After doing it for 6 years in a row, I decided to not do Inktober this year. Although I love doing it, I wanted to get some of my life back. Other than some serious FOMO, it was a good decision to make.
Let me start with April, which ended up being a bad month because my mother passed away.
She was a taylor for as long as I could remember. Starting with altering our neighbor’s clothes in the corner of our basement in Ohio, she eventually started making a lot of our outfits. I still remember the bell bottom, Cub Scout pants that she made for me. Even though she worked so much, she managed to raise three kids and took care of our household. She went on to work for dozens of different clothing retailers throughout her life, until she retired at the age of 86.
Even in retirement, she continued to sew to keep her mind busy. Last month, on April 9, she passed away. She was 88.
Her dedication to her craft and to her family, inspired me to make this drawing of a taylor ’bot as a small tribute to her. I miss you, mom.
I also did an Easter Bunny Bot.
Then I took a small break, which turned into a long break. To return, I decided to participate in the @drawmearobot DTIYS challenge. For July, they partnered with @burn353, and asked participants to draw our own pet as a robot, OR their cool cat robot in our own style. As much as I would love to turn our old dog as a robot, I wasn’t sure if I could capture his personality quite right. So, I opted to draw their prompt in my style.
Taking inspiration from Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes,” who captured the vivid imagination of a boy and his stuffed tiger, I tried to show what a kitten might be imagining when playing with a plush toy.
Life was busy so I took another break from art. This is when I decided to not do #inktober this year.
I did, however, get asked to do a commission for a local bike advocacy group, BikeDFW, to do the art for their upcoming Full Moon Ride. It took a while, finding time to squeeze this one out, but I really enjoy it—even if it doesn’t have a robot in it.
Which I digitally converted to this.
Then it was time to get back to the @drawmearobot DTIYS challenge. Not participating in #inktober2025 I had no excuse. For October, they partnered with @majorcrimesdivision, and asked participants to draw a Mecha Jack-o-Lantern.
As usual, the submissions have raised the bar of the challenge. Here is mine.
There’s nothing better than going trick or treating with your own mech. There’s safety from monsters and you have something to carry around your extra loot.
For the fourth year, I was asked by a friend to donate a drawing for a silent auction. As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t typically have time to do commissions, however I’m a fan of what Best Buddies (Texas chapter) is doing. I’m happy to show my support — even if it’s just in the form of ink and paper.
This year’s event has a #candyland theme. It’s been years since I’ve played that game with my kids so I had to do a Google search for characters related to the game. I decided to make a Mr. Mint ‘bot.
Here’s another submission to the @drawmearobot DTIYS challenge. For November, they partnered with @braindeef, and asked participants to draw a robot reclaimed by nature, or a functional floral machine. Life finds a way.
As usual, the submissions, have raised the bar of the challenge. Here is mine.
This bot stopped functioning decades ago. Since it was built with such a resilient alloy, nature could only reclaim it by growing on and around it.
Even though I had decided to not participate in any more online drawing challenges, I couldn't keep away from doing my 5th March of Robots, an event conceived by DaCosta Bayley founder of Chocolate Soop Studio. Every March, artists all over the world take on this challenge by doing one robot drawing a day the entire month - 31 total. My goal of the challenge was to improve my drawing skills, but frankly, I just love drawing robots.
Here is the prompt list for 2025 MoR:
DAY 01:
Time to kick off March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 1 is BIG
This is my tribute to a childhood favorite of mine, Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot (I remember it being called ‘Giant’ Robot). In the early 1970s, every Saturday morning—after cartoons, my brother and I used to watch these reruns. I was captivated by this show and wanted my own ‘BIG’ robot that I could control with my wrist watch.
It’s clear to me that some current movies, like Iron Giant and Real Steel, were inspired by this show.
DAY 02:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 2 is CONE
This soft serve ‘bot will deliver a tasty treat of your favorite ice cream flavor (as long as it’s chocolate)in a fresh waffle ‘CONE’. You just have to remember to say “when”.
DAY 03:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 3 is TRICK
This ‘bot gets a little confused, on Halloween, when some kids show up for “trick” or treating. It’s not sure what to make of some of the costumes—or even if they are costumes.
DAY 04:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 4 is PERFECT
I’m not sure if you can tell, but this ‘bot has “perfect” 20/20 vision, and then some. It’s so good, that it was actually reading the eye chart from the office across the street.
DAY 05:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 5 is PARK
It doesn’t matter where you are from, or how fancy your vehicle is, if you “park” next to a fire hydrant, you’re going to get a parking ticket from this code enforcement ‘bot.
DAY 06:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 6 is REPAIR
This ‘bot is having second thoughts about going to Don’s Discount “Repair” shop for a replacement leg. They don’t use OEM parts, but pass the savings on to their customers. Apparently, you get what you pay for.
DAY 07:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 7 is COMPASS
It wasn’t long before this navigator ‘bot discovered that its “compass” wasn’t really leading it to true north. Instead, it was being lead to the neighbor’s magnet-covered refrigerator. Who knew the pull of tchotchkes was so strong?
DAY 08:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 8 is HILL
It’s obvious. Whoever decided to put the recharging station at the top of the “hill” did not think things through.
DAY 09:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 9 is NIGHT
This “night” light ‘bot requires a constant power connection, but its bright light will keep you safe from stumbling around in the dark.
DAY 10:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 10 is GATE
This “gate” valve ’bot was given a the assignment to become the new gatekeeper to the castle’s water supply and sprinkler system.
DAY 11:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 11 is MAGIC
Somehow, this “magic” trick isn’t quite as impressive when performed on a robot. Dismantling a ‘bot torso is part of its routine, annual maintenance.
DAY 12:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 12 is ALONE
Because this ‘bot was staring at its phone while driving, it will probably have to spend the rest of its days, “alone”, on the asteroid that it crashed into.
DAY 13:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 13 is FROZEN
This ‘bot had a few too many “frozen” margaritas. So, when doing a quick freeze-ray demonstration, he didn’t realize he was aiming it in the wrong direction.
DAY 14:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 14 is CARGO
This ‘bot is taking the concept of “cargo” pants to a whole new level. Who needs a truck, when you’ve got a bot with baggy trousers and a lot of determination.
DAY 15:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 15 is PICTURE
This selfie ‘bot loves to get its “picture” taken, so it spends most of its day at the local photo booth. Equipped and programmed for 48 million poses, this could take a while.
DAY 16:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 16 is WEAPON
Armed with its “weapon” of choice—a king sized, Boll & Branch, goose down pillow—this pillow fight, warrior ‘bot is challenging you to the next battle. Are you up to it?
DAY 17:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 17 is QUEST
This ‘bot is on a “quest” to climb to the moon, one box at a time. What’s taking so long is having to climb back down, each time, to get another box.
DAY 18:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 18 is SURPRISE
This ‘bot had a big “surprise” when it came too close to the giant birthday cake. Too bad it wasn’t its birthday.
DAY 19:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 19 is POISED
This ‘bot is “poised” to start the championship race. With its new jet pack upgrade, it’s certain that it will take first place.
DAY 20:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 20 is SWING
This ‘bot has a carefree outlook on the future, and which shows with how high it can “swing”. It’s also starting to realize that it might be afraid of heights.
This image is doing double duty. Not only is it my submission for March of Robots, but it’s also my submission for the @drawmearobot DTIYS challenge.
DAY 21:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 21 is CODE
This ‘bot communicates with the other ‘bots using an old, but very reliable method, morse “code”. It only takes a few dots and dashes to send a friendly hello.
DAY 22:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 22 is GHOST
This Ghostbuster ‘bot is having a little trouble locating the “ghost” that’s haunting the machine. But when you are having trouble with these things, who else are you going to call.
DAY 23:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 23 is FIGHT
For this prompt, I couldn’t think of a more appropriate robot “fight” than my childhood toy, Rockem Sockem Robots. Of course, the battles in my imagination, were far more intense than what the control handles would allow.
DAY 24:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 24 is REACH
With its latest invention, this ‘bot is now able to “reach” that hard-to-get-to itch on its back.
DAY 25:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 25 is ARROW
This ’bot forgot to call ‘time out’ for a snack break, while playing a game of William Tell with the other robots. It’s a good thing the apple was able to stop that “arrow”.
DAY 26:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 26 is MOVE
Don’t bother renting a truck or bribing your friends with pizza. This hauler ’bot can “move” you from one home to the next in less than an hour. You don’t even need to pack.
DAY 27:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 27 is FRAME
This construction ‘bot is under contract to do the “frame” work of the new robot headquarters. Unfortunately, it doesn’t know how to understand blueprints, so it’s just winging it.
DAY 28:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 28 is BELOW
Sorry that this one is a bit of a stretch from the prompt.
When your ‘bot gets infected with a zombie virus, malfunctions then shuts down, you will need to bury it really deep “below” ground. Otherwise...
DAY 29:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 29 is SHELL
You’d better pay attention. With this con ‘bot’s sleight of hand, there’s no telling which “shell” the pebble will end up under.
DAY 30:
This is my next submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 30 is TRAIL
With a fresh bag of “trail” mix, containing a big variety of nuts and bearings, this ‘bot is ready to hit the trail for a nice long hike.
DAY 31:
This is my final submission for March of Robots 2025. The prompt for Day 31 is COMPLETE
I think we can all relate to this ’bot, as it crosses the finish line to “complete” a truly amazing marathon. Now it’s time for a little break.
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