That Coyote's really a crazy clown...

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

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....

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

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

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!

San Antonio-Center for the Intrepid

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.