WW1 Re-Enactment
Two weekends ago I was sent back in time to an era not of my choosing. I put in for an assignment in the tropics documenting dinosaurs and amazon women but I guess someone up there can't take a joke...
So there I was; immersed in trench warfare against the central powers of Germany and Austria-Hungry. When I wasn't getting shot at - I took some time to sketch.







In all seriousness, I was apart of a WW1 Re-Enactment on April 18th and 19th. Photos from the event can be found HERE. These fantastic photos were all taken by R.C. Hooker.

Clicky Gets Coffee

NSteens Launch!
With the help of Sprint and Julianne Moore - NSteens was launched as part of the 4NetSafety campaign. New Yorks Ch.2 WCBS did a news spot on the event. Click here to view

Clicky Run/Walk Cycles

He Lives!

"Clicky the Internet Safety Robot only existed
in the hearts and minds of children,
now he walks among us all."
-Chris M.

The suit has arrived, and according to Mike it fits. Scollon Productions, INC. made the suit for us in 3 months. They were great to work with. They took our comments and made requested changes with great enthusiasm. I think this will definalty be a big hit at events...

but until then, he'll have to pull the same 9 to 5 we all do.

My City Girl

She stole the blue prints to my heart
We got engaged last weekend!

More Character Designs.





the last four designs are for a character that - tries to make you look at inappropriate things that make you feel uncomfortable or confused.
These are going out for focus testing. I'm not sure what to expect back from the sessions... hope they have a sense of humor.

The office got us 5 cintiq monitors. It takes some getting used to - but I'm not complaining! these are two color boards I painted with photoshop using the new cintiq monitor.

SwineFest '07
The T-shirt was well received. "Deano" the 110lb. pig was delish! I'd like to think the T-shirt added a little flavor.

Fox 5 Interview
Clicky was interviewed by Steve Chenevey of Fox 5 News today. I animated the first minute and thirty seconds of the interview. It was a blast to see it air this morning . Click here to view the interview at myfoxdc.com

Cute and Creepy
Various character designs of mischief and trickery.

I take a Friday off

- and Monday I come back to this. Bravo everyone... bravo.

Logo-ah-go-go
I'm working on redesigning my website. So square one is making a new logo for myself. Hmmm...

Swine Fest 2007
My Buddy's Father In-Law is hosting a pig roast over Labor Day. I was asked to come up with some T-shirt designs. The task turned out to be more involved than I thought. Turns out my buddy is an "Art Critic". I asked Bevingtoons to give it a try as well. Here are some of the designs...

Boarding in the Bullpen!
When it comes down to it - Nothing beats boarding on Index cards.

Liz and Scooty!
JibJab.com has struck internet gold! Who wouldn't sign away their email address and birth date to be magically whisked away to the tropics?

Clicky Live on Fox 5

Link to video

Clicky Live on Radio KOL
Last month was internet safety month. KOL - Kids Online (a branch of America Online) let us (NetSmartz) into the studios to teach their listeners about internet safety via Clicky Live. Clicky Live is one of the most rewarding things I get to be involved with. We take Clicky to schools, sports events and public conventions via a laptop computer and a joystick. I use Alias MotionBuilder to assign a series of animations (triggers) to a keyboard. So in essence, it is live 3d puppeteering. Clicky is set up for Live lipsync as well. In-house voice talent is provided by none other than our own Creative Man-ager Spikes Mills. Children have really responded well with Clicky Live. To engage a gymnasium full first and second graders - having them laugh out loud, chant our NetSmartz slogans and most of all teach them to make smarter choices as they grow up - has been an incredible thing to be apart of.
Watch our Clicky Live on Radio KOL! be sure to watch Clickys Dance Off With KOL's own - DJ Rick and Producer Mark!
DJ Rick Interviews Clicky Part II

Add to My Profile | More Videos
here are some pictures from our time at the studio

Chroma Key tests w/ Roarke

Cramming into the KOL studio

Spikes Mills - Click here to watch the insanity!

And lastly, yours truly

NSTeens.org was just launched today. Click here to see our new series NSteens - "Post to be Private"

I recently got back from the Grand Canyon. It was my fist vacation in 3 or so years. It was amazing. My Girlfriend and I went camping in and around the Grand Canyon (Sedona and Flagstaff, AZ). We checked all of our camping supplies on board our flight. After spending 4 days in the rough - with a tent and a rented Pontiac grand prix - we ended up in Las Vegas for 3 nights. I've been drawing little memories from the trip ever since. Tales from the Grand Canyon!
*more like "Inside jokes from the Grand Canyon!" Hope you enjoy them anyway.

Happy Mothers Day
I made my Mom a card this year - Thought it would make the day extra special!
Outside:

Inside:

Mulch?
Brenda and Clem run a strict campground. Driving off-road, exceeding 10mph, Driving through the hay fields, Running over the live stock, Posting paper plate signs that say "Munch" are not tolerated -

"I'm sorry did you say Mulch?" - Bevingtoons

The one thing that is absolutely in no way shape or form permissible on the Canoe Co. Campground would be to answer Brenda's question with a direct or indirect "correction" of her speech.

"...mulch?" - Bevingtoons

Just ask Clem. He'd tell you if he could but he's not allowed to speak. Clem is actually a fence post with a John Deer hat nailed to it. The ghost of Clem follows Brenda in hopes to warn camp-goers of Brenda's magical powers. luckily, we all made it home Sunday having a great time outdoors!
Great Pancakes Dan!

Rabbit Interrogation, Acrylic. 2007

Happy Easter
I painted this yesterday. I call it Rabbit Interrogation. I'd accuse the one on the right. He looks like he's got something to hide (malted eggs?) But then again, they all have beady little eyes...
You be the judge. Hope everyone had a great Easter! THE LORD HAS RISEN... INDEED.

"I like Chicken. Chicken Good!"
I found this on YouTube about a year ago. It made me smile and I had to share it with as many people as I could. I thought this would make a good post for the day.


-Read more about the "Peter Rabbit" Class - Teaching English Abroad: Revelation in a Korean Kindergarten

*As for the kids, when I was in Korea, I taught kindergarten. These are the kids I taught in the peter rabbit class. Oh, and before any one asks, Sherry (the queen) is saying "kiss my hand" not "kiss my ass." Her pronunciation is just a little strained.

*Miss America took a tour of the office this week. Just got the photos back. I think they speak for themselves. Or do they? Fill in the blanks.
check out Bevingtoons post on the subject. (I Threw you a bone Dawg!)

Self incrimination post #1.
You should never give out your personal information on the internet. Anyone can read it. Anyone. Peers to Pedophiles, Human relations to Blood relations. (that was a play on words...ouch) This week it has come to my attention from loved ones as well as co-workers that Pleated pants have become a fashion "no-no". So what now? I guess now someone will tell me wearing brown with black is like wearing a tie with short sleeves... for Pleeetz Sakes people!!!

it's a CAMPOUT!
I'm putting together a camp out - I drew this today for the evite.

Final Character Designs!
Bevingtoons did a great job developing these characters from the original concept art. The original character designs were created by two talented guys from Maryland University. This roster was made straight out of ToonBoom. These poses were created from the actual character rigs within the program. Its great to see all of the characters on one page. They all look like they gel together.

Lovin' it up!
I'm working on a animated short addressing the dangers of social networking sites. I'm posting my progress of one of my shots. Here is the background I've done (all in vector) - I've worked too long on it and have to move on to animation. I could go on forever with detail - I'll have to go back later and add what details I can...

Character designs are finalized and ready for production. Today, I made an animation test with one of the characters (CL) - Here are the results...

Eeewwww
I made a valentines card for my special luvbug. As a side project, I made an animated .gif out of all the drawings - We bump heads a lot hence the missing subtitle "Love Hurts!"
*How many times can you watch the animation loop?? theres money in it - Go!

More character designs - just doodling, these are far from our intended style. I just wanted to post 'em.

Hit the Ground Running!
"Print>Screen" capture of NS Character Designs. I have three weeks to create a pilot using ToonBoom. I just rolled into week 2 of production. This is a great chance to work alone and see what I'm capable of accomplishing. I hope to make something I'll be proud of for quite a while. I'll let you all know how it goes!
Check out Bevingtoons progress in creating a ---- pilot. Good things, Good things.

McDoubleTree is on vacation. Here are some character designs for ----. Her name is CL (short for CL)
-more to come

X-Mas is around the corner! Liz and I picked out our first Christmas tree together... or maybe our Christmas tree picked us out? Like a lost puppy, it pee'd on itself and ran around in circles. Maybe not exactly like a puppy, but it sure shook like the dickens! We named him Needles after Michael Peter Balzary (aka Flea) from Back to the Future.
Merry Christmas 2006 Everyone!
-Let it Snow Y'all !!!

Way 2 Go! Deadline.
Made it - more or less. Here are a couple of stills from one of my shots. The final piece will be on our site in a few months. We have a few episodes in the can ready for launch. For now here is a link to our latest release - Know the Rules!

Way 2 Go! (Safety tips to and from school)
For those who comment and know this blog exists - choose the silhouette that best depicts a common stranger that could pose a threat. the Silhouette must be general enough to suggest that anyone, no matter what they look like, could harm a child. Tough eh? ideas? you got till Dec. 15th - go!

BlogWar pt. 3 (Hardtimes)
Bevington Steel LOST the Second Annual NetSmartz Chili Cook-off!!! - by one vote - his own. He voted for someone else. Who votes for someone else in a competition in which they have entered? You know - I'm not sad for Chris, I'm sad for Christina. She slaved over a hot crock-pot all night just so Chris could call it his own - and gain "office political capital". Not to be had my friend. Nice guys finish last. Why don't you tell Roarke how awesome his chili was - and he'll tell you how awesome Sweet Victory tastes.
Seriously though, no one likes a poutyface. I'm tired of drawing you like this. Give me something to really BlogWar about.
2nd Annual NetSmartz Chili Cook-off 2006

Blog War part. 2

Blog War part. 2

Well, I regret to inform everyone that Chris at Schmevingtoons is in traction and under stable condition. He was involved in a head-on collision near the Spout Run ext. of George Washington Pkw. Police say the crash was directly related to "Texting while driving" - He has been told numerous times to keep his eyes on the road. It must have been an extremely important text message - for example: "Whats for dinner sugar-bear? love Mom" or "Chris, What's your favorite smell" No matter what the text message might have said the point is this - Chris will be unable to BlogWar due to his limited cellular phone plan. Sorry Cheeto!

Too scary? Today, I need to come up with various silhouettes for the man/woman in the car. Clicky tells the kids to "Never accept a ride!" - just one of many safety tips to follow TO and FROM school. Deadline for Way 2 Go - Dec. 15th (lots of work to do)

Blog War (touche cont.)

Blog War (touche cont.)

So, Bevington has res erected the age old battle of squabble and screw-yous. Let the good times roll....
This is where it left off - let ye be reminded of the tears shed in self-sorrow .
*I wanted to include this one of Chris as well - We share a "working space" together (not to mention: a car pool, parking pass, Get Up Kids t-shirt and a bunk bed during 4 1/2 yrs. of college)
~ "Just let me know when you're done eating on my keyboard, Jackass."

Months a go - I took my girlfriend and sister to a Rancid show. Good times. Although, the cab ride home was not. The next morning I made a "I'm sorry" card for my two most favorite girls. A squeegie was involved but you may notice the drawing tastefully omits that.

click on images for high resolution

I made some 1950's style backgrounds for our new production "Way 2 Go" - its a short animation about safety tips on the way to and from school. These were all done in photoshop. A lot of inspiration came from looking at Cartoon Modern: Style and Design in 50's animation by Amid Amidi - great great book.
Also, Inspiration came from watching the New Gerald McBoing Boing show on dvd.
-Boing Boing!

Today was my last day of ToonBoom training. It was great. -"It's on!"

Philonious P. - I created this lil' guy yesterday at work. I'm currently in a 2 week training course for a 2d animation application called ToomBoom. "It's the bomb.com" -Animation to come...

Inland Bearded Dragon *pogone vitticeps
Sleeping Bingo

I went to the Smithsonian National Zoo yesterday. I hadn't taken my sketchbook out in ages. Here are a few sketches that turned out better than the rest. It was great to find time to draw again.

In efforts of updating my portfolio, I've been creating images to illustrate my professional motivation - Giddy Up!

"Old Parts" - Digital, Photoshop

This guy reminds me of a young John Lasseter.

Welcome to my lovely little plot of digital real-estate. Take off your shoes and stay a bit.