This post is brought to you by the letter "X."

I am determined to do this alphabet out of order, I guess. Really what I'm doing is trying to avoid "Alpha." But maybe I'll surprise myself and do it next. Anyway, folks, today's letter is "X" for "X-ray." We've all had days like this snake, here, though our candy-induced tummy aches are usually a little less severe due to the fact that we...um...chew.

S is for Sierra

And so we come to my color sketch for "S." As sierra is Spanish for mountain range, what was the first thing to pop into my head? A mountain goat, obviously. Bleat on, everyone, and have a great weekend!

Hedgehog Love

Happy Chinese New Year, everyone! It's the Year of the Dragon, which just so happens to include yours truly! During this time of year, I always find I have a whole lot to be thankful for (especially for the past five years). So, to show a little love for the New Year, here's my contribution. Enjoy it in good health. I hope it makes you feel all fuzzy prickly inside.

I shall call him Geoffrey!

I didn't know why at first, but my past "B for Bravo" color sketch left me feeling like it slightly missed the mark. In my next color sketch for "G," I figured out why. I left out a character element. The "B" itself didn't have quite enough life to it to carry the idea. I hope I remedied that, though, with my new letter. G is for Golf, everyone!

B is for...

Back from Boston and, boy, that bus was barely bearable. I meant to bounce right back into blogging, but I was going bonkers from sending out my first round of promo-pieces. And coming up with "b" words...which brings me back to my military alphabet. More specifically, "B." For Bravo, of course.

There are many things to applaud today, speaking of Bravo. Dr. King for one, and all he's done for our humanity. For another thing, at least in New Jersey, the sun is out and brilliant, maybe just for him. Finally, I'd like to send a great big round of Bravo over to our troops and our military all over the world. So I suppose, to be COMPLETELY American today, I'll just sum it up for one great BRAVO to the freedom we have to fight for our dreams, however big or small they may be...

F is for Foxtrot

I've decided that the only way to go with this military phonetic alphabet is out of order. I do what I want! This just went out today. What better way to portray a foxtrot than with actual foxes, right? Besides, up until 1957, the code for "F" was just "fox." So here's a little throwback to that:

Not sure if the "F" is obvious enough, but maybe the letters could vary more in style and tightness (the "R" was quite a bit tighter). Again, these are really only color sketches to what could become a larger project. Hope you enjoy!

***Also, a minor correction: My apologies. I mentioned in an earlier post that "B" was Beta, when it's actually "Bravo." Incidentally, that would be MUCH more fun to illustrate.

Robbed

Already, I'm breaking my own rules. I told myself only to send fun military-related material to the Naval base in Great Lakes. Does this look like a letter of the alphabet to you? That's because it's not.

I do quite enjoy the company of this cat though, and I really ought to name it. Expect more to come from him, by the way.

Anchors Aweigh!

Graduating from Pratt was not the only major change in my life for 2012: my boyfriend of five years decided to pursue his dream of becoming a part of the US Navy. While it's a great institution to be a part of, basic training can be bleak, repetitive, and lonely. He tells me in his letters that the two best things that can happen to you are getting mail and getting a cookie at lunch. Obviously, I write him letters (no other contact allowed!), but I am an illustrator, and feel I must step up my game a bit.

I'll sometimes sketch out Navy or military-related drawings that serve a dual purpose of helping him remember things like the military alphabet code, where letters are represented by words. For example, this blog could be called "don't forget the double 'echo.'" Or that the leaf on a lot of the Navy "stuff" is from the Oak...

These drawings are really not what I call "finals," more like ideas to build on for future projects. Here's the first letter from the military alphabet I did. I chose "R," which is "Romeo." (I also chose "R" because it's the first initial of my sailor's name, and because "Alpha," "Beta," and "Charlie," are, for now a challenge I don't want to attack!)

New Year, New Beginnings!

Just when I was beginning to get used to writing the date "2011," Father Time pulled a fast one on me and I have to get used to the idea of it being 2012. It'll be July before I have it down. Ah, well, Happy New Year, everyone!

Likewise, just when I was beginning to get used to having a student's lifestyle forever (I went to Rutgers for two years prior to Pratt), I graduated. After seven semesters at Pratt Institute, my seemingly endless career as an "art student" finally came to a close just in time for the New Year. For most, graduating is both exciting and terrifying. And leaving the school you thought you had come to resent is actually a lot more difficult once you realize just how much you truly loved it. In the beginning, graduating in December for me was peculiar, because I felt a bit like I was in limbo: I was a man without a country. I had my first senior semester in Spring 2011, and my final senior semester in Fall 2011. I soon realized, though, that it was more like having dual citizenship: the best of both worlds. I had come to know and befriend the seniors of both 2011 and 2012. Not only that, but ending school in December means that you have up until January 1st to unpack and unwind. You have time to get your s**t together. It's easier to hit the ground running. Which is exactly what I plan on doing. Here's to 2012.

Cheers.