The Sarah of Liberty

This week's Animal Kingdom caricature is of Sarah as the Statue of Liberty.

Scraps 20: The Spy Who Scrapped Me.

Scrapocity!

Darth Maul Dragon

The latest Durkin's Dragon Tribute is based on Darth Maul. This is the first dragon of a series that will be incorporated into a larger image. I'll be posting the next steps as I finish them.

Disney parks visit.

Alex, Kathy and I braved the heat and crowds yesterday and visited Disney's Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom. Despite going in June (which I highly discourage for the faint of heart), we had a terrific time. We started at the Studios.Clowning around in line for Rockin' Roller coaster. In the Rockin' Roller coaster foyer. Feeling the effects of air conditioning just in time.

I love every single thing they've done. Every. Single. Thing.Three new toys from Toy Story 3. Alex, Lotso and Kathy.


Frozone and some other Incredible heroes.

We took the animation tour, and for my first time, we stopped off and drew a Disney character at the "Animation Academy." We sat down in front of light tables representing those used by animators and were instructed by an artist step-by-step how to draw a randomly picked Disney character. This time it was the main character from Bolt, a movie I've never seen. It's interesting to see how our drawings turned out. Mine was pretty much on model, but the kids' version definitely have their own charm and style.Here's mine.

Kathy's

Alex's.

We ate, checked out a few more attractions including the not-to-be-missed Toy Story Mania, then headed over to the Magic Kingdom. We rode the TTA, saw Philharmagic, the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and ended the day with the main event.

Welcome back old friend.

This parade was a favorite of mine since the very first time I visited the parks in the '80's. It had since travelled to Tokyo Disney and finally ended up at Disneyland in California, never to be seen again by yours truly. Fortunately, it came back to Disney World for a limited summer engagement. Nostalgic goosebumps all over.

I love these little critters.

Of course, all things go better with dragons.
The parade ended and we fought through the crowds watching the fireworks.

Pooped.

Scraps 19: Revenge of the Fallen

It wasn't until after I drew it, that I remembered the purple pandas from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. My mind is a strange and scary place...

Gig in Wonderland

The other day, I drew caricatures at a trade show in which the theme was Alice in Wonderland. I was instructed by the client to draw the patrons as the characters from that story. The show hosts and vendors really participated. I love gigs like this. There were costumed characters......decorative sets and props.....and refreshments. These tea sets were completely edible. The saucers, the teacups, even the spoons were made of chocolate and candy.After the show, I was offered a sample. Delicious!The patrons were mostly women. After I got tired of drawing only Alices and Queens, I decided to throw gender rules out the window, and draw the women as any of the characters.Well, they weren't ALL women.

Fun fun gig. I had a blast!

Sarah in AK-land

One day every week, I draw caricatures at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Occasionally, when there is a lull in the action, I try to draw my co-artists in an effort to drum up business. This week I was anticipating a live caricature gig with an Alice in Wonderland theme, and I was to draw the attendees accordingly. To practice, I drew Sarah as Alice, and threw in myself and some of my other buddies as some of the other characters.

Sarah is reciting Jabberwocky, one of the poems in Alice in Wonderland. I know it by heart. Why? I don't know. Tomorrow I'll post pictures from the gig.

Ka-Blam pick of the week: Black Cat Bone

Huge thanks to Jenni at Ka-Blam for making my comic, Black Cat Bone: The Blues is Born her pick of the week. Check out the link here, and be sure to get yourself a copy. The second chapter, Black Cat Bone: Flood Waters Rising, is available as well. By the way, the third chapter is currently being inked, and will be available soon. Keep visiting the Durkinworks blog for more updates!

Jett babbling paragraphs

Jett likes to babble himself to sleep. I finally got some video (albeit a bit grainy). He seems to be forming his own sentences!

Wild one

Here's my favorite caricature from Wilderness Lodge last night.

Bender Dragon

As promised, this is the second of the two Futurama-themed dragon commissions I did recently. This one is of Bender.

Be sure to check out all of the other Durkin's Dragons posts by clicking the Durkin's Dragons button in the Labels on the right.

Happy Father's Day.

Happy Father's Day to my dad and all the Fathers out there!
Love you DAD!

Dragonfry

Futurama's new season starts June 24th. Coincidentally, I just did two dragon commissions that are Futurama themed. The first is Fry. I'll post the second soon!

Michele Nichols

I first met Michele Nichols several years ago, when she started working for Caricature Connection. Beyond her artwork, which revealed her talent, skill and amazing eye, I noticed immediately her smile and positive attitude. Michele instantly became one of the top artists, but more importantly, she established herself as one of the most well-liked and respected people at Caricature Connection.

Michele and I worked together often, and we quickly became friends. I found her artwork to be so inspiring. Her color work was beautiful and unmatched by any other artist we worked with. I was constantly trying to learn from her.

We had a lot of common ground as well. She loved art of course, but also had a passion for music. She loved the Beatles and Tori Amos. She could sing quite well, and even did great impressions, like Lois from Family Guy. She loved her cats, swimming, the outdoors.

After my divorce, and when I was ready, Michele and I dated for a while. Dinner and a movie, usually Italian food, Yuengling and a comedy or thriller. She was always so easy-going, so honest. She allowed me to be myself. She made me feel at ease. She never judged me.

Eventually, after a few months of dating I decided I still wasn't quite comfortable, and that I still had to work out a few things in my mind. It wasn't her fault at all. She was awesome. We stopped dating. I know I broke her heart. I never in a million years meant to hurt her, but as always, she appreciated my honesty, and we remained very good friends. She continued to show her trademark class and dignity.

Michele got a boyfriend, moved out of her parent's house and became a lead artist at Caricature Connection. She was very happy and I was very happy for her.

On June 16th, just a few days ago, the pilot of a four-seat Piper PA-23 airplane contacted the Rochester International Airport in Minnesota requesting an emergency landing due to engine failure. Shortly before midnight, the plane narrowly missed a house and crashed about 200 yards into the woods. When the first person arrived to the scene, the plane was already engulfed in flames. Three people were killed in that crash. Michele Nichols was one of them.

I can't convey with any accuracy what a huge loss this is, both personally and professionally. The world is now less one amazing person. I give Michele's family, friends and all that knew her my deepest sympathy.

Florida + Heat Index 99 Degrees = Pool

Whew! Cooling down at the pool today with the kids.

Wedding commission in action

The other day I posted a gift caricature I did recently for a wedding. Recently, I received these photos of the caricature "in action" Here it is at the entrance to the reception.The bride and groom loved the caricature so much, they decided to replicate the pose I drew in the caricature.
Congratulations you two!

AK co-worker: Sarah

It was a hot, humid, rainy, long day at Animal Kingdom today. I did draw a caricature of my co-worker Sarah, and snapped a pic.

Scraps 18: The Jewel of the Nile

I've got a million of 'em.

Caricature auction piece.

8 year old Sarah was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was one year old. She is in Trinity Irish Dancing with my niece Gabby. When I found out there was to be a charity auction held in her honor, I leaped at the chance to help. I donated a custom caricature to the winner of my auction. I drew a caricature of Sarah to be used as an example of what the winning piece might look like.You can see it in the background of this photo as well.

Jett pics of the week.

Question: Doesn't Jett have any clothes? Every photo you post shows him only in a diaper.

Answer: Of course, he has plenty of clothes. It's just so darn hot down here in Florida. Besides, if you could get away with wearing just a diaper, wouldn't you?

Anyway, I convinced Jett to wear clothes for the next batch of Jett pics.

Well THAT didn't last very long!

Scraps 17: Scraps and the Sorcerer's Stone

Don't forget, if you want to view previous scraps, just click the labels link to the right!

AK Draws

18 year old Derek wanted to be drawn as a baby. Did I mention he was 18?

Amy was a high school literature teacher, who loves Greek mythology.

Meet Sarah, one of my co-workers.