Eye Robot

When it comes to working in pen and ink, there's no dilly-dallying about it. No hemming and hawing. No beating around the bush. You just say it — or put the pen down. It's an exercise in brevity, which is why I like it so much. It keeps my color work on track by reminding me what's important, and what's not.

I'll be signing books at the Tucson Festival of Books this Saturday, (3/15), at 10am. Stop by and say hello.

Life In The Fast Lane

A bit more than just wishful thinking, Wendell, once again longed for the sleepy scenery of his own backyard.

Two Far-fetched Characters

Handlebar Bill: The notorious gum-cracking, big-hat-wearing, stick-in-the-mud, broccoli eatin', two-bit, four-flusher with a mustache as wide as a pizza pie—bad guy. 

Luciano LaCheeze: Crooner of the crown. Song-mouse of the tresses (and quite a bit shorter than you might think). Affectionately known in some parts as, Frank, due to his rather lively rendition of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”

The Wordwizard

My original inspiration for this piece was just a goofy sketch I did while watching TV. (I don't remember what was on.)

The idea of a convoluted cycle seemed interesting enough. But where was it going? And who was riding it, and why? Clearly, I didn’t have a plan at the moment, but I was having fun. Sometimes you just gotta fly by the seat of your pants. To quote Indiana Jones, “I don’t know, I’m making this up as I go.” 

Coffee...

I'm up!

Two Of A Kind...

Character, attitude, and a sense of humor, makes for a fun sketch. 

Cake...

This is what happens when you draw while your mind is on dessert.

The Night Before Christmas...

More from the The Night Before Christmas, published by CandyCane Press, released 2004. This book was printed as an accordion style board book. When folded, the inside reads like a book. When unfolded, the backside appears as a 47" x 9" panorama scene of Santa and his reindeer flying over a town on Christmas Eve — Lots of fun to work on.

Backside illustration 47" x 9"

Santa detail

Clock tower detail

Let it snow… Man!

I had the opportunity of illustrating Clement C. Moore’s timeless, “The Night Before Christmas”. This is the back cover artwork.

I'm dreaming of a cup of cocoa...

Book Signing...

Signed stacks of books this past Sunday with the amazing and prolific author Susan Lowell of "The Three Little Javelinas" fame.

Barb Strikes Again...

I made the mistake of connecting a strand of Christmas lights along the backyard fence without considering their proximity to Barb, my resident cholla cactus as well as inspiration for “Jump!” Could this be the start of a sequel? Perhaps, but first — a band-aid.

Another Fall Color Study...

Another fall color study. I figured I'd do two more and make it a series. Then I can have prints made and throw them up on the wall to see if they stick, (not unlike the old spaghetti trick — If they stick, they're done.)

AZLA...

I traveled to Scottsdale for the AZLA this past weekend where I received the Judy Goddard/Libraries LTD. Arizona Children's Author/Illustrator Award — Lots of fun. I got to hang out with author/illustrator David LaRochelle, author Robert Buyea, and author Robin Brande. It’s always great to get to know others in the book business. The unique ways in which creative people make their way into publishing always impresses me.