Masquerade
January 21, 2023 | Comics
Let’s play dress-up!
In this comic the kids find a peculiar piece of clothing in Grandpa’s attic while playing dress-up. Grandpa offers up a history lesson, but nobody really cares.
Cat misses the jump
January 15, 2023 | Blog
Hazel the cat isn’t the spry young thing she used to be. But it’s not her age, or her size that prevents her from accomplishing the great jumps of her youth. It’s just that there comes a time when you’ve made all the jumps, you’ve seen the tops of all the cabinets. And once you’ve conquered all the great heights, what else is there?
Occasionally you’ll catch her, gazing casually toward the top of a closet, or the Billy book case in my office. You see her doing the math, calculating the angles. She could do it if she wanted to, but the excitement is clearly gone. Her interests now pulling her in different, fresher directions.
Like napping – now there is an undiscovered country.
The howling abyss
January 9, 2023 | Blog
A review of my creative output in 2022
As we tumble into the howling abyss that is 2023, it’s time for a little (forced) reflection. It’s what all the cool kids are doing this time of year. So on with it – what did I make last year?
- 7 illustrations
- wrote 3 short comics
- inked 2 short comics (a total of 4 pages)
- created 28 ink and watercolour postcard sized illustrations
- inked 2 comic strips
Well, that’s depressing. I need frequent reminding that this is not a full time job, as much as I would like it to be. The quantity of artwork I produce is, in many ways, outside my control. I can make the best of the time I get, by ensuring I have tools and a workspace that is ready to go when I am, but I can’t just not go to work, as much as I kick and scream. And I don’t have a say in when a kid needs me to help with homework, or murder a defenceless spider in the bathroom, or reanimate a decapitated Barbie.
Quality, on the other hand, is something I have complete control over. I have no pressure to hack something together by the end of the day. Johnny Corporate’s got no sway here. And I do think the quality of my art has increased. I pushed my illustration more, created more interesting drawings, and experimented more with colour and texture.
The comics I completed (not posted yet), and even the one I’m working on now, are also my best ever. The quality of writing and drawing is much higher, I’m trying different processes, tools, and compositions.
So I may not have completed as many projects as I would have liked in 2022, but I really like what I created, and what that says for my direction, creatively. Silver linings, I guess.
Onward, into the abyss! Happy new year, and all that.
Santa Propaganda Campaign posters
December 26, 2022 | Illustration
A satirical look at Christmas and the culture of Santa Claus through a made up propaganda poster campaign
Santa knows everything, so be good, for goodness sake.
Santa poster illustration created in Procreate on an iPad Pro, with the text and alternate background colours added in Affinity Photo.
Santa loves you
And keeping with the consumerist holiday spirit, shirts and other crap with Santa on them are available at ryanreidart.redbubble.com. Merry Christmas!
Skiing penguin postcard
December 13, 2022 | Illustration
Winter fun for everyone, even flightless birds
Penguins love winter sports. And they always dress appropriately for the weather. Just look at this fella – he’s got his toque, his mittens, his snow pants. Ready for adventure on the slopes!
This illustration was designed for a postcard style invitation, but looks just as good on a shirt, sticker, or art print.
I love it give me more!
Get this artwork on a t-shirt, sticker, or something else at Redbubble – grey line art version, and full colour version.
King Toad in the Land of the Mushrooms art print
November 16, 2022 | Illustration
King Toad is a mighty and just ruler
A whimsical amphibian, a rare monarch who deserves the respect given to him by his people. But don’t be fooled! While nestled among strange mushrooms, plants and flowers he appears calm and complacent. But he is known across the world as savage when crossed, and an excellent strategist. I’d stay on his good side, and keep your trade routes open.
Art print illustrated using Procreate on iPad Pro.
Long live King Toad!
Show your love and adoration to King Toad with an art print, sticker and other merch from Redbubble, or an awesome tee shirt from my Etsy shop. Long live the King!
Attribution
Art print mockup image by rawpixel.com
Cat wearing headphones t-shirt
November 10, 2022 | Illustration
Rock and roll kitty!
Kitten was born to sing. Cats love karaoke, everybody knows that. They sing all day. When you are away making them money for more kibble, and laser toys, they’re wearing your headphones, and listening to all your records. That’s why there’s cat hair in your ears.
Digitally illustrated using Procreate, iPad Pro, and Pencil. Reference photos grabbed haphazardly from the internets.
Rock the cat-spa
This cat wearing headphones tee is available at my Etsy shop. Rock on!
Lemon Sour Puss t-shirt
November 5, 2022 | Illustration
A tart little lemon illustration for those of us who like citrus and shirts
A juicy lemon comes to an untimely end. How sad! But I’ll bet it made a fine drink. Like a lemonade, or something with liquor in it. Maybe some other friendly fruit and berries came to pay their respects. Like some raspberries, or a lime. Yum.
Digital art using Procreate, iPad Pro, and Pencil, for those interested in such things.
Become the billboard you always wanted to be
Wardrobe a little dreary? You’re in luck – Lemon Sour Puss is available on tee shirts at my Etsy shop. Get your Lemon Sour Puss on!
Thirds 6
August 17, 2022 | Comics
Robot and Francis in trouble again!
Something short with Robot and Francis the Sheep in peril. Again.