A.O.T.D. (Animal of the Day) Sea Otters

Aww, I missed my little cartoon friends, so I thought I'd throw them in the mix here. Sea otters are commonly seen off the California coast. Sarah and I saw many of them while in Monterey Bay recently. They have an instinct to wrap themselves in seaweed and float on their backs sleeping. They also do this while eating, where they'll put a shellfish on their chests and bang a rock against it until it's broken open revealing the tasty inside. Good times!

Mele Kalikimaka!

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say,
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day,
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway,
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright,
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night,
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say "Merry Christmas to you."

Ah I'm so excited and rambunctious waiting for Christmas to get here, I just had to send out my greeting to everyone. Since I'll be staying here in California this year and opposed to my winter wonderland home of Wisconsin I was inspired to do this. Plus I'm marrying into a Hawaiian family, so it only seems appropriate. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to everyone!

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! ;)

Welcome to My World

This is dedicated to an awesome artist and friend, Pascal Campion. His work and drive has inspired many people including me, and I'm honored to know him. Recently he and his wife had their first child, a little girl named Lily. In his work it's common to see bright colors, birds, elephants, and a myriad of other forest creatures all enjoying life. Check out his work here

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.

FINALLY!!!!!!!

Oh man, finally! I've been slow to post this week because I decided to bite the bullet and finish my new website. I just really needed to get an updated site out there for my peeps. AND, I can now actionscript like an S.O.B.!...so watch out! I plan to keep adding little tidbits over time, so come back to visit here and there. See the new site here.

A Clutter of Crocs

Oh man I hope M.C. Escher doesn't sue me for this ;) In today's litigious society he'd already have me court. Ok, for the "Clutter" theme of illustrationfriday.com again I thought I'd experiment a bit. This was tough! I guess it's gonna take some more practice, but it's fun at the same time. I read up on tessellation here, check it out.

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.

The One

I don't think too much needs to be said about this one, but I'm sure everyone has felt this way at a some point or another, especially if you're an artist trying to make your mark. I know I've sure felt it. The idea came to me after a previous post of all the flamingos I drew from the zoo. I figured there must been at least one feeling this way (He might have been the one giving the others the stink eye).
Although this didn't take me long to do, it may just be my favorite work of mine yet, and that's rare for me to say... :)

The Seagulls of Seacliff

You know when you do those things in life that you basically know the negative outcome, but do it anyway? Well welcome to my life...

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was drawing recently and had a little run-in with some seagulls. I was in the beautiful, yet foggy and cold San Francisco neighborhood Seacliff. I climbed up onto a huge boulder along the shoreline, and started sketching. The whole time I was there, nearby were about 3 seagulls. They were just these mangy looking birds. They looked like they were soaked in sewage water and in the tenth round of a fight they were badly losing. So after a while of looking at them, I felt bad and found what I think was food in my bag and I threw a few pieces to one. Well before I knew it a whole flock of seagulls (not the 80's band), pigeons, crows, and sparrows surrounded me. It made Hitchcock's The Birds look like a Disney movie. I should have known...I did know...I just wasn't thinking...D'OH!

Beijing

Dannnnnnnnnnnnnng! Y'all been watchin' the Olympics?! It's been so incredibly impressive and inspirational. My favorite events have always been swimming and gymnastics. The control these athletes have of their bodies is so amazing to me. I did watch diving and basketball yesterday too which was equally as impressive. Whew, lookin' forward to more!

If you missed them up to this point, check 'em here. At least watch the opening ceremony, it'll blow you away!

Setting Sail for the Canary Islands

Here's for this week's Illustrationfriday.com's theme of 'Sail'. I drew inspiration from an original concept painting done for Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean ride, listening to Joan Jett music, my friend Pascal Campion's panoramic image shots, and living with my scheming cat..........................who knew.

Whoa! I have the feeling I may smell like a pirate right now...probably time to shower!

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.

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

A tribute to one of my favorites for this week's IllustrationFriday.com subject of Enough. Michael Jackson's song Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough premiered on his album Off the Wall, and it's definitely a classic. Recently it was made popular again being played in the Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker movie Rush Hour. I need to make clear too, that I like Michael Jackson THEN, not now. We all know what's going on now, but I'm talking about this Michael who made Off The Wall and Thriller. I am proud and sad to say at the same time too that I can do the entire Thriller dance. This would make me an ideal candidate for the new reality show coming out So You Think You Can Dance...But Are Horribly Mistaken.

EEEHEE! WOO!

TUNA: A Love Story

I was just reading a magazine column of the author's favorite picks for new books on the market, and one of them was called Tuna: A Love Story. Well this made me laugh like a maniac because for those of you who don't know, my little cat's name is Tuna, and I LOVE HER TO DEATH. Sarah, my fiance, I think gets a little jealous sometimes of the bond we share. I've had Tuna for about three years now since she was a nine week old kitten. She's all black, with yellow-green eyes, with a really long tail. I've never had a pet I've felt so close to, and it's especially strange because up to her I never really had interest in having a cat. Sarah's cat Tippy passed away a few months before we got Tuna, and that was really my first experience living with a cat. Tippy really grew on me, and I was really sad when she passed. But now I have Tuna! She's a pain in the ass sometimes, but she's been such a great little companion, and has helped get me through some tougher times. So when I saw Tuna: A Love Story, I immediately thought of me and Tuna, and all the cheesy, cliche images you'd see from romance movies. Running down the beach seemed like the best image to bring this across. Ahhh, good times.

My Son Has A Gift!

Here's a scene from an animation I'm working on right now. It'll be a dialog piece that I'm messing around with. I'll post it in its entirety when I'm all done.