Failsafe.

If I ever go rogue and you need to get information out of me this is the way to successfully torture me:

Make me brush my daughter's teeth while force feeding me black licorice and drink a root beer, while listening to an ensemble of the Indigo Girls, Neil Young and the cast of Rent while watching CSI whatever. I will tell you everything.

Please make a note of it.

What's Wrong, Italian Market?

When Highlights asked me to make a What's Wrong? of a City Market I could think of no other than Philadelphia's Italian Market. I've only been there once in my life, during the off peak time, but I did a lot of research (see below) to make it look authentic minus the trash and fire barrels. If you've ever been to the Italian Market in South Philadelphia, or saw the scene in Rocky when he is jogging through it  (starts at :23) one thing comes to mind, "this is so beautiful and yet, totally disgusting." Honestly, it smells, there's trash all over the place, and most of the merchants are rude. Ah, Philadelphia! City of Brotherly Love. That's what makes this city so great- everyone wears their hearts on their sleeve and we don't apologize for it or care if you're offended- much like you would speak to a close family member. Ha!

I finished this piece the week my Dad went into the hospital before he passed away. Good friend and designer, Drew Phillips, helped me out with doing some flat coloring for me. All I had to do was make some adjustments, then add textures and shadows. Thanks, Drew!

Things to look for in this piece: Adrian Balboa ironing a sock, myself, wife and daughter driving a row home, and my personal favorite, a girl mouse being serenaded with her concerned Father reacting in a nearby window.

The original sketch is below. One thing I was sad to see go was Adrian Balboa carrying Rocky's two turtles known as Cuff and Link.

The scene was based loosely on these photos:

Make sure to get a Highlights subscription for the kids in your life. It really is the greatest magazine on earth.

Some instagrams of recent work.

The top two are small snippets of some hidden pictures for Highlights. The bottom one is a sketch of a guy I saw cutting a lawn in Willingboro, NJ.

That's Silly, Carnival Midway!

My latest That's Silly! piece for Highlights High Five. It is in the June issue which is available now. Sketches and some roughs are below the final art.

Here are the roughs:

I liked this last rough (below) but felt the other compositions were easier on the eyes for the younger readers.

Below is the first sketch before being revised to suit the art director's request to make it less cluttered and some other minor changes. I was sad to see the stilt walker go but you've got to do what you've got to do. Hopefully I succeeded in making a non-creepy clown.

Get a subscription to the greatest children's magazine on earth by clicking here. 

Updates & sneak peeks.

I haven't updated this blog in a while. Sorry. Here are some things I have been working on via Instagram pics.

This first one is a snippet from a hidden picture of Glacier National Park.

A small part of a hip-hop themed hidden picture which was my first anthropomorphic illustration for Highlights.

A rejected idea for a "what's wrong?" of a kid dressed in a NASA control room outfit complete with Apollo 11 and a map of the orbital flight path.

Below is from a hidden picture of Miami Beach. 

Kids enjoying some chili in this Texas themed hidden picture.

One of many wheeled vehicles in this hidden picture.

Oops, I guess not all of them have wheels.

Part one of a continuing hidden picture series I have been working on for Highlights. I can't wait to be able to tell everyone about this but it'll have to wait until its launched.

Lastly, tonight it occurred to me that I have been drawing with this pencil since 1993. Happy 20th birthday, 7mm Pentel P207 pencil.  I wonder how many miles we've drawn together?

Orangutans!

I did these for the Philadelphia Zoo last year for their Lorax/Orangutan exhibit. I had to combine my style with Dr. Suess' style which was a lot of fun. As you can see by the photos below (no, they're not out of focus), the illustrations were done in multiple layers and converted to 3D to coincide with the Lorax movie. Kids were given 3D glasses to view the exhibit signage in order to learn more about Orangutans and what they can do to protect them. If you ever get a chance go to your local zoo and sit for a good hour to watch the orangutans. I worked at the zoo for many years and would often eat my lunch while watching the primates. They really are fascinating.

All images are copyright © The Philadelphia Zoo 2012

Which Way USA? Hidden Picture preview.

Now I have to go to Montana.

What's Wrong, Ducks?

I hope this brightens up everyone's day.

This What's Wrong? is on the back cover of this month's Highlights.

I was unaware of Rubber Duck races until I was asked to draw this one.

Right click and open in another window or tab to view this piece larger.

Grumble grumble mumble.

I live near a NJ turnpike rest stop. It's a short walk from my house. Tonight I walked there to draw some folks because I'm angry, irritable and I love to do stupid things on Sunday nights I guess.

Funny memories with my Dad.

I am submitting this for IF's Farewell theme this week:

My family and I each made photo collages for my Dad's funeral. I had a little fun with mine, adding some good, funny memories. I'll let this speak for itself....

You may have to right click and open in a new window in order to see it clearly. I would also recommend enlarging it in your browser a bit.