This is Verlon Eason who was playing piano at an event I was performing at.

While not travelling, I thought I’d post the pencils to a caricature that’s currently on the drawing board. It’s been approved. Next is ink and paint. I’ll post that when it’s finished.

It’s that time of year where I’m drawing the holiday party circuit. Not getting around much otherwise. I thought I’d toss a couple of photos of folks I’ve drawn in the past week. Above is Rachid and below are Delores and Richard, a couple I’ve been drawing for the 15 years I’ve entertaining at this event. They look terrifc and as dapper as fifteen years ago. Which gets me wondering: What’s happened to ME!!???!! Next time I gotta ask how they do it!

Being such a big fan of The Rat Pack, I’m very sorry to read of the death of Joey Bishop. Bishop was the last of the Pack living. I remember him oh so well guest-hosting The Tonight Show and his many appearance on television. After reading of his death I broke open a DVD set of his early ’60s TV show and played them as I worked.

The art is part of this weeks ‘It Takes A Village’ from the Glenn Beck site.

By the way, I’ve been couped up working on a very large project that I fianlly finished yesterday. It’s been quite a haul getting it done. But it is done. I can’t write much more about it. If and when I can, I will.

Today begins multi-weeks on the road for one reason or the other, so this blog should get more active beyond the books I’ve been reading.

I was sorry to hear of the death of another celebrity illuminary. She was great in many films. My favorite is her part in Frank Capra’s ‘Here Comes the Groom’. I love the scene of her and Crosby singing ‘In the Cool, Cool, Cool in the Evening’. One of the funnest scenes in film.

We stopped at the ice cream social being held by the Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association in Green Acres at a giant park that is adjacent to the Florida Turnpike. Sandra got to see a lot of old friends and, having my caricature equipment with me, drew attendees.

Amongst those I drew is the oldest member of the Floirda Trail Association, a fellow named Henry, who is 92 years old. That’s him at the top.

 A quartet came to the James A. Haley V.A. Hospital in Tampa. Cartoonist, Tom Armstrong, his wife, Glenda, mayself and my brother, Jeff, all came to bring a bit of cheer to our greatest American heroes. Tom, who draws the comic strip Marvin, and I were guided though the many cooridors by the V.A.’s Steve Wilson, who is very good at keeping the area he’s in very bright with his sense of humor.

We saw many service folks and their families. Tom drew Marvin and characters along with a hilarious Elvis for a ’50s music fan. I drew caricatures. We had a great time.

The photo is of Tom, V.A. volunteer, Helen, and myself and the drawings she received. Helen is about to celebrate 35,000 hours of volunteerism. That’s over 21 years of work. Wow! I urged her to make it to 100,000 hours!

Had dinner with friends in Jacksonville at a Mimi’s Cafe near the University of North Florida. I was fortunate to be able to dine (From left to right) Don & Becky Perlin, Ed & Emmy Hall and Marsh Moreno. Good food with the exception of the very long hair that was literally tightly wrapped around a porkchop of Ed’s.

Lots of cartooning gab since most of us are cartoonists. Don is a legend in the superhero arena, drawing everybody from Ghost Rider to the Defenders. Ed Hall is a prolific editorial cartoonist who’s with the same syndicate I am. Marsh Moreno is a hotdog caricaturist who has drawn one of the best caricatures of me ever drawn. Wives Becky Perlin and Emmy Hall had to endure another evening of cartoon talk!

Drew more caricatures today at a different event. Here’s the very last fellow I drew. I had to get this out quick, so it’s a pretty simple drawing. The fellow likes to cook, sample wines and enjoys a good steak.

This ended seven hours of straight drawing at two different events. Was I pooped! But there was still more to do! See the next posting!

I drew quite a few caricatures at an event today. I thought I’d include a person and the drawing. The lady was born October 31st and is fascinated with ghosts, mythical creatures and outer space doings. She also is a railfan. She loves to go to the Winter Park, Florida, train station and watch trains when she can.

I took that info, along with my knowledge of the Winter Park train station, the history of the tracks and of Henry Plant who many years ago helpped establish train travel through the area,  the park across the tracks, the sometimes forward squirrels in the park, and a random space alien observing it all.

I visited my old friend/cartoonist/caricaturist, Charles Treadwell, at the Disney Village Marketplace (or whatever they’re calling it today). We talked about his various projects and other art stuff. Charles has been very prolific from drawing caricatures, comic books and creating storyboards. Charles is by far one of the best creative thinkers I know.

I also briefly visited with Jack Marler, also a caricaturist but also an otherwise incrdible fine artist.

Here’s a drawing of Charles capturing one of a myriad of expressions he’s capable of.