5 years ago I was brought into a Bahama Breeze in Brandon to draw some caricatures. There was a restaurant event involving pirating. Per chance, I had been wanting to illustrate my friend, Linda Ellwood, family story of her early family members that settled during the pirating days in, what is now, Jacksonville.

Here is the illustration that I ad penciled and began to prep for watercolor. I had done all this and caricatures in a couple hours.I drew this on 19″ x 24″ Crecent board.

Later that week I added a bit more to it. Then I had to drive a couple mile somewhere. I was tired and not paying attention. When i got to the destination, I noticed my trunk was open. I had had the illustration in the trunk. It had flown out.

I spent a coupel hours trying to find it, but didn’t It was so big, it’s hard to imagine not seeing it. I have no idea what happened to it.

There is still a hope maybe I hadn’t put it in the trunk and maybe slipped it somewhere in the house.
Currently, I’m disassembling the house.
Maybe I’ll find it!

I’ll let you know if I do!

Martinis and Murder by Henry Kane
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I see folks often reviewing and complaining of books that show age. Almost always that is of political views. This is one I can point to that is making the mistake I see & hear in current video on television and movies. This book is thick with the lingo that floated around New York City at the time. So, even at that time, the book was hardly readable outside of New York City or such urban areas. I can get through it due to being so familiar with the period. I can’t see a regular Joe getting through this book at all easily.

The larger problem is the structure of the plot that is much as a drying swamp with dialogue being the cypress knees. A reader, today, trying to negotiate the book will often get hung up throughout and. likely, give up.

This is poorly plotted and the writing it too obtuse.

Bottom line: I don’t recommend this book. 4 out of ten points.

View all my reviews

From last evening, inked and painted during the live broadcast on my personal Facebook page.
More live drawing coming this week to my Cartoons by Rob Smith, Jr. and Swampy’s Florida pages.

Drew this live on my Cartoons by Rob Smith, Jr. Facebook page.
Made up as I drew.

I did this using watercolor and, after scanning in, adding a bit of digital color.
This was done to make cards for, but don’t believe that ever happened.

Please let me know if you’d like artwork like this.
My prices are very reasonable.

‘Doggie and the Moon’.

From last evening, inked and painted during the live broadcast. Plan to do the same tonight.

Inking with recently purchased Sipa Japanese brush marker and watercolor on Miller Pads and Paper 9″ x 12″ watercolor paper.