Categories
design graphic design illustration Inktober work

Cloud

I appreciate art in most any form and have a profound respect for artists who are masters of their medium. I’m inspired daily by young creatives who are discovering new methods of expression as they develop the skills needed to ideate and execute their designs. In a world that is overwhelmingly digital, I still feel […]

Categories
creativity illustration Inktober work

Illustrator’s Workspace

The tools of the trade aren’t always digital. That said, I can certainly appreciate the technological advancements that make the job of illustration easier.

Categories
Inktober life lessons work

Reality Check

Life isn’t always fun and games. Believe it or not, the daily routine won’t be all about collecting flowers, coins and magic mushrooms. I can guarantee there’s a clogged toilet in your future.

Categories
freelance illustration work

Surly Commission

I was contacted by a Surly representative in mid-April asking if I would be interested in contributing to a North Dakota Surly launch poster. The commission was to help celebrate what is unique about our state in an edgy, non-traditional way as part of Surly Brewing Company’s distribution launch into our great state. Myself and two other artists (“Punchgut” […]

Categories
food illustration Inktober work

Lord of the Rings

Everyone had a first job. If you were ‘fortunate’ enough to work in the food industry, you understood the word ‘hustle’. I never did labor in the kitchen, but bussed and watered tables during lunch and dinner rushes at a local sit-down restaurant. It didn’t take long to learn that working hard and being pleasant to people […]

Categories
cartoons freelance illustration Inktober work

Angry Leprechaun

This aggravated little ginger is just a snapshot of a side project I’m doing for a good buddy of mine. I already feel like I’m spoiling a surprise by showing this much, but I wanted to see what color would do to my rough sketch of the concept. Aye, the bloke’s already threatened me with the […]

Categories
celebrations graphic design illustration Inktober teaching work

Meritorious Achievement

I probably shouldn’t consider it such a huge deal, but I do. Every year I have the unique privilege of teaching some eager graphic design students the rigors of vector drawing. Drawing primitive shapes (circles, rectangles, polygons) with geometric precision doesn’t present many challenges, but the crucible for most recruits lies with learning the notorious pen tool. I can lecture, demonstrate and […]

Categories
illustration kids work

Drawing on Reading

Author Jim Karn and I visited with Northridge Elementary fourth graders today about the process of writing and illustrating books. I had the opportunity to illustrate Karn’s book, Little Jimmy’s Life on the Farm Stories, and lately he’s been very active about sharing and promoting it. I’ve been fortunate to attend a few readings with […]

Categories
celebrations holidays observations work

Labor is work

  The Labor Day holiday has been an opportunity for many working Americans to celebrate the ‘final’ weekend of summer with an extra day off. So, it seems like cruel irony that many will be working tomorrow when the rest of us are blessed with another day to enjoy. My hat’s off to all those that […]

Categories
giving work

Digging in for the fight ahead

It’s inspiring to see what can be accomplished when a community works together. For the past several days, countless citizens of Bismarck and Mandan have volunteered their time (and backs) to filling millions of sandbags in an effort to save homes and neighborhoods from the impending flood waters of the mighty Missouri. Only time will […]