Not all Christmas card submissions are winners.

Not all Christmas card submissions are winners. I recently found this old 'reject' and looking at it now, I don't blame the editors a bit for their decision...but to my immature little brain, I still giggle a bit to myself :-) Happy Holidays!

Inspiration at the gym...for cartoons.

One finds inspiration for cartoons all around us. Recently I started working out at a gym, again. The first thing that struck me was how obvious it was that some spend all their workouts concentrated on their upper body and never their lower body. Big on top, birdlegs on the bottom. Who's to say Frosty wouldn't be the same way? :-)

Christmas Surprise! Elf undies :-)

A surprise encounter with a friend, any friend, can become an uncomfortable situation...if you let it :-)

Happy Holidays to all you kinky elves :-)

Excited to see Santa Claus!

I like the idea of Santa being greeted by all of his elves upon his return. What a celebration that must be! Anyhow, with that in mind, yesterday, I created the b/w image in my sketchbook, just for the fun of it. But last night those little guys were just begging for me to toss some color onto them...so I did! Santa is real! Just ask the elves, they'll tell ya! :-) Happy Holidays!!!

Making WINE at the North Pole!

This was originally a sketch for a wine label, that ultimately didn't get picked, but it was too fun not to do something with it! So tossed some color on the rough sketch and, TA-DA! A fun, loose illustration of our friends up north making some delicious Holiday wine :-)

The Thanksgiving Office Party

Office parties, although oftentimes can be great fun, can also be very uncomfortable for certain individuals....especially if you're the guest of honor...aka, THE MEAL. __Have a wonderful and very happy Thanksgiving, everyone :-)

Personalized Artwork Gift Idea for the Holidays!

This drastic cold snap that has befallen us over the last 24 hours has been an instant reminder that the Holiday Season is upon us and gift ideas are being seeked out by many. It's my pleasure to remind folks of the one-of-a-kind pet lover illustrations I take great joy in creating! Orders are coming in and I welcome more! Feel free to contact me for information! Happy Early Holidays and brrrrrrrrrr!!!

Bucky Jones: Illustration that's open to interpretation.

Bucky Jones: Illustration that's open to interpretation.

Wishing you a Humorous Illustrator HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Halloween in Mister Roger's Neighborhood...NOT!

Happy ALMOST Halloween from the neighborhood in my brain. How scary is that? __Fun time playing with this illustration. I have my own reasons for the things I drew, and as the artist I prefer to keep those to myself. But the fun comes when folks start questioning and trying to figure out, "What was he thinking?" Lets just leave it at...HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

How can my son be 25 and I'm only 30?

Today is my son's 25th birthday! Wowza, he's getting old! I only say this because for years, and to this day, he has delighted in reminded me how OLD I am (the little stinker). With the respect a father is due, he often refers to me in loving terms, like, 'You old fart', 'Old Man', etc. etc. Ironically, I did all the same things to my father, so guess I deserved this. But like with my dad, it was all said out of love, good humor and actual respect...I hope. Ha.__ So to my son, Satchel Buck Jones, I wish you every happiness a father could wish a son. I have loved and adored you since...forever. Everyday of your life I have believed in you & encouraged you to be YOU...and I'm proud of YOU! You may live in the concrete jungle of NYC but there's an OLD MAN back in the cornfields of Iowa who will always be DAD, and will always love you. Happy 25th birthday, Satchel...you young fart :-)

Special illustation request from my SON!

Recently I was very flattered to receive a 'special request' from....my son! He lives 1,000 miles away in NYC, and out of the blue I get a message from him asking me to draw up a three panel piece featuring our beloved and recently departed family dog, Blaze. He didn't want a storyline or for it to be a gag but rather, simply, three images that would remind him of Blaze. __Panel 1)Blaze would often sleep with one of her giant basset hound ears covering her eyes. Panel 2) Blaze loved to chew on empty water bottles until the tops popped off. Panel 3) No matter what, Blaze always woke up in a good mood, and it was the family's delight to watch her funny little basset hound waddle-wiggle-walk as she strolled out of my son's bedroom to the kitchen every morning. She always caused our days to start with a smile! She's been gone six months now but she was special and will always be with us as we share those special memories.___It meant a lot to this dad to receive this request from his grown son :-)

BATTY for Halloween!

Creating images for Halloween is always so much fun, because you can't go wrong when creating  and making up your own creatures or characters! Cute bats, ugly bats, mean bats, happy bats...it's all goooooood :-) No restrictions, just wide open, unbridled creativity! Plus, you get to draw gross stuff... and because it's Halloween...it's okay :-)

Black and White vs. Full Color Illustration

I'm a HUGE fan of black and white illustration! But having said that, I cannot deny that, sometimes, taking that black and white illustration and converting it to a full color illustration can have a real dramatic impact on that same illustration and really make it pop! __The b/w 'Little Dog' image that I created last  Friday night...got the full color treatment this Friday night! Personally, I like both approaches, but it's fun to compare and contrast both options! Hope you like'em, too :-)

Artwork created while my wife sleeps!

I've mentioned in the past how, on certain evenings after my wife has fallen asleep, I will slip over to a drafting table we have in our bedroom, sit down and create for the pure joy of it. Well, I also look at it as practicing what I do, but the goal is just to unwind, relax and see where the pen takes my hand. This particular night, the pen had 'small dog attitude' on it's mind. __You just never know what the end result of these 'night time-wife sleeping' creations will be. But, they're always enjoyable :-)

Missing my dear friend...my dog.

It was 5 months ago today that our dearly beloved, Blaze the Basset Hound, left us for Doggy Heaven. I'd be lying if I said we, her immediate family, don't miss her like crazy. That only shows what a special member of the family she was, is. Love ya, Blaze, and miss you :-) Good dog!!!

Can you find Courage, a Brain or a Heart on Ebay?

Life in OZ is different these days :-)

Cartoon Friend helps celebrate 30th Wedding Anniversary!

On September 8th I awoke to the blessed realization that I have been married to my best friend and beautiful bride for 30 years! Wow, it doesn't seem possible....not that we're still married (ha)...but rather that it's already been 30 years! It's flown and it's been wonderful! Not without it's challenges but always with love.
My wife and I have always tried to maintain the fun (humor) in our relationship, and many times that has included cartoons that I have created, in one way or another. This year my character, ESTER B. SAGGIN, decided to hang from the top of the garage door, in her bathing suit, gripping a sign with her toes, that welcomed my sweet wife home from her looooong day of work. __The wonderful thing about my wife,...she ALWAYS appreciates this kind of thing and that brings me joy and makes me want to keep making her happy :-) She's the best! Thanks for the help, ESTER B.!

Cartoons from 1993 bring modern day joy to this father.

Recently I was cleaning the bedroom my son grew up in (He's now 24 and lives 1,000 miles away). As you might guess, there's a mix of emotions when a parent goes through the things of their child's childhood. Imagine my surprise when I came across these three illustrations I did for him back in 1993, when he was 4 years old. __To me, they, the cartoons, were as powerful as finding an old love letter. There were no written words of love but rather, when I look at the cartoons I can see and remember the love that went into them. I see me trying to create images that he, my son, my little boy, would enjoy, make him smile and ultimately laugh or giggle. 

I wasn't paid a cent for these illustrations, but the hugs I got from my, then, 4 year old son when he received them, were worth more than anything in the world.__Now that's a good memory :-)

Ice Bucket Challenge

Couldn't go to sleep tonight without first sketching out my true experience with the Ice Bucket Challenge :-)

What's the BUZZ on Social Networking?

Cartoon asks, 'When it comes to social media and networking, can you really have too many friends?'

Illustration for the Children's Market

I have spent the majority of this summer creating illustrations pertaining to the children's market, mostly in the educational realm. I truly love working in this area for it allows a great level of creativity and imagination! Working with Art Directors and Editors who support that approach and celebrate the joy that is a child's imagination is such a treat!

Friday night and relaxing with pen and paper!

Friday night sometimes find me trying to unwind from the week by drawing for nobody but me. This typically means that after my wife has drifted off to sleep, I'll get up, grab some pens and paper, sit at the drawing table in our bedroom and just start inking with no real thought, or direction, in mind...other than to create, have fun and relax. __Such is the resulting image you see below. I call it, THE PARASITE!..but only because that's what the little guy who's attached himself to the big guy reminds me of. The end result of these drawings never have to have any profound meaning to me. I simply enjoy creating and seeing what ends up on the paper. ___So there you have it...my wild and exciting Friday night (sigh).... :-)

Beware...Fall political campaigning is coming!

The onslaught of political ads has already begun...and it's already getting nasty. This does not make me look forward to things kicking into high gear this fall when both sides come out in full force. Like the attached cartoon, they can dress it up all they want but their true colors, red & blue, always show through. __Could make for a spooky Halloween.

Using ILLUSTRATION for that special occasion!

Consider using illustration to celebrate and promote your special event! Case in point, here's an illustration I did some years ago to celebrate my high school class reunion. The cartoon mimics the traditional setting for our Senior class photo, taken every year outside in front of the entrance to our high school. I simply went back and changed the number on the banner to match this year's 35th reunion date...which we'll be celebrating tomorrow!

 

Illustration is sometimes about a play off of words.

When illustrating about a particular subject matter, I look for keywords or phrases in the copy that I can play off of when trying to create a fun illustration that ties into the article. Such is the case when creating a simple, fun piece of artwork about a child's 'loooooong day of reading.' Giraffe = Long...taadaa!

Illustration brings attention to your project!

I love what I do, and if I could sit around and create for the pure joy of it, I would! BUT...a guy has to make a living, and that means promoting one's self. Reminding existing and potential clients that I'm out here and I'm eager to work for them and create with them! __Wish me luck :-) Thanks!!!!

Baboon Butt Doodle

Took time out to do a little freeflow doodling yesterday. It's a good exercise and a relaxing break...but
the results can sometimes, most times, be disturbing :-) Taunting a superhero with the baboon butt. Go figure :-)

Have fun with illustration!

When illustrating about 'fast animals on the safari'...I wanted to take a different approach, away from the obvious. Something unexpected, something fun! __I know from working around, and drawing for, preschoolers that one of their favorite animals is the cheetah, and while they like it when I doodle out a cheetah stretched out and running...they always giggle when I doodle that same 'fast cheetah' running upright, like humans! __Being a Track & Field fan, I envisioned the cheetah running hurdles, but since there are no hurdles in the safari...why not have the cheetah hurdling over the tall grasses as he is in pursuit of a swift gazelle? Better yet, have him, the cheetah, wearing a true track uniform and spikes! I played the gazelle more straight forward with slight exaggeration and expression, thus keeping the main focus on the cheetah. ___The key here is....HAVE FUN WITH IT!

Illustration that's open to interpretation.

Many of the illustrations I create are done to accompany a written article or story. When this is the case the content (text) of the article makes the exlanation, or meaning,  of the illustration pretty self-explanatory. But when that same illustration is left to stand alone on its own, without any copy or explanation, I am often fascinated by the wide variety of interpretations the same illustration can ellicit. From good to bad, hilarious to hellfire, sigh to deeply intellectual, etc.
The illustration below is a good example of this. __ Trust me, it was created in the spirit of fun..but, without saying more, I'll leave it up to your imagination to decide the meaning, if any, behind this lovely image.  I'll never tell :-)

 

Creating Kid Friendly Characters

The manic, overly exaggerated characters I've been creating of late do not always work or transfer over to the children's market. so when creating a caterpillar character for a children's piece, I back off and soften the character. Still trying to maintain an inviting, non-threatening, friendly character with personality...and pants :-)

Steps for coloring the MANIC OLD DOG illustration!

I recently created an editorial illustration about older dogs and their, sometimes, manic excitement when it comes to dinnertime. We all have to have something to look forward to. Apparently, old dogs look forward to dinnertime...as do I :-) __Anyhow, I wanted to share a few of the different stages of creating the illustration, once the pencil sketch had been chosen. 1) The base b/w lineart. 2) The addition of flat colors. 3)  Laying in some shading 4) Changing the b/w lineart to color and adding a soft background.
The process takes a bit of time but I enjoy the feel of the final illustration...as did the client :-)

Humorous Editorial Illustration lightens heavy subject matter.

Getting to create a humorous editorial illustration is great fun, when given the opportunity to take on a heavy subject matter, such as, 'PARENTING- ARE YOU READY TO ENTER THE RING WITH YOUR INFANT?' __More clients should consider this clever approach when dealing with serious subject matter. It's an awesome way to bring attention to an article and draw in your readers.__But, hey, I'm just a Humorous Illustrator :-)

Can you tell what sports team your neighbor likes?

When your neighbor sits outside on their patio, watching sports programs on their TV,...it doesn't take a lot to figure out who they're cheering for...or against :-)

Be Happy Like a Hippo!

Some days can be really tough. Things, or people, can try and bring you down. That's when you need to remember that you have a choice. Choose to be HAPPY LIKE A HIPPO!!!

Do your illustration assignments start to run together?

When illustration assignments start to run together things can get pretty...WEIRD :-)

http://www.buckjonesillustrator.com

Inking 'Big Bottom Mice riding Pigs'...just bcuz I can!

Sometimes it's not 'what you're drawing'...it's just 'that you're drawing.' Case in point :-)

Summertime Dreams

Ahhhhh, summertime!!! __Unfortunately, I can't make it to the beach this year. __Ahhhh, but a guy can dream :-)

Buck Jones- Humorous Illustration for Advertising Projects

Getting the opportunity to lend one's talents to an advertising project has always been a rewarding one! This sample sheet contains a few samples, with varying clients from a heavy equipment company, to a car company to fast food chains. It keeps life interesting :-)

Dog wearing 3 bras serves drinks. Say what?

Ahhh, finally it's the first day of Spring! I don't know about you but after the winter we've had, I think we all deserve a nice drink in a classy establishment.__Not quite sure that was achieved by the guy-dog in this toon :-)

Sending out Promotional Sheets!

Over the years I have sent/mailed out numerous promotional sheets featuring various samples of my lighthearted humorous illustration style. I recently came across this black and white sample piece from some years ago, showing mostly spot art pieces. In regards to mailed promos, I recall getting a pretty good response from this simple piece.  It's always fun to look back!

Kissing Booth + Humorous Illustrator= $

A guy's gotta make money somehow...right? :-)

Ester B. Saggin & Blaze The Basset Hound...Bagging more than just groceries

A little sight gag...so to speak. Ester bags more than just the groceries...look closely :-)
__I hope you've bagged a nice Hump Day!

Monday's bad idea.

Bad Mood vs. Good Mood

Don't let someone else's bad mood ruin your good mood! Be happy! Help turn their bad mood into a good mood!

Judge not others, lest ye be.....

Ester B. Saggin & Blaze Enjoy a Warm Weather Walk

While I sit here in my cold studio, I thought it might be nice to revisit Ester B. Saggin and Blaze The Basset Hound, enjoying a nice warm weather walk...spoiled by a darn squirrel.