Still kicking...

Howdy. I've been juggling five illustration jobs, so things have been busy. It's funny how the work comes in waves. There on the right is a logo I created for a family show written by Scott Martin. It takes place at a camp in 1938 where folks get freaked out over Orson Welles' War of the Worlds broadcast.

In addition to the Little Green Men, I've also been fielding adjustments to the Clean Riverside comic/coloring book. And I'm working on nailing down contract details and rough sketch ideas for an online book cover. I also did a little doodle for Musical Theatre Guild's upcoming reading of Out of This World – a caricature of a lead actor as a Greek god that will be blown up and used as a set piece.

And then there's a job that's sort of out of the norm for me. I'll be appearing at the John Wayne Cancer Foundation's Odyssey Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel tomorrow. Following a New York theme, the entertainment will include dancers, singers, and, as requested by the client, a chalk artist. I know... I don't usually work in chalk. But I've created a piece (also requested by the client) representing the Strawberry Fields mosaic in Central Park. I'll be putting the final touches on the piece and drawing something else at the cocktail party, so I look forward to a new adventure. After the gig I'll post my musings as well as a photo of the art.

Well, that's it for now. It's a lot, but I don't think I'd have it any other way. Take care, all! Peace & love.

Still rollin' along...

The big Riverside project is "in the can" as they say, just awaiting final approvals. I'm now putting muscle behind a coloring book for Omnitrans, the bus line out in San Bernardino. A little e-mail I sent out about the Fabulous Divas marquee a few days ago set more projects' wheels a-turnin' – new season art for two theatre companies I've drawn for previously and artwork for a couple other shows. I feel so incredibly fortunate and blessed to be doing what I love to do.

Working freelance is right for some and not so right for others. For me, the pros significantly outweigh the cons. One relatively tiny pro that I'm increasingly thankful for is schedule flexibility. This manifests itself in ways you'd expect – being able to do errands at less crowded times and seeing movies at quieter midweek matinees – but another particularly great thing is that unless I'm absolutely swamped I can plan little trips. Wednesday I fly out to St. Paul MN to visit the bro and his family. As far as activities, I've had niece and nephew requests for tickling and coloring Easter eggs, and as for myself, I think I'm going to try to stay warm. I know it feels balmy there for this time of the year, but I find temps in the 30s to be a bit chilly. But it will be great to hang with family. Can't wait!

Well, it's back to the drawing board for me. We lost an hour this morning, folks! Gotta draw some screaming campers and a walking, talking bus. Ah, the life of a freelance illustrator! Peace and love, y'all!

A peek...

I'm taking a break from the drawing board. The sun is out and the breezes are blowing. I'm sitting here at my desk sipping my coffee and momentarily ignoring my work load. But in the mean time, I thought I'd post a glimpse at the current project, Clean Riverside, an educational comic book on many ways that kids (and all of us) can do our part to make the world a cleaner and better place. (That's the cover there.) The folks at Riverside Public Utilities have been fantastic clients, challenging me to create engaging visuals for numerous fun and informative campaigns. I've created an energy sucking vampire, a cross section of a green house, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with a compact fluorescent light bulb for a nose, and the predecessor to this project, Green Riverside. Fun and helpful and satisfying. I'm hoping the Clean Riverside project will be able to join the library by the end of the week.