(Corbett Vanoni - 1996)

This past week I lost someone incredibly dear to me. A musician, teacher and somewhat father figure by the name of Jimmie Cannon. Cannon was a former Count Basie trumpet player and teacher to musicians like Pharoah Sanders and Walter Beasley.

He came into my life as a high school band teacher when I was 14, shortly before my father passed away. I needed someone and something to focus on at that time and Jimmie gave it to me in the form of music. He was an amazing person for not only myself, but generations of students, friends and colleagues.

I could tell you a hundred stories about what an impression he left on my life. But what I really want to tell you all, is to not put off that phone call or visit to someone you've been meaning to contact. After I moved from my hometown to Los Angeles in 1999 to pursue animation, I made only a handful of attempts to visit 'Mr. Cannon'. My visits home were limited and I always found a reason to not stop by his studio "this time".

It's probably been 7 years or more since I spoke to him and now that he's gone, I want one more jam session that I'll never get.

Dirty Dozen Brass Band - Closer Walk With Thee

I chuckled a little as I watched my desktop Weather Widget drop to negative zero tonight.
That's not a temperature - that's a lack of temperature.

I know. . .all you locals want me to stop being a pussy.

Well this pussy grew up here:

where it's currently 50º (which used to be kind of chilly)

With the wind chill it's supposed to get down to -20 to -30 tomorrow.

Funny, because they're true.

I didn't draw it as badly as the ones I read in the paper but I tried.
And I gave it a hip title that all the kids will enjoy.

I recently completed a set of cards for Inkworks showcasing the upcoming movie The Spirit, directed by Frank Miller and of course, made famous in print by Will Eisner.
I can't speak for the movie - I've never seen a Frank Miller production and many of the still photos I saw were preproduction - but I'm a big fan of Will Eisner.

Inkworks was a great company to work with - I hope our paths cross again. Very professional and prompt with information. Amateurish behavior is something I unfortunately have found time and time again when dealing with sketchcard sets. This was certainly not the case with Inkworks. Bravo!

Some great artwork on this set.
Go peep some.
And buy a case or two.

Or six.