get with this or get with that?

i sketched out this idea a few years ago. originally i drew it as a short boy standing on his tippy toes to receive a kiss, flipping the traditional role of the girls performance in this act. then i showed it to a few people who remarked that vertically challenged men might not find it humorous. its hard to create things that won't offend someone or thing, but i listened to the suggestion and decided to make the situation ridiculous to limit its offense. if monsters where real and varied in stature, which i'm sure they would, there may be one or two made self conscious by this illustration. i can't say i would feel bad, cause they're monsters. is that racist?

After completing the image last night i couldn't decide if it was completely obvious what was taking place, so i added a little word box with a heart. this cute addition felt a little too fluffy, so i went on to produced a second version with a darker punch. now i'm not sure which one i like better. i guess they could be left as a duo, cause who doesn't love a satisfying chomp!

ohio dreams

i'm writing this half awake, but i felt the need to post something new. maybe its appropriate in my current state to mention the crazy dutch fantasy adventure i awoke from this morning. i wont go into the details, because to be honest at this point there vague to me, but a quick run through includes a theme park, giant looming windmills above a medieval city, and a moat of golden delicious apples surrounding an arena. the grounds of the arena had dressed theme park characters ready to do battle with me and my companions.

why i'm dreaming about giant windmills inside a loony amusement park is any ones guess. i was told not to long ago that some dreams act as trial runs to potential real life obstacles. not sure this fall into that category, but its an interesting concept.

i'll leave you with this illustration i did of an ohio state fan, which my mother requested i make. she will be participating in a few holiday fairs this year and hopes to sell a few matted prints. she lives in columbus, land of all things buckeye, so hopefully it is well received.

at times i feel like..?

i drew this comic a few days after an event i attended with a bunch of designers. the experience reminded me that sometimes i feel i missed the mark of what i was expected to hit, but to be honest i don't think i've been aiming for a particular target.

the designer lifestyle at one point may have been desirable, but as i get older it appeals to me far less, feeling to rigid and constraining. even though i know i'm a mature individual, being surrounded by such work driven people makes me feel naive, but i just have to remind myself that business is an act, you invest as little or as much as you want with unpredictable returns. i feel it is ultimately no true measure of an individual for real success does not come with tangible rewards, but a feeling of contentment.

the older i get

i'm currently at an age where many of my peers are beginning to settle into marriage and family life leaving me asking what next. i don't foresee myself pitching a tent in either of these camps, but its hard to avoid at least walking through them, like some sort of sasquatch, people amazed and concerned with me.

for some it only brings the illusion of happiness. a promise of fulfillment ingrained in many of us from an early age. great numbers reach enjoyment from this next direction in life and i'm happy to see them this way, but for me i sometimes shutter at the idea, which leads me to illustrate things like this.

from uncle

thats right, i'm going to be an uncle. this along with the infestation of gray hairs that have invaded my thick mop, i'm beginning to feel a bit old. although a lot of this has been offset by the constant misjudging by strangers of my age and the bubblegum toothpaste my dentist gave me after my last visit. who restricted this flavor to children anyway (picture me in shadow, like the old frosted flake commercials).

if you haven't deduced it yet. my sister is pregnant and about to give birth within the next few weeks. this pregnancy came with a baby shower that i was unable to attend, but i heard went splendidly and with crafts. the craft being decorate a bib for my soon to be nephew. my mom thought i should participate, i have no clue why, i guess she thinks i'm creative or something. so, i was sent one of the bibs. well unlike those at the party who had a limited time and artistic arsenal at their disposal i had quite the opposite. with all the free time i've been "enjoying" lately i decided to spend some of it coming up with a small illustration that i took the effort to silkscreen onto the spit up/drool catcher and this is what bloomed.

dental work

anyone who has spent much time around me these past few years since school are sure to know of my dental woes. they have become my equivalent of an automotive investment. spending what sometimes has felt like equal miles on the road and in the shop.

maybe it is the looming of my regular six month check up next week that has spark such an image to pounce from my head. whatever the case lets just hope this depictions holds no insight into my near future. my fingers are crossed.

farm life

i haven't put up a sketch or illustration in a while and i'm a little disappointed in myself. i'm
constantly applauded for my creativity and drawing ability, which i don't exploit enough. i tend to be modest, but i'm writing a blog whose partial purpose is for such things, so modesty is already sitting in the back seat with its head leaning forward.

the last few days i've been thinking about trying to keep the medium i use appropriate for the style. i think i fall back on the computer way too much and sometimes working in illustrator or photoshop just doesn't make sense. this current image definitely lent itself to vector art, but from here on out i want to start exploring other mediums. i'm not going to guarantee this, seeing how pledges of the pass have fallen at the wayside. i do feel desiring it enough will bring about real results and right now i'm feeling energized. regardless i hope to at least get more sketches and illustrations scattered amongst my entries.

now, take it away merle!

i don't think the guitar player in the back realizes he's not plugged in.
it sure was nice of them to make him feel like part of the act.

what are squatz?

squatz are a line of fizz n' find characters from wild planet toys. i was lucky enough to help develop the graphics for all the various themes. pictured are the ninjas (guess thats obvious). follow the link to have a look at the rest.

www.squatz-world.com