Mike writes,

“Lilla,

Well, I’m back from Japan, which was amazing and exhausting. It was great to get caught up on my sodium and fish intake for the entire year in just 12 days. What I mean is, the Japanese are big fans of the salt. Don’t know what Japan looks like? Here is an aerial photo:

In between Karaoke and scouring the used book stores for Taro Gomi (五味太郎) books, I was able to get some drawing/journaling done and am hoping to post a few pages over the next few days. I’ll also post some images of the incredible books, stationary sets, ads, and other great stuff I saw. I’ve never been to a country that loves illustration so much (adorable characters are on everything from train tickets to dentist’s offices and banks), so it was great to go back.

I took my friend Colin (who happens to be a rabbit) with me. Here he is getting ready for the trip (we later learned some of the characters he’d written were wrong):

Here’s what we had for breakfast in the hotels and hostels:

And here’s the progression of Colin’s facial hair while in Japan:

(A few small notes about this drawing. When Colin says “100?!” he’s talking about being overcharged for laundry services in Nagoya. Also notice the repeated v-neck shirt. I…oops, I mean..He wore that shirt a LOT in Japan.)

I’ll be sure to send more images soon!”

-Mike

Friday: Carolyn Gavin’s studio

Mike writes,

“Hey guys! I’m working on a few new repeating patterns. This one is
called KEYBOARDS AND VINES. It features both keyboards and vines.

-Mike”

Did I tell you that Mike teaches at Savannah College of Art & Design in Atlanta?

I asked Mike,
Lilla: What recent illustration job have you enjoyed doing?
Mike: I recently did some drawing for a chinese crafts book. The company who put the book out did an interview with me that was translated into Chinese and then (for some reason) back into English from the Chinese translation. There were some great quotes. Here’s one of my favorites:
Foodoll: “I like all food from different places, but my mood affect my taste.”
Mike: “Oh, I’m a hungry man, if no food, I have no idea.”

Read more about Mike here.

Monday: Some tips on creating artwork for licensing

Dear Art Director,

Come visit us at Surtex (new location: Booths 251 & 253) and get your free buttons!

See more of Mike’s work here.

Wednesday: New bag by Sarajo Frieden

Mike has this kooky-charming style.

Tomorrow: Jillian Phillips spotted on Print and Pattern.

On newstands now.

Tomorrow: Lisa DeJohn’s Alphabet Animal Flash Cards.

Here’s a how-to piece that Mike did for us for his portfolio. It’s a perfect style for Readymade Magazine. (Readymade art directors? Are you out there reading this?) It’s great to do pieces for your portfolio to attract the kind of work you want. I often say, “What you show is what you get.”

News Flash: We’ve gotten Mike a picture book, and he’s up for another. Can’t tell you more at this point, but I sure will as soon as I can.

Tomorrow: Vintage fabric dresses from a Martha’s Vineyard flea market.

Tomorrow: Trina’s illustration on how to trim your holiday tree

Mike writes me:

“Here’s a little illustration poster I made for SCAD’s (Savannah College of Art and Design) major’s fair.”

Tomorrow: See what unencumbered, non-neurotic line quality looks like.

Dear Book Art Directors,
Contact us to talk to Mike about doing a counting book, or something. He’s funny and cute and great to work with and has a wonderful fresh style.