First Pass

I dug this out of my archives, the first sketch for cover of the first Sparky book "Sparky's Walk".

Whoa!!

I was digging through my old sketches and I came across this sketch. I was like Wow! I think this is the first drawing that I ever did of Sparky!!! Holy cow! That's something. Remember, ladies and gentlemen when Sparky becomes a multi-million dollar franchise you saw it here first!
But really that is so cool. I like the fact that you can see all my little mistakes and white-out marks. I think I was working from a photo of the real Sparky. Cool stuff...

Web News!

Hi all!
Sparky's World has a home on my website! I want to announce the launch of Sparky's World! A fun place on my site where you can visit and explore Sparky's yard and meet Sparky and her friends! Check it out!
Right now Sparky is napping, but you can poke around and see if you can find where that naughty squirrel Floyd is hiding!
Visit Sparky often because I'm working on interactive games and activities and a Sparky-Cam!
Just go to www.PilarToons.com (best to have the most recent Flash viewer) and click on Sparky.
See ya soon!

Up a tree

I've always loved Floyd the hyper-active squirrel, someday I wish to do a book just about him.

Happy New Year!

As we go into this new year, Sparky and myself get ready to break plenty of resolutions, because what's the new year all about if ya don't have fun, huh? By the way I've been going to the gym waaaay before new years... hehe

White Witch

Ok I know I'm deviating a bit but I have to say that that...Ok, the White Witch from Narnia kicks butt ok? I know she's bad and mean and all that, but look at her, she's so cool looking! Maybe I'm an evil person but I was actually disappointed when she got defeated! When you do go to see Narnia if you haven't already, the battle scenes rock! Ok I'll be returning to your regularly scheduled Sparky programing tomorrow!

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

Ok I know this post has nothing to do with Sparky (Actually not true, my boyfriend's car has appeared on a few occasions in all of the Sparky books see December 8th posting) but *Nyaah NyyaaH!* it's my blog and I could wish my awesome boyfriend Ivan a happy birthday if I want to!! Thank you for being in my life, Ivan! I love you!

Happy holidays!

I wanted to make a mention of the cool gathering that I had last week, Thanks to all who came you all made it great!

CBGB's Gallery or my living room?


Ok this is the coolest Holiday party yet, how many people get their own rock concert?

Cut the Bull

Sparky getting chased by bull, I always liked this sketch. It'll be my new years resolution to avoid Bull s*** so I thought this was appropriate!


Sparky rollin'!

Party on!

Hey all! As we head into the weekend I hope y'all have fun going to all of those holiday parties and shindigs or even just have fun stayin' in and watch an episode of Degrassi for me!



DJ dude from Sparky Coast to Coast; I like how he came out. In the book I beleive his lower torso gets cut off so it's cool to show off the whole sketch that I did of him!

On the Wagon

So this is what the inside of a 1989 Volvo 240 wagon looks like!

In every Sparky book when ever I get the chance I always find a way to put a Volvo wagon in there because my boyfriend's car is a Blue Volvo wagon. Next time you pick up a Sparky book see if you can spot all the Volvo wagons!

BTW Keep your fingers crossed so I could have a white Christmas because at this rate we probably will have one! They said we might get up to 6 inches. Woo hooo!

Remembering Lockheed

Today my tribute to Lockheed the Iguana continues. He was a nomad with me traveling through six different living abodes over the years. He commanded respect and I taught those around us to respect him as another "human" being, even my cat who was a little nervous around Lockheed, especially when Lockheed would extend his dewlap (the Iguana's version of a chicken "comb" that hangs down from his chin) and flick his head up and down, that's Iguana-speak for stay out of my territory. My cat would go "ok fine I know when I'm not wanted" and join me on the couch. His cage is now dismantled and nicely packed away in the closet, saved for when I'm ready for the inevitable next iguana that lands in my lap. Noone can replace Lockheed, but he has instilled in me a love for Iguanas and i can't imagine life without an iguana in it now! But for now I will remember him and the joy that he brought into my life!

This is a sketch that I did about nine years ago on the back of a brochure from an un-named institution (hehe). That's me on the right and the iguana holding the soda cup is Lockheed, the one to the right of Lockheed is based on Rizzo, my friend Fred's iguana (also passed on to the rainbow bridge) and Lockheed's play-partner.

Lockheed and that's his play-partner Rizzo you see on the side there.

Goodbye, Lockheed

My iguana, Lockheed passed away yesterday after a long illness. Below you see his sketch self (actually named Chet in the book but I based his likeness on Lockheed) from No Rest for Sparky and below there are also pictures of the real life Lockheed above and below. Handsome guy huh? I came back from Massachusetts to find that Lockheed had passed away in his cage. I took him to get cremated this morning. I have had Lockheed longer than I have had any pet (12 years!). He kind of landed in my lap when I was in college! So he lived with me on campus and the rest is history!




A younger, more spry Lockheed

Baby, It's cold outisde!

My obsession with drawing the girls continues- When I visited them this summer I saw how fun fun funny they were, like little animals so I got inspired and drew them in animal masks.
Did I mention that it's cold? I'm going to Massachusetts and guess what? its even colder up there WITH SNOW hehehe

matter of fact its so cold outside I think about dog sledding (which in some states, depending on animal cruelty laws, is a cruel practice of course depending on the animal handler but here in this sketch I like to imagine these are happy dogs but for the most part, people, don't support dogsledding if you go to Alaska) so here's Sparky with some new friends, I love the rough pencils on this one.

I want to mention that I lost a dear friend, Wendy Jackson-Hall and thats why I'm going to Massachusetts, for her memorial. She passed away a couple of weeks ago and she was a beautiful person. This is such a loss to the animation community. I looked up to her, she was so ahead of her time. a really beautiful person, I hope to help perpetuate her energy and love for animation for all time.
More on Wendy:
www.animatedadventures.com

Da Girls

More all-star appearances by my three nieces. I love drawing the girls, I could literally devote an entire website to them they are so interesting and crazy fun! If you were wondering what they look like in real life...

The insane one in the middle is me of course, this is at bedtime story time, what did I read them as a bedtime story? Sparky of course!
I'm doing an animated film starring them- more news as this develops. More sketches to come of the girls and also of our lovable friend Sparky.

Nice to be back!

The iguana! Inspired by my lizard who is ill now, but looking better-thought I'd put good thoughts out in the universe for my lizard to get better-handsome guy huh?
Just got back from Florida spending an extended holiday with my family. Thought I'd be able to post from down there but family tends to dominate everything when you are with them! Inspiring all the same- my three nieces are in practically everything I do now! Hence this page featuring my three nieces riding in a trolley car with Sparky!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wishing one and all a Happy Healthy Thanksgiving!!
I'm heading to Florida tomorrow morning for a few days but I'll be able to post from down there so drop me a line!!! Stay warm!

Bad Dog

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, I'm gonna freeze my butt off for a day and then go to Florida for four days and thaw out again. My roommate is awesome-he's gonna take care of my recovering iguana when I'm in Florida. I actually changed my flight to come back earlier so I could take care of my lizard.
I can't wait to get back so I could continue working on my Flash short, pretty soon I'm gonna put my cartoons on my site. I'll also put snippets of art from my upcoming shorts on future Blogs.
This drawing here was hugely fun to draw- Sparky gets into the doghouse after this one!

Play time

This is my first blog-this is my first posting on my first blog, I only just found out last month what a Blog IS. It's a pretty cool thing, like a website but easier to maintain, anyway enjoy- Oh just found out that my sick Iguana is not dying of liver failure (like the Doctor and I originally thought he might possibly be) according to his blood tests that came back-wonderful veterinarian. I've had my lizard for 11 years. You get attached.
Anywhoo enjoy!
This is a fun one-Sparky having a morning romp- notice how her spots have not been drawn in yet...Spot art huh?