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