Missing from the Directory of Illustration 33

I had planned to continue to advertise in the Directory of Illustration and even bought a page, but it turns out I won't be there next year. After submitting my ad (see below) I got phone calls and emails from the Directory asking me to change the ad. They were never specific and changed the reasons they wanted a different ad. During one of the calls they asked if I was "worried about what female art directors might think." I was given a number of options of what the Directory thought my ad should look like and was even pointed to the ads of other artists that I should "copy," but at no time did they ever say exactly what the problem was with my ad.
I kept insisting that the choices I made for my ad showed the type of work I'm doing now, it is all recent work and two pieces (the medusa label, and the "Pussy Whip" whip cream label) are recent national design award winners. So isn't that the work I should be showing? So have a look at it and decide for yourself.

San Diego Comic Con 2016

I had a good time at Comic Con this year in San Diego. It was good to see people I know and talk to artists who produce impressive art.
I had nice conversations with Craig Elliot about mothers and other family members, Bill Stout about how John Milius and I have similar methods to present ideas to those that make the decisions, and Daniel Clowes (while signing my copy of Mr. Wonderful) let me know that I look just like his brother. Clowes suggested that I attend a family function with him and when I agreed I don't think he realized that I was serious. So if you know Dan let him know I'm waiting for an invitation.

I also, for the first time in awhile and the first time in color, got a piece of art in the souvenir book. My art was for the 50th anniversary of the TV show Batman. I was inspired by the Norman Saunders trading cards from the 60s and ironically my art was printed at the size my friends and I refer to as "bubble gum card size" or a quarter page. My art can be found on page 172. I also sent in Wonder Woman art - but it wasn't used.