Yellow Magic Orchestra

If my life were a video game, this would be the soundtrack.

Sadly, my life is not a video game.

Illustration Friday: Routine

Y'all can't compete with the Professor's mad pop and lock routine.

He's the better of the best, best believe he's the badddest.

Someone please hire this Yeti already....

Check it out, progress on "Yeti 4 Hire". I'm reworking the manuscript a little, planning on starting the dummy very soon and working up some finished samples to send out a submission packet, hopefully by the end of the year. This image is the first of those samples. It's the first image that really came to me when the concept of the book popped into my head. The Yeti's first foray into town seeking gainful employment. The townsfolk aren't sure what to think. My son continually asks me why the people all look so scared and I have to remind him that they don't know that the Yeti is a swell guy and means them no harm. For some reason this puzzles him. I tell him that he'll understand once he reads the whole book, to which he replies that this week, he only wants WALL•E books. I then bang my head against the wall. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

So summer is winding down. Though, it is winding rather quickly. We went on vacation at the end of July and since then, things have been a blur. August has seemed almost non-existent. I don't care much, because I like all the seasons and I'm not a kid, so I don't get my summers off. So bring on the fall. I'm ready for it.

Here's a little bit of trivia for those who like that sort of thing. Ever wonder why this blog is called Fireworks and Karate Supplies? Is it because of my fondness of these two, seemingly unrelated product classifications? Not exactly. Here's the skinny: I'm not originally from Ohio, no, I hail from the great state of New York, the empire state. I've lived in Ohio for about 8 years or so and over that time we've made many trips back to the state of my birth for holidays, family gatherings, visits to the grave of one Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth (long story, I'll explain another time), etc. What does any of this have to do with my blog? Not far from the Pennsylvania/New York border, which we obviously cross in our travels stands this place:



It might be hard to make out, but that sign indicates that this particular establishment does in fact sell both Fireworks and Karate Supplies. For years, this has made me very happy. I don't know why, but for reasons beyond my control, I find this very funny. No disrespect meant towards anyone who loves either/or/both fireworks and karate supplies, both of which are very cool. It's just that never in my life have I thought that these were two great tastes that taste great together.

That being said, apparently a lot of people do. I've checked the stats for this blog, and received the messages and emails... many people come here after googling Fireworks and Karate Supplies. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused, because I don't have a single firework or karate supply to sell. Thanks for stopping by though. I would refer you to the cats at the place pictured above. I think they can help you out. I mean, look at the size of that sign, they gotta have a lot of stuff.

Believe when I say I'm no better than you, except when I rap, so I guess it aint true.

Here's a new piece I recently worked up for the ol' portfolio. Looking at it now, I see some things I'm going to change, but those will be minor tweaks. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I'm really starting to enjoy working this way, using a variety of textures (although in this piece not a very wide variety), no lines to speak of, bright yet somehow muddy colors. The whole thing is unabashedly digital while decidedly tactile. (Forgive me for that last bit, the phrase popped into my head and I couldn't help myself. I'm not really that pompous.)

I may be transitioning into a new style, or at least giving myself another working option when getting started on a piece.

In case you're wondering, the lined paper on the right side of the image does have a purpose. This image is meant to accompany a short poem I wrote, so the poem will occupy that area. I didn't put it on there right now because I didn't want y'all to get jealous of the ryhme or the ryhme routine.

Or maybe it's because I'm still working on it. It's the kind of thing you'd find in a Highlights type magazine, and I'd like to get it published at some point so I want to work out all the kinks before I send it off to various children's magazine editors.

But for real, it's tight son, it's tight.

Kids!

Just some things I've been working on.

Illustration Friday: Fierce!

Kids today just don't respect the ferocious fierceness of life's felonious, fanged beasts, what with their iPods, video games and the like.

Despite valiantly vile efforts, even the most cantankerous of carnivorous creatures is greeted with a collective "meh", by this new, gadget-minded generation.

'tis sad, 'tis sad.

On a happier note, this image is available as a big ol' poster at my store.

Along with many other fine products.

New Print: The Professor on the Turntables

As I mentioned in my previous post, I finally got around to updating my cafepress store.

One of the new items I added was this 16" x 20" print of the Professor cutting it up on the ol' turntables. He's such a card!

I know some people have issues with cafepress, but to be honest, I've been pleased with the quality of most of the products I have seen from them. So if you've been visiting this blog and thought, "I love this guy's blog, but I'd really love a coffee mug with his art plastered all over it," then head on over to the store and get three! Or a print or a t-shirt, or a bib for the little one, or a journal for committing your innermost thoughts and desires to paper, or a magnet... the list goes on and on.

Also, since I'm not a "premium" member of the press (such as it is) I can't have more than one of any particular product at any time, so most of these things will have a limited availability. When I want to make a different print, this one will be gone forever, or stored in the Disne... I mean Crowther Vault™, only to return for those rare, millennial celebrations.

To get the print, go to the store.

The Lovemobile

Spreading the message of love... in a funny little car.

Now you too can spread the love around with some new products featuring this image at my cafepress store.

More new stuff to come soon, so check back often.

GRRRRRRR...

He sure is mean looking, aint he?

Batman...

he so crazy.