Down the Drain

I think most of humanity took a hit on the chin this past year so I say we flush this stinking turd of a year down the toilet. 2010 will be here tomorrow and I welcome a new decade with open arms. This last decade was a bit like every other decade with wars being waged, people going hungry, disease, poverty, homelessness and natural disasters. These last ten years were just done with faster forms of communication to cover it. I cannot get over how far phones have come in the last ten years and my reception still sucks, but the picture quality is excellent!

The optimist in me hopes something colossal and wonderful happens to all mankind in this next year or decade, but the pessimist in me says- fat chance, man is not capable of allowing that to happen.
So, I guess I'll keep my expectations low and wish all of you two people a safe and enjoyable New Year's Eve and I wish you both a fantastic new year. So long 2009 hello 2010!

The Dinner Party

Here is a colored version of an old drawing based on a technique similar to that employed by illustrator Will Hillenbrand. I used tracing paper instead of the paper he suggests. I used pencil, pen, watercolor, and gouache. So much to learn.

Foiled Again!

I entered my first fencing tournament this weekend in Cleveland.
Three of my seven bouts were victories. I placed 18 out of 25. Not bad for my first time. I look forward to doing it again.

Illustration Friday: Crunchy

Dr. Frederick Flatbottom beat
Bedbugs in Borneo
Malaria in Madagascar
Influenza in Indonesia
The Gout in Guam
Dysentery in Denmark
Whooping Cough in Washington
and Tetanus in Thailand
But it was an Anaconda in the Amazon
That finally took his life.

I have to say that I just don't get watercolors. Me thinks an intro to watercolors course is in my immediate future.