April 28, 2009

Here is a new illo, which I recently completed for the publication IndyKids. It's to be used in a double page spread coloring book, which is to be accompanied with their next issue. I was asked to illustrate a kid friendly scene, showing the determination and strong voices of various UC Berkeley students, showing a creative approach to protesting South American apartheid in the 1980's. It's quite an interesting and powerful statement...but I really don't expect too many of the kids to really understand, or even really care about the issues behind the illo...let's just hope it's a fun page to color.

April 14, 2009

(ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY...SEE BELOW)
Ugh, sorry for my disappearing act over the past month. On top of loads of traveling, I'm in the process of moving to Baltimore...so my precious blog did get kicked around a bit. Still though, I recently completed an illo for WIN Magazine, which is the publication for the War Resisters League. Simple b&w piece illustrating about the US military trying to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Gotta love the tree huggin.



ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY - FLEETING

The fleeting army of interstellar objects swooped in before the farmhand could escape. it all happened in a split second.



Don't worry, be happy...I'll be back with new posts shortly

March 15, 2009

I'm heading out of town for a few days, and will be taking a couple of days off from posting. Never fear my faithful Untilisaurus-heads...I will be back with a bang in a no time! Until then, I leave you with a simple observation only made possible from The Age of Prosperity!

The Age of Prosperity #15

March 14, 2009

I haven't attempted another character study in a while, so I thought I'd take a shot at a mother character. Always in cartoons, the odd ball mom seems to be a star, so my mother character is a hippie at heart with 21st century mentality. Go green, eco friendly, hippie-yoga mom...maybe she should date the washed up rock star dad. To see more character studies...click the character designs link in the TABS (below).

March 13, 2009

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY - LEGENDARY
Mr. Wilkenson was a LEGENDARY model citizen within his community. A successful elementary school teacher, president of the PTA, a volunteer police officer, church usher and big brother, he just can't resist the call of taking his little boy to his first baseball game. With the excitement of high and inside pitches, RBI line drives, and questionable calls at the plate, a few beers is the calling card for this sport of kings! I'm sure it's nothing he can't handle, right?


Still though, Mr. Wilkenson let's the booze get the better if him, and he is now remembered forever throughout the community not as the straight laced do gooder, but now as the legendary town drunk, who couldn't help but show his colleagues his wild belly hair. Eventually, when you think of the excitement that a night at the ballpark can bring, Mr. Wilkenson thought long about what he has done to his legendary status, and he like all of us came to realize that...it was totally worth it.

March 12, 2009

You know, one of these days, there will be an art director or whoever, who asks themselves, "I wonder if that Matthew guy can draw a super overweight guy, like those people who have the world records or something?" Then, soon enough they'll see this, and BOOM! I guess that's my only explanation on why I decided to draw this illo for today. Still though, it was quite a fun!

March 11, 2009

Today, I've decided to take a day off from drawing, just one. I feel that the industry isn't being completely fair to illustrators at the moment, and a day of rest is well deserved. I have many artist colleagues who's uniqueness and creativity aren't given as many chances in these dismal times. Still though, I've decided to post this spectacular proclamation I just found, in which illustrator Luc Latulippe finally gave a jab back for all illustrators currently in the recessions strong hold. I applaud Luc, for his first for his brilliant op-ed, but also his sheer bravery and strong voice.

EVERYONE, PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THIS! CLICK HERE


Still though, you can't curb your creativity for too long, so please check back tomorrow for a new fun Utilisaurus illo!

March 10, 2009

I know I intended to do an odd drawing of the typical every man with the typical every man fantasy of a suped up engine on his dinkly little lawn mower. Then, I soon realized that suped up lawn mowers are such a pain to draw!

March 09, 2009

Birthday celebrations are over, and now it's back to the grind of finding the best way to survive. Davey always falls into challenges that he's way not prepared for.

The Age of Prosperity #14

March 08, 2009

Today I'm adding a digit to my age, SO in celebration of the day of my birth, on the day or rest, on day light savings day, I'm giving myself the day OFF!

For your information, on the day I entered the universe, 99 Red Balloons by Nena was ruling the charts, and those economists we're predicting the future...and pretty accurately too! (see Time cover)


One more huge moment in history happened on the date in 1618, when the brilliant Johannes Kepler discovers the third law of planetary motion! Ironically, NASA just launched two days ago, the Kepler Mission, which is sending a new space telescope to search for Earth-like planets orbiting other stars. Through pursuing the scientific objective, the telescope will determine how many terrestrial and larger planets there are in or near the habitable zone of a wide variety of stars. This is a breakthrough in space exploration, and the human beings entire perception on the theory of our existence. The Hubble Space Telescope has detected bodies that are strikingly similar as Earth, and these discoveries were a stunner to the scientific world. Who knows where this mission will take us! Still though, a simpler celebration for today is that WATCHMEN is in theaters...entertainment is all around us at the moment!

March 06, 2009

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY - INTRICATE
Even through having multiple INTRICATE, interrelated facets, it still seems that EVERY TIME i get on the subway, I always end up beside the shrieking toddlers with unresponsive parents or the guy devouring buckets of KFC. You soon learn that even in a city of millions, with hundreds of routes, it still seems that something that can be so hard for an outsider to understand, is pretty much one thing...a plethora of pet peeves zooming below NYC's streets.


Interesting irony...if you create an anagram of this weeks word, "INTRICATE", you get, "TRAIN CITE", which i found comical, considering I'm citing some of my annoyances with the trains that I rely so much on.

March 05, 2009

With the cold weather still lurking around, Davey will try to milk the landlord for all he's worth! One of the greatest things is having your gas bills paid for during the dead of winter! Just make sure not to abuse your privileges! Oh...when will Davey learn?


To see the beginning to this genius scheme, see the post from February 25th.

March 04, 2009

Everyone knows the story of Howard Hughes, but more about his downfall into madness. He notoriously would spend months at a time completely quarantined in a room, watching reels of movies over and over, obsessing over every frame. In July 1946, Hughes crashed his XF-11 into three houses in a Beverly Hills neighborhood. Hushes sustained significant injuries, including a crushed collar bone, 14 broken ribs, and numerous third degree burns. As you see the many bottles of pills on his end table, many attribute his long-term addiction to opiates to his use of morphine as a painkiller during his indisposition. It is believed that this addiction compounded the symptoms of Hughes' obsessive-compulsive disorder.

He was surrounded by dozens of Kleenex boxes, which he continuously stacked and re-arranged. He wrote detailed memos to his aides on yellow legal pads giving them explicit instructions not to look at him, speak to him, and only to respond when spoken to. Throughout the duration, Hughes sat fixated in his chair, often naked, continuously watching movies, reel after reel, day after day. When he finally emerged in the Spring of 1948, his hygiene was terrible, as he had not bathed or cut his hair and nails for weeks. Many believe that during these months he was suffering a massive nervous breakdown and did not want anyone to know about it. Still though, even after leaving, he would soon return to various bouts of secluded madness, forever banishing himself from the public eye.

For me, the most interesting aspect of Hughes' neuroses was his heightened germaphobia. "Not only did he refuse to touch doorknobs, he imagined he could create a germ free zone for himself by means of what he called 'insulation,', layers of Kleenex and paper towels covering anything he touched. To prevent what he called a 'backflow' of germs, he mandated procedures for handling everything he came in contact with." from, Encyclopedia Neurotica, by Jon Winokur.

Due to his all over power among people there are no pictures of him in these times of madness. SO, I pretty much winged it with how he looked during these early times of intense seclusion. Hughes is such an interesting character in American history. We attribute so much on his modern and brilliant approaches to business, both in the motion picture industry, and more importantly in commercial air travel. He lived and suffered like this for the last thirty years of his life, to which many professionals credit Hughes for surviving so long while sustaining so many illnesses. He carried his empire close to the end, and only Hughes, in his utter brilliance, was able to find a way to keep it all afloat.

By the way, that's 5 Kleenex's each on the arms on his chair. Apparently, that's how he liked it.

March 03, 2009

OK, I swear...this will be the last pirate piece for a while. It's just that when you do a drawing of a pirate, there are TONS of different ways to illustrate the character and the scene. Quite a fun topic to explore.

March 02, 2009

I don't know about all you Utilisaurusheads out there, but here in NYC it is AWFUL out. We got a massive amount of snow last night, which always makes going out for anything absolutely MISERABLE! After getting to the office, the last thing you want to do is sit there, knowing you have to go back out in it hours later. Davey just got it out of the way, faked it with the boss, and went home to a toasty, comfy couch. You can't tell me that everyone hasn't pulled a fast one with the boss at least once in their lives? Hey, we all deserve at least one!

The Age of Prosperity #14

If you're digging the comic, check out AOP #1-13 throughout the Blog. Just click on the tag, "The Age of Prosperity" (below), and they'll all be in your face for enjoyment in less than a second! Thanks for checking em out!

March 01, 2009

Sweet! March! My favourite month of the year! Anyways, I thought I'd start of the third month of consecutive posts with showing more into my two day pirate fixation! I think it'd be super fun and interesting to learn more about these secluded dock/pier communities that existed during the golden age of sea exploration and travel.

February 28, 2009

Pirates are really interesting and visually spectacular characters, and I realized that I never drew any...not since I was a tot at least. There are a plethora of random people to draw...so get ready for more pirate attempts from time to time. We see some crow's nest action happening in this first piece.

FOR ALL YOUR BREEZY NEEDS, SEE YESTERDAY ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY POST.


On a random note, yesterdays Pearls Before Swine daily calendar strip was way to close to my personality. Not necessarily my failure at getting dates, but in all types social situations. I thought this strip was too funny not to post. Stephan Pastis...please don't sue!

February 27, 2009

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY - BREEZY
Though he was able to curb high high levels of Mysophobia with the impenetrable power of the plastic bubble, he was unable to prevent the larger problem...a nice summer breeze. I guess I have a little bit of Wile E. Coyote stored in my sub-conscious, due to the fact that the first thing I thought of bringing the whole drawing together was a cliffs edge. His impending doom left me laughing to myself at the drawing table.

February 26, 2009

I don't know why, but I love being in the super Hasidic areas here in Brooklyn. I think it's because I find different religions so fascinating, mainly learning more about the different lifestyles and various historic events. Anyways, my new agents office is in the Williamsburg area here in Brooklyn, so every week or two, I swear I sometimes feel like I'm in a different country or something, with a massive amount of Jewish establishments and everything written in Hebrew...it's a cheap "international" trip. Very fun.

February 25, 2009

Through the proclamation that, people who aren't experiencing the recession shouldn't complain about it, I say "go to town, Davey!" At least for me, he's become quite an enlightened face in these dismal times.

The Age of Prosperity #13

The Age of Prosperity #14


PLUS...The FABULOUS group of illustrators, from the US and Canada that I'm a part of, The Sketch Motel has DOMINATED everything that is the promotional mailer! Check out the PDF of the posters that were printed. Quite entertaining!

THE SKETCH MOTEL SUPER VILLAINS!

February 24, 2009

Happy Birthday to my good friend, Lenny Kenyon, for whom I made this illo. He mentioned really liking the post from January 8th, SO, i thought, in the spirit of the recession, this birthday deserved an original...because it cost me nothin!


If you look at the sketch, you'll see one little difference. I bet you won't even see it! Sarcasm is terrible when you're typing.

February 23, 2009

For years and years, he always remembered that on his first day at school, his mother made him wear the shirt with the stripes colored like the august grass, reminding him of the summertime shenanigans during his first period arithmetic class.

February 22, 2009

The Age of Prosperity #12

If only we all could be as smooth as Davey.

To see other moments of Davey wooing the ladies, check out the posts on February 15th & February 8th.

© The Age of Prosperity, 2009

February 21, 2009

This is a character that's been in my head for a while. I actually did a kid very similar to him in this illo from Louisville Magazine, so I thought a proper character illo was in order.

February 20, 2009

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY - INSTINCT
Even though the entrepreneur badge is part of the life force that is the badge sash, she couldn't resist her childlike instinct that is thin mints + consumption = pure bliss.

Reposted from February 12, 2009

On a really random note...I was going through my old piles of papers in my studio and came upon an illustration I did in college. I scanned part of it, cause I think it's still funny seeing chickens holding signs that say "wanker". It part of a piece from my thesis where I did a series of illos based on different Mad Libs that people did. good times.

February 19, 2009

With all the steroid drama that is drowning the sport that I truly LOVE, the commissioner of baseball might as well let all those giants living atop the beanstalks a shot at the pros.

February 18, 2009

But as he dozed, his teeth all conspired,
They’d had enough, they’d all grown tired.

A bicuspid cried, “Boys lets quit.”
So they packed their gums, skedaddled and split.

Gilbert woke just then and to his dread,
He found his teeth marching away, fleeing across his bed.


The third and final illo from the wonderfully creative world, "Little Gilbert Dentin Bleach", by my good friend Lenny K.

February 17, 2009

“You need to brush every night,”
“I’ll be checking, so do it right!”

“Now march upstairs right to the sink,”
“I’ll tuck you in, in just a wink.”

More from, "Little Gilbert Dentin Bleach", by my good friend Lenny K.

COME ONE COME ALL!!
Lenny entered a McNally Jackson’s first annual children’s book contest last month. Eight authors won. He is one of them.

This Saturday, Lenny will be reading “The Boy Who Would Not Brush” for a panel of judges, authors, and the general public.

Where?
McNally Jackson Books
52 Prince Street.
(Between Mulberry and Lafayette)
New York, NY 10012

When?
11:45 a.m

BE THERE OR BE A BIG OL' SQUARE!

To see more of Lenny Kenyon's entertainingly creative mind, check out his fun FUN blog!

February 16, 2009

Chomping, slurping, munching, nibbles,
Sipping sugar fizzies and rainbow tart dribbles.

You’ll be sorry young man, his mother warned,
“Heed what the Dentist said last Monday morn.”



Written by my good friend Lenny K, an excerpt from his critically acclaimed story, "Little Gilbert Dentin Bleach".

CHECK OUT LENNY K AND ALL HIS GLORY HERE!

February 15, 2009

So, here is the finished piece for the private commission I mentioned yesterday. I am very pleased with the result, and believe it will live as a great tribute to his feline companion.



Still, The Utilisaurus isn't all about the gloomy illos...so for a lighter touch, here is the newest strip from, THE AGE OF PROSPERITY!

The Age of Prosperity #11

© The Age of Prosperity, 2009


ONE MORE THING! As I was featured in my hometown newspaper this past week, another paper from the adjacent town reprinted the article, as well as including my Beatles illo. It's been really nice getting some recognition from my old community, and I'm very thankful.

February 14, 2009

I'm working on the finishing touches on a private commission, which can be seen here in the sketch phase. I was asked to do the piece for a person who's cat just passed, and who's sibling took it quite badly. My heart sure went out to this person, since I'm overly attached to my two kitties. I'll post the finish tomorrow. Happy Valentines Day you Utilisaurusheads!

Anyone interested in a private commission, please feel free to drop me an email, and we can discuss the project further!

February 13, 2009

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY-CELEBRATE

The only way he can think to CELEBRATE this turn of events is to forever capture his date in a photograph. The prom photo...a celebrated trophy for all the dweebs of high school!

Reposted from January 14, 2009

February 12, 2009

I don't know if the idea to draw some girl scouts came to me randomly, or was stored in my subconscious, but if you look back at the post from one month ago on January 12th, you'll see some boy scout friends...ironic?

Which of the two do you prefer? The Utilisaurus is sustained with lots o' feedback!

February 11, 2009

I know it's looking like our skateboarder friend here is going to acquire a broken RIGHT arm on this stunt...but don't be too quick to assume. I smell a 180 kickflip in action over the staircase...I'm sure he'll land it.



Oh, by the way...That's the cartoon character Bloo from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends on the bottom of his board. I love that cartoon character, and he was on my mind when I was drawing this earlier.

February 10, 2009

Geez, I don't know where I was going with this one! I know I planned on going in to the drawing by just doing a diseased kid in a bubble or something, but soon I was thinking all Wile E Coyote like with the cliffs and whatnot...then it soon turned into a kid, in his germ free bubble flying out of control near the cliffs edge. I know the classic Wile E. Coyote/Road Runner scenes involves complex and ludicrous devices from a mail-order company, the Acme Corporation...but I'm sure an in-expensive, simple plastic bubble would've been the perfect solution!

February 09, 2009

Yesterday concluded the New York City Comic Con, and as much as I belong and fit in there completely, I can't resist the urge to draw some funny convention kids. The con has become WAY more than just a grouping of industry fans, but is now a great place to showcase your work, comic style or not. Animators, Advertisers, and of course the comic industry is there, booths ready to take a look at the talent that hasn't yet been given a chance.

By the way, the shorter kid is wearing a Superman costume. Curse the B&W line drawing!

Oh, and by the way...my hometown newspaper, The Evening Sun wrote an article about me and my work. I used to do editorial cartoons years ago when I was a student...it sure was a fun way to make $10.
LINK TO ARTICLE!

February 08, 2009

I just returned from seeing the SPECTACULARLY AMAZING claymation film, Colaline. For all you Utilisaurusheads who are stimulated by anything wonderfully creative...see this film, again...again...and AGAIN!

The Age of Prosperity #10

© The Age of Prosperity, 2009

February 07, 2009

I was never in a school that had the snobby hall monitor kid, but I'm sure this is what he would've looked like. To see more in the "High School" series, click the link in the tabs. The Jocks, the Model UN club...they're all here.

For this weeks Illustration Friday posting, see below...or click the link!

February 06, 2009

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY - TIME
From the Utilisaurus vaults, here we see the re-posting of January 25th's piece, which works pretty well with today's topic. Einstein showed that space is curved, time is relative, and time travel is theoretically possible.



Feeling a little more care-free on this Friday, then may I present you all with...THE AGE OF PROSPERITY #9!

© The Age of Prosperity, 2009

February 05, 2009

As we sit back and see the past come back and invade our lives, I'm just waiting to see when the whole flock haircut will be back in style. I have my can of mousse and keytar ready to go.