Duck Pig Bee

This is the third in a series I recently painted. That bee spreads lies! Just ask the duck. Watch out.

Day of the Dead

Lunar Boy Gallery has their Day of the Dead show going on this month up in Oregon. This is my contribution. The official holiday is celebrated widely in Mexico on the first of November to honor friends and family who've passed on. It's very festive with many grave side picnics and brightly colored flowers. As it's a lighthearted view on death, I thought I might place these skeletons belly up, but decided that that wasn't necessary. These fish may only be shades of their former selves, but they're still living full lives.

Summer

The classic tale of the ant and the grasshopper doesn't need a lot of detailed explanation. I left room here for title and type. It was most fun to take on a bug's eye view with overlarge flowers and a skyscape lost in the weeds. I made a point not to watch A Bugs Life, the Silly Symphony or James & the Giant Peach. But as soon as I was done, I ran to the dvd store.

autumn

Here is the second of the ant and grasshopper images. I'll be posting the first shortly. I thought since this blog stacks backwards, I'd load the last image first. I had a fun time with the grasshopper here. And it was good to show the dandelions at their seed stage to mark the progression of time.

the winter months

I'm about to post a three image arc from 'the ant and the grasshopper'. This is the last part of the story. I love cross sections, and this was a great opportunity to wander around underground. It's funny how characters can sometimes surprise you. I finished this image then went to my local video store, realizing the design for the ant had to have come from the attendant there. They wear the same facial expression--very odd.

Pennies a Day

I've challenged myself to do a drawing of a child every day for an unspecified amount of time. Okay, it's specified in the real world, but I know better than to make grandiose promises online. I'm already over two weeks in. Keep up with me as I try to make some sense out of childhood. And some cents. This challenge carries with it a friendly and private wager as well. Wish me luck and in three weeks I may be able to afford candy.

Click on 'KIDS' to the right for a link. And here's the address:

http://justpenniesaday.blogspot.com/

The Challenge at Hole 16: Double Windmills

This is for next month's Ninja Show at Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra. A group of dignitaries has shown up on the miniature putting green for a relaxing afternoon of around-the-world golf. Little do they know a surprise is waiting for them in Holland. I can't help but picture this as a silly 80's comedy starring animals in clothing instead of Rodney Dangerfield.

The Old Washer Woman

When I need a shot of creativity, I'll grab a couple of books and head out to the park. Maybe I'll start thumbing through something like the visual history of Americana or ABCs of the Human Mind, looking for the spark of an idea. It can take a while sometimes, but usually, once I'm open to it, a kernal germinates. This time I looked up from my book of old toys to see bubbles coming from nowhere. I happened to be on a page with an antique doll pushcart with horses attached to the front wheel. This reminded me of that old putdown of being the son or daughter of a washer woman. But why should a washer woman be a bad thing? Couldn't she be fun, or misunderstood. Maybe there are legions of her, much like the chimney sweeps in Mary Poppins--mysterious, but magical. Troops ready to fulfill a duty, like a dydee service or the milkman. Or maybe she's more like Santa Claus, showing up on the doorsteps of dirty children to give them a bath and vacuum the curtains. I gave this lady a helmet, some safety pins, a towel or two then set her up in her souped up doll's carriage--replacing the horses from my book with piggies. All in all, not a bad afternoon. Is it a full story? Not today, but perhaps in time.

A Gift

I've been averaging a post a month here lately, and that, believe it or not, is a good thing, as it means I'm pretty busy. Today is a friend's birthday, so in honor of her--an animal lover, I decided to draw out a pleasant little gift giving scene. I'm sure that some of you have pets who drag in the occasional dead mouse or bird in return for your affection, love and duty. Can you imagine how embarassing it'd be to show up with the same gift for a friend as the family cat?

Cuckoo Clock

It's been a crazy busy month, so the cuckoo seemed like an appropriate place to start posting again--staying with that whole 'crazy' theme. I've been racking my brain thinking of all the different places an odd cuckoo might pop out from. But I guess hundreds of birds peaking out all over made me laugh most. Someday I may take this idea a touch further, but for now this sketch is a good start. What I really want is a real one. The hunt is on.

The Wolf Police

I have not posted here in ages, so I apologize. With a trip to New York (including a three day layover courtesy of Jet Blue) and playing a bit of ketchup on some projects I'm not as comfortable posting early--life got busy. This is an image done for McGraw Hill. So if you're in the third grade, about to take an achievement test, your sense of honor should compel you to close out this window immediately. Actually I'm not sure how the image will be utilized, so all my eight year old readers are still welcome-- assuming you exist.

The Bird on Nellie's Hat

I love old, old songs and I think this one dates back to Music Hall days. I received a cd of music from 1907 for Christmas because it included a version of this silly little ditty about a golddigging socialite whose true motives are reviled by the stuffed bird perched on her hat. Funny stuff. I first heard it on the Muppet Show. A sample:

"I'll be your little honey, I will promise that,
Said Nellie as she rolled her dreamy eyes,
It's a shame to take the money,
Said the bird on Nellie's hat,
Last night she said the same to Johnny Wise,
Then to Nellie Willie whispered as they fondly kissed,
I'll bet that you were never kissed like that.
Well he don't know Nellie like I do,
Said the saucy little bird on Nellie's hat."