Remembering JJ

One year ago today, my mentor, John Johns passed away. With much awe and respect, I'd like to display some of his great color work from the Pittsburgh Press TV Graphic covers.


These date back to the early 60s and the bio pic above from the late 70's when I knew him.

Later I'll post his work from Mad - and other samples as I find them. I'm blessed to have learned many things from JJ and was heavily influenced since my art school days. Most admirable was his willingness to share his talent with others of all ages. I'll relate a story about a five hour drive Mr. Johns and I took to a caricature job and how the experience and long talk still inspires me to this day.


Happy New Year!

Young and Cute ...

... versus wrinkled and fun.

This fall I had the pleasure of drawing at the Mannington Senior Center and was able to bask in the glory of great elderly faces. Not only the wrinkles were fun to explore, but the stories the oldsters told... the short snippets of life experience they shared were what made it much more than a mere drawing assignment.

People often comment how I'm able to draw the young "cutsie" faces with such ease - and they are fun as well - but sometimes just that - more easy than fun... non challenging. At the senior center I noticed the contrast and effect of drawing seasoned adults and how quickly I peaked and "hit the wall" becoming noticably fatigued - compared to the marathon sessions at festivals when I've been able to draw toddlers for countless hours on end.

So I must conclude that it's either drawing those extra lines and wrinkles that can tire me out... or is it the extra fun I have drawing them? On the other hand, there is something to be said for drawing a variety of ethnic faces... but that's another post.


Pictured are cute kids at the Mountain State Forest Festival and a sketch of the legendary Paul Long from WTAE.

John Johns's Birthday

I thought this would be a fitting day to share his work with the world. Currently in the process of collecting some of his masterful color caricatures from the Pittsburgh Press TV Graphic covers (which I'll post soon). There will also be book illustrations and a mural for a Monroeville, PA bank. More samples, info and progress of my search may be found Here.

WVU Hospital Picnic

Arthur's Missing Pal?
Good question... Oh heres one...
getting a caricature at the Shadyside, PA
Giant Eagle Market District. and heres the famous aardvark himself, making a personal appearance
to promote his new film for Lionsgate Home Video:

Yet more roughs

Dancing Bush
The text link below will be the link to the color Flash animated file (which runs smoother than the slower animated gifs and allow you to zoom in with the right mouse button). http://cartoons.50webs.com/bush2.html

New (old) roughs!

Holy Hot Nuts! Here are some rough concept sketches and thumbnails... Just scroll down for more and click the images for a larger view.







The "Byrd" is a planned interactive animation. Users will be able to click and paint the egg as Byrd makes cantankerous comments.