Ewwww! Dude, What is On Your Shoe?

Okay, this is the 2nd such rant I’ve put together in the past few days. And once again, it comes to us from the world of sports (please – before we go any further: I am NOT making puns today!! Well, not intentionally, though I am enjoying some of these in the editing phase!). Either (a) the world of sports is far stranger than I suspected from a design perspective, or (b) I have got to occasionally log off my darn computer and actually participate in some ‘movement’ rather than just reading about it all the time.

Anyhose, as seen about the Interweb, it seems that a new (?) company called Gravity Defyer is trying to make its way into the multikajillion dollar sports shoe market. And wouldn’t you know it, in the bravely iconic yet strangely illogical world of logos for said products – including the Nike ‘swoosh’ and the ones those other companies have that I don’t remember right now – they have chosen for their footwear none other than… well, there’s no way to sugar-coat this (again, see note about puns above) – they have chosen, quote, a logo that is none other than a ‘slick seed of life’. That’s right: they have a big SPERM as their logo that also appears in the fontation of their name plate as well!

Well, first of all, I have some issue thinking of any ‘seed of life’ as slick. Call me old-fashioned, but slick is just the kind of thing you associate with hair-care products. Hm, I guess I’m forgetting my ‘Something About Mary’ nostalgia… and no, if you don’t know what I’m talking about here, I will NOT explain it! I also think that multicoloured versions of these little ‘fellas’ is also a bit much, but let’s not bring that up. Oops…

Still, as our extensive research revealed, the CEO of the company insists that this logo is for real, in so far as any logo or better said mission statement stands up to the test of reality without having to rely on heavy prescription drugs. Says Alexander Elnekaveh: "Our logo is deliberate. Our customers feel like they are getting the beginning of a new life when they try our shoes. We are not embarrassed by it."

Ah yes, the beginning of a new life, noting that as with shoes, it does indeed take two to tango! At least without basically ‘dancing’ with yourself (wink wink nudge nudge). Interestingly, though, this is only valid for the sports shoes, as the company’s wide and attractive (?) selection of dress shoes for men and women do NOT feature sperm on them, at least not in the form of a logo. No, instead this abundance of ‘new life’ is based on the shoes’ "Versoshock Trampoline" (and we all know trampolines = bouncy, bouncy fun!!) which looks coincidentally like a bed spring located in the heel of the shoes. But the spring is not just springy! No, it ‘propels you forward, reducing fatigue so you can live a healthier more dynamic life!’ Ah, there’s nothing like a big ol’ seed of life propelling forward to help reduce fatigue. Wait…

Even though the logo has obviously garnished media attention and goofy guffaws from morons such as yours truly, the logo has generated some controversy as well. According to GD, online retailer QVC and catalogue Seventh Avenue refused to carry the shoes because of the logo. Okay. I guess doing what QVC usually does, namely, selling eerily realistic dolls excludes you from carrying shoes covered in sperm symbols. Well, shoot! Rats, did it again…

Epilogue: Gravity Defyer has apparently not yet confirmed whether they will follow in the steps of Nike, Adidas and others in terms of seeking professional athletes to endorse their products. Somehow though, methinks there would be one or two candidates out there that might fit the bill of leaving such a ‘mark’ across the country! Or even Britney Spears. Ewwwww!

Want to Learn More? Try these links: http://gravitydefyer.com/ http://www.businessinsider.com/sperm-athletic-logo-2011-4#ixzz1JtL4fuu9 http://www.sportsgrid.com/media/new-shoe-companys-logo-is-sperm-seriously/

Have You Designed A Demonic Homage Today?

I haven’t posted any ‘art’ (oh ha ha, I crack myself up) in a while, mostly owing to a case of both creative block as well as a nasty sinus infection that has made moving my head around or even using my eyes somewhat painful. So instead, I’ve decided to post a ‘this is the neatest design thingie I saw lately’ type article. Maybe it’ll become a regular occurrence here. Or maybe not.

Seems a couple of days ago, the Arizona State Sun Devils released a new uniform-slash-logo design. Now that wouldn’t usually interest me that much, but the headline in the original YAHOO! article did catch my eye:
Fashion Break: Arizona State helmets drop their demonic homage to Walt Disney

Wow, how many times have we seen design linked to ‘demonic homages’? Well, except for Shepard Fairey’s work?

Well, apparently as the story goes, ASU wanted to upgrade their image because schools like Oregon (yes, Virginia there is an Oregon… it’s ‘somewhere’ out West… we think) and even Texas Christian were getting all the attention owing to their slick, fashionable uniforms… and also a much better ability to actually do well at sports. So as any good institution of higher education would do, they hired someone and paid millions of dollars to redo the logo. The hell with student aid, gotta keep those souvenir sales up!!

As the article then mentioned, there was one ‘major casualty of the redesign’: the previous cartoon Sun Devil himself, Sparky! Although it does seem from these various testosterone-driven poses that Sparky will remain as the mascot.

But here’s the interesting bit: it seems that Sparky – who may or may not have been named after Spartacus (hint: probably not) – was originally designed in the late-1940s by ASU alumni Bert Anthony. And wouldn’t you know it, but ol’ Bert – a former Disney artist that seems to have gotten himself fired for whatever reason (we were too lazy to look it up) – seems to have modeled the Devil after the great Walt D himself as a means of, quote, exacting revenge on his old boss! You’ve got to admit, the Devil does have a moustache ergo… but why this would be considered revenge though is beyond me.

So as it seems then this long-standing vision of pathetic payback will go the way of the Panda, which although not suited to survive in nature is being supported to this day. The logos will be changed including the pitchfork but somehow the Demon outside will live on in wacky antics and what not. Also, it appears that the University has planned ahead for playing in the hot Arizona sun and wearing black, making sure that the uniforms remain stylish looking even when on fire.

The writer of the original article does go on as well to say there is a bright side, namely the team is no longer bearing the mark of a cartoon that appears to be terrorizing the night dressed only in elaborate yet form-fitting pajamas. Wow, and people wonder why I want to get paid for doing this?

But you know, come to think of it, I wonder if any colleges out there would want me to design a logo based on my old boss? Sleep on it and get back to me on that…

Unusual Suspects

Or What's Wrong With this Picture?

Okay, SERIOUS GOOFING time, I confess!!

However, after

(1) another 'spending spree' for clothes for my daughter (who is growing roughly 1 inch taller every day now it seems) and contributing again to the clever inventors of the you-know-who franchise

plus

(2) helping my on-going insomnia with another 'Family Guy' DVD marathon

it struck me that a lot of our 'favorite' petite and yet - dare I say it - 'round-headed' cartoon favorites REALLY resemble each other.

After putting it to the test in rather 'boring' fashion (read: just creating them 'as-is') I started to play make-up artist who has been hitting the liquor cabinet a little too hard (a long title role but one made famous by Lawrence Peetertinkle).

So after some mixed up ears, eyes, hair styles and clothes, this is what we get.

And to answer your next question, yes I am seeking professional help.

Ciao for now brown cows!!

Hello Kenny

Oh my gosh, you spoofed Kenny!! Okay, if you don't follow or know about 'South Park', you're no doubt lost right now. But hey, not everyone has the same exposure to fine culture as others.

This actually started out much more ambitious than what I ended up with. So, yeah, a lot like marriage and parenthood.

You see, I was going to do several printings, some cut and paste work and even some special coloration. However,

(a) my printer is dying (after less than a year!!!);

(b) my construction paper supply at home has mysteriously depleted; and

(c) my heart's been up in my throat ever since the Japan earthquake hit. So I went ahead and did what I could.

Still, hope you can find it in your hearts to enjoy the silliness! Be good!

Hello Kiddy

Hi Everyone! Back from a wee break and slowly but surely getting the creative juices flowing again!

Ran across an old picture of Ralph Macchio the other day. It's hard to believe that his signature movie 'The Karate Kid' came out in 1984!! I still think though that his best movie was 'Crossroads'. Maybe not so much because of him, but because it was an interesting movie.

Found a couple of great 'fonts' to go with this. The background karate poses are actually from a font called 'Karate Chop', and the 'Karate Kiddy' header is simply called 'Karate'. Yep, don't get more straightforward than that, huh?

Dedicated to DR who is not only a great artist but apparently also a very adept karate dude and soon-to-be dad, too!!

HEY GUYS, help me out! Would appreciate constructive criticsm! Thanks/cheers/merci/haija!!

Little Garfield

Puffington Host, 17. February, 2011

In a surprise move that shook financial markets across the globe, Sanrio – producer and licenser of the global brand ‘Miss Kitty’ – announced today that they had bought full rights for Garfield from creator Jim Davis and the various companies responsible for the iconic, lasagna-loving cat’s licensing and image placement.

When asked about the purchase, Sanrio responded that accessing the reach of the Garfield franchise would enable them to be placed in the ‘daily psyche’ of the comics reading audience. When asked about giving up the Garfield franchise, a source who asked not to be named replied, ‘Well, honestly, it hasn’t been funny in 10 years so really, why not?’

Sanrio will reportedly rename Garfield for local markets as
脂肪とレイジーキャット

pronounced ‘Shibō to reijīkyatto’
or literally ‘fat and lazy cat’. It will feature the new kawaii version of both Garfield and his beloved teddy bear, Pooky, shown here.

Whether or not either Odie or Jon, Garfield’s owner, will appear in the new strip remains to be seen, even though Hollywood insiders are reporting that Lucy Liu has been offered the part of Jon’s girlfriend and Garfield’s veterinarian because, quote, ‘she just really needs the work.’

(btw: had a lot of fun making these. Experimented with some new coloration methods including by hand and with digital 'support'. Japanese background was created first digitally, then hand colored, 'tie-dyed', crumpled up several times and then finally run through a hot laminator! I got the fire out pretty quick this time, too!)

Little Cupid

Editor's Note: we're posting this way tonight because

(1) we've been really slack keeping this blog 'au jour' (which translates literally into 'aw man, today?') and

(2) we intensely dislike the new photo viewing program on Facebook!

And now, tonight's feature:

Okay, maybe I’m not the best person to be asking to make a Valentine’s Card themed pic-o-thingie days. It was either a nod to Pat Benatar or any of the million of songs that include the line ‘Love Hurts’ or similarly painful descriptives.

For some reason, I wanted to combine the heroic toughness of Marvel’s Nick Fury (old white guy, Jack Kirby-like version) with Cupid. Yes, I’ll admit, sometimes the flashbacks are pretty overwhelming. Still, wish me luck, this may – MAY – be one of my last with ‘cheap’ software. We’ll see.

Font for ‘Little Cupid’ is ‘fiolex girls’ and for the bottom bit ‘weekend warrior’.

Little Teenage Mutant SOMETHING??? Turtles

This set started off with some bizarre inspiration after a random Facebook discussion that somehow raised the topic of zombies, mutants and I think also cowboys, not to mention country music. So yes, the fact that this led to this shows indeed that my mind works in a very 'uni-Q' way.

This 'grand version' brings together a theoretical discussion where the creators know they want

1) Teenagers,

2) Mutants and

3) Turtles.

But the question that my imagined creators are asking themselves is: what to go with these obvious combinations that would eventually lead to a multi-billion dollar industry? (Ignoring as well that several toy makers and even countries like Germany did not allow them to be called 'Ninjas' but instead 'heroes'... trivia point folks, right it down or commit to memory, your call).

Perhaps the conversation went something like this then... or perhaps not...

Little Teenage Mutant NINJA Turtle!!

Asking the eternally important question: 'why Ninjas?' even though the answer would no doubt have been a very educated and high-brow version of 'duh!!'

Little Teenage Mutant ZOMBIE Turtle!!

I did it, I DID IT!! I drew a decent ZOMBIE!! I now consider myself a light mauve belt in zombie drawing!!

Little Teenage Mutant DEMON Turtle!!

I got lots of help from Ziggy Jr. on this one. He wanted the hair to be 'completely blonde'. Hm, I wonder why he identifies demonic presences with being blonde? Hm, indeed!!

Little Teenage Mutant CYBORG Turtle

Well, I think this not only satisfied my quota of alternative TMNT characters but also takes care of any worrisome 'Little Robocop' worries that may have been out there. Yes, you know who you are!!

Introduction to Little Ziggy 'buttons'

Do you know who these 'people' are? I started off this new approach with an easy one.

This next bit is then to take everyone through a quick trip into why I started with the 'Little Buttons', which I’m sure if I didn’t include you wouldn’t sleep at nights anymore:

First, I ran across this tee-shirt at teefury.com that PERFECTLY embraces the kind of simplicity (the 'KISS' principle!!) that I'm trying to, well, embrace with the 'Little Ziggy' templates. Zap zap bing and it’s done. Amazing!!



I then saw this picture - maybe even the same day - done by Steven Dressler (seen on fanboy.com) of Conan O'Brien. Again, this is using the same ‘template’ but in my eyes the artist has achieved much more direct and powerful results than the feeble attempts I keep making.

Granted all this was coming after my horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE attempt at the Lady Gaga Zombie drawing.



This was the 'killer' though, this fantastic collection of 77!!! minimalist superheroes collected like this. For the original as well as the answers, see

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39576416@N07/4669996518/

NOTE: you'll have to copy/paste this ENTIRE ADDRESS into your browser for it to work, as some numbskull put an ampersand in it! BUT YOU MUST SEE THIS IT IS GENIUS PURE!!

As such, I started to reexamine the 'Little Ziggy' work in order to come up with a premise that could approximate something this clever and so much fun to do!!

So of course inspiration struck in me in a place where I could NOT just jump up and start sketching or otherwise stop what I was doing (Dr.'s hate it when you do that). But I thought why not try something similar to the representative squares above but in a 'button' shaped representation?

The picture below was then my first round of sketching with the Scooby Doo gang (noting it took one fan all of 2 minutes to guess who everyone was, even from the original 'un-lined' version, yes, including the round brown spot… I mean, that could be ANYONE!).

However, I felt like having the black lines - especially for the hair and also what garments were present - was too much. So I cut it back to this:








I really liked how both 'Fred' and 'Daphne' turned out, so I decided to do away with 'all the black' to see if it could still work (changing then minor bits that I felt were necessary for identification, including 'Shaggy's' beardy thing).

And viola (literally a fat violin), here's how it all transpired!! I am looking forward to trying my hand at more of these as time permits. I find it a refreshing way of looking at things and just so much gosh darn fun, too!!

Little Venus

Yes friends, it is the secret fantasy of every boy who grew up a geek that some clear night the hot Amazon Babes from Venus will land only to ask sincerely: 'We need you Earthman! You must come with us in order to teach us about this thing you call kissing'...

And yes, despite our hesitations and fears, we would do it ONLY to protect our beloved Earth...


Actually, this is sort of what came out of a long sketching session one weekend. Sort of a cross of the 'little Ziggy' format with some retro and manga thrown in.

Like a bachelor recipe after the shops have closed: I'm just not so sure how it worked, even though it did have a pungent yet pleasing allure!!


Here it is again with a slightly more simplified background. Same fantasy.

Little Lady... Zaza?

(Please accept my apologies for this post. I blame a combination of too much food and the snow!!)

OK this was a very silly day. I had wanted to try my hand at zombies ever since I started the interview process with Jared Moraitis, an amazing artist who is next in line over at ZN HQ. So after a 'quick sketch' (literally about 15 minutes worth... I think it shows, too!!), this is what we landed with!!

And what better way to bring it to the world than via the font of all knowledge that is good and just!! Hope you can read it, if not I'll clue you in later (which may take a while since that implies I have to get a clue first)!!


But wait, there’s more (translation : it gets worse) :


Little Lady Zaza Zombie
(alternative pen work)

OK I got bored watching the snow fall and 're-penned' the first version. I think the whole zombie thing looks so much better when done in the whole 'Mike Mignola and co.' way that is as little color as possible - and then very much pastel except for one or two rich ones - and really thick lines and blackened in spots when you can do it.

OK live and learn... or better said don't live, walk dead looking for brains to eat and learn...

Little Ming the Indifferent

This piece started out as just a 'free sketch', namely just adding bits and pieces to the ‘Little Ziggy template’ as they came to mind.

I quickly realized I was doing something seen recently concerning the original Flash Gordon comics. Well, I was actually doing that rather poorly because at first it looked more like 'Little Satanic Spaceman from Saturn'. Okay.

As I tried to 'tighten up' the more Ming-y aspects however, I began to think that ol' Ming just didn't always look like he was really 'into it', if you know what I mean. OK, if you have a name like 'Ming the Merciless', sure, you're EXPECTED to be all evil and take-over-the-universe-y.

But what if you were called 'Little Ming the Indifferent'? You see, it changes things!! Well, like he says: whatever.

Anyway, here are the fonts:
'bwhahaha... whatever' via gypsy curse.

The top line - after angrily looking for something more 'Flash Gordon-y' - is a sort of 'alienesque' font called lomax. Oh..... kay. Whatever...

Little Paigey

This drawing has been stuck in my mind since I read a recent web-site update from an upcoming interviewee, namely the one and only Paige Pumphrey. Her work is outstanding as you can see at her blog and more:

http://theartofpaigey.blogspot.com/ .

Class, style and so much more!

However, she not only draws really great stuff but she’s also volunteered to have folks draw her!! In fact, she recently took part in the patented ‘Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School’ drawing session held during a recent conference in New York seen at this link:
http://www.drsketchy.com/site/comments/its_good_to_be_the_king_con/

The rest as ‘they’ say was pure obsession!! On my part, that is.

I won’t give away too much more as I’m totally psyched about having Paige at ZN HQ, but I really enjoyed putting together this little pre-interview ‘homage’.

Font is a modified* ‘Lounge Bait’ (*read: I added stars instead of big blobs - blobs, I said, BLOBS - over the ‘i’s’).

Little Calvin and Hobbes

This posting is 'simply' my little ode to Bill Watterson's timeless strip, which is not unexpected since as those of you who have spent the night with me (both of you!) know that I keep at least one of his collections on my nightstand year-round.

His style was not only amazing for its simplicity but also its grace! Even though he stopped years ago, the stories and adventures of Spaceman Spiff and others live forever in our hearts!!

I find Hobbes much more fun to draw. He seemed 'realer' to me than Calvin even... that is, until I got my own 'Calvin' in the form of my son. Yes, Junior drives me mad on a daily basis but what a wonderful imagination he has!!

Font is none other than the official one from the strip! It’s sometimes found under the name 'calvino', go figure.

I would note that I always loved Hobbes so much, who was probably my second favorite character of the modern 'mini' era next to Opus the Penguin. I think its because I had my own version when I was a kid (Zippy the Chimp, who by a strange coincidence was owned by my Great-Uncle, who also owned Flipper and Skipper the Dolphins... go figure). Oh the adventures we had!!

Little Aliens

This is the final 'character' from Toy Story I wanted to do. Wasn't sure at first if they'd fit into the 'Hello YouKnowWho' mold, but it wound up being really fun to do.

And until I did my research with some of the kids’ books, I was not aware that these little guys’ 'emblem' on their uniforms was in fact a pizza (well, a pizza with a planetary ring around it). So not only did I get my picture done, but I learned something, too. Which is nice.

Here is another version with a little bit more background added. I also thought I'd add a slight reference to their religion as well, sorry if that causes offense to any other worshippers of The Claw.


The font is inspired by one called 'Saturn' though I didn't wind up using it. Also the 'rocket' flying above is an old graphic I did, converting a picture I had of a lava lamp into a rocket. I have 'several' (= too many) variations if you're curious.


Finally, this is a 'personal' request; the kids just got a copy of 'Toy Story 3' from their USA 'Grandma' (her nickname being an inside joke involving Teletubbies, cute babies, and more!). They ... and honestly their old man ... are really excited!!

What a great series though, I hope the third installment lives up to the first 2!! I've heard good things (plus keep tissues handy, I know)!!!

Little Woody

(ok since no one reacted after 'Little Shaft', I'm curious if this will get a 'rise' out of any of you!!)

This was my second picture of my own personal Toy Story trilogy. Well, let's put it this way: I KNOW there will be at least 3, I'm still kind of iffy on Ziggy Jr.'s desire to have Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head included. I'll do a final combo pic as well, so WATCH THIS SPACE!!

And for the 'Hell No Kitty' purists, I just turned the head sideways again from the usual template, and also took some liberties with arm and leg shape. A ton of fun to do, and I am becoming convinced that drawing is the best fun you can have in clothing optional settings!!

Font is rope mf, selected by my trusty partner in crime, Zig Jr. who is sitting here reading this as I type it and laughing because he's pretending he's NOT reading as I type... go to bed!! Yes, NOW!!

Little Buzz

My son has been really wanting some Toy Story love in ‘Little Ziggy World’ so this is the first. Fun to do, oh how I wish I was a kid when these movies came out!!

Heck I even got his slight astigmatism (sp?) in!!

Seriously, his eyes don’t line up, now you won’t be able NOT to notice it... well, he's also got that dimple thing, but it's not really as creepy.

Font is spaceshipbullet. Groovy.

Little Surfer

Felt like doing some Super Heroes, or perhaps better said, a superhero. Or whatever ol' Shiny Head qualifies as...

Here's a rendition of the Silver Surfer for your enjoyment (for non-comic fans, he was in the 2nd Fantastic Four movie ... well, I guess you wouldn't have seen that either if you don't like comics).

Originally at least he was a great tragic figure, but I've lost track with all the various 're-inventions' and new universes that have been created the past couple of decades.And if you're curious: any time I draw a Super Hero (or Villain) and Jack Kirby also drew it at any point in his career, that is who I am trying to imitate!!

I also tried my hand at some Kirby-esque backgrounds here, too. His backgrounds (or even abstract collages!) and also especially cityscapes are among my favorite aspects of his work!!Font is nothing, I literally just goofed off with one of the 'normal' ones (Arial? not sure).

In terms of the version sans background, I really need my art muse to teach me more about how to add backgrounds that 'pop'. I just figured continuing with the blue would work. Does it? I dunno...