Here is the result of my sketches.  The illustration was inspired by the questioned asked by the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland.  It was said that Lewis Carroll, never intended for the question to have a solution.  However, according to Wikipedia he later offered this solution:

“In a new preface to the 1896 edition of Alice, he proposes several answers: “Because it can produce a few notes, though… they are very flat; and it is nevar put with the wrong end in front!” (Note the spelling of “never” as “nevar”—turning it into “raven” when inverted. This spelling, however, was “corrected” in later editions to “never” and Carroll’s pun was lost.)”

If you like this design, it is now in my Zazzle shop.  Thanks for looking and have a wonderful week.

Here is my latest illustration.  It originally started out, when I saw a box with an “x” on it.  I’m not much of a video game player, but it did make me think of an Xbox and how disappointed a gamer would be if they received a box with an “x” on it rather than an Xbox.  The original drawing(below) was meant to be sad, but I ultimately choose to create a happy ending.  Instead of a case of mistaken boxes, the young man is making the free association of his beloved gaming console.

Meet Hello Robot.  I believe his real name is A5T1E, but everyone calls him Artemas, or sometimes Arte.  He is one of my newest illustrations.  Artemas can’t help but bring smiles to everyone he meets, with his brightly colored paint job and friendly attitude.  He is a wonderful friend and exceptionally kind, caring, helpful, happy, and loving.  I want to be more like him.

I’m in the process of making a few short stories with him in it, and making some designs with him saying hello in many different languages.  He is a robot after all, and can learn new things with both speed and ease.  Above is the original sketch for Artemas.  He was originally just going to be advertising my art work on my sites(thus his hand up, holding a sign), but after visualizing who he was and his personality, I realized that he was destined for more, like so many of us.

Starting the new year off, with memories from years long ago.  The image above came in my mind very vividly, while drawing with my daughter.  While working in Illustrator to create the vector version of the drawing, I recalled a cat from when I was a boy.  I was probably about six or seven at the time, and some neighbors had some kittens.  I proudly purchased one for five cents, one shiny nickel, which was a small fortune to a small boy at the time.  Proudly, I marched home with the kitten, and proclaimed that I had paid for the cat and could not return it.  My parents where good sports, and let me keep the cat.  UT, the cat, remained a faithful family pet for many years.  He was the best five cent purchase I ever made.

Originally, I did not have the text characters in the drawing, but rather a simple fish skeleton.  Being the creative type, it occurred to me to wonder what message a cat might want to relay to their family.  I figured it would most likely be a meal request.  Texting for animals will be the next big thing in 2010, or Twitter for pets, perhaps I could be wrong, but it’s highly unlikely.

“chasing the clouds away”

The picture above is called, “Chasing the Clouds Away.”  It was influenced by my recollections of the Sesame Street theme song as a child.  Oddly, Sesame Street recently celebrated their 4oth anniversary.  My youngest daughter reminded me that I’m a year older than Sesame Street.  I love her all the same.

“bird with raygun”

The Bird with a Raygun continues my fascination with the retro ideas of the future and birds.  I draw on the whiteboard in my classroom on the days that I teach computer classes, and the drawing below started the illustration.

bird and raygun whiteboard drawing

“steam cars”

“Steam Cars” could possibly be the car of tomorrow.  Ok, it is a steampunk future, but it could happen.

the digital vector version

product postage stamp design on zazzle.com - TBA Award on Oct. 26, 2009

The evolution of an idea from sketch to final digital version.  I think that Sir Elton John may want the glasses that the robot borrowed back at some point. =)

It has been a while, since I’ve posted art, that was not related to Illustration Friday.  I’ve been busy lately trying to find freelance work, and more recently a full-time job.  I really enjoy my freedom of working on projects that I feel strongly about, however in the current economy I’ve been struggling for the last 2 years.  One thing that I’m proud of, is that I do not give up.  Many people have accused me of being stubborn.  I’m in the process of transitioning into an children’s illustrator/artist, from a career of Technology teaching and consulting.  I’m also in the early stages of writing an illustrated children’s book.  These are new areas for me, full of more uncharted waters and uncertainty.

The illustration above is something I drew about a month ago.  On one hand, it is not meant to be me saying, “I’m a star,” like some egotistical idiot.  However, we all should be like this star and take credit for who we are and what we can do.  I created the illustration to generate positive energy for myself and others.  I’m proud of my artistic abilities, and I love to draw, create, imagine, and dream.  What things make you proud about yourself?  What things make you happy?  Think of the things that make you happy and proud to be you.  Now, write those things down on a piece of paper.  Draw smiley faces, pictures, or cut out pictures and tape them to it, to make you smile and feel good.  Put your list in your wallet, purse, pocket, or where ever, as long as you can take it out and look at it when you need a positive energy boost.  Remember, you are a star.  Be positive.  Be happy.  Be radiant.

The theme this week for Illustration Friday is “cracked.”  Eggs and things breaking came to mind first, but then I thought about the sad story of Hungry Bot.  Hungry bot is normally one of the nicest robots around.  He had been on a low-car diet for several days, and finally cracked due to the temptation of so many tasty cars and trucks.  In his defense, the local freeway did look like an all you can eat car buffet.

I’m having a huge sale right now on my original watercolor paintings in my Etsy Shop.  Also, my Zazzle shop is full of wonderful summer t-shirt designs.  I’m trying my best to develop my art and design work into a full time job, so if anyone needs some wonderful illustrations, art, or design work please let me know.  I would like to thank everyone for visiting, and for your support and encouragement.  Have a wonderful week.

With all of the horrible flu and virus stuff going on right now, especially in the news, my thoughts initially turned to negative ideas for this weeks illustration friday theme “contagious.”  My negative thoughts were soon pushed aside, when I thought about how someone can have a smile that is contagious, or that laughter can be contagious.  Happier notions prevailed, and I produced this happy little robot.  The color palette was influenced by thoughts of food for Memorial Day, and a fresh produce stand that I noticed a few days ago on the side of the road.  The farmer had a truck overflowing with watermelons.  I’m not sure where they came from since, it should be a little early in Tennessee to harvest watermelons.  Whether food, robots,art, friends, or family bring happiness to you, find something that makes you happy, and let your happiness be contagious.

The Swine Flu has been in the news lately(on almost every channel, all day long).  I for one, do not try to buy into the extreme media negative hype.  Let’s face it over 36,000 people die every year from the regular flu, in the United States alone.  Enough of the negativity already.  Maybe I view the world through rose colored glasses, but I try to find and gravitate towards things that make me happy.  The first thing that popped into my head, when I heard them say “swine flu,” was of a pig flying.  My mind thought awesome, the story of a swine that flew.  I mean, why can’t a pig have their own jet pack and fly around.  Flying certainly looks peaceful and happy to me.  So, if the media and negative news is getting you down, just think about this illustration, and how much fun it would be to fly around with your own jet pack.  The pigs are optional.  Have a wonderful day.

Shameless self promotion section:  I you like my new Flying Pig design, I’ve created some shirts, mugs, and mouse pads in my new Zazzle store.  Thanks for looking.  www.zazzle.com/andymcnally