As you turn the corner off the stairway to the second floor of our 1929 house, this is the view of my studio. My wife and I had the floors done on this level (it used to be an awful dark blue carpet) and we painted all of the walls white to brighten things up.

The hallway that opens up to my main studio space serves as a bookshelf and seating area. A friend made the cushions for the lower step and it is now a comfy spot for sitting and paging through art books. In between the cushions is a fresh stack of 'Light Children,' a book that I am working on with Andy Horner. Please go read the first three chapters here and tell me what you think: Read the Preview!

Books, books, books. People have told me that books should be shelved vertically for the sake of the spines- Oh well. I like the way this looks. From this angle, you can see lots of Communication Arts Illustration Annuals (I have one for every year dating back to 1985).

Just past the 'library' hall, things open up to the main studio. I know, I know... a bit sparse - no pictures on the walls, etc. But, that's my style.

Here is a view looking back towards the book nook. A handmade music stand from Pakistan is at the bottom left, along with my sax. I can cue up 'Music Minus One' tracks on my computer while I play along. The sound is quite nice up here.

Here is an area for cutting, trimming, printing, etc. A little figurine of Wallace, from Nick Park's 'Wallace & Gromit' (gift from my wife that I treasure) is the keeper of the checks. Whenever clients pay me, I place the check under Wallace. He has an important responsibility. One time, he fell off the table and his head broke off. I lovingly reattached it with super glue.

This is where I spend 99% of my time 'getting the job done.' It's fun to watch the world go by out the window. Somebody is struggling with a lawnmower as I write this, so I will shut the window - too bad, because there is a great breeze at the moment.

The sorely neglected drafting table is behind my desk. I still use it, but not as often as I used to. A tall cabinet can be seen on the left - I keep tear sheets and promos in there.

Some of my old toys (Transformers) watch over me while I work.

My Dad bought this guitar two years before I was born. I noodle with it all the time - it helps me think and it sounds soft and soothing. I may use it in my follow up rap to 'The Original Design Gangsta,' entitled, 'The Illest Illustrata.' You can see my pathetic RadioShack microphone on the floor. I have to really eat it when I do vocals - it's awful.

I love sitting here and reading / sketching. The vase was a gift - it has turned into an interesting and helpful tool for lighting the face!

Thanks for visiting my studio, Friends - please come again.