Back in December I got a call from a fellow named Cory from ABC’s Extreme MAkeover: Home Edition’. The request was for artwork, of course. The big part of it was that they neeeded two wall murals in 48 hours. So I skipped a nights sleep and got it done. The program aired Sunday and, as I was to keep all this a secret, I can now show a bit of the artwork above.

Click here and the episode can be seen from their website.

I attended the 102nd birthday party for my dear friend Lucile Fair in Orlando. Above is Lucile, me and the card I presented to her signed by the 8 other cartoonists (Jeff Bacon, Jeff Keane, Ed Steckly, David Mowder, Milburn Taylor, Bill Hinds and Rick Kirkman) who were also in San Antonio, Texas, the week before.

That afternoon had tea with James Saunders and Dena Wild (sketched by me above). Also there was a friend of Dena’s whose name slips my mind, as names always do. Knowing James for 30+ years and Dena for 25 years is the only reason I remember their names!

Later I met up with Ken Culotta at a Denny’s to gag some gags!

Haven’t posted many caricatures recently for various reasons. Here’s one from many drawn last night.

Above is a caricature I drew of this Army hero, Jesse. I have Jesse as a hobbit trying to use his computer skills to defeat the dragon as Gandalf loses his patience with the slowness of the digital world.

Cartoonists gathered at the Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra, Florida, to welcome home 500 Army soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. We were part of a Yellow Ribbon event put on by The Florida National Guard. The cartoonists attending were Michael Jantze, of the comic strip ‘The Norm’ and teacher at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Don Perlin, co-creator of Ghost Rider and at one time or other has drawn most of the Marvel superheroes, and Aaron Olson, National Guardsman himself and student at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Above artists Aaron Olson, Michael Jantze and Don Perlin draw for soldiers. Don’s wife, Becky is at the the end.

After the soldiers had gone Dana, Aaron’s wife, and Aaron Olson speak to Major Sarah McLevy, who did a great job organizing the huge event. Seated is Michael Jantze, drawing a Hulk cartoon for the Major.

Me, Michael Jantze, Arron and Dana Olson.

Part of an Illustration I’m working on for Florida attraction, Gatorama. Learn more about clicking here.

We wrapped up our work in Glades County by attending the annual Florida Trail southeast regional conference that was held at the Fisheating Creek Campground. Woke up to dragon flies hovering outside the place we were staying. So I sketched as they hovered.

I went to the edge of the creek where the canoes are launched and sketch the drawing below.

Today is Jacob’s 15th birthday. Amazing but true, for those who know what this is about. I had lunch with my father at Steak and Shake. The sketch (First I’d done in the sketchbook for almost 2 months) is of gumball machines at the restaurant. Later I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend some time and talk Orlando history with my 101 year old friend, Lucile Fair. Later Met with Tex Ann and Bob Buck to work on Orlando Remembered display. Still later met up with ol’ Ken Culotta and worked on gags at a Denny’s. Below is a photo from that meeting.

Sandra’s parents celebrateda big 49 years together. Many congratulations to them! Above is a part of the card I painted for them.

Being the Florida Chapter Chairman of the National Cartoonists Society meant putting on the annual meeting. It started on September 11th with a reception at the Hilton in Ocala. The next morning there was breakfast and the business meeting.

We had a terrific room for a business meeting, thanks to Debbie Fulgoni and the folks at the Hilton. Our usual 20 minute business meeting turned into a 2 hour workshop. In the photo from the lower left & around the table is Jose Delbo, Linda Gialnella, Ann Sabo, George Peiper, Bruce Beattie, Eddie Pittman, Tom Armstrong and Dana Sumemrs.

Afterward we moved on The Appleton Art Museum for the opening of ‘Florida Inkslinger- Cartoonists of the Sunshine State’. I assisted the opening by giving a short talk and draw on creativity.

I left the Appleton and stopped at nearby coffee shop, Chelsea Coffee, to slow down a minute and join Sandra, Ann Sabo and Dick Daniels.

I was very fortunate to have former Tribune Media Services cartoon editor, Mark Mathes, come and speak to us about the future of our business.

Mark’s daughter came also and asked cartoonists for an autograph. Dana Summers, editorial cartoonist of the Orlando Sentinel and the comic strip ‘Bound and Gagged’ obliges.

After dinner gag cartoonist George Peiper speaks to cartoonist/illustrator and gag writer, Mike Osbun, and his wife, Jackie.

Comic book artist Jose Delbo and his wife Maybelle take a peek through Mark Mathe’s dauhgter, Rachel’s book of collected art.

Mark Mathes listens as Tom Armstrong talks shop. Tom’s wife, Glenda, is behind him.

One of the big surprises coming from the Appleton event was the appearance of Earl Engleman, one of the most prolific gag cartoonists in the past few decades. Earl and his wife, Shirley, just came out to see the exhibit and stayed for dinner. It was great to uncover another professional cartoonist in Florida!

Picked up brochures with the artwork included last Friday, the 19th, from a new used book store on Bumby Avenue in Orlando. Thought you all would enjoy them.

All are from boating brochures involving Florida. I use like this art and wish more brochures had it today. We stood in the Welcome to Florida building on US 95 a couple weeks ago. Throughout the facility there was no illustrative artwork to be found on the brochures. Almost all photographs and digital graphics. The very few exceptions included one by me of the history of movies in Florida.

Sandra and Rob made their way to the Suncoast Inkslingers meeting in Pinellas County. It was held at writer Sandy and brainy scientist/bass choral singer Bill Huff’s large property.

Above is a film of Rob cartooning a suggestion by Ron Johnson at the meeting. Sandy Huff broke open a pile of sketch pads and colored pencils. Rob took advantage of them. Under the film is the drawing Rob drew. Ron is telling a story of an interesting encounter, if you can hear it.

Below is a photo of some attendees: Kurt Wright, Jim and Dan Smith.