Illustration Friday: Island

After his failed presidential bid in 2008, Socmo embezzled the remaining funds in his campaign war chest, and purchased his own island from the estate of Marlon Brando where he established his own dictatorship, declaring "LIPSTICK FOR ALL! ALASKANS AND SWINE ALIKE!"

Illustration Friday: Clutter

Okay, here's the deal: I'm aware that there are Illustration Friday purists out there who contend that we shouldn't (from a moral point of view) use existing images for our Illustration Friday posts. We should draw inspiration from the word, consult our muse, and create some original art. When I started a month ago, that was my intention. But, as I often do, for the sake of convenience and pleasure, I've compromised my shallow morals, and have used existing images, previously paid for by my wonderful clients. My excuse last week: I was out of town for the Labor Day weekend, my time was limited, and I found a very appropriate image. This week: What else could I have possibly drawn? It's clutter! Given a forty hour work week, I probably would have come up with this exact image. And I could have lied to you folks, and given the impression that I drew it just for Illustration Friday, but seeing that I posted it 23 minutes after the word was announced, I suspect some sleuths out there might have suspected my ruse. So there is a glimmer of morality still in my soul.

Memories.

Fascinating phenomenon: The older I get, the fewer memories I have! And like many of us, the fondest memories are often of vacations. I vaguely remember having a vacation. But oh, if my luggage could only talk!

This weekend we're driving to Detroit for a wedding. Vacation? Detroit? Hardly. More like punishment for unrepentant sin. Maybe Mr. Suitcase will have a good time.

Routine.

So which Australian band is this Roo-Teen listening to on his iPod while he is texting his favorite Sheila? Men At Work? Little River Band? INXS? Midnight Oil? If you thought anything except AC/DC, you're a loser! There's no need to even discuss this. G'day.

Detach.

I love eating animals. Sorry. I'm not a bad person. Just love that meat. There's an organization for people like me. I believe it's called PETA: People Eating Tasty Animals. 

Sail.

A sailing adventure on the good ship Self-Employed-Illustrator! While sailing on the beautiful seas, it is for the most part, quite a lovely journey. Interesting ports, mostly friendly natives, and an occasional babe in a hula skirt. But sometimes the days are stormy as I view in the distance that treacherous Sea of Deadlines, but nothing makes the crew more mutinous than that legendary whirlpool of No-Work! The bones of many illustrators lie at the bottom of that part of the vast ocean. To be avoided at all costs, though sometimes the cruel winds blow in that direction. After a bit of bailing, am currently cruising quite nicely. Welcome aboard all ye wish to follow! (Side note: My world really was flat when I lived in Kansas! Also to be avoided.)

Poof!

"Wow... Illustration Friday, just like I pictured it, skyscrapers and ever'thang!" Well, here I am, my first entry to IF. I couldn't sleep last night in anticipation of my first word to interpret. Apparently the IF people sleep a little longer than I do, so I waited awhile for the word to make it's way. Maybe they're in a western time zone. But finally, it arrived. "Poof!" My instant thought was a magic trick. Then I thought, what would I think would be magical? Then I drew this picture. On behalf of me and my paints, I hope we pass the audition.