A Sketch of Bea the Cat

 Bea likes to sit on my desk while I work, which is nice because I don't always enjoy being able to directly see my computer monitor from my office chair. She also steals my seat when I get up to fix myself a drink or go to the bathroom, and she likes to type with my keyboard from time to time.

 I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Robot Happy Cat

by David Finley

This pic was brought to you today, by the letter. "happy", which isn't an actual letter, but probably should be.

An Ode to my Cat

by David Finley

She's a lovely cat.

An Artist and his Dog

Words and Illustration by David Finley

 Are you a dog person or a cat person?

 After years of being just a "cat" person, I am now the proud parent of a dog. Her name is Mable, and she's probably the best case scenario dog for a cat person like myself. She doesn't bark, she's house-trained, and she is well behaved.

 Of course, my cat hates her.

New Territory

To be honest having a dog is weird for me. As I said, I favor cats. Dogs tend to be high maintenance, and need a good deal more attention. I like the independent nature of cats, and how they also seem innocently evil in a way.

Skelly- by David Finley

My cat Skelly, who died a few months ago, personified my ideal animal companion. He was the perfect blend of attentiveness without being needy or aloof. He was a cat with dog-like qualities, and he is still by far my favorite pet of all time. Skelly was a muse of mine. He has been featured in more of my art, from fine-art to illustration, than anyone, human or animal. I still miss waking up to his purrs as he would sit on my chest staring at my face, patiently waiting for me to rouse.

 So, when he died, I knew I wasn't emotionally ready to get another cat to replace him. Still, we didn't want our other cat, Bea to be alone so my wife seized on the opportunity to suggest a dog, which I had keenly avoided before by saying we had enough pets already. And, that leads me to where I am now.

Life With a Dog

 Although I resisted it, living with a dog has its advantages. Despite her animosity toward Mable, Bea has perked up quite a bit since a dog came into our house. It's been healthy for me, too. While I don't like waking up at six or seven in the morning to take her outside, I think my favorite thing so far is taking Mable on afternoon walks. She just enjoys them so much and I can't help but feel her good mood infects me as well.

 I've met more of my neighbors in the last week than I have in the two months since we have lived here. And, I don't know if it is due to the exercise or the fresh air, but I've been feeling more energized and creative.

That's good for my art.

Today's Featured Illustration: Dog Versus Cat

 As you can see from today's featured illustration, and yesterday's illustration, I've been on a bit of a Japanese print experiment kick. I'm not quite where I want the experiment to go with the images I've made this way so far, but it's fun learning. I like the idea of eventually using a Japanese print- based style that depicts life in modern America. I think that strange blend helps make a commentary of sorts. Today's piece is a bit more cartoony than I originally intended, but it gets close to that old print feel in places.

 What do you guys think? Has anyone else out there opened up their home to a dog after being a cat person for years? I'd love to hear your comments, stories, and feedback.

Thanks for reading!

It's a Jolly Holiday With You, Punk.

Every once in a while I start a project that I put down and forget about until later. I came across some sketches and a concept drawing for a short comic story I was working on. It involved an innocent robot and cat watching Mary Poppins and wanting to take their own enchanted journey into the land of sidewalk chalk art.

 However, when searching for sidewalk chalk art, all they come across is street graffiti. Undeterred, they begin a magical journey in a strange world, oblivious to the darker nature of the art they are traveling through.

Now that I have time, I think I'm ready to complete this one.

Journey on the Yoo Hoo Sea

 Journey across the Yoo Hoo Sea with scope in hand, while the unicorns gaze perching atop the chocolate sundae mountains.

Lines in Illustrator with colors in Photoshop.

Thanks for looking!

Ballpoint Pen Sketches and my cat Bea

I make a lot of sketches and cartoons of my cat Skelly, but today marks the first for my newer cat, Beatrice. Since she's young, she's still very active and adventurous. As you can see in the drawing, she often gets in trouble for her antics. It's a good thing she's very good in nature and likable.

This was drawn in ballpoint pen.

Robots and Cats, Water and Maps Part2: Colors

So our two friends are still adrift at sea, but at least some color has come into their lives.


This picture is a follow up to yesterday's post (which can be seen here). It was colored in Adobe Photoshop by first adding a worn leather texture to the background, and then flatting colors on top of that (which is just a fancy schmancy way to say that I colored in the base colors on the characters and props without adding highlights and shadows), and then I digitally painted them with my wacom tablet.

As I type this, my cat, who also happens to be the muse for the cat in this picture, is walking on my keyboard and purring. So, hopefully I cleaned up all of his creative writing.

Robots and Cats, Water and Maps

What will Skelly and Bucket do? They have been rowing for hours and it turns out they are looking at the wrong map! You should never let a cat be your navigator.

This sketch is done in ballpoint pen of two characters I love drawing. I still snicker when I draw the underwear on the robot. I'd like to color this one soon, so look for that to be posted here before too long. I hope you enjoy.

Slither- Or: Pinkerton the Snake Gets Stuck in a Tree

Oh, poor Pinkerton! He somehow slithered up the tree, boot and all and got stuck up there again. I wonder if Skelly will go get help.

 At first, I was a bit stumped for a drawing for this week's Illustration Friday topic, but then I remembered good old germaphobic Pinkerton from my comic strip, "Finnigan" and came up with this picture. This marks the first time Pinkerton has appeared in color as well.

 Thanks for taking the time to look at my entry. Comments and suggestions are always welcomed.