My mug used in a painting in a Mellow Mushroom

Little did I know when my friend Buddy Finethy (Art Director at Mellow Mushroom at the time, now in charge of restaurant concepts) snapped a pic of me that he would use my likeness in this semi realistic painting that now hangs in one of the many Mellow Mushrooms that these days seem to be sprouting up like....er mushrooms!

Friends of THWAK - Buddy Finethy - The Wizard

Here's an example of a Mellow Mushroom Christmas card done by Art Director Buddy Finethy. Over the years Buddy's art has become synonymous with the Mellow Mushroom Pizza Restaurant appeal. His work appears on everything from menus, calendars, murals, mugs, and just about everything else in between http://www.mellowmushroom.com/

Buddy also happens to be one of my best friends and as we share so many common interests in art, toys and pop culture over the years we have collaborated on a number of different ventures from the THWAK comic book, JOElanta, The Great Atlanta Toy Show, articles for Master Collector (the GI Joe Club's newsletter and magazine) and more.

Check out Buddy's blog http://www.shroomville.blogspot.com/

Southern Fried Comics

One great thing about having been involved in Cartooning/caricature/comics etc. is that when you actively go to conventions and meetings you always realise just how many other talented individuals are out there with similar passions as yours.

One such group that I had the opportunity to be involved with is the Atlanta division of the Southeast Chapter of the National Cartoonist Society - few what a mouth full !

During one of the groups regular monthly meetings at the Mellow Mushroom pizza place on Lavista rd on the 1st Thursday of every month (anyone can come) http://www.mellowmushroom.com/store/index.php?s=69

We came up with a concept for a comic book to showcase the group. Having already put out THWAK/JOKESTER/CRACKED I volunteered my services as Editor and after a rather lengthy process Southern Fried Comics #1 came out in 2007. The book featured 8 different artists (From Ben Boling (THWAK/CRACKED) to Stephanie Gladden (Cartoon Network) with widely varying styles and was distributed by Diamond and published by a local group called Terminus Media.

Look for more posts on this project.

This great wrap around cover was done by artist Brad McGinty who also contributed to the THWAK comic book and his own Pee Dog Posse. This also shows an alternate logo, which was changed for the final release.