Thursday, December 25, 2008

Happy Holidays from Bedford Falls


Last night, Julie and I watched good ol' IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE for the umpteenth time. Unapologetically sappy, sweet, and happy-ended. It remains one of my all-time favorite movies. So much sarcasm, pessimism, and negativity can bring a fella down these days, so IAWF is just what the dr. ordered. Thanks, Capra.

The final scene kills me, without fail, at each and every viewing. Tears me the heck down.


"To my big brother George: the richest man in town."

Sniff.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

We'll hitch-hike, bus, or yellow-cab it.

Moving right along. Things are going well. Even though the snow keeps rearing head, we finally invested in a snow blower... er snow THROWER (technically). Our awesome neighbor, Gary, helped me pick one out and also pick it up. Their car is a big one. And the operator's manual has a great drawing on the cover. No mo sno shovel...o.


Gearing up to finish this sketch deadline for Friday. In the final stretches just now. Bit like these joggers that're going into the book (click and zoom?):


Romy is, as of yesterday, no longer a premee. Her anticipated due date was always Dec 16 and there we are. She continues to rock and roll. Meanwhile, my hair approaches mullet status--in sick need of cut. Car screams for an oil change. Stuff like that. It'll get done. Babe first, man.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Back on the juice.

I'm having one of my first cups of coffee in weeks. I went off the junk for a good long while cause I didn't need any more reasons to be not at sleep. Plus I was afraid the coffee would blast on the sensitive stomach I was having for a while. But the groove is back and the sleep is somewhat regulated, so welcome back old friend!

I'm inching closer and closer to my approaching sketch deadline. It goes well. I have two weeks til due and I continue to chip away with each day. It's 50+ sketches for a very sweet prose poem novel by Julie Sternberg. B+W drawings, which are a personal fave. Another quick peek at a rough (click for a zoom):


I've got Barney and Friends going in the background. Gearing up for a more kid-friendly television environment. Is Barney what the babes are into these days? It's like eating spoon after spoon of sugar. I have a soft spot for Sesame Street. There will be Sesame Street in this house.

Julie went buck-camera wild with a very sunny afternoon, our cat Tobin, and baby Romy sprawled out on the floor. Here's a sample of her excellent photographings. This, a very Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling moment. And a fine day!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Workin Man

Don't you know it's hard out there for a new Pop? But the show must go on and I gotta get back to work. It feels great actually. Stretching me artistic legs again. Exercising that part of the brain and what not. I have a deadline that my editor, Tamar, at Abrams graciously let me bump back a few weeks to Dec 19. Well, I have a good bit done, but it's very good to have that extra room to breathe. Mmm, hey, here's a little rough I just scanned:


And our dear Romy is doing so well. She's 38 weeks old today (this including her in-womb time). In two short weeks she'll be up there with the term kids. Ah, my dear. How we love thee! Our hearts, our hearts!