Happy Halloween

Have a very Spooky & Safe Halloween!

Monster Freez'Ems

A few years ago at the flea market we came across a group of items all related to the production of some monster food products in the early 70's. There was art for a number of different frozen pop designs and even a Frankenstein's Monster fruit drink bottle. The last thing was a couple of uncut printers proofs of the final product that was made, Monster Freez'Ems from 1975. It is amazing to see the process from product conception to the actual product that was produced.

Tomorrow is Halloween

Leo Burnett

He may be talking about advertising but he is really talking about any creative endeavour.

Yabba Dabba Do

Casper Mattel Geetar artwork

Flintstones Bedrock City Brochure

Pencils

Mr Toast Vinyl Toy

Coming soon....

Rain

We could use some rain or at least some clouds here in Southern California.

Stories by Jake

Mr Toast and his Friends have a Halloween Party
by Jake Allins (age 7)

Once there was a toast. He lived in a toaster. He had lots of friends. They were Joe the Egg, Shaky Bacon, Lemon Head, Mr Glue, Leif, Muffin Baker and Inky. "Halloween is on the next day" said Mr Toast to his friends. "We need to buy the decorations" said Leif. Shaky Bacon said "I will go to the store and buy the decorations." "I will go to the other store and buy a pumpkin" said Mr GLue. "We will hand up the decorations said Mr Toast, Lemonhead, Joe the Egg and Inky.

Soon Shaky Bacon was back. He brought pumpkin decorations, ghost decorations and monster decorations. Mr Toast, Lemonhead, Joe the Egg and Inky hung up the decorations. Then came Leif with a pumpkin. Mr Toast, Lemonhead, Joe the Egg and Inky cut out Pirate Jake. Soon everything was ready.

The only thing they needed was candy. Inky remembered that they needed candy. He said "we need candy." Mr Toast said "I will go buy candy and Halloween bags." Soon Mr Toast came back. All the other toys had a sleepover at Mr Toast's house. Mr Toast had 10 beds at his house. All of them ate dinner. THey drank water. Then they read a story to each other. Then they fell asleep.

On the next morning Mr Toast woke up first. Then he woke up everyone else. He said "wake up everyone it's Halloween!" Then everyone else woke up very fast. They started dressing up. Then they went downstairs as fast as they could. They had breakfast fast too.

Then they went to wake up Mr Toast's neighbor. They opened the door. Everything was quiet. Then they tiptoed into the bedroom. Then they shouted "It's Halloween!" Then the neighbor woke up very fast. He started dressing up as fast as he could. Then he ran downstairs as fast as he could. Then he ate breakfast very fast. Then he ran out of his house into his car and into the store. He need to go to the store to buy the decorations. Then he came back home and hung up the decorations.

Then they bought a pumpkin. Then they cut out Joe the Egg. Then they bought candy. Then they went to the costume store. They bought costumes. Mr Toast got a candle costume. Joe the Egg got Pear, Mr Glue got Clem Lemon, Shaky Bacon got Candy Corn, Leif got Space Duck, Muffin Baker got Sr Cork, Inky got Mope the Onion and Lemonhead got Prof. Encyclopedia.

"in an hour is the Halloween party" said Mr Toast. "We need to eat some dinner" said Mr Glue. "Lets go" said Mr Toast to his friends. They ran to Mr Toast's house. They ate dinner as fast as they could. Then they put on the their costumes. They went outside to trick or treat. THeir pumpkin was glowing because they put in a candle. They got lots and lots of candy. THey got presents too. Then they went back to their own homes.

The End

A Sprout Grows

for Illustration Friday

Crazy Costumes

Peanuts

You just cant get away from all the hype about the new Schulz biography. I must say that I am more interested in the work then the man. I think that the first reprint volume of the Peanuts strip is really the place to examine Schulz' genius.

Cereal Masks

Historical Accuracy

Mr Toast in France - part 2

Today we start in Avignon, the one time seat of the French Pope. This cool old bridge only goes half way across the river!

The fall leaves in France are much like the ones in the US.

This huge Roman aqueduct was built just to make sure that clean water was available in the local city.

The best lasagna ever.

Sunflowers.

The beach at Nice. Just check out that sky!

An exotic garden of succulents high above the Mediterranean Sea.

Fresh French cantalopes.

Well France has been fun but it is time to say goodbye.

Just 2 Weeks til Halloween

MEOMI

Today I had the great pleasure of meeting and hanging out with Vicki & Michael who are collectively known as MEOMI. They were in town promoting their new Octonauts book, The Sea of Shade. Kind of like myself they are busy creating their own world in print and on the web. We talked about the twists and turns of trying to get stuff out into the world and trying to create a vision that draws on all that things we loved as kids.

It always inspires me in my work to meet like minded people who bring the same sort of do it yourself attitude to everything they do. I encourage everyone to check out both of the Octonauts books and if you are in San Francisco look out because they are headed your way for a bunch of great signings and events.

The Subtle Evolution of Special K

c. 1959

1960

1962

A Mysterious Sign

Mr Toast at Monkeyhouse Toys

I will be making an appearance at Monkeyhouse Toys in Silverlake tomorrow, Sunday October 14th . I am packing up books to sign, a few t-shirts, dolls and buttons. I will be doing little watercolor drawings to give away. Also since Halloween is coming up I will be bringing along the ultimate Misfit Mr Toast doll. Instead of 2 arms and legs, he has 3 legs and 1 arm. Spooky and weird......

Monkeyhouse Toys
1618 1/2 Silver Lake Bl.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
323-662-3437
from 1PM to 5PM

Mr Toast for Halloween

A few people this year have asked about how to make a Halloween costume of Mr Toast. I gave it a little thought and came up with this little tutorial for an easy to make costume.

First find a big piece of cardboard.

Draw out an outline and then cut him out. I used an exacto kniife but scissors will also work. Kids ask your parents to help with this step.

Time to paint. Lay out newspapers so you don't make a big mess. You can get inexpensive paints at most craft stores. You will need tan, brown, black and white. I started with a white coat and then tan over that.

Use the brown to paint a crust on one side, black for the eyes and mouth and white to fill in the eyes. Before painting the eyes draw them on with pencil so you know where you want to paint.

You need to attach a string on the back so you can wear the costume. I took a second piece of cardboard and punched some holes in it to tie the string through. I then glued this on the back and tied off the string to adjust it for the correct height.

Cut a think slit right at the level of your eyes so that you can see out when you go trick or treating.

Now you just have to wait until Halloween.