BEAR HUG!

Remember back in grade school when you'd celebrate Valentine's Day by giving away packets of tiny cards to all your friends and classmates? Well, I recently had the chance to create those very cards for Just Like Me magazine, produced by  Baxter International.  Just Like Me is a publication specially tailored for kids with PI (primary immunodeficiency disease).

This series of kiddie cards was printed as a special insert in the Spring 2011 issue of Just Like Me. They feature the magazine's resident mascot, a blue bear named Igi V.

Igi V. exists in the 3D world as a plush toy that is given to all the children who read the magazine. He is a comforting friend and companion on their regular trips to the doctor's office, where they receive immunoglobulin medicine that helps fight infection. 

It was my privilege to be commissioned to design the 2D cartoon version of Igi V. and his friends, as well as the world they inhabit. Every issue of Just Like Me includes an Igi V. coloring page, comic page and look & find puzzle. The stories and pictures often feature Igi V. going to the doctor's office, making new friends, and generally experiencing the fun of being a normal kid.

As we speak, JLM issue # 4 is going to press and the art for issue # 5 is now under way. In the future I look forward to sharing more illustrations and comics from this very special publication!

New Illustrations for 2008

Now that it's 2008, I'd say it's high time I jumped in on this new-fangled blog craze that's been sweeping the nation.

But first, I should introduce myself. I'm an illustrator, which means I draw the artwork you see in books, magazines, packaging, toys, etc. I create original work that has a cartoonish look. Often I'm influenced by old cartoons, comics, toys, and Japanese pop art.

There is plenty of artwork to see on my main site, shawnfinley.com, but I'll also be posting my newest work here so ya'll can get a peek at the latest stuff. This piece was from my Holiday card in December...

I like to add a sense of motion, right down to the jingling sleigh bells and kicked up snow. And of course, the people need to be cute! Someone told me the girl in the sled reminded her of Betty Rubble. I guess that's good, since Betty was quite the looker! But it seems Barney wasn't invited on this sleigh ride.

Anyway, enough tomfoolery. More art's on the way. Please check back in!

Best wishes–
Shawn Finley