Whew, you know that old axiom that if you want something done give it to the busy person? Well, don't. Just kidding, my schedule is finally cleared up. So, got work?

Finished up 80 illustrations for a book about the Galapagos Islands for Penguin Random House. Now I can draw tortoises in my sleep!

Speaking of Penguin Random House, also just finished 80 sketches for a biography of Chuck Jones. Yes, now I can draw animators in my sleep.

Also had the opportunity to do a series of 9 illustrations for Cobblestone Magazine depicting important historical figures from Chicago. Since it's a kids magazine I always have to "youth-enize" the portraits.

A friend discovered this portrait I painted a few years ago. It's hanging in a doctor's office.

And I'm still hoping to find time to get back to this painting.

In the meantime, I've really been enjoying our weekly figure drawing sessions. It's nice to get away from the Wacom tablet and draw from real life.

Yoy and double-yoy, you'd think I'd be able to keep some new stuff up on this page wouldn't you? It's been a crazy-busy past couple of months. Working on illustrating 3 books for Penguin Random House, some fun scifi magazine illustrations and a few illustrations for Cobblestone Magazine about conservationists.

Also, finally got back to the easel. Spend enough time away from it and you wind up feeling intimidated by the prospect of sitting down in front of it again. Happy to say I'm pleased with what I'm working on. It's an experiment, oils on gessoed paper with a toned wash. Normally my wash would be a neutral or contrasting color to the main subject but this time I went with a nearly skin-tone color. Interesting, but I don't think I'd do it again.