NYC trip

Here are some second hand sketches from a recent trip to NYC. Sometimes I don't have time to draw so I  try to take mental pictures and draw later. Honestly this probably frees me up a bit. I become less focused on what a person looks like and more with their character traits and the general feel I got from them. Try to some time!

What's Wrong, City Harbor?

My latest What's Wrong? illustration is on the back cover of July's Highlights Magazine.  There are a lot of easter eggs in this one. Some are personal: such as my Dad, my childhood dog, and myself in my Dad's bass boat on the bottom of the illustration. I grew up fishing on the Delaware River from Philadelphia to Bristol. Many of the boat harbors (if you can call them that- they were just yacht club docks really) looked similar to this. However, I did mix in some New England influence which I found more pleasing to the eye. 

Other fun stuff includes the boat and cast from Jaws (including the kid with the shark fin on his head), the explorer Jacques Cousteau in his sub (I have fond memories of watching Cousteau on PBS - he always fascinated me), and a tugboat (simply because I love tugboats). There is also a Biblical reference in here, can you find it?

Now that I look at this illustration I realize that I did something wrong: the crabs are walking forward. I know, now it's ruined.

See inside!

I should have posted these a while ago, I guess. Here's a few sample pages form the Which Art Student Are You? book. Yay!

Book Cover

Sometime last year I designed/illustrated the cover for a friend's book, Practicing the Sabbath with Community. For some unknown reason I forgot to post the finished art and a link, so here you go.

From Dan's experience living in Jerusalem among the practicing jewish people he believes that even Christians can benefit from practicing a regular sabbath routine. One in which quiets our hearts, stills the chaos in our lives and reminds us to take the time each week to unplug, relax, and spend time with our families and with our God. As busy as everyone's lives are, I wholeheartedly agree. 

Dan's book is now available at amazon.com in both print and kindle formats.

AJ's recital sketches

Daisy and I recently attended our friend AJ's masters in jazz piano recital at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Some of you may remember AJ as the one who sang (along with accompanying her Dad while playing the flute) at our wedding. During AJ's recital I drew folks in the audience and some of the musicians. 

Here is a clip of AJ singing a cappella with her fellow classmates, the Dolls. She is the one playing the spoons. Check out the other videos they have as well. They're quite amazing.

Tourists. Part Two.

Forgive me if this is a repeat:

More from my character design class: Due to the improved weather we were able to go outside. The Independence Hall area is a great place to draw tourists.

What's Wrong, soccer?

 Hi. I'll be quick. I've been busy. Here's my latest What's Wrong? for this June's Highlights. The original sketch is  below the finished art. 

Unfortunately, the foosball kids had to go along with some other stuff.

Get your kids, nephews, nieces and/or grandkids a subscription to Highlights. They'll be glad you did!

Character Design Class.

I teach a character design class at the Hussian School of Art. For today's assignment we sat in the Bourse building's cafe area secretly sketching some of the tourists that frequent the Independence Hall area. When I wasn't encouraging the students on different approaches or giving some teaching tips, I was drawing the tourists as well.

Holy Saturday diner placemat.

Have a wonderful Easter everyone.

Prints.

My Old Testament and Gospel Bible illustrations are available for purchase via paypal (link is on the right side panel). Each print is hand lettered and signed. A limited edition of 700 have been printed on cream colored vellum stock. Size is 17.375 x 23". Just $25 (US) each or $45 (US) for the set.

More detailed information about the illustrations can be found here.