Most of you on the web know me best as “that guy who draws the ADDANAC CITY comic strip series“. Although I totally love Hank and his pre-adolescent gang of dysfunctional misfits, I’m an artist at heart and there are other things that I do in the visual realm.

A few years ago, I became involved with my local theater group, Halifax County Little Theatre. These nice people gave me an opportunity to act for the first time (I’ll have to blog about that on another occasion). I played Walter Lee Younger in Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin In The Sun”. Anyway, being that I am a well-rounded artist, I enjoyed my time as a thespian (no, I don’t have a lisp). Also, being that I am a controlling megalomaniac, I had to design the playbill, too.

I began a wonderful relationship with the directors and producers of these plays and they started requesting my artistic skills to promote their performances. One recent project that I worked on was designing something eye-catching for “Escanaba In Da Moonlight”. This was a play originally written, produced, and directed by Jeff Daniels (yeah, that Jeff Daniels). “Escanaba” is a play about a man and his three sons who journey to their camp for the opening day of hunting season in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan. Strange things happen during their excursion. I came up with a pretty nifty design that they loved. This is it.

I stopped by the rehearsals with my trusty digital camera and took photographs of all the actors in the production. I wanted to create something that was true to HCLT’s unique performances, so I made each character resemble the respective actor. I think I did a competent job. Most of the organization’s play posters are printed in black and white, so I had sorta limited creative freedom. It was different without having all of the magnificent, vibrant colors that I get to play with while creating my ADDANAC CITY comics.

The local theatre group that I do a lot of graphic work for recently held a production of the 50′s-style musical Forever Plaid.

I attended a performance this past Sunday, and I’ve gotta say, the Halifax County Little Theatre did a bang-up job. I really enjoyed the music, and the acting was superb.

This is the playbill I designed for the production.

I’ll be posting some more samples of the work I do for them in the near future. I’ve completed three other posters for the organization, and hopefully, there will be another coming soon.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

A lot of you have been asking about the other kinds of artwork that I create. Truth be known, I do just about anything.

The pics above showcase a few wine glasses that I was commisioned to paint to commemorate the musical play “Forever Plaid”. These glasses were presented as a gift to the play’s director, Chris Jones.

Each glass depicts a caricature of the actor who portrayed the role. I also attached a pic of the actual actor so you can see whether I captured them or not.

I painted these pieces in acrylic. I like that medium the best because it’s no-fuss, easy clean-up, and it’s quick. I’ve got a daily webcomic to do, f’r pete’s sake!

If any of you want to get something like this done for yourself or for someone you know and love (they make absolutely great gifts!), then just hit me up via email and we’ll work out a price. Capiche? Hope ya like the art.

I just wanted to share something I painted back in 2006. I call it “Peering Through The Jungle“. I’m working on a few acrylic paintings these days when I’m not creating ADDANAC CITY (which is rare). It’s a good way for me to relax and break up the monotony. Let me know what you think of this piece.

By the time you read this, Dear Viewer, I should be sitting in fifth class on the Concord, sipping on a Tom Collins, and making my way across the country to sunny Southern California.

Yes, it’s true. I am relocating to the WestSiiiiide, so that I may join my lovely wife and children. They’ve been maintaining the fort for a few months while I’ve been goofin’ off finalizing situations on the East Coast.

Although I will be somewhat inaccessible today (and most likely tomorrow), there should be no life-altering changes on the AC site. I’ll pop in to read the comments and, hopefully, I’ll get a chance to reply to y’all. You know how I love a good conversation. You’ll still get a new strip every day as promised.

But, as for now, allow me to continue enjoying my $15 beverage whilst I hold the road map steady for my trusty pilot. He’s gonna graduate from Acme Flight School this July and I am so friggin’ proud of him for not letting blindness become an obstacle for him.

So kick back and enjoy this week’s strips. And remember, it’s business as usual here in ADDANAC CITY no matter what side of the country I’m on.

This is another acrylic painting that I created a couple of years ago. Yeah, I was on an animal kick for awhile. I’m just trying to up my skills a lil’.

I designed this poster for the play “Lying In State” which held performances in February ’08. I like pen and ink cross-hatching and drawing on paper. Most of my clients who request art like this are surprised to find out that I also create a webcomic. I guess the joke’s on them, huh? I hope you like this design.

This is another design I created for the play version of the popular Frank Capra holiday classic film. I really dig working with the theatre. Maybe, one day soon, I’ll blog about my stint on stage.

See? Told ya I was versatile.

I know I’m a little late on my news reporting, but blame it on the rain (or lack thereof).

Anyway, my friend Bearman, besides being an all-around great guy, he’s also a philanthropist (a bit different than a philanderer, I’m told). He’s sponsoring the Bearman Charity Challenge.

Now, before you get all into a huff, check this out: this charity drive costs you nothing, True Believer. Bearman’s the one footing the bill.

For every time you post a blog, tweet on Twitter, link to his Drive, or anything related, he’ll donate money. Now what could be better than spending someone else’s moola? I don’t know, either.

So, go check out the Bearman Charity Drive and see what you can do to help others in crisis situations and send Mr. Bearman to the poorhouse (I live on the second floor and I could use the company).

Tell ‘im Big George from ADDANAC CITY sent ya!