Black & White World III
Unfortunately the type on the cover design ended up blocking a nice glowing effect I got in the wave. You can see the final cover here.
Illustrations Archives
April 2, 2007
April 3, 2007
Black & White World II
Here is the cover illustration for the second Cox & Forkum book.
April 6, 2007
Five Minutes to Midnight
A cover illustration for the monthly magazine The Intellectual Activist.
April 7, 2007
Offering More
A cover Illustration for the monthly magazine AutoGraphic Automotive Report.
The Greenspan Standard
A cover illustration for the monthly magazine The Intellectual Activist.
April 9, 2007
DRP Dissatisfaction
A cover Illustration for the monthly magazine AutoGraphic Automotive Report.
April 10, 2007
The Fantasy World of the Realists
A cover illustration for the monthly magazine The Intellectual Activist.
April 11, 2007
Caucus of Corruption
I illustrated the cover for the book Caucus of Corruption by Matt Margolis and Mark Noonan -- which is now on the market.
A Look Back at Visions of the Future
A cover Illustration for the monthly magazine AutoGraphic Automotive Report.
April 12, 2007
What Has Jerusalem to Do with Athens?
A cover illustration for the monthly magazine The Intellectual Activist.
April 13, 2007
Waterborne Paint
A cover Illustration for the monthly magazine AutoGraphic Automotive Report.
April 17, 2007
Watterson
I'm a BIG Calvin and Hobbes fan. I have the book Calvin and Hobbes: Sunday Pages 1985 to 1995 by Bill Watterson, and on a whim I decided to have some fun mimicking the cover with caricatures of me and Allen (that's me up front). It gave me a chance to study Watterson's wonderful water color work. And my efforts didn't go to waste; we used it to announce our hiatus from editorial cartooning today.
May 1, 2007
Moral Outrage
I'm in the planning stages of doing a collection of sketches based on the wacky left. This is the cover idea.
May 2, 2007
Dart Team Logo
I throw darts in a Decatur league when I'm not chained to my drafting table. So here's an idea for our team shirt.
May 17, 2007
Fantasy Cover
Every once in a while, I like to play with a book cover idea just to get a good workout.
May 27, 2007
Sorry, Prof. Reynolds...
Goofing around in Photoshop with an alternative version of Glenn Reynolds' Army of Davids.
May 31, 2007
Newspaper Cover
Allen Forkum art directed this piece for his newspaper, Automotive Report. My favorite part is the irate cave dude's sun dial watch. Yabba Dabba Doo.
June 10, 2007
From The Crypt
I thought this could be a book cover for a southern gothic tale. Any titles?
June 12, 2007
POTUS
"I'm honored to be here with the eternal general of the United States, mi amigo Alberto Gonzales." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., May 4, 2007
Any favorites?
June 18, 2007
Book Cover Idea
A friend of mine hired me to do a cover idea he could present to a publisher. The story has a kind of Snow White-via-Prince and the Pauper theme.
June 19, 2007
Play Poster
A tiny job I did for Kimberly J. at Atlanta Classic Theater some years ago.
June 22, 2007
Poetry Corner
PUT SOMETHING IN
by Shel Silverstein
Draw a crazy picture,
Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-jumble song,
Whistle through a comb.
Do a loony-goony dance
'Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain't been there before.
Thought I'd try to illustrate to one of my favorite poets. Expect a few more of these.
June 23, 2007
AM Radio
"Let's hear from Vincent in Brooklyn...."
"Hey Maury. Long time (BLEEP) listener, first-time (BLEEP) caller. Love your (BLEEP) show. I'm sittin' down to a (BLEEP) danish and an awesome (BLEEP) espresso."
"Glad to hear it. Breakfast is just so great, isn' it?"
(BLEEP) A, Maury. It's like the (BLEEP) best"
"Thanks, Vincent. Now let's hear from Jack in Iowa...."
June 24, 2007
Globe Trottin'
Goofing with photoshop....
Meanwhile, in Decatur...
Hope he has his green card.
June 25, 2007
Poetry Corner
PRAYER OF THE SELFISH CHILD
by Shel Silverstein
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
And if I die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my toys to break.
So none of the other kids can use 'em....
Amen
June 27, 2007
Book Cover Idea
If Stipe ever does a memoir....
June 28, 2007
Poetry Corner
THE SITTER
by Shel Silverstein
Mrs. McTwitter the baby sitter,
I thinks she's a little bit crazy.
She thinks a baby-sitter's supposed
To sit upon the baby.
July 2, 2007
Book Cover Idea
I'd love to read a revisionist "Alice in Wonderland" where the Madhatter was totally misunderstood and "sweet" Alice turns out to be a twisted vanity-monger.
July 4, 2007
Poetry Corner
HOW NOT TO HAVE TO DRY THE DISHES
by Shel Silverstein
If you have to dry the dishes
(Such an awful, boring chore)
If you have to dry he dishes
('Stead of going to the store)
If you have to dry the dishes
And you drop one on the floor-
Maybe they won't let you
Dry the dishes any more.
231 Years Young
Caricatures of a few of my favorite historical Americans:George Washington, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton and Robert E. Lee.
I hope you get a chance to sit down and consider what a miraculous country we are privileged to call home. Happy birthday, America.
July 5, 2007
Movie Poster Idea
July 6, 2007
With Apologies to Mr. Kane...
I've always thought Bruce Wayne's alter-ego was a bit goofier than originally intended...
July 7, 2007
Introducing...
CONRAD THRASH, INTER-GALACTIC BOUNTY HUNTER...
July 8, 2007
Somewhere in Iowa...
None of the townspeople could quite remember when they last saw a crow....
July 10, 2007
Nuthin' But Luv.....
When she's not bitch-slapping some security guard in D.C., Georgia's Cynthia McKinney enjoys rollerblading, horseback riding and scouring the streets of Atlanta for the next juicy conspiracy theory.
July 13, 2007
Book Cover Idea
A little fun with my Cheney caricature....
PS...Any ideas out there for any of my past caricatures paired with a well-known book title?
Darts Anyone?
I'm looking to start a dart team.
July 14, 2007
Illustration
This was a proposed August 2006 schedule cover for a local dance company.
July 17, 2007
Poetry Corner
ROCKABYE
by Shel Silverstein
Rockabye baby in the treetop
Don't you know a treetop
Is no safe place to rock?
And who put you up there,
And your cradle, too?
Baby, I think someone down here's
Got it in for you.
CD Cover
This was a cover proposal for a local band called Das BoomHair. Featuring Les Thanaverage on pan flute.
July 21, 2007
Cover Illustration
A while back, Allen and I were asked to do an illustration celebrating Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" for The Intellectual Activist. After we batted around a few ideas, we decided this was a good way to go. I'm a huge fan of Rand's literary work (though NOT a devout Objectivist) and this project turned out to be quite a challenge. We got a kick out of trying to re-intrepet a fascinating metaphor for individualistic freedom
July 24, 2007
Meanwhile, at Macy's...
This is an example of a drawing style I was goofing around with a few years ago.
July 30, 2007
Comic Relief
August 1, 2007
Promo Idea
Thought this was a decent web illustration for a local radio blowhard here in Atlanta.
August 5, 2007
WarCraft Blog Banner
Daniel Howell runs BigRedKitty for gamers with a medieval bent. Luckily, Daniel does it all with a dwarf hunter's portion of humor.
August 6, 2007
SEETHE: PART IV
Beyond the Octoroon Splinter, the Nefarini cast a formidable shadow of eternal hatred over human space. Were it not for the Galathan Ultimatum, Second Incinerator Stark would have passed on negotiating with these vile creatures and spent a long SolSpan in Sector Azurine.
August 8, 2007
Poetry Corner
FANCY DIVE
by Shell Silverstein
The fanciest dive that ever was dove
Was done by Melissa of Coconut Grove,
She bounced on the board and flew into the air
With a twist of her head and twirl of her hair
She did thirty-four jackknives, backflipped and spun,
Quadruple-gainered, and reached for the sun,
And then somersaulted nine times and a quarter-
And looked down and saw that the pool had no water.
August 9, 2007
Book Cover Idea
I'm thinking this is a Crichton thriller where quantum physicists discover an ancient conspiracy that reveals the REAL reason why organic food costs more than canned food. Mayhem ensues.
August 17, 2007
Movie Poster Idea
I think this could be a Wes Craven flick about Scientology and its strangle-hold on the shoe industry.
August 19, 2007
RUMMY"S WORLD
Now that it's been a few months since Rumsfeld has been out of the D.C. Shuck 'N' Jive Show, I"m having a hard time imagining him spending his days doing sodoku puzzles, finishing off a pot of Badger Breath herbal tea.
August 20, 2007
Introducing...
Part-time A/C repairman, Nick Webb rolls through the city's underbelly, scratching it and making it belch.
August 23, 2007
This Is Not an Apple
Been reading up on Rene Magritte lately....
August 26, 2007
Aphorism This!
September 10, 2007
CD Cover
This would be the first CD release by a North Carolina acoustic country trio that melded the raw heartache of Patsy Cline with the melodic soulfulness of Otis Redding.
September 11, 2007
T-Shirt Design
This is a little thing I did for a local tavern that's celebrating 25 years of business here in Decatur. You can bet they'll get the fee I received right back.
September 21, 2007
Book Cover Idea
This could be a story (taking place during Napoleon's campaign in Spain) about an old warhorse gone AWOL who disovers what life is like on the farm where he was born.
September 29, 2007
Page 4 of "Matamoros Project"
HERE WE GO: It's happening. I've stuck my toe into the comic book world along with two writers from Philadelphia and this is just a sample. It's a tale of GOOD vs EVIL and how a U.S. soldier makes his way through it. I'm in the midst of creating this 30 page story and a publishing date is imminant. STAY TUNED for all the glorious tidbits forthcoming. If you were ever curious about what a John Cox book would look like....here ya go.
Learn a little more about this project here.
October 10, 2007
Poetry Corner
I actually wrote a clean limerick. Why do limericks readily lend themselves to deviant verse?
Give-away Special!
Any angry, ill-informed white guys out there with blog aspirations? Here ya go, compliments of the house.
UPDATE: Congratulations Snowdog! Glad to see it out there. Hope you have fun with it.
October 12, 2007
Darts Anyone?
My good friend and fellow darter, Bob Tuchow, asked me to try my hand at creating a logo for a prospective new team we've been talking about. What is a "mook"? Catch us throwing darts some night at Trackside and all your questions will be answered.
October 20, 2007
Book Cover Idea
Played with an original drawing in PhotoShop. This feels like a Richard Ford story of a entomologist's epic fall from grace.
UPDATE: Took a hint from Terwiliger for a new take on the idea. Thanks, T
October 21, 2007
Web Banner Art
A little project i did for Keith Rose and his new site. Looks like fun.
October 27, 2007
CD Cover Idea
Kate Bush
Hounds of Love
1985
One of my favorite albums. Sexy, heartbreaking, slightly dark,very moving. I'd love to get hold of a digital re-mastering of this.
November 2, 2007
Newspaper Cover
This is the kind of work I do for Allen Forkum's newspaper, Automotive Report. If I can make this car stuff look interesting, my job is done.
November 14, 2007
Book Cover Idea
This would be a collection of personal anecdotes revolving around what people were into during the summer of '74.
As for me, I was ten. I was into little league baseball, Cosby albums and listening to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon".
November 27, 2007
Tabloid Idea
I don't think radical Islam has enough leverage in western media....
December 15, 2007
LINE 1
Alexander the Great
December 18, 2007
Story Idea
This is an early attempt at telling a science fiction tale about an intergalactic census taker. A protege discovers his mentor is utterly lost among the vast star systems and the only clues to his whereabouts are these sketches and notations from a book found at his last known location.
The tiny scraps of writing are his personal notes on the flora and fauna of his last assignment.
The whole book is a compendium of the census taker's interplanetary missions.
December 24, 2007
Season's Greetings From An Undisclosed Location
Lifting an eggnog and Jack to all the gang....May the Holidays find you healthy and inspired!
December 25, 2007
Battle Ground 3217
General Khorxak couldn't stand having to take out The Frontier, but there he was, having to face the brutal Colorado National Guard....AGAIN!
December 26, 2007
Illustration Gig
Just finished this for Latino, a brand new magazine that will emphasize social and cultural news for the U.S.-Latino audience. They bought this for their piece on the future of Cuba.
January 1, 2008
Banner Rough
Martin Lindeskog hired me to do his blog banner for his site,http://egoist.blogspot.com/. I thought it might be interesting to show the steps in its production.
This is the sketch I came up with after having read his suggestions.
January 2, 2008
Step 2: Blog Banner in Progress
I establish where the black tones (cityscape and other details) are in relation to the "finished" color pencil outline of the figures.
January 6, 2008
God's Candidate
SAYS MIKE HUCKABEE.....
"There's only one explanation for it, and it's not a human one. It's the same power that helped a little boy with two fish and five loaves feed a crowd of five thousand people. And that's the only way that our campaign could be doing what it's doing".
There you have it, ladies and gentiles. This shmuck has the audacity to compare a Jesus miracle with a pointless vanity project in Iowa.
If he wins in New Hampshire, atheism here I come.
January 10, 2008
Illustration Gig
This is the 8" x 8" color rough for a cover of a book about Esther, the Old Testament queen who saved the Jews from extermination in ancient Persia. I'll show the finished piece later on.
NOTE: You may recognize the "Esther" from an earliler piece.
January 12, 2008
Blog Idea
This blog would feature three sorority sisters with contrasting view points on campus life. There's Yvette, the darkly-clad pessimist in her third year of Icelandic poetry studies. There's Claire, the dance major who wants to treat the sick in Rowanda. And there's Jane, the 5-year arts grad student who is world-weary, yet passionate.
Each Thursday they tackle a local issue that MUST BE ADDRESSED. Or maybe they swap cookie recipes.....
A List...
1. A bowl of glass shards in the morning is a real eye-opener,
2. Jack Bauer can kiss my ass.
3. It's better to pull your own wisdom teeth. And your tonsils....as long as
you're back there.
4. Women love it when use cologne in your jockeys.
January 14, 2008
Media Alert!
I was alerted by my Florida friend and fellow artist, Steve Mcafee, that he MAY have seen a snatch of my work on......wait for it.....the COLBERT REPORT. I was told I could catch the re-run and try to verify what he saw.
I was unable to be near a t.v at the Jan. 11 8:30 showing, so I called Allen Forkum to see if he could either watch the re-run and tell me what he saw (he could recognize the work) or maybe tape it and send me an image.
Well, here it is. Neat, huh?
Three questions....
1. Which Mid-Eastern paper ripped me off and (2) does Comedy Central know THEY didn't do the art?
3. Am I disturbed that the drawing possibly helped the enemy?
Kinda of weird....
Check the Cox and Forkum "Newsmaker Caricatures" archive and you can see the Clinton and Obama caricatures the newspaper stole.
January 19, 2008
Illustration Job
This is a cover I did for Allen Forkum's Automotive Report newspaper in Nashville. The news item was about how mechanics must deal with future technological developments in the automotive industry.
January 26, 2008
CD Cover Idea
This could a compilation of cutting-edge ring tones.
January 27, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I thought it would be fun to illustrate a King cover. This story would be about a mute Holiday Inn housekeeper whose psychic abilities help the local police track down a demon-possessed '78 AMC Pacer.
January 29, 2008
Dart Team Logo
This is my second shot at trying to nail our team logo.
January 31, 2008
Illustration Job
This is artwork for Mitchell Halvorsen's boat and his crew. It happens to be based on another design of mine.
February 10, 2008
Esther Cover
This is the final art I submitted to the publisher. You may remember the color rough I did a few weeks back (January 10th post). The differences are interesting I think.
February 13, 2008
Illustration Job-part 2
The art director and I decided to tweak the cover illustration. Thank goodness I beat the deadline by a few days so I could have a chance at making changes.
February 21, 2008
Wine Label Design: Part 1
I've been commissioned to illustrate a wine label for a tiny private vineyard in California. I'll add an appropriate visual with it later on, but for now, I wanted to establish the look and feel for the project by nailing the Dark Horse logo first.
February 23, 2008
Illustration Gig
This the work I did for Allen Forkum's Automotive Report this month. It was kind of tricky NOT making these people resemble a celebrity.
February 24, 2008
Wine Label Illustration: Part 2
I sent along three illustrations to the vineyard owner and this is the one he chose. I love how these projects pop up out of the most unexpected places.
There Will be Oscars
Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood" features this years's best (STUNNING, I say) acting performance by Daniel Day-Lewis. Watch this film and try not to be awed by the complete immersion of an actor into his craft. I dare ya.....
February 27, 2008
JACKET ART
Cool little job for Richard B., motorcycle enthusiast.
March 4, 2008
Once Upon an Afternoon...
Did I ever tell you the one about the dragon exiled by his idiot cousins?
March 7, 2008
Movie Poster Idea
I don't know who's in this one, but Charlize Theron ain't.
March 8, 2008
Out Post Q17: GARTREFLON SYSTEM
KEEPING AN EYE ON THE DARWEEN WASTES FOR THE THURZALID HORDE WAS ZVELF'S LITTLE HOBBY. IF NOTHING ELSE, HE ENJOYED THE SOLITUDE OF VELBEK'S CRATER
March 9, 2008
Palace Painter, Upland Forge
Grand Vizeer Grimash XXI (U. Forge, StarDate 3371)
wax on silk
Not much is known about artist Upland Forge. Known for his demented forays into color theory and inventing the color "Bleen", this painting of his father-in-law was his last masterwork before vanishing into the Omega Barrier with nothing but a desk lamp and a tub of margarine.
March 18, 2008
A Little Shout Out
Been reading Grouchy Old Cripple . Funny @#%$!
Beyond Memory
THE SEA WAS CALM, BUT RATHBRAZE WAS NOT...
March 20, 2008
Illustration Gig
This the latest cover I did for Automotive Report, Allen Forkum's newspaper in Nashville.
March 24, 2008
SALUD!
How cool is this? Thanks, Allen. I'll be toasting your efforts tonight!
(You can see the original art on the FEB 24 "illustrations archives" post.)
March 25, 2008
Illustration Gig: The Intellectual Activist Cover
The feature story by Robert Tracinski deals with the "Clintzilla vs.Obambi" myth.
March 27, 2008
AUCTION!: How Would You Like To Have.....
This is NOT a goof.
I'm auctioning a fun-filled day here in Decatur, Ga, with a goofy-ass cartoonist/painter (me) that includes (for that ONE lucky individual):
*An art lesson or two, if you like.
*Dinner at my favorite French restaurant. ($75-$125)
*Drinks at my favorite watering hole. ($50-?)
*Showing you around my favorite city in the world. (cost, no problem...)
*Owning your choice of any original oil painting from my studio. ($800-$1,100?)
*AND and an original color caricature of you that is yours to take home. ($100)
BIDS WILL BE POSTED ONLY AT THIS POST'S COMMENT THREAD. I WILL IGNORE PRIVATE OFFERS AT MY E-MAIL ADDRESS.
The only stipulation is you'll cover travel costs and hotel costs. I'll pay for any shipping the art may require.
PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT for charity. It's just a wild idea I had and I wondered if there are any brave, art-loving souls out there looking for a fun adventure.
Bid will start at $200 (with $10 increments or higher) and run from tonight until midnight Thursday, April 3. I will notify highest bidder of the results and if that person is unable to follow through, then I'll take the next highest bidder, and so on....This is based on notification of highest bid being actually paid.
I'm curious what occurs.....aren't you?
Good luck!
March 31, 2008
Illustration Job
I was hired recently to do caricatures for a book club's calendar gift that features Austen, Shakespeare, Wolff and Vonnegut.
April 2, 2008
The Chronicles of Thalbane: Part XXIII
The ship was doomed and the crew knew it. Having to thread the Straits of Slagash during the winter typhoons was like....like...CRAP, thought Thalbane. WHEN ARE WE EVER GOING TO INVENT METAPHORS?
April 3, 2008
Illustration Job
This is an upcoming cover for Robert Tracinski's "The Intellectual Activist"magazine. The feature story is about Barak Obama's array of political stances.
UPDATE ON AUCTION: A little reminder that the bidding for a dinner and artwork ends tonight at midnight tonight. PLEASE LEAVE BIDS ON THE ORIGINAL AUCTION POST COMMENTS THAT APPEARED MARCH 27..
April 4, 2008
THIS JUST IN...
It looks like Roger Parian squeaked in the last bid for "Dinner With Me" at 11:58 pm Thursday, April 3 and will be my guest in Decatur! Congrats!
And a special shout-out goes to George for kicking off this auction and being so enthusiastic about the whole process. George will be receiving a signed book for all his effort and hearty thanks from me for all the kind words.
If this works out, I'm sure I'll be doing this stunt again.
April 15, 2008
CD Cover Idea
This would be the first CD release from an Egyptian soul band that did Nine Inch Nail covers.
April 16, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I'd get a big kick out of illustrating a "tell-all" reference book that outed the Boogie Man, Loch Ness Monster, Moderate Muslims, etc.....
April 17, 2008
Small Gig
This was an identity image I did for Michelle and Marcie Phillips, a local graphic design team I happen to meet over a beer a while back.
May 1, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I think this could be a cover for a collection of Indonesian poetry that focuses on nature and holistic lawn-care.
May 8, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I thought it would be fun to do a cover illustration for one of my all-time favorite novels. I only wish Toole would have stuck around longer. Can you imagine what fun he would have had lampooning the characters of post-Katrina New Orleans?
May 14, 2008
Fantasy Cover
Doing a little daydreaming about an ultimate cover gig. Looks possible, doesn't it?
If you can think of a title for the piece, let 'er rip.
May 17, 2008
Where The Magic Happens....
This is my workspace. There are many like it but this one is mine. My workspace is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my workspace is useless. Without my workspace I am useless. I must paint true. I must paint better than my enemy, who is trying to dis me. I must up-stage him before he up-stages me. I will. Before God I swear this creed: my workspace and myself are defenders of my country, we are the masters of my critics, we are the saviors of my life. So be it, until there is no cynicism left, but contentment. Amen
May 19, 2008
Book Cover Idea
Again, playing with the idea of illustrating some of the books that had a substantial effect on my "world view". Not necessarily my favorite Heinlein book, but it was the one that turned me into a huge fan. Totally knocked me out.
Just started "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" today.
May 23, 2008
CD Cover Idea
"Ancestry: Part XII" would be a musical ensemble based on Celtic and Morrocan rhythms that explore themes of resurrection, hope and affordable housing.
May 24, 2008
Illustration Gig
This is a little job I did for Allen Forkum's "Automotive Report", trying to get the idea of "more advertising is good" across to his automotive industry costumers.
May 30, 2008
Book Cover Idea
This is another fantasy illustration of a book that rocked me. I read it for the first time when I was 24 years old and it changed my politics FOREVER.
Illustration Gig
Worked with Allen Forkum again for the cover his Nashville paper, Automotive Report.
June 3, 2008
One Trip Arond the Sun Later.....
Hey y'all! It's a year to the day since I posted my first big hello to the blogship. Over 500 posts later and I've come to the conclusion that the Post-Cox and Forkum Era wasn't about apathy and regret. Quite the opposite! It's been wildly entertaining getting to know (and meet!) you guys. The fact there seems to be a tight little group of viewers who dig the ricochet nature of this site has been very, very heart-warming. Many, many thanks.
Keep those comments coming and let's do another round, eh?
June 7, 2008
Comic Book Idea
I'm not exactly sure of the storyline, but I'm thinking it involves alot of clandestine wheeling-and-dealing....AND AWESOME BELLY BLOWS!!
June 8, 2008
Zee Lone Saucier
DEEP IN THE BOWELS OF THE CORDON BLEU, JEAN-CLAUDE ANXIOUSLY LURKS, WAITING UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT TO BURST INTO THE KITCHEN TO SAVE A WOEFUL HOLLANDAISE.
June 15, 2008
Book Cover Idea
This was a fun read. Espionage and such. I've had this idea of using my photos of reference material and an actual chess board I designed. A little Photoshop....TA DAAH!
June 20, 2008
DARK CONTINENT
8" x 11"
mixed media
June 21, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I did another fantasy illustration of one of my favorite books. Poignant and bitterly funny, this was published in 1969, so it is rife with "free love" and what a pain in the ass it is.
June 25, 2008
Movie Poster Idea
The 1987 release (Wim Wenders) is utterly sublime.
June 28, 2008
CD Cover Idea
Released in "85, this is my favorite Tom Waits album and I thought I'd bring up to date with my style of photoshop design.
Photo credit belongs to my friend, Steve McAfee.
July 4, 2008
Happy Birthday, Ya'll!
My religion... INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
My bible...THE CONSTITUTION
My church...AMERICA
Party on!
July 5, 2008
Now you know...
July 6, 2008
Book Cover Idea
AAAaaaye, m' heartys! This is my updated cover illustration of one of my favorite classic sea novels. Long before there was a flitty, spastic Jack Sparrow, there was a wiley, bloody Long John Silver.
July 8, 2008
Illustration Gig
I was asked by Michelle Rougier to do the poster for the play she is directing in Alabama. It's a very stark production and we thought the artwork should get across some of the foreboding in Arthur Miller's classic play.
NOTE: The playdates are going to be added by their in-house production.
July 11, 2008
Illustration Gig
This is a recent illustration job for Allen Forkum's "Automotive Report". The cover story is about how mechanics can trim waste and benefit from leaner business practices.
July 12, 2008
Let There Be Cocktails
Here's to a long life and a merry one,
A quick death and an easy one,
A pretty girl and a true one,
A cold martini and another one.
(Thought I'd have a little fun with the Sistine Chapel....)
July 14, 2008
HUNTING SEASON ON MEADOWBROOK LANE
July 18, 2008
Wonders of Nature
A rare sight: a swarm of peanutbutterandjellyfish
July 21, 2008
Uh...There's a new movie out?
Had a little fun with the "Dark Knight" hoopla....
Indecision '08
These guys are racing to the center so fast I fully expect a head-on collision of such mythic proportions that you might see them share DNA.
July 22, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I like to read this one about once a year. It serves as a reminder that childhood and later life is fraught with wonderful (and scary) moral choices.
July 24, 2008
Going to Finish
This is the final for that pencil I did about a week ago. I got a kick out of how they just cut me loose on this and kept all the nuances I suggested.
July 28, 2008
Book Cover Idea
A collection of tall tales about a certified nut bag.
August 3, 2008
Book Cover Idea
Not a particularly fabulous book, but it certainly is my favorite King novel. Really wanted to play with the crow image.
"Baby, can you dig your man?"
August 10, 2008
Olympics Poster Idea
I was interested in producing an image that had less flash and more heart than the spiffy ones I've seen so far.
And did anyone else out there think that the opening ceremony in Beijing seemed creepy? Having tens of thousands of citizens perform like soulless cogs in a jaw-dropping pageant DID NOT uplift my spirit.
August 12, 2008
Book Cover Idea
And you thought The Razor's Edge was sad....
August 15, 2008
Illustration Gig
The good people at LATINO MAGAZINE had me do this one for their enlightening article about Hugo "Hugo-rilla" Chavez and his self-righteous delusions of victimhood.
You can check my Dec. 26, 2007 post to see the first illustration I did for them.
August 20, 2008
Illustration Gig
Allen Forkum's art design/my illustration for Allen's recent cover of Automotive Report.
August 22, 2008
Book Cover Idea
John Gardner's "Grendel" (1971) is the Beowulf saga told from the monster's point of view.
August 23, 2008
Movie Poster Idea
August 26, 2008
Just an observation...
September 4, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I thought it would be fun to do this cover for "Bullet Park"(1969), a novel about suburban angst and amorality among a neighborhood's cocktail set.
September 9, 2008
EXIT LIGHT
Had this guy stomping around in my dreams a couple nights back.
September 19, 2008
Avast, me hearty!
Today be Talk Like a Pirate Day. Hoist a tankard of the wench's fine grog and set to talkin' like a salty dog whose booty lay under Davy Jones' locker. May a fair wind foller ye!
September 24, 2008
Comic Book Cover
Burrowing into the putrid underbelly of Stankville, Flinchy the Clown breaks up the black market falafel ring.
September 25, 2008
Look! A Real Gig!
Along with Allen Forkum's stellar design sense, this is my illustration for his paper's October issue cover. It made my "Top Five Faves".
October 2, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I've been reading up on mental disorders * NO YOU HAVEN'T, YOU POMPOUS LIAR,*...shut up...and I came up with this visual.*GOD HELP US.*
October 7, 2008
Book Cover Idea
The host of "The New Yankee Workshop" carves a roman a clef that gives new meaning to "dovetail joint". Bob Vila is not happy.
October 8, 2008
Illustration Gig
I had a ball mimicking the old Moaist posters for Tracinski's mag.
October 20, 2008
IT'S BEEN THE RUIN OF MANY A YOUNG MAN....
HEY, ya'll. Been out of town for the last four days. Did the Big Easy. I'll get 'er going IMMEDIATELY. Stay tuned.....
October 24, 2008
Book Cover Idea
October 27, 2008
Illustration Gig
This is my illustration for Allen Forkum's Automotive Report. It's an ad for his paper that reminds his customers how rough economic times require aggressive advertising to keep up with the competition.
October 30, 2008
Illustration Gig
October 31, 2008
Trick or.....WHA?
Crazy Nude Baghead Guy would drop by on Halloween in my old neighborhood and I'd give him a couple of airline bottles of Jim Beam and call 911.....just in case.
November 1, 2008
Album Cover Idea
Back in '75 I was eleven years old. I was listening to standard AM pop. Pink Floyd WAS NOT on my radar.
But later in high school, this album knocked me out. To this day, "THEY" are trying to get me to change heroes for ghosts....hot ashes for trees.
November 3, 2008
Book Cover Idea
UPDATE: NOV. 15, 1877...
TURNS OUT THAT THE LOCAL VAGABONDS PREFER GROUND CAT MEAT OVER PUREE OF SILVERFISH. MUST TRY ADDING GLASS SHARDS TO BATCH #51 AND OBSERVE ANY CHANGES.
November 5, 2008
Illustration Gig:
This is an upcoming magazine cover I did for Robert Tracinski's The Intellectual Activist. The main article is a discussion on how Marxism is creeping into mainstream America.
NOTE: The wall space under the graffiti is where additional copy goes.
November 15, 2008
Book Cover Idea
This is my illustration for Ray Bradbury's classic cautionary tale of censorship and creative oppression. Published in 1953, it still resonates to this day.
November 20, 2008
Illustration Gig:
November 23, 2008
CD Cover Idea
Watched "Immortal Beloved" recently. Gary Oldman is terrific as Ludwig Van Beethoven. And of course, the music is profound and utterly monumental.
November 26, 2008
Thursday Bloody Thursday
I like my holidays like I like my turkey meat: dark.
December 4, 2008
Book Cover Idea
This is my idea of up-dating a cover illustration for an all-time classic.
December 11, 2008
Interactive CD Idea....
SECOND INCINERATOR STARK PLUNGES INTO THE XANKHA UNDERWORLD TO UNRAVEL FAMILY SECRETS...
December 15, 2008
Theater Poster Idea
Had fun taking the famous Portrait of a Man by Raphael and giving it the ol' Photoshop treatment.
January 4, 2009
CD Cover Idea
Been diggin' on Talking Heads "Little Creatures" (1985). The last cut is "Road to Nowhere" which seems poignant these days. Overall, though, it sounds and feels like a party album.
January 10, 2009
Illustration Gig:
I was asked to design and illustrate this logo for the band Lag Wolf. They described their music as "heavy metal-country".
Illustration Gig:
This is a pencil rough for Allen Forkum's "Automotive Report" this month. Once we both agree this is the way to go, I'll turn this humble scramble of pencil lines into a ravishing watercolor illustration.
I'll post the finished art soon.
January 12, 2009
Illustration Gig: Automotive Report Cover (finish)
From pencil rough to finished watercolor illustration...
January 15, 2009
A little exercise...
I thought it might be fun to reproduce a Guido Reni rendition of St. Paul using a trompe l'oeil theme and a bit of Photoshop.
Even when I'm not working on a paying gig, I find it extremely helpful to mess around with classic images to stay sharp and possibly pick up a trick or two.
February 10, 2009
Damned Yankee
February 12, 2009
Book Cover Idea
February 19, 2009
Book Cover Idea
One of my all-time favorite novels about individual responsibility and the courage to pursue one's bliss.
February 21, 2009
Story book idea
This is more than an idea. More like a personal dare. I'm actually gonna try to write and illustrate this one myself.
February 24, 2009
Illustration Gig
This is the March cover for Allen Forkum's "Automotive Report".
March 12, 2009
OUT OF HABIT
Digital Illustration
I combined a figure study (oil on masonite) I did a while back with a wall texture I found in a book about the ruins of Pompeii. I played with the light intensity and the shadow depth to emphasize the emotional impact.. Too bad it's not on canvas.
March 25, 2009
Automotive Report Cover
This is the April cover I illustrated for Allen Forkum's Nashville paper.
March 28, 2009
Illustration Gig
This is a pencil rough that will be turned into a full color illustration for the next issue of Latino magazine. After submitting three different illustration ideas, this lay-out was the one that worked best. I'll post the finished piece soon.
April 1, 2009
Product Gig
I just finalized a deal with the folks in Beijing to sell 1.2 million of these t-shirts in the Forbidden City this summer. What can I say? I finally caught a break. Apparently, they're big fans of my work and were looking for something new and catchy to offer in their souvenir shops.
April 3, 2009
Illustration Gig
Philip Chalk (design director) at The Weekly Standard used my caricature of Ayatollah Khamenei in this week's issue (page 13).
April 16, 2009
Book Cover Idea
April 25, 2009
Book Cover Idea
April 26, 2009
Book Cover Idea
This is a take-off on an actual satiric novel written by Jimmy Breslin in 1969. The contemporary symbols are mine.
May 15, 2009
Book Cover Idea
May 20, 2009
Automotive Report Cover
This is the new cover I illustrated for Allen Forkum's paper.
May 22, 2009
Book Cover Idea
May 27, 2009
Comic Book Cover Idea...
June 1, 2009
Movie Poster Idea
Goofin' around in Photoshop....
June 6, 2009
Book Cover Idea
Combined a landscape photo with my automaton illustration to re-imagine a cover for a classic sci-fi collection of short stories by Isaac Asimov.
June 7, 2009
CD Cover Idea
This is no band I know of specifically. Just a good name for a band that does dark, electronic pop.
June 8, 2009
Meanwhile, the Armadarians gather....
June 14, 2009
Illustration Gig
This is an upcoming cover for Quality Paperback Book Club. They're showcasing Shakespeares's comedies.
June 21, 2009
Illustration Gig
I did this for the recent issue of Latino Magazine.
June 26, 2009
Book Cover Idea
This would be a story how three generations of the Gundersons experienced military life through the '60's, '80's and now.
July 1, 2009
Illustration Gig
This is the recent cover illustration I did for Allen Forkum's "Automotive Report".
July 6, 2009
Book Cover Idea
July 7, 2009
Illustration Gig: Rough to Finished Art
Recently finished this job for Direct Brands. The art director took my original pencil rough and played with it in Photoshop to give me an idea of the final design incorporating the cover graphics. From there I can go to finish and make the illustration as eye-catching as possible.
July 10, 2009
Illustration Gig
This the work I did for Automotive Report, August issue. I was asked to go for Flagg's take on Uncle Sam.
July 16, 2009
CD Cover Idea
July 22, 2009
Let's check in with...
7:30 AM, LAST TUESDAY.
MELLISSA LOOPNER TOLD ME THAT TIA KUPCHEK IS BLEACHING HER PUBES!! I KNOW MELISSA HAS GYM CLASS WITH HER, SO SHE CAN'T BE MAKING IT UP.
TOTALLY GROSS!!
July 24, 2009
Book Cover Idea
In 1994,Christopher Buckley inflicted his satiric wit on the cigarette industry. I just finished reading this novel. Very, very funny. Very dark.
This is an illustration I constructed from a photo I took and then messed with in Photoshop.
August 4, 2009
Graphic Novel Cover Idea...
August 8, 2009
Let's check in with...
THUSDAY, at lunch
Mary Carapoulis sneezed on Jeffrey Balco's tuna and peanut butter sandwich. She told me she's allergic....to certain cooties incubating on a certain boy who is so utterly unpopular that her nasal passages flare into a snotty rage.
August 11, 2009
Book Cover Idea
August 14, 2009
Illustration Gig
This is a real book cover for a work on how the free market is having a hard time catching on in Russia.
August 16, 2009
Old School: Dispute
I came across a few baseball pieces I did a few years ago and I think they have a certain romance and nostalgia that is refreshing.
This is the first of four pieces I did based on America's Pastime. Look for the rest of them this week.
August 17, 2009
Old School: Thievery
10" x 8.5
print
This is the second piece of a series on baseball I did a few years back.
August 18, 2009
Old School: Stretch
10" x 8.5
print
This is the third piece of a series on baseball I did a few years ago.
August 19, 2009
Old School: Wet One
10" x 8.5"
print
Fourth and last piece in this baseball series I did a few years ago.
AUCTION!
I thought this group of work would be fun to offer up. Please note that the pieces are laser prints and ARE NOT MATTED AND FRAMED. I just wanted to show what they could look like on a den wall.
The bids are for all FOUR pieces only. Please, no offers for individual pieces.
SPECIAL NOTE: There are no reproductions of these prints. This collection is the whole sh-bang.
(from top left, going clock-wise)
Old School: Wet One (10" x 8.5", laser print), signed by artist
Old School: Stretch (10" x 8.5", laser print), signed by artist
Old School: Dispute (10" x 8.5", laser print), signed by artist
Old School: Thievery (10" x 8.5", laser print), signed by artist
ALL BIDS SHOULD BE POSTED ON THIS SPECIFIC COMMENT THREAD
AUCTION BIDDING STARTS AT $190.00
PLEASE BID IN INCREMENTS OF $10.00 ($10, $20, $30....etc)
AUCTION ENDS THIS SATURDAY, AUG. 22, AT NOON, EST.
(the official time is the time stamp on my comments thread)
Hope you guys have fun with this and good luck!
August 25, 2009
Afghansitan: Too Expensive?
I wanted to do this illustration to present a tough question: Is our interest in Afghanistan beyond current American financial practicality? Your thoughts.....
I've Been Tubed!!
It seems a clever song parody on YouTube included my caricature of Obama. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IQSbJUj7u8
Weird.....
September 9, 2009
Book Cover Idea
I'm certain there are gazillion books on American architecture, but I was fooling around with this illustration and thought it might make a neat cover.
September 17, 2009
Book Cover Idea
Page 1 goes like this:
DEVON WENT A-WALKING
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD DRAW
HE HAD A SIMPLE PLAN TO SKETCH
EVERYTHING HE SAW.
If you think you can maintain the rhyme scheme and rhythm, contirbute a verse! (HINT: the more visual, the better.)
ANOTHER HINT: Keep it to ONE verse so the story path seems a bit more random. It develops breathing space for the next one. HEE HEE!
September 20, 2009
Book Cover Idea
The first paragraph goes like this:
I have to admit, it was beautiful. The spit-shined soldiers doffed their black peaked caps just like they were ordered to, exposing their razor-cut pates to the gentle rain. The lacrimose bureaucrats, shuffling along the parapet with a studied pathos, mumbled among themselves about the latest poll numbers burning a hole in the front pages. And there I was, an old anarchist who knew too much and cared too little, sprawled on the marbled steps of St. Stephen's, leaking blood in artful pools amid shattered limbs no one was going to put back together.
September 23, 2009
Book Cover Idea
September 27, 2009
Book Cover Idea
I always thought it was a shame that Toole left us with only one novel while he was alive. His "A Confederacy Of Dunces" is a wonderful comedy classic that follows the hapless (and gaseous) exploits of Ignatius J. Reilly, trouble maker extraordinaire, among the odd-ball environs of New Orleans.
Can you imagine a book where Ignatious is cut loose among the passionate, secretive denizens of Venice? Total chaos.
September 28, 2009
Illustration Gig
This is the October cover I did for Allen Forkum's Automotive Report.
October 7, 2009
Concert Poster Idea
I've been considering a new career path: going on the road with toy pianos doing children's music. Our next gig is at little Tiffany's. She's turning SIX!!
October 14, 2009
Book Cover Idea
A little fun with one of my all-time favorite books. Holden Caulfield is my hero.
October 15, 2009
Tatto Design Commission
A U.S. Army soldier wanted my work on his arm. I created a few designs and this is the one he really liked. I got a kick out the opportunity to do something so permanent.
November 2, 2009
CD Cover Illustration Idea
November 4, 2009
Illustration Gig
This a portion of a double-page illustration I did for LATINO magazine. The headline is: MAKING FRIENDS (subhead): Both the U.S. and Mexico Hope for Better Relations.
November 10, 2009
Comic Book Cover Illustration Idea...
November 14, 2009
Movie Ad Illustration Idea
1N THE YEAR 1247, A YOUNG LONDON BOY IS ACCUSED OF HERESY. HE MUST FACE....
November 22, 2009
Book Cover Illustration Idea
November 24, 2009
Comic Book Cover Illustration Idea...
The evildoer doesn't have a name (yet!).
November 27, 2009
Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 3, 2009
Prospective Automotive Report Cover Illustration
This is an illustration I'm doing for Allen Forkum's Nashville paper (minus the graphics). The article is called "The Year in Quotes".
December 7, 2009
Book Cover Gig
Mr. Dodge contracted me to illustrate and design the cover for his new book.
December 11, 2009
Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 15, 2009
Book Cover Illustration Idea
This is something I created using my actual illustrations (man and sledge hammer) combined with some Photoshop magic. "Iron Horse" would be a collection of tall tales from the American frontier.
December 16, 2009
Comic Book Cover Illustration Idea...
December 18, 2009
Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 22, 2009
For kicks...
This is what my illustration would look like on the subway.
December 24, 2009
Christmas is Where You Find It
Have a joyous, inspiring Christmas, y'all.
December 26, 2009
Children's Book Cover Illustration Idea
Magrita thinks she knows what's up in Mr. Hempstead's attic...
December 28, 2009
Children's Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 29, 2009
Here we go again....
It seems my Khamenei caricature was used outside of the Iranian embassy in Paris recently. I swear, this caricature has more legs than a stampede.
Hat-tip to Dan McAllister for bringing this to my attention.
January 2, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 4, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 5, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 9, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 10, 2010
Magazine Cover Illustration Idea
January 14, 2010
Illustration Gig
I was asked to do the cover art for Andrew Ian Dodge's new book,"And Glory".
The year is 2034. Power lies in Europe with the bureaucrats in Brussels and London is the centre for the Western Provinces.
The Supremo Manipulator of this conglomerate of nations is Pius, with no religious connections and a diminishing hold on power the Union is sustained by nepotism, violence and musical chairs of political appointees. The disintegration of the Union is imminent.
Rob, an English tech nerd together with his accomplice David, have to use their cyborg intelligence to survive in this oppressive Euro society in the Western Provinces. The assassination of Teresa, Rob's girlfriend, and a busload of tourists along with the murder of a Czech student at Hull European University, provide the catalyst for Rob and David's dangerous involvement. Together with their minders, Michaela and Kiara, they head full speed into their deadly adventure. Death is catching.
With a touch of humour, a satirical political edge, characters that you come to know well and a flowing writing style take the reader through a techno thriller deep into the 21st century. We see the ambivalence of the revolutionaries, who never intended serious action, faced with orders to destroy and kill. Europe will never be the same again …
January 19, 2010
illustration Gig
This the February cover for Allen Forkum's Automotive Report. The cover article is about how vendors work to bring shops unique services and products.
January 24, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 26, 2010
Illustration Gig
Mr. Rye commissioned me to to design and illustrate the banner for his new blog. He suggested a particular direction and I just ran with it.
By the way, look up the word "ketosis". You'll find it to be a hint of where he's going with the blog.
NOTE: IF THERE'S ANYBODY OUT THERE WHO'D LIKE THIS KIND OF WORK FOR THEIR OWN BLOG, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I'M HAPPY TO KICK IN ON YOUR PROJECT FOR $100.
February 5, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
February 10, 2010
Illustration Gig: Pencil Rough
This is the pencil rough for Allen Forkum's Automotive Report issue for March. The cover article considers the ramifications of the shift from state regulation to federal regulation in the insurance industry.
From this stage, I'll get input from the art director and go to finish later on today.
Went to finish
The art director and I decided this piece could have an editorial feel if I used a pen and ink technique. It's not the full color cover they usually use, yet the boldness of the inkwork holds up nicely.
February 20, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
February 22, 2010
Comic Book Cover Illustration Idea...
February 28, 2010
Magazine Cover Illustration Idea
March 3, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
Carson McCullers' 1940 debut novel is beautiful, darkly-lit story of John Singer, a deaf man searching for meaning in a Georgia mill town.
March 6, 2010
ALPHADANCE
March 9, 2010
Niche TV
March 12, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
March 14, 2010
The Insiders
Combining photoshop techniques with my elephant and donkey drawing.
March 17, 2010
Erin Go Braugh
Have a glorious St. Patrick's Day.
HERE'S TO BEING SINGLE,
DRINKING DOUBLES,
AND SEEING TRIPLE.
March 20, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
March 27, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Idea...
March 29, 2010
Illustration Gig: Automotive Report Cover
This the most recenct cover illustration for Allen Forkum's automotive newspaper which Camille Ourbre art directed with aplomb and joi de toone.
March 30, 2010
Children's Book Cover Illustration Idea
March 31, 2010
Illustration Gig
The up-coming issue of Robert Tracinski's The intellectual Activist features a piece on "Climategate". I illustrated the cover using graphite and ink.
April 2, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
April 5, 2010
Illustration Gig
This is the illustration I did for an up-coming cover for "The Intellectual Activist" magazine. It is entitled "All In".
April 8, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
I discovered a pastel study I did way back and wanted to combine it with a little 'shop magic.
I really enjoy creating contemporary images for classic literature. I relish contrasting old-school illustration techniques with clean, eye-catching graphic design.
April 10, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
I toyed with this idea: What if Agatha Christie wrote a graphic novel featuring her detective extraordinaire, Hercule Poirot?
April 11, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
April 15, 2010
Instructional Book Cover illustration
AN EXCERPT:
"The way is long and winding, the rewards.....eh, don't hold your breath. At least your friends will think you're cool."
Illustration Gig
This the the May cover for Allen Forkum's Automotive Report. The article is about all the new laws that deal with the automotive industry.
April 18, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
April 19, 2010
Illustration Gig
Recently, LATINO MAGAZINE had me illustrate their article on how the U.S. Latino population graded President Obama's first year in office, particularly in regard to this administration's approach to confronting illegal immigration.
He did not make the Dean's List.
April 21, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
April 22, 2010
CD Cover Illustration Idea
April 24, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
April 30, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
May 1, 2010
Magazine Cover Illustration Idea
May 5, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
May 6, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
SOCIETY HAS PERISHED.
SAVAGERY RULES.
ALL THAT WAS IS OVER.
ALL THAT IS KNOWN IS STRANGE
AND TERRIBLE.
IN THE DYING DAYS OF GALGOTHA IV,
ZHANG CUIDADO ENTERS THE CITY.
May 8, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
This would be a collection of essays based on the provocative lines in Shakespeare's "King Lear. Such as:
Have more that thou showest,
Speak less that thou knowest,
Lend less that thou owest.
KING LEAR 1.4. 230
May 9, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
Jewish Proverb
I created this Mother's Day illustration and I thought it would be fun to 'shop it into an unlikely place. A subway train partition.
Hope everyone can hug or call their mother on Her Day.
May 11, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
May 13, 2010
CD Cover Illustration Idea
I did this illustration with the idea of it being for a pop band with Southern roots.
May 15, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
May 17, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
May 19, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
May 21, 2010
Getting My Ink On
I had a bit of fun imagining, then inking (MUCH INKING) just a single page of what might be a Tarzan story. In this instance, the actual plot is not nearly as important as the look.
How cool would it be to have a budget to pull off a full blown book?
May 23, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
May 25, 2010
Illustration Gig
This is the June cover for Allen Forkum's "Automotive Report". Camille Oubre, the art director, did a wonderful job of nailing this one. This kind of colaboration is particularly interesting in that I had no idea how Camille was going to work out the spray painted type. I just furnished the sprayer guy, she did the rest.
May 27, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
May 28, 2010
Poster Illustration Idea
June 1, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
I took one of my older paintings and designed this cover around it. This book happens to be one of my favorites, too.
June 3, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
June 5, 2010
Beer Label Illustration Idea
If there are any home brewers out there, I'm game!
June 8, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
June 10, 2010
Liquor label Illustration Idea
June 12, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
June 16, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
June 17, 2010
Beer Label Illustration Idea
June 20, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
When I create cover illustrations, I like to make up book titles and then I'll check it against a Google search. Turns out Richard Harding Davis (I just used "Richard Harding" on the cover) wrote a book entitled "A Question of Latitude". Maybe I'll read it soon. The actual novel may not take place on any beach, but I thought the title had a summery vibe.
June 23, 2010
Beer Label Illustration Idea
I think "The Howling Monk" would be a good name for a brew house, too.
June 25, 2010
Automotive Report Cover
June 27, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
June 29, 2010
Liquor Label Illustration Idea
July 1, 2010
Beer Label Illustration Idea
July 2, 2010
Cooking With The Troops Logo Contest Winners
Having received the honor of paricipating as a judge (along with the esteemed Chris Miur and the distinguished Damon Shackelford) in this design competition, I'd like to congratulate the winners of C. Blake Powers "COOKING WITH THE TROOPS" logo contest:
First place: Tyler Scout
Second place: Erin Ingram
Third place: Pia Cantoni
Well done, gang. So glad to see your energy and creativity going towards such a worthy effort.
And a hearty shout-out to all the other worthy contestants who made this design competition a high-quality affair.
July 5, 2010
Children's Book Cover Illustration Idea
July 8, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
I came across one of my figure drawings and thought this would make an evocative visual for one my favorite books.
July 11, 2010
Illustration Gig
I was recently commissioned to do this illustration for Andrew Ian Dodge's up-coming techno-thriller. This is a follow-up to his previous novel, "And Glory".
July 12, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
July 17, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
Inspired by the Police song of the same name.
July 20, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
July 22, 2010
Professor Mezmeroni
July 25, 2010
Beer Label Illustration Idea
July 27, 2010
Children's Book Page Illustration Idea
I gave myself the chance to play with a page design based on a narrow, vertical illustration. I'd like to have a shot at doing this kind of work where the art and type make for a fresh reading experience.
August 5, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
I thought I get back in the saddle with something that recalls the allure of travel.
August 8, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
August 10, 2010
CD Cover Illustration Idea
August 12, 2010
Art Corner
This is an 10" x 8" male study done with ink wash. I like illustrating on paper that has a layer of gesso because the ink wash doesn't soak into the paper and I can get a transparent look to the organic background splashes. When I let it dry, I can add other thin layers to emphasize light and shadow. As I'm going to finish, I can rub out some highlights with steel wool (an eraser will not cut through dried ink). This techniques lends itself to spontaneous brushwork, yet has a solid permanence.
August 13, 2010
Illustration Gig
Getting a kick out of illustrating a children's reading program, "Vinny the Vampire", for a cousin who lives in the neighborhood.
August 16, 2010
Beer Label Illustration Idea
August 19, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
My favorite beatnik-era poet. Eloquently gritty.
August 20, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
This one would be essays about the romance of the road.
August 22, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
August 25, 2010
Children's Book Page Illustration Idea
New Project
This is the illustration I submitted to Steve Butterbaugh's PRINCIPLEX objectivist site. Please read what he has to write about the Obama mystique.
August 29, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
September 1, 2010
Local Politics
Neighbor and all-around good egg Bob is running for local office. He wondered if I would contribute my illustration skills and help him clean up city hall. Well, after studying his campaign message, I decided to invest my civic pride and energy to serve the greater good. I propound Bob embodies our town's dedication to hard work, compassion, ingenuity and an overwhelming belief that mediocrity conquers all.
(just kidding, y'all)
Sign Idea for Seafood Joint
September 4, 2010
Movie Poster Illustration Idea
This is my re-imagining of an actual 1999 flick titled "The Hall Monitor". I haven't seen it ( don't plan to, either ), but it's NOT a Pixar spectacle ( RATED R ) that takes place in a middle school overrun with blood-thirsty juveniles bent on storming the teacher's lounge.
But first, they have to get past...THE HALL MONITOR.
September 6, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
September 12, 2010
Illustration Gig
Andrew Dodge recently commissioned this cover illustration for his up-coming novel about his weird, macabre near-death experience during a frightening hospital stay.
September 13, 2010
Cocktail Mix Label Illustration Idea
September 17, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
This would be the Mad Hatter's memoires that controverts Alice's account of her sojourn in Wonderland.
September 23, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
Children's Book Page Illustration Idea
September 29, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
October 2, 2010
Beer Label Illustration Idea
October 7, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
October 10, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
October 18, 2010
CD Cover Illustration Idea
October 25, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
Just back from a family visit and was getting my nostalgia on.
October 29, 2010
BOO, Y'ALL!
I wish a blood-stirring All Hallows' Eve to my crepuscular commenters and their ethereal beastie brethren crawling the web.
November 4, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
I think it would be very entertaining to illustrate old classics as bold, shortened graphic novels.
November 6, 2010
Children's Book Cover Illustration Idea
NOTE: When I re-figured the illustration size, I lost the collected comments. Please try again!
November 9, 2010
Album Cover Illustration Idea
Released in 1977, "Animals" is a searing aural trip. One of my favorite PF albums.
SIDE ONE
1. Pigs On The Wing 1
2. Dogs
SIDE TWO
1. Pigs (Three Different Ones)
2. Sheep
3. Pigs On The Wing 2
November 14, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
November 16, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
November 19, 2010
CD Cover Illustration Idea
November 28, 2010
Poetry Collection Cover Illustration Idea
December 1, 2010
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
December 2, 2010
Automotive Report Cover
This month's cover art of Allen Forkum's newspaper was a bit of a challenge. Having to render stone sculptures depicting aspects of automotive service, yet still with a bit of whimsy, is the kind of work that makes image-creation fascinating.
December 8, 2010
Spiritual CD Cover Illustration Idea
Prehistoric
Illustration Friday invites illustrators to submit work based on a weekly theme. I thought it might be fun to enter this piece and see what happens.
December 15, 2010
My Illustration Friday Entry
You can check out the the other "Phenomena" entries at Illustration Friday.
December 18, 2010
Illustration Gig
This is the cover for the upcoming January issue of Automotive Report. I look forward to the annual "Year in Quotes" issue because the visual solution tends to be more interpretive.
January 2, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 4, 2011
Illustration Friday Entry:"RESOLUTION"
This week's theme on Illustration Friday was "Resolution". Check out the other entries for this interesting illustration topic
January 6, 2011
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
January 10, 2011
Website Banner Commission
Martin Lindeskog (teaparty.nu) wanted a banner illustration that featured tea products for purchase. He'll also offer up a bit of commentary on political developments in Sweden as well the U.S.
January 12, 2011
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
January 14, 2011
Playing with ideas...
This combined two sketches that I worked on a few days ago. The floral motif was mirrored and joined at the horizontal center then embossed in photoshop. Then I floated in the figure sketch (it got kind of Frazetta-y). I get a kick out of playing with unfamiliar effects filters and see where they may come in handy later.
January 22, 2011
Instructional Book Cover illustration
I'd like to do a cartoonist's handbook ("The Tools of a Strange Trade") at some point. I'll try the French market just for kicks.
January 25, 2011
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
January 26, 2011
Automotive Report Cover Illustration for February Issue
January 30, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
Messing around with Photoshop and some old snapshots of a mannequin I have haunting my drawing table.
February 5, 2011
Beer Label Illustration Idea
February 7, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
February 13, 2011
A Very Special Auction: Entire Sketchbook
This in one of my sketchbooks I've filled up over years. This is one dates September 29, 2009 through March 22, 2010.
Page 18 (watercolor pencil and graphite)
DESCRIPTION>
* Wire-bound soft cover
* 60 pages
* Each page is 9" x 11"
* Over 180 drawings
* Graphite, charcoal, ball point pen, pen and ink
WHAT IT REPRESENTS
Well, I have to admit that offering up this collection of work is a bit trepidatious for me. It's like offering a psychological dossier about myself. I happen to be proud of the steps and lessons learned in this sketchbook because it represents where I'm at right now, 100%. Yet, it does show, in high detail, the random paths of a working illustrator. I'm aware that there are those that may think owning a bunch of half formed ideas might be similar to watching hotdogs being manufactured; the final result is satisfying, but the process is messy.
I can promise you, though, the twists and turns of these images will surprise you and even delight you. How often can you peek underneath the hood of an illustrator that ranges from political art of Cox and Forkum to the whimsical nature of "Say What?"?
You will recognize quite a few sketches that turned into posts on my site during the time period I mentioned above.
I believe the utter uniqueness of an artist's sketchbook is virtually sacred and I'd like one of y'all to have it in your home as evidence that the creative process is a living, breathing thing.
Page 59 (ball point pen)
CONDITIONS FOR THE BIDDING PROCESS
* BIDDING STARTS NOW AND WILL END AT 9PM EST, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16
* Bidding will start at $270.
* Please bid in increments of $10 or more
* The comment button at the bottom of THIS post is the ONLY way to make your bid official. I won't accept bidding any where else.
* The final bid will be determined by the time stamp on your bid. Cutting it close to the final minute is not recommended.
* If someone wins the bidding and chooses not to follow through with payment, I will offer the sketchbook to the next highest bidder.
Wow. Thanks for the privilege of trying this. Let's see what happens!
February 16, 2011
REMINDER: Auction ends at 9pm tonight
February 23, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
March 2, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
This would be a collection of protest art from around the world.
March 8, 2011
Actual CD Cover Illustration Gig.
My first!
Jim Rye was kind enough to contact me to illustrate his and Joe Vazquez's country music cd, "Stars n Bars". We worked well together to create an image that reflected the emotional depth of this duo's musical efforts. I really enjoyed the opportunity to do art that made a connection to my zeal for music.
(the complete cd folded out with the song titles on the back)
Technically, it required lots of thought and flexibility. The method of doing each layer separately gave me all the room to create the diffiernt lighting effects: LAYER 1, the musicians; LAYER 2, the bar front and landscape; LAYER 3, the signage over the door; LAYER 4, the bar interior and, finally, LAYER 5, melding all of them together and tweaking the lighting effects. Then, of course, the graphics required a couple of layers, too. Sense all the layers were independent of one another, the creative process never had the obstacle of having to redo anything as a whole. As we improved the image, all I had to do is make sure it came together as a unit at the end.
This process of illustration gave me all the freedom to do my own drawing style with all the advantages of doing my designing with Photoshop. Very pleasant experience.
March 14, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
March 19, 2011
Automotive Report Cover
This is the illustration I did for the April issue of Automotive Report. It lacks the cover graphics that describe the main article which is about "what works, what doesn't work and how your workplace can improve".
This was done primarily in 'shop. The only traditional drawing I did was a single paper doll cut out that was then replicated a few times. The tricky part was making the highlights and shadows convincing.
March 22, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
March 28, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
You may recognize the model reference from posts past. I did this one recently, relying on a looser, quicker style of brush work.
March 30, 2011
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
March 31, 2011
UNMADE (pencil study)
A smallish drawing where I enjoyed having the figure practically buried in covers.
April 4, 2011
Just Duet
This is my entry for this week's Illustration Friday theme, "Duet". Take a peek at the other entries.
April 9, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
April 10, 2011
Beer Label Illustration Idea
This week's theme over at Illustration Friday is "Bottled". I thought this theme was begging for one of my takes on a fantasy beer label.
Cheers!
April 18, 2011
Illustration Friday: JOURNEY
I thought this illustration had some of the romance and mystery invoked by this week's theme over at Illustration Friday, a website dedicated to showcasing illustrators with all kinds of technical and conceptual abilities.
April 19, 2011
Automotive Report Cover
This month's cover article investigates the economic imbalances showing up in recent legislature concerning the automotive industry.
April 24, 2011
Illustration Friday: BICYCLE
I thought this was a neat opportunity to do an inkwash drawing with a little photoshop magic.
April 25, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
April 29, 2011
CD Cover Illustration Idea
Any Steely Dan fans out there? I love me some "Gaucho".
May 8, 2011
Graphic Novel Cover Idea...
May 12, 2011
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
A man can dream, can't he? If I ever get a graphic novel cover commission the unicorns will rejoice, the pond nymphs will feast on jelly bean wine and river trolls will frolic to the ethereal sounds of manatee songs.
May 15, 2011
Behind the Lines
This is how one of my illustrations would look on an inner city underpass.
May 17, 2011
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
May 22, 2011
CD Cover Illustration Idea
Fresh out of high school, I seriously was digging this album in 1982.
May 23, 2011
Captain America: The First Avenger
I saw the previews for the new summer release, "Captain America: The First Avenger" and was totally blown away by the combination of 21st science of biomechanics and 1940's fight against Nazism.
Well, here's my rendition Captain America, inspired by what I should think is going to be a summer blockbuster.
May 26, 2011
Science Fiction Novel Cover Illustration Idea
June 2, 2011
Commission for Web Site Banner
I don't get a chance to do one of these too often. Most bloggers have a very clear idea of how the banner is going to look based on their point of view and quality of content; a visual along with some eye-catching type usually does the trick and can be done relatively easily with access to standard photos that flood the internet.
YET.....Martin Lindeskog who runs egoist.blogspot.com wanted something unique for his new blog that offers tea from around the world. Combining the lion (the town mascot for Gothenburg, Sweden) with an inviting pot of tea, the banner sneaks in a bit of whimsy as an intriguing welcome to all his brew-happy visitors.
If you're curious about how this kind of artwork can benefit your site, please feel to contact me at my e-mail address posted in my ABOUT box.
June 4, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
June 7, 2011
Illustration Friday: "SHADOWS"
Another entertaining workout from Illustration Friday's continuing stream of weekly themes to challenge and tickle the creative muscles of aspiring image makers.
June 8, 2011
Commissioned Book Cover
I recently did this cover and all the story illustrations for local Decatur author, Jordan Pearce, who just happens to be my favorite cousin. You can see what she's up to over at vinnythevampire.com.
June 11, 2011
Children's Book Cover Illustration Idea
Whimsical epic poetry to be swept away by...
June 19, 2011
Illustration Friday Entry: LAUNCH
Give me a go or no-go.
June 25, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
June 26, 2011
Illustration Friday Entry: MIDSUMMER NIGHT
Bumper crop of neat illustrations for this week's theme over at Illustration Friday.
July 3, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
The book title and artwork was done by Devon. Maybe he has a story in mind...
His illustration was done with table salt on black paper. You may notice flecks of pepper in there, too. His illustration has a spooky underwater vibe that sets the mood for an international thriller that contains manhunts and highly-trained assassins.
He was inspired by the remarkable artwork here.
July 6, 2011
Children's Book Cover Illustration Idea
July 12, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
July 17, 2011
Illustration Friday Entry: GESTURE
I thought this gesture drawing would be an interesting take on this week's theme.
July 22, 2011
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
July 30, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
This is my entry for this week's theme over at Illustration Friday: OBSESSION.
August 2, 2011
Children's Book Cover Illustration Idea
The road to Zinzaar
Is a road quite bizarre
With twists beyond imagination.
Where up is down
And square is round
In a state of wild consternation.
August 6, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
This is my entry for this week's theme over at Illustration Friday. Check out the other creative, "imperfect" entries.
August 13, 2011
Name That Famous American Novel
I illustrated this as a picture puzzle. How fast can you name the famous American novel to which I'm referring?
ALERT: Try guessing before you go into the thread.
August 14, 2011
Illustration Friday Entry: SWELL
August 17, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
August 19, 2011
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
August 21, 2011
Illustration Friday Entry: INFLUENCE
August 25, 2011
Automotive Report Cover
August 28, 2011
Illustration Friday Entry: DISGUISE
"Illusion is needed to disguise the emptiness within."
-Arthur Erikson
Go see the other "disguised" entries over at Illustration Friday.
August 29, 2011
Beer Label Illustration Idea
Any home-brewers out there who want a special label created for their unique batch of potent potables?
This is what I do.
September 2, 2011
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
This would be a sci-fi odyssey about how Obama negotiates world peace with the invasion forces from Avianyx, an aggressive alien culture bent on securing Earth's vast copper resources.
September 4, 2011
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
September 6, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
September 9, 2011
King Vulture Study
I wanted to do a king vulture study, sensing the beauty lurking beneath the grotesque details. Sounds like a Francis Bacon painting, doesn't it? Maybe it's the vivid coloration in contrast to the reptilian skin folds.
September 10, 2011
In Memoriam
September 14, 2011
Trackside Tavern T-Shirt
Trackside Tavern had it's Grand Opening this past weekend and this is the t-shirt design I created for Doc, the owner. It burned down January 20, 2009 and re-opened in just a couple of months ago.
September 16, 2011
Signage for Vintage Record Shop
You'd walk into this place, layers of mysterious dust covering the ceiling fan,Costello warbling about Allison. A fifty-ish, heavy-set nebbish, surrounded by Star Wars kitsch, is lecturing a soccer mom on the psychosexual themes of the Boomtown Rats oeuvre.
September 17, 2011
Illustration Friday Entry: MESMERIZING
I find the possibilities of the Digital Age mesmerizing. Take a gander at more "mesmerizing" illustrations over at Illustration Friday.
September 25, 2011
Pre-Teen Book Cover Illustration idea
September 26, 2011
Illustration Friday Entry: FEROCIOUS
Ugandan President Idi Amin was a ferocious, murderous head of state who was responsible for the termination of hundreds of thousands of lives between 1971-1979.
See more "ferocious" illustration entries over at Illustration Friday.
September 30, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
October 5, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
October 13, 2011
Children's Book Cover Illustration Idea
October 17, 2011
Beer Label Illustration Idea
October 18, 2011
Automotive Report Cover
This is the illustration I did for the November issue of Automotive Report, Allen Forkum's monthly newspaper that examines current issues in the automotive industry. The cover story concerns the legal battles waged between shop owners and damage repair insurers.
October 19, 2011
Memories....
Can it be that it was all so simple then?
Or has time re-written every line?
If we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me, would we? could we?
October 22, 2011
CD Cover Illustration Idea
This week, Illustration Friday has "FUEL" as its illustration theme. This is my entry. It's a combination of my watercolor technique and 'shopped enhancements.
October 26, 2011
Campaign Poster Illustration Idea
October 27, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
November 1, 2011
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
November 5, 2011
Illustration Friday Entry: STRIPES
Check out the other intriguing "stripey" illustrations over at Illustration Friday.
November 6, 2011
Time Magazine Cover Illustration Idea
I had a bit of fun indulging my favorite career fantasy...A TIME MAGAZINE COVER.
November 9, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
November 18, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
November 20, 2011
Illustration Friday Entry: VANITY
November 30, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 4, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
This is my entry for this week's theme over at Illustration Friday, "BRIGADE".
Ambrose Bierce did not write a book called "The Lost Brigade", but he sure could have.
December 6, 2011
Automotive Report Cover
This is the January cover for Automotive Report. The cover article is a collection of quotes that summarizes the automotive industry in 2011.
December 9, 2011
Illustration Friday Entry: SEPARATED
This is my entry for this week's theme over at Illustration Friday "Separated".
December 10, 2011
Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 11, 2011
Leviticus Pettimore Presents...
December 14, 2011
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
A little spooky for this time of year, but I tend to leap on illustration ideas whether it fits the season or not. Actually, this time of year has an inspirational vibe that comes out in weird ways.
December 17, 2011
American Portal
December 18, 2011
Illustration Friday Entry: SINK
Go and check out more neat entries over at Illustration Friday.
December 22, 2011
Children's Book Cover Illustration Idea
Alphie, the elf, confronted
the toxic materialism
that undermines the
true meaning of Christmas.
He was roundly castigated and
cast out from his friends and
family, never to be heard from again.
THE END
December 23, 2011
Illustrator At Work
These are three stages of a cover illustration I recently did for the magazine, Scout & Engineer. It's a publication dedicated to the discussion of current events via the ideological and philosophical underpinnings of the story.
The cover article is about the view that knowledge is not sinful, but a value that should be highly persued. Pretty obvious, right? No so fast...
The pencil stage is to determine the layout and the overall theme and composition for the cover. This stage has always been the most fun and yet taxing. On one hand I have a perfectly blank space to fill up with no apparent hindrances, yet the responsibility of zeroing in on a given subject matter is the whole point. Here, the direction of the piece is agreed upon by the illustrator and the art director.
The art director doesn't see the next midway stage. But it's here where I make final decisions on placement and emphasis of theme elements. Generally, I prefer doing the tedious (and important) details first because it takes advantage of my initial adrenaline burst. I like to leave the "dessert" for last; the part of the illustration that really drives home my style and approach to the idea.
And, of course, the final. If you look carefully, you can see all the minute changes I made from the midway stage. I put all the lighting effects into play and try to finish with a certain bravado of technique and precision.
And there you have it; the illustration process in three easy steps.
December 24, 2011
Beer Label Illustration Idea
December 25, 2011
Home Invasion
MERRY, MERRY, Y'ALL!
December 26, 2011
Haiku What?
Messenger of gods
Veering between cloud and moon
On a strange breeze borne.
January 2, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 3, 2012
Graphite Study: "David" hand
For this week's theme over at Illustration Friday, "Highlight", I chose to enter this 10" x 10" graphite study I did based on a photo I took during my visit to Florence, Italy, back in '91. Though I've seen Michelangelo's "David" my whole life through photos, seeing it live has the "highlight" of my trip.
January 6, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
January 12, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 14, 2012
Illustration Friday: PREPARE
January 15, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
January 17, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
Kind of on a book cover tear...
January 19, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 22, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 25, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 28, 2012
Fashion Magazine Cover Illustration Idea
This is my entry in this week's Illustration Friday theme: FORWARD
February 2, 2012
Playing with graphics
February 5, 2012
Another one....
February 6, 2012
DVD Cover Illustration Idea
February 14, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
February 16, 2012
Business Card Project: Keeping It Fresh
My good friend who hosts The Phantom Darkroom, Steve McAfee, is a skillful photographer of a high order. His work is known around the country and even HE has to refresh his business cards so they reflect his recent interests and techniques.
His most recent post was about that very thing, which I found to be inspiring. So, with a few hours available to really knuckle down and come up with my business card......I FROZE!
I didn't have a clear idea of what I wanted to present to the world as my "it", my specialty, that thing that makes my work stand out. I'm aware that I've developed a few looks, so I was a bit confused as to a stylistic direction.
Then, I took a deep breath and realized the work I've been showcasing on this site is the marrow of my artistic efforts: highly detailed cartoon work that emphasizes form, texture and light, with a certain wry humor.
And that's what I went with. WHEW!
I think it's hilarious that when it came to designing my own card, I was a bit befuddled. Had I been doing work for anyone else who required my illustration and design work, I would've gone about it with my usual confidence and focus. I-R-O-N-Y.
February 18, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
February 19, 2012
Illustration Friday: FLUID
February 21, 2012
Automotive Report Cover
The cover article is about inking the deal and taking responsibility for reading THE WHOLE CONTRACT.
Otherwise, it just may backfire.
February 24, 2012
Another one....
February 26, 2012
Branded
February 27, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
March 2, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea...
March 3, 2012
Magazine Cover Illustration Idea
March 8, 2012
Illustration Friday: INTENTION
March 16, 2012
Illustration Friday: SHADES
Check out the other shades of creativity over at Illustration Friday.
March 20, 2012
CD Cover Illustration Idea
March 22, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
March 25, 2012
Product Label Illustration Idea
This is my entry in this week's Illustration Friday: SWAMP.
March 30, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
This would be a sci-fi take on the Portier-Curtis film shot in 1958. Two enemies chained together at a prison camp on the edge of the galaxy manage to escape.
March 31, 2012
Sunday Supplement Cover Illustration Idea
This is my entry for this week's theme over at Illustration Friday: RETURN.
April 2, 2012
Gaming Illustration Idea
April 7, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
April 14, 2012
Automotive Report Cover Illustration for May
Next month, the cover article is a survey of how legislation differs from state to state concerning auto repair insurance obligations.
April 15, 2012
CD Cover Illustration Idea
This is my entry on this week's theme at Illustration Friday: PUZZLED. Check out the other head-scratching creations over there.
April 21, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
This is my entry for this week's Illustration Friday: HEIGHTS. Check out the other heights of artistic ability over there.
April 23, 2012
Documentary Poster Illustration Idea
April 28, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
This is my entry for this week's Illustration Friday:JUMP. See what other artwork is jumping over there.
April 29, 2012
Sci-Fi Novel Cover Illustration Idea
Vibing Edgar Rice Burroughs, I think.
May 2, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
May 6, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
May 9, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
May 12, 2012
Children's Book Cover Illustration Idea
May 14, 2012
Illustration Friday: KERNEL
Americans do believe in freedom and there is almost certainly a kernel of a joke in the truth.
May 17, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
I get a kick out of combining traditional watercolor work with 'shop techniques. The advantages of both "looks" facilitate all kinds of visual possibilities.
May 18, 2012
Momentary Zen
May 19, 2012
Automotive Report Cover Illustration for June
This is my illustration for next month's Automotive Report. The cover article is about how independent body shops struggle with State Farm's overwhelming influence.
May 20, 2012
My Illustration Friday entry: SIGHT
May 24, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
May 26, 2012
Beer Label Illustration Idea
May 28, 2012
CD Cover Illustration Idea
June 1, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
June 2, 2012
Illustration Friday: Hurry
Crossing the Yorgon wastes, First Shielder Vark Gundra had to hurry. Qiznet Sun Ja was out of patience...and out of her mind.
June 3, 2012
New Yorker Cover Illustration Idea
I've always admired how the New Yorker covers are always illustrated with no article headlines to clutter the work.
June 6, 2012
Concert Poster Illustration Idea
June 7, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
June 9, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
June 12, 2012
Illustration Friday: SHINY
This is my illustrated interpretation of this week's theme at Illustration Friday. TAKE A LOOK at the other shining examples of creative energy.
June 16, 2012
Look! A Puppet Show!
I blundered into some old Punch and Judy memorabilia (circa 1700's-1800's) and thought how odd it must have to sit and watch wacky characters pummel each other while they acted out farcical situations.
Boy, why does THAT sound familiar?
June 19, 2012
Illustration Friday: SECRET
June 21, 2012
The Art of Persuasion
June 22, 2012
Rogues Gallery
June 29, 2012
Automotive Report Cover (July)
The July cover article is about how automotive shop owners should look after the physical well-being of their places of business, just like they look after customer satisfaction.
(Now, cough.)
June 30, 2012
CD Cover Illustration Idea
This is my entry for this week's Illustration Friday theme: REFRESH The site has been designed anew and it looks very engaging. Check out the other refreshing interpretations over there.
July 1, 2012
Website Banner Commission
I was asked to illustrate this website banner for Elizabeth R. She regales her readers with tales of recipes conquered and taste buds thrilled; all for the edification of those brave souls who take spatulas and cooking thermometers in hand.
July 5, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
July 10, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
One of my "Favorite Read-Again" books. Vonnegut's drawings are as funny as his prose.
July 11, 2012
Logo Illustration Idea
Of course, "Tropic Thunder" is a Ben Stiller comedy, but I thought the title sounded like:
a) An island cocktail for tourists
b) A variety of weed making the rounds on college campuses
c) A roller derby team out of Key West
d) A cologne for lonely retirees
July 13, 2012
Automotive Report Cover Illustrtion for August
July 14, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
July 15, 2012
Illustration Friday Theme:LOST
July 16, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
July 22, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
This is my entry for this week's theme at Illustration Friday: CARRY. Check out how other talented sorts carry on over there.
July 28, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
July 30, 2012
Rogue Gallery
August 1, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
August 3, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
August 4, 2012
Illustration Friday Theme:BOUNCE
August 6, 2012
Mural Idea
I spent some time on this illustration with nothing specific in mind. Then I started to notice it might make a neat trompe l'oeil style mural. A little p'shop magic and...ta dah.
August 10, 2012
Magazine Cover Illustration Idea
August 12, 2012
Theater Production Poster Illustration Idea
This is would be Lewis Carroll's "Through The Looking Glass" told from the Hatter's point of view.
August 15, 2012
Automotive Report Cover (September)
August 17, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
August 22, 2012
Movie Poster Illustration Idea
August 25, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
August 29, 2012
CD Cover Illustration Idea
September 1, 2012
Illustration Friday Theme:IDENTICAL
Check out the other "Identical" illustrators over at Illustration Friday.
September 2, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
September 6, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
September 9, 2012
Illustration Friday Theme:IMAGINATION
Check out the other imaginative works over at Illustration Friday.
September 10, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
September 18, 2012
Automotive Report Cover (October)
September 20, 2012
Movie Poster Illustration Idea
September 23, 2012
Illustration Job
This is the up-coming cover of Scout & Engineer I designed and illustrated, It was a rare chance to not only execute one of my favorite motifs (an old wall surface with attached drawing), but to determine the final placement and look of the logo. It was a wonderful opportunity to try out a complete idea with virtually no stylistic obstacles.
In this particular issue, the literary collection is themed around "Heroism" and the publisher/creative director was enthusiastic about this direction, once we chatted over the possibility of taking a non-literal approach. I've been looking forward to utilizing this style of work for quite awhile.
Thank you, Hannah, for taking a daring approach.
NOTE: You may remember the first one I did; a confident Eve unapologetically displaying the Forbidden Fruit (posted December 23, 2011).
September 26, 2012
Movie Poster Illustration Idea
September 28, 2012
Biography Cover Illustration Idea
October 2, 2012
Movie Poster Illustration Idea
October 5, 2012
Novel Cover Illustration Idea
One of my favorite contemporary writers, Michael Chabon, never wrote a book with this particular title, but I had fun supposing the possibility. He writes in a quirky, imaginative style that highlights eccentric behavior in odd circumstances. His prose is filled with sharp metaphors and poignant turns of phrase. I think it would be more than interesting if he told the story of a pensioner, a Holocaust survivor, ending his days in coastal Maine where he is visited by old acquaintances anxious to get in the last word.
If you're not familiar with Chabon's work, may I recommend "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay", "Wonder Boys" and "The Yiddish Policemen's Union".
I'm always a bit envious of those who read my favorite books for the first time because I miss the thrill of discovery that awaits new fans.
October 12, 2012
Pencil Rough
This is what the November issue of Automotive Report looks like at the moment. The cover story is about attracting and attaining sales idea for the industry.
I'll post the finished piece later on.
October 13, 2012
Final Art for November's Automotive Report Cover
Transformation is a wonderful thing. What starts as some loosely organized lines develops into a full fledged, fleshed out concept. Whew!
I darkened the bottom third to provide contrast for lighter headline graphics.
October 14, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
October 19, 2012
Didn't make the cut...
I was a little disappointed when this recent pencil didn't impress the art director for a small magazine in New Jersey. He thought it was too scary. That's why they call them "roughs".
October 21, 2012
Video Game Cover Illustration Idea
October 22, 2012
LP Cover Illustration Idea
October 25, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
This would be a collection of short stories that take place around the Baja Peninsula.
October 26, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
October 29, 2012
Illustrated Classic Cover Idea
November 1, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
November 2, 2012
Poe Caricature Used in "Strange As It Seems" Piece
This illustration, plus a few others, help tell the the odd coincidence of two Richard Parkers, one a Poe creation, the other an actual victim.
Behold the weirdness in this intriguing Strange As It Seems production.
You can check out other Strange As It Seems productions at the bottom of the AOL page.
November 5, 2012
CD Cover Illustration Idea
November 10, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
November 11, 2012
Wake up and smell the mochachino.
November 16, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
November 17, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 1, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 4, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 8, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 11, 2012
Automotive Report Cover Illustration (January 2013)
December 13, 2012
Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 16, 2012
Classic Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 26, 2012
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
January 2, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 3, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 9, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 18, 2013
Meanwhile, in another dimension....
I like creating pages in which I can explore visual story telling techniques. Fun little workout.
And, of course, the narrative is wide open....
January 19, 2013
Automotive Report Cover Illustration (February) 2013)
When Allen came up with this concept for his paper, he called it an "infinity cover". Apparently, the repetitive illustration motif is it's own genre. Who gnu?
January 26, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 27, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 29, 2013
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
February 1, 2013
Promo Illustration Idea
February 2, 2013
IT Logo Idea
February 5, 2013
Manual Cover Illustration Idea
February 7, 2013
Rogue Gallery
February 9, 2013
Movie Poster Illustration Idea
February 10, 2013
CD Cover Illustration Idea
February 12, 2013
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
February 13, 2013
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
The title comes from a well-known Jack Kerouac book written about the same time as On The Road. I wanted to explore the dystopian connotations.
February 15, 2013
Performance Flyer Illustration Idea
Love to do more of this. I'm fascinated with venue announcements that grab the imagination.
February 16, 2013
Talent Agency Logo Idea
February 23, 2013
American Civics Text Book
While working on another project, I wanted to utilize an illustration that didn't make the cut (wrong direction). Still, I thought it had potential.
February 25, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
February 28, 2013
Music CD Cover Illustration Idea
This is my interpretation of a classic 1987 album.
March 1, 2013
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
March 7, 2013
Newsstand...NOT!
March 8, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
Vibing some Steadman and wondering what HST would think of the present administration.
(The title is a play on a '73 Joe Walsh album.)
March 9, 2013
Story Book Cover Illustration Idea
March 15, 2013
CD Cover Illustration Idea
March 16, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
March 18, 2013
OUT (Offensive Urban Transport)
March 20, 2013
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
March 24, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
March 27, 2013
Designer Fish
I'm pretty sure the world doesn't need more fish pillows, but these would work nicely.
March 28, 2013
Automotive Report Cover (April)
I really like how this cover turned out. Considering the subject matter, I was able to enliven the image with warmth and a certain whimsical engagement. Even the driest subject matter can be inviting when the illustration is given a chance to expand beyond literal boundaries.
There is no boring subject matter, just boring illustrators.
March 31, 2013
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
April 2, 2013
Opening Day 2013
It's here and I can feel my pulse again; baseball is BACK.
And may I highly recommend enjoying it on radio. Here's my "Top NIne Reasons to Stay In and Do It Marconi Style":
9...Sit where you like, I mean ANYWHERE.
8...You'll never have that urge to brain the fathead next to you who won't shut the hell up about his team's idiotic stats: HE AIN'T THERE.
7...No moronic antics and inane music between innings. If you can't stand the radio ads, kill the volume when they invariably pop up.
6...Can't beat the ticket price.
5...The beer and hotdogs you're eating didn't cost the price of a small sedan.
4...Your imagination fills in the game if you've ever played it growing up. I believe the game is MORE vivid.
3...Toilet access is MUCH better.
2...The opportunity to engage in another project while keeping track of game details. I love drawing in my sketchbook during broadcasts (I did this sketch during tonight's Braves game against the Phillies)
1...If the game stinks, CLICK and grab another beer.
You're welcome.
April 5, 2013
Alphabet Book Page
April 7, 2013
Rogue Gallery
April 9, 2013
Computer Game Cover Illustration Idea
April 12, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
April 15, 2013
Commissioned Art and Design
This is the poster I illustrated and designed for talented composer M.Zachary Johnson announcing the maiden performance of his ambitious opera, "The Boston Tea Party".
I want to thank Mr. Johnson for the opportunity to lend a hand to such a heart-felt project and wish him the sincere accolades he deserves.
For those in the New York City area, check out his site of up-dates, performance times and general artistic backgrounds of the cast.
April 17, 2013
Production Line Illustration Idea
April 27, 2013
Website Banner Commission
I did this work for Martin Lindeskog, an entertaining blogger out of Gothenburg, Sweden. He enjoys discussing and promoting American ideals and his line of tea beverages over at americanized.org.
April 29, 2013
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
April 30, 2013
Festival Art Submission
I'll be submitting this design and illustration for the very popular Decatur Craft Beer Festival held at the Square downtown October, 19th. It's an open competition for artists of all stripes. The winner gets beer and a little pocket money AND the overwhelming notoriety that rivals a Pillsbury Bake-off victory.
May 4, 2013
Automotive Report Cover (May)
This my Escher-esque cover for Allen Forkum's auto industry monthly, "Automotive Report". We decided on a surreal approach once we recognized the main article didn't have it's own visual hook.
May 5, 2013
Non-Fiction Book Cover Illustration Idea
May 9, 2013
Ristorante Logo Idea
May 11, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
May 12, 2013
Marching Band Show
Devon's school is looking for ideas for a t-shirt and such that touts their up-coming season. Their program will feature the music of U2. Doesn't that sound awesome? I've GOT to make one of their performances.
Devon is in his second year there playing baritone.
May 15, 2013
Art Nouveau Inspired
Goofing around with an art trend that predates Art Deco by a 20 years or so. I find it very informative to mimic older styles and try to explore how such aesthetics can be re-made and be used today. Kind of like going through a Goodwill store and finding a cool bowling shirt.
May 18, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
May 19, 2013
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
May 24, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
June 2, 2013
Momentary Zen
This is a 7" x 7" sketch for a larger oil on canvas piece I have planned. If you'd like to commission this at a specific size, I'd love to hear from you. Since it is somewhat monochromatic in concept, I can consider any specifically suggested hues. That's what I value about detailed sketches; more choices present themselves.
June 6, 2013
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
June 7, 2013
Comic Book Page
June 15, 2013
CD Cover Illustration Idea
June 17, 2013
Logo Illustration Idea
June 18, 2013
Sci-Fi Novel Cover Illustration idea
June 23, 2013
Graphic Studio Logo Idea
June 27, 2013
Community Theater Logo Illustration Idea
If you're among the many non-profit organizations that put on shows, I'd be very interested in hearing about your projects and offering my time and know-how.
July 5, 2013
Bedtime Stories Cover Illustration Idea
Or creating a punk band...
July 11, 2013
100-Word Story by Steve Krodman
Vulgar, yet hilariously thought-provoking, this short little tale is by Steve Krodman, a man of many talents and a gregarious nature whom I had the pleasure to meet a few years ago. He gave me this collection of 100-word stories that he wrote and published under the title, "Shorts in a Wad" (available at his site, Lost In The Cheese Aisle).
I went through it like John Madden through a Brett Farvre highlight film. It was weird, clever and disturbingly funny. I still peek at it now and again because I always think up some illustrations that might match each wonderfully goofy 100-word story.
So I took a shot at this wacky story called Abstract Art. I'm sure I'll do a few more out of curiosity. Designing the page to accommodate the illustration was the biggest challenge. The actual published work, with over a hundred little gems, has no illustrations.
By the way, his book has many sharply crafted tales that DON"T involve bodily functions.
July 12, 2013
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
July 14, 2013
Web Banner Commission
This illustration is for Martin Lindeskog's webcast from Sweden. He's got a few irons in the fire over there and I've enjoyed helping him with his media ventures.
July 17, 2013
100-Word Story by Steve Krodman
This is another entry from Steve Krodman's neat little book, "Shorts In A Wad", a collection of his odd tales all told within a hundred-count of nouns, verbs and the odd adjective.
The illustration is my own and not found in his book. This whole page is my attempt to explore how my illustration style might look along the side Steve's delightful writing.
You can purchase his book on his website, Lost in The Cheese Aisle
July 18, 2013
July Cover for Automotive Report
Allen and I puzzled out an angle to represent paint manufacturer's ongoing concern with misuse of their products in repair shops. This is why I like trade papers; it constantly challenges my desire for striking, "fun to look at" solutions to what might be considered wonky material.
July 20, 2013
Eating Establishment Image Illustration Idea
The hostess will ask you if you know anybody there and are they expecting you.
July 30, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
August 2, 2013
Momentary Zen
August 3, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
August 7, 2013
Automotive Report Cover (August)
The cover article for this month's Automotive Report is about how repair shops take on insurance companies in volatile court battles that erupt over damage claims and proper compensation.
August 9, 2013
Team Logo
A friend of mine wanted to show his appreciation for workmates who teamed up for a major project. As they worked through the "mission", he got to calling his group the "Bic Brigade". He was proud of their work and thought a sardonic nod to corporate reality was in order.
August 11, 2013
Movie Quote
August 13, 2013
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
If you haven't read this in a while, do yourself a favor and dive into the ultimate revenge saga that follows the star-crossed path of Edmond Dantes.
August 17, 2013
Momentary Zen
My good friend Douglas is up in Maine chasing the Almighty Dollar, yet he finds time to shoot the local scenes where he's residing (for the moment). He sent me this wonderfully eerie photo of moored sailboats and I thought it might be fun to add my own twist to it.
Call it an illustration bomb.
August 18, 2013
Promotion Piece
August 19, 2013
ACTUAL Book Cover Commission
British author Richard Epworth was bold enough to ask me to illustrate his new self-published book, "Bottleneck" and this is how it turned out.
And this is what Richard had to say about our collaborative creative experience:
"Having had my head inside my manuscript ever since I remember, I was stuck inside my fixed ideas of what message my cover should convey. I thought my cover had to somehow clearly reveal the message of the book. Seeing the beautiful quality and wide range of ideas in John's work on his web site, gave me the confidence to go with him and trust his judgement. This turned out to be a huge relief, as I had tried to control everything until then. With his encouragement I dared to forgo the sacred cows that had escaped from the pages onto my own draft cover, and return them safely to the pages where they belong. I now have a deliciously enigmatic cover that will lure people in. The whole experience brought back excitement into my project, (as my wife, family and friends etc. etc. will confirm!) It was such fun to have another creative individual involved, especially one who I wasn’t competing with. I’m really delighted with the final result, my only concern now is whether buyers of the book will be disappointed by the contents, my bit, but who cares, they will have a lovely piece of art to look at."
Hey Richard, you made it fun. Thanks
August 23, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
August 24, 2013
Automotive Report Cover (September)
The September issue of Automotive Report is about how shop owners are collaborating to make themselves heard among auto industry movers and shakers.
August 25, 2013
Book Cover Illustration Idea
August 28, 2013
Theater Production Poster Illustration Idea
August 31, 2013
Graphic Novel Cover Illustration Idea
You've may have noticed the last couple of days of have gone by without a new post. Well, I've moved crosstown and I'm finally settled in, ready to get back on track. Thanks for hangin' in.
September 8, 2013
Fantasy Novel Cover illustration Idea
September 15, 2013
Pub Logo Illustration Idea
September 19, 2013
Momentary Zen
I've been exploring intriguing ways to capture texture and shadow with a "fill-in-the-blank" kind of narrative.
September 22, 2013
Magazine Cover Illustration Idea
September 29, 2013
SigmaDude
