Running Pants Incorporated

The other day I was inspired to make something just for fun. Do you remember the last time you just gave in, put down your work and just did something that you knew you would enjoy even though it would probably go nowhere? That's the mood I'm talking about.

I created this little logo a few months ago while I was working on finishing my grad thesis. I actually threw him aside with the dozen and dozens of other "failed" logos I had sketched. Later, flipping through my sketchbook I found him and saw in him something I'd missed initially. He was exactly what I was looking for... He was fun. He was pure energy. He was running!

Well, I haphazardly cleaned him up and threw him around a few places as I was rushing to finish my thesis, but didn't really spend any quality time with him. The other day I discovered him again and decided he needed a real home where he could run free to his heart's content. Here at Running Pants Inc., he's free to run all he wants. And run he does! Just look at him go! Whilst running he thinks and dreams of running and poetry. Visit him everyday for a new haiku. He has thought of many and wants to share them. He also wants to share the haikus his friends have written. Won't you share a running haiku with him?

Haikus have three lines that go 5 - 7 - 5 syllables. Haikus can be about anything running- victories, trails, sneakers, short shorts, and even blisters. Here's an example for you.

A wind in my hair,
a wild furnace in my heart,
pebble in my shoe.

Let your creative juices flow! Think about it on your next run! Just relax for a minute and have fun! You can leave your submissions as comments or email them directly to me. We can't wait to hear them!

In the meantime, watch Running Pants Inc. slowly grow. Into what? you may ask. You'll just have to wait and see. I've already order tattoos of our little friend (let me know if you want one). In the future we're hoping for t-shirts, arm-warmers, bling and of course running pants! (Also, let me know if you're interested in some of these...) Remember friends; IT'S A MARATHON, not a sprint. Patience is rewarded.

Playboy: Light, Sweet & Crude

I'm not an avid reader of Playboy Magazine (or patron of any kind) but I'll be picking up an issue this month. This month is their annual Collegiate issue and somehow I managed to land an illustration in it.

Every year they have a annual College Fiction Writing Contest, and over a year ago, I submitted an image to illustrate the winning story. Well, it took a while, but the story has finally been published, and my illustration was named a Runner-up! "Light, Sweet, Crude" by Purdue graduate Christopher Arnold is about a young, hotshot, Houston-based, oil trader from humble oil drilling roots. The story deals with his rocky relationship with his father and shady (at best) oil trading practices that lead him to international scandal. It's actually a really great story and doesn't feature any scantily clad women at all!

Congratulations to Christopher Arnold (writer) and Mike Marsicano (illustrator) for winning and getting their story/illustration published!

Past the irony of the publication, I'm super excited to have this as my first published editorial piece! Now, I suppose I have to go out and actually buy an issue...

I Love Running, Inside and Out

I almost feel like I should wait until Halloween to post this. I've had a couple friends tell me I'm pretty gross, but I just think they're fun. Oh well.

I just finished drawing these guys and gals. I've been thinking about what goes on inside the body as we run. There's a lot happening at once. Each system is working independently and together to propel us forward.

These drawings are sort of a first step. Here each system is working correctly, but we all know that is not always the case. Stomach aches, cramps, shortness of breath, shin splints, stress fractures; the list of possible injuries and complications goes on and on. The next step is to represent all of that. Should be fun. Stay tuned!

Not sure if I like them on white or black though. What do you think?