Alison Undercover

It's Love!

2012-02-05T15:10:00.001-05:00

"Flowers wilt. Candles fade. Cockroaches are forever." Did you know that for only $10, you can name one of the hundreds of thousands of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches at the Bronx Zoo after your beloved? This is for real. Pay $15 extra, and they'll send your sweetie a very lifelike looking, hand-painted chocolate cockroach.

My Darling Timmy

How to choose?! They're all SOOO adorable!!

Tips for Men - Fashion

2012-01-29T20:25:00.002-05:00

I meet a lot of men that are lonely and depressed because they say they can't get a girlfriend. So I've come up with some tips that I think will really help all the fellas out there.

FIRST: Let me just say, and I don't mean this as a criticism, but a lot of you guys are really phoning it in fashion-wise. Try to have FUN with fashion! Not sure where to start? Make these classic no-fail looks a staple of your wardrobe...

1) BELTED SWEATERS. Sexy, powerful. You'll be in charge when you wear your belted sweater. It pulls together any outfit, but mostly, it lets a lady know you're confident and masculine.

2) SHORTS WITH KNEE SOCKS. This look is casual but sharp. Also, don't be shy! Let us see those sexy knees! It's OK to wear something a little revealing if it's in good taste.

3) HIGH-WAISTED PANTS. Guys - pull those babies UP!! The higher the better. Check out the hottie 2nd in from left. Pants up to his armpits! DAYUM!! (I'm gonna need to find me an ice-cold shower!)

I just can't get enough of this look!

Check out my favorite 'Kid in the Hall,' Bruce McCulloch, at 00:59 second mark.

Ugly Baby

2012-01-19T07:15:00.000-05:00

I was recently trying to illustrate to a coworker what a block-headed, lumpy-headed, no-neck baby I was with this post-it note sketch. And wow I wasn't far off. Ugly babies rule.

Occupy

2012-01-11T07:30:00.001-05:00

I have a comic in Worcester Magazine's Annual Comics issue covering the top stories of 2011. My comic is about the Occupy movement in Worcester. I thought it would be funny in an ironic sense to use a Monopoly board theme, since Monopoly is the quintessential capitalist game. I decided to morph the policemen into clowns because I love a good creepy clown but also the experience of the Occupy Worcester movement being forced to go from place to place reminded me of a traveling circus.

Heino mask!

2012-01-08T16:33:00.001-05:00

My sister found this online! Isn't it awesome? Now you can look like Heino anytime of day or nite! Deepest thanks to this really great blog, The Hair Hall of Fame, which made it all possible.

I Was Robbed...

2011-12-27T22:20:00.000-05:00

I bought this at the grocery store without reading the label carefully - I had passed hunger and was in the midst of a full-on hyperglycemic daze. The promise of a butterscotch waffle was more than I could handle. I imagined a light, fluffy (but not too soft) miniature waffle/cookie, coated in a creamy butterscotch icing...

So I felt utterly duped when I opened the tin in the car (in the grocery store parking lot!) and found that it was in fact hard candies, like the kind your grandmother keeps in a dish...

That's when I got a closer look at the full label: PANTRY CANDIES. What the hell are pantry candies? When I got home, I was still so worked up by my waffle fantasy that I considered going back to store and getting some Eggos, vanilla ice cream, butterscotch sauce, and whipped cream and making a sundae on top of a waffle. But then I talked myself down from the ledge and decided that that would be crazy and possibly really disgusting.

Merry, Lazy, Colorful, Cozy

2011-12-25T18:18:00.001-05:00

I Hate Elf on a Shelf

2011-12-22T22:56:00.000-05:00

I did give him sort of a 'makeover'
He actually looks like this.

It's the craze nowadays to put this creepy elf doll on a shelf in your house and tell your kids it's watching them in order to report back to Santa daily. What the hell? Is Santa seriously outsourcing this responsibility? Or maybe he's dead and the elves had to take over. If I had to deal with this little elf creep as a kid, I'd chuck him in a snow bank. I found this good article about holiday panopticonisms.

Burgers and fries, hotdog and shake, sub and fries.

2011-12-13T06:05:00.000-05:00

These are photos of dog toys that I took at Stop and Shop. They're sold in pairs. I bought a few of the subs and fries.

Horrid little doodles

2011-12-11T19:17:00.000-05:00

The best of the worst from my sketchbook. I know this first one is pretty unremarkable but I like the guy in the middle. I also included some from my 'men with no torso' series. It's something I doodle all the time.

Happy Holidays!

Faces in Public Spaces - Part Three

2011-12-07T20:36:00.003-05:00

I shot these photos in Paris on Rue Poulet, a strange, deserted side street with many wig shops that all seemed closed despite it being mid-day...

Faces in Public Spaces - Part Two

2011-11-28T02:00:00.007-05:00

I took these photos of Benny Bufano's sculpture, "Madonna Protects the Children of the World," in Fort Mason Park, San Francisco. I love the 4-eyed face that's in mosaic, even though I get a little nauseous looking at it. I also love the clean simplicity of the Madonna face.

Faces in Public Spaces - Part One

2011-11-27T16:53:00.000-05:00

The neighborhood of Montmartre is the highest point in Paris, so you have to climb this really long, labyrinthian, staircase in order to exit the subway station there. Fortunately, the walls are lined with these awesome, brightly painted murals of deranged, creepy children. I love the messy, textured style, and how the blue really pops.

Giants in my kitchen...

2011-11-25T07:43:00.002-05:00

This Dude...

2011-11-24T10:16:00.000-05:00

A Candy with Demands...

2011-11-22T19:52:00.000-05:00

As someone who prefers artificial banana flavoring to actual banana, I thought I would really enjoy this. Also the wrapper font is so awesome and I like how adamant the name is in its demand that it should be eaten Now AND Later, (dammit). Despite all this, I was disappointed. Inside the candy bar wrapper are 5 individually wrapped chews. I was excited by how bright yellow they are. But the flavor was so overly sweet and chemical-ly. And oddly, not at all banana-ey.

Nice Cans

2011-11-20T16:35:00.000-05:00

Yes. I take photos of good packaging / display design at the grocery store. And these San Marzano canned tomatoes really caught my eye.

Food Packaging / Good Design

2011-11-15T06:46:00.001-05:00

This Manner wafer display in my local grocery store was so pretty that I had to interrupt my normal shopping to take photos of it. I get really inspired by certain color combinations. I love the muted pink with the bright yellow. The Manner font is awesome too. The whole design has a retro feel to it that I really dig.

Clown Meat

2011-11-13T20:20:00.000-05:00

How is this legal? ... If it's a clown, then... what?... it's not cannibalism? That doesn't seem right.

Skillz

2011-11-07T10:41:00.001-05:00

My almost 17 year old kitty had a diabetic episode this weekend, so I pulled out my rusty old vet tech skillz. Turns out they ain't so rusty! The vet gave me a bag of fluids to give at home, along with insulin. I rigged up this sweet fluid therapy set-up with an upside-down coat hanger, which I hung over my wire rack shelf unit, and we were good to go! Kitty is resting comfortably now :)

This always helps...

2011-11-01T07:13:00.000-04:00

Whatever happens outside, it's always summer inside my house.

Denial...

2011-10-31T06:55:00.000-04:00

As of yesterday, we're buried in snow here in New England. But this is what it still looks like in my mind... I took these photos on a walk in my neighborhood about a week ago. I'm going to remain in denial for as long as I can.

Ira Glass quote...

2011-10-18T02:00:00.002-04:00

Worship

2011-10-16T14:27:00.000-04:00

I worship Goofy Grape .... and you?

Survey - Which of these are you going to be for Halloween this year?

2011-10-13T06:55:00.000-04:00

So many choices this year! Please use the voting buttons at top right to make your selection.

Pancakes! No wait...

2011-10-07T02:00:00.006-04:00

They're mushrooms!! But they look like pancakes, don't they? This is another set of mushrooms that popped out of the ground on my walk from my office to the parking garage. What if I changed the sole focus of this blog to mushrooms that I find along my walk from my office to the parking garage.

I love how mushrooms just spring out of the ground instantly, seemingly out of nowhere, when it rains for a few days. And then they disappear. They're such mysterious and freaky creatures.

New Episode! Baman Piderman - Fimd Da Jobs

2011-10-04T02:00:00.003-04:00

This past weekend genius animators and pals, Lindsay Small-Butera and Alex Butera, released this new episode of Baman Piderman. It is another hilarious and wonderfully wacked creation. Enjoy!

Artist Spotlight... Jim Riel

2011-10-02T22:31:00.000-04:00

Our ridiculously talented Undercoverfish Comic veteran, Jim Riel, completed the 24-hour comic challenge hosted by Worcester Art Museum (WAM) this weekend! Woo hoo! Congratulations Jim!

The 24-hour comic challenge is an international challenge to all cartoonists to complete a 24-page story (inked and lettered) in 24 hours. I did it one year and have no desire to repeat the experience. It's grueling. But I attended the WAM event this weekend. I hung out and worked for about 8 hours and saw Jim in action, churning out one fantastic page after another. I'm excited to see the whole piece, which is about the ghost of President Lincoln visiting President Obama. A few panels are pictured here.

Bernie and Cat Grass

2011-09-28T02:00:00.033-04:00

A photo of the cat grass that I just grew. It's so pretty and I think Bernie Madoff likes it too. I did this quick scribbly pencil sketch of him recently for a project that I have in mind.

Current Projects

2011-09-26T02:00:00.003-04:00

I'm always juggling multiple projects at the same time. This is a panel from a short piece called, "Waking Up Is Hard To Do," that I'm finishing for the Detour Anthology. I just have to letter it. I'm also in the process of finishing up my book, Hot Donut Salad, which will be coming out March 2012. In addition, I'm making headway in my Sexy Vegetables (TM) trading card project. My goal is to complete 20 cards and then shop them around to publishers. Right now I'm working on Caressa Carrot and Yolanda Eggplant. And last but not least, I'm starting to write my next book! It will be a collection of one page comics, all inter-related by a theme of insights about life and wacked-out silliness.

Back to Class

2011-09-25T12:35:00.000-04:00

I'm taking a comics class with my pal Andy Fish at Worcester Art Museum. It's great to get a break from working in isolation. Longtime colleagues Mark Rozeen and Jim Riel are also in the class, so it's like a homecoming.

In our last class, we worked on model sheets. Top left image is the model sheet for a character I'm developing (Mel).

I've also been struggling with a hand position for one of my Sexy Vegetable characters, Caressa Carrot. So I took some time out for some hand studies. I have a really good book, Basic Figure Drawing Techniques, that's helpful when I encounter these problems.

Tropical Winter

2011-09-21T02:00:00.018-04:00

I decided a few years ago to reorganize the seasonal calendar to make New England winters shorter. Spring is March - May, Summer is June - October, and Fall is November. This means that Winter is only 3 short, soul-squashing months: December, January, and February! As an additional coping strategy, this year I'm going to buy a huge Bird of Paradise plant (they have them at Home Depot) and let it set up camp and run rampant in my living room/studio.

In Da Haus

2011-09-19T02:00:00.002-04:00

My house is an art gallery, a studio space, and a tropical greenhouse.

Pickins

2011-09-18T16:34:00.000-04:00

I love Carlson Orchards in Harvard, Mass for apple picking. I went on a Saturday morning early in the season and had the whole orchard to myself practically.

I also got figs at a farm in Northborough, Mass (I forget the name.) They grow them there, which surprised me. They are delicious - very mellow in flavor and not too sweet.

I didn't go potato picking. I think it would be a totally oppressive bummer. Let's all put on ragged clothing, smudge our faces with dirt, and do it.

Grateful to Not Be Amish

2011-09-14T02:00:00.002-04:00

We lost power during the recent hurricane so I inked by candlelight.
Fortunately the power came back on the next day.
The experience made me really grateful that I'm not Amish.

Unapologetic Climber

2011-09-12T02:00:00.045-04:00

At the beginning of the summer, my neighbor planted a small morning glory at the base of this telephone wire. Over the summer, it climbed all the way to the top of the telephone poll! Last week it bloomed with these beautiful blue flowers.

I Become the Patterns I See

2011-09-08T06:51:00.002-04:00

This is so incredible.

To wrap up this series on pattern design, I leave you with a link to an artist who does amazingly fun, colorful, and beautiful pattern design, Helen Dardik. I absolutely love her work. Once at the site, click on Pattern Design.

The Patterns Around the House... They replicated many times and then took over my brain.

2011-09-05T22:33:00.000-04:00

I See a Pattern, Part 2 - Around the house some more...

2011-09-01T02:00:00.001-04:00

This one might be my favorite.

I See a Pattern... Part 1

2011-08-29T21:31:00.000-04:00

Patterns found around my house.

Mr. Coffee vs. Mr. Coffee Nerves

2011-08-22T21:32:00.000-04:00

What I was getting at in my previous post is that, of all the possible 'Mr Something' characters, why isn't there a Mr. Coffee? I mean, the product itself is called "Mr. Coffee." It's such a missed opportunity.

Ok, so... apparently I overlooked several 'Mr. Somethings' in my last post: Mr. Owl, Mr. Zip, Mr. Jelly Belly and, oh, lookie here, Mr. Coffee Nerves!

Mr. Coffee Nerves was the character behind 'Postum,' a decaffeinated beverage alternative to coffee. He's the dapper fellow that makes you all jittery and borderline psychotic from drinking the elixir of Satan, I mean coffee.

I actually think Mr. Coffee Nerves has tons of appeal and that his comeback is long overdue. He's well-groomed, articulate, and offers great advice to kids. And look at his hands. They're like Jesus hands that someone chopped off an illustration of Jesus raising his hands towards Heaven.

Mr. Something

2011-08-16T21:42:00.000-04:00

I designed this collage of 'Mr. Something' logos. I think you recognize them...

Mr. Peanut is finally coming clean (yuk yuk) about his passion for Mr. Bubble. Don't they make the cutest couple? Seriously. I'm so relieved - because Mr. Bubble was getting to be such a pain. What with his goofy laugh and big butt and all the pointless splashing.

Then there's Mister Salty, the adorable pretzel boy in his sailor get-up, and Mr. Clean, who I believe has done time, but is now a bouncer at one of the hip gay night clubs.

But someone is sorely missing from this salty-clean-bubbly-peanutty mix... hmmm.... can you guess who it is?

Inspiration - Album covers and Enoch Light

2011-08-13T23:30:00.002-04:00

S-S-Stuff in my S-S-Studio

2011-08-02T02:05:00.000-04:00

Pattern Design

2011-08-01T04:00:00.003-04:00

This is a dress I bought a long time ago. I absolutely love the fabric. I don't think it works for a dress though so I never wear it. But I'd happily pay the right skilled individual interested in earning some coin to turn it into a throw pillow or two.

I'm kind of obsessed with pattern design in fabrics, wallpaper, wrapping paper, etc. I can get lost looking at stuff like this. I'd like to try to design some of my own and will keep you posted when I do.

Antidote to the horrid "Life is Good" apparel line: Mark Beyer

2011-07-31T06:42:00.000-04:00

I bought this t-shirt back in high school at Newbury comics. The artist is Mark Beyer . I never wear it anymore. I just keep it in my drawer to look at now and then. I absolutely love it and think it's the most hilarious thing ever and it's the perfect antidote to the horrid "Life is Good" apparel line.

So thank you Mark Beyer for being so awesome.

Something fun and creepy

2011-07-27T06:17:00.001-04:00

Sometimes when I walk by my marionettes,

I catch them looking creepily alive...

Because Frills Kill

2011-07-22T07:06:00.000-04:00

Who can resist this delicious, frill-free treat?

My new scrumpnugget!

2011-07-08T05:49:00.001-04:00

He's a 14 foot, 3 ton, prehistoric wombat!! Before we met, he was part of a very underground scene in Australia.

This will TOTALLY BLOW YOUR MIND...

2011-07-04T20:41:00.002-04:00

MIND-BLOWING RECORDER SOLO at 1:29.

Check it out. Plus the dude is SO smokin' hot.

STOP!!!!

2011-06-26T00:45:00.000-04:00

And smell! For summer goes by fast...

Monkey Juggler

2011-06-24T06:43:00.000-04:00

Some actor friends of mine made this short film "Monkey Juggler" for the 48 Hour Film Festival. The genre was Fantasy, which they combined with Mockumentary. My friend Daren Kelly cracks me up as 'Tango Cash.'

Produced by Art Aldrich, Written and Directed by John Werner. Staring Carey Reilly, Ken Forman, Daren Kelly, Angela Muto. Edited by James Pisano, John Werner and Art Aldrich. Production Manager Lou Cortese, Camera Operator Eric Kepner, Gaffer Gary Cerborino. Key Grip Mike Hoffman. Assistant Editor Sean Clinton. Story Consultant Bill Hartnett. Production Assistant Daniel Aldrich, Ray Hoffman, Venanzio Cortese. Special Thanks to Fred Vanore and Joe Vargas.

NOBODY PANIC!!!

2011-06-19T18:41:00.000-04:00

For I have just enough orange cups to get us through this crisis!

What's That On My Marble Head?

2011-06-12T10:52:00.000-04:00

I had a great time last week in Marblehead, MA doing a presentation on graphic novels with my pals and comic art colleagues Andy Fish, Veronica Fish, and Britt Snyder. A big thank you to Beth Delforge and Patty Rogers for making our visit possible! We spent two days presenting to the entire 7th grade class. They were really fun and asked a lot of great questions. And the four of us artists got a chance to hang, explore the town a little, and stay overnight in a pink house!

Who buys these?

2011-06-05T19:50:00.000-04:00

I wonder this every time I see them at the grocery store. They have them in a giant bin, as if there's some equally giant demand they're trying to keep pace with. I'm not buying it though. I think it's a hoax.

And then suddenly, when you're not looking...

2011-06-04T06:14:00.001-04:00

POP!

A Bowl of Cheeseburgers

2011-06-02T05:58:00.000-04:00

These cheeseburger dog toys were on clearance at Petsmart. I couldn't resist. They make a lovely centerpiece.

The dozen or so midgets that write this blog...

2011-05-31T21:56:00.000-04:00

... wish to apologize for their recent negligence in posting.

Things will return to normal very shortly.

Hi!

I've been working out...

2011-05-20T06:50:00.000-04:00

and it's finally paying off! I'm starting to see some drastic results...

;

Bruce Bruce Bruce Bruce Bruce Bruce Bruce Bruce

2011-05-16T07:14:00.000-04:00

My next big project after my book Hot Donut Salad comes out will be a graphic novel about me and Bruce the monkey.

Stop and Smell the Mushrooms...

2011-05-09T21:43:00.002-04:00

I found this mushroom on my daily walk from the parking garage to the office.

I love mushrooms. They're so weird. They look like they're from outer space but no they're right here.

This one kind of looks like someone's sinus passages, or a tumor, or a coral reef.

Yo Mama

2011-05-08T09:40:00.000-04:00

Survey Results! - Cutest Couple

2011-05-04T06:57:00.000-04:00

The results of my 4/27/11 survey are in!

Joe and Dave won by a landslide!!!

And they've won THESE AMAZING prizes...

A 1977 Chrysler Cordoba!

A year's supply of Armour Potted Meat Product!

And an adorable Hand-crafted Figurine!

Congratulations Joe and Dave!

Goober Toosday

2011-05-03T04:00:00.101-04:00

Go-for-It Goober. He sees what he wants. He takes it. He knows you are watching. He knows that you are blown away.

And we're off!!!

2011-05-02T08:15:00.002-04:00

It's Monday! & we're headed for serious FUN this week! So stay tuned!

Friday is 'Post a Doodle' Day...

2011-04-29T02:30:00.003-04:00

I worked on the piece from last week a bit more. I tried to make the face look more 3-D. I also wanted the spring to look like a spring. But I like the crazy energy of the 'Before' drawing better. Which do you prefer?

After

Before

Survey - Cutest Couple

2011-04-27T03:44:00.000-04:00

It's Spring and love is in the air!

Vote for who YOU think is this season's cutest couple!

Goober Toosday

2011-04-26T08:14:00.003-04:00

Check out this goober. He's my new favorite goober!

2011-04-23T21:13:00.000-04:00

Friday is 'Post a Doodle' Day...

2011-04-22T07:39:00.000-04:00

Work in progress - Clown Jack in the Box

Is there a way to tell if you've had too much caffeine?

2011-04-18T07:51:00.000-04:00

This is me right now.

Friday is 'Post a Doodle' Day...

2011-04-15T05:28:00.000-04:00

It's Donut Time!

I made this collage in the hope that it will singlehandedly spur job market recovery and solve the economic crisis...

2011-04-13T04:00:00.009-04:00

But of course...

2011-04-11T04:00:00.003-04:00

Put on your white gloves and get ready to indulge in the refined flavor of Circus Peanuts! I actually tried them for the first time this weekend. It was a very formal affair, as you can see.
I've always been curious about Circus Peanuts. Something about the color and the faux peanut shape appeals to me. And since childhood I've wanted to eat something the size and texture of an eraser. The texture did not disappoint; it was exactly what I was looking for. And although I would eat them again, the flavor was not what I was expecting. They were a tad too sweet and not at all peanut-flavored. I was hoping for something akin to Cap'n Crunch or a Clark bar.

Friday is 'Post a Doodle' Day...

2011-04-08T07:34:00.001-04:00

Lamb Man. Fluffy. Soft. Pissed off.

Andy Fish's Dracula, The Dead Travel Fast

2011-04-06T07:22:00.000-04:00

My good pal Andy Fish is probably the most prolific graphic novelists I know. In the past two years he's written and drawn his own adaptation of Dracula, The Dead Travel Fast. Does that not sound like an undertaking-and-a-half? I believe Andy is the only writer/artist that could take on such a momentous project and pull it off to create a new re-telling of this story that's more fresh and suspenseful than any other. And starting today, he's running it as a webcomic on his blog every Wednesday and on weekends! So check it out!

But if you're like me and you need to gobble up the whole book in one sitting, check out Andy's The Dead Travel Fast site to find out more about the book in hard copy, Nook version, etc. There's also some amazing original art for sale!

Progress Update

2011-04-04T04:00:00.001-04:00

I've been working like a fiend this week trying to finish things up on my book. I think I am making good progress, approaching the landing soon or at least it's in clearer sight. Here's a little corner of the cover...

A friend shared this article which has some really helpful advice for artists, How to steal like an artist and 9 other things nobody told me. The calendar with check boxes was especially helpful for me.

Friday is 'Post a Doodle' Day...

2011-04-01T10:18:00.001-04:00

Fused triplets creature

#PrayForJapan - Buy great art for a great cause!

2011-03-30T11:55:00.002-04:00

My good pal, the amazingly talented Veronica Fish, has a piece in the SWEET STREETS show, #PrayForJapan. 100% of art sales will be donated to the American Red Cross for earthquake disaster relief. #PrayForJapan exhibits at JapanLA gallery in Los Angeles, March 19 – April 4, 2011, but artwork will remain online until they reach their goal.
There is a lot of great art for sale - so check it out!

Survey Results! - Which one of these is your most favorite thing to take in the bathtub?

2011-03-27T11:36:00.001-04:00

Finally! The results of my 3/13/11 survey are here! Sorry for the delay (I hope you weren't waiting in the tub all this time!). It appears that munching on large platters of sandwiches is the most popular tub activity,...

...which sounds really unhygienic... What is wrong with you people?

Really Creepy Bicycle Safety Video

2011-03-24T06:51:00.000-04:00

This brilliantly creepy video was actually made for children (1963).

Friday is 'Post a Doodle' Day...

2011-03-18T07:09:00.001-04:00

Shyanne Mushroom

Hey Look! It's Tubby!

2011-03-15T21:36:00.007-04:00

...and he's written in with these fun bath time ideas:

Get inside of a large shark plush toy, then dive in the tub and flail around violently so it looks like you're being eaten! You may also wish to enhance your bath with: 1) donut-shaped bath salts that fizzle and bubble, 2) assorted Barbapapa bath toys, 3) a monkey!
Happy Tub Time!
Love,
Tubby xo

Survey - Which one of these is your most favorite thing to take in the bathtub?

2011-03-13T19:44:00.000-04:00

Use voting buttons at top right to select your response. Thank you!

Clean Up Your Act - It's Bath Week!!!

2011-03-13T13:18:00.000-04:00

All this week we'll be celebrating bath time! So get ready to scrub-a-dub-dub!

Friday is 'Post a Doodle' Day...

2011-03-11T04:00:00.015-05:00

I want to run away with the famous clown aerobics instructor, Jean-Philippe.

But then again, who doesn't. I should just take a number.

What's in the cards, Part Two...

2011-03-09T04:00:00.041-05:00

Have you played Mille Bornes? I haven't but I'm told it's fun. I'm thinking of getting it. I'd like to get a vintage set as the older cards are so beautiful.

From Amazon, "First published in 1962, Mille Bornes (pronounced "meel born," French for "milestones") is an auto racing card game whose object, for each team of two players, is to be the first to complete a series of 1,000-mile trips."

I think it will be a fun way to cement some new French vocabulary into my brain. I learn new vocabulary best when I can connect the words to a real life experience.

Baman Piderman - Season 2 opening episode released tonight!

2011-03-08T21:38:00.004-05:00

Written and animated by the most ridiculously talented duo, Lindsay Small and Alex Butera, 'Baman Piderman' is the silliest, most surreal, creative and totally wacked show EVER!

What's in the cards...

2011-03-07T04:00:00.006-05:00

Cards games, Bali and Loteria.

I've never played them. I just like the design. Loteria is a very popular game throughout Central and South America, similar to Bingo. I know nothing about the Bali game. I think it's probably a bit more obscure.

I've always really liked playing cards and collector's cards as objects in general, which is why I'm designing my own line of collector's cards, the Sexy Vegetables (TM).

Friday is 'Post a Doodle' Day...

2011-03-04T07:43:00.001-05:00

Hamburgers with hairy legs and high-heeled feet.

Hamburger Party

2011-03-02T07:21:00.000-05:00

The perfect game for your Hamburger party this week!

Hamburger Week - Prehistory

2011-02-28T04:00:00.033-05:00

The first hamburger was a lot bigger
than they are today.

It's Hamburger Week!!!

2011-02-27T15:30:00.000-05:00

For gawddssaykes people stop frowning! It's freakin' Hamburger Week! Celebrate in style! Get out of your rut and try this all new hamburger-on-a-stick recipe. ALSO, for Friday's 'Post-a-Doodle' Day, send me your hamburger drawings and I will post them here on my blog!

Friday is 'Post a Doodle' Day...

2011-02-25T04:00:00.003-05:00

This fun family wants you to join them on a 12-hour car ride in their roomy Toyota Camry.

Friday is 'Post a Doodle' Day...

2011-02-18T04:00:00.003-05:00

I'm going to use this as my 2011 xmas card and send it to all my relatives with no explanation.

I made a Valentine's Day card...

2011-02-13T15:45:00.002-05:00

Friday is 'Post a Doodle' Day...

2011-02-11T04:00:00.004-05:00

I know it's not perfect. It is just a doodle. And it is just Robert after all. Robert the feral businessman.

I'll Give It My All Tomorrow

2011-02-09T04:00:00.102-05:00

I'm reading this great graphic novel by Shunjo Aono that my pals Andy and Veronica gave me....

Shizuo is fortysomething and out-of-work. After some inner soul searching, he realizes that his calling in life is to be a manga artist, despite having no formal artistic training or prior drawing experience. The book is about how he struggles with the creative process and with learning to draw in the midst of a disapproving father and friends who mock his aspirations. I haven't finished it yet... it's so good, I'm trying to not gobble it up in one sitting, as I often do with a great read!

Nifty gifties from A&V's Japan trip!...
Is that Barbapapa merch I see??...why YES!!! (yay!)

Our most popular class offering...

2011-02-06T15:35:00.004-05:00

Classes start tomorrow! See my 1/28/10 post for a complete list of classes. I'm excited that this new class was so popular! I guess people finally realize the dangers.

Friday is 'Post a Doodle' Day...

2011-02-04T07:51:00.000-05:00

I like to unwind after the work day with some sketching and doodling. Here's a recent one, scruffy Clown man...