AHA Moment!

Back in May, I was invited to participate in the Mutual of Omaha 2013 AHA Moment Tour when they rolled through town — and of course I accepted! I shared my passion for art in an Airstream trailer decked out like a mobile studio. It was pretty rad.

Will my TOOMASOOBA ramblings end up on TV? Probably not, but the video is up at their website nonetheless! Check it out below.

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.

Farmers Market 2013

I’m back at the Shreveport Farmers’ Market for the first time since 2011, and it’s been great so far! Really hot, but great. The first day’s attendance was at an all-time high of over 12,000 folks (not all of ‘em made it by the TOOMASOOBA table, though). It’s fantastic to see the Market flourishing in our community — I’m glad I can be a small part of it.

Two weeks down, two weeks to go for me — you still have a chance to come by on the 15th and 29th of June if you’re in the area from 7 am to noon. It’s the prime location for all your produce (and TOOMASOOBA) needs. Photos below!

The talented Mollie Corbett stopped by to take this rad photo.

James "Rex" Gilcrease helped out behind the booth this past week, just like old times.

Close-up Claymore.

Also...this is happening soon near the Farmers' Market. Yessss.

Mini-Doc Teaser

Below you’ll find a teaser for the upcoming mini-doc called TOOMASOOBA: The Birth of a Brand (you can read a bit about the filming here). We’re having a premiere party locally on June 20th, and then it will be available online for all to see...it’s been a lot of fun it putting together with the help of my cohorts Chris and Dave and, well...I hope you enjoy the quick glimpse at what's to come!

Spring 2013 Makers Fair

Despite an initial threat of rain, Mother Nature had mercy on our artistic souls and weather for Saturday’s Spring Texas Avenue Makers Fair turned out great. Also great? The hometown crowds, the exhibiting artists, the music, and dang near everything else. Many thanks to new event ringleaders Kelly and Ivy and all the volunteers who helped out — y’all rule. For a trip down TAMF memory lane (and other shows, too), click here. Photos below!

New shirt! Bibs! Coloring sheets! Other stuff!

Totally excited about something at my own booth. Don't you wish you knew what it was?

Best moment of the day: I met a little dude named Seth who really liked my work.
I talked with him and his mom for a bit, signed a print, and gave him a button and magnet.
His mom later emailed me this art he created — "Toomasupa", a combination of
characters featured on the website. I was floored. Seth, you rock!!
Thanks so much for the drawing!