Princess Layer Cake

I made this pun based illustration as a companion to my Han Solo Cup, and as part of a series that I would like to continue of parody based Star Wars characters.  If memory serves me right, I believe I started to develop this particular piece sometime during Comikaze 2016.

Similar to the Han piece I wanted to make sure I did some research on the correct outfit, and any other characteristics to properly pun-ify Princess Leia into 'Princess Layer Cake'.  I played a bit with the color initially before finally deciding on 'chocolate' as her flavor, it just offered more contrast, and made more sense in the end.  I finalized the image sometime in 2017, right before Wondercon of that same year.  I attempted to have the image placed on bags, but ran into copyright issues with vendors who were unwilling to overlook the obvious Parody Laws that protect imagery.  I did however have the image made into both prints, and buttons to sell that year.
It is entirely digital, made in Illustrator, Painter, and Photoshop.

The image is also available at my etsy store as a print, or a button.

Sundae Driver

This idea came to me quite easily and quickly, while I was sitting at the convention table during Wondercon 2016.  I was trying to come up with more ideas for pun related illustrations, and this one jumped out at me.  Living in a metropolitan area with quite possibly the worst traffic in the United States, driving has been, and always will be, the bane of my existence.  While there are many terms and phrases associated with motorists, the one that I find the most humorous, is that of the "Sunday driver".  I decided I could use this term and with a simple homophone, 'Sundae Driver' was born...besides...who doesn't like ice cream, or sundaes for that matter?

The execution simply involved me taking the concept a fleshing it out a bit more, and deciding a color palette that would accentuate the initial sketch.  I selection a traditional color scheme, and went with strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla.  I got a weird 'Washington Crossing the Delaware' vibe from the sketch, and made the whipped cream into a sort of powdered wig for the banana. I topped the image with a 'wild' cherry who is just along for the ride.  I also attempted to give each rider a different expression or personality to offer something to the narrative of the illustration.
It is entirely digital, made in Illustrator, Painter, and Photoshop.

The image is also available at my etsy store as a Print or Tote Bag.

Pesto Chango

This pun-based illustration came to me when I was trying to come up with more ideas for illustrations, that, and my unhealthy love of pesto...  I initially started the sketch, and fleshed out the illustration previous to Wondercon in 2016, in an attempt to include it in with the original series I was making exclusively for the show.  I wasn't able to finish it in time, but did end up completing it after the event, and included it in my next convention (which I believe was the Long Beach Comic Con).

The development of this image started first with the phrase 'presto chango', a common term used by magicians.  I thought about the nature of the phrase, and how pesto is literally the altering or merging of several ingredients to create another (simply divine) substance.  How is this done?  With a blender.  It basically wrote itself at that point.  I included all the ingredients, along with a nifty old-timey magicians costume for the blender. I like this particular ensemble, due in part to my ability to give each participant a different expression or personality. It is entirely digital, made in Illustrator, Painter, and Photoshop.

The image is available on my etsy store for purchase here:
Pesto Chango

High Five

This particular pun was inspired by a particular piece of artwork done by the talented Kimber Grobman, who designed a similar pose with a Pilgrim and Native American giving each other a leaping high five for a Thanksgiving project.  I fell in love with the energy from the pose and decided I could utilize it for a work. 
I originally drew this pair as part of 'Inktober 2015' which can be seen here and it ended up being a finished illustration for Wondercon 2016, which I used for my annoucement, and then utilized for a price sheet at future conventions.  It wasn't until a later date I ended up making them available for purchase.

While the image itself was made separate from others, I did use the same color scheme from Caff-Fiend for the coffee cup character.  The pun here is that both characters house caffeinated beverages that offer a 'high', and they are in essence also giving each other a 'high-five'.  This easily became one of my favorites from the series.  It is entirely digital, made in Illustrator, Painter, and Photoshop.

The image is available for purchase at my etsy store here as a print or on a tote bag:
High Five
High Five (Tote Bag)

Smartie Pants

I originally conceived the idea for this pun illustration back during 'Inktober 2015', when I was trying to come up with some ideas for ink-based art I could do quickly to fill the quota for the event.  Smartie has evolved a bit since her initial creation which can be seen here in all her glory.
When I began making more illustrations in the series, I thought it would great to include her.

The pun is pretty straightforward with this one.  I have a smartie, reading her favorite book..."Hairy Potter".  I gave her a set of oversized glasses, and an aloof expression, as she is incredibly engrossed in her book.  It is entirely digital, made in Illustrator, Painter, and Photoshop.

It was originally sold exclusively at Wondercon that year, but is also available on my etsy store here:
Smartie Pants
Smartie Pants (Tote Bag)

Her favorite literary hero is also available by himself on my etsy store here:
Hairy Potter (Pin)

Hard Core

This pun-based illustration was first conceptualized around the same time as the first set of original 'Dementibles' (or 'Just for Pun', which I like better), but I didn't finish it in time for Wondercon that year (2016).  I decided for the 2017 show to complete a couple more because the designs were so well recieved.

The idea for this image came pretty easily.  It was basically a play on several social stereotypes, but I wanted to represent the concepts in the most pun-able ways possible.  I dressed the apple in a traditional do-rag, old english tattoo, and gave him a nifty set of kicks, in addition to some more common survival accessories.  It is entirely digital, made in Illustrator, Painter, and Photoshop.

It was originally sold exclusively at Wondercon that year, but is also available on my etsy store here:
Hard Core

The Rules of Halloween

The concept for this particular series of illustrated typography designs first came to me sometime in 2014.  I was initially planning on participating in Creature Features annual "October Shadows" group show (which showcases talented works dedicated to the spirit of all things Halloween), I figured it would be a great opportunity to do a work inspired by my favorite Halloween film, 'Trick r' Treat'.

In the 2007 film, written and directed by Michael Dougherty, there are four stories which each center around a particular 'rule', that if broken, come with consequences, that are handed out mercilessly by the spirit of Halloween.

The designs themselves went through tireless modifications, reformatting, and more.  It took me around 2 years to finally complete the designs and execute them to my satisfaction.  The concept was to create an illustration from each rule, incorporating the words into a visual design to physically represent it's meaning. Initially I wanted each design to be more of a calligram, but ultimately decided to take a different approach with each design.

To purchase this image, please visit my etsy store here:
Rule #1
Rule #2
Rule #3
Rule #4