her just sitting there and even when I picked her up, she just sat there and looked around calmly. Again I liked this, so I picked her.
With the purchase of her came a free vet check up and first round of shots. When we brought her into the vet, they took her temperature and right away the doctor said "Oh, she's sick, she's got a high temp." I was a little worried, but they said no problem, and prescribed some medicine to give her for the next week. Well, I'm really curious what was in those pills, which to this day I'm still convinced was crack or speed, because as soon as we started giving that to her she turned into a nightmare. Basically she turned into the opposite of what I liked about her...her brothers and sisters. All day, running around like a maniac, tearing things up, knocking everything over. If only I knew the terror I had brought home that day...

Wisconsin

I'm excited as I'm off to my homeland of Wisconsin tomorrow. Sarah and I are flying to Milwaukee to stay with my sister and her family for the week. I LOVE Milwaukee, though I was born and raised in Northern Wisconsin (Superior). They have a great zoo there (I know shocking I'd say that), a brand new ball park, beautiful lakefront areas, lively nightlife, and some of the craziest sports FANatics you've ever seen. Oh yeah, and they like their beer there too. Milwaukee is of course the home of such beers as Miller, Pabst, Blatz, Milwaukee's Best (duh), and a regional favorite Leinenkugel's. It'll be a nice, relaxing week which I've been looking forward to for a long time.

Detached

A little something different for this week's Illustrationfriday.com. I worry sometimes this has happened to me...

Forty Flamingos

Back at the zoo with pen and ink. Today I went to SF zoo, and spent time with the flamingos. Being with and drawing animals is so peaceful and relaxing to me. I almost prefer them to humans (no offense).

Freezing My Cajones Off For Art Sake

Yeah, I'm such a martyr. I took a trip to San Francisco's beautiful Seacliff neighborhood today, and did a few sketches. I came prepared dressed in so many layers. The drive over was hot, but once I was out there drawing, all those clothes really helped. I had my trusty Sharpie marker with me and did some ink wash studies as well, which I haven't done in a while but it sure was fun! Another sketch will be up here soon of my experience with the seagulls (errrrrr).

Peace!

Poof!

I apologize in advance for my immature interpretation of this week's subject of 'Poof' for IllustrationFriday.com, but this really happened to me and it wasn't pleasant.

Recently my friend from Wisconsin came out visit me here in California, and as a day trip we decided to take a drive up to Yosemite National Park. Beautiful up there by the way, but the scenery took a backseat as to what happened when I was with him there. He farted so much that entire trip, I just don't understand how it's biologically possible for one human being to let go of so many fumes. We walked through the Yosemite valley, up dried river beds, through serene meadows, with literally every 20 seconds there was farting. Now, being a guy I'm definitely one to enjoy a little tearing of ass here and there, but this...oh man, this got to be a little too much for me I'm ashamed to say. I guess you could say I was literally and figuratively blown away. How could one be responsible for so much gas? He must have destroyed a good 80% of the fauna and vegetation. I don't know if he had to meditate though to attain the state he was in, some kind of gaseous enlightenment, because there was definitely an aura around him, and it did not smell good at all!

Paradise City

I thought I'd just post a drawing this time since I felt it could portray more energy than I could get working on the computer. When I was down in San Diego recently, I was driving down the highway and Paradise City by Guns 'n' Roses came on the radio. Man I got so AMPED hearing it! What a great song! Just got the juices goin'! Of course a lot of songs off Appetite For Destruction were classics, and especially for a debut album. I've really liked a lot of their work since too, but man this album really was awesome!

Canned Ninjas

Are you experiencing people stealing your lunch money at school? Do you make continuous visits to the hospital due to wedgie related injuries? Do you have a GPA 4.0 or higher? Is bench pressing balsa wood a serious workout for you? WELL THEN, you need Canned Ninjas! Canned Ninjas are transported in a small can that can fit in either a backpack or even a fanny pack. Whenever trouble comes about from unruly assailants, open a can of ninjas, and you're opening a can of whoop ass! When opened a clan of highly trained ninjas will be dispersed inflicting deserved pain on your antagonizers. Occasionally a ninja will get stuck the can, but just give it a shake to loosen things up, and unleash the beast! Order now, and we'll throw in our free Canned Car Salesmen. It's not the physical anguish, as much as mental anguish these trained "professionals" inflict. They will follow your enemy everywhere, and we mean everywhere asking them questions and making statements like: "So, what kinda set of wheels you lookin' for today?" "You know, I have a sales goal my team is trying to reach, so I need to sell this car." "So what's it gonna take for me to get you to drive this home." "Well all I can give you for your car is $35." "You look like a pretty cool guy, you deserve one of the cars I can offer you." The constant annoyance will not only drive your enemies away, but insane. ORDER NOW!


Whew! Ok, that's for this week's IllustrationFriday.com's subject "Canned" It was fun. You know I just got back from Comic Con in San Diego, and this product could do well there. I have a sneaking suspicion some of those folks are/were being picked on in school.