Happy Holidays 2014! (I)

So, there was some confusion this year for the people who received my holiday card. It's supposed to be Dickens' three ghosts of Christmas, not "Santa, some little dude on fire, and Death." Even the people who got the reference were still a little concerned. As someone tactfully texted: "Is the Ghost of Christmas Future supposed to have a scythe?" And no, he's not. I got a little carried away with the hood and the skull, and I didn't even notice until I'd sent them all out. I can only imagine what the folks at the Catholic school where I was volunteering thought. My bad, Christmas! Also, I typically go a bit more neutral with the imagery - next year I'll return to weird dudes and their cats floating in space. But I love this image - it wouldn't leave me alone - and I hope you do too.

From Owl_Henry to all of you out there, thank you for all your support. If you're reading this, I hope you're having a safe and happy holiday season, and I look forward to sharing more art with you in the New Year!

Philly Love (I)

I made this as a thank-you for some translation work that a friend was nice enough to help me with. She didn't ask for any compensation, but I was so grateful I had to do something for her. So this is her and her girlfriend, on the Liberty Bell since they recently moved to Philly.

Goodbye, Dr. Stewart (I)

A commissioned piece for one of the founding doctors at my work, who recently retired. We miss you, Dr. Stewart!

Fight! Update!

She didn't win her bout - word on the street is she lost by a hair - but she fought hard, rewarding herself with my image. Sarah had it printed and framed by Zazzle, a company I highly recommend. What an incredible compliment - well done, K.O.!

New October Monster products!

The lovely and talented Dame Virginia Bell is modeling three of the t-shirts now on sale at my Spreadshirt store, to which I've recently added some of my October Monster designs. I also have some things at my Cafepress store for your perusal. The holiday season is upon us, lest we forget, so get over there and get your support on, y'all.

And as always, if you'd like me to add a design or create a different product with a design already in the store, let me know! Good luck out there, shoppers!

Fight! (I)

Tomorrow night I'll be doing something I never thought I'd do - I'll be attending a boxing match, in support of a coworker who's found an incredible passion for boxing. I support her journey, and I hope she kicks the fuck outta whoever's foolish enough to face her in the ring! But you know, in like a fair-fight, all-in-the-name-of-good-sportsmanship kinda way.

October Monsters 31

And so the October Monsters series ends with one of my childhood favorites. I have to say, this has been a challenge, but I feel like my speed has come way up, and it was excellent practice for me. And there's a certain satisfaction in leaving art supplies out because I know I'll be needing them again soon. Which is not to say I'm packing them up - there's a few sweet projects in the works, so stay tuned!

I do this first and foremost for the joy, but art is communal, otherwise I'd never put it up in a public place. I'd like to thank everyone who visited the blog this month, followed this progression, and sent me comments of all varieties. Some made it a point to check my progress every day, and I loved that.  Thank you all.

Happy Halloween!

October Monsters 30

This one's for my biggest fan.

October Monsters 29

Alas, poor Hamlet...

...I knew him, Horatio. A fellow of infinite...well, actually he was kind of a downer.

October Monsters 28

October Monsters 27

Namahage Final

October Monsters 26

Namahage 2

Namahage go around carrying a large chopping knife (Deba-bocho) to cut off namomi (blisters accrued from lazily sitting at home in front of the fire). In some areas, they also carry gohei, sacred wooden wands hung with paper streamers that symbolize their status as Shinto gods.

October Monsters 25

Namahage (Japan)

These ogres go from door to door on New Year’s Eve, looking for children who have misbehaved that year. They are more than happy to unburden parents by taking away children who are lazy, insolent or simply cry too much.

October Monsters 24

A famous Brazilian lullaby warns children to go to sleep or else a Cuca, a crocodile woman, will get them...

October Monsters 23

Hold me closer, tiny chihuahua Cerberus.

October Monsters 22

October Monsters 21 (AKA Halloween Radness 2014!)

A very special day deserves a very special post. This is the third year I've done this for me and my birthday twin. Check out the FIRST and SECOND, if you dare, and Happy Me Day!!

We're referencing two of my favorite horror movies - can you guess which?

October Monsters 20

October Monsters 19

October Monsters 18

October Monsters 17

Tomer Hanuka/Tropical Toxic (OPP)

Tomer Hanuka's art is incredible, influencing a whole generation of artists with his beautiful line work and distinctive color scheme. This image of the Shining, one of my all-time favorite movies, just continues my obsession with him. Beautiful.

October Monsters 16

October Monsters 15

October Monsters 14

Okay, she's not really a monster (unless you're a hapless field mouse), but I've been checking out this whole Inktober phenomenon, thought I'd give it a shot. I rarely use ink, in anything - too permanent! - but there was something very meditative about doing this piece, it took a certain kind of focus.

This one's for a special guy I call my brother. Happy birthday, Rob.

October Monsters 13

October Monsters 12

October Monsters 11

October Monsters 10

October Monsters 9

October Monsters 8

"Happily Ever Once Upon" Poster Design (GD)

My director friend needed a last-minute design, so I slapped this together in an afternoon for a play about what happens to fairy tale characters after the stories end. Go check it out if you're in that area. And check out my other play posters by clicking HERE.

October Monsters 7

October Monsters 6

October Monsters 5

October Monsters 4

October Monsters 3

October Monsters 2

October Monsters 1

This October I'm doing one monster sketch a day. I'll be sitting down every night for no more than an hour, max, and making some creatures. Just because I love October the best. Enjoy.

2 New Morty Videos - Whaaaaaaat? True.

My incredibly talented friend Erik Champney took over writing duties for "Morty Against Humanity," Sir Mortimer's TWENTIETH video!! This one is truly wild and wonderful and I love it - definitely one of the best Christmas *cough* presents ever. Thank you, Erik, you brilliant fuck! CLICK HERE to soak in the weird. And please CLICK HERE to read more about Erik and his illustrious playwriting career!

In other Morty news, Sir Huddlesworth was challenged to The Ice Bucket Challenge, and responded as only Morty can. Click the picture below to watch:

Cool Cats

This was an idea that popped into my head and wouldn't leave. No special reason for it, I just felt like celebrating some of the more cat-oriented vet techs that I work with. Everyone at the animal hospital works incredibly hard, and I'm always honored to be even a peripheral part of the team.

Another semester down!

Fourth semester of nursing school has limped to its final, gasping finish, and I feel more confident than ever. Which is good, because the HESI and NCLEX tests are right around the corner! These are some images from thank you cards for our clinicals instructors, who more than deserved them.

Morty sings! (I've Had) The Time of My Life

Morty's at it again! Click the image above to get back into the studio with Morty as he records the 80's classic, "(I've Had) The Time of My Life." If that's not enough for you, Morty's also recorded Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" and Will Smith's "Summertime." You're welcome.

R.I.P. Nikki

You're all like, "Mike, I'm into that picture of your friend's dog that passed away from cancer." And I'm like, "Yeah, I painted that." You're like, "Uh...WHAT?" And I go, "Yeah. Second painting I ever did." You can't even speak. I continue, "Well, I'm not counting the Lazarus hiccup. I do count that Tree Grows in Bako brilliance, though." And you're all, "That's crazy!" And I know. I. Fuggin. Know.

Rest in peace, Nikki. Good dog.

K is for Kung Fu Kangaroos (I)

The niecelet turns three this year. When she was born I made a K is for Kaiya/Kachina design, and for her second birthday she got a t-shirt with Krakens on it. This year, kung fu-kicking kangaroos! Happy birthday, you wonderful little creature!!