Dave's stuff

Star Wars Oil Paintings

2010-09-01T11:00:00.004-05:00

So back in May, as you may remember, I went to Germany to visit our wounded troops.

To do this I had a friend watch my kids while my wife Heather went to work.

Instead of payment in the form of money, she asked I do paintings of her little boys favorite

Star Wars characters to hang in his new bedroom.

This is what I did. Hope he likes them, eventually I plan on doing a Yoda painting.

Escutcheon?

2010-06-30T11:16:00.006-05:00

Long story short-I was eating lunch in the Warner Bros. commissary in 1997. In walks and is seated next to me, Chuck Jones. If that wasn't enough, while he was there with his daughter Linda, his recently Awarded Lifetime Achievement Oscar was delivered to him-officially. Charles Carney (Senior editor at WB) asked if I'd like to meet him. Well of course. We met-Mr. Jones asked if I would like to hold the award (of course-and almost dropped it). Things settled down and I was joking with the waiter if I should take his chair, or fork, or napkin after he leaves. Well-the waiter obsconded with his napkin (after I went outside) and gave it to me-complete with stain (raspberry torte).

So then I got home from that trip and I sent him a note:

"Dear Mr. Jones,

I find it only fair that since I have a napkin of yours I return to you one of mine."

I sent this note written on a paper towel.

Mr. Chuck Jones replied with this drawing on his studio's letterhead.

But my real joy is knowing that I think I made Chuck Jones smile, perhaps even a giggle.

Much like he had done for me throughout my childhood.

The Finished Book

2010-03-23T11:45:00.002-05:00

Here's snapshots from all the spreads. I must admit, I'm a bit proud of it and can't wait to finally get credit for something. Usually Licensing Artists don't get their name on things...children's books are an exception. Please look for it...I'm sure you know some child who would enjoy it. I know two or three off the top of my head.

So this is what I've been consumed with....

2010-03-10T10:52:00.003-06:00

It's been a long week. Staying up all night (a couple times), being Mr. Mom and

the usual house duties. All the while I've been sequestered

in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

I'm closing in on finishing this baby. Just one more spread to complete. I thought I'd share

some new teasers to you. Hope you all like them-and look for them in a store near you!

Another Teaser for ya...

2010-02-24T16:28:00.003-06:00

This is a small sample from a 22" spread.

I stayed up through the night, last night, to get this done (barely) on time.

But afterall, it's for the kids. Right? It's now 4:33 and I'm going to bed.

Good night all.

Teaser on my my new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse book.

2010-02-14T20:04:00.001-06:00

Happy Groundhog Day

2010-02-02T16:53:00.002-06:00

That Coyote's really a crazy clown...

2010-01-30T11:04:00.004-06:00

Here's an old concept from my archives...it went over as well as Wile E.'s idea. I liked it though. We Super Geniuses must stick together. You'll get 'em next time, Wile E.

Hewey, Dewey and Louie

2010-01-29T16:00:00.003-06:00

Many of you may know I am currently working on a book for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Although I'm not comfortable sharing the art until it gets published this spring-here's some drawings I originally did for the book. I mentioned to the powers that be that I didn't believe these characters belonged to the Clubhouse-"that's nice" they replied, "...do it anyway, Disney approved the script." Okey-dokey, I thought, get ready for a rewrite! SO I sent in the pencils and low and behold Disney asked for a rewrite because why?.......H, D & L aren't part of the clubhouse. Ahhh, whaddya know? So I am continuing the project with Donald, Goofy and Clarabelle. Which means-I have these Hewey, Dewey and Louie drawings for no particular reason. SO I thought I'd share them with you. Hope you like 'em anyway. I'll share the rest when it's appropriate.

Time for some art....

2010-01-27T09:15:00.002-06:00

This is a card out in the stores as we speak. This was probably one of my favorite cards I did in 2009. Sparky was a master cartoonist and humorist. So anytime I would get the opportunity to illustrate Peanuts-I would take the utmost care in portraying his characters in the highest regard. Feel free to buy all the cards you can-off the shelves.

San Antonio Riverwalk Pics

2010-01-26T09:23:00.006-06:00

I know this area of San Antonio is a tourist trap....but it IS very inviting and I had a great time along the river. Here are a few shots I took from my camera phone.

Moleskin San Antonio Sketches

2010-01-25T18:15:00.003-06:00

This first sketch was done enjoying a beverage or two on my last afternoon on the Riverwalk.

The second sketch is of the Riverwalk while I was sitting at the airport. Not really a "live sketch" but one of memory and/or mimic.

Perhaps one of these days I put color to 'em.

Peyton and Brees, what a great game indeed!

2010-01-25T11:31:00.004-06:00

San Antonio-Center for the Intrepid

2010-01-25T10:16:00.009-06:00

Last week I was honored in being asked to go to San Antonio with the National Cartoonist Society. Our mission was to draw cartoons for the wounded soldiers currently going through rehab. What an experience, I am still rehashing the people and events.

Out of privacy to the soldiers and the request of the military, I'm not going to post photo's of the brave men and women. However, here's an antidote that I may not soon forget.

I was drawing for a Army Ranger and Paratrooper. He was a young man with the looks of Hollywood and as cheerful as the day is long. He was the only one I met NOT blown up by an IED. He was run over by a train and lost his legs from his knees down. He knew the workings of his new bionic legs better than the doctors who installed them. He was quite remarkable and I was thoroughly impressed with his knowledge. I asked what he planned on doing with his life after he leaves the Intrepid. He said "I'm studying to be a Mechanical Engineer so I can make these prosthetics better and more efficient!" . He continued, "I have a few ideas already that can make the walk cycle even less clunky". I believe he will too. Here's the real cool part...

after some time he stood up and told me to "check this out". So he stood and he leaped in the air about 8-10 inches. When he safely landed he looked at me with excitement and the confidence of the 82nd Airborne and said, "I know that looks like no big deal to you...but remember-I HAVE NO FEET!". I don't think I could be any prouder of our service men and women. Oh, and by the way-all the soldiers I visited want to go back and return to duty to help their fellow brothers and sisters. Amazing.

So then we took a short walk to the Brooke Medical Center and we were planning on drawing for the soldiers in the burn unit. However we were told as of that morning there was only one soldier being treated for critical wounds and burns. Unfortunately that soldier passed away that morning. (insert prayer here)

So we went to the main hall and drew for the employees of Brooke Med. I was happy to do so, they usually are overlooked and we all should very grateful for their willingness to nurse and rehab our fallen heroes. Here are a few pics from that occasion.

Cartoonist Pictured: Left, Milburn Taylor, Jeff Keane (Family Circus), me, Rick Kirkman (Baby Blues)-he's kinda hidden on the other side of me, Bill Hinds (Tank McNamara)-hidden on the other side of Rick, Rob Harrell (Big Top and Adam@Home), then way at the end is Rob Smith. Across from Milburn standing is our group leader-Jeff Bacon. He does Broadside for The Military Time Magazine. Not pictured but he's in the next picture is Ed Steckly-a Humor Illustrator from NYC.

Here are two of three "Thank You" posters we made for the Intrepid and Brooke and USO staff.

Diner Guy

2009-02-24T10:31:00.003-06:00

I just did this sketch of nobody and it grew to be what it is. A trucker-kinda-guy readin' the paper, enjoying the joe and wondering what the hell I'm drawing. I should buy him a donut.

A Daffy Santa

2009-02-23T15:19:00.002-06:00

This was done some time ago, there are some things I would do differently now. But I think it still holds it's own.

Happy Valentines Day

2009-02-10T12:51:00.002-06:00

Bleaah, I've been kissed by a dog! Get the anticeptic!

2009-02-09T14:46:00.003-06:00

This was done some time ago but it's still sold in the stores for Thanksgiving.

Wile E.'s Birthday surprise

2009-02-05T08:17:00.003-06:00

Wahooo!

2009-02-04T08:17:00.001-06:00

Wahooo!, originally uploaded by cmdzee.

This is probably my bestest favorite of my small stint in Hallmark's Planet Humor. (Although I do like the tree frog one pretty well too.) I just wish it sold better. Would have liked to had the chance to submit it to the NCS.
Ah well-

Me and my Peeps

2009-01-31T13:12:00.002-06:00

Me and my Peeps, originally uploaded by cmdzee.

Truth is, I hate Peeps. I wish they would stay off the sidewalks. Can't they use skateboard parks?

MLB

2009-01-31T13:08:00.001-06:00

MLB, originally uploaded by cmdzee.

One of my favorite pieces of this last year. Why you ask? Because I get to illustrate my way. There is no styleguide to follow-so I get to do what I like. I like that in an assignment! It doesn't happen too often. Hope you like it too.

Hallmark Valentine's commercial

2009-01-27T15:27:00.002-06:00

Hey, see that card the girl is holding?
Guess what? I designed it, yep-sure did.
It'll be in a Hallmark commercial airing Jan 29-30 and Feb. 2-14.

My art and design was in a "live" season premiere episode of "ER" once, too. That was many moon ago-but thrilling as well. That one was a drawing tablet I designed (Landoll Publishing). It had the Animaniacs on one episode then they used a Bugs Bunny one for the west coast performance/airing.

Noon Sketch Group

2009-01-27T08:12:00.003-06:00

Every Wednesday a group of us illustrators get together during lunch to sketch or paint a sitting model.
The model is usually a fellow employee. We get about an hour but I found I'll finish my drawing in 30-40 minutes. This is one of my recent favorites. I haven't gone since the New Year but I'll be returning to this, soon. Stay tuned...

Grandpas

2009-01-20T12:18:00.005-06:00

Grandpas, originally uploaded by cmdzee.

Well, it's a new year with new promises. Meaning, I started this blog 'bout a year ago and hadn't added a dang thing. So here I go, with the restored hope and intentions of keeping it as updated as I can.

Hope you like it.

Dave

2008-02-04T12:11:00.001-06:00

Yes, my pencil IS that big.