Beautiful day to walk the dog and fly the cat :-)

Working it out in the sketchbook!

My sketchbooks might be an example of what ADHD may look like. Totally unrelated sketches crammed onto the same page with no apparent train of thought but random images floating all over. Some more finished than others, some not finished at all and a lot of doodles. But the reality is, all the images actually are leading to something. It's all part of the process :-)

I miss being able to run!

Running used to be one of my favorite things to do. Not jogging, although that was enjoyable too, but running. Just booking around the track! But due to knee issues, it's been years since I've been able to enjoy that.__On nice days like today, I miss it all the more. __Guess I'll let my cartoon friends run for me :-)

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!!!

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!

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 :-)

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

Life in OZ is different these days :-)

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).... :-)