Some people want to know what Don is doing with his time during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite obstacles, I still find time to pursue projects each day. Here are some of the things I‘ve been working on.
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Apes and Aliens Jigsaw Puzzle. In January, I got obsessed with the idea of apes waiting to make their way through security at the airport. Seemed like an image that could have the complexity and variety that makes a great jigsaw puzzle. I’m waiting to see a prototype from the puzzle workshop. If it is good, this could make a delightful spring-time Kickstarter project, right?
Sea Monsters. I’ve also been drawing 100 creatures for another jigsaw puzzle project that I think would be fun. The picture above shows a portion of the design. Perhaps this can be a Kickstarter in the summer. I need to draw a bunch more creatures to fill the pool.
Letterpress prints. I created two new letterpress print designs and my friend, Bryce Knudson at Bjørn Press will be printing them in April. Above, is my first sketch of an interplanetary tea party and below is the finished image. The other design shows architecture on a remote planet. While I’m under house arrest, I could be signing prints.
Holiday mug. My friends and colleagues, Jack and Lynnette, asked me to focus on ideas for the design of a holiday mug. I’ve been having fun revisiting Christmas cliches and giving them a twist. I completed a preliminary design (detail above) last week. But, because of disruptions to the global supply chain, it may already be too late for new mugs in 2020, alas. It will all hinge on whether or not the porcelain workshop in Poland needs to shut down for a few weeks (months?) because of the pandemic.
Dinosaur shoppers. There was a time about two weeks ago when it seemed right to be drawing a pattern based on dinosaurs pushing shopping carts. Wouldn’t this make a great grocery bag?
Shower of Anvils. As the pandemic started to dominate the news cycle, I spent a day sketching a pattern based on falling anvils. I have no plans to make pajamas or wallpaper with this design, but the effort was therapeutic. Drawing the anvils lightened my mood.
Creature Comfort Comforter. Ever since I created the Creature Comfort Playing Cards, I’ve thought it would be fun to develop a woven-jacquard, cotton throw based on the design on the back of the playing cards. We’ve been evaluating weaving samples and trying to figure out if this project can go forward on Kickstarter.
Daily doodling. I try to make time in each day for pointless doodling for the pure fun of it. One never knows what new projects might spring from these carefree explorations.
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As always, I have the glorious freedom to jump from one project to another or to change my mind about what I want to work on. But my goal, until mortality overwhelms me, is to keep working on something fun every single day. So far, so good.
Thanks for your support. Good luck with all your projects. Stay safe.
Don—Pittsburgh, April 8, 2020
Linelle Zimmer
September 27, 2021
Along with the Lost Pets (who are happy with anybody talking to them), checking out New Found Pets worries the imagination. Lin