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.

February 04, 2009

Some days, I think Huckleberry Finn knew exactly what was important in life. Boy, what I would give for some meditating days in the wilderness.

February 03, 2009

I think today's sketchbook illo is a little hit or miss. I believe it depicts the specific individual, but it could've been a little more accurate. Still though, mention BEETS, and you most of you will know who it is.


For all of you Utilisaurus viewers who are less impressed with todays piece, I present you with The Age of Prosperity, Strip #8!

© The Age of Prosperity, 2009

February 02, 2009

For all you Utilisaurheads out there, who toss and turn at night wondering, "Is Matthew Smith is his real name, or is he some type double agent?" Well...ANSWERS!! I just did an interview for Altpick, and it in all it's glory can be seen HERE!

I have another character study here. I based this guy loosely on my childhood friend...i guess it might be a good thing that we've lost touch.

February 01, 2009

WOO! New month! I believe January was a successful month in introducing and maintaining the early stability of the blog! It's looking like February will be quite an entertaining venture.

Yesterday, my girlfriend participated in the NYC Idiotarod with her work friends, posing as the group "The Oregon Trail of Dead". SO, in honor of their tiresome journey through the Boroughs, here we see the optimism of the thousands of individuals and families, showing an individual pausing on the long migration west...alongside his trusted Conestoga Wagon.