Happy Halloween!

Here's an older piece.

Pretty scary!

Sea Serpents

I did this background as part of a Mythical Creature set. I decided to create an old world map with sea beasts with Burnie as a sea serpent and Sandy and McDivot as a kraken and leviathan thing.

As I worked on it I started adding my name, Marline's maiden name and the names of other artists on the team. I got carried away with it and added the name of every person on the Fairway Solitaire and Fairway Solitaire Blast teams as well as two super-fans of Fairway who often post on Facebook and Twitter.

As it turned out this became one of the most popular backgrounds for the team and the fans.
It pays to have fun with what you're doing!

Wizard of Oz

We recently created a set of backgrounds in tribute to the 75th anniversary of the movie, "The Wizard of Oz".

I was on vacation when this came up. I ALWAYS think about work... a stressful problem sometimes that I can't always shake... so I lurked in my email inbox like Gollum waiting for a fish.

This movie is in my Top-10 favorite films of all time. I wanted to do it justice. I suggested to my creative coworkers that they design a background using the 4 main characters in a scene from the movie. They said they wanted me to do that. While I was away they had already chosen their pieces and all but insisted I do the group shot. While it sounded like a lot of work it also sounded like fun character design work.

It took me longer than I think it should have but it turned out to be one of my favorite Fairway folio of backgrounds. I chose the scene where they meet the Cowardly Lion. Initially I wanted to make the Lion a kitten but that didn't work so I made him a cuddly fellow. Since I didn't include McDivot or Sandy I made Burnie the Tin Man. I love Burnie.

Here it is. My reference image is below.

Doctor Who

Any Doctor Who fans out there?

I never grew up with Doctor Who. I had never heard of the series until I was probably in my 30's. Maybe even later but I can't remember.

In order to do a parody of the show I had to do some research and just watch several episodes. We three artists came up with our own interpretations based on different seasons.

Here is my offering.

Happy Father's Day

From the Fairway Solitaire Facebook page...

"Does life imitate art or art imitate life? Either way, McDivot's creator Jeff Willis looks a lot like McDivot's dad, Raleigh."

Backstory:

A couple of years ago I was asked to help with a design with McDivot as a kid with his Family. It was suggested I draw his dad to look like me.
Can do!

I also decided to name his family after my own. His sister is Teri, Mom is Marjorie and Dad is Raleigh.

Happy Father's Day Pop!

Burnie - Hooked!

I was just pleased with the simple way this image turned out.

I like how the brush stokes on Burnie flowed. Being a simple character with fun expressiveness helped.
The giant fish came out all the better thanks to my coworker, Hamzah Kasom's tutorial on fish anatomy. The colors, the expressions, the composition, the simplicity; it all just worked out and made me happy.

Why would Burnie be stuck to a fish hook? You make up the story.

BOING! - Podcasts by Todd Dolce

I recently discovered Todd Dolce's "BOING!" podcasts via Tony Benedict's blog (writer for The Jetsons, the Flintstones, Yogi Bear and so many other HB cartoons).

I really have to give Mr. Dolce' credit for conducting these interviews. Todd has been interviewing several artists in the field of cartooning or have a cartoon related association.

For example he interviewed, among others, the wonderful June Foray (voice of Rocky the flying squirrel), the great Al Jaffee (MAD magazine cartoonists and creator of the fold-in back covers) and the amazing Tony Benedict. I am so delighted that he interviewed Lowell Hess (an amazing illustrator from Collier's magazine) and Joe Harris (creator of Underdog and the Trix Rabbit).

Ok. I'll mention one more, Gene Deitch, the creator of Tom Terrific from Captain Kangaroo. There are more that I have yet to listen to and I plan on catching to them all.

These are names that are often forgotten in the history of the multifaceted genres of cartoons. I have to give Todd props for bringing these voices and wonderful creators to light once more. Hearing their stories makes me feel like their lives are just like my own. Their experiences are full of highs and lows and valuable insight. They have all worked so very hard at their craft that I feel a strong connection to them and their creative endeavors.

If you have even the slightest interest in cartooning history you should listen to some of them.
Here's the link.
BOING! - Podcasts

Here is Todd Dolce's associated blog.
behind the lines podcast


Thank you, Todd, for sharing these.