Great Commencment Speech by Laurie Anderson at SVA

I just saw this posted on Boing Boing's site and and to repost it. It is a wonderful speech and Laurie Anderson is an amazing speaker. In a way, she says a lot of the things that are said in the Neil Gaiman speech that went viral a couple weeks ago. (I posted it on the Cincinnati Illustrators Blog)

One thing they do not mention in either speech however (and perhaps that would not be the appropriate venue for such commentary) is the crippling amount of student loans that art students have these days (and students in general). It is almost impossible to start a decent art career $40,000 to $100,000 in student loan debt.

Usually as one gets older and further along in their art career, the younger generation is nipping at their heels (as it should be). Now these kids are completely hobbled by this incapacitating debt and it is a shame...

I feel really lucky to have gone to school when I did and it was still affordable. It seems like a number of forces have made that no longer the case and that needs to change.

I am not sure of the solution, but my heart goes out to those just starting out.

Spike meets the Catnip Plant

I bought a catnip plant for the catio and hilarity ensued... I need to re-pot it if it lasts long enough...

 Of course while Spike is goofing off, Miffy is the epitome of helpfulness... She is obsessed with my light table.

Today's Warm Up Sketch

Lots to get done today; but first, a bit of fun...

"Why the Possum has a Large Grin" Book Trailer at Last!!

I am so delighted to finally work with an author/musician. It made the trailer so fun! Yes, it is clear I watched way to many Warner Brothers cartoons as a kid...

I love this book; I hope people who read it enjoy it as much as I enjoyed illustrating it! (Out in Fall, 2012)

Finally Updated Pop Smoothie

You can finally read the exciting conclusion here to Dance Mom Wars!

Hopefully, I will be updating regularly now...

On the non-comic front, I have a ton of new art to show, introducing it slowly to avoid overload...

Another peek: A Warm Winter Tail

I am just starting on the book trailer for A Warm Winter Tail. Stay tuned! Although no explanation is probably needed, this is the squirrel spread...

A Little Doodle

A little doodle I did while my computer was restarting... (Yeah, I am getting a new one as soon as I finish this book, got to get ready for CS6...)

Wild Life of Elk Finalist for 2012 Benjamin Franklin Award

Good news everyone!
 

The Wild Life of Elk, has been named as one of three finalists in the 2012 Benjamin Franklin Awards competition, in the category: Young Reader: Nonfiction (8-12 Years)!

Wish us luck! 

http://www.ibpa-online.org/pubresources/benfrank2012_finalist.aspx