Kickey! Chapter 6: The Psychic! (V)

Kickey gets to do whatever he wants for his birthday, even visit a psychic - he's got questions! This one features my number one fan and one of my all-time favorite people, Virginia Bell, who was an absolute delight throughout. Thanks mom, always. Click on either of the pics to watch the latest in the Little Blue Cat Saga. And until next year, HAPPY BEST MONTH, EVERYONE!

Paintober: Midsommar (P)

I started painting this piece, and then I pulled out an old ruler that I didn't realize was COVERED in pastel and ruined it! Or at least I thought I did until I spoke with my brilliant friend Jennifer, who suggested I make a collage - cut out the pieces I could keep, paint some more, and make layers! SAVED!! AMAZING!!

My Fiftieth Birthday - YEAH BABAY!

Well hello there! Today's my 50th Birthday and MAN, it's hitting a little bit differently from other birthdays, for a variety of reasons you'll either understand or not. Hey, let's celebrate me a little bit, right? Click that photo above to see fifty pictures of me, in no particular order, from my fifty years on this planet. 

If you'd like some music to accompany your photo journey, click on the photo below. There's fifty (+1 to grow on!) tunes that have been important to me through the course of my life. They're not all good songs (I'm looking at you, "I Just Called To Say I Love You," truly the worst Stevie Wonder song), but they all take me straight to a specific point in my little life. Check 'em out:

To celebrate my birthday this year, I gave myself a trip to French Polynesia - the island of Rurutu sepcifically - where I swam with whales for a week. Click on the photo below to watch a video I cobbled together from my GoPro footage. I didn't always have my camera, but I'm sure glad I got the footage I did, it was an incredible trip.

And if you just want to read a quick poem, here's one of my all-time favorites:

It's not easy for me to be in this world most of the time, but I sure appreciate the people who've helped me get this far. Thanks for all your support! More art soon!!

Flat David! (I)

David's at it again, opening tonight in a production of Flat Stanley - go, David, go! Congratulations!!

13 Halloween Musts - Year 3!

Don't worry, everyone - as with years past, I've done the work. I've watched all the horror, and here's my thirteen recommended movies and TV series for you to stream this Best Month. You're welcome! (Click the links at the bottom to see where you can watch 'em!)

1. The Exorcist Series (2016)
2. The Descent (2005)
3. Alien: Earth (2025)
4. Hereditary (2018)
5. The Vourdalak (2023
6. Bring Her Back (2025)
7. The Dark and the Wicked (2020)
8. Cuckoo (2024)
9. Candyman (2021)
10. Lisey’s Story (2021)
11. The Lost Boys (1987)
12. The Quiet Ones (2014)
13. The Corridor (2012)

Dressed to Kill (I)

I recently asked my horror buddy Stephen what his all-time favorite horror flick was and he said Dressed to Kill and I watched it and was like, "Huh!" So I made him this. Welcome to the Best Month, friends - WE'RE BACK!!!!

Paintober: Shell (I)

Watercolor on watercolor paper, 11" x 17"

R is for Rowan! (I)

Four years ago, my favorite gay dads asked me for a design for their baby boy, and then just recently they welcomed a daughter! (That's a Red panda, if you're curious.) I'm honored to be even a small part of their wonderful journey - congratulations again, Francis and Bear!

Art Drop Day 2025

Art Drop Day is the first Tuesday of September - I know, it comes around so fast, am I right? I dropped this lil guy, just a random drawring on cardboard colored with pastel pencils, at a park near my house.

Venice Cathedral Sketch (I)

Amazing to think that at this time last year I was sipping cappuccino in Venice and drawing this church, which loomed over our hotel (itself a converted monastery). I feel so lucky to have treated myself to that experience! Check out my post from last year, with more art and photography. 

 

Kickey! Chapter 5: The Pet Sitter! (V)

I needed a last minute pet sitter and Greg was LITERALLY the only person available. Hijinks ensue. 

Very special thanks Joe Waterman, making his fantastic NPP debut with a cowriting credit to boot. This guy's the best - and we're working on another one for Greg! Stay tuned!

Click the pic to watch the latest in my series featuring my little blue cat friend, Kickey!

Mynah (I)

A lil mynah bird I painted in Hawaii. These guys are everywhere there!

Paintober: Watermelon (I)

Watercolors on watercolor paper, 8.5" x 11".

Happy Pride 2025! (I)

 

Goodbye, AIDS LifeCycle! (V)

This weekend marks the end of the AIDS Ride, known more recently as the AIDS LifeCycle. I rode in 2007, then I did five formative years as a Roadie on Rest Stop 2, and it was amazing. It's an incredible event - if you participated, you know, and thank you. In 2011 and 2012 I made some films that give you a taste of life with the wonderful folks on RS2, please click on those links to watch. 

Waikiki (I)

Lately I've been doing a bit more sketchbooking. I draw in ink, then add watercolors - it's a great way to meditate and focus on the present moment. On a recent trip to Hawaii, I spent time in the mornings sipping coffee and drawing the view from the condo I was staying in, then later I turned it into a thank you card for the owners.

It started with one...

Then there were two...

Now there's three! Congratulations, Meaghan, and thank you so much for the honor of these commissions!

Paintober: Elephant

Paintober is STILL happening, two years later...sigh. Oil and acrylic paints on 2" x 2" wooden board with charcoal pencil details. 

Brekkie Boyz! (I)

Whatchoo know about these heroes??

Papaya (W)

Here's another piece of writing I created for Writing Battle, which is a really fun way to spark some creativity if you're looking for it - I highly recommend their contests. This time the genre was "cozy fantasy," the setting was a "picnic," and it had to include a "life coach." I really liked this story, and I'm considering developing it out into a series of stories about Paul's trip through Leinad...you know, in all my free time!

Below is an excerpt, and if you'd like to read the full story, please click on the illustration provided by my amazing friend Ms. Carody Irish!

"Papaya"

    Paul looked out over the sumptuous feast. The steaming meal, set out on hundreds of shining metal plates and platters and goblets, held absolutely no appeal for him. After weeks in the land of Leinad, he knew that every food would taste like marshmallows or popcorn or green apple jellybeans, possibly some combination of all three. All of the drinks would be either orange soda- or vanilla milkshake-flavored. He sighed, happy to stand tiredly, awaiting their host...

Kickey! Chapter 4: Rideshare! (V)

Some familiar faces reappear when our favorite blue cat takes on a new job! Introducing a rising star in the East Bay theater scene, David Mack! And of course very special thanks to Carody Irish, Non-Permanent princess, and Heather Mack, reigning queen. THANK YOU ALL! What a delight. CLICK HERE to watch!

Team Tatonka! (I)

A t-shirt design for a friend - stay delulu, ya'll!

Paintober: Full Moon (P)

A very happy birthday to my biggest fan. I love you, mom!

Spectaculathon! Poster Design (I/GD)

I've done a few posters with my friend Nikki, but it's been a few years. Now she has a new position and we're BACK, baby! The play is a rapid-fire trip through all of the Grimm's fairy tales, I wanted something playful and colorful for the poster. Click on the "Show Posters" link on the side to see more of our collabs, and other posters I've done over the years. Good to be back!

Kickey! Chapter 3: The Fridge! (V)

Kickey just wants to look in the fridge! Again! Click HERE to watch the latest video featuring my little blue friend.