TC12: Week Three

If you haven't noticed yet, I kinda have a thing for drawing robots — I'll mix it up next week, I promise! At any rate, I think this guy turned out pretty good. I actually have a couple of full-body versions in the works, but decided to save those for shirts or prints or whatnot down the line. I know, I know, I'm such a tease.

Do you have a great name for this big ol' lug? Email your ideas to me and I'll pick a favorite. Winners will receive a print of the character along with a few other cool items...congrats to Rachel from Texas for naming Week Two's illustration — Cy is the new name of that little fella!

Here is a peek at any early sketch, along with the beginning stages of digital buildout — you can see I was WAAAAY off at the start, but ended up turning things around:

TC12: Week Two

Dang it, I've wanted to create a cyclops robot for quite awhile. So I did! The final design went through a number of variations, believe it or not — there's typically an extensive process of adding and subtracting elements of an illustration to find just the right balance (during which I drive myself bonkers). And more often than not, clean and bold wins out. Sometimes, simple just isn't as simple as it looks! But I'm pleased with the results and always enjoy the process.

Do you have the perfect name in mind this little dude? Email your ideas to me and I'll pick a favorite. Winners will receive a print of the character along with a few other cool items...congrats to Kelsi from Texas for naming Week One's illustration — Kittsy is her name! 

Bonus time...below is a peek of an early sketch that led to the finished illustration:

TC12: Week One

So here we go...week one of TOOMACHALLENGE 2012 has arrived. The character below originated from a rough drawing I did while at a web workshop in Dallas last week. I tend to get my best sketching done in the margins of notepads, I must admit. She's a happy little cat-like gal and a pretty good start for TC12, I think!

Do you have the perfect name in mind this creature? If so, email your ideas to me and I'll pick my favorite. Winners will receive a print of the character along with a few other cool items in their mailbox. How can you pass up that offer?

As an added bonus, here's a peek at the original sketches that led to the final illustration you see above:

TOOMACHALLENGE 2012!

I'm always scheming and sketching out new TOOMASOOBA designs, but between the ol' day job, show & product prep, and a million other things, I don't sit down and finish off a digital illustration as often as I should. Of course, I miss the creative thrill that it brings...so TOOMACHALLENGE 2012 (a.k.a. TC12) was born!

Here's how it's gonna work: Every Monday in July and August, I will post a new Tooma-character that I've crafted the week before. Most will start from collected sketches (see below), though many designs will veer far from the initial idea...that's all part of the fun. I'll discuss the creative evolution and even give you guys a chance to name the character (with prizes in store if your idea is chosen).

TC12 begins on Monday, July 2nd...check back soon for the first installment. Boom!

The Porter Report

One of my 2012 TOOMASOOBA goals included showing work in a new state or two...and now I can mark Tennessee off the list! I was honored to be chosen as a vendor for the Porter Flea in Nashville last weekend — awesome show, great venue, non-stop crowds. One of the best markets that I've been a part of so far.

I was glad to have my long-time friend (and Nashvillian) David Brooks as my right-hand man for the day. He came up with some funny sales pitches that I totally plan to use again (and probably take credit for) down the road. Thanks for joining me in the trenches, Dave!

Many thanks to Katie, Brent, and all of the organizers who put the show together...I truly appreciate your hustle. And check out the work of some of my new friends like David Pound (Twenty Heads), Chris Hamer (UrbnPop), and Tim Cook. You'll enjoy their art.

Oh shoot, almost forgot — Mike Wolfe (from American Pickers) was there to check out the show, too. Not gonna lie, I got a little starstruck when he strolled by my table. See y'all at the holiday Flea in December!

This was a fantastic venue! And indoors, too, which is a great thing in the middle of June.
Photo by Emily Spence.

Setting up so quickly I was just one big blur.

Where's TOOMASOOBA? Photo by Emily Spence.

The TOOMASOOBA table.

Boomabot wants to be your friend.

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.

There Will Be Bots: Part 2

It's time to chronicle part two of Boomabot assembly. Did you miss part one? Well then, click here. And if you want to learn a little more about Boomabot, check out this video!

With the protective covering now removed, it was time to line 'em up and
get started with the glue. This blue and green robot army is coming together nicely.
We'll try some different colors next time.

At Cassidy's suggestion, I picked up some Weld-On Solvent Cement to adhere
all the pieces together properly — though things went smoothly, I may go for the brush-on
version next time (the tube tended to clog and make the glue a bit stringy).

After a bit of dry time, I cleaned off all the fingerprint smudges and attached the bots
to their bases...originally I planned to glue them down, but they seemed to stand great
without it (also allowing the option of a reversal base and easier packaging). All done!

I'm quite proud of how these little fellas turned out, and I hope you like them too — they'll be officially unveiled at the Porter Flea in Nashville this weekend and I will put the rest in my Etsy shop as soon as I return, so keep an eye out.

Many thanks to Cassidy Keim for his expertise and enthusiasm on this project...I look forward to collaborating again in the future. Boom! Boom!