In the midst of the ongoing weekly sketches over at Squigs Knows His Lines, I set a parallel goal of creating an illustration celebrating every single show to open on Broadway in the 2009/2010 season. There were 38 of them. Six of these pieces were based on and/or culled from pieces I was commissioned to do. (I just realized that I was commissioned to draw almost 16% of new Broadway shows this year... pretty nifty!) And I drew more than that too. Here are the results in a little video that I narrated...
Certain times of the year were slow (January) and some were crazy (October & April). But I did it. I'm very happy with some of the pieces. Less happy with others. But I did it. It feels really satisfying to see them all in around three minutes. I did it! Hee hee.
And I have a distinct hunch that this won't be the last time I'll tackle this challenge. I have a feeling that my future is being shaped with every pen stroke, and I'm grateful. I thank God for my gifts and abilities and inspiration and the opportunities I've been afforded to make this all happen.
Well, that's all for now. I've got to tackle some long neglected website updates and business card layout. Whee! Take care, all! Peace and love.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Grateful for the gig...
I've done a little doodlin' on the current endeavor in Milwaukee. It features the wacky cast of Route 66: Danny Calvert, Adam Estes, Zach Robbins, and myself. I am so grateful for this gig and for so many of the benefits:
• Creative: The chance to collaborate on this fun show has been so great. It is always a wonderful thing to be afforded the chance to do (and discover) what one does well, to be encouraged and supported to do so, and to find a way to do it eight times a week. It was also a really great thing to get to know the Rep family a bit better and have the chance to learn some new things.
• Financial: I've been able to take advantage of this contract to live rent-free and sock away money for the move to NYC. I was also able to utilize the shipping and airfare clauses in the contract to get me and my stuff to my next chapter.
• Professional: There have been so many new relationships developing in my time in Milwaukee. I'm happy to be exploring artistic collaborations with both the Rep and the Ten Chimneys Foundation. And the wide-open schedule has allowed me to take on numerous art commissions and develop relationships and networking with folks across the country.
• Familial: I am SO happy that many family members were able to come see the show. First, I received a lovely visit from my brother and his family. And then, Mom, Grandma, and aunts Pam and Sandi made the trip and shared a wonderful visit.
• Physical: Getting a good cardio workout almost every day has been great for so many reasons, and the walk between the hotel and the theatre has been fab for getting into NYC walking shape.
• Adventure: I always love experiencing a new place. Now, I've been in Milwaukee previously, but it has been a wonder to experience it with a new set of folks. And one of the major highlights was singing the national anthem in front of 26,000 folks which included 90 from the Rep. I really dig Milwaukee.
• Soul: Time shared laughing, eating, drinking, playing has been an absolute joy. I treasure my time with the Rep family, the Radio Golfers, and my own show family. Making people laugh and making good music is one of the most amazing gifts. I have been blessed to get the chance to do so with a talented and fun group of folks for 70 some-odd performances over the last few months.
To all of you who joined me on this leg of the journey, thank you! Thanks to the Rep family, and even more specifically the gang at the Stackner Cabaret. Thanks to my Route 66 cast and behind-the-scenes fab folks. Thanks to Bets Malone and Michael Borth for their creative mastery. And extra special thanks must go to Roger Bean for making it all happen.
That's it for now. I've got to get some winks before a well-earned day off... which will find me doing laundry and repacking boxes before catching a movie and then heading to Racine to be hosted by our fab stage manager and amazing chef, Richelle. Take care, all! Peace and love.
Friday, April 30, 2010
A breath after the art whirlwind...
Okay, I still have work to do on various projects, but a huge pile of work has been created, shipped, and presented. All in all, I drew for five Broadway show opening night commemorations: The Addams Family, Million Dollar Quartet, American Idiot, Promises Promises, and Everyday Rapture. I'm so grateful and proud to have had these opportunities. And I'm also so grateful that so much work has meant that I've been able to sock away some good money for the impending final leg of the move to NYC!
Here's detail of the Everyday Rapture piece. Sheri Rene Scott plays a person who is also named Sheri Rene Scott and tells the story of her journey from Mennonite Kansas to showbiz Manhattan. In addition to the sketch featuring her cast and directorial team, it also features Jesus, Mr. Rogers, and Judy Garland. Fun project. I can't wait to see the show when I get to NYC.
Well, I do have more to draw before I pack up my boxes for shipping early next week. Can't believe these three Milwaukee months have passed so quickly. Time flies when you're having fun... truly.
Take care, all! Best wishes in your journeys. Peace and love.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
If you make that face...
...it will stay that way. Was Mom right? She was if you're talking about casting your face in stone. And that's just what I got to do today. My friend (and Milwaukee Rep resident company member) Lee Ernst is a treasure trove of theatrical knowledge and passion. He offered to cast my face to give me yet another tool in my arsenal of makeup know-how... to create prosthetics.
Here's me after the bald cap application, the alginate drizzle and smear, and the plaster-soaked cloth strips.
And as we waited for it all to set, I did my best Claude Rains impersonation. Where my shades at? Or am I Boris Karloff?
Here's the negative after we peeled it off my face, sitting in a cradle of newspaper before Lee poured the stone mixture into it. It looks like a positive image, huh? It's how the busts in Disneyland's Haunted Mansion follow you as you walk by.
Here's Lee chiseling stone out of my nostril. It's a glamour job.
And here's me, Lee, and me. Thanks SO much, my friend! I'm so grateful! P.S. I love that you left the soul patch!
And only the day before, we joined 90-some fellow Rep family members at Miller Park to witness the Brewers trounce the Pirates. And we also lent a hand with the festivities. Here's a little video I cobbled together showing some of the adventure...
What a rush that anthem was! Can you hear the crazy delayed echo? It's like having someone sing exactly what you just sang a second earlier right in your ear. Wacky! We had such a great time. Once the game started, we took advantage of dollar hot dog night and partook of some local beer. The Brewers won this evening, 17-3. Just pulled it out. We think it was our harmony.
Well, that's it for now. Best wishes, all! Peace and love.
Here's me after the bald cap application, the alginate drizzle and smear, and the plaster-soaked cloth strips.
And as we waited for it all to set, I did my best Claude Rains impersonation. Where my shades at? Or am I Boris Karloff?
Here's the negative after we peeled it off my face, sitting in a cradle of newspaper before Lee poured the stone mixture into it. It looks like a positive image, huh? It's how the busts in Disneyland's Haunted Mansion follow you as you walk by.
Here's Lee chiseling stone out of my nostril. It's a glamour job.
And here's me, Lee, and me. Thanks SO much, my friend! I'm so grateful! P.S. I love that you left the soul patch!
And only the day before, we joined 90-some fellow Rep family members at Miller Park to witness the Brewers trounce the Pirates. And we also lent a hand with the festivities. Here's a little video I cobbled together showing some of the adventure...
What a rush that anthem was! Can you hear the crazy delayed echo? It's like having someone sing exactly what you just sang a second earlier right in your ear. Wacky! We had such a great time. Once the game started, we took advantage of dollar hot dog night and partook of some local beer. The Brewers won this evening, 17-3. Just pulled it out. We think it was our harmony.
Well, that's it for now. Best wishes, all! Peace and love.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Another peep...
Still here amidst the whirlwind! Lots of performances under the belt and lots of art shipped out. Here are the latest two pieces that have been commissioned for Broadway opening nights...
American Idiot opened at the St. James Theatre (or "St. Jimmy Theatre" since that corresponds with a character from the show) on April 20. Rita and Tom Kitt commissioned this illustration of key members of the creative team which of course includes Green Day.
The next piece was just presented this evening by my friend Kristen Beth Williams who is making her Broadway debut in Promises, Promises. She commissioned this piece. I wish all my friends best wishes for long runs. And I can't wait to see these shows when I get to the city in just barely over two weeks!
In other fun art news, I've recently drawn a caricature that may be adorning t-shirts in a big Hollywood movie. The movie is called Butter and my caricature is of Ty Burrell (Modern Family). I hope I haven't overshared, but keep an eye out for Butter in 2012.
And on the Route 66 front, we're plugging away and have a mere 16 performances left to go. We went into the studio last Monday to record the demo of the show and we hear it turned out really spiffy. Tomorrow, Adam, Danny, and I will join Rep company member Lee Ernst to sing the national anthem at a Brewers game. New Rep artistic director Mark Clements will be throwing out the first pitch, and around 90 folks from the Rep will be in attendance. Should be fun. Hope I don't forget the lyrics!
I just figure the next two weeks will be a continuation of the whirlwind. I have a few more art projects, but I'm doing my best at not taking on too much because there's so much to do! I have to repack my boxes and get things set for the final leg of my big NYC move. It's an exciting time! And I don't want to miss out on a few more visits to my favorite Milwaukee haunts. This really is a great town. I'll miss it. Hope I get to come back someday soon.
Well, that's a long-winded quick post. Best wishes to you all! Peace and love.
American Idiot opened at the St. James Theatre (or "St. Jimmy Theatre" since that corresponds with a character from the show) on April 20. Rita and Tom Kitt commissioned this illustration of key members of the creative team which of course includes Green Day.
The next piece was just presented this evening by my friend Kristen Beth Williams who is making her Broadway debut in Promises, Promises. She commissioned this piece. I wish all my friends best wishes for long runs. And I can't wait to see these shows when I get to the city in just barely over two weeks!
In other fun art news, I've recently drawn a caricature that may be adorning t-shirts in a big Hollywood movie. The movie is called Butter and my caricature is of Ty Burrell (Modern Family). I hope I haven't overshared, but keep an eye out for Butter in 2012.
And on the Route 66 front, we're plugging away and have a mere 16 performances left to go. We went into the studio last Monday to record the demo of the show and we hear it turned out really spiffy. Tomorrow, Adam, Danny, and I will join Rep company member Lee Ernst to sing the national anthem at a Brewers game. New Rep artistic director Mark Clements will be throwing out the first pitch, and around 90 folks from the Rep will be in attendance. Should be fun. Hope I don't forget the lyrics!
I just figure the next two weeks will be a continuation of the whirlwind. I have a few more art projects, but I'm doing my best at not taking on too much because there's so much to do! I have to repack my boxes and get things set for the final leg of my big NYC move. It's an exciting time! And I don't want to miss out on a few more visits to my favorite Milwaukee haunts. This really is a great town. I'll miss it. Hope I get to come back someday soon.
Well, that's a long-winded quick post. Best wishes to you all! Peace and love.
Friday, April 16, 2010
A peep from amidst the whirlwind...
It has been wild here in my little world here in Milwaukee. Route 66 is still cookin' and the art commissions keep rolling in (and out via my local post office).
But in the midst of all the craziness, it was wonderful to get a visit from Mom, Grandma, Aunt Sandi, and Aunt Pam. I met them in Chicago on Monday and we explored the Field Museum and had an amazing dining experience at Shaw's Crab House. I headed back north to jump into my week of shows, and after they visited Springfield, IL, they arrived in Milwaukee. We sampled some of the MKE's fine vittles and they came to see the show last night. It was such a nice visit. As I type, they're at the airport heading out on their various flights. In the photo (left to right) is Mom, me, Aunt Sandi, Aunt Pam, and Grandma.
I can reveal a couple of the recent commissioned illustrations since they've been presented on the shows' opening nights. Here's The Addams Family featuring the whole cast and much of the creative team and staff (almost 50 folks in total). Cast member Aléna Watters spearheaded a collaborative commission with fellow ensemble members.
Next is Million Dollar Quartet featuring the cast, swings, director, and music director. Swing Victoria Matlock commissioned the piece. Thank you all so much for thinking of me to be a part of the commemoration of the shows' journeys.
And of course things are getting busier.
The final three weeks of the show are here, and our three days off are already packed with activity. Monday, we welcome our director Roger and musical director Michael back to town as we go into the studio to record the new demo of the show. The following Monday, we'll be singing the national anthem at a Brewers/Pirates game. And our last Monday will bring what I know will be an amazing dinner prepared by our stage manager Richelle. She spoils us! We do have a random Thursday off too (because one of our gang has to head back to NYC for a TV audition/gig) and I hope to go daytrippin' that day. We'll see how that works out because...
The phone keeps ringing with art projects. I'm trying to take on anything and everything, and that presents challenges... nothing I can't handle, though (I hope). I'm currently sketching another Broadway show and a caricature to be used in a big ol' Hollywood movie. More shows keep opening on Broadway since we're reaching the Tony nomination cut-off, so my goal of posting an illustration of each one on Squigs Knows His Lines gets more and more challenging. I have four pieces next to the light board ready to ink. And I have a couple flexible pieces on hold as the wacky deadline pieces get done. Add to all this the adjustments I'm having to make on my websites (due to the move and new artwork) AND a new business card design. I'm keeping my head above water, but only just.
And of course I'm procrastinating by updating the blog and Facebook. I gotta get back to the drawing board. That's all for now. If you see another blog post in the next weeks, it's likely that it's due to more procrastination. Until then, take care all! Peace and love.
P.S. Someone has been commenting on posts in a language I don't understand. I feel bad for denying the comments in my moderation, but I just want to be able to know what's being said before I release them for posting. Thank you for your interest, and I hope you understand.
But in the midst of all the craziness, it was wonderful to get a visit from Mom, Grandma, Aunt Sandi, and Aunt Pam. I met them in Chicago on Monday and we explored the Field Museum and had an amazing dining experience at Shaw's Crab House. I headed back north to jump into my week of shows, and after they visited Springfield, IL, they arrived in Milwaukee. We sampled some of the MKE's fine vittles and they came to see the show last night. It was such a nice visit. As I type, they're at the airport heading out on their various flights. In the photo (left to right) is Mom, me, Aunt Sandi, Aunt Pam, and Grandma.
I can reveal a couple of the recent commissioned illustrations since they've been presented on the shows' opening nights. Here's The Addams Family featuring the whole cast and much of the creative team and staff (almost 50 folks in total). Cast member Aléna Watters spearheaded a collaborative commission with fellow ensemble members.
Next is Million Dollar Quartet featuring the cast, swings, director, and music director. Swing Victoria Matlock commissioned the piece. Thank you all so much for thinking of me to be a part of the commemoration of the shows' journeys.
And of course things are getting busier.
The final three weeks of the show are here, and our three days off are already packed with activity. Monday, we welcome our director Roger and musical director Michael back to town as we go into the studio to record the new demo of the show. The following Monday, we'll be singing the national anthem at a Brewers/Pirates game. And our last Monday will bring what I know will be an amazing dinner prepared by our stage manager Richelle. She spoils us! We do have a random Thursday off too (because one of our gang has to head back to NYC for a TV audition/gig) and I hope to go daytrippin' that day. We'll see how that works out because...
The phone keeps ringing with art projects. I'm trying to take on anything and everything, and that presents challenges... nothing I can't handle, though (I hope). I'm currently sketching another Broadway show and a caricature to be used in a big ol' Hollywood movie. More shows keep opening on Broadway since we're reaching the Tony nomination cut-off, so my goal of posting an illustration of each one on Squigs Knows His Lines gets more and more challenging. I have four pieces next to the light board ready to ink. And I have a couple flexible pieces on hold as the wacky deadline pieces get done. Add to all this the adjustments I'm having to make on my websites (due to the move and new artwork) AND a new business card design. I'm keeping my head above water, but only just.
And of course I'm procrastinating by updating the blog and Facebook. I gotta get back to the drawing board. That's all for now. If you see another blog post in the next weeks, it's likely that it's due to more procrastination. Until then, take care all! Peace and love.
P.S. Someone has been commenting on posts in a language I don't understand. I feel bad for denying the comments in my moderation, but I just want to be able to know what's being said before I release them for posting. Thank you for your interest, and I hope you understand.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
That toddlin' town!
Well, we're seven weeks into our run here in Milwaukee. The crowds are still diggin' it and tickets are becoming more scarce. It's a really great thing to make folks laugh and make some great music. Mom, Grandma, and Aunts Pam and Sandi drop into town to see the show next week, director Roger and musical director Michael visit the following week to record a demo of our show, and our gang will sing the national anthem at a Brewers game the week after that. We're chugging along on Route 66.
As I've mentioned, I'm mostly chained to the drawing board during the days with various commissions. I just mailed off a huge piece yesterday, and another high-profile piece is in late revisions. I have three pieces that I need to complete and send off in the next few days, and a couple more big ones that are looming next week. It's a thrilling, exhausting, and rewarding work load. I'm so grateful. (And once the art has been officially unveiled, I'll post it here so you can see the fruits of my labor.)
But sometimes a fellow needs some time off. I decided to take a day trip to Chicago yesterday. I tagged along with fellow Route 66er, Adam Estes, since he had to drive south for an audition, and while he was there I visited the amazing Art Institute of Chicago and grabbed some stuffed pizza at Giordano's. Then I met up with Adam and we checked out the penguins and monkeys and big cats at the Lincoln Park Zoo, had a beer at highly rated beer bar The Map Room, did a little window shopping, and experienced some blues at Kingston Mines.
Then on the drive back to the MKE we got caught in a crazy hail storm and had to park the car partially under an overpass with a dozen other cars. The lightning was crazy! Especially since everyone stayed safe, I was so happy to experience a wild Midwest thunderstorm. Fun day!
Now I'm sitting at my computer, procrastinating on three pieces that need to make some major headway before the day is out. Gotta draw, y'all!
As I've mentioned, I'm mostly chained to the drawing board during the days with various commissions. I just mailed off a huge piece yesterday, and another high-profile piece is in late revisions. I have three pieces that I need to complete and send off in the next few days, and a couple more big ones that are looming next week. It's a thrilling, exhausting, and rewarding work load. I'm so grateful. (And once the art has been officially unveiled, I'll post it here so you can see the fruits of my labor.)
But sometimes a fellow needs some time off. I decided to take a day trip to Chicago yesterday. I tagged along with fellow Route 66er, Adam Estes, since he had to drive south for an audition, and while he was there I visited the amazing Art Institute of Chicago and grabbed some stuffed pizza at Giordano's. Then I met up with Adam and we checked out the penguins and monkeys and big cats at the Lincoln Park Zoo, had a beer at highly rated beer bar The Map Room, did a little window shopping, and experienced some blues at Kingston Mines.
Then on the drive back to the MKE we got caught in a crazy hail storm and had to park the car partially under an overpass with a dozen other cars. The lightning was crazy! Especially since everyone stayed safe, I was so happy to experience a wild Midwest thunderstorm. Fun day!
Now I'm sitting at my computer, procrastinating on three pieces that need to make some major headway before the day is out. Gotta draw, y'all!
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