The Ghost of Christmas Present

Concept and process sketches for the Ghost of Christmas Past.

Concept sketches

The Jerry Garcia look.

Final approved sketch

Black line art

Color pallet

Complementary color pallet

Add background color

Add basic figure color

More figure color

Foreground color

Candles and torch

Add glow

Face color

Rim light

I then took the illustration to my compadre, Sterling Hundley, and told him that something was really bothering me about the illustration -- that the head seemed out of place. He looked at the printout and drew a little sketch below and suggested that I tilt the head back more.

Which I did. Drawing of new head as suggested by Sterling

New head painting

Added holly highlight

Final illustration

Jandos is back as AD of the Washington City Paper

The production of The Washington City Paper is back in DC where it belongs and Jandos Rothstein is back as its art director. Jandos along with Pete Morelewicz, who also served as AD for the City Paper, are two of my favorite Art Directors. Their comments are never compromised by personal taste, always enhance the concept, and have always made my work better.

Just Like Old Times at the Washington Times

Client: The Washington City Paper

Art Director: Jandos Rothstein

I was glad to find out that Jandos is back in the drivers seat and happy that he contacted me for the cover image of his return issue. The concept sketches and final illustration for last weeks cover are attached. The story is about the fall of The Washington Times -- The Capitol City's outspoken voice of conservative politics and leading example of yellow journalism.

sketch 1: The Rev. Sung Myung Moon "The King of the Ocean" in a paper boat going down with his ship.

sketch 2: Rev. Moon going over a cliff riding the Republican elephant.

sketch 3: A “yellow journalism” clenched fist holding a rolled up newspaper has fallen from its pedestal.

sketch 4: Moonies morning a dead paper.

sketch 5: Dog urinating on a copy of the Washington Times.

sketch 6: "Timber" the newspaper falls.

sketch 7: Pushing a paper boat on fire out to sea.

sketch 8: Good night Mr. Moon!

The Final Illustration

Richmond Arts

Building a montage on Richmond Arts

Client: Richmond Magazine

AD: Steve Hedberg

Don't Ask Don't Tell is Wrong

The attached concept sketches and illustration were created to accompany an article in American Lawyer Magazine. The article was critical of the military policy that discriminates against the gay/lesbian community by specifically asking them to lie about who they are.

Client: American Lawyer Magazine

Art Director: Joan Ferrell

The Nope Party

New Republican Party Logo

Pronounced G – No – P, for Grand No Party, or simply “Nope” with

a silent “g” like in gnat.

copyright, Robert Meganck, 2010

Backward to Intolerance

On February 5, 2010, Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell signed an executive order barring discrimination in the state workforce on grounds that include race, sex, religion and age, but not sexual orientation, making it legal for an employer to ask an employee (or potential employee) their sexual orientation. If the respondent declares that he or she is gay, the employee can be fired or refused employment based on his or her sexual orientation.

This is a regressive policy, which condones the idea that the gay and lesbian community is somehow less worthy of protection from anti-discriminatory policies, making them the targets of bigotry in the workplace. This arcane policy says that civil rights do not pertain to gays and lesbians, and is rooted in the notion that the gay and lesbian community is a destructive - not constructive - force. What Governor McDonnell clearly fails to recognize is that homosexuals do not unravel the fabric of our society; they are very much a part of it. They are an integral part of our racial, ethnic and cultural diversity. They serve us as doctors and educators, and are active members of our military. They work to make the Commonwealth a healthier, more educated and safer place. We don’t know who they are because many choose not to flaunt their sexual orientation openly. However, prejudicial policies like this may be what force them to conceal their identity.

It took three years after the passage of the civil rights amendment for Virginia to recognize interracial marriages. While many States are moving towards the recognition of same-sex marriages, and the Federal government is moving towards the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Virginia is moving backwards, to a state of intolerance. This policy makes it acceptable for Virginia employers to discriminate against some of its citizens, not because of what they have done, but because of who they are. If we allow such a policy to take effect, we are only condoning the type of discrimination that we, as a country, fought so hard to disarm for decades. We cannot let Virginia digress while the rest of the world is working to progress.

Kiss Vs. ABBA

Burn your Rock and Roll Hall of Fame membership card in protest. It seems that last month when they (The RRHF jury) announced next year’s inductees -- for the third year in a row -- Kiss didn’t make the cut. Remember “Detroit Rock City” and weep. It’s not that I’m that upset about them dissing Kiss, but I am upset about the fact that ABBA made it. That’s right, the mediocre disco band that gave us “Dancing Queen.” The Sweds’ know as much about Rock and Roll as they do about making car. Who the heck are these judges, and what are they thinking? Have they run out of real Rock and Rollers? Hey you dumb ass judges, “how about Joe Cocker, CSNY, Alice Cooper, or the Red Hot Chili Peppers.” As hard as it is to believe, Joe Cooker or Cosby Stills Nash and Young (both who appeared at Woodstock) have not yet been inducted. Detroit should be up in arms that its’ home boy/girl/or whatever, Alice Cooper is too much for the RRHF. And what do these guys have against The Chili Peppers -- maybe they’re too spicy. I am glad that among next year’s inductees are: The Stooges, Genesis and Jimmy Cliff. But I think, to save face, each of them should refuse to stand on the same stage with ABBA.

I frequently refer to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as my Mecca. I generally face northwest at least once a day and bow my head. Come March 15, 2010, I plan to face southeast, bend over, lower my pants to show the-powers-that-be in Cleveland what I think of their induction ceremony.