self promo piece

This cartoon is on a new direct mail piece/post card going out to area physicians. I've also worked up a gray scale version for a puzzle book that is being distributed at health fairs. We've also ordered some jar openers with a black and white version of this cartoon to give out.

I've been using cartoons as a marketing tool for Occupational Therapy of Gadsden, LLC since we first started. I thought this piece turned out well. I know that not everyone out there who doesn't know what lymphedema is will get the cartoon.

he's coming for you

This a half page Ad that will run in the Messenger next week.
I was very happy with the outcome.

the nobel

Obama just won the Nobel Peace Prize. For what?

I got a good laugh this morning when I heard the news.

LTC Steve Russell (Ret)

This is a pen & ink of LTC Steve Russell (Ret) who is to be the keynote speaker at the Etowah County Republican Party's 2009 Dinner & Fundraiser. Steve Russell and his unit's efforts were chronicled in Discovery's "Ace in the Hole" and BBC Panorama's "Saddam on the Run" documentaries. Steve is highly decorated, the Chairman and Founder of Vets for Victory, and the subject of many books. He's also a committed Christian, Sunday school teacher, as well as an articulate defender of conservative principles. I look forward to hearing him speak.
I rendered this illustration a few hours ago. It is to grace the pages of some area publications. I am still in the process of working on the actual Ad.

Yes We Can!

Playing on Obama's campaign slogan. I don't think I'm through with this 'Yes We Can!' theme.

DNC altar call

I worked this graphic to upload on my facebook account. Feel free to copy it and spread the wealth of love around. May Obama bless you!

for don

My brother in-law Don Rakestraw had this editorial cartoon idea. Don actually has more of a mind for political commentary, but he doesn't draw. So, this one is for you my brother from another mother. It's rare that I use someone else's suggestions, but always appreciate Don's input.

Poor Pelosi

Poor Pelosi. She can't pull a lie off like Clinton or Obama. She blamed The CIA? Man - for a woman she sure does have a set.

Titantic Theme

There was an original caption to the cartoon above, but it got kind of wordy. "Just ram it into three more icebergs. The additional holes will allow even more water to flow out." I like that idea better - but it was a lot of text.

One idea spurred the other.

like Vietnam

About a dozen years or so ago, I met a preacher friend of mine for breakfast at a Bob Evans. We had one of those in Bowling Green, KY. We were talking about life, God, love, and politics. I remember Mark looking a me and shaking his head.

I said, "What?"
He said, "David, you are probably one of the most creative people I've ever met and I don't get it."
"What don't you get Mark?"
"That you are such a conservative"
"meaning?"
"That most creative types I've ever met are as liberal as you can get. It just doesn't make sense."

I know what he was getting at - but since when do I have to check my brain at the door to be a creative type? Sure I am a touchy-feely kind of guy - but that doesn't mean I don't use my brain.

place mat sketch

Gina and I were at the Cultural Arts Center one day having lunch in the Courtyard Cafe' when a large group of Red Hat Society ladies came in to have their luncheon at the table next to us. Most of their hats were very ornate and attention getting. I made this sketch on a place-mat while we waited on our meals. As you can see, I kind of went overboard with the frill of the hat.

a rising from the dead problem

Here's yet another of the old Skylight cartoons that I've reclaimed for the new area directory. These days I create cartoon panels and add the captions in PhotoShop for illustrations I scanned. The panels of these older cartoons were rendered with a pen (not computer, thus the ink is uneven in flow here and there. I don't mind that - seeing how the cartoons are loose. Today I have been adding the new Light Side logo mast, deleting my old hand printed text and re-entering text using a comic font. This morning as I left the house I was thinking about possibly redrawing all of the images but after sitting down to take a closer look - I like was I see.

A cartoonist friend of mine, Stacy Curtis, used to comment about how I used to draw my hands like mittens. I don't recall where I picked that up. I guess it was because if I didn't need finger action - I left out the detail. I still do it from time to time - usually when drawing kids. When ever I start illustrating a cartoon I do a pencil first. Often, if the penciled image looks good I'll just go ahead and ink it. If a cartoon dude isn't pointing or manipulating an object, I'll ink in a non-defined appendage. Over the past decade though, I usually make a hand look like a hand - a four fingered cartoon hand that is.

By the way, like all of my illustrations, they are all my property and not public domain. You must obtain permission from me to use these. Contact me if you have use for something you see and we'll work something out.

cartoon resurrection

Today I have been working on the 2009 Physician's Area Directory. This is a publication we produce solely for the medical community. Last year I included a handful of cartoons within it's pages - but the humorous panels were content related to medical field. This time around I've decided to simply throw it all into the mix. Last night I ran across some cartoons that I created for the old Christian Brother Association "Skylight" newsletter. I pulled some of my favorites and currently brushing them off to include in this year's directory. The Light Side logo is new as of today. I think it's a definite keeper and enhances the look of the cartoon panel.