Year of the Snake

Styrofoam Relief Printing

Did you know that can make lo-fi relief prints using old styrofoam plates? A wonderful student of mine Jillian Ohl hipped me to this. Wipe off that baked-bean residue, trim it down to a flat section, and grab a sharp-ish tool of your choice. Roll up with ink like you would a lino-cut.

(This method is good for things other than skulls, too.)

DIY Sleds of the 1950s

We've been sleddin' a lot lately here in the midwest and I got my Dad and Uncle Doug to reminiscing about the preferred downhill modes of transport in Louisville, Kentucky's West End, c. 1955-65. 

Top sketchbook spread by me, these sketches by Don "Toots" Zettwoch. Jan. 2025.

Below is my Xmas Card from 2006 (2-color screenprint), remembering my generation's favorite "sled": the gigantic monster truck inner-tube to pile on. I'm not sure where my Dad procured these giant donuts -- i'll have to ask him to do another sketch.

It's all downhill from here. 

Be careful on the slopes! Watch out for that kid lollygagging at the bottom of the hill!

Schlafly Christmas Ale 2024

The 2024 Special Release Christmas Ale. Illustration and package design for my friends at Schlafly.


A couple of alternate designs:



Sketches:





And the one we went with:

Original lineart:

Display at Schnuck's:

Merry Christmas!

Punta Cana Sketchbook Dec.'22-Jan.'23

New Print! Beautiful Jim Key

Hot off the press! Here's a new print about The Most Wonderful Horse in the World, Jim Key.

I had started a comic about Jim years ago and decided to compile all the research and info into one jam-packed day-glo screenprint instead.

I also read this wonderful book by Mim Eichler Rivas.

Thumbnails:

Bigger sketch and final lineart:

Some ink tests:

And the final print!

Cream, Gold, Black and Fluorescent Green ink on chipboard*, 14x22". Edition of 65.

No horsin' around, buy one here.

Happy 3.14 Day!

For explore St. Louis . Other StL food illustrations: St. Louis Style •  Slinger • Toasty Ravioli