Down Syndrome: A Day to Day guide

Andi has created an amazing new blog called Down Syndrome: A Day to Day Guide.

 

The blog chronicles Andi's exhaustive research in the treatment of Down Syndrome. Her goal is to create an invaluable tool for parents to use in treating their children with DS. Most of what you see on her blog has been implemented in the development of Jett. The blog is still in its infancy, but with over 100 entries already posted, she's off to a great start. Visit her blog and be sure to follow her with Google Friend Connect. 

http://dsdaytoday.blogspot.com/

Links Spotlight: Kelly Gannon

From time to time, I get requests to swap blog links with other artists. Yesterday I was delighted to get a request from Kelly Gannon.

Kelly Gannon is a buddy of mine I met through the International Society of Caricature artists.  Kelly a full time party caricaturist and cartoonist in Calgary, as well as a musician. He was also a contributor to Mike Duron and my brief but awesome blog, the Toony Bin. You can check out Kelly's blog here and at the links to the right.

Links Spotlight: Steve Silver

When I grow up, I want to be just like Steve Silver.

Steve Silver is without question one of the most inspiring artists I know. I first met Steve at the ISCA (NCN) convention in 2004. At the time, the animated series Kim Possible was at the height of its popularity and Steve was the lead character designer on that show. I remember looking at the rough draft of one of his books the first day of the convention and marvelling at every single page. I went to his seminar and chatted with him every chance I could. One night, the convention was open to the public for a few hours, so I invited my children to come see what their father had been up to all week. Kathy wore her Kim Possible shirt and caught Steve's eye. Kathy was delighted to meet him, and I was amazed at how gracious he was. The final day of the convention at the awards banquet, Steve presented me with this picture and said it was for Kathy: Astounding! We still have it hanging up in our living room.

Steve was recently featured on HGTV's The Antonio Project. His appearance is featured below.

I have every one of Steve's books, and reference them constantly. You can order his books for yourself by checking out his blog at http://www.stephensilver.blogspot.com/ Remember, you can always click his and other great links to the right.

Links Spotlight: Steve Hearn

Steve Hearn is one of my dearest friends and is today's Links Spotlight.

Steve is an amazing artist from England who is a source of constant support and inspiration for me. I met Steve at the very first ISCA (NCN) convention I had ever attended in 2003. I remember how I wanted, quite simply, to have my caricature drawn by an international artist. I walked past Steve drawing at a table and found out by reading his name tag that he was from the U.K. I requested a caricature of me by him and he politely obliged. We talked about artwork, fatherhood and other interests we had in common (beer) and instantly became friends.

We made it a point to keep in touch after the convention and did. We attended subsequent conventions together and Steve has always made it a point to visit when he comes to Florida on holiday.

This caricature of Steve (with the unintentionally screwed up Union Jack) was a pivotal piece for me. It happened at the 2004 convention when I was frustrated about my drawings and couldn't pin down a "style" that I was happy with. I decided to be true to myself and draw strictly to make myself happy. The caricature of Steve was the first in the series I did, and became the jumping off point, my "EUREKA" moment for the rest of the convention. That year I placed 2nd in Best Cartoon Style. The following year at the 2005 convention, I got 1st place in Best Cartoon Style.

It was at the last convention I attended with Steve in 2006 where I did this caricature of him that I received 2nd place again for Best Cartoon Style.

Steve remains my "brother" to this day. Check out his blog to the right or go to: http://www.pencildreams.com/

and hire Steve (and tip him well) at: http://drawn4u.com/

See you soon, brother!

Links Spotlight: Jan Op De Beeck

It was January 2003 at the NCN (now ISCA) convention in Orlando, when I first encountered master caricaturist Jan Op De Beeck. Jan was the guest artist with Sebastian Kruger, who I spotlighted here. Jan has an incredible eye for likenesses and a unique talent for exaggeration. In a few short minutes, he produced what continues to be one of my all-time favorite caricatures of myself. It's on my wall of fame in my studio.

Genius! Over the years, I've got to know Jan and his work even more and not only is he an incredible artist, but a great person as well. He continues to attend the ISCA conventions every year he can, teaching and inspiring all of us. Check out his blog here, or click the link to the right.

Links Spotlight: Robb Miller

I've been a member of The International Society of Caricature Artists for many years now. The organization has been an essential tool for networking, growing and learning as an artist and promoting my work. I've also had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing artists from around the world, and even become good friends with many of them.

One such artist is Robb Miller. Robb has a great, cartoony style and can capture impeccable likenesses with his caricatures. In fact, of the many caricatures I've had drawn of myself, Robb's is one of my favorites. It's been hanging on the wall to the right of my computer monitor for years.
Check him out at http://robbmiller.blogspot.com/

Durkin and Duck: Random Pinup Hotties

A few years ago, talented artist and good friend Mike "Locoduck" Duron and I collaborated on a book called "Durkin and Duck: Random Pinup Hotties." We designed the book to be sold at several of the comic book conventions we were attending that year. We each selected six female characters from comic books, animation, movies etc to portray in our own way. It was a really fun project, and gave me a chance to do things I normally wouldn't do. These are my images.

Catwoman.

Mike decided we should each draw a female character from a video game. I chose Ms. Pac Man. Still hot after all of these years.

Princess Leia as Jabba's slave. My favorite for obvious reasons.

She-Ra.

Harley Quinn.

Little Red Riding Hood.

Supergirl. I dig this one too.

Links Spotlight: Sebastian Kruger

On your right, you will see a group of links. These links are reserved for inspiring artists and close friends. From time to time I'm going to feature someone from the links. Today is Mr. Sebastian Kruger.

When it comes to caricature, there is Sebastian Kruger and then there's everyone else. He's a master, plain and simple. I have a signed print of one of his Keith Richards caricatures proudly displayed in my living room.

His current works are of particular interest to me. He did a series of blues musicians. Check out his B.B. King:

Here's John Lee Hooker:

Here's Sebastian and I at the 2003 NCN convention.

Be sure to check out Sebastian's link to the right, and stay tuned for the next Links Spotlight.