If you're like me, a Canadian between the ages of about 20 and 40, who likes to draw, there's a big chance that an artistic influence in your early years was Mr. Dressup. A legendary icon of children's television, the show featured Mr.Dressup (Ernie Coombs) , a talented artist who would often draw at his easel and make crafts, when not interacting with his puppet buds or dressing in costumes from his tickle trunk. The craft project was always solid, but when he sat down to draw, china marker in hand, Mr. Dressup could make time stand still. I have heard some debate about whether he lightly pencilled in the drawings before the show or not, but it has always been just an urban legend. The ability to just sit down and draw was something that inspired me then, and certainly still does. I recommend for anyone looking to rekindle a bit of the the shows wonder and magic, to check out the CBC museum, in the Toronto CBC building...it's filled with many key items from the show, from the treehouse and puppets, to the tickle trunk and drawing easel. Well worth the visit.

While in San Francisco, I noticed an interesting book, popping up in several bookstores. Filled with wonderfully detailed ink and wash sketches, it turned out to be a collection of Paul Madonna's weekly strip in the Chronicle, All Over Coffee. I first noticed it in the City Lights bookstore, at the edge of Chinatown, who is the publisher of the book as well.

A local artist, Madonna captures everyday scenes of San Fran, and makes them unique. Mostly architecturally based, his sketching is delicate and loose at the same time, and in the large page format, provides a healthy feast for the eyes. Rarely do the sketches delve into colour washes, but the occasional one doesn't feel out of place, when that realm is ventured. All Over Coffee by Paul Madonna doesn't disappoint and is a must-see for any sketching enthusiast.

This is a quick little comic I did based on a whole conversation overheard on the bus. Public transit is just about the most entertaining thing ever, other than maybe watching the Toronto Maple Leafs pretend to play hockey, year after year. The conversation was funny on its own merits, but also reminded me of a time, camping and enjoying the quiet night wilderness, when a rousing acoustic chorus of Sweet Caroline burst out over the trees, proving once again, that no one is safe from neil diamond.