Sketch: A Family Reunion

Chamberlain Family Reunion, originally uploaded by speartoons.

Sketch of a photo from the Anderson (Indiana) Herald-Bulletin. The article was about the Chamberlain Family Reunion on Christmas Day. The article is at http://www.heraldbulletin.com/archivesearch/local_story_359201717.html

The photo had the patriarch of the family holding twins that were his great-great niece and great-great nephew. It was a great choice for Illustration Friday's theme. This week's word was "pioneer." The gentleman had traveled to Anderson, Indiana from the south when he was young to look for work. He found it in the factories and soon his family followed.

The Anderson Herald-Bulletins owns the copyright to the photo I based this sketch on.

Webcomic: The Family Blog

Cartoon of a boy at a computer. Boy says to Mom, "I'm writing a blog. Does your family or Dad's have the most sordid details?"

There are no sordid details in my blog... at least none I'm aware of. It seems safe to talk about yourself as opposed to loved ones. If that doesn't work, make a cartoon out of them and distort the details enough so no one recognizes themselves.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Cartoon: Kitchen Serenade

Webcomic of a mom and boy with guitar. The boy says, "Let me serenade you before you see the mess in the kitchen."

Music can cure the savage mom. Just be sure to sing something she likes. I know, it may hurt your musical sensibilities, but if you're already in trouble, you might as well be flexible.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS3

Cartoon: Act your Age

Cartoon of a grandfather and grandson. The grandfather says, "Anyone who tells you to act your age is a boogerhead!"

Advice can be quite subjective. I have often wondered if I've given the correct advice to my kids. What is the correct advice anyway? Yelling "Boogerhead!" and running away rarely works. How would I know? Don't ask.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS3

Romantic Patterns

Cartoon of a boy and dad with flowers. Boy says, "Last night, you two argued. Today, you come home with flowers. I detect a pattern."

Handy tip, guys. Flowers do the trick. And if you ever think it's better to be right than have peace, you'll want to dig a trench because it will be a long, cold war.

I drew this for Illustration Friday. This week's word is "Pattern."

Nice day for a reunion

Today was a great day for a reunion. I got to sketch some family members. We were in Ohio State territory so everyone was happy about the football game. Plus the weather was perfect.

It was great being around my wife's family. Everyone is down to earth, laid back and they genuinely care for each other. They've gotten used to me sneaking in a sketch or two of them and they tolerate it quite well.

I drew this in mechanical pencil in my trusty sketchbook.