My alien encounter.

Last Saturday night while all in the house were asleep, I sat watching a movie in the living room.


Out of the corner of my eye I saw long pale creepy fingers emerge from the hallway.


I turned my head just enough to see them grip the door frame. A chill went up my spine.


A small little head peaked around the corner. Time stopped. My heart raced. What was it? I was too scared to turn around. Aliens are real and here was one in the house watching me.


Then it spoke...



Never let a conspiracy theorist babysit your kid.

Saturday Morning Videos

May the grand poo-bah mother of all things creative, cool and hip forgive me.

This video and song had me watching MTV daily in the 80's and I became a junkie. I think the great MTV of legend ended in the early 90's once the first Nirvana video aired and daily life became TV drama.

You can act real rude and totally removed...

RISD flashback friday #8

This is a long one....

While a freshman at RISD in 1983/84, I became friends with Chris Shafer. He was an open comic book fan while I still remained a shamed one. I was scared to admit my love of them. I had a history of ridicule, especially being discovered in my high school junior year walking out of the "Hero World" comic shop at the local mall by fellow classmates.

One night hanging out in Chris' dorm room, he showed me some comic art he had done. I was blown away... not because it was good (which it was) but because it was page after page of a fully realized original comic book. I expected single drawings of Spider Man or Hulk (like I always did). These were his own characters, drawn and inked like a pro!

Most of it was his character, Obscenito: the dirty bunny. A human sized rabbit as a classic "noir film" detective. Chris said the best part for him was never knowing were each page would lead, making it up as he went.

I was inspired. His work showed the dedication and time of a serious student of comic book art I never met or knew of. Anything I had done before was just "fan" art. I went back to my room and started doodling my own character. I wanted my own created worlds to have fun in.

By Sophomore year I created, SCRUFF, an overzealous, dim-witted bear that was a wannabe amalgam of Indiana Jones and James Bond.



For fun I proposed to Chris doing a comic together featuring Obscenito and Scruff. He agreed and suggested we might make it an official "independent study project" and earn class credit. It was approved. We had to write and draw a comic book as homework for a semester... art school rocks!

Chris and I bounced off the walls one afternoon, writing the overall adventure and doodling a loose thumbnail for the entire comic. We locked in story/layout details 2 or 3 pages ahead of the one being finished on the drawing board. Chris would write the script while penciling the pages action. I inked them (yes, I was the tracer for any Kevin Smith fans reading this).

It was a great learning experience, our work did get better from page to page. I remember us talking about re-doing some as the project evolved. I look at now and want to go back in time and point out to myself the many problems I saw as great work.

Here are a few pages (those I could find).

Click on image to enlarge.


Our "independent project" sponsor/professor Judy Goodwin Sturges suggested we meet with a professional comic artist to review our work...we shouted, Walter Simonson! An alumni of RISD and one of the best artist/writers working at Marvel Comics at the time (or ever). Tom Seguros, former head of the Illustration Department, set up a meeting. We drove to N.Y.C. for a great experience I'll wait to tell another time.

It was a great time to be a comic book fan. In those years Frank Miller (300, Sin City) created the great Dark Knight saga. The term "graphic novel" was coined and self published comics started to grow chipping at the foundations of Marvel and DC.

I recall Chris and I both laughing at a crappy black and white self published comic once at the local shop. The art was silly and the story lame. We knew we could do better. I bought the first issue as inspiration and soon let it become a weathered torn up beer coaster. I eventually threw out. It was called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. That issue is now worth $250.00 dollars. Who knew?

Our project faded after earning our school credits that year and was never completed. My love for Scruff never did. After I graduated in 1987, he became a creative "comfort blanket" easing my separation pains from college. I continued to draw and evolve him in my own hoped to be comic book in 1987-88. He was rejected by all the small independent publishers of the day (one now a big time publisher)...

Click image to enlarge.

I then tried to sell him as a newspaper cartoon series. Because of the original project I loved Scruff with a rabbit partner. I created Wambo Wabbit as his sidekick. Inspired by Chris's character but more the typical comedic cartoon foil. It was rejected by all the syndicates.

Here are a few panels from a Scruff and Wambo adventure meeting King Kong's younger brother, Pete on Skull island.

Click image to enlarge.




In those years I would also drop my portfolio off at Disney Feature Animation and Disney Television Animation looking for work. It contained a lot of Scruff art. In 1990 Disney's "Tail Spin" series premiered featuring Baloo the bear from the Jungle Book as a globe trotting adventurer. Coincidence? maybe, but it sure took the wind out of my love sail for Scruff.

I really miss Scruff and may one day re -invent him. Seeing the old work I know why it was rejected but there is a solid character in him and adventures worth telling.

HGTV's Simply Quilts portfolio

In 1994 I was asked to design the set for HGTV's Simply Quilts by Weller Grossman Productions. At the time I was the art director & propmaster for the Carol Duvall Show which they also produced. I had never designed a set for HGTV (I inherited the Carol Duvall set from another designer) and jumped at the opportunity.

The design came with a challenge.

The new season of the Carol Duvall Show and the first season of Simply Quilts (being produced by the same company) was to be shot back to back. I was asked to design the Simply Quilts set as a re dress of the existing Carol Duvall Show set, which was scheduled to shoot it's next season first. Money and time was saved keeping the set standing without new construction. I was ordered to make look different and not change the lighting plan that already existed. I was given a day in between to do this, so one show could just roll into the other.

I accepted the challenge and designed a amish/rustic feel that everyone liked. The decor would instantly transform the old set.

Click on image to enlarge.


The main walls were the biggest problem. The quick change was tacking on wood paneling to create the warm, rustic feeling. The areas above it got a fast coat of sage green paint in under 2 hours. Easily repainted next year when going back to the Carol Duvall set.


In those days it was a 2 person set building shop in a backyard... my talented friend/carpenter, Greg Holleman and me. Greg alone built the posts, faux loft, demo table and pre made custom fit paneling for the walls. I focused on decor and other details including making the faux cast iron stove that sat between the chairs in the conversation area.

Shortly before the load in of the Carol Duvall set I was informed scheduling had changed. I was told I would have to transform the Carol Duvall set to Simply Quilts (and back again) every other 2 days...overnight. It was a long couple of weeks, but it happened, thanks to help from assists at the time Rob Lee, Chris Sullivan and Brett Winn.

The next year both shows thankfully each had independent shooting schedules. In the seasons after, the little details were asked to be removed and the design became a little watered down. The faux loft, hanging lamps and ferns were told to go away among other things. It still remained a re dress of the Carol Duvall set as of 1997 when I moved on from Weller Grossman productions.

I've noticed watching re runs of episodes after the years I worked on each, the Carol Duvall Show (at some point) got a brand new set. Simply Quilts looks like it continued to use the old set. Host Alex Anderson was always nice and patient with me and other crew new to quilts and learning at the time. When not showcasing a guest's quilts per episode we used Alex's to dress the set.

Sloane Pub Portfolio

Just added to my "portfolio" column, the ads I did for the Sloane Pub in Cleveland. I updated an older post from 2005 with some new (old) ads and bigger art. Here it is...

While living in Cleveland working on HGTV's "Room by Room". No more than 40 or so steps from my apartment was the Sloane Pub. It became my usual haunt. Kirt the owner asked me to cartoon Pub ads for the weekly newspaper called "The Scene". Many of the ads featured "inside" jokes or caricatures of the regular patrons and bartenders that I tried to make funny without having to know the people. Kirt was great, he never told me what the cartoon should be each week. Here are a few samples.



When in Cleveland, stop by the Sloane Pub and tell 'em Dave Lowe sent ya. Then they'll hand you my outstanding tab.

5 days in review.

Having not posted recently, here is the latest from the past few days...

Friday Flashback :
Due to work I missed doing a RISD, 20 years ago Flashback Friday post last week. So here ya go... what some in my family have called the John Hughes movie or Back to the Future picture from 1986 sitting outside my senior year room in Congdon House. I miss those "wayfarers" and I think the sneakers are still in my closet.


Saturday- The road to San Diego:

The last episode of the reality show I've been working on filmed in San Diego over the weekend. Shopping for decor went smooth but packing my car took longer than I thought...


After filling every possible empty space with flowers, props and bolts of fabric I hit the road later than I hoped.

Overnight road construction slowed everyone to a complete standstill for 45 minutes at one point as all four lanes were forced into one. Almost in San Diego being a little tired, I accidentally took the 810 freeway off the 5 freeway for a half hour before I noticed and went back. Once I finally got to the hotel around 2:30am, the front desk was closed and it took an hour or so to wake someone up to check into my room.

Even with little sleep, the next day went well and I got some needed sun working at a marina location.


The great WAX BALL Sunday:

After the drive home Saturday night, I took a nice long hot shower. Water got in my ear and drove me crazy. I tried q-tips, tissue and the classic hold your nose and blow thing. Nothing helped. The Fiancee suggested some ancient Italian cure of her people by putting a drop or two of rubbing alcohol in the ear that would evaporate the water. I fell asleep waiting for it to work.

The next morning I woke up totally deaf. She and I went to a close by urgent care. The doctor saw it was blocked by wax and they put in stuff to dissolve it. I was told q-tips are bad and I probably made things worse using one. Water was squirted into my ear to remove the wax followed by INCREDIBLE PAIN ! The pain shot through my jaw, neck and top of my head! They thought it strange to feel pain as I begged them to stop.

"But it's almost out" they said.
"Maybe but your taking something else with it!" I responded.

All the while the Fiancee blissfully read aloud pamphlet after pamphlet on various health concerns pointing out how I have every warning symptom in each one, including rickets and the black plague.

I gripped the table and let the procedure continue. Finally the wax ball came out with the nurse mentioning how big it was. There was also a "OOOOOOOO" moment when they saw why it hurt so much. I had an ear infection. The wax ball was huge, almost the size of a marble.
The nurse said she had seen bigger though. I was given antibiotics and sent on my way.

Monday, giant squids, my Sister and me.

My sister Monica and I share a love for TLC and Discovery shows on weird creatures, especially giant squids. The ancient mythical beast has been in the news often in the past year... being filmed alive for the first time and having the largest one ever discovered caught in a fisherman's net. Most recently a giant squid was found in the Atlantic Ocean, not it's normal habitat.

Monica has a cool giant squid design for sale at her online shop, Five O'clock Girl.


I ordered a shirt and a mug, they arrived yesterday and look great! You know, the coffee tasted better in a mug with great art on it!


Tuesday morning coffee:

Yesterday the Fiancee went to the store and asked if I needed anything. I asked her to pick me up some more coffee. This morning I went to brew a pot and enjoy from my new cool squid mug, I noticed she tried to be sneaky and make me healthy buying this...

This won't stop me...
I'll only drink twice as much now.
Nice try Fiancee, nice try... (insert evil laugh here)

T.V. History.

The reality show I'm working on films interviews once a week with the couple in that week's episode. I put together a small set for these. We normally do them at a hotel in Century City, but scheduling this week had us do them on a stage at a studio in Hollywood.



When I pulled up in front of the stage to unload my stuff, I noticed a plaque mounted on the wall.


I had to smile reading it...



I grew up watching "I Love Lucy" every night at 6pm on Channel 11 in New York. Sometimes my Mom would let us watch on the small t.v. in the kitchen during dinner. It was a favorite show we loved watching. It's strange to remember being a kid laughing at every episode , I would of never imagined one day working on that stage.

Inside there was many old behind the scene photos hanging high up on the walls (forgive the blurry pictures, taken with the a camera phone).




The stage was just like most old ones...dark, dusty and cold. Once I did my job putting up the "interview" set. It gave me time to imagine back 50 or so years. My set designer eyes plotted how the floor plan might of been and were Lucy and Desi's apartment was. It was fun to look at the old photos and try to figure out were the door Fred, Ethel and Mrs. Trumble made many an entrance.


I did some research and in those years, on that stage, the classic "candy factory" and "vitameatavegamin" episodes were filmed.



Right outside to the left was a tiny studio coffee stand...


called the "BABALOO" cafe.

Daily sketching.

My drawing is out of shape. I once carried my sketchbook everywhere. Now I just sketch for a few moments in a week. My t.v. work of late does not require much doodling, so it's easy to fall out of practice.

I've been working on drawing everyday for a little while with small self assigned homework. Sometimes it's from life, sometimes it's a great face from a magazine and sometimes, like 2 weeks ago...re imagine movie monsters from the 80's.

I liked were my version of Jason Vorhees from Friday the 13th was going.


The sketch inspired some needed digital art practice.


Click on images to enlarge.

Earth day Monday blues fix.

A classic audio clip.

RISD 20 Years ago - Flashback Friday #6

The ongoing series down memory lane every Friday to celebrate (or curse) 20 years since graduating the Rhode Island School of Design in 1987 continues. I neglected to post last Friday so today is a 2 in 1.

First though is an update to the Blues Brothers "air" band story from the previous (click on to read) Flashback Friday #3 . I found the pictures I mentioned, seeing more of the band in....

Click on pictures to enlarge.



Now, on with the flashbacks...

My friend and fellow 1987 alum Megan Jeffery inspired this series with her original RISD Flashback Fridays. Last week she posted a great picture of caricatures done by old friend Rich L. (click here to see). It reminded me of this one below I drew in the summer of '84, missing my new college friends looking forward to the fall.... it even has Rich L. himself in it!

Click on picture to enlarge.

From L to R, back row- Lois, Lee, Eileen, Rich, Pete, Me and Steve. Front row- J.P., Juan(ita) and Chris.

In that same summer my Father's work had him living full time in Los Angeles. He had spent almost 2 years bouncing between coasts and was just visiting us on occasion. It was decided to move the whole family from New York and go west to California. For me being at RISD meant upgraded from trains to planes going home for vacations.

In my sophomore year my Dad mailed me a ticket home for Christmas and attached the single greatest letter I've ever gotten. I have it framed now (because of the accidental coffee spill) and read often on occasion for a laugh...

Click on picture to enlarge.


...And yes, the envelope contained a name tag for me to wear, which sad to say I have lost.

Being an Uncle.

To be an Uncle is the greatest thing ever. In my case, I have a niece from my little sister.


Being an Uncle gives complete freedom. You can make up your own science, tell stories from imagined history and lay the seeds for a healthy teenage rebellion.

It's common to hear the description "crazy" before the title. That alone allows you to bend rules. Grandparents can spoil a grandchild but are obligated to teach discipline as wise elders. The Aunt usually becomes the parent's "go to" second in command and is forced to maintain discipline.

An Uncle remains free without much required. Your main job is to teach new things a kid can add to thier chaos creating arsenal. You are the brother of one of the parents and this continues the long held teasing/torture tradition of siblings.

The Uncle code...support the parent's rules, but teach the loop holes.

When you hear a parent say in surprise..."Your Uncle taught you that?" Your job that day is complete.