Okay folks, this is it - the first time I’ve ever officially blogged ! Craig asked me to do this about a year or so ago but I had no idea what was involved or how much time it would take once I agreed to do it. Since then I find myself doing the equivalent on my Facebook page, so what the hell !Let this serve as an introduction. . .

I’ve got a lot of interests and I’ve surrounded myself with a lot of “stuff” that I’ve collected over the years, so i doubt there’ll be any shortage of subject matter to focus on ! Just a heads up, even though I’m known for my work in animation, you’ll be reading about things that have nothing to do with cartoons, but DO have to do with what makes me who/what I am - whatever THAT is. . .

First off, both my parents are artists and in one way or another they encouraged me to have fun in whatever I choose to do - or end up doing. I feel lucky to say that even when considering the past (Annus Horribilus) year, I incredibly enjoy what i do ! I’m also fortunate as hell to be married to my business partner Patrice who’s helped to lay the foundation for the studio we’ve run together for 20 years. It’s truly a great thing ! Anyhoo, I’ve always been surrounded by a creative and visually stimulating environment, and it’s carried over to my everyday life.

Comic books are all over my background and continue to play a big role with me. I was lucky enough to have a Grandmother who DIDN’T throw away my Dad’s comics, and he always kept them in terrific shape. As a result i grew up reading his comics as much as mine ! Here are a couple of the ones I actually got read as a kid:

My Dad not only had comics with well known characters to my friends and i, but he also had ones of long-gone characters like Captain Marvel, Green Lama, and other ones I’d never heard of. It wasn’t until later that I learned about them and the artists that created them.

Needless to say, World War II played a big part in the subject of all my Dad’s comics. I’m convinced this has everything to do with my interest in history and pop culture of the time. I also watched a LOT of films as a kid from this era. . .

Gotta close out now - I’m designing characters for two commercial projects and i can tell already that this process is going to be dangerously addictive. . . oy !