Headed over to Silver River State Park about 5 miles. Above is a sketch from across the Silver River at the boat landing at the end of the River Trail.

After that I took the Fort King Military Trail. Below is a sketch from that I added color to.

At the boat launch all these little children were squealing about seeing a turtle. The softshell poked more of his head out and part of his body. He was a huge sucker. I pointed out to the little folks that the turtle was about the size of a little red head there and he was probably hiding under the launch to keep away from hungry gators. Their eyes got all big and scampered back so they might spot the shy critter again. Below is as much of the turtle I could get in a photo.

There’s more about this hike at Swampy’s Florida.

My newest Florida illustration! Prints available soon!

A very busy past week. Above is one of many completed pieces.

We had a book signing of ‘The Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year, 2010’ at Barnes and Noble in Orlando at the Colonial Plaza. Myself and Dana Summers, editorial cartoonist for the Orlando Sentinel, first had a cartoon talk about the business. Below are photos from the event. Many thanks to old friend Richard Scott for taking many of these photos.

Here I am talking about something of other.

Here’s Dana!

Here’s me and my old friend who I went through grade school with, Richard Scott.

The towering Mitchell brothers, fellow cartoonist Dave and Gary, over the diminutive me.

My old buddy and gag writer, Ken Culotta joined us and signed books, too. Here he speaks to Dana and Dana’s friend Michael Bell.

Dana signs the book by drawing a tall Obama.

Fellow cartoonist/ comic book artist, Orlando Pagan, stopped by.

Dana passes along advice to a fellow. Robert Baurle came by. Robert, Ken and I often get together and discuss politics and joke around. Robert is brilliant about the geo-political world and is planning to start blogging about it. I look forward to his writings and his thoughts!

Here’s a group shot of us who care about politics!: Dana Summers, Ken Culotta, myself and Robert Baurle.

I drew this for Diana Pittiger and the Simon and Simon Fan Club of the character, Rick Simon, from the television series of the 1980’s, ‘Simon and Simon’.

Here’s a caricature of my friends Kritine and Mathew from this past weekend.

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.