Something in the cave

Another in a series of quick sketches with a limited palette.

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Today is always crowded.

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Wondering

One in a series of 20. I’d love to have these printed at like 8 feet  wide. Clicking will make it bigger.

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Early developmental art

This is a much more painterly piece that was an early take for an upcoming picture book.

Ultimately it was decided that the style should be less painterly and the characters were redesigned as well. It’s cropped so you can’t see the far right because that would give too much away about the book concept and title ETC. Later this year I will post the final results, once the book is done and delivered. But I often start working on a book by painting in different styles. And working with an AD or editor I tend to find something everyone likes. Click on it to make it bigger.

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Why blog? Are aliens making me do it?

Recently a friend mentioned that posting to his blog felt like he was talking to no one. That’s true enough. I think many of us bloggers are the modern day equivalent of the person wandering the street who randomly bursts out with their concerns about communists taking over or are so angry about some past wrong done to them that they yell loudly in public “No I will not forgive you Aunt Margaret!” We tend to just look away.

Humans are hard-wired to communicate and a blog is a fine modern day soapbox. I mean, how self referential is writing a blog post about blogs?

But most of the time, sitting here posting odd-bits of information or using it to talk about myself, I wonder why exactly I do this.

Am I convinced that what I am doing is Very Important Work? Nope.

Do I just have so much free-time that I need to fill it with writing posts? Nope. Maybe I just like sitting up late and typing. Possible. It also lets me put off Real Work that presents difficult obstacles that test my confidence. But isn’t blogging a slightly better use of my time than watching TV?

I don’t know the meaning of life or what exactly is in a McDonalds hamburger either. I guess I am willing to live with some unknowns. Or I am too scared to find an answer.

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About a Book Wednesday

Another one of my favorite illustrators is Michael Paraskevas. You might be familiar with his Ferocious Beast books written by Betty Paraskevas. They were also turned into an animated show.

Another one of my favorite books he illustrated was The Kids From Room 402. I saw some of the original art from this book at a gallery in Los Angeles years ago. It really inspired me. The book is beautifully painted and a funny read, but it’s not so easy to find a copy. If you see one, grab it.

He has illustrated a new book written by Sarah Maizes. It’s due out in May. It’s called On My Way to the Bath. Looks like plenty of silly bath-time fun.

Sarah’s Maizes website.

And check out the The web home of Mr. Parasekevas. Comics, paintings, illustrations, sculpture, green monkeys and more!

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Postcard

Trying to get some new work to post, but in the meantime, this is the front of a recent postcard I mailed out. Drawn and painted digitally (Photoshop and a Wacom) from a pencil sketch.

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