Happy Mother’s Day, 2018! I couldn’t do what I do and dream what I dream without my wife by my side or my mom (and all the other women in my family) supporting, encouraging, teaching, and raising me. I love all of you and I can’t put into words my gratitude.

Time for a peak at this year’s card!

The dragon kids are a year older. I try to go through pictures from the previous year and find one that represents something special-a place, a moment, an event-and then I try to capture it in pen and ink. And Copic. This is our kids posing with the “hollow tree”. It’s just this old tree with a rotted out core they found when they were much smaller. It’s along a favorite hiking trail on the mountain we live on, and every time we pass it, they climb inside (as long as they still fit) or stand around it for a photo opp. It’s going to be a bummer when the tree finally falls over. I’m quite surprised it hasn’t yet.

I enjoy comparing the cards from year to year and seeing how my style and technique have grown and evolved (here’s a handy link to a search of my site where you can find all the previous years’ cards). This one was fun and challenging, trying to capture the dappled light without making things too “busy”. As the dragon Grays have gotten older, it’s starting to seem weirder that they don’t wear any pants…I’ll probably have to think about that at some point.

Anyway, in case you haven’t noticed, it’s been a spell since I’ve posted here. Again. That’s kind of how I roll, unfortunately. I’ve spent some time working on the house (we finally have something resembling a home and less a construction zone, 12 years after starting the addition), but there’s always more to be done than I can feasibly tackle. I’ve held off on adding another shirt to the Etsy store. There was an older design I was tweaking, not sure where I’m going with it right now. I’m almost done with a brand new design, but it’s one of those images that I will forever feel the need to futz with (I may just have to say I’m done, because I might just be spinning my wheels at this point). I decided to do what lots of other artists do and filmed myself drawing. I’ve edited the video together and sped it up, put together a sweet little into and outro that can be used with future videos, now I’m just waiting to hear from the licensing department for the music I used. I may just use some of the license free options rather than wait much longer, though the current music selections work really well with what I put together. I don’t know if there’s an audience for watching me draw and ramble on, but, I spend time watching other artists work, so maybe someone will feel compelled to watch me. And then go buy my shirts. That’s the secret goal, anyway: attract more eyeballs and generate more customers.

In other semi-related creative project news, I’ve worn and used my two wool coats on a few campouts, and I have practically lived in them around the house (when the weather is cold enough, which it has been a lot, lately). I’m pretty pleased with the way they function and fit. I have a few tweaks to make to each of them, a little more video footage to shoot, then I’ll slap together something for YouTube. I’ve also been sketching out some plans for my super awesome Every Day Carry (EDC) bag. I think I can come up with something that’s different than what’s out there in certain niches, but also very functional and useful. I’ve been using Sketchbook Pro in the iPad again (I hear Sketchbook is now free across the board, tablet and desktop?! Check it out if you haven’t already, it’s a great program). While it still wouldn’t fit my needs for comic making, it is fantastic as a sketching app, as well as for some industrial design. The mobile version isn’t overburdened with options, and everything is quick and easy to access. It’s fun.

So, that about wraps up this here post. I still have too many ideas, too many projects, and too little time. Of course, a side problem that doesn’t make any sense is that when I find myself with time, I don’t know where to start, unless I’ve already had a project going. There are some projects that I’ve been wanting to do, but haven’t, even when I’ve had some time. Switching gears and getting my head wrapped around the next project is often challenging, and when I think I’m finally ready…I’ve run out of time.

Speaking of time, time to get this posted and get to work on something…