Bron Smith Creations

SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND MORE

2010-03-04T21:31:00.000-08:00

I've been having a great time lately with my school programs. Last week I brought my Fast Draw assembly and workshop to Sherman Elementary School in Olympia, Washington. The week before I was at three schools on the Washington State coast; in Raymond, South Bend and Willapa. If you would like information on my unique school programs, click here.

Just a few weeks ago I conducted my Painting in Paradise Workshop in Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands. In my workshops I demonstrate how to paint realistic tropical flowers in watercolor. The participants raved about Rarotonga all week, stating that their time on the island was one of the highlights of their life. Our next workshop is set for this coming August 8. If you would like to see my flower paintings and learn more about the workshop, here's the web site: http://bronsmith.googlepages.com (To see this web site full screen, copy and paste the URL)

My cartoon map business, Fun Maps USA, continues to keep me constantly busy. I'm having a great time creating cartoon maps for people all over the Western Hemisphere. Here's the web site: www.funmapsusa.com (To see this web site full screen, copy and paste the URL)

You can follow my cartooning, teaching, and writing pursuits on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Bron_Smith (To see this web site full screen, copy and past the URL.)

Thanks for stopping by. Check back soon for more fun stuff from the outer edge of my ever expanding Cartooniverse.

AUTHOR ILLUSTRATOR SCHOOL VISITS

2009-06-12T21:06:00.000-07:00

Greetings:

Thanks for stopping by my web site.

Author/illustrator School Assembly news update: I recently returned from two author school assembly and workshop programs in rural Illinois. I visited Nash Middle School in Clifton, and Chebanse Elementary in Chebanse, Illinois. Both towns are about an hour south of Chicago, in corn and soybean country...corn and soy fields as far as the eye can see. I had never spent time in that part of the the country, so it was a special treat for me. Everyone was so kind and hospitable. If you would like to learn more about my school assemblies, author visits, or illlustrator school visits, click on School Programs on the left. Also: www.squidoo.com/school_programs. Or call me at 253-841-7944. I'll be glad to answer your questions.

Over on the cartoon map side, we're just releasing maps of Fernley, Nevada; Ephrata, Pennsylvania, and a cartoon map for USC, Los Angeles, that will appear in their alumni magazine. In the works: Tuskegee, Alabama: Barbados in the Caribbean, and Fullerton, California. We're also looking into doing a series of cartoon maps of all of the major cities in India, beginning with New Delhi. I'll keep you posted on that. To see my cartoon maps, click on Fun Maps on the left.

Would you like to learn to paint in a realistic watercolor technique... in a paradise locale? Then you need to check out my Painting in Paradise Workshop. (To see this image full screen, copy and paste this URL: http://bronsmith.googlepages.com) There's still time to sign up and there are still spaces left. To ramp up the excitement, we're holding the workshop in one of the garden spots of Planet Earth... Rarotonga, one of the most exotic and beautiful of all the South Pacific islands.

If you would like to more closely follow my school, cartoon map, illustration, workshops, and other adventures, you'll find me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Bron_Smith.

That's it for now. Check back soon for more fun stuff from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

NEW PIZZA MENU

2009-04-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

Greetings:

Thanks for stopping by my web site.

So you're a restaurant owner and you need a new menu for the summer tourist crowd. If you want a menu that will make you stand out above the rest of the pizza parlors in town, then check this out. It's the new menu that I illustrated for Coburg Pizza Company in Coburg, Oregon. To see this web site full screen, copy and paste this URL: http://coburgpizza.com.

Or maybe you're looking for a painting workshop to attend, but you want it to be more than just a painting workshop; you want it to be the vacation of a lifetime as well. I've got the perfect workshop for you...it's my Painting in Paradise Rarotonga Workshop. In Rarotonga, a paradise island in the South Pacific Ocean, I will show you how I paint tropical flowers so that they look lifelike and realistic. Some have mistaken my flower paintings for photographs. These pictures are worth a thousand words, because words can't describe what Rarotonga is like...you have to experience it for yourself. So here are the pictures and info for the Painting in Paradise Rarotonga Workshop. To see this web site full screen, copy and paste this URL: http://bronsmith.googlepages.com

That's it for now. Check back soon for more fun stuff from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

PAINTING IN PARADISE

2009-04-06T22:46:00.000-07:00

Greetings:

Thanks for stopping by.

Have you ever wanted to travel to a faraway exotic place for a painting workshop? My upcoming Painting in Paradise Workshop on the island of Rarotonga in the South Pacific will be the trip of a lifetime for those who join our group. The trip is filling up fast. Our flight departs on Sunday night, August 8, 2010 from Los Angeles International Airport. We will wake up the next morning to a Polynesian breakfast in Rarotonga. During the week that follows I will share with you the techniques that I employ to paint my realistic watercolors. You'll find samples at my Painting in Paradise web site. We will paint on location en plein air, as well as sketching and photographing the exotic tropical flowers of Maire Nuie Gardens. It will be an unforgettable week. I was on Rarotonga last year, and I can't wait to return. If this sounds like a trip you would enjoy, check out the Painting in Paradise web site: http://bronsmith.googlepages.com. Or call: 253-841-7944

That's it for now. Check back soon for more from the outer limits of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

FUN MAPS USA GOES HOLLYWOOD!

2008-10-03T17:22:00.001-07:00

Thanks for stopping by.

Over at Fun Maps USA, on the cartoon map side, we have a number of new and exciting projects. We just completed a map of Hollywood for Doug Fregolle Promotions. He created a brand new application for our cartoon maps...he printed the Hollywood map as a notebook cover. Is that a cool idea, or what! We also just posted a brand new map of West Marin County, California. If you would like information on how you can partner with us in the cartoon map business, contact us, and we can give you all the details.

I just completed a new "Waldo" style busy illustration for the back cover of Clubhouse Magazine. I'll be posting that soon.

With the school year now off and running I'll be making my rounds of the schools with my unique assembly/workshop programs. My new Washington for Kids book is selling well, and getting an enthusiastic response from the schools. If you'd like me to appear at your school, contact me, and I'll be happy to answer your questions.

That's it for now. Check back soon for more fun stuff from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

PAINTING IN PARADISE

2008-05-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings...thanks for stopping by.

My cartoon map business has really taken off in the last few months. I woke up one morning and found my cartoon map web site, Fun Maps USA, near the top of the Google page rankings. Since I hit that position, I've been logging longer hours, trying to keep up with the increased traffic. Check out our brand new Perry, Kansas map, just posted tonight.

On the illustration side, I just got another book illustration assignment today. It's a book called Figures of Speech, by R.E. Myers. I've collaborated with Bob several times before on book projects. He's one of my favorite writers. I call his books my Bob Books.

Speaking of books, my brand new kids' book, Washington for Kids, has just been released, and it's selling briskly. I wanted to create a book that would teach Washington children about their state in a fun fashion, listing the topics in alphabetical encyclopedia order. It's illustrated with my zany cartoons instead of realistic textbook-style illustrations. If you would like an autographed copy, contact me.

Due to my climbing Google page ranking, and my new Washington for Kids book, I'm getting more calls from schools to make appearances. If you would like me to do an assembly and workshops at your school, check out my school visits page, and contact me if you have more questions.

I just launched a new web site a few days ago, called Painting in Paradise. The web site offers painting samples and information on a new watercolor workshop that I will be conducting next winter on an exotic South Sea island called Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands. There I will teach the technique of realistic watercolor painting. We'll be painting the beautiful tropical flamboyants and hibiscus flowers that grow in lavish abundance on the island. If you would like to be part of this art safari of a lifetime, contact me.

That's it for now. Check back soon for more fun stuff from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

"VARIETY SHOW" ILLUSTRATION

2008-01-20T18:26:00.000-08:00

I've been so busy at my other sites over the last year that my home base site has suffered from lack of attention. I hope to change that this year with more posts.

I just finished a new poster illustration for Compass School promoting their 2008 summer camping program. You'll find it in the "Portfolio " section.

I have lots of school appearances coming up in 2008. If you'd like to invite me to bring my How to Draw program to your school, click here for more information.

I'm on the home stretch with a 238-page book called The Unsinkable Sub. I"ll post samples from that book soon.

I plan to take an art group to the paradise island of Rarotonga in the South Pacific the beginning of next year to conduct a workshop on painting realistic florals. The tropical flowers on Rarotonga are absolutely gorgeous. We'll tour the beautiful botanical gardens on the island, and in the workshops I'll show you how I paint my realistic florals. Here's a preliminary sample. Right now I'm building a new web site called Painting in Paradise to promote the workshops that I'll be conducting on Rarotonga and other exotic locales. It will be up and running soon. I'll keep you posted. Please contact me if you'd like to be one of the first to sign up. I will cut off at 15 students so the class isn't too large.

That's it for now. Check back soon for more fun stuff from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

I'M A PICTURE BOOKIE!

2007-02-04T07:59:00.000-08:00

Just a note to let you know that this week I was invited to joint the Picture Bookies blog ring. I happily accepted and I'm now an official member of this elite group. Check it out at www.picture-bookies.com. If you check out the site you'll note that, at this writing, there are still a couple formalities to nail down...get a picture of myself to them, and complete an interview. I hope to get that nailed down ASAP.

Also, last week I was honored with a most coveted award...the Blue Mug. I never thought it would happen to me, but it did. I've read about people who've received the Blue Mug, but never thought I would actually own one. But I do now.

As some of you may know, I don't do a lot of work in my studio. I used to, but after many years I started thinking: "What's keeping me here in my studio? Nothing. I don't have a boss. That means I can go wherever I want to work. So I started going to parks, beaches, mall food courts, libraries, anywhere that struck my fancy. Now I've narrowed it down to a handful of local haunts. So all of my Health Capsules comic panel is written and drawn outside my office. Ditto for my blog, the Trowbridge Chronicles, except for the color part. I still color in Photoshop in my office. All of my cartoon maps are drawn outside the studio, and so on, and so on.

Back to the Blue Mug. So Last week I'm at one of my favorite afternoon haunts, a corner window seat at McDonald's, where a large part of my drawing and writing takes place. It has only cost me 75 cents to rent a seat for the whole afternoon (the cost of iced tea) at McDonald's. Cheap rent, so I go there a lot. But now I can go to McDonald's and stay there all afternoon RENT FREE! Yes, because of that blue mug they gave me, I can now go to McDonald's and drink all the tea I want (while I work) for FREE! And that's not for a month or a year...it's for LIFE!

They told me that I was one of only two regular customers that received a McDonald's mug. I was so appreciative of their generous gesture that I made a certificate for them, and I thought I would also give them a plug on my web site. This is the plug. Thank you, Terrill, Colleen, Jesse, and all of the other people who keep me in tea at McDonalds.

ERIC JOINS THE NEW ORLEANS HORNETS!

2007-01-08T22:24:00.000-08:00

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Special thanks to Mrs. McCarty and the kids at Tacoma Baptist Christian School. I had a wonderful time there last week. Schools are among the most enjoyable aspects of my work. If you would like me to visit your school, contact me and I'll be glad to answer your questions. Check out my "School Programs" page.

Our Lane County, Oregon Map is now posted. Look for Adventures in Mapland for Lane County soon. Click on "Fun Maps" to see the new Lane County Map, plus dozens of other maps, about 60, that I've illustrated over the years. I have a new web site devoted exclusively to our cartoon maps. The URL: www.funmapsusa.com. Our son, Eric, (www.motionsmithstudios.com) created the new web site...he also did the cool Flash effects on the home page...just roll over the buildings on the top of the page.

I hope you don't mind if I use a paragraph to brag about Eric. Last week he was hired as the "web guy" for the NBA New Orleans Hornets. When you go to their site and look for stats after a game, Eric is the guy that does the posting, plus the Flash animation effects. He loves the job. What's interesting about this great first job of his career is that he hasn't even graduated from college yet! He posted his resume' on Monster.com on a lark, and the worse that could happen did...he got hired. They wanted him bad enough that they hired him even though he's still in college, and they're allowing him to finish college by going two mornings per week. He was going to graduate this spring. Because of his Hornets job, he will graduate next spring. Congratulations, Eric!

I just finished a fun illustration job. A wild and crazy, full color cartoon menu for Coburg Pizza in Coburg, Oregon. There are very few pizza parlors that would go so far as to have a custom illustrated full color menu. But Coburg Pizza is not your everyday pizza parlor. If YOU own a pizza parlor, or know someone who does, check out the pizza illustrations in the "Portfolio" section. They're not posted yet, but they will be real soon.

Trowbridge Chronicles just passed a milestone. As of this past New Years Day, Mrs. Trowbridge and her Trowbridge Chronicles celebrated its ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY. It's been an amazing and challenging year. I've immensely enjoyed getting acquainted with Mrs. T...that's what her fans call her. Her hand-scribed journal and lovely watercolors have inspired me and many others.

Many new projects on the horizon: A cartoon map of the USA for a summer camp program (this summer) in Virginia; a cartoon map of Gallup, New Mexico; a new series of cartoon maps in eastern Canada, a series of RV maps throughout Florida, cartoon T shirts in Florida, the Caribbean, and Ireland; a new series of cartoon maps in Ohio...to name a few.

FYI: The posting of all of my maps is now complete. Almost every map that I've ever drawn is here now on this site. Click on "Fun Maps". You'll also find the complete list of my maps at www.cartoonmaps.com.

That's it for now. Stay tuned for more fun stuff from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

TROWBRIDGE CHRONICLES FEATURED ON HAHA.NU

2006-11-18T07:03:00.002-08:00

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Special thanks to Mr. Garchow and Southside School in Shelton, Washington for inviting me as their guest author/illustrator yesterday, November 17, 2006. We had a great assembly (I drew a dinosaur) plus classroom visits where the kids drew along with me and got their questions answered about being an author and illustrator. I always look forward to my "school days".

I also want to thank the teachers and middle schoolers at New Life School in Renton, Washington. I had a great time giving them in-class drawing lessons the other day. It was my third visit there in as many months.

If you would like more information about my school visits, click on "School Programs".

Trowbridge Chronicles fans might be interested to know that the Trowbridge Chronicles was featured a couple weeks ago on the popular viral video and art web site www.haha.nu. That followed Trowbridge's recently having been featured on the cartooning and illustration web site, Drawn!, www.drawn.ca. Mrs. Trowbridge would be delighted to see how she's gaining more new fans all the time.

Next week we will be delivering our new Lane County, Oregon Map to the merchants in that area. I'm putting the finishing touches on it today, then off to the printer it goes. It will soon be posted at my cartoon map web site. Click on "Fun Maps".

We have lots of new illustration and map projects in the offing. I just completed a new T-shirt design for Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Restaurant chain. That should be posted soon on the "Portfolio" page. Following that will be a T-shirt cartoon map for Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

We look forward to doing more T-shirt designs and cartoon maps on T-shirts in the days ahead. Right after Thanksgiving holiday I will be starting on a cartoon map to be printed on T-shirts for the campus at the University of Florida at Gainesville. We hope to be doing more college campus T-shirt maps in the near future.

We're also looking forward to new projects creating cartoon RV maps. The first one will be for Brevard County, Florida. That project will begin in a week or so. Whew...it's a good thing that I have a staff of little elves that work for free!

That's it for now. Check back soon for more of the latest news from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

TROWBRIDGE CHRONICLES FEATURED ON HAHA.NU

2006-11-18T07:03:00.001-08:00

Want to know when I update my blog? Add bronsmith.com/atom.xml to your web feeds.

Special thanks to Mr. Garchow and Southside School in Shelton, Washington for inviting me as their guest author/illustrator yesterday, November 17, 2006. We had a great assembly (I drew a dinosaur) plus classroom visits where the kids drew along with me and got their questions answered about being an author and illustrator. I always look forward to my "school days".

I also want to thank the teachers and middle schoolers at New Life School in Renton, Washington. I had a great time giving them in-class drawing lessons the other day. It was my third visit there in as many months.

If you would like more information about my school visits, click on "School Programs".

Trowbridge Chronicles fans might be interested to know that the Trowbridge Chronicles was featured a couple weeks ago on the popular viral video and art web site www.haha.nu. That followed Trowbridge's recently having been featured on the cartooning and illustration web site, Drawn!, www.drawn.ca. Mrs. Trowbridge would be delighted to see how she's gaining more new fans all the time.

Next week we will be delivering our new Lane County, Oregon Map to the merchants in that area. I'm putting the finishing touches on it today, then off to the printer it goes. It will soon be posted at my cartoon map web site. Click on "Fun Maps".

We have lots of new illustration and map projects in the offing. I just completed a new T-shirt design for Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Restaurant chain. That should be posted soon on the "Portfolio" page. Following that will be a T-shirt cartoon map for Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

We look forward to doing more T-shirt designs and cartoon maps on T-shirts in the days ahead. Right after Thanksgiving holiday I will be starting on a cartoon map to be printed on T-shirts for the campus at the University of Florida at Gainesville. We hope to be doing more college campus T-shirt maps in the near future.

We're also looking forward to new projects creating cartoon RV maps. The first one will be for Brevard County, Florida. That project will begin in a week or so. Whew...it's a good thing that I have a staff of little elves that work for free!

That's it for now. Look for more fun stuff soon from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

TROWBRIDGE CHRONICLES FEATURED ON HAHA.NU

2006-11-18T07:03:00.000-08:00

Want to know when I update my blog? Add bronsmith.com/atom.xml to your web feeds.

Special thanks to Mr. Garchow and Southside School in Shelton, Washington for inviting me as their guest author/illustrator yesterday, November 17, 2006. We had a great assembly (I drew a dinosaur) plus classroom visits where the kids drew along with me and got their questions answered about being an author and illustrator. I always look forward to my "school days".

I also want to thank the teachers and middle schoolers at New Life School in Renton, Washington. I had a great time giving them in-class drawing lessons the other day. It was my third visit there in as many months.

If you would like more information about my school visits, click on "School Programs".

Trowbridge Chronicles fans might be interested to know that the Trowbridge Chronicles was featured a couple weeks ago on the popular viral video and art web site www.haha.nu. That followed Trowbridge's recently having been featured on the cartooning and illustration web site, Drawn!, www.drawn.ca. Mrs. Trowbridge would be delighted to see how she's gaining more new fans all the time.

Next week we will be delivering our new Lane County, Oregon Map to the merchants in that area. I'm putting the finishing touches on it today, then off to the printer it goes. It will soon be posted at my cartoon map web site. Click on "Fun Maps".

We have lots of new illustration and map projects in the offing. I just completed a new T-shirt design for Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Restaurant chain. That should be posted soon on the "Portfolio" page. Following that will be a T-shirt cartoon map for Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

We look forward to doing more T-shirt designs and cartoon maps on T-shirts in the days ahead. Right after Thanksgiving holiday I will be starting on a cartoon map to be printed on T-shirts for the campus at the University of Florida at Gainesville. We hope to be doing more college campus T-shirt maps in the near future.

We're also looking forward to new projects creating cartoon RV maps. The first one will be for Brevard County, Florida. That project will begin in a week or so. Whew...it's a good thing that I have a staff of little elves that work for free!

That's it for now. Look for more fun stuff soon from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

I'VE BEEN "DRAWN"!

2006-10-07T09:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

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If you're a school principal, you'll want to click on "School Programs". You might also want to look at some of the other stories that I've written and illustrated for Focus on the Family's Clubhouse Jr. Magazine. Just click on "Huckleberry Hollow". Click on "Portfolio" to see more of my illustration projects for books and magazines.

Some of you may be wondering, or not, about my upcoming "Honey, We're Killing the Kids" episode on TLC. I've been wondering too. The latest that we've heard is that it will be airing sometime this fall, when the show comes back for the second season. I'll keep you posted as details trickle in.

Our son, Eric, who's in college in Oklahoma, called my wife and I last night on our cell phone while we were at dinner. He wanted to let me know that my story blog, The Trowbridge Chronicles, (www.bronsmith.com/trowbridge) is being featured in Drawn, the popular web site for cartoonists, illustrators, and animators. (www.drawn.ca) If you want to check it out and you don't see it on the home page, it will be archived under: Illustration, Books, Blogs, and Cartooning. It only lasts a few days on the home page before it gets archived. I'm very excited and happy to have my blog featured in such a high visibility web site.

Our Mason County Cartoon Map is now released and posted on my cartoon map web site, www.funmapsusa.com. Click on "Maps", and scroll down. An Adventures in Mapland feature for Mason County is coming soon.

We are now well underway with our current map project, Lane County, Oregon.

I have lots of school assemblies and workshops lined up for this year. If you would like me to bring my Amazing Fast Draw Show to your school or event, you can learn more by clicking on
"School Programs". Thank you , one and all, at New Life Christian School, in Renton, Washington, for your kindness and hospitality. I was there for two days this week. I'll be returning for more workshops in a couple weeks.

That's it for now. Check back soon for more news from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

CHECK OUT MY NEW CARTOON MAP WEB SITE!

2006-08-29T22:15:00.000-07:00

Hey!

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It's been too long! I've been up to my eyeballs with my other web sites and it's been hard to keep all the balls in the air. There's lots to talk about...

If you're a school principal, you'll want to click on "School Programs". You might also want to look at some of the stories that I've written and illustrated for Focus on the Family's Clubhouse Jr. Magazine. Just click on "Huckleberry Hollow". Click on "Portfolio" to see more of my illustration projects for books and magazines.

Special thanks to Sheri Schoenrock, Julie Schmitke, the teachers and kids at New Life Church in Renton, Washington, for being such fine hosts. I had a great time there over the last two days, October 4 and 5, as their chapel speaker, after which I gave classroom workshops. Thanks for helping me with book sales after school, Julie.

For starters, I'm now eight months out with my story blog, The Trowbridge Chronicles It's been a lot of work, requiring most of my free time, but at the same time it's been fun to watch it grow and gain new fans. I'm now in the process of promoting it to publishers, with the idea of spinning it off into a book. I'll keep you posted on progress.

It seems like I'm collecting web sites. I have a brand new one: www.funmapsusa.com Now when you click on "fun maps" from here it will take you to my cartoon maps web site, which is devoted entirely to that segment of my work. The cartoon maps are so much a part of my business that we felt it was time to break it off and create a separate place for it.

We recently released a new map for Linn County, Oregon. Click on "Fun Maps". While you're there, read about my hair-raising episode with a pit bull terrier while I was in Oregon. It's on the accompanying Adventures in Mapland for Linn County, Oregon.

Upcoming map projects include: Mason County, Washington, due for release in a couple weeks, give or take. Also, we will soon be working with a new sales rep in the Atlanta, Georgia area. We look forward to expanding further, and hope to soon be coming to a state or town near you.

Special thanks to the fine folks at New Life Church in Renton, Washington. I was there recently for all three of their morning services, back to back. It was the first time that I had ever done a giant caricature of Jesus on stage...quite an experience.

Special thanks to Gary and the gang at the 2006 Northwest Christian Education Conference. We've lost track of how many years I've been there doing my Cartooning for Teachers workshops with my giant easel. It's the longest running workshop in the conference...something over 20 years, but who's counting? If you would like more information about bringing my cartooning workshop to your church, school, camp, or conference, please contact me. Learn more by clicking on "School Visits".

In case you were wondering, which you probably weren't, I have yet to make my appearance on TLC's new reality show, "Honey, We're Killing the Kids!". We've had about three false alarms, and counting. The last one was yesterday. Now I'm told it's supposed to air sometime this fall, with next season's shows. Why we got bumped into next season I don't know...it's none of my business. So if you see a guy that mildly resembles Brad Pitt on the show, and he's drawing cartoons on a big easel, it's probably me.

That's it for now. Check back soon for more fun stuff from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

LOOK FOR ME ON TLC TV! PLUS NEW MAPS AND MORE!

2006-03-29T09:23:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

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So much to tell you since my last post. Why so long? I've been busier than a guppy's midwife on the other side of my web world: Trowbridge Chronicles, my new illustrated blog. I'm delighted with the response that I've gotten from Mrs. Trowbridge's amazing journal. Check it out, and leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.

Thank you to all of the schools and people that I've met in my most recent appearances: Willamette Valley Christian School, near Salem, Oregon...North Sound Christian School's Young Authors' Olympics for 2006...2006 Northwest CE Conference in Redmond, Washington: I've been doing my workshops at this conference for a long time. We lost count at 20 years. If you would like me to be a part of your next school assembly or conference, please contact me. You can get more information about my school programs by clicking on "School Programs".

We have new maps to show you too. Click on "Fun Maps" and check out our new Marion County, Oregon Map, plus our new North Cascades, Washington Map. Then scroll down and read more about them at Adventures in Mapland. It gives you a photo enhanced, behind the scenes look at each map that we produce.

And that's not all. The California Gold Coast Map has finally been released. I spent six months last year on that project...just finished it this past January. It's so big, I don't know if I will have it on my web site, but you CAN find it at www.discoverymaps.com. I just went to their site and it still says "Coming Soon". Keep checking back if you want to see it.

Click on "Fun Maps" and you'll see my brand new PW&U Roundabout convention booth map. I draw maps for conventions too! I'll do anything for a buck, or more. If you want to make a big splash at your next convention, one of my wacky maps would be just the ticket.

I'm now an official member of the National Cartoonists Society. And my official page is now posted on the members list at the society's web site: www.reuben.org

If you want to see me "in action" at my fast draw easel, tune in to TLC's new television show, "Honey, We're Killing the Kids!" The director tells me that the first episode airs on April 10. I'm supposed to be in an episode that airs "sometime in June". It was great fun experiencing reality TV from behind the scenes, and in front of the camera.

That's it for now. Check back soon for more fun stuff from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

TROWBRIDGE CHRONICLES ARE HERE!

2006-01-16T08:19:00.000-08:00

Greetings, and welcome to 2006!

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You've been reading the same blog here at my home page for too many weeks. Rest assured, I've been busier than a guppy's midwife, hibernating in my studio for many weeks. I had to wrap up the now lengendary Ventura, California map. I thought it would never end, but finally it did. I'll keep you posted on when you can see it. It's at the printer as I write. Now I'm on to other projects. Which brings me to another reason why I haven't posted for a while. I've been working on my new blog site.

For some time I've wanted to introduce a web version of my Huckleberry Hollow stories, and now it's up and running. You'll find it at www.bronsmith.com/trowbridge, or just Google the key words: "Trowbridge Chronicles", and you're there in Huckleberry Hollow. Trowbridge Chronicles readers will become much more familiar with this rain forest realm than previously, when I was limited by editors, art directors, and all the things that go along with publishing in print. Schedule permitting, there will be weekly posts, each one taking you into the rain forest through the eyes of a tiny shrew named Violet Trowbridge. You can read the amazing story of how the Trowbridge Chronicles came to be by clicking on Story of Trowbridge Chronicles at the blog site.

Nutrition is a big part of my world. That's what lead me to write and draw Health Capsules (see syndicated comic). In my research I recently ran across a new concept in treating high blood pressure, restless leg syndrome, and many other conditions. They're called wellness oils, from Nature's Inventory. Check them out at: www.naturesinventory.com.

That's it for now. Check back soon for more fun stuff from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

MARION COUNTY MAP & MORE!

2005-11-21T21:07:00.000-08:00

Greetings:

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We just delivered another new map last week, and it's now posted...click on "Fun Maps" to check out our new Marion County, Oregon Map. You'll also find it soon at www.cartoonmaps.com.

My Marion County Adventures in Mapland feature is forthcoming. It will be posted at the bottom of the "Fun Map" page. If you don't want to wait, check out my other Adventures in Mapland photo features from previous maps...Shi Shi Beach is a favorite. It's considered one of the most spectacular beaches in the world.

We have a number of new pending map projects at various places around the country, including Oregon, Texas, California, Wyoming and somewhere on the Eastern Seaboard. I'll keep you posted as new projects break.

I'm still working on my monster map of the Ventura, California area. I should have the line done by somewhere around the end of this month, give or take. Then the color goes on, which could take a while since the drawing is SO complex. I'm guessing the map will be ready for release sometime in January. I'll let you know. I started the drawing on August 2, so by now I'm starting to feel some of the early signs of MMS (Map Madness Syndrome).

I just added a pencil illustration to my Huckleberry Hollow collection. Click on "Huckleberry Hollow" to check out my new Klahanie Inn sketch . I'm developing the sketch into a painting that will be displayed on the Huckleberry Hollow page as soon as it's completed. Don't hold your breath. It may take a while to complete the painting since I'm so busy with so many other projects.

FYI: Klahanie Inn is a rest stop for Huckleberry Hollow creatures traveling along Klahanie Ridge. I photographed the tree a number of years ago along side the Switchback Trail on a trek to Mount Angeles, in the north Olympic Mountains. My Huckleberry Hollow stories, published by Focus on the Family, are set in Washington's Olympic Rain Forest.

I just recently received my complementary copies of my latest R. E. Myers book. I've really enjoyed collaborating with Bob, and look forward to more projects in the future. This book is called Lively Language. Let me know if you would like to purchase a copy and I can point you to the publisher.

I'm proud to announce that I'm now an official member of the National Cartoonists Society. You won't find my name on the online membership list yet, but it should be added soon. I'll keep you posted.

With my next post I'll include my online Christmas Greeting. I have no idea what I'll hatch up, but when I do, you'll be the first to know. Stay tuned.

That's it for now. Check back soon for more fun stuff from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

MORE BOOKS, MORE MAPS!

2005-10-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

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I think I've just come to the end of the 100-Page Book Era of my career. I've just completed the fifth of my increasingly popular, soon-to-be-classic, 100-page books. I've collaborated with esteemed author, R. E. Myers. He lets me call him Bob. Each book is packed with cleverly written information on every aspect of writing, penned by R. E. himself. If you want to be a writer, you should have these books. I look forward to further collaborations with Bob in the future. Click on "Portfolio" for a sneak peek at some drawings from my forthcoming, and fifth book. If you would like to buy the books, click on "Contact". I'll point you to the publisher.

If you're an art director, you'll note that the art for these books is often accompanied by talk balloons. Some AD's hire me because they can get free text with the art. That's right. You hire me, you pay through the nose for my drawings, but you get free talk balloon text. What a deal, right?

Our Marion County, Oregon, map is now sold out, and the art and text are on the home stretch. Special thanks to our super salesman first-born son, Brad, for selling out his first map. Thanks for the hospitality to my in-laws, Dick and Louise Colenso, and my high school buddy, John Buckingham and his wife, Susie, for putting me up while I was down there. If you're interested in having a map produced for your area, let us know. Click on "Fun Maps" to check out our sample maps.

I'm still slaving away, day and night, on my giant full-color Ventura, California map. I hope to complete the project sometime before I die of old age. I'll let you know, or my heirs will, when it's available. I anticipate that it will be the most ambitious and detailed map that I've ever drawn. I'm up to somewhere around 60 maps now, and counting, that I have personally drawn. Has anyone, anywhere, drawn that many cartoon maps? I wonder.

I'm looking forward to loading up my giant easel, and trekking back to my hometown of Sequim, Washington, to speak and entertain at the Fall Harvest Event at Sequim Bible Church. I just booked in Salem Christian School, in Salem, Oregon, for a program in February. If you'd like info on my school and church programs, click on "School Visits". I love working with kids.

Special thanks to DeVaul Publishing of Chehalis, Washington. They just signed on to run my syndicated newspaper comic, Health Capsules, in their newspapers. Click on "Syndicated Comic".

Well, that's it for now. Look for more fun stuff soon, from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

NOW! INSTANT BLOG UPDATES!

2005-08-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

Greetings:

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I'm getting a lot of action from my alliance with Cartoonmaps.com. To see my maps with great zoom and pan capabilities go to www.cartoonmaps.com, then click on "Click here for maps". You can see our maps here as well by clicking on "Fun Maps". You can enlarge the maps and pan...you just can't ZOOM IN to see the gnat's eyelash like you can at Cartoonmaps.com.

I've illustrated two 100 plus page books since my last post, in collaboration with author Dr. Robert Myers. I've enjoyed working with Bob. He's a gifted writer. We hope to work together on more projects in the future. Look for posts of sample art from my new "Bob Books" soon.

I spent a week in Ventura, California recently to research our next illustrated map of the California Sunshine Coast. I'll be putting in long hours on this highly detailed large format map. I'll keep you posted on progress and let you know when it's available.

Our map business is pushing ever southward from our home base here in Puyallup, Washington. Monday we start a new map project in Marion County, Oregon. We hope to release the Marion County map in early October.

In three weeks, give or take, we will start on yet another map project...this one for Enumclaw, Washington. This is why I don't have much of a life...too many balls in the air at one time. But it beats the alternative of having a j-o-b. It's hard for me to say that word. I've been spoiled for too many years.

That's it for now. Check back soon for more exciting stuff from the outer edge of my ever expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

CHECK OUT OUR NEW MAPS!

2005-07-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

Greetings:

We just delivered our brand new Bonney Lake, Washington Cartoon Map. Click on "Fun Maps" to check it out. For an even better look at our maps, go to www.cartoonmaps.com. Click on "Click here for maps". Our maps are in the Washington and Oregon section. They use Flash technology which allows you to zoom in as close as you want and pan all around the maps. It works great. Thanks to Julie and Susan for a great sales job on the Bonney Lake map.

We're getting a great response to our new Skamania County, Washington Map. Each merchant received 200 free maps, and we're getting reports that the visitors are gobbling them up so fast that the merchants can't keep them in their stores. And the map's only been out for a few days. Part of Skamania County includes Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams. It's beautiful country. Check out the map and see for yourself. Thanks to Judy Bair for selling out the Skamania Map.

I just got back from Ventura, Ojai, and Oxnard, California. That's my newest map locale. I spent a week down there on the gorgeous California Coast photographing buildings and researching the area. While there I took a fabulous yacht cruise on the ocean, compliments of the local chamber of commerce. The map will be very large, full color, and realistically drawn with mind-numbing detail...every single building in the downtown areas will be depicted. My brain will surely turn to oatmeal before it's over. I'll keep you posted on progress.

Also new in the fun map file: Chehalis, Washington, my first black and white cartoon map.

My son, Eric, and I are working on a brand new Flash animation project, a series of five animations built around songs produced by the well-known tall-haired big band leader, Vince Vance. I'll finish the first two backgrounds tomorrow. It's an extensive project that will take the better part of a year to complete. It seems that there's always something to keep me up late at night and over the weekends. But, as I've been known to say, it sure beats working at Boeing.

That's it for now. Stay tuned for more fun stuff from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron Smith

HERE'S SKAMANIA COUNTY!

2005-07-04T21:24:00.000-07:00

We've been busier than a guppy's midwife this month, with two new cartoon maps in the works. Skamania County, Washington, is now posted in the Fun Maps section. Below it you'll see the "nutshell" version of Skamania County. I think the nutshell maps are more fun to look at than our regular cartoon maps. They're more fun to draw too, but you can't use them like a road map. They're purely decorative. I plan to do more of them in the future.

Check back in a couple weeks for our new Bonney Lake, Washington, map. We're blazing toward the finish line with Bonney Lake.

This weekend I fly to Ventura, California, to begin work on a new map for that California coastal town. Hope to see old friends in LA while I'm there.

Our boy wonder digital wizard son, Eric, just started a new Flash animation company, called MotionSmith Studios. Eric's first enterprise was the popular animation web site, Worm Wars. My splash page is one of the backgrounds that I created for a Worm Wars episode. Eric was only 18 years old, 18 months ago, when he created Worm Wars. Within a few months it was one of the top ten web comics in the world. The worldwide Worms community knows him as "Misterags".

We're just starting five new Flash animation projects for Vince Vance, the popular tall-haired band leader and performer. The first one is scheduled for release in late August. I will do the character design, backgrounds, and extremes. More details in future posts.

The fireworks are popping outside as I write, late on a hot July Fourth evening. We had a salmon barbecue today with good friends in Tacoma. I hope you had a wonderful Fourth too.

That's all for now. Check back soon for more cartoon maps and who knows what else from the outer edge of my ever expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

RON PRIEUR 1947-2005

2005-06-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

My friend, Ron Prieur, died last Saturday. His funeral is today. See Special Notices.

Bron

TWO NEW BOOKS. TWO NEW MAPS.

2005-06-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings:

If you're responding to our classified ad, go to the Fun Maps page and check out our maps, then contact us if you have any questions about this unique business opportunity. We're looking for people to help us market our maps. If you're not responding to the ad, jump down to the next paragraph.

At last the Clark County Adventures in Mapland feature is posted. Click on "Fun Maps" and scroll down to the bottom to Adventures in Mapland, then click on "Clark County". There you'll see the picture I shot of the largest non-native tree is Washington State, plus the little brick building where UHaul Trailers started.

Check back soon for two new maps: Bonney Lake, Washington and Skamania County, Washington. We're burning the midnight oil now to bring them in by the end of this month.

Check out the new logo that I created for Clownbuggie, a clown company. The logo is printed on the doors of their little green VW Bug. The Clownbuggie Clowns, Julie and Sue, are also the super sales people for our new Bonney Lake Map. In the New Additions section of the Portfolio Page.

I illustrated two new books earlier this year and the finished books just came back from the publisher. Language FUNdamentals, Book One and Book Two are the best books on writing that I've run across. They're even better with my zany illustrations. You'll find a few sample illustrations from the books in the New Additions section of the Portfolio Page.

That's it for now. Check back soon for more fun stuff from the outer edge of my ever expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

CLARK COUNTY MAP

2005-05-01T07:50:00.000-07:00

Greetings:

From the Sneak Preview File...there has been some strong interested expressed in publishing a BOOK VERSION of my syndicated feature Health Capsules (click on "Syndicated Comic"). I'll keep you updated as things develop.

People have commented on the splash page for my web site. It's one of many backgrounds that I created for the internet animation WORM WARS. To see more, go to my links page and click on "Worm Wars". Our son, Eric, created Worm Wars. In a matter of a few months it rose in popularity to become one of the TOP TEN internet comics in the world! The first four episodes (click on "Episodes" at Worm Wars) were produced by Eric, with my backgrounds. Then Eric had to give up Worm Wars for college, and it has been picked up and carried on by his fans, and continues to by run by Worm Wars fans in Eric's absense. We were happy that his fans refused to let Worm Wars die. Who knows... maybe we'll create a new episode when he's home from college this summer.

That's it for now. More new posts soon from the outer edge of my ever expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron

SORRY...FIVE MORE YEARS!

2005-02-13T16:07:00.000-08:00

Greetings:
In my last post I mentioned that my comic panel contract was renewed for three more years. When I got the paperwork I was surprised to find that it's not three, but FIVE more years. It's nice to know that I'll be in the comic biz for the foreseeable future. I really enjoy working on it. Samples are on the "Syndicated Comic" page.

The 25th Anniversary of the Eruption of Mount St. Helens Map is posted now, on the "Fun Maps" page. Let me know if you want to order one, or one hundred. Better yet, visit Mount St. Helens on May 18th this spring to help them celebrate, then buy our map in the visitors center. Tell Ben I sent you.

Scroll down to the bottom of the Fun Maps page to read my Mount St. Helens: Adventures in Mapland photo feature. I gives you a behind the scenes look at what I go through when I'm out on a map safari.

While you're there, check out the pix of our whirlwind trip from Seattle to New York and back with two vanloads of fun hungry tourists. Thirteen long never-to-be-forgotten days with my white-knuckled hands glued to the wheel, chasing my lead foot cousin down the turnpike. With a good screenplay, the trip could be spun off into a hit Mad, Mad comedy movie. The part of me would be played by Steve Martin. What? You think I'm being presumptuous? Then check out the resemblance. That's me...the buff dude in the leather jacket on the red bus in Manhattan.

What? You've never heard of Pho? (pronounced fuh) Then check out the world famous, award-winning Jones Brothers' web site at www.brotherjones.com. Click on "Doug", then "Pho". Then drive on into downtown wherever-you-live and try a bowl. My cartoon pal Doug Jones even provided you with a photograph of a bowl of pho so you'll have a better idea of what you're getting yourself into. And take Doug's advice: Order the beef brisket soup, NOT the meat ball soup. And let me know what you think.

The reviews are still pouring in for our bestseller books, Where's Dan Quayle?, and Where's Charles and Di?. Ida Mason says: "Of all the 'Where's Waldo' books I've seen, this is the cutest. I loved it!" Another: "A true collectible." Can you find Dan Quayle? Or Charles and Di? Look for them in the "Portfolio" section. While you're there, check out the photograph of me with Dan Quayle and read the incredible story of how I met him.

I just finished illustrating yet another TLC book. I do two or three every year. I'm up to about 30 now, give or take. This was a fun one. It was the most well written book about how to write that I've come across. My zany drawings made the book look more fun. I'll finish the second one in a month or so.

That's it for now. There's much more to come. Check back soon for more fun stuff from the outer edge of my ever-expanding Cartooniverse.

Bron