A little off the top...

A bit morbid, but hey, it's Halloween!

Small Business growth

Here's a piece I did for my portfolio...

Double Standard

America's Savings Rate

Art is a fickle lover...

Extreme Makeover

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

May those who are suffering from this terrible disease be blessed with strength and guidance, and may their families see brighter days ahead. You all are in my prayers.

CD Burn

I got lazy. This is an older piece that I had done...

Umbrella Policy

I need a Wacom tablet... :-)

Closing Arguments

Not even close to what I expect out of my work, execution wise. But, I have to post something. I was having a rough night, and this is the result. I like the concept, but poor execution.

I lost all of my custom brushes, so I struggled. Cry me a river...

Fall is here...

Monster Mash(ed)

In honor of Halloween...

Peace Agreement

Stuck in a rut

Gambling Addiction

String Theory

Partly Cloudy

Partly Sunny

"Pails" in comparison...

Must see TV...

Food for Thought

A - Z

Shaving off a few pounds...

IF - The Blues

I remembered, with the help of Elizabeth Dulemba, that I too have a Bluebird drawing. I did this for my mother-in-law who loves birds.

I've begun to post a daily image on my blog. It's a nice challenge, and gives those little crazy thoughts I have a life.

Thanks in advance!

More clicks anywhere you are...

Man's first attempt at wireless technology. It didn't work out so well...

DEVOum FLYTRAPus

Soap Box

I'm really not understanding this whole "soap box" thing...

Well, I have decided to challenge myself and produce an image a day. I got this idea from the brilliant Michael Renouf.

It will be formidable to create a new image each day, but in a way, it's very liberating. I can post an image that comes from my wandering mind, and be happy with it. It may be a weird idea, or it could be a portfolio piece.

I am very excited and anxious.

Thank you all in advance for your support!

IF - Juggle

Mama Jug and her "Jugglings"...

Long time no post. I've been busy working on portfolio pieces and just relaxing.

Also, I've spent some time thinking about the direction of my work and what feels right to me. For far too long I've distanced myself from my sarcastic humor and my cartooning. I've decided to follow this route, and in my heart, I know I will be successful.

2 big inspirations to me are Michael Renouf and Christoph Niemann. They have brilliant concepts, and fantastic work. I strive for that in my work.

Thanks in advance for your comments!

IF - Moon

The Goddess just got a pedicure...




The real reason why there's a crescent moon...

I have 3 new pieces up at my work site http://www.mvillos.com

I've been playing around with digital coloring and really like it. I will produce 2 more new pieces, then send out a new postcard. Don't know which image to use yet! Do I create a new one specifically for the card? Or do I use an existing image?

If you have any tips or suggestions, I'm all ears and thanks in advance!

Great work Illustration Fridayers!

IF - Geeky

The subtle differences between Geeks and Nerds...

I myself am a geek. I was 10 when Transformers came out, and I'm still a fan today. I've even begun to collect the figures again. The movie was great, and I'll be buying it as soon as the DVD comes out.

Not really happy with this piece. It looks a bit sloppy and washed out. Not "clean" enough. I do like the direction I'm going though. A little more graphic, which I like.

Great work Illustration Fridayers!

IF - Twist

In an unfortunate twist of fate, Johnny Appleseed was done in by one of his own...

I'll be sending out a new self-promo postcard pretty soon. It'll be my 3rd. I've collected about 170 contacts, but I will definitely be buying a database next time. It's a pain collecting and updating names.

I may use an existing piece, or one of the new one's I'll be working on soon. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears and appreciative.

Great work Illustration Fridayers!

IF - Camouflage

I got inspiration for this piece from the one I did for the "Tattoo" topic last year March on IF. http://mvillos.blogspot.com/2006/03/illustration-friday-tattoo.html

Great work Illustration Fridayers!

IF - Suit

Great work, Illustration Fridayers! Have a great week!

IF - Your Paradise

Ooohhh! Your "PAR-A-DISE"! I was thinking "Your PAIR-OF-DICE"...hmmm...I guess the synapses weren't firing properly on this one.

Yes, that is I in the mirror, big head and all...

Great work Illustration Fridayers!

IF - Cars

Here's a quick little sketch I did while my wife and I were down in St. Louis visiting my cousin this weekend...nothing fancy at all, but for some reason I REALLY like it. Hmm...

A bonus picture of Mr. Bill after the Budweiser tour...

IF - Signs Pt. 2

A quick little sketch done at work...

IF - Signs

A much needed sign for the impending onslaught of cicadas we here in Wisconsin will soon see. Fun stuff!!

IF - Citrus

An idea that invaded my thoughts as I did mindless work in my cube. I like the line work, but will continue to practice...

I will soon be shopping for some new watercolor brushes, and if anyone has any tips on what to look for and which brand you like, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance, and keep the drawings flowin'!

IF - Remember

I'm terrible at remembering things...So I decided to tie a string around all of my fingers. Now, what was I going to do?

Another hand drawing. Not my best, but I gave myself a 1/2 hour time frame.

Question for ya. I'm debating whether I should make the black line thicker around my drawings. What do you thing?

Also, I've caught myself looking at too many other illustrator's work. I love looking at other art, but I tend to get lost and find myself questioning my work. What I mean by that is I tend to pull from other work and use their style, not influence, but their style creeps into my work. I have a great respect for architecture, and am beginning to take inspiration from that. I know I'll NEVER be able to not look at other artist's work, but it's something I must contain.

Thanks for listening to me ramble. Keep up the great work!

IF - Polar

Bipolar.

I intend to do another version and put it in my portfolio. I really like the idea, but want to "straighten" it up a bit...

Great work Illustration Fridayers!

IF - Green pt. 2

Another previous piece I did in regards to "green" alternatives. Thanks in advance for your comments!

Keep 'em flowin, Illustration Fridayers!

IF - Green

This is an image I did at the beginning of the year for an article I read in Metropolis. The title of the story is "How Green is Your City?" It's a piece that I did for my portfolio.

Great work Illustration Fridayers!

IF - Snap

I hate it when this happens...

My obsession with hands continues. Keep 'em flowin Illustration Fridayers!

IF - I Spy...

I Spy, out of the corner of my eye, an idea that got away...

A quick little sketch I did while bored at work. Great work Illustration Fridayers!


ps.. does anyone know how to get rid of the line around the image box? Thanks in advance!

IF - Total

I'm TOTALly pissed that I couldn't come up with anything for TOTAL...so, here sits a blank sheet.

Great work, Illustration Fridayers!

IF - Wired

For all of you Soprano fans.

For those who have not seen The Sopranos, Vincent Pastore plays Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero. In the show he wears an FBI wire to help bring down the Soprano crime family. Well, let's just say that later he "swims with the fishes".

I haven't done a portrait in a long time. I need a lot of practice.

IF - Hide

"She hid her emotions in the only place she knew no one would look."

Great work, Illustration Fridayers!