Website find

As I'm working on my website, I've come across a bunch of funny doodles and rejected concepts. I just came across this character layout sheet that I created a couple years back. There's something so ridiculous about this character (and song titles) that I had to post it.

Back to work...

Website/Portfolio Update...on its way!

For the last two years I have taught the animation portfolio class at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Each week, I talk about the importance building a tight, cohesive portfolio that should be updated regularly. Last week while clicking around my own website, I realized I haven't updated my own work in way too long (almost 2 years!). So I took it upon myself to practice what I preach.

For the last week or so, I've been retooling my website, reel montage, and resume. It's been a fun, but tedious process. I have to admit that it's hard to edit your own work, but teaching the class has made me question my intentions for including particular pieces...which is a good thing. I'm hoping to have everything up by May 1st, so stay tuned.

UNICEF update

For the last few weeks, I've been chugging away on a 45-second spot for UNICEF, the children's organization, and I've been working with a great team of artists to help along the way. A special shout-out to Jen Blicharz who painted the background elements. I then scanned them into photoshop, tweaked the color and lighting, and made the digital collages for the finals. I'm happy to say that animation and design wrapped last weekand now it's time to combine it all in After Effects. This morning, I did some style tests for the compositor. The final animation should look something like this...

I love my caffeine!

Every morning at 10AM(yes, every morning), I leave my studio and venture out to the local Starbucks. I try to write and doodle in my sketchbook for at least two hours a day. It has multiple benefits:

1. I get away from my sitting in front of my computer
2. I'm able to concentrate on my own projects and develop my own voice.
3. Feed my caffeine addiction
4. Good for networking (you'd be surprised)

I recommend this to anyone who's in a rut. Force yourself to sit anywhere outside your home and just produce something...even scribbles. Here's a sample image of this morning's caffeine-fueled doodle sesh:

Character Study

I was asked by Penguin to do a character study for an upcoming book series. Here's is my take on a lovable, class-clown persona.

UNICEF Style Design Test

For the last couple weeks, I have been directing and producing an animated spot for UNICEF (The trick-or-treat orange box organization). The storyboard has been finalized and now we're moving onto character and background design. Here is a storyboard still and a style test comparison of the same frame. The final animation will be at 16:9, but this will give you an idea of the final look. More to come!

He He Ha Ha

For the last couple years, I've been drawing two of my favorite characters, He He and Ha Ha. They represent the mischievous and careless parts of our childhood. I had some spare time this weekend, so I figured I'd color in this sketchbook doodle.

BTL Progress

For the last couple months I have been directing and co-producing two Between the Lions animated episodes. It's been an interesting and fun process to transform the puppet-based show into an animated one. We recently wrapped up the first episode and here are some screenshots from the two segments.

Between the Lions is produced by WGBH and Sirius Thinking.

Happy Valentine's Day

Here's to you Mr. Cupid:

Damn cough...Leave me alone!

For the last week or so I've been battling a cough of epic proportions. I made this little watercolor that somehow sums up how I've been feeling.

Monster Squad Book Dos

The last couple weeks have been INSANE. I've been trying to find time to work on my own stuff, but I had a slew of deadlines last week that have prevented me from doing so. The good news is that The Monster Squad books I've been working on are coming along nicely. Book 2 is near completion! Here is the final cover as well as some of the final interior spot illustrations that I posted a couple weeks ago as sketches. Back to work...to hit more deadlines. Ugh.

Troll

Here's a character design I recently made for "the heck of it". Not much more to say than that.