Reading Buddies

For the last couple of years, I've been participating in a program called Reading Buddies. Every Wednesday, we go down to the local Elementary School at lunch to read with the youngsters.

It's been an amazing experience watching my reading buddy, Domanic (seen with me on the top left), as his reading skills improve. I've even had a chance to teach him a thing or two about dinosaurs!

If you know of any programs like this near you, I'd highly recommend getting involve. Reading can change a kid's life, but you don't have to take my word for it!

12 days...

Chades Challenge LXIII: Explosive Stockings

Santa fills stockings with yummy chocolaty sweets,
But the Grinch prefers his packed with nastier treats.
"What surprise lays in store for little Cindy and Tom...
When they get a taste of my green tannenBOMBS!"

As always, everyone is invited to participate in the Chades Challenge. If you have any designs for "Explosive Stockings," let me know and I'll post them below. Otherwise you can join in December 23rd for...

Chades Challenge LXIV: Jolly Dragons! 

Colleen "The Rocking Stocking" Madden

Guillermo "Slim Dickens" Martinez

16 days...

"What If..." Part III

The final instalment of my "What if Hell froze over" series for the upcoming "What If..." Gallery Nucleus show. I call it "Hell's Angels."

The gallery opens this Saturday. If you're in SoCal, I highly recommend stopping by and perusing these and the humorous musings of other animation industry artists!

17 days...

iPad, too!

I finally broke down and bought an iPad2. This is my first drawing on the contraption, a nur-maid for my friend Nuritzi. It's no replacement for a sketchbook, but it's nice to be able to immediately play around with layers and color.

If you guys have any app recommendations, I'm all ears!

18 days...

House Topolski

I finally found a wedding gift for my friends, Jay and Sue Topolski! You may remember their Hawaiian wedding from a few posts back.

Jay and Sue hosted weekly Game of Thrones parties back when the show was on, so when I saw this Stark-esque chalice at the Dickens Fair (available online from the fine folks at Fellowship Foundry), the wedding gift question was answered.

Of course, I'm one of those people who, whenever they find a cool gift for someone, they have to buy one for themselves. As you can see, Jay if overwhelmed with joy:

If pewter chalices aren't your style (or price range), a cheaper Game of Thrones-themed gift is my "Iron Grill" apron, available here on Zazzle. 

This apron will make your food taste better, increase your sex drive and SAT scores.

It should be noted that Jay came up with the idea for this apron. I'll be keeping all the proceeds, of course.

19 days...

More Whiteboard Drawings

It seems I can't get near a dry erase pen without leaving my mark! This whiteboard happens to be at work, on my friend Neil's office wall. 

We like to put up a weekly brainteaser to keep the wits sharp. And being how it is a studio of animators, there's usually a cartoon to go along with said brainteaser. This one is an homage to my new favorite Batman actor (sorry, Keaton).

20 days...

"What If..." Part II

Part two of my three part series, "What if Hell Froze Over?" I call this one "Ice Laden."

Check out this series, and work from other animation industry artists, at the Gallery Nucleus "What If" Show next Saturday, December 10th.

21 days...

Funny Bunny

I know this is out of season, but when Steve Niles posted this image on Twitter, I couldn't help but imagine the next shot of the scene.

I've always thought Joker v. Superman was just as good a foil as Joker v. Batman, and this is eggsactly what I'm talking about.

22 days...

"What If...?" Part I

Gallery Nucleus is hosting a "What If...?" show next Saturday. My take on the theme was "What if Hell froze over?" Here's the first of the three part series, "Faust Bite."

It'll be a cold day in Hell before I paint another theme as fun as this one!

23 days...

Predator goes to an art auction

It's funny where your mind wanders during the morning shot review. 

Of course, Predator always gets what he's bidding for by replicating the voices of the other bidders and intimidating them to back down.

24 days...