Octi from the Powerpuff Girls

Steve Jobs (1955 – 2011)

Every once and a while a person comes along who moves us collectively forward. Like him or not, Steve Jobs changed the computer world and much of the world around him and not just in the tech world. He was not afraid to try new things, or to fail. He was passionate about the things he believed in. We can all learn from his commitment, passion, and creativity.

Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes.

The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.

About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They invent. They imagine. They heal. They explore. They create. They inspire. They push the human race forward.

Maybe they have to be crazy.

How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art? Or sit in silence and hear a song that’s never been written? Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?

We make tools for these kinds of people.

While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.

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.

The lovely team of ladies from Art is Moving sent me one of their ART in your POCKET portable drawing kits(www.iheartartinyourpocket.com) to try out. Each Art in your Pocket comes with the 2″ x 3″ box to carry the 4 pieces of paper, pencil, pencil sharpener, eraser, sharpie, and 3 oil pastels(come in random colors). I was lucky enough to score the red and green oil pastels just in time for the Holiday season. This adorable kit fit perfectly in the outer pocket of my backpack and I’ve carried it everywhere with me. Now, I typically draw with a pencil, and there is one included, but the little Sharpie marker caught my attention and demanded that I draw with it. The pieces of paper are sturdy and have a shiny and matte finish side. I drew the little characters in the photo while having hot chocolate at several different coffee shop stops with friends. AIYP is both fun and inspirational. It inspires you to create art no matter where you are.

Art in your Pocket would make a fun gift for the artist, student, or yourself. Also, for every sale they make 10% goes to donating art supplies and Art in your Pocket(s) to those who cannot afford them. The Art is Moving team has a mission:

Make a world where EVERYONE has access to art and makes art everyday.

I think this is a wonderful goal. Get the full details on the Art in your Pocket page: www.iheartartinyourpocket.com .

If your interested in one of my mini drawings, send me an email (andy@calexstudio.com). They are $5 each and include shipping. Happy Holidays.

Henry loves the fall season and chocolate.

The fall is one of my favorite times of the year. Something about the cooler air and the beautiful fall foliage makes me happy. Halloween is one of my other favorite things about the season. My version of Halloween was not really about dark scary things that go bump in the night, but rather about fun and dressing up. I wanted to be a knight, a superhero, the Frito Bandito(see video below), or a robot. Certainly the candy is nice, but it was so much fun to put on your costume and walk around the neighborhood with all of the wonderful decorations. It was a magical time for me growing up. I certainly draw some of my creative inspiration from both the season and my memories.

What season gives you creative inspiration? What was your favorite costume or candy?

Today His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama joined Twitter( http://twitter.com/DalaiLama ).  I had the opportunity to see and listen to him speak on Sept. 24th 2009 in Memphis, TN.  It was a small auditorium that seated only around 3 or 4 thousand people, so the tickets were expensive.  I decided at the last minute to go, due to only finding out he was in town the night before because of a blunder by one of our local elected officials in greeting him.  I rarely watch the local news.  I have an unpredictable work schedule and very limited extra funds these days.  So many things worked out just right to enable me to get the opportunity to hear him speak in person.  I released all attachments to the outcome of being able to find a last minute ticket at the venue, especially the afternoon of the event(they had already quit selling tickets for the event on line).  I was able to get one of the final 20 remaining tickets, and had brought just enough money to pay for it, since it was one of the more expensive ones.  After heavy security checks, we all took our seats and waited.  I again decided to release any attachment to expectations of the speech.

He spoke in a very casual manner.  The Dalai Lama at once puts you both at ease and commands your utmost attention.  His laughter is infectious, and you can not help but smile with him.  He would make a point, and often it seemed like I had at once know it all along to be true.  He says that we all want to be happy and avoid pain, both physical and emotional.  He also adds that you should not read anything extra into his words, because he is just a simple Buddhist monk.

I drew the sketch above later that same afternoon.  On the drive home, after his speech, there was a rainbow.  I did not turn the radio on, but rather just enjoyed the sounds of the city, and was thankful.

I hope to be a simple artist one day.

]]> http://www.andymcnally.com/2010/02/22/dalai-lama-twitter/feed/ 1 http://www.andymcnally.com/2010/01/22/80-mini-zines-and-50-drawings/ http://www.andymcnally.com/2010/01/22/80-mini-zines-and-50-drawings/#comments Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:46:34 +0000 Andy http://www.andymcnally.com/?p=383

I attended my daughter’s Career Day this morning at her school, representing the career of “artist.”  I had a blast answering all of the questions the students had and sharing my inspirations and drawings.  I created 80 little mini zines/comics on why I choose to be an artist(pictured above) to hand out, and wished that I had been able to create 5 times that many to give to everyone.  I then ended up drawing and handing out 50 pieces of art, which was all of the sheets of paper in the art pad.  We then turned to the laptop and I drew a simple flip book style animation using Flash and my Wacom Tablet.  I will share the animation later today or tomorrow with everyone.  I would like to say a big thank you to the staff and students for having me.  I would also like to tell the students, that now matter wether your passion is art, sports, writing, the military, science, or a million other things, follow your passion and pursue a career that makes you happy.  Thanks again everyone.

ps.  If anyone that I drew a picture for at career day wants to send me a picture of you with your drawing, I would love to post it here on my blog.  Email me at:  andy@calexstudio.com

December 7th is always a special day for me.  It was the day that my Grandfather, Elihu Rigsby was born.  There have been many important men in my life, that have shaped who I am today including my father, step-fathers, and my father in law, and all of whom I’m so very thankful.  I may have not had the opportunity to spend as much time with my Grandfather as I would have liked or should have, but he is still teaching me things after all of these years.  I still learn from his example, from reflecting on my memories of just hanging out with him on his farm, when I was a boy.  My visions are perhaps clouded by great love, but in retrospect the time spent on the farm with both he and my Grandmother, where like being  in Shangri-La.  No one is perfect, but there are some who come much closer than others.  I’ve never meet anyone in my life, who knew my grandfather, that did not tell me a story about his generosity, thoughtfulness, kindness, and goodhearted nature.  Even after several years now, I miss him more than words can say.  Happy Birthday Granddaddy.

When somebody asks me what I do for a living, my usually answer is my job title.  I’m changing that today.  My new answer is that I’m an artist, and I’m passionate about drawing cartoons, children’s art, and the imaginary creatures I see.  Yes, I do see them. I’m sad that you do not.  Why bring this up in a post named “October and Halloween” you ask.  October is a powerful month for me and often brings change.  The fall is my favorite time of year, and my birthday is the day before Halloween.  Halloween, a magical day, when we get to eat candy and wear costumes.  We get to pretend at least for one night that we are something else.  We get to change our appearance, act like a star, a monster, a robot, a prince, a princess, or any number of things both wonderful and scary.  What a powerful holiday.  We get to imagine.  Yes, Imagine.  I challenge you to keep imagining, and maybe just maybe, you will find the courage to chase the things you are passionate about in life.  I’m here to tell you there will be dragons along the way, and most often they will be disguised as regular people. Trust me they will breath fire.  Don’t let them stop you.  Good luck.

My name is Andy McNally.  I’m an artist.  Let me show you my new Halloween creations.  I love them and I’m happy to share them with you.