Drop Dead Sketchy April 2025

 Last night was the first sketch night for the Drop Dead Sketchy group held at the Detroit Shipping Company. There was a good turnout and all had a good time.

My first attempt at the sketching stuff was working out some designs for some book illustrations involving children and bugs. Then, an attempt at capturing some fellow arteests, Jay Fosgitt and Jim Anderson.

And an awful attempt some guy named Steve. 

Above, a pic from after we moved to a different area with better lighting. With Steve, jay and Jim, who is judging my sketchbook...

This was a good venue for our event to be held... A variety of food, a bar, plenty of seating and art all over.

Kellog Rooster?

 So, last weekend, I had this dream, where I was at a meeting with my pal John, with whom I will be doing a book with. Said meeting was about said book. We were brainstorming. I had a couple of ideas, One was to do those medieval type drawings of the first letter of a paragraph. Initials, I believe they are called. I drew one up the other day, but my colors from the second sketch bled through my thought to be thick enough sketchbook page. Pshaw. Anyways here is an example. My drawing was the letter B, btw.

The second idea that I had and for what reason remains a mystery to me, but it was of the Kellog rooster that is found on boxes of corn flakes. My sketch was a bit more detailed, but the colors were all there and I guess maybe I thought it was a good idea because the book is about Michigan folklore and such and Kellog's is in Michigan...

I cannot express enough that this drawing will not, I repeat, will not be in our book. Bur here it is anyways. Complete with ghost eye.

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ink and marker in sketchbook

Maybe we could adopt him as our mascot, or something. Or have a bowl of corn flakes. Or something. 

Like I said earlier... from a dream.

Pure Michigan

 

A few weeks ago, we were driving up I-75 to Frankenmuth and I saw a sign that said 'Keep Michigan Beautiful.' And there along the embankments was a ton of trash. I mean, a lot. I changed the sign to the more popular one, but the sarcasm remains. I will never understand how or why people accept living in filth. But, then again, there's a lot about people that I have never understood...

Detroit Comic Book and Toy Show

 

poster/flyer by Martin Hirchak

This Saturday, I will be set up at the Detroit Comic Book and Toy Show, which will be held at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, MI. The show will run from 10 to 6.

I will have all my usual paraphernalia, including more original art and this time I will be debuting a new product. Jigsaw puzzles! I have taken my drawing of the Creature From the Black Lagoon, title Kin and mad it into a puzzle. 

The puzzle has 500 wooden pieces and the overall size when complete will be 15x20. It's a tough one to put together, as there are large areas of black, but I think that that will lend to the challenge. I'm still putting together my copy.

As you can see, inside the box there will be another image of what the puzzle will look like. 

Resist!

 

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from sketchbook

Penguin resistance is still a thing, right? Hell yeah, it is. Whatever it takes.

Workplace Cartoons, Part Five

 

Once agian, there is another installment of Workplace Cartoons up on my Substack. Yeah, yeah, there are a lot of them. I may shake things up for my next post and profile the next issue of my comic book, Second Star, in which I am now lettering. That'll shake things up. 

If you wish to read/view some of my stupid past sketches and toons, click here. I warned you, they are stupid. But, we had fun.

The Department Of Defense?

 

Right after the 'election' and up to the 'inauguration,' I was asked more than a few times when I would be starting on Sh!tshow 2, and to be honest, that question drained me. I just couldn't imagine spending all that time, yet again, drawing such shitty people. But, since then, my defiance is re-emerging, and have thought of an idea for another book. One where I wouldn't have to draw the shitty people dominating our landscape. Instead, I'm going to focus on their incompetence and those who suffered from their incompetence and cruelty. It will be a book of limericks and each limerick will have a spot drawing to go along with it. 

Here's one about a recent act of stupidity that you may have heard of.

Belleville Drink N Draw March 2025

 

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colored pencil n sketchbook

So, last night was our 2nd meet-up for the Belleville Drink N Draw at Egan's Pub, which is, in fact, in Belleville. A slightly smaller crowd this time, but entertaining, nonetheless. I worked on a few things, including this here sketch of fellow arteest, Nate. Sketchin', good conversation, grub, a few drinks, made for a good night.

Edgar Allan Poe - SOLD!

 

6x9

watercolor on watercolor paper

Just a bit of shameless self-promotion here, but at Saturday's Meet The Artists event at the River's Edge Gallery, I found that my portrait of Edgar Allan poe has sold. 

I'm not sure how long the current art will be up, but you can see more of my watercolors if you hurry.

I just love seeing that red sticker!

Warren Elks Comic Book Show 2025, Part Two

 

Poster by Martin Hirchak

This Sunday, March 16th (from 10-4), I'll be the featured artist at the Warren Elks Comic Show. These shows focus on comic dealers and some toy vendors, but do bring in a couple of artists for each show. I'm not sure if there will be a second, or even third artist, but make sure to stop on by if comics are your thing. There's usually a pretty good attendance and plenty of comics to peruse.

I'll be bringing the usual stuff; comic books, art books, AP sketch cards, prints, stickers, original art, etc. I'll be bringing some larger paintings that I have done over the years, as well.

The Warren Elks Lodge 

25950 Schoenherr Rd, Warren, MI

Workplace Cartoons, Part Four

 

In continuing with the floral delivery part from the Workplace Cartoon series that I have been posting on Substack, here's more from a strip that I was doing then, called Wade's World. 

 Click here to get there.  

A Pot-ted Mantis?

 

 I debated whether or not to show this, because the client stiffed me on payment, but as far as I know, never used it as meant for. Said client never received a high-res file, so at least that cut down his chances of doing so. I did this a couple of years ago for an old high school classmate who was starting a business focused on the ganja. I even debated doing this for him for various reasons, but I liked his idea of an inebriated praying mantis and decided to have fun with it. He wanted some individuals enjoying his product, so I included three people who we went to high school with who were known imbibers at the time. I never told the client who they were modeled after and he never asked. I think that the fix was on at that point. But, said client passed away and that was that. 

So, if any pot businesses out there need a logo/mascot, you know where to find me. 

Workplace Cartoons, Part Three

 

The next installment of Workplace Cartoons is up on my Substack. Check out Part Three for more floral delivery hilarity. 

Belleville Drink N Draw

 

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colored pencil in sketchbook

Last night I was invited to a Drink N Draw night at Egan's Pub in Belleville. A fun time was had by all and up above is the one and only sketch that I did (gabbing, eating, drinking, gabbing, etc). Todd made for a good subject, so I did my best to be quick about it.

Great Lakes Comic Con Wrap Up

 

This past weekend was the Great Lakes Comic Con and this one was truly one of the best cons that I have had in some time. Catching up with my fellow artists, (some with whom I haven't seen in a while), all the people who came by to talk and great sales, to boot. One of my table mates, Jason Westlake had to put up with me all weekend, but I think we had a good time. At least I did! 

It was also a bittersweet weekend, in that show promoter Mike DeSantis passed away just a few short weeks ago. I talked with quite a few people who knew Mike (including his wife) better than I did and enjoyed the stories about him. He seemed like a heck of a nice guy who was passionate about comics and comic cons. I hope that this weekend was a huge success in all ways possible for the DeSantis family.

Above are some of the sketches that I did inside some books that I sold. There were more, but I neglected to take pics of the others.

Great Lakes Comic Con and Leonardo

 

9x12

ink on bristol board

I'm all set up here at the Great Lakes Comic Con. Festivities start at 5 and go to 9 tonight. 

Keven Eastman of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fame will be here this weekend, so I did up a drawing of Leonardo. If you are nice, I'll let you buy it and have him sign it for you. But, you have to be nice.

The Great Lakes Comic Con 2025

 

This weekend, starting on Friday evening, I will be set up in the Artist Alley section. I will have all the usual, books, prints, sketch cards, original art, etc, so stop on by and say hello. 

Second Star Character Profile: Uncle Buck

 

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ink in sketchbook 

So, I'm currently inking the third issue of my comic, Second Star. In this issue there is a character called Uncle Buck, who is the uncle of the main guy, Holden. In this comic, all of the main characters are based on people that I know or knew when I plotted this whole thing out. Don't even get me started on all that! Uncle Buck is based on my Uncle Chuck, who passed away in 2016. I even drew him with 'The Spy' on his t-shirt. 'The Spy' was a sketch that he did for me when I was 10. I still have that sketch, too. He was a big fan of Mad Magazine and Big Daddy Roth and I'm sure that his sketch was inspired from somewhere in those things. Anyways, in this issue he plays a small, but important role in Holden's search for his missing and presumed dead, archaeologist grandfather. 

And I think that my uncle sort of liked it when I called him Uncle Buck. I'm sure that he was a fan of John Candy. Stay tuned for more about Second Star...

Kill Krill Kill!

 

16x20

ink and digital

So, a few weeks ago, I mentioned on a couple of social media sites that I had had a weird, yet entertaining dream about watching a horror movie where a village was attacked by plankton. It was a slow moving movie, but horrifying as you might imagine. Being more of a cartoonist than a movie maker, I finally did up a toon depicting a gruesome scene with an unsuspecting victim. 

Workplace Cartoon, Part Two

 

My latest Substack post wraps up all that Star Florists nonsense...

Click here to take you there!

Democrat-esque

 

This is pretty much what I feel about Democrats these days. 

"Hey, it's a shitstorm, but could you keep me being a millionaire?'

Workplace Cartoons, Part One

 

My latest Substack is up and it involves workplace cartoons. Click here.

David Lynch

 

7x7

colored pencil on black paper

Here's a little sketch of the dear departed David Lynch. He looks a bit ghastly here with the dark eyes, but somehow, I don't think he'd mind, in that he was a quirky kind of guy.

Beach Party At The River's Edge Gallery

 

George Herriman

6x9

watercolor on Arches watercolor paper

Starting tomorrow, January 18th and running sometime through February, the River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte MI will be having their annual Beach P-ART-y exhibit. You know, an anti-cold type extravaganza. 

The exhibit will feature some works from their stable of artists (including me!) along with some newer talent. On the second floor, some of my watercolor portraits will be on display, including the George Herriman (creator of Krazy Kat) shown above. Recently, the gallery sold my Diego Rivera/Frida Kahlo watercolor, so here is your chance to see and maybe purchase a portrait from this series. Support local art!

Unfortunately, I cannot be there for the opening and will probably stop in during the next week, or so, and I will probably be there for the closing in February. But, don't let that stop you (pshaw!), go check out the show. I'm sure that there will be a whole shoreline of great artwork. See what I did there? 

Warren Elks Comic Book Show 2025

Poster by Martin Hirchak

This Sunday will be my first show of the year. I will be set up at the Warren Elks Comic Book Show in Warren, MI. All the details are on the above poster. There will mostly be comic book dealers  and I know of only one other artist (there could be more), so stop on by and say hello. I will have books, comic books, original art, prints, all the usual stuff. 

 

Parasaurolophus Sketch

 Last year, a new super group formed to tour, no new music intended, as of yet. The group consists of Adrian Belew of King Crimson, Fran Zappa, David Bowie, etc, Tony Levin of King Crimson, Steve Vai, and Tony Carey of Tool. I'm hoping that they do create some new music together! Anyways, I just love their tour logo, done by Dan Ermey, show below:

So, I'm inspired to do some animal designs in a similar fashion, mainly as linocuts. My first stab at said designs was this parasaurolophus sketch. The best of the hadrosaurs, in my humble opinion. I kind of like how it turned out, so I will proceed with the gouging (technical term) of the linoleum block. Adding some color might be in the works, as well. Here is my sketch:

As you can kind of see, I originally dated this as '24...' I think that that is out of my system now.