"When in Rome..."

Sketchbook: Disney's Cali Adventure

So, I took a breather with some dear friends/co-workers on an off-site the other day at DCA, a beautiful theme park that's different from its 'sister' from across the way.

I love Disney's Cali Adventure because I've always had a great time with my granddaughters there. It's not as crowded as Disneyland and the surroundings are lush with beautiful native foliage and a boardwalk that in my opinion makes Santa Monica look like a slum.

Plus with the added bonus of the new "Toy Story" attraction it's really jumping! So there I sat with my friends- Becky (she's always number one!) Mi Ran and Rick, happily sketching a structure from the water rafting ride.

I also made this other drawing out of my head (because it's the only head I have) of a kid who I imagined would feel as I would, after coming off this exciting ride. I hope you get the chance to experience this wonderfully singular experience at Disney's California Adventure someday, soon. You really deserve it.

a watercolor for a co-worker...

Every time someone moves out or up we're asked in the art department to create a piece of art to commemorate the occasion. Happily this time someone is moving up. It also helps a great deal when you know and have worked with the subject.

it beats listening...

Brush Pen sketches done during meetings.

new york sunsets

Just a little photographic diversion. New camera. Plus my carpal tunnel's been kicking my ass in lately.

How about some fresh old stuff?

Here are a few concept drawings of the Ol' Schnozzola that I used to bat out in the early '90s. I liked to work in felt tip pens and rolling writers a lot in those days, so please forgive the uneven aging process of the penwork. I also had an affinity for buff colored bond paper. These days I'd much rather use a brush, but I kind of like the feel of these. The rooftop piece in particular shows that I was trying for newer, more dramatic ways of storytelling.

I hope you enjoy them. I remember having a good time creating them.

I've added this last piece to show the original way I wanted to approach the 'Nose, using Craft Tint paper. But I found it to be slippery and unforgiving, too smooth. So I developed the approach used in these examples shown above.

'80s felt pen fan sketches--

While working in advertising and producing The Honeymooners comic books in the '80s I'd occasionally try to break up the monotony by doing fan sketches and sending them to various publications and comic book creators. Both of these were published.

The Stuntman piece was published in Fantagraphics' Amazing Heroes magazine and the MM illo was published in the Mr. Monster 3-D Special.

(These were intentionally scanned at lo-res, due to respective copyright considerations)

silent film stars

Coming soon... sort of.

My buddy Johnny Ortiz, publisher/creator of the Silver Comics Universe asked me if I'd like to write and illustrate an upcoming issue of Silver Comics featuring my character "Alex Armstrong" and his super-team "The Sudden Disaster Stoppers". He even took the time to put together a cover comp to present to me. How could I refuse?

So I emailed a synopsis to Mr. Silver and he gave me the green light.

Armstrong originally appeared in Silver Comics' issues 6 and 7, in a two part story. And soon Alex and the Stoppers will be coming your way courtesy of Johnny and the Silver Comics Group.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mr.O.!

(cover image above created by and courtesy of Juan Ortiz)

My art above, with preliminary colors by Dwight Wanhala from Silver Comics' back cover, Issue #6.

Story art below from Issue #7...



left to right: Ortiz, Beltran, Musacchia & Seeto at SD Comicon '06


George Tuska art/Musacchia color guide, unpublished version.


Nick Cardy art/Musacchia color guide, unpublished version.

silly sketches--

san diego comicon doodles...

I like people watching at the convention. These sketches are from a break on the patio. The devoted fans were waiting in line for a one minute visit with Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima.
If you're lucky you can usually find a chair under a tree or an umbrella and watch the fan world go by. It's also a good place to run into friends, away from the crowds.

A few yards to my left Knights in shining rubber armor were beating each other senseless in the blistering sun with plastic swords.

Good times.

memory sketches--

In 1962 a neighborhood teenager named Doc tried to climb the local Junior High School and fell to his death from four floors above. I was watching from across the street with my friends as the policemen carted him away. And when I looked down to the sidewalk curb his eye was staring up at me.



(remixed 7/21)

New from Silver Comics...

The first ever Full Color Annual
from Johnny Ortiz and The SILVER COMICS Group.

Jack Davis art!--

June is halfway to the great cartoonist's eighty fourth birthday and I wanted to make a celebration out of it. So here are some of his Promo pieces from the late '80s. The original printed pieces were in the 'index card' format, hence the folds in the scans. They're reproduced here twice up from their original printed size.

Lucky you!