When HeyLookAWriterFellow (Mike Allegra) sent my son a “Celebrate” stamp (see post “Celebrate Cats!”),
he didn’t know what he was getting himself into—or maybe he did.
My son thanked Mike for the stamp by creating a new stamp, “Celebrate Falling!”
and a comic book (see post “Alien Invasion – A Graphic Novel” and sending them as gifts.
So I was surprised when he received a new stamp from Mike in the mail last week:
Credit: Mike Allegra
and a lovely note, encouraging him to keep drawing and creating. So now young Master Hoffmann is sending a thank-you note with the following stamps to add to Mike’s “collection”:
Celebrate Brick Walls!! credit: Young Master Hoffmann
Celebrate Stunt Guys!! credit: Young Master Hoffmann
Celebrate Cash!! credit: Young Master Hoffmann
This last one is a “twofer,” celebrating stamps and cash (although this particular combo hasn’t worked for the always bankrupt postal service).
I don’t think my son believes that being an illustrator is a quick way to earn cash, but he plans to “make millions” by selling everything from lemonade to cookies to comic books at a stand he’s setting up with friends in a local park. We’ll see how that shakes out.
Instead, I think his “cashing out” dreams are right in line with the other tongue-in-cheek stamps he’s created to celebrate falling, diving into concrete swimming pools or crashing into brick walls. Any artist can identify with all of those calamities. There’s a certain Three Stooges meets Wile E. Coyote & Road Runner sensibility at work.
So I would like to take this time to honor and celebrate all the great illustrators we know and love, including HeyLookAWriterFellow (who WILL one day–in the not to distant future, right Mike??– give the world a book filled with his fabulous illustrations).
Here are a handful of a few favorite illustrators:
Judy Schachner (author/illustrator) Skippyjon Jones series
David Macaulay (illustrator) The (New) Way Things Work (author – Neil Ardley), architecture, etc. (one of my son’s favorites)
Nina Laden – (author/illustrator) The Night I Followed the Dog
Graeme Base – (author/illustrator) Uno’s Garden
David Gardner (illustrator) Sarah Gives Thanks (Mike Allegra -author)
Jilanne Hoffmann 
Oh, Jilanne, you are so sweet! But I am not an illustrator. I am a glorified doodler.
Now that David Gardner fellow is an illustrator! I appreciate you putting David on your list of favorites. He is not only is a spectacular artist, but also an all around great fellow.
Speaking of great artists, not only can your boy draw, he can draw funny. All of his stamps are a hoot, but that “Woohoo! I’m gonna die!” one made me snort. So kudos to you, young man!
And FYI, the stamp arms race is ON!
Uh oh, gentlemen. sharpen your pencils!
Well, all credit to heylookawriterfellow, but it seems to me he has his work cut out to beat ‘Celebrate Falling’! 😉
Ha! The gauntlet has been thrown down, hasn’t it? I think Mike’s up to the challenge, but only time will tell. Thanks for coming by!
Oh, that punk is going down. Going down to Chinatown.
I, however, will go elsewhere. I do not like Chinese food.
Yeah, you only like the fortune cookies. So that reminds me, I’m supposed to be coming up with some fortunes that won’t offend anyone, including me.
That’s right! So get cracking.
What a wonderful exchange. Thank you for sharing!
And thank you for reading. Stay tuned for further developments!
Staying tuned to more CELEBRATIONS!!! xoM
It does feel very “celebratory,” doesn’t it? I’m enjoying their exchange!
Ha ha, hilarious! This isn’t going to stop, is it? LOL!
I’m just enjoying being a spectator at the Illustrator Gladiator Games. 😮