Ye Olde Moose Covers

We continue our tour of the ghosts of covers past with Moose. Here's a sampling of cover options (and an end paper design) originally presented. I'm pretty sure it's in order, too. That's a lie. I have no idea. But the last image is certainly, definitely, probably, maybe the final cover.

Lost Balloonies Covers

I've just completed the cover for our forth book (which we haven't announced yet) so I took a trip down memory lane. I thought I'd share some quick cover concepts for my first book, The Boston Balloonies. I always enjoy the cover creation steps ... it's arguably the most important element of the book building process.

Lost Cods Spread

I was cleaning out some files when I came across a bunch of cover concepts, reworked interior spreads and end papers. Here's one from The Cods of Cape Cod that ended up trashed and reworked. I kind of like this one, though.

Vacation Sketchbook

Gulls. With hats. Kids, don't smoke.

New Review and Giveaway

We've been graced with yet another awesome review over at Frugal Plus. Stop by and check it out. Enter the contest to win a signed copy of "Moose"along with some Moose stickers! Stickers! Joy!

Masterfully Matching Whimsical Text

I Met a Moose in Maine One Day just received a staggering review over at simplekids.net
Many thanks to the fine folks who sung our praises. Do take a look.

Bat-Smurf

My entry for this month's Super Happy Fun Day topic: Batman Variants

New Improv Website

It's not illustration work, but what the heck. I just redesigned the wesbite for the improv comedy troupe I'm a member of, "Out of Order." Check it out!

New Website is LIVE!

I'm happy to announce the launch of shankmanoneill.com! This will be our base for posting news, reviews, signing events and more! Check it out won't you?

Welcome, "My Four Monkeys" Followers!

If you made your way over here from myfourmonkeysproductreview, welcome! Many thanks to all of my new blogger-followers for the excitement surrounding the book! Don't forget to catch Angie's reviews for the next two Thursdays and beyond, as two more of our books will be reviewed and featured in a giveaway!

So head over to myfourmonkeysproductreview and enter to win!

Promo Videos Complete!

I've just completed creating video promo's for all three Shankman-O'Neill books. Here they are!

CapeCodKidz Review

Capecodkidz.com has written a swell review of "The Cods of Cape Cod" and appears right here!

Our books on the news!

This is cool: Our publisher, Webster Bull of Commonwealth Editions, was recently on the news plugging our books! All three are mentioned around 1/2 way through, after a great name plug and several of my illustrations being displayed.

Steampunk Jack

Here's something I did for my buddy Ben's Facebook-based drawing club, "Super Happy Fun Day." July's theme is "Modern Science Fiction Steampunked." I don't know if Nightmare Before Christmas is technically sci-fi, but heck, draw what ya know, right? So here's Steampunk Jack.

Moose Kiss

Happy Birthday, Dad!

My father celebrates a big birthday today, June 2oth. I'll take this minute to honor it the best way I know how, with an image of him the way I remember him, growing up. This is my dad circa 1978, the year I was born. A few things have changed since then ... the big glasses have made way for contacts, that rockin' 70's mustache shaved, the fro a distant memory.

But the important stuff never changed: This is a guy younger at heart than most of the people I know. His love of the music he grew up with is so much a part of his life that he can't help but share it with me, and I've been introduced to more great music through him than I can recall. He wears his heart on his sleeve. The advice he's given me, whatever the topic, sticks. I'm glad it does because it's good. I have a lot of pride in the relationship I have with him.

Happy Birthday, Dad. 60 ain't nuttin'.

Wild Thang

I recently found Terrible Yellow Eyes, a collection of works inspired by the beloved classic, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. It's my hope to submit an illustration to Cory Godbey, the sites' administrator in hopes of joining the gallery. Here's the first half of the sketch so far, and I'll be posting the finished product soon.

Springtime!

Here's the finished image. Why a big hairy brute daintily admiring a flower? No idea. Nothing prompted it it whatsoever. Nothing. Nope, not a thi- ... okay fine, I'm shamelessly trying to get into Toon Club's weekly topic based cartooning/sketch club. Their topics are great and it's a great reason to draw.

Hope everybody had a great holiday weekend.

Springtime Progression

Here's a little sample of the process I used to create an image of a hulking terror stopping to smell the flowers.

Swordfish

On their way to Cape Cod. Apparently they need a map.

Bass

The road-tripping Bass from "The Cods of Cape Cod"

Latest Shirt Designs

Here are this weeks new shirt designs!
http://www.cafepress.com/swellbot

Be sure to check out the "kids" shop as well!

The Cods Have Arrived!

Available where fine fish are sold!

Eden Wild Reading Room Visit

C.H.I.L.D., Inc., a Verona non-profit organization, will be sponsoring my visit to the Eden Wild Outdoor Reading Room located in the children’s garden in Verona Park on Sunday, May 31, 2009 from 2-4 p.m.

The first 15 children to arrive will receive a free autographed book from Ed Shankman and I. Ed will be reading to the children from “I Met a Moose in Maine One Day” and “The Boston Balloonies” and I'll be drawing with the kids in the garden.

In the event of rain, the event will be held indoors at the Verona Park Boathouse. Watchung Booksellers from Montclair will be on hand to sell additional books.

New shirt designs

Here are this weeks new shirt designs!
http://www.cafepress.com/swellbot

T-shirt featured on cafepress.com!

Well, I was going to wait until the shop was stocked with more designs, but it looks like the fine folks over at Cafepress.com love one of designs so much, they placed it on their homepage under "hot new designs!" Woo hoo!

So which design is it? Why, "I believe in uni-corns" of course!

That said, I'm happy to announce the opening of "SWELL-BOT INDUSTRIES", my very own merch shop on cafepress. Check it out here: www.cafepress.com/swellbot

Well, well, well ... Wookie here.

Here's an image from a set that I'm developing for a merchandise shop on CafePress.com. I figured I'd post it here since it was pulled down because of "copyright laws" or something. hahahaha ... Hey, I tried.



I'll post the shop logo and link in a about a week when it's done.