Simple Boy – This was meant to be a test image, but I fell in love with the simplicity of it. Trying out Skitch for on the go Vector Art. Modified later with Adobe Illustrator.

First digital sketch/drawing for 2012. Trying out a new digital technique for the new year, via Autodesk Sketchbook, Kindle Fire, and a stylus. Trying to get a portable digital input system that works for me.

Happy Thanksgiving!!! I created this little Turkey for a t-shirt design for a friend of my sister. They ended up not using the design, but I liked him and thought I would share him with everyone.  The original sketch is below to show the evolution of the design.

The little Turkey is a vegetarian and very thankful not to be on a dinner plate this year. As for me, I’m thankful for all my family, friends, and loved ones. I’m also thankful for another year of creating and sharing my artwork. Have a wonderful and safe holiday everyone.

An elephant named Amelia desperately wanted to fly. She looked into Pilot’s lessons but it was way to expensive and the plane’s cockpits were always to small. The birds she asked for advice rarely had any useful ideas, telling her to spread her wings and all of these vague ideas of feathers.  Amelia would try not to think about flying for a while, and talk about other topics like the weather and peanut brittle. Friends and well meaning strangers would often tell her that she was silly and that she should give up such foolish nonsense. Thankfully a little boy came along. He noticed that Amelia was sad and gave her his balloon to cheer her up. It was then that she knew what to do. Amelia saved her money and bought more balloons, and she was determined. Slowly over time, she collected enough balloons.  Amelia gently kicked off the ground and lifted gracefully into the sky. Her smile was as radiant as the sun as she soared in the air proudly fulfilling her dreams.

I’m working on a commission painting of a robot and decided to use the Brushes App on the iPad to create a color study. One of the really cool things about the app is the ability to play back your drawing. There is something kind of magical about watching the creation of something.

Here is the final image.

Ever wonder if life on other planets is pretty much the same as ours? Monday on Mars is most likely pretty similar to earth. Time to go to work.

I tried out creating the lines in Photoshop and then bringing the drawing into Illustrator. It was a little different than my normal traditional sketch, then create vector lines. It was an attempt to get a little more hand drawn look, yet still have some of the vector flexibility that I like. What do you think?

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig (Gaelic) — Blessings to you on St. Patrick’s Day!
Have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!
Brush Pen, Sharpie Marker, and Photoshop

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

Now the logical assumption would be that this is from the movie White Christmas, but actually it is inspired from the movie Holiday Inn. The Holidays and holiday music would not be complete without the wonderful songs of Bing Crosby. White Christmas is perhaps his best known song. I love the old black and white movie and the style and charm of a forgotten era. The setting and time of the movie inevitably remind me of my grandparents and the photos of them from the same period. The times then were hard in many ways not to unlike the troubles of our modern times. It reminds me to cherish the time with family and friends, and to dwell less on the material things that are often the focus of the season. The beautiful line I take to heart is “may your days be merry and bright.” Wonderful sentiments. Here is hoping that you find good company, good food, and beautiful memories this holiday season.
Happy Holidays.

White Christmas

by Irving Berlin
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten, and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white.

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white.

"Buddy the Elf. What's your favorite color?"

I thought I would try out a few more holiday movies, so this image is from the movie, Elf. Will Ferrell is hilarious as Buddy the human, raised by elves. The Jon Favreau directed movie, Elf, provides for both laughter and hope for redemption from Santa’s naughty list.

I was interviewed this past Friday by Mrs. Babbitt’s students from Jericho, Vermont via Skype. One of the student’s asked me what my favorite color is, and I thought of Buddy the Elf. It is a wonderful question, but honestly I like so many colors, it is hard to choose just one. My sister would tell you that I wear way to much gray, but I think that my favorite color is blue. What is your favorite color?

Ps. There is still time to get a copy of my Christmas Coloring Book, for a fun Holiday gift, since it is digital and does not require shipping. Only $3.