Vincent Altamore - Thomas Nast

This evening I decide to do one last check of my email before calling it a night and got a surprise email from Vincent Altamore. Everytime I see these emails come in from the project participants my pulse jumps in anticipation to read the stories and see the images that are submitted. Vincent's submission was no exception. His story and teaser shot are intriguing. See for yourself by continuing to reading on.

Below is Vincent's teaser shot inspired by political cartoonist, Thomas Nast



Vincent writes:

"Even though Blank Book gave me a couple of sleepless nights I have to say it's been fun to participate in BBP.


My contribution to the sketchbook has a "Thomas Nast" theme. Mr. Nast, for anyone not familiar with his work, was a Political Cartoonist and Illustrator who created Columbia, the symbol of America. He also created the concept of the Republican elephant and Democratic donkey as well as had a hand in how Uncle Sam looks today. Nast along with Daumier and Dore were just a few of my favorite "caricaturists" when growing up. I would copy their Illustrations mostly to help me learn how to crosshatch and distort faces.


Having moved from Flushing, Queens (Go Mets!) to Morris Plains eight years ago I was totally delighted to find out that Nast had lived in Morristown just about a mile from my own home. It seems he had moved his family there to keep them out of harms way while he was exposing the corrupt NY government of William "Boss" Tweed with his cartoons for Harper's Weekly...which by the way helped in bringing Tweed to justice...ah yes, the power of the pen!

So now the little wooden box has left my home (Jake was very upset and decided he wouldn’t eat his dinner...but that only lasted for 10 minutes) and has moved on to the Wayne, NJ, doorstep of Gary Fields. Unfortunately, as it was with Jim, time constraints and previous commitments prevented an in-person transfer of Blank Book but I'm sure Emile the FedEx guy has everything under control! Have fun Gary!!"

Jeff and I couldn't have said it any better. Be on the look out Gary! The BBP is on it's way!

Vincent Altamore - Receives Special Delivery

The SFG Blank Book Projects lands in Morris Plains, NJ, and into the talented hands of illustrator, Vincent Altamore right on schedule.



Vincent writes:

"I Just wanted to provide a little update on "Blank Book". It arrived late yesterday afternoon via special delivery arranged by the talented and super nice guy, Jim Bradshaw. I have tell you the work done so far is absolutely wonderful...this will definitely be a joy for everyone who receives it!!


Off to work on my pages now...and it might be a bit tough to separate Jake from the packing box, he thinks he has a new toy!"

It looks like Jeff and I will have to send Jake a nice soup bone to distract him long enough to get the box shipped to the seventh illustrator on the list, Gary Fields.

Jim Bradshaw - Ocean City

Jim Bradshaw sent me some really cool images and a great story behind his illustration and the awesome meeting he had with Adam Levine.

Here is Jim Bradshaw's teaser shot of his untitled illustration.



Jim writes:

"I chose the whole state of New Jersey for my topic because my A.D.D. would not allow me to stay on one topic or location. I blended some of my favorite boardwalks in the illustration as well as many other mystery things about me and New Jersey.

This has been an awesome experience. I'm so glad I was on Adam's "next to" list because we had a great evening. Just about all my friends are not creative types. I don't really talk art or creativity with them because I have gotten sick of that glassy eyed, bored, what on earth are you talking about look on their faces. The online community is a great place to find people who "get you."


Meeting with Adam in person was a refreshing blast of creative energy that I am still stoked about. We art types really need to connect MORE and I am totally thankful to you and Jeff for putting forth the effort to make this one happen. The food was great at Juanitos but we had trouble getting to it. We couldn't shut off the art talk and the gawking at each others moleskins.


Adam surprised me with a hand made stuffed character that he named Paco. Hmmm... I think the Mexican restaurant might have had something to do with the name. He has a whole line of adoptable creatures, he named "Adimals", so I have a new pal for my studio. I have had a desire to get into making my own as well and want to hear more from Adam on that. We had so much in common and hit it off big. There was barely a topic that we had enough time to fully talk out. Adam and I will definitely be getting together again. Thanks to SFGBBP, I have a cool new friend. And not just him, but his girlfriend, Kat who joined us and is into animation as well as Adam and had no trouble blending in with us.


The pics of me and BBP are on the ferris wheel at Ocean City, NJ. You can see the beach in the background. The little BBP box and I also bonded quite nicely. I'll miss the little fellow. It was a perfect mild, breezy, September day at the boardwalk and we both shed a tear or two when I shipped him.

Vince Altamore is next and should be getting his package today or tomorrow. Go Vince Go!!! Anyone who hangs out at the SFG site knows that Vincenzo is a kick-butt caricature artist. It didn't work out for Vince and me to meet because of geography and time constraints. I can't wait to see what he will come up with. Peace to all my SFGers."

Awesome story Jim and that illustration looks like a perfect addition to the Sugar Frosted Goodness Blank Book of delights.

Adam Levine - Coffee Flavored Air

This morning I got a nice surprise in my email from Adam Levine. He sent me some really cool images and a great story behind his illustration and the awesome meeting he had with Jim Bradshaw, our next illustrator in line to work in the blank book.

The title of Adam's piece is: "Coffee Flavored Air."



Adam writes:

"I chose to draw the main drag in downtown Freehold, NJ. I picked Freehold because I've always lived on its border and I love the rich and slightly obscure history that the town has to offer. It's a beautiful little reminder of what I think of when I hear the phrase "A little slice of Americana." I just drew what I saw, both in reality and what brews inside my head. Mixing the two was lots of fun. This has been such a fun project, I'm jealous of the people at the end of the list who get to flip through all those fun pages yet to come in person!"

Adam has also passed the book off to Jim Bradshaw and his back story of the meeting made me wish I was there to experience this meeting of the creative and great minds.

Adam again writes:

"If I had to sum up what took place last night I would simply say it was a "meeting of the minds!" I have been crazy lucky to have had yet another great experience in meeting a fellow SFGer. If happiness and fun were considered diseases than we would have been quarantined last night for sure.


Being a fan of Jim's work I was already stoked to meet him but I guess I didn't realize just how well we'd hit it off. We met at an authentic Mexican restaurant named Juanitos in Red Bank NJ on a street with (and I'm not exaggerating) no less than four places named Juanitos. The food was excellent...when we finally ordered. We were too busy exchanging ideas and rummaging through each other's sketchbooks. We waited for my girlfriend but the time slipped right past us. We got there at dinner time and stayed until they literally closed the place down. They shut off the lights after we walked out the door, and four hours later we realized that we still didn't have enough time.

I loved being a part of this project and I really hope it encourages people to meet in person if they can. Thanks again to you and Jeff for setting this thing up, I had a blast!"

Jeff and I are excited to see this book take off and become such a dynamic presence. We are waiting in anticipation to see what Jim Bradshaw has in store for this Sugar Frosted adventure.

Adam Levine - 40 Flavors

Adam Levine wrote to me yesterday afternoon and wanted to share his story of meeting Melinda Beavers to receive the book.

Adam writes:

"Talk about a fun time! Well I will...So like you've already heard, I met with Melinda and my girlfriend the other day to pass off the book. I had a blast. It was nice to meet another artist, especially from SFG!

We met at a train station, went to a restaurant for dinner and wound up in a colorful sugary frosted wonderland! The restaurant was nice because it gave us time to get to know each other. We talked about SFG, the people who's work we admire, and tons of dorky art related topics. There was never an awkward moment or a deafening silence. We spoke of our pasts, and where we were going from here. We both brought our current sketch books and swapped them as we explored the fun stuff that drips out of our heads and lands in our moleskines. For dessert, we wound up at a cute little ice cream joint known as "40 Flavors." The colors were rich and the ice cream was richer. We all sat around at a picnic table and continued to bond over frozen gooey goodness. This project is such a great idea and I can't wait to see how it evolves over the coming months. I hope everyone has an experience like we did.


I know Melinda sent you some great photos and above is one more of us picking out the most delicious flavor of all!"

Thanks for the cool story Adam. It sounds like you and Melinda had a great meeting, and I know we are all excited to get a sugar frosted taste of what you are preparing in the blank book of delicious illustration.