So long Jack.

In the early 70s I worked for Computer Image in Los Angeles where I created a kids TV series pilot with Jack LaLanne called Fit & Fun Time. It combined live action (I directed Jack in front of blue screen at an LA TV station) combined with some of the first computer animation (which I directed in Denver, using a room full of enormous Honeywell tape bank computers).

Jack would come to meetings and give me a thump in the chest with the back of his hand and ask, "How ya doin, Boy Genius?" I rarely had enough wind left in me to answer.

Jack was the real deal. The guy was fit. One day at his house he had his maid give me a tour of his basement gym. She told me he worked out down there from 4AM to 6AM every morning. On some mornings she told me his pal Clint Eastwood would come over and they'd work out together.

Jack died today. He almost seemed immortal. He was a role model who never fell off his pedestal. It just gave out underneath him. So long Jack. Happy trails.

Latest book cover

This is my latest book cover for Steve Bhaerman (AKA Swami Beyondananda). For more Tomfoolery you can visit his website at www.wakeuplaughing.com (At your own risk!)

Havana cemetery

After seeing cousin Evin's recent photo tour of a Parisian cemetery I wanted to share some of my photos from last year's trip to Havana. I believe their cemetery is the seventh largest in the world. I found this first photo to be one of the most touching I've ever seen at a grave. One could wander this cemetery for hours. The photo with me in it is at the grave site of Ibrahim Ferrer (of Buena Vista Social Club fame). This full size Pieta is one of two to be found there.

Happy Moo Year

We ushered in the new year at  the home of the great-great-granddaughter of Mrs. O'Leary, whose cow is purported to have burned down Chicago. (I hate it when that happens) This cartoon is now part of their family legacy.

That beard tickles!

Warren had a long naughty-or-nice conversation with Santa this year. It all turned out okay but next year he plans to bring a lawyer with him.

If you live in the Sonoma County area and need photography go to russelleventphotography.com.

Super fan Parker

When two year old Parker's grandma told us she demands to see video of "talking dog" every day it meant we needed to travel out to Jenner to catch up with her while she was visiting from Seattle. She and Warren Peace (AKA Talking Dog) had a great time together. She even gave Warren two sticky stars on his nose. What more do you want?

Summer's farewell

The soft light of morning in the trees is a real gift and helps assuage the knowledge that the last of the warm weather is upon us. Soon the rains will come.

Oy Story 3

Help! Robin and I are being held captive at your local toy store. Please go purchase us and set us free. Meanwhile, prior to being kidnapped at Pixar today (where I'd taken a 9-year-old cartooning student to meet his future employers), Dawson and I sat down to ponder what we're both going to do when we grow up.

Doggie Dad for a Day

With his mom away I took Timmy (from down the street) to the dog park today. To say he had an hour of fun is to revel in gross understatement. Some day I hope the dogs all stand around chatting and the people spend an hour chasing each other through mud puddles.

Dark Star cartoon review

Yesterday I met Mark Monlux, a cartoonist who does cartoon reviews of obscure films (such as Dark Star). His book is a lot of fun, touching on many a film I've never heard of. He also does an online series with his STICKMAN character. You can download a template from his site and contribute your own Stickman comic which he distributes in cyberspace.  Several of my contributions live on in his archives. Check out www.thecomiccritic.com

A new friend

Baba Monkey is happy to report he has a new friend. Roberto showed up at a yard sale today and I quickly filled out the appropriate simian adoption papers. Now the two of them are over in the corner plotting God knows what. (As if I didn't have enough monkeys running around in my mind!)

Morning ritual

My morning ritual, which includes full-canine-immersion,  was captured on the cover of the local paper this week (The Community Voice) with this photo. Last week's paper had a lengthy article about me, as well as my buddy Cassie (seen here nibbling from my hand), and the fact that my photo of her won a Hallmark greeting card contest. The reporter was so impressed by the joyful canine scene at the park that they came back and did a whole story on our Best Friends Canine Club. This morning, typically, I was assaulted for no less than four tummy rubs moments after I came through the gate. They have me well trained.

Simmering Man

I've never been to Burning Man but today's Handcar Regatta in Santa Rosa was a circus of moving sculpture and and sea of bizarrely dressed people. I almost felt like I'd fallen into Pepperland. A magical afternoon.

Bucket-0-Beasties

At every yard sale I go to I keep an eye out for good animal models for my cartooning classes at the Schulz Museum. Today I scored this fabulous array of critters, including an inordinate number of insects (for $2). Hooray!

DJ dog

Warren had a great time co-hosting Berdalee's radio show this evening on KGGV in Guerneville CA. There were tons of dog related songs as well as Warren's canine poetry. To see more visit Warren's blog. Link is to the right.

Who let the dog out?

Warren had the privilege of opening for Teresa Tudury in Jenner at their celebration of preserving their watershed from the clutches of lumberjacks. It was a great community effort and the celebration was an equally great community celebration. In addition to performing with Warren I also designed the poster for the event.

Thinkafeeladoo - Take 2

I've launched a new version of my proposal, limited to the first introductory comic to help kids understand and work with Cognitive Behavior Therapy in their recovery from trauma by helping them understand the relationship between their thoughts, feelings and behavior. Please visit my proposal on Kickstarter.com and consider making a pledge to help create a new ally for kids who could really use one.
                                                       CLICK HERE TO VIEW PROPOSAL

Cartoon Safari 2010

I survived yet another Cartoon Safari cartooning class at the Schulz Museum, herding a pack of rascals. This photo pretty much sums up reality in there. It's one of the few classes kids will probably ever take where you can get in trouble for not being silly.

2001 A Space Oddity

Yard sales are the greatest. I scored these three guys yesterday and now I'm sure Stanley Kubrick is rolling over in his grave. Actually it's almost a family portrait, given that I starred in a space movie and my wife had a TV show where she played the mother of two chimps.

Minimalism

One of my very talented young cartooning students at the Schulz Museum this week seemed to enter a trance when it came time for a comic strip assignment. I kept coming back to glance at his blank paper until I finally saw the horrific fight going on between two polar bears in a snow storm. My excitement drew the other students over to see for themselves. Some of them claimed to only see a blank paper. Not me. I had Dawson title his strip, which he did proudly. It's one of my favorites.