Old but cool

I found this clipping from last year featuring "This Green House" which I illustrated. Its from the What's Hot Now section of In Style magazine. Apparently, my drawings are as cool as a water bottle... awesome.

"History of the World" peice

For my upcoming show History of the World I'm doing a series of drawings based on my ideal/projected midlife crisis. (I figure its going to happen so I might as well put some planing into it) It basically involves me driving to Stewart's in a classic, Japanese car and eating some of their fine products. This particular zen moment involves a 1972 Nissan Hakosuka Skyline GT-R and some Ice Cream... probably Philly Vanilla or PB Pandemonium.

2010 A Tape Odyssey!

Another peice for Under The Radar magazine. As you may know, indie rock labels are apt to have special releases of their bands albums on vinyl. Well apparently, 2010 saw a resurgence of cassette tapes of all things! Now you kids may not know what to do with the retro items because they don't fit in your Iphone or whatever but some of us can still play them in our cars and are quite fond of them. Obviously, I was thrilled to get the assignment based on these little plastic gems. After toying with a few sketches, I made the obvious(?) connection between the return of records and tapes and the film 2001 A Space Odyssey. So I made the tape the monolith which in the film, makes a few grand returns when ever humanity needs a little push in the right direction. I also gave the record a "Hal 9000" eye because, lets face it, Hal is great. I would like to thank Wendy for letting me totally nerd out with this one, although I get the feeling I didn't have to twist her arm!


So anyway, I love tapes. In fact, tapes are responsible for one of my most awesome moves ever! I was at a friends house sometime during my high school days hanging out. We didn't say chillin' then. Naturally, I was drawing a picture of Spider-man or something when my pal says "Hey throw this radical tape in the boombox gnarly dude!" Before I can look up from what I was doing, I hear the tell-tale "clacka-clacka" of some punk-rock jams flying through the air. Did I panic? Oh no. My hand shot out like a cobra and I snatched that tape out of mid-air without even looking up! We both were like "Whoa Dude!!!" Like I said, it was one awesome move.

Another New Client... Bloomsberg Businessweek

New illo for a new client... Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine feature on Alloy Media and their grip on the teenage market. I have to admit, I was very pumped to get this as I am in fact a secret Gossip Girl fan. XOXO

Apparently, Alloy is moving into "webisodes" which you can watch on something called an "Ipad". Sounds a little new-fangled to me but the AD, Rob Vargas assures me these are real things that the kids are down with. At least he let me draw the text in instead of using one of them photo-chops. I also used to rough to get a shot in at Drew over at "this is you"... http://thisisyounothisisyou.blogspot.com

New Client, In These Times

Cover illustration for new client. "In These Times" is a political magazine for progressive folks and actually, one I check in on quite often. (If you're a lefty like me, I suggest you do the same) Anyway I was given the honor of the November issue cover based on a story on unenthusiastic democrats "saving their ass". Naturally we went with a donkey and after a few thoughts, settled on a straight ahead, unenthusiastic ass not putting on much of a political show. Thanks to Rachel Jefferson for supporting my ass... It's very fun to say ass a bunch of times and still be professional by the way.

This is you. No, this is you

Drew

Me

I am pleased to announce a ridiculous collaboration between myself and ancient foe/best pal, Andrew Degraff.

http://thisisyounothisisyou.blogspot.com/

Not only is he an stellar artist/illustrator but Drew is also a jerk like me. We have long been friendly rivals and like to beat each other up through drawin'. "This is you" was the most common insult our powerful minds could muster and is thus the title for our dumbness project. Please visit and enjoy. All of these works will eventually be shown at an exhibition in Spring 2011. The Asthmatic Gofer will not be for sale... I called dibbs like way long ago.

Duuuuuuhhhhhhh.......

Here's what happens when I try to write an artist statement for an exhibition I will be in...

Notice how I had to shoe-horn a letter into "procrastinate" because I can't even spell. Maybe I shouldn't try to write the smart-stuff in my sketchbook anymore.

Cover for Building Magazine (UK)

Brand new work just delivered this very morning... Cover image for Building Magazine in the UK. It relates to a story of a long established and famous English survey firm being bought up by American Giganti-corp (don't you hate how we always do that!) The wad of buildings they've worked on is representative of the legacy they'll leave behind. Thanks to AD Sam Jenkins for job and the request for bold color. I admit I got the scheme from one of my kid's toys but I think it looks good and really helps the image to pop. I'll have to reference My little Pony more often.

Its only after posting that I realise I'm repeating the pink halo from the image below... isn't that interesting? No, I'm not so sure it is.

Something's missing...

At the risk of turning this into some kind of sports/art blog (after all that soccer) I just have to say that listening to the Yanks on the radio is not the same without an occasional "Thilla from Godzilla"

VIVA LA VUVUZELA!!!!

Well, that's it. No more world cup to talk about with people that don't care what I'm talking about.

Oh Vuvuzela, how I shall miss your sound of a thousand bees operating palm-sanders.

There's something about big foreheads and baldness...

...that facilitates sweet goals! Think about it. Donovan and Bradley get a few for the US, Iniesta puts the whammy on the Dutch in super late extra time and in the last world-cup, Zidan headbutted that dude in the chest! While that last one was not technically a goal, it was still awesome.

As for the final itself, I thought for a moment that it would all end in penalties, which is always dumb. But thankfully we were sparred by a very pale, bald man. We watched the game at home and had an excellent Skype party with My wife's sister and Spanish brother-in-law back in London. Their house was full of Spanish pals, a few Dutch neighbors and of course my Niece and Nephew. It made for a rowdy good time even if our house was nearly empty and quiet for nap time. I wish we could have been there with them when they won but this was the next best thing.

What up, Slick!

New piece for Delaware Today magazine about a hypothetical oil spill off the coast of... well Delaware. Kelly Carter, super AD asked for less graphic imagery than the shock-horror of the oil-soaked birds and dead turtles we been seeing a lot of lately. So I went for a calm, natural-history type image of the State's famous Horseshoe Crab and the shine of the oil on the water.

Donde esta la Meta!?

So far, so bad for "El Nino". Spain's super foot/heart-throb Torres has yet to score in this Cup. Lets see how he does in the next match... just a few hours away. As I am now a Spanish fan by default I'm hoping he breaks the streak.

Those familiar with our Spanish friend here will remember his wacky, ultra Euro style, teenage superstar blond hair-do. I think his problem scoring is a direct result of his returning to his natural, un-dyed state and a relatively average cut. Yes it is still sticky-upy but sometimes, thats just not enough!

Georgia on my Mind

I'm am in the midst of a problem... An old friend of mine if getting married in Georgia this August and it is not within the family budget for us, or even me to fly. So that leaves driving right? Well, the long haul does not appeal to the gals and I cant say that I blame them. So I'll just blast down, catch up, enjoy the company of a crew of people I dearly miss and return to the Troy-let. Hmmm... We only have one car and I cant leave my gals vehic-less while I'm whooping it up with my old pals on the beach. No dough for plain ticket, no dough for second car right? Wrong! Here's the plan...

I'm looking for a rich benefactor who is willing to trade a painting or other art sundries for a fully restored, Turbo charged 1974 Toyota Corolla with deep dish wheels, fender flares and a two inch drop on the suspension. Speed, style, fuel economy... it's all there. It's fool proof!

I'll be awaiting your offers.

Bitter rivals now just bitter

USA knocked out... that sucks... I guess it's England now. Alright, come on Lads!... oh, umm... How about our Mexican neighbors?...no?... hmmm... Ireland? No they're never in it... so that leaves the mighty kingdom of Spain in honor of my Niece and Nephew! I am officially a Spanish supporter for the time being.

At least I can watch the games now with out actually tasting my blood pressure.

The Family That Rocks Together...

Full page and two spots for Under the Radar magazine accompanying an article on Parent/Musicians. You may recall from the post of my dog in a tutu that I was looking for picture reference of my daughter asleep in her stroller. Well, this is what it was for but I abandoned the stroller for the more intimate baby-bjorn. For some reason I went through 3 versions of the main image before getting it right. Sometimes I guess it just takes a few duds to clear the way for something you can be happy with. Thanks to Wendy Redfern, Creative Director (also an amazing photographer) for the sweet job and the room to try some new angles.

Whatta' Guy!

Landon Donavon has officially landed a place in American hearts as "isn't that that soccer guy?" To soccer fans however, he is officially gnarly and quickly becoming Captain America.

But he's just a boy!

The lovable and cuddly Kaka of Brazil pleads innocent (...because he was) but gets sent off anyway after his second yellow card during a crappy finish to a scrappy game against Ivory Coast. What do you expect from a game set up by the announcer asking "You wonder if two of the world's top coffee producing countries are ready to give the viewers a shot of espresso!"

A Lucrative Career in K9 Modeling Ahead?

I was searching for good picture reference of my daughter sleeping in the stroller for a current assignment but found this instead. Halloween 2008, I was rooting for the Pirate but my lowly man-vote was crushed by the girls! This pic was taken after she killed and ate the tiara... whatta maroon!

Worlds worst Ref?... mos' def!

USA versus Slovenia. "We the People" fight back from being 2 goals down at half-time to even the score with fantastic team play and truly beautiful shots. Then, with 3 minutes left... could it be... YES IT COULD! The winning goal! HOORAY! HOORAH! YIPEE! "Not so fast" says ole' poopy pants. "Due to absolutely nothing I hereby decree your goal to be null and void."

And he gave out seven hundred yellow cards... what the eff.

BEWARE THE GOOCH!

Next up on my little World Cup series is the Gooch. Oguchi Onyewu is my new favorite player on the US team. If you come on our half of the field he will kill you and eat your leg. Hence, monster green.

um... not so awesome

Wow... Poor sausage... England's Robert Green lets one through. A shot that quite probably, my 10 year old nephew could have stopped... Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

I love England dearly after living there for many years and I love seeing all of my favorites play. I'll route for them like my home team when they're not playing the US but c'mon!... talk about sweet redemption. After all the trash talk I endured from friends about the quality of American footie, I mean... really? It's too much.

Deep Thoughts...

Do you think that Lawyers and Doctors or other people with real jobs draw this kind of thing while watching TV? And Furthermore, do you think Batman ever actually gets nervous about standing up on one of those high ledges he seems to be so fond of. I think the answer to both has to "No". Otherwise humanity is lost forever... Think about it.

Well, I think its funny...

Let Me Clear My Throat!

New piece for Delaware Today magazine for an article on indoor air pollutants. Thanks to the awesome Kelly Carter, Creative Director for letting me have some fun with this one. Just goes to show you... Drawing birds all the time like some kind of dweeb can pay off!

Actually, this reminds me of a good point. In a great book called "Inside the Business of Illustration" by Steven Heller and Marshall Arisman (2 names every Illustrator should know), Arisman talks about the importance of drawing what you love or what your interested in. Not only in personal work but also incorporating them into assigned pieces. It will help you to form stronger concepts, produce better work and ultimately land you more jobs. So far its been one of the best pieces of advice I've picked up.

1 little bookie AH AH AH!

Another project that happened during the new baby era... I'm still catching up on posts. There are a few more on my main site but these two were my favorites. Drawings for a cheeky version of Dracula's diary "A Vampire's Diary" from Ivy Press in the UK. Fun project, it was nice to do some straight black and white line work.

New Piece for Malibu Magazine

Portrait of Chad Hurley, CEO and inventor of You Tube. Commissioned to go along side an interview in Malibu Magazine. While he didn't reveal too many interesting insights into his personality, it was mentioned that "Lets Get Down to Brass Tacks" is his motto. Thus, being terribly clever, I threw a box of tacks at his head. Actually the idea was that he is so focused on the tacks, he is making them float around like some kind of Jedi stationer. Thanks to Jason Rouse, Editor in Chief for the fun assignment.

I'm your huckleberry...

The post title refers to a line in the movie Tombstone which is as gnarley a western as you are likely to see and one of my all time favorites... but I digress. Here's some new pieces for Report on Business Magazine in Canada. Full page and spot for an article about the return to politics of David Dodge, former governor of the Bank of Canada. In a Clint Eastwood fashion he strolls into town to help clean house and kick some corrupt booty. Thanks to Domenic Marci for some great art direction and a very fun assignment. Roughs added for fun.

Blank inside for your message

We've now got greeting cards! Mix and match sets of five at our shop online! Check it out.

We've also got some notebooks and 2010 calendars... visit and enjoy!

This Green House

This is older news by now, seeing as the book came out in Sept 09' but I dont care... I'm still riding high off of this project

"This Green House" published by Stewart, Tabori and Chang, AD'd by the very nice Ann Stratton and designed by super talented Alissa Faden. Over 120 individual illustrations!! I had a lot of fun working on it and the finished book really came out nice. See a few more spreads on my site.

Happy Valentines Day!

Two different versions of my lovey dovey owls for mushy squishy valentine's day. The bottom image shows the final greeting card version with "hand did" type in place. Available on my Etsy shop if your interested. www.tomatocanstudios.etsy.com

Hello Again!! Jobs please...

Yes, it has been nearly THREE YEARS since I posted something on this thing. Though not without good reason... Here is my list of excuses with photo documented evidence.

1. Bought a dog... not much of an excuse I know but roll with it.
2. Make large and very difficult decision to move from London, UK to Troy, NY with new dog and now pregnant wife. Obviously I wasn't going to go by myself! Upon arriving in hometown, we buy our first home... which requires much work and time.
3. A whopping seven days after moving in, the awesomest human on earth is born! As you can imagine, that was quite an event. She also requires much work and time but quite frankly, why would you waste your time doing anything else.

Two years progress with zero time for illustration or promotion. I take what jobs land in my lap and steep in my new daddy-bliss. I spend any free time I have swearing at the house, which is more enjoyable than it sounds.

Now however, the swing has truly been gotten into and I am back into Illustration with a animal ferocity matched only by my tiny, weird dog! I'll post monthly from now on unless I don't. Next post will be the Illustrative highlights of the last few years.

Peace