New project in process

New Project

This project, Sam's World ideas, and Retail Xmas season is why there has been no "new" artwork posted on the YRA blog for a while now. 

I am about a third of the way through designing a 53 card deck based upon my Sam's World characters. The deck of cards is based upon the elements and what is associated with each suit. For example: 
Diamond is associated with the element Earth and will be represented by the stumps
Spade is associated with the element Air and will be represented by the birds
Heart is associated with the element Water and will be represented by the fishes
Club is associated with the element Fire and will be represented by the geckos
I will have one card designed for the "joker" and you can take a guess who/what character will represent that ;)
  All of the characters, with the exception of the Gecko, appear regularly in the SW strip. So the designing of the characters has been the easier step thus far.
  The design above is the final for the "six of spades" card. I will also include "named/wild cards" in the deck. (Suicide Kings, One-Eye Jacks and such) 
  Janice will be designing her own card deck as well and we will have these available (for purchase) at our show coming up in April. I will post "images" every now and then of card designs up until April

 I continue to have creative ideas for Sam's World toons and have started a new series called "The Weather Report". These are toons based upon weather folklore. These toons will start appearing in the new year.

I have hit a "block" when it comes to artwork I want to have on show for April. I cannot seem to get in a groove to get motivated to get new work started. Part of this is because of the Retail Christmas Season. This time of year, all my artwork suffers because I am so drained from work that each day I have off is spent in a chair, relaxing and/or sleeping trying to recuperate and get mentally ready for the next shift. If I get two days off in a row, that second day has a good chance of being productive for artwork.
  I do have a few abstract pieces that have yet to be seen publicly so I will have abstract paintings to show. Otherwise, I'll take it day by day and inspiration will come sooner or later...