ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: Propagate

Howard is back and up to his old tricks. I lit my own rug on fire when I was 4- my mom thought I was yelling "spider spider" instead of "fire fire". It was definitely a science experiment gone wrong. hmph.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: Adrift

A departure from my usual "Howard" cartoons... its just been one of those weeks. When I read the theme for the week "adrift" this is exactly what I pictured. For the past few days I've been quoting Jaws- "I'm going to need a bigger boat". It feels like I'm drowning in work, responsibilities, etc- some little devil broke my paddle and all I want to do is wave the white flag! Calgon! Take me away! Far far away!

Beautiful Baby Girl

A very good friend gave birth to a baby girl last week. Our friendship is so cool because we're very close- but have spent such little time together. As she always describes it "We play for the same team." I love that. I love her. She sent a picture of the baby- and I'm pretty sure this is the most beautiful baby ever born- and no doubt, she'll be one of the most talented- both parents are artists.

 I designed this custom birth announcement print as my present. Can't wait for her to see it.

rejects

After being in the biz for 15+ years, I have no idea why I'm still so surprised when a client doesn't choose my favorite. I've tried every strategy... labeling it as no. 1- oh but wait, that's too obvious, so then I try mixing it in the middle- lost, like Jan Brady, so I've tried putting it in as the last option- hoping to get the WOW factor- like its the grand finale... but it never fails- they always choose the one I like least.

Funny how that happens.

and now for something completely different.

I did this illustration for a client, but it wasn't right for the project. I decided to use it to try some new techniques and I like where it went. I normally don't mix photos with illos- but maybe I should give it a shot. Why not?

ILLUSRATION FRIDAY: Muddy

This week's theme for Illustration is "Muddy". My friend Howard is trying his hand at being a stuntman.

Ahoy!

Adding this to my "I've Arrived" birth announcement offering. Arrrrrr. To see the full offering of Birth Announcements, click here.
And if you have more than one... please visit the site of my bestest friend in the whole wide world (who has the most beautiful triplets you've ever seen) here. Her site is for multiples!!!

Illustration Friday: Wilderness

This week's theme for Illustration Friday is Wilderness... Howard is now an Explorer. I really like this kid (probably because it's loosely based on me.)

Round 'Em Up... Yeehaw.

Thanks to a friend's special request, I'm now offering a new theme to my "I've Arrived" birth posters. A Cowboy! Yeehaw! You can see the finished themes  here. I'll be adding more as the orders roll in. (gosh I hope the orders roll in! lol.)

Ilustration Friday Theme: RENEWAL

Playing with my new character "Howard the (almost) Impossible". This week's theme for Illustration Friday is "renewal." I like the idea of this little nerdy kid living in an imaginary world that is way cooler than reality.

fairytale.

Just a sketch I'm working on for a current project. I follow Lynne Chapman's blog (which is downright amazing) and one of her recent posts is a "how-to" for tinting sketches. I had to go back and thank her. As you can see from the before and after, this will make a huge difference in my work. Thanks Lynne.

PIONEER

The theme for this week's Illustration Friday is "Pioneer". My take on it may be kind of goofy, but it totally inspired the idea for my new character "Howard the almost Impossible". I may just write more about this little guy and his failed attempts to be cool. Fun stuff.

updates and announcements

Hi everyone. I just finished a new promo postcard. To get on the mailing list, please go to my website and fill out the contact form. Happy New Year!

Stormy Weather

just a little something I've been working on... still a work in progress. I'm experimenting with different AI techniques.