Forgotten Dads

 
Yeah Father's Day is now a distant memory, but my illustration for that big day is still here.

Love your Mom? Love Severance?

Have I got a deal for you! Loosely based on the finale of season 2 of Severance, Mr. Milkshake puts on a banger of a show with a marching band and some damn fine moves-and here he shows up not for Helly and Mark, but for your powerful, iconic, and respected feminine figurein your life in this lively, full color card. Now on my Etsy page right here.

Enjoy each Cat Equally

 

Inspired by a social media feed of the brilliant television show Severance, cute and funny cats, and non-stop horrible political news, why not a combo of Severance and some hand-drawn Severance stars as cats? If you like it, get them on a coffee mug here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HouseofAkron  

(and we'll handle the politics later)

                                                  https://www.etsy.com/shop/HouseofAkron

It's all in the Wrist.

This started as a logo for myself that I'd scrawl in the bottom corner of a finished graphic recording-now it's a glowing flowing flick-of-the-wrist GIF as my email signature. 

From your voice to my trusty Tombow marker- If you can say it, I'll draw it! 

Speaking of Tombow markers, they're my go-to for graphic recording: workshops, keynotes, big corporate plans, I've used Tombow markers (with a few DuraMark's for line-work-they don't smear when used with the Tombows) from here to Istanbul and back. And they fit in a nice flat easy-to-carry flat box I found at a Michaels craft store (and add a big rubber band to keep it closed). Might be a sewing box but works for me. 

And when I get to a job, I open the box, roll-up my sleeves, and arrange those markers on each side of the box-cool colors on one side, warm colors on the other. Kind of a personal ritual that gets me ready to draw, plus a little show that tells the crowd I'm super organized and not messing around-LOL!

This is Not a Snow Job

There's not much of a chance to build a snowman or throw a few snowballs right now, but you can get an avalanche of illustrations to tell the story of your product, service, book, or corporate journey from me. I’ve worked for a world-wide roster of brands and am ready to work for you. What can I draw for you today?

Roll On

Inspired by "The Big Lebowski" I included a cartoon of Jeff Lebowski as decoration on my holiday card . Followed up with Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) as a big ol' bear getting ready to roll for the new year. So I've always liked bowling. My dad was a pretty good bowler who met my mother when he was competing at a bowling tournament in Akron, OH, so I think bowling was ingrained in my DNA.  After my father died while we lived in Florida, we moved to Akron-which was my mom's hometown ( and at the time, the home of the PBA- the Professional Bowlers Association). Her father/my grandfather would bring me to his Friday night league to keep score for his team. With the air filled with cigarette and cigar smoke and profane jokes, I watched and listened and learned. Thankfully the guys were not too bad with the booze, smoke, and jokes ( I was 12 and most of what I heard probably went over my head) but anyway I got into the bowling scene, and joined several leagues in high school. Could crank out some 200+ games as much as I hit low scores in the 120's-so I never could get to a consistent level. Though I "consistently" threw bowling parties for my birthday over a few years while living in Chicago. So bottom line- let the good times roll into 2025!

Carry On Yule-Tiders!

Either late for the holidays or ready for next year? I used this holiday greetings card I did a few years ago and added a couple new details: filled out the bottom of the tree to give the gnome a little heavier load to carry, and replaced "Buddy the Elf" with Jeffery "The Dude" Lebowski (yeah, from the movie). Didn't get a card printed or emailed it to my friends and clients, just posted it on Facebook and Instagram. Got a great idea (maybe great idea?): since I spend most of my "holiday time" making cards for other people and doing my card last (if I do it at all) how about using this tree and replacing all the details with a all-new collection of holiday characters and elements? Stay tuned. And look for another "Lebowski" reference in the next blog post.