Did the caricature thing Saturday. Here are some photos from the fun event!

Artwork done today!

After a computer crash, getting a new one, new software, etc., I’ve fallen waaaaay behind in posting here. Gonna try to catch up this week. First, here’s a recent watercolor illustration I painted.

Due to an exchange on Swampy’s Florida Facebook page comes this drawing. Terisa Glover mentioned the Captain & Tenille involving this Swampy comic strip. And the mysterious Elvis Alligatori of Miami was also there. So, here is Elvis as the Captain and Terisa as Tenille with Swampy.

I meant to keep doing at least one sketch a week after the month long sketch-a-thon in March. So, here’s a couple. Below is a sketch of my favorite, Dean Martin that I did for Ustream attendee yesterday, Mrs. Grayson.

Was doin’ the caricature thing tonight in Orlando at the Orange County Regional History Center.

Since kicking off the Swampy’s Florida website/comic strip/etc started last July, I was hoping to introduce a coloring book. It all came together Friday evening at The General Store in Downtown Lakeland. Co-owner of The General Store, Teresa Glover, put it all together and also contributed a lot to the coloring book. Terisa’s little dog and a Downtown Lakeland icon, Sparky, also stars in the coloring book. Above is a photo of me, the coloring book and Sparky in front of The General Store.

Here’s the cover. If you’d like one, please contact The General Store in Lakeland (863-688-5900). It is currently the exclusive seller of Swampy’s 1st coloring book.

I did

In front of The General Store Friday night I did drawings to help promote the coloring book. The photo above is of me handing a drawing to June, who happens to double as Sparky’s manager (Negotiations with Sparky came down to kibbles and bits). Below is the only photo I took all night. It’s a drawing for one of the coloring book recipients.

I was pretty exhausted Friday night after the night before (See the blog entry before this one). So tired in fact that I did no Facebook or Twitter posts and took only the one photo of artwork above.

The Marion County Republican Executive Committee had our Lincoln/Reagan Day Dinner Saturday night and I contributed by serving on the planning committee and drawing caricatures at the event. Political talk show host and potential presidential candidate, Herman Cain, was our guest speaker. Before going out to speak to the assembled crowd Mr. Cain was out where I was in the corridor. He came up and asked if I drew black people. After a hearty laugh he sat down and asked if I’d draw him. So I did. Above is Mr. Cain, myself and the drawing I did.

What a very open, extremely friendly and funny person! And I don’t mean in a ‘Like Me- I Wanna Get Elected’ way. I’ve met and worked with a ton of politicians in 25+ years of working campaigns and I know the difference between going through the motions and being genuinely friendly. Of course, most all politicians become like that over time to some extent. You have to when you meet so many people, realize you serve the people you meet and have a career to look after. It’s not really a bad thing politicians shake hands and do their best to make you feel comfortable with them. Otherwise, they would be like me and admit they can’t remember everyone and apologize all the time, which doesn’t win me any votes. If Mr. Cain gets into the presidential race, eventually he’ll have to modify his meet and greet also. Right now he exudes an openness that is very refreshing.

Equally impressive is his staff, particularly Mark Block who was a key to setting up huge wins for Tea Party/conservative candidates in November’s Wisconsin races and  the challenges we see in the state house in Wisconsin today.

Below are two more photos. I’ve been off the past few days in my drawings. I felt it Thursday while guest speaking at a cartooning class. My friend, who visited the same class, noticed it also. I see it very much in these drawings. I gotta shake whatever fog is in my head and sharpen my pen and draw better.

The one above was one of the better drawings I did.

I have no idea why I put so much hair on top of Jan’s head. Again, my head is not translating well right now. By the way, Jan, above, and her partner Kay did a terrific job running an auction we had at our event. Turns out both also went to Rollins College.

New friend Mad Beitmann was speaking to me the Sunday before at Pine Castle Pioneer Days about how often she goes out and makes short videos. That gave me a kick in the backside to get going and get some done myself! So, while in San Antonio, Texas, I made a very short piece shading in a caricature I made of my cousin’s daughter. I will work to make a few a month.

Caricature painted while meeting folks in Land O’Lakes, Florida, last night, January 16th.

Today is jazz great, Dave Brubeck’s 90th birthday. Here’s a drawing I did of him a number of years ago.