Illustration Friday: Ice

Here's an old greeting card illustration I did of snowmen camping and doing their version of roasting marshmallows. 

21 Day Drawing Challenge: Day 1

I just started the 21 Day Drawing Challenge by Von Glitschka, from Lynda.com. I doubt I'll be posting these every day, but I'm really excited so far and couldn't wait to share my first piece. Our first challenge was to draw a cat. My solution was to come up with an image that conveys my own fondness of cats and of what great companions they are (contrary to popular misconceptions!). I also took the opportunity to experiment a bit more with my approach to digital coloring, which I found very rewarding. Somewhere along the way, I got inspired by the old animated intro to My Three Sons, which helped me to go for a more elongated composition. I think it helps to convey the relationship between the cat and his owner more from the cat's perspective, which is fitting since "cat" was the prompt for the day's challenge. 

Desert Mountain Biking, Hallucinations, and Sushi

Here's my latest work for Utah Adventure Journal. It's always fun to illustrate something that references hallucinating since it's basically a licence to take things a bit farther than I would otherwise. Below is a work in progress shot with my awesome Huion LED lightpad.

The Domesticated Outdoor Man

Latest work for Utah Adventure Journal. 

Ascent Magazine: The Beer Factor

Here's one I did for the latest issue of Ascent magazine. For some reason I had a lot of fun drawing the footprints in the snow.

Integrity Golf

Illustration for the recent Winter/Spring issue of Integrity Golf magazine, for an article about a proud dad supporting his adopted daughter on a junior golf tournament.

Can't Hurt Me: Utah Adventure Journal

I'm pretty eager to put winter behind me, but before I do, I've still got a couple of snow-themed illustrations to share. This one was for an article about the death-defying outdoor hi-jinks men perform, but never tell their wives about. (In this case, ignoring the avalanche warnings for the day.)

I love when I get the chance to have elements break out of the frame, and the avalanche seemed like a perfect opportunity to do just that.

T-shirt design for Ascent

Here's a t-shirt design I did for a new publication called Ascent Backcountry Snow Journal. It's almost enough to make me miss the snow, but not quite!

Utah Adventure Journal: Goodbye to Used Gear

Spot illustration for Utah Adventure Journal.

Tee Time and Tailgating

Here's an illustration for another newly-launched magazine, Integrity Golf. The article is about how football and golf pair up nicely among sports fans, and the art director wanted to see some fans tailgating on a golf course. I figured naturally they would choose to tailgate out of the back of their golf cart. You can read the full article online here.

Ascent Magazine: Tales Left Untold

Editorial illustration for the newly-launched backcountry ski magazine, Ascent. You can check out the online version of the magazine here.

Curse of the Beercation

Latest work for Utah Adventure Journal for an article called "Curse of the Beercation." According to the article, microbrewery tours and early morning kayaking don't really mesh well together. Who knew? 

Below is the sketch that got approved along with an alternate idea for a zombie-themed illustration featuring drunken hipsters on a microbrewery tour.

Da Agony of Da Outdoorsy Feet

Recent illustration for Utah Adventure Journal for an article on uncomfortable outdoor footwear. I had no idea rock climbing was so hard on the feet!

Road Trippin' Maps for Blue Ridge Outdoors

Here's a couple of cartoon maps I did for the July issue of Blue Ridge Outdoors for an article highlighting various outdoorsy road trips along the Blue Ridge Mountains. The top map even includes my first-ever celebrity likeness, Paula Deen (y'all!), for her Savannah restaurant Lady and Sons. 

#yurtlife

Latest work for Utah Adventure Journal about the difficulty in disconnecting from our online life long enough to enjoy real life. #yurtlife

FORE Magazine: Pace of Play

Here's a piece I did for an article in FORE Magazine, put out by the Southern California Golf Association. The story is about efforts being made to encourage golfers to speed up their game a bit. Below are some of the sketches I did that didn't make it.

And here's a digital tear-sheet:

Ski Dreams: Utah Adventure Journal

My latest illustration for Utah Adventure Journal, for an article about a guy dreaming of the upcoming ski season.

Comic Ground: Cartoons for Common Ground Magazine

San Francisco's Common Ground magazine is leading up to it's 40th anniversary with an issue devoted to the importance of humor. Editor Rob Sidon, who knew me from my days doing comics and short animations for a meditation center in India, called me up to ask if I had anything on hand. Alas, I had none. But that didn't stop me from putting pencil to paper.

The first one I did is a variation on an idea I had for a Grumpy Cat meme playing off Ekhart Tolle's The Power of Now. The second one, like most good humor, is actually based on a true event.

You can check them both out, along with the the whole issue, here: http://www.sopdigitaledition.com/commonground/#/20/

Latest Map: The Great Eastern Trail

Here's my latest work for Blue Ridge Outdoors: a map of the Great Eastern Trail featuring some of the many highlights along the way.

Utah Adventure Journal: Shower Beer

This month's article highlights the rewards of a well-earned beer while showering after some serious outdoor adventuring.