Ipp-O-Rama

One of the things I'm liking about the Ipps is that they are so pliable. They are, after all, made out of some sort of squishy Play-Doh-like substance. So, they can squash and stretch to their heart's delight.

They are also pliable in terms of what they are doing. Which makes it possible for me to design Ipps for individual people. My four-year-old son designed this Viking:

Anyway, I'm starting to put together a new Store, on Zazzle. I wasn't happy with my old store's merchandise - the quality wasn't really as great as it could have been. And this is one of Zazzle's strong suits. So look for Ipp stuff to begin appearing in there. Shoot, I may even hand make some of these buggers. They look good in felt!

Rockosaurus.

This dude just got uploaded onto Flickr. Haven't had time to put it on the website yet, but here he is. The scorpions just love him.

New Ipp Strip!

Here's how the Ipp Strip is shaping up. I think you can start to get a feel for their personalities. There seems to be the one with the little mohawk and the one with the three horns. I think there will be others shortly. They behave pretty much like your standard comedy duo so far. Click on the strip to see it bigger on Flickr.

A New Experiment!

Okay, so this whole Web 2.0 thing is really cool, don't you think? You can have online profiles splattered all over the whole Web! With different logins and files that you've uploaded in three formats and social networks that may or may not have the same people in them... wheeee!

No really, it's great when you're a publisher of original content like me. Because all this collaborative tagging, and searching, and profiling, and the lot of it mean that my drawings go on even more fabulous journeys then they ever could have as mere email attachments.

I'm having great fun putting artwork all over the place, experimenting with what I can accomplish with the accounts at all these sites, and deciding what's best for what kind of work.

Which brings us to my next experiment. You see, the Ipps really want their own feature. And I want them to have it. So I went looking for the best way to let them express themselves. I didn't want to plunk them in a Web page somewhere. So... I'm going to put their strips on Flickr! They'll have their own section called "Ipp Strips." That's right, I'll put new work here, and then archive it over there. That way the Ipps can have their feature and people looking for them can find them. Even people not looking for them can find them. What fun! Let's see how it goes!

Soon I will run out of storage space over there and then we'll figure out what to do next... better keep those files small!

More About Ipps

Well, it's about time the Ipps got their own page on my site. Because they're starting to get their own stories, in addition to their own t-shirts and stuff.
So watch the Ipps' page for new sketches and stories. I'll post here when there's something of note in the Ipp Universe as well.

Take an Ipp to the Store!!

Alright, one of my favorite people in the world helped me come up with this bag with a tree-hugging Ipp for groceries and all your various whatnot.
If you're trying to convince your friends to stop using paper or plastic bags, one way to do this is to give them a great bag to use.
It's also a great way to say, "I love the Earth so much I'm using these bags. Which makes me extra cool."
This one is washable too, which is great when your groceries get icky stuff on the inside of your bags.
Tip: I have quite a few bags like these, and I keep them both in the house and in the car - because sometimes I get to the store only to realize that I forgot to bring bags. Then I put them near the kitchen door too so I see them on my way out and get em back into the car...
Anyway, enjoy! And if you think someone you know would like these, send em a link! You can just click the little email button at the bottom of the post to send it along. Yay!

All Hail the Heater Vent.

Here's to everybody out there who's COLD today. Like, everybody in the Northern Hemisphere. You Australians, I hope you're enjoying your fabulous summer. You deserve it.

Our cat has a heater vent that's under a cabinet in the bathroom. It's like his own personal sauna. That was the inspiration for this drawing.

Love.

Okay now that I've blathered on about art awhile, here is some.

It's a little early for Valentine's, but here's what mine's going to look like this year.

Retail Detox

So, last night my 3 1/2 -year-old and I needed to get a present for a birthday party he's going to this weekend.
This involved darkening the door of the ever-popular Target, otherwise known as The Big Store Where Mommy and Daddy ALWAYS Buy Me Something.
Now, the reason for this is because we almost never go to Target, except when we actually need something. And that something is usually a kid-related thing. Being Target and all.
However, in the 3-year-old mind, this has translated to the idea that one gets "a box of cars" every time without exception or the Earth will spin into the Sun you just watch.
Anyway, the drawing here is what resulted after my son wailed for a full hour about how he wanted some cars. Fortunately, the thing we were buying was nowhere near the cars aisle, so we got our stuff and got the hell out.
But this did not prevent volcanic interplanetary bellowing. Even when it was clear he didn't really know what he was saying. And after I pointed out we were no longer at the store.
I'm going to call this "retail detox." And I plan to do it again. No kidding. We are so good at making people WANT things in this country. I mean, this is a kid who sees almost no commercial TV. But he's a good little consumer, man.
Anyway, after a few more trips into Retail Land without buying anything I think his withdrawal symptoms will start to wear off. It really is like withdrawal. But I'm there with him, man. I'm gonna help him through.

Peace: Take Some, Pass It On.

Here's my holiday image for this year -- and I'd love for you to share it with your friends and family.
Feel free to copy/paste it, or email this posting to people. I'd love to send as much Peace around as possible. I'm hoping that each time this illustration goes to somebody, it'll carry a little bit of good karma with it.
So, have at it! And enjoy. And, peace.

Howdy! Arrrrgh!

Hi there, and welcome!
If you used to be on the mailing list for The Weekly Brainwave, double welcome!
See, I kind of killed off that mailing list. I didn't do it on purpose (involuntary manslaughter). But I deleted things that I shouldn't have and, well, the mailing list went with it.
Which meant one thing: it was time to start this blog.
See? It worked out.

This will be the new home of my random comments and links to new (and not-so-new) cartoons.

PS The Arrrgh is in honor of today being "Talk Like a Pirate Day." Scurvy Dog!!