TOOMATUNES Vol. 1

When the time came to find music for our TOOMASOOBA mini-doc, I knew just where to turn — my long-time friend and talented musician, David Brooks. I've known Dave since 8th grade and we've always had a great creative partnership...and before I knew it he had written an AMAZING original soundtrack for the film.

It was so amazing, in fact, that we thought to offer it as a FREE download on Bandcamp! Listen below (and put "0" in the price field) to grab the ready-for-iTunes collection. It not only features the four songs from the doc, but a handful of demos and experiments that led us to the final recordings. Oh, and as an added bonus — 3-year-old Jack Bailey kicks off the collection with a TOOMASOOBA battlecry. I think you'll like it. Download, listen, enjoy, and share!

Color Schemers

Believe you me, judging the TOOMASOOBA coloring contest was a tough task — but myself, Hector, and Tinker sat down and picked out some favorites! Below you'll find the winners — thanks to everyone who came out to the premiere and a special thanks to those who sat down to put their own spin on TOOMASOOBA characters.

Want to download and color some pages yourself? Well then, click here — Share your work and maybe it'll end up on the website or blog!

Evie's "Blue Fire" Claymore.

Alan's Eureka got big points for adding the spaceship!

Billy's Hector reminds me of David Bowie for some reason.

Hayden's RoBoy brought in a lot of cool patchwork color!

Launch Party Success!

Whew! Between the Shreveport Farmers Market and last week's mini-doc launch party, June has been packed — but I wouldn't have it any other way.

When I decided to create a video for TOOMASOOBA at the beginning of this year, I'd planned to post it on Facebook and that would be it. My girlfriend, however, suggested having a viewing party — and it was a great idea. What I'd initially envisioned as a gathering in my living room for 10 people ballooned into a crazy-awesome time in an amazing venue with well over 100 in attendance.

We had a packed house!

I was even able to raise awareness in town about my work and make an impression that wasn't possible before — I appeared on a local morning news show and was featured in a couple of newspapers as well.

I won't bore you with the details, but a lot of hustle went into the evening and I couldn't have done it without the help of my friends. Many thanks to Chris Lyon for producing the mini-doc, David Brooks for creating the original music, Krystle Beauchamp and LaToya Hemphill for making the event (and food) happen, Neil Johnson for the awesome space, Nathan Pizar for being an audio-visual beast, James "Rex" Gilcrease and Mark Flentge for running my merch table, Renzi Center for spreading their mission at the show, and Brandon Oldenburg for sharing kind words while introducing me before the premiere.

My friend (and creative dynamo) Brandon hangin' with Kid Cupcake.

Can't forget my super-cool sponsors, either: Fairfield Studios, Middlebrook Bakery, and Aw, Snap Photography. I was over the moon with the way things went and I truly, truly appreciate the support — now to keep the momentum going!

Below are more photos (you can view a full gallery on Facebook). Did you miss the premiere? No worries, you can watch TOOMASOOBA: The Birth of a Brand right here on YouTube!

When Seth draws TOOMASOOBA, it's always awesome.

A handful of coloring sheets from the evening...contest winners will be announced soon!

Not sure what's going on here with Dylan and April, but I like it.

Hangin' with Ty — he's a good artist and a cool dude.

The McDades represent TOOMASOOBA!

The Mini-Doc is Here

After months of prep with Perennial Media and a hugely successful launch party last Thursday (more on that later this week), I'm finally able to share the mini-doc online! Check out TOOMASOOBA: The Birth of a Brand below, and spread the word to your friends, enemies, lovers, fighters, second cousins, and favorite pets. I'm very pleased with the way it turned out...I hope y'all enjoy.

Down in Deep Ellum

Last weekend I headed over to Dallas to check out the Deep Ellum Arts Festival — I’d never been before and my buddy David Pound from Tennessee had a booth at the show (Click here to see more awesomeness). I figured if he could drive 12 hours to get there, I could drive two and a half, y’know?

I met David at the Porter Flea last summer and we quickly became “art bros”, so it was good to see him again...I even gave him a TOOMASOOBA version of one of his characters on Saturday (photo below). The crowds were snapping up his sculpture work like crazy and the festival was a great time. Such a great time, in fact, that I might just sign up for next year!

Street-level view (and, in the lower left corner, my thumb).

Customers crammed into David's booth space.

The TOOMASOOBA version of "An Untwained Eye". I tried to pick a
sculpture that I could do justice to - mission accomplished, I think.

The official unveiling of said TOOMASOOBA version.

Stopped to do a little chalk street art later in the day.

Color Your World

It's time to bust out that 96-crayon box with a built-in sharpener and add some color to these TOOMASOOBA creations! I put together a few coloring sheets that you can download here in PDF format...and I'll also have them as free giveaways at upcoming TOOMASOOBA events.

If you or your kiddos happen to create a masterpiece worth sharing, send a photo or scan my way and I'll feature your art on the website. Have fun with 'em, friends!

Hector and Claymore sheets...Eureka is available too!

TOOMASOOBA super-fan Logan hard at work.

Takin' It to the Streets

Back in January of this year, my friends (and talented artists) Nadine Charity, Robert Trudeau, and Kathryn Usher posted some artwork at the corner of Kings Highway and Youree Drive in Shreveport — and it intrigued me from the start. Recently, I was able to join in on a "hanging" at En Plein Air (a.k.a. Beauty Supply Gallery a.k.a. Gallery BS) and add my art to the mix.

I've always been a bit inspired by Obey Giant, and this project definitely got me pumped. Don't be surprised if you see more of these popping up around town...and, um, if the cops ask, you don't know who is responsible for these shenanigans, okay?

Tony Reans was there to document the process — below are several great photos from the evening. You can view a complete online gallery here!

Hello, it's a big ol' Ninjacat.

Nadine and Robert showing me the ropes. And the Elmer's glue.

Originally we planned to hang the art up high, but the surface wasn't agreeable.

Making sure it's stuck real good.

Partners in crime.

The finished product.

It's Clobberin' Time

I am not, nor will I ever be, too cool to attend a comic book convention. Myself and some friends drove over to the super-crowded Dallas Comic Con last weekend (presented by Stan Lee, no less) and had a great time. Typically, I don't buy much at cons; I just like to take in the extreme nerdiness. Oh, and I got to attend a Q & A with Kevin Conroy, the voice of Batman. Aw yeah. Check out some pics below, courtesy of my pals Jeff Welborn and Travis Eck.

A guy dressed as Wolverine. And my buddy Trav dressed as Cyclops.

Why is Jean Grey texting? Can't she communicate telepathically?

A slew of DC characters.

Small Flash. Smaller Flash. Overweight Thor.

Artbreak 2012

A few weeks ago, Shreveport & Bossier City held the 28th annual Artbreak celebration, a showcase for elementary, middle, and high school artists. I never pass up an opportunity to check out student artwork and soak in the creativity that just jumps off the walls...plus I've gotta keep an eye on my future competition, y'know.

I remember when I was a part of Artbreak (way back in the day), and what a charge and a motivation it was to have people see my work. Below are some of my favorite pics from the afternoon!

Boomabot Plush

In late 2010, I collaborated with my good pal Samantha Krause to produce a series of limited-edition handmade (and oh-so-cute) Boomabot plush. They turned out amazing...and sold like gangbusters! I recently ran across some pics and, since the little guys were completed in the pre-blog days, thought I'd show off a few photos below.

Samantha has a new venture these days called POKEY!!! -- check it out and buy some handmade awesomeness from her. We plan to work together again this summer on some TOOMASOOBA creations, so stay tuned for glimpses at what gets cooked up!

The Boomabot Army.

Enjoying a healthy snack.

Totally Tote!

Little known fact: Boomabots love musicals.

Sock Sighting

My good friends Dave and Barb took a trip to San Francisco last weekend and texted me a couple of photos that really brightened my day. They'd run across some designs of mine at SF Sock Market on Pier 39 and made sure to let me know about it...sweetness.

Some of my creations are available on the Sock It To Me website, of course, and I always have plenty on hand at the shows I attend, but to see 'em in a real live retail store really knocks my socks off! No pun intended...okay, yeah, pun intended.

My association with SITM has been a great one (read the backstory here) and I've even had a design or two sell out (collector's items, yo)...you can snag remaining socks for your very own here and here. See below for SF pics!

Berenstain Bears

Jan Berenstain, who created the Berenstain Bears books with her husband Stan, passed away on Friday. As a kid, the Berenstain Bears (along with Mercer Mayer's Little Critter) were a huge inspiration to me and made a fantastic impression on my imagination and artwork — and it's an inspiration that continues to this day. Thank you, Jan and Stan, for the creativity and storytelling you shared with each other and with us.

Below is a look at one my earliest works of art created in Mrs. Ruth's preschool class circa 1984...the Berenstain family treehouse. Good times, good memories.

How Very Puzzling...

I'm always on the lookout for creative and cool new ways to feature my stable of characters...so to that end, I'd like to unveil the first official TOOMASOOBA puzzle featuring Byron the Boy Robot. Yep, that's right...a puzzle!

This dude is 48 pieces and measures 6 inches by 8 inches...it's a lot of fun (and a little more challenging than it looks). You can pick one up right here in my Etsy shop if you'd like to test your problem-solving skills. The puzzle comes packaged in a protective sleeve with a print of the image as well (bonus!).

By the way, the record for assembly among my group of friends so far is 11 minutes and 35 seconds. Think you can beat that? Remember...start with the corners. That's the key.

A look at an assembled (and unassembled) puzzle! 

Keeping it Weird in Austin

After Christmas, I headed over to Austin, TX, for a few days with some friends for a little getaway — took in the sights, played a lot of shuffleboard, and soaked up plenty of inspiration that already has the gears turning for future TOOMASOOBA artwork. Below are just a handful of pics from our travels...enjoy!

Not sure what's going on here, but I like it.

I never pass up the opportunity to take a photo in front of a Johnny Cash mural.

Parts & Labour, a great indie shop on South Congress featuring TX designers.

The state capital, 3 am. Texas Forever.

Boomabot Sighting

Rockin' out onstage with Aevory...take a listen on Facebook! Photo by Chris Lyon.

Yuletide Preview

I know it's a bit early to bust out the seasons greetings (though I admit I am currently rocking out a Christmas playlist in iTunes), but I couldn't resist! The 4AFTER5 boys and I are already preparing for a holiday-themed show that will go up after Thanksgiving, so below is a little sneak peak of one of my pieces — "Santa's Little (Big) Helper".

Last year, Brad and I showed some work at the American Rose Center and we're happy to have the whole gang involved for 2011. To see all of our art, swing by "Christmas in Roseland" in Greenwood, LA, this November 25 through December 18...it's a fun time with lights and carols and the whole holiday thing! Hope to see you little elves there.

Journal Comics

Several months ago, the 4AFTER5 crew decided to try our hands at drawing some journal strips. In the tradition of James Kochalka and other online illustrators, we each recorded (in comic form) a moment or experience from our day...it could be funny or run-of-the-mill or, well, whatever. And we gave it a shot for one week -- not too long, really, but a fun experience nonetheless.

Click here to read the seven comics created by yours truly!

One of the strips "starring" myself and my good buddy Jonathan.

TOOMASOOBA Shirts in Action!

Occasionally, I’ll spot a photo online or a shot will arrive to my inbox of someone sporting TOOMASOOBA gear. I always get a kick out of seeing these pictures and I feel all warm & fuzzy inside when I see that folks are enjoying the shirts. Here are a few of those images below...if you have any of your own, send 'em on in!

Logan rockin' the RoBoy at camp.

Keegan in a Tinker shirt...along with her great take on the character!

Matt Weeks caught at the copier wearing Winthrop.