Ah, yes, spring! Edging into summer, actually, and as always the STUDIO ORDERS are stacking up! Fun stuff.

We get orders from all over the world thanks to the web, from corporate bigwigs retiring and needing huge drawings — sometimes running to thousands of dollars, if you can believe that — to high school graduation drawings for as little as $20.

Most of them are surprise gifts, drawn from photos emailed here by friends and loved ones.

Every last one is a big deal to the recipient and I always feel a strong responsibility to get it as good as possible, as strong a resemblance as I can manage, and bursting with all the energy I can manage.

Not that every one is perfect. But about everyone seems thrilled when they’re finally done and delivered.

Below is an item created recently for a delightful lady, a gift for her dear friend. It depicts an episode when they were out for a walk and he kicked a dumpster (for some reason) and a family of raccoons came blasting out in all directions.

I guess you had to be there — but the drawing has brought rave reviews from all concerned. Nice people.

How YOU can prevent the Recession!

No kidding. Here is the way for us all to keep our economy on track. It’s simple, painless and feels great, but does take a bit of effort as we go along.

First, take a look around you. Around your personal space, your house, your office, your car. Chances are that ninety percent of what you see — is imported. Virtually every stitch of clothing you own, all your shoes, your car, the computer you read this on, your furniture and major appliances — even the food in your refrigerator — are almost all imported goods.

I can say that with certainty for obvious reasons. It’s true for me as well, and for most of us.

If we all began making a consistent effort to buy Made In USA goods, the economy would blast off into the stratosphere. And stay there.

If only only twenty percent of the population tried, the result would still be phenomenal.

I am not saying we should be fanatics on the issue. If you give US carmakers a test drive and a foreign car is still what your family really needs — buy one. I am suggesting that lots of us never take that Chevy around the block to give it a chance before buying.

I am suggesting we make an effort. An effort to support the domestic economy, save American jobs which pay salaries here, pay taxes here and bring money into circles that can find its way to you eventually. When you buy an item from China, Asia or Europe, that money stays there.

We need it here.

Another aspect of this issue is the need for us all to band together in a time of War. I think the most patriotic thing MOST of us can offer is supporting the domestic economy. As the saying goes, the job you save may be your own.

I am also interested in your opinion. Email me, subject line DRAWME BLOG please, to dennis@drawme.com and we will discuss things.

In the meantime, Thanks for reading!!

BLOG, DRAWME
4.10.08

“Can you draw the whole team?,” she asked.
“Sure,” I said. “Up to about twenty people on an 11 x 14 inch sheet.”

We talked about price and the PayPal online payment a bit and worked things out so I
could sketch the wrestling team and coaches for a high school in Kentucky.
This was going to be a fun project.

Tami emailed lots of great photos of the guys and their coaches and I worked up a pencil
rough drawing and emailed that back down, first just a crude sketch for layout. Then a second
more evolved pencil for resemblances later on.

Along the way she had the idea of surprising her husband with a sketch of him and their
bulldog — visiting Graceland. A surprise caricature for his birthday.

Hey, a second fun project!

That’s the beauty of this little business. It is never dull. After drawing 140,000 people it’s
STILL fun.
The final art was delivered a few days ago and I received a really nice phone call from Tami
with lots of compliments.

The studio things are fun. I get orders here from all over the world. England, Spain, Iceland,
Portugal — even scenic Dayton, Ohio.

More often, though, I get to go draw live at parties, which is still an absolute blast after all
these years.

What a way to make a living; this sure beats working.