Ron Hextall - Happy Birthday, "Famous" Nick!

Drawing for my nephew, "Famous" Nick's 13th birthday - his all-time hero, Ron Hextall. Nick wears Hextall's number. A couple years back I had the privilege of designing the logo for his hockey team's jersey:


Happy birthday, brother!

Christine Larsen Artist Spotlight in Spirit Newspapers

I was fortunate this week to cover Ms. Larsen and her work in the Spirit. To read the feature CLICK HERE.

To see the entire paper online (that includes a bunch of Christine's work), CLICK HERE.

Larsen's work will be up all month at Atlantis, the Lost Bar. CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS.

Call for Artists for CcTC Spooktacular Charity Project 2011

It's that time again! Every year for the past decade or longer, the Philadelphia Cartoonist Society has illustrated hand-drawn Trick or Treat bags for the kids at the Children's Crisis Treatment Center (www.cctckids.com).

To see and read about the 2010 CcTC Spooktacular Bags, please CLICK HERE.

To see and read about the 2008 CcTC Spooktacular Bags, please CLICK HERE.

Once again, the PCS will be making these awesome treasures for the kids at CcTC to appreciate. We would love to have artists volunteer. It is a great chance to get more active in the group and also do something nice for kids who really need and deserve it.

Happy Halloween, everybody!

Sean "Mr. G" Spotlighted on TheFeast.Com!

Click here to watch a Feast.com video focusing on Sean "Mr. G" and his sign-painting business. Sean has been lighting the city up lately with work for the Arrow Swim Club, Union Transfer, the Milkcrate Cafe and several other spots around Philly.


Sean is one hell of an illustrator and painter. It's great to see him getting the recognition he deserves!

Ellen Forney at Free Library on Saturday!

I had the pleasure of meeting cartoonist Ellen Forney today at a lecture at University of the Arts. She is here in Philadelphia as part of the Free Library's “One Book One Philadelphia”. She was absolutely awesome. She spoke about her early experiences, a bit about her process and gave an inside look into the collaboration between herself and author Sherman Alexie on the Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Ellen will be giving a workshop at the Free Library this Saturday and I highly recommend you attend! Many of our members have families, so this all-ages event would be a great way to spend the day. I have listed all the info below, and if you happen to make it out be sure and tell her your a proud member of the Philadelphia Cartoonist Society.

Absolutely True Diary of a Full-time Artist: Comics Studio With Ellen Forney
When: Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 2:00PM
Where: Central Library

Artist Ellen Forney, a Philadelphia native and the mind behind the clever artwork in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, will teach participants how to develop their own comic art. Forney's work includes collaborative projects with columnist Dan Savage and comedienne Margaret Cho, and has been featured in L.A. Weekly, Seattle's The Stranger, and The Oxford American. Please call 215-567-7710 to reserve a space.

(Below is one of my favorites comics from her lecture just click on it to enlarge.)

An open letter to every PCS Member.

Why we work.
It dawned on me recently why the Philadelphia Cartoonist Society works. Concetta and I were taking down the World’s Fair Art Show last week and going over sales. This was a collaborative exhibition between several PCS members and a few of our friends from the UK. We did a modest amount in sales overall (more than two-grand), not bad for a group show in a gallery that is a little off the beaten path. More importantly, we did more in sales during our PCS Christmas Party. This event wasn’t about the exhibition but more in line with celebrating everything the PCS has done over the last year. The party was a means of hanging out one more time before the New Year and welcoming all the new members. That is why the PCS works; we do more sales not trying so hard.
The PCS would rather have a Beef and Beer than a gallery show. We opt for Pabst and soft pretzels over wine and cheese any day of the week. I don’t want to say we are blue collar, because that conjures images of Larry “the Cable Guy” and redneck jokes. But we work really hard, share the wealth, invite anybody and everybody to take part. We ARE blue collar.
Our work, our shows, our books come from a very unique place; Sincerity. Just look at our members. There are just as many fine artists as there are cartoonists, just as many people into underground comics as there are those that enjoy comics on the web and mainstream titles. The tie that binds is a sincere one, a love of the game as much as the outcome.
I have been the recipient of that sincerity more times than I can count. I owe the PCS a lot including my health and welfare. As a group we have helped each other get work, moved house and home and lifted each other up. As professionals our work can be seen on everything from comics (both mainstream and self-published) to t-shirts, in magazines and on greeting cards. If it requires any kind of artwork then one of us has done it.
This post isn’t meant to grandstand. I guess with the year wrapping up I was waxing philosophic as to why I love you guys and this group so much. Also, I wanted to say “Thank You” to Jeff, Andrew and Xrissy. If not for you three, there would be no Philadelphia Cartoonist Society.
An overdue “Welcome Aboard” to some of the new blood; Sam, James, Matt, Alex, Eamon, Pedro, Tim, Megan, Kristy and Mike and my apologies if I left anyone out.
2011 is going to be a wonderful year for everyone involved in the PCS. New books, more shows and continued sincerity in everything we do.
The Happiest of New Years to everyone.
Above: Jeffro, Larsen and I show off our PCS ink. Photo: Concetta Barbera.

Sketchbook Sunday 2: Electric Boogaloo

Samhain- pron: /ˈsɑːwɪn/, /ˈsaʊ.ɪn/, or /ˈsaʊn/)

Hello,
Here"s my contribution for the Hallowed Halloween show-
Cant wait to get to Proximity and see all the art work in person-so many amazing images!
Thanks to Sam Heimer and Janel for putting together this show!