Halloween Radness 2015! (I)

Another round of awesome featuring me and my birthday twin. Guess the movie references...? Fourth year of this stuff - here's last year's, which has links to the other two.

Something Wicked (I)

Okay, so I decided to join the #inktober movement over on Instagram, just to really get acquainted with how much I haaaate inking stuff. It's not going all that bad, but it does help to show me how dependent I've become on Photoshop. I never draw things together, like in this piece:



I'd usually draw these witches separately, in my safe little blue pencil, then piece them together. Instead I was "bold", I "challenged myself" and drew them together. Time-consuming and way more difficult than it had any right to be. Then, because #inktober, I added a whole mess of ink:

It looks okay, I'm fine with it. I only really like the middle witch, though, so I cut her out and made a t-shirt design for my #1 fan to celebrate the #1 month:

More soon!

Godot Poster (GD)

This is my SEVENTH year designing the fall show poster for the Mira Loma Theater Company. I love this gig - some of my best graphic design work has come out of it, and I really have a deep love for theatrical poster design. There's just something about compressing a larger work into one image, keeping in mind how the venue wants to brand the show, as well as the balance between artistic and accessible. I dig it. Go see this show!

Please check out my other poster designs by clicking the "Show Posters" link to the right.

Thank you, Lucia! (I)

A design for one of the kindest nurses I've met so far at my new job. She gave me a hug the other day just because she was so excited I was on the floor. It means the world to a newbie like me. Thank you, Lucia!

Art Drop Day! (P)

It's Art Drop Day! This li'l acrylic and pen on cardboard masterpiece is hidden somewhere in the Mission - I hope it finds a good home. If you find it, enjoy!

Philbin and Rose (I)

The ALC commissions are slowly rolling out. If you donated to my doomed AIDS Ride campaign this year, please rest assured your name's on an Excel spreadsheet and I'll be getting something to you "within the year". Promise.

A grad school friend plays a game with his daughter where he's a big clumsy monster (Philbin) and she's a cat (Rose) who teaches the monster how to be more catlike. Hijinks ensue. I designed this for her birthday as a poster, though someday I think it would make a great series. They loved it, which felt really really good.

Mermaid (I)

I painted this last December for the niecelet, and finally gave it to her for her birthday. She HATED it. She didn't like that the mermaid was flying around in space, she couldn't figure that out. Also, the octopus' eyes were terrifying. I didn't mind, I enjoyed painting it. We'll try giving it to her in a few years...?

Study Break (V)

The reigning queen of the NPP returns, pregnant with her third, in the latest from the Non-Permanent Parliament. This one's dedicated to my nursing school crew - oh my CRAP, it's good to be done with school! Click the picture to watch, and don't forget to like, comment, and share!!

K is for Kittens in Kimonos! (I)

Last year it was kangaroos, the year before was krakens. This year the niecelet's fourth birthday will be celebrated with kittens in kimonos! Happy birthday, Kaiya!!

Sweet 16 Logo (GD)

This month I graduate from my Master's in Nursing program with 34 of the most exceptional people I've met to date. We dragged each other through it, and I doubt I could have done it without them. I designed this logo for our group t-shirts. Where I found the time is anyone's guess, but they're worth it.

Congratulations, Cohort 16!!

Uh Oh...It's Magik (I)

Buy Some Art - Support AIDS/LifeCycle 2015!

In 2007, I rode my bicycle with the AIDS/LifeCycle from San Francisco to Los Angeles, one of the most challenging and physically demanding things I've ever done. My knees took a beating, and the following year I tried to sign up for the Medical Team instead (I had just gotten my Wilderness EMT, y'see), but was assigned to Rest Stop 2 (see above photo). I spent four more glorious Rides with the incredible Rest Stop 2 team - you can check out our adventures in the documentary I made, accessible HERE.

I took the last two years off to attend nursing school, and this year, with school finally on the home stretch, I signed up for and was accepted to the Med Team! So from May 31 to June 6, I'll be traveling with one of the most caring, giving, inspiring groups I've ever been a part of, and I'm extremely excited to be getting back to this floating island of kindness, all in support of the fight against HIV and AIDS.

My goal is to raise $1000 before I go, and this year I'm doing things a little bit differently. I'm taking commissions for artwork, so if you've ever had an idea for something you might like me to create, now's the time. I often get requests for portraits, typically as zombies or some other kind of monster. I make holiday cards, business cards, show posters, designs for babies, I've even made a painting or two. People have asked me if I'd be willing to sell the artwork I've already created. For this cause, I would. For the right offer, I'd even make a video at your suggestion - you can be in it if you want!

Click the links above, or use the sidebar to the right to get some ideas. Then email me at mike@owlhenry.com for more information, or to make a request. We'll decide on what works (project, price, timeline), and then you'll make a donation to my ride - no money will go directly to me.

Obviously, any donation for this incredible cause - even without a commission - would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for even considering making a donation - let's beat this disease together!

Mike

Happy Chinese New Year! (I)

J is for Jabberwock (I)

Something of a miss on this Christmas present for a friend - I've had a few of those lately. But hey - art is subjective! I tried to incorporate elements of the classic illustration by John Tenniel, a formative work on my young mind.

Check out all the B is for Baby and other kid-related designs by clicking HERE.

Dad's Holiday Card Commission (I)

I think maybe one of the best gifts I got over the Christmastimes was how stoked my dad was for this image he commissioned for his holiday card. Check out the one I made last year, too.

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