Mike Moran

STOP THE PRESS

2008-08-14T12:02:57+00:00

Can it be true!! Word is out Bigfoot was been found... and in the Peach State of all places "Georgia". Home of the Atlanta Braves and my in-laws!
Big press conference coming friday. Stay glued to your TV sets!
What next? The Loch Ness will be found in the Hudson River?!?

From Fox News:

Bigfoot may have been found. Maybe. We'll see.
Two Northern California men and two Georgians say they've got a body, a photo and DNA evidence pertaining to the elusive forest-dwelling man-ape — and that they'll reveal all at a press conference in Palo Alto, Calif., on Friday.

"I think you'll find that this is the real deal," Robert Barrows of Redwood City, Calif., told the Bay City News local wire service.

Matthew Whitton, a cop in Clayton County, Ga., and his friend Rick Dyer, a former corrections officer, say they recently found the body in the woods of northern Georgia.

Veteran Bigfoot tracker Tom Biscardi said he's examined the body, and that scientists will get their chance soon.

Heres a link http://www.ktvu.com/news/17174989/detail.html

Art With Heart

2008-06-12T14:56:02+00:00

I was honored and ready to jump aboard when Steffanie Lorig ask me to particapate in the latest Art with Heart book project ( Magnificent Marvelous ME!).
First a little background on Art With Heart:
Art with Heart is a nonprofit, community-based organization that empowers youth who are facing trauma, illness or other crises through therapeutic books and artistic healing programs that supports expression of both their suffering and strength. Art with Heart’s important work is championed by public, corporate and private contributions.
Creativity is often overlooked as a positive behavioral intervention tool that promotes healing and trauma resolution. Self-expression can spur personal insight as well as self-motivated behavioral changes; it also helps youth gain the skills necessary for coping with stress and other challenges. Art with Heart encourages resiliency using the concepts of art therapy to lead toward greater self-confidence and emotional clarity.

About Magnificent Marvellous Me:
Sibling relationships can be complicated. But when they involve a brother or sister with special health challenges, the enormous emotional challenges can be overwhelming and can change the entire family structure.

Magnificent Marvelous Me! was created with these children in mind and gives them a place to explore the emotions that siblings commonly experience, recognize their support system, and helps them communicate their needs as well. Its title reflects the deep-seeded need for the child to matter, and to voice their own importance in the family.

Loaded with lively activities created by children's book and game artists from all over the world, children are invited to explore the many challenges that they face, in an uplifting and encouraging way. It is filled with engaging drawing and coloring activities, with age-appropriate short questions and answers. And because each activity is based in therapy, it will provide them with a safe place to express themselves amidst the difficulties and uncertainty. It was designed to help siblings with:

Recognition of emotions and moods
Behavioral choices
Sibling connections
Increased self-image and self-awareness
Normalizing their family situation
Improved communication
All proceeds help Art with Heart help more children through the power of creativity.

47 illustrators "GREAT" were picked to help out . Including our own Drawgers Jim Paillot, Elwood Smith, Bob Staake, Walter Vasconcelos.

I am pround to be on this team!

For more information, to donate or purchase a book check out www.artwithheart.org

You will be impressed.

Happy Holidays

2007-12-22T17:26:04+00:00

It's been a crazy run to the end of the year for me. Jobs and deadlines were going faster then shopping days left until Christmas.
Dealing with 9 days of internet provider trouble and deciding to change companies. Only to find out the new the company is just as bad as the one I'm leaving. So let me get this in before it's to late... Happy Holidays! Thanks for posting all the great art this year!

October 2007

2007-09-30T11:26:10+00:00

It's October and what does that mean? Well, after the NY Mets free fall and no post season not much to me.
So, I thought it would be fun to do a Drawger Show called "Monsters,Ghouls and Drawger". Post your monsters, ghouls, ghosts , jack-o-lanterns,skulls,and so on. Look through your files, sketchbooks, paintings wherever you got em' , post em' for Halloween 2007.
Halloween Show http://www.drawger.com/show.php?show_id=33

"Danger Will Robinson"

2007-09-10T20:40:19+00:00

This illustration is for Jonas. Since the topic of bullies came up today I have the perfect bully stopper! This is from a current side project I'm working on.
The worlds biggest wind up robot toy. Guaranteed to make the bullies think twice.

Going,Going Gone!

2007-08-08T11:58:00+00:00

Last night Barry Bond's broke the all time home run record of Hank Aaron. Bonds is the new home run king with 756 dingers.
In my attic stuffed away in a plastic sleeve is the only baseball card left I have as a kid. Hammerin' Hank Aaron. Dead center at the top of the card is a pinhole (I know, I know) where I hung that card on my wall for years and years. Well records are made to be broken. Never seeing Babe Ruth play (do you know how old I would be now?) number 44 will always be the home run king to me.

Now let me introduce to you another home run king (well in my mind)

Crash McGee , Crash McGee

Of the Hoboken Hackers who wore number 3.

A dirt covered uniform and two bad knees.

HOME RUN KING and steroid free!

Mieces to Pieces

2007-06-25T15:26:53+00:00

I was asked to illustrate 3 cute mice behind a wall. The first thing I thought of was mice on the plumbing.
What a great opportunity to have the pipes run wild with a Jim Flora/60's kinda feeling. What fun!

It's Your Party!

2007-05-21T17:36:33+00:00

When the door bell rings watch out for the unexpected party guests. Even if they come baring gifts!

What I love about Drawger is when someone post their thumbnails,sketches and then final.
With this I just jump into illustrator and start working away. Making shapes, deleting shapes,bending paths ,changing colors.
It keeps me loose and I just have a good old time working that way.

Have a great Memorial Day everyone...

Career day!

2007-05-03T12:31:33+00:00

For the last year or so I've been doing a regular spread in a magazine for teenagers about career choices.
I have a blast working on it. I'm pretty much free to run with any idea that I come up with. It's great.
I put up a link a few months back ( What I Want to Be When I Grow Up!). Yesterday I found out the one of my spreads is a finalist for a 2007 Distinguished Achievement Award in illustration by the The Association of Education Publishers. I had no clue the art was submitted and was quite surprised.
Funny how something you create,send in, gets printed, paid for and you think that's it! Then, it gets a second life. No matter what the out come is I'm truly honored and proud of the job I've done.

Hatch Show Print

2007-04-21T13:16:03+00:00

You ask what I did on Spring break? I didn't go to Cancun for a wild drunken,beer chuggin' party and end up on a video called "Illustrators Gone Wild". I went to northwest GA to visit my in laws for Easter.
What started out as just a family visit ended up a very fun packed trip. I went to Turner Field to see my beloved NY Mets lose to the Atlanta Braves, got a private tour of a prison (that's a post in it's own), saw a dead sheep on the side of a highway and learned about frog giggin' (hunting frogs).
What I really enjoyed was we drove up to Nashville for a few days. I got lucky and had a private tour of one of my favorite places Hatch Show Print. Hatch was established in 1879 and still runs today as a letterpress printmaking shop. Throughout the years they have printed music posters for just about every musician you can think of from Cash to B.B. King to Springsteen. Each poster still uses the old type set and wood block cutouts and runs through the old hand turned presses. Truly a wonderful experience.
The last day of the trip ended up in downtown Atlanta to the Museum of Design to a Cartoon Network art show. Lots of animation cells,sketches and paintings.
All in all there is no place like home.

Checkout
Hatch Show Print
Museum of Design
Don Henry

Busted

2007-03-15T23:31:14+00:00

What does anabolic steroids,gamma hydrobuterate (GHB),Cialis,Viagra all have in common? A trainer at the local gym I go to got busted for manufacturing all of these.
I always wondered why he was so huge! Every time I'm perched high on the elliptical machine I keep thinking of a way I can sketch everyone working out and get my routine in . So rather then taking the chance of get popped in the nose from some muscle guy or falling off the treadmill , I'll stick to my memory... and wait till I get home.

Toy in theAttic

2007-03-05T12:39:47+00:00

Yesterday I did something very brave. My youngest son and I went climbing through the attic looking for a old Mars Attack toy we hope to find tucked away in a many of boxes. We didn't find the toy. But sitting out in plain view on the floor was a old orange turning newsprint magazine. The magazine was titled WIN (Peace and Freedom through Nonviolent Action) the issue dated August 1983 for $1.30. Inside the magazine was my first printed illustration a portrait of Martin Luther King. I was just out of art school when I got the call for this job. I remember telling my old neighbor about the illustration. He owned a head hunter service for graphic designers. His reaction was "how much did you get paid?" When I told he nothing he said "I'll never make as a illustrator". At that time I wasn't concerned about the money. I wanted to get some printed pieces to put in a portfolio to show off what I could do. Back then I hoped to do political illustration. I soon realized I didn't have the right makeup for that kind of work. It was a smart move for me.
In the spring Matthew and I are going back into the attic give it a good cleaning and find that Mars Attack toy! I know it's in there.

Get Ready to feel old...

2007-03-02T00:48:21+00:00

Today Dr.Seuss's Cat in The Hat turned 50. All week my son's school has been paying tribute to the great Theodor Geisel.
This reminded me of a gem of a book I found for $2.00 years ago . It's called well... Boners by Dr Seuss dated 1931. Seuuess's first books were adult humor books titled Boners and More Boners. After doing these books he was convinced to go on to do children's books. Can't you still remember reading Horton Hears a Who or watching How The Grinch Stoled Christmas every year. I think it's safe to say we all had a little better childhood because of this man.
Sorry about the scans the book is very old and the art is small.

Blue Submarine

2007-02-19T22:16:16+00:00

"We all live in a blue submarine, blue submarine". It just doesn't have the same sound as "Yellow Submarine". That's why they were Lennon and McCartney.
Anyway working up this frog in a sub thing. I have version with more textures that I'll post later because I gotta run...

Seeing Spots

2007-02-06T21:34:57+00:00

Last year I did a ton of spot illustrations for some french workbooks.
It was one of those jobs were they pretty much went with what I came up with! I like those of jobs. Heres a few...

What I want to be when I grow up!

2007-01-23T13:07:28+00:00

Last year I had a regular illustration assignment for a career magazine for teenagers.
Each issue I had to illustrate a bunch of spots dealing with different career choices. It was sure fun. Here are a few.

I Quit

2006-12-30T16:42:27+00:00

We all work alone tucked away in our studios. One thing I always get a kick out of this job is working with all different kinds of art directors.
Through out the years I've had some regular clients I've gotten to know pretty good over the phone and by email.
Just recently a art director I worked for on a kids magazine, couldn't take it anymore. So he quit to go on his own. I miss chatting with him about music,buying homes,current events,kids.We even went to a Bruce Springsteen concert together. This is a great job. How much better can it get doing something we love. I do miss being around people during the day. So I'm thankful when I can become friends with a AD and I can talk their heads off. Good Luck Rick!

Happy Holidays!

2006-12-22T13:42:01+00:00

I just want to wish everyone Happy Holidays and the best for all in 2007!
I was going to put up a old card I did a few years back. I noticed my 6 year old son was illustrating all the cards my wife was sending out. His is so much cooler so I'm posting one.
Looking forward to see what surprises Drawger brings next year.
The year is ending really busy for me so I haven't been around that much. So to everyone that has joined up recently WELCOME!

Here's to "07"

Mike

Big bad blue elephant

2006-11-27T13:15:26+00:00

Well, after driving 6 hours in the pouring rain up to MA on Thanksgiving it's back to the grind.
I have always loved the flat look in illustrator. Lately I really have enjoyed playing around with textures. Having a good old time with them.

They're creepy and they're kooky...

2006-11-09T20:37:53+00:00

New Jersey sure has some famous folks. From Frank Sinatra, Lou Costello, Bruce Springsteen to well, Joe Piscapo. Edel did you get a 20 phone calls from Joe reminding you to vote like I did?. Another famous Jersey "guy" is one of my favorite cartoonists Charles Addams. Addams grew up in Westfield NJ. The story I heard was that every day Addams would walk to school past a old house that frighten him. This house became the inspiration for the Addams family house. Here's a picture of the house. Looks like a great old house to me.

MISCHIEF NIGHT

2006-10-30T12:52:45+00:00

Richard is right! It sure is black and orange time.
I did this the other day. I put the pen to the tablet and just let it roll...

Saturday Spider

2006-10-08T21:27:05+00:00

After a week of illustrating happy bears,birds and flowers.
Time to do something for me!

Morning Zoo

2006-10-05T12:17:15+00:00

Since the baseball playoffs have started I thought of this illustration.
I did this scene for a pitch that never made it to home plate for a kids animated TV show.

The good old Stingray...

2006-09-28T21:56:38+00:00

A few years back my son was a big fan of the TV show American Choppers.
They reissued the Stingray bike as an American Chopper bike. Made it look more like a chopper.
My son put some high handle bars on it and entered it into a car show at my wife's company. He dang near won the show!
The bike looks cool but still doesn't come close to the good old stingray. Those were the days...

35 days until...

2006-09-26T21:01:38+00:00

35 days or so until Halloween. For the last week my boys have been decorating the house with plastic skulls, funny looking monsters and rubber bugs! They love it.
So this one is for my boys.

No place like home

2006-08-30T12:38:46+00:00

I'm posting this mouse illustration I did for the Harvard Business Review, why...
Because we just got back from Disney World for vacation, and it's a mouse.
It was the first time we took both our boys and what a strange experience. One moment we are the happiest family in the world.
We would laughed, then we were at each other, we went on rides, then we were at each other, took photos and then we were at each other. Who needs Space Mountain, Disney World is one big roller coaster ride! All in all my boys loved it and my wife and I had a good time. Me,I'm still dragging and glad to be home!

Pirate Friday

2006-08-18T21:16:20+00:00

Thanks to Noah's great pirate, I thought I would post this one I just did.
The story was about careers, one spot was on becoming a cartographer.
Now lets go chug some killer rum... mates!

Going south...

2006-08-17T13:24:50+00:00

My in-laws live in north west GA. We usually get down to visit them in the summer (this summer I did not). When we do go to GA we take a trip up to Nashville TN. It's a great town filled with eclectic music, fun art community, good food, clubs (Bluebird Cafe) and friends. At the bottom of Broadway by the Cumberland River was a GREAT carousel created from Red Grooms. The carousel depicted the history Nashville. It was beautiful,fun, funny and amazing. Sadly the area has been going down hill. Shops and restaurants have closed down. My visit last year I found out the Groom's carousel has been taken down and put in storage. I only hope it finds a new home someday.
I know I have more photos somewhere. When I find them I'll post them.

Dog Day'z

2006-08-09T12:15:36+00:00

Since we had a few musical (mutts) animals & bugs lately, I pulled this one out of the old folders.
The summer is going fast, enjoy what is left.

Gotta have toys

2006-07-28T11:54:28+00:00

I just finished up 2 package designs for a couple of children's games. Now that was a fun project. I can't post the cover's until they hit the stores, but when they do I will.
I did get the jobs from my page in Sebin Communication 's Play. Here's the page I did.
To all the new Drawgers Linzie, Zina, Edel and Aaron... GREAT work, great additions!

Enjoy the dog days of summer everyone!
Hope to meet some of you at DG's party!

Mike

Illustrator Question

2006-06-23T12:25:46+00:00

I have a question for adobe illustrator users. I recently started using CS2 and fooling around with the drop shadow filter. I�ve had two AD say they can see a box around the shadow when printed or imported into Quark. It�s not on the screen. Anyone have a idea what may be going on? Any help would be great! I think it�s time to dump the drop shadows. Maybe it�s time to bring back the watercolor kit! Thanks, Mike

Summer Time

2006-06-22T00:10:28+00:00

Well it’s officially summer . Cookouts, vacations, ice tea, heat and as we say in New Jersey “The Shore”. Plus crabs ! Here’s to a good summer!

Music Friday

2006-05-19T16:16:14+00:00

Since this turning into a music kinda Friday with Michael & Zimms cool songs.Talk of Dylan and Randy's great Dylan. Plus Marc's live music updates. I'm getting a feeling what everyone wants to be in their next life (including me). Well, here's mine for the day. This was my Christmas card a few years back.

For Dave to save on his vet bill...

2006-05-02T13:42:57+00:00

This is for Dave to save on his pet bill ( and x-ray fetish). For all of us that have pets I hope this helps...

Hi

2006-04-25T14:20:38+00:00

I'm really looking foward to taking part in drawger. It's a very impressive group of illustrators.
So let me get back to posting some more of my work. Thanks to Dave.

Mike