White Elephant Sketch

Think you got something nice for Christmas? Well here comes White Elephant to poop under your tree and replace your stocking stuffers with pre-sucked lemon wedges. HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE!

Sketch: Science!

Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I had chose a different career. I think this is roughly where I would be if I were a scientist. I'm amazed how many careers seem to end with me smearing make up on a pig...

Sketch: Taco Man

If taco bell had a face, this is what it would look like. I'm pretty sure he has a flask of stool softener in his back pocket.

Can't Stop. Won't Stop.

GO! GO! GO!

Hipster Vampire

Tah Daaaaah!

"A Boy Named Sue" Revisited

"My name is Sue. How do you do? NOW YOU GONNA DIE!"

This is the second old piece to get a facelift and is based on the Johnny Cash song of the same name. As a side note, I just learned the other day that the song was written for Cash by Shel Silverstein. Am I the only one amazed by that?

You can check out the old version of the piece HERE

Dabblin' in the Dribbbles

I recently started an account on Dribbble that you can check out HERE. It seems to be a really welcoming community with some freakishly talented people, so I'm really excited to be a part of it.

I'm probably going to use it more for works-in-progress and keep the blog for final pieces and bits of sketchy nonsense. Which means, if you want to stay on top of what I'm falling behind on, that would be the place to do it.

It's also fun if you like to type a whole bunch of "b's" into your address bar.

"Luck of the Cricket" Revisited

I recently decided to touch up some old portfolio pieces (and destroy some others) and the first one to get a fresh coat of paint is the "Luck of the Cricket." I've always liked the layout and color scheme of it but recently, I realized how horrible the actual painting is. You can check out the old version HERE and have a nice laugh.

In short, the piece is based off of the superstition that a cricket on the mantel is good luck.

Hopefully, I'll have some time to touch up some more of these and maybe even do some new, original art. I may also bench press a car. Ya never know.

Time

Bigfoot Funk Shirt

A new shirt is in the shop! Based on an illustration I did a while back, this shirt allows you to flaunt your love of sasquatches, bass guitars and covering your nipples. You can customize one of your own HERE!

Note to Self

Sometimes, I think my memory might be fading. A few years back, I never needed to write down anything, but now it seems like I'm constantly jotting down assignments, song titles and countless other reminders. Give it a few more years and I'm sure this will be an accurate depiction of my work space.

Anyway, this is one of the first time's I've done a piece entirely in on the computer. Even sketching was done on the ol wacom tablet, which is something I'm trying to get into the practice of doing. I think it helped me loosen up with shaping (it's so hard to stiffen up and prematurely commit to designs when undos flow like cheap box-wine).

Oh and some new tee designs are on their way. Probably ones that aren't as disturbing as the banana one....probably. If you have any suggestions or requests, feel free to let me know.

Bananaman Shirt

So I doodled this a few months ago during a meeting and John Olson pressured me into slapping it on a t shirt. Now you, your children and everyone you've ever loved can enjoy the results of peer pressure by going to my skreened shop and picking up one of these classy numbers. Just pick your shirt style, color and size and be prepared to be mauled by a fleet of whatever you find attractive. Don't be surprised if people mistake you for a model.

Fozzie Bear

Threadless is currently running a Muppet design contest and it inspired me to make this guy. I didn't submit it, because it has absolutely nothing to do with the subject of "friendship"(which is the theme of the challenge) and I'm not about to start bending the rules of the internet. They're the only things that separate us from e-monkeys.

If you're enthusiastic about the Henson's felty freaks, I suggest you stop by the submissions section and give a few some votes. C'mon. You'll make friends, be part of a community and have an excuse to double click your mouse a few dozen times. WHAT FUN!

They're doing an Adventure Time contest too, so hopefully I'll come up with something for that...

Spa-Winkols!

A few weeks ago, a guy at work had a birthday and when you work with me, this is the type of nonsense I clutter your desk with as I scream "Happy Birthday" and coat your face with spittle and cake crumbs. It's clearly a glamorous life.

Fun Fact: my coworker also has the same mustache as the cupcake. Woooo!

Skateboarding Ogre

This started out as a morning warm-up, but it sorta got away from me.

In case you're interested in what all those band stickers on the skateboard say, they include classics like, "Your Band Sux," "Dead Ape Pit," "Uncle Lupus," "The Hypocrotches," and "Baby on Board." Also, I think half his tattoos are just items from Legend of Zelda.

Raton Laveur 2

Now we've got the leader and the brains, so all we need is the muscle.

Raton Laveur

In the sewers of France, a certain aged raccoon will get you anything you need for the right price.

This might turn into a series...

Sketch: Apeture Science

A sketch to celebrate the release of Portal 2...and celebrate science...you monster.

"Science isn't about why, it's about why not. You ask: Why is so much of our science dangerous? I say: Why not marry safe science if you love it so much. In fact, why not invent a special safety door that won't hit you in the butt on the way out, because you are fired."
-Cave Johnson, CEO Apeture Science

Sketch: Comfortably Numb

I doodled this fella while doing some freelance work last night. I think my iPod's shuffle can be blamed for it.

He looks a little like the love child of Iggy Pop and John Lennon...

Sketch: Shi-Zow

At some age, magic becomes really, really annoying.

Sketch: BBQ Pork

Pig with a flamethrower. You can't beat the classics.

So I've fallen behind on these daily sketches because I just started a new job at Clutch Interactive in Columbus which means I spent the last week or so packing and moving and dealing with car issues and about 50 other things that push sketches down on the list of importance.

Hopefully, I get back into the swing of these...

Sketch: Codec

See, THIS is why texting is dangerous.

I've heard a lot of people with the Codec sound from Metal Gear Solid as their cell phone ringer lately and that's probably why I drew this. Also, the Codec was just a crappy flip phone from the late 90's right? Because that's what I drew...for some reason.

Sketch: Jock Rage

When athletes catch the scent of un-wedgied nerds or dweeb scalps in need of swirlies, they fly into a fit specialists call JOCK RAGE.

Sketch: Frog Launcher

This was originally two separate sketches on the same piece of paper that merged into one big chunk of nonsense.

On an unrelated note, I've had "Lido Shuffle" by Boz Scaggs stuck in my head for about a week now. Maybe that has something to do with why I drew this?

Pig Expressions

At my old job, we did some concept work for a bar & grille's website. One of my favorite things to come from these concepts was an animated pig with a beer who would pop up at the bottom of the screen and tell you about special offers or upcoming events. These are some of the expressions I drew up for a rough animation.

Sketch: Flapjack

After I did the Adventure Time sketch, Tyler Parkinson suggested I do a Flapjack one. Here you go, Tyler.

Originally, I was going to do a big 8 Arm Willy thing with a bunch of characters like Peppermint Larry and Lolly Poopdeck in his tentacles, but it looked too much like the sea monster one I did a few days ago. Maybe simple is better...

I'm taking the weekend off from these sketch a day things so I'll see you kids on monday!

Sketch: Saint Patrick's Day

My goodness, my Guinness!

Sketch: Adventure Time!

Finn and Jake taking on some business zombies.
I might be a little addicted to this show.

Sketch: Sea Monster

This is why I don't go in hot tubs, anymore.

Pat Moore recently proposed a sketch-a-day challenge and this is my first day in. I'm pretty sure this was drawn after listening to "The Commander Thinks Aloud" by The Long Winters. I'm also pretty sure there is nothing about a sea monster in that song...

See you tomorrow.

Hawaii

Nothing kills the winter blues quite like a week in a tropical paradise. Thankfully, my dad has a conference in Hawaii every few years and was nice enough to bring me along. I thought I'd share some photos to make up for the lackluster posting as of late.


What's a visit to Hawaii without some giant tikis?
Here, you are staring into the crater of a volcano in the Puna district of the big island of Hawai'i. To set the mood, imagine the thick smell of sulfur surrounding you because of......SULFUR FIELDS! These steaming vents spew all kinds of fun gasses. There's nothing quite like seeing the ground steam around you.

The picture above doesn't really do justice to this landscape. Practically no plant life as far as the eye can see is one of the strangest things I've ever seen. It looks like a different planet.
This is the view from inside a lava tube, which is a cave-like channel left when a lava flow hardens. Probably the coolest thing about this is that the outside of the tube is coated in plant life, and the roots work their way into the ceiling of the tube and hang down into the pathway. Everything is dripping.

What amazed me the most about the big island of Hawai'i, is the diversity the landscapes. If you drive from one side of the island to the other, you'll go through rain forest, grassland, cactus-coated desert and a barren land of lava rock.
Above is why Oahu is a little disappointing for me. If you're in downtown Honolulu, you essentially feel like you're in Miami or something. It's way too crowded and urbanized to really feel like Hawaii. Luckily, a little place called Puka Dogs totally makes up for it with freakishly delicious eatables.

Speaking of food, I should mention how amazing it is to have fresh fruits and fish being served all around you. Also super fresh coffee and Kona Brewing Company improved the trip considerably.
Also, it does have amazing beaches. I guess that counts for something.Pearl Harbor is one of the most interesting places I've ever been. It's chilling to watch a gas bubble slowly rise out of the Arizona and dissipate into the harbor.

Tomorrow, I should be back with some artwork. Pat Moore is trying to prod me into doing a sketch a day challenge, so we'll see if that happens...

Inspirations, Idols and Mortal Enemies

Recently, I've had a surprising amount of people ask me what artists I like. I'm not sure I was ever really asked this question until about a month ago and now everyone seems interested (by everyone, I mean a whopping 5 people). So I figure I'll get the names out there so I have one less tidbit to discuss at the next cocktail party (that way I can cut right into the magic tricks).

Direct your eyes to the right side of the blog and you'll find a new list of artists titled, "Inspirations." It's exactly what it sounds like, so take a look through and see if you recognize some of your favorites and maybe you'll find some new goodies. After all, half the appeal of these art blogs is find new stuff to get your brain juices a-pumpin.

I've been meaning to do something like this for a while but I wasn't sure exactly how I wanted to do it. At first I was going to do a weekly or monthly post featuring an artist I like, but that just sounds like more effort for me and harder for you readers to find all the names. So now they're all in one tidy little listing on the side of the blog, just begging to be clicked on. Enjoy.

25 Reasons...

Here are some early concepts for an illustration for a Great Lakes Life article, 25 Reasons We Love the Tri-State Region that didn't wind up getting used. I liked the ideas enough to post them...mostly just the tattoo one, though.

The numbers drinking beer also make me smile...

Seasonal Affective Disorder

I'm pretty fed up with with Pennsylvania winters.

Not-So-Daily Sketch: Song Bird

Who needs friends when you have a weird, old piano and a house full of ugly, singing birds?

Dude's just having a gooooooooood time.

Bolero Owls

This was actually started around a year ago as a project for school and I've always hated the way the final looked. So when I had some free time, I decided to touch it up. Now I hate it substantially less.

As a side note, owls LOVE margaritas. Put one out in your yard and watch those feathery rats swarm all over it.

Mildly Romantic Valentines

So, it's Valentine's Day. Did you remember to get that special someone a symbol of your affection? NO?!?! Well fear not, loyal blog enthusiast, because good ol' Dave has got your back. These cards are sure to get you some substantial smoochin' (or at least some hard-core hand holding). Trust me; I stood in front of a mirror and gave myself one of these and I think it's safe to say I'll be going home with me tonight.

For best results, I suggest giving these bad-boys over a nice, romantic dinner. May I suggest some 5 buck boxes from Taco Bell? Thank me later, folks.