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.

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.

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.