Capturing Priceless Moments in Time - The 2022 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for me, like many, is a tradition that ushers in not only Thanksgiving day, but the Christmas season. I’ve been watching the iconic parade for as long as I remember. It’s both nostalgic and new, every year.

The parade means “family.” And in recent years with the holidays looking a lot different (due to Covid and personal circumstances) having the normalcy and dependability of the Macy’s parade has been all the more important and special.

I was even fortunate enough one year (in the 90’s) to join some friends to participate as balloon handlers in the parade. We were in charge of Harold the Firefighter. It’s much more difficult than it looks, especially on a windy day when walking through the cross streets. That year we got to be behind the scenes with the likes of Debbie Gibson, John Tesh, and Al Roker as they got into their positions. I was so thankful to have had that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of being in the parade!

So this year, I decided to employ my illustration skills (and live event sketching) to sketch my way through the 2022 parade. All while sitting on my couch (Thanks NBC & Peacock!)

It was a fast and furious 3-hour (ish) sprint of sketching select participants. The programming is kept tight, so I didn’t have much time to spend on each sketch (maybe 10-15 minutes tops, and the app I was using on my iPad crashed a few times, leaving me to start over on about 5 of them!)

As I worked my way through, sketching helped me to freeze each moment in my mind. Capturing a drawing is a lot different than snapping a photo. Drawing forces you to not just look, but to really see. And when you see, the memories and images are stored deeper.

So please enjoy the following sketches that I created in real-time as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade aired on Peacock and NBC. Special thanks to all who were involved in a variety of ways (including Ram Trucks & Remo)! You made my 2022 Thanksgiving like a much-needed, warm hug from an old friend.

Hoda Kotb & Savannah Guthrie hosting this year’s parade.

Hoda Kotb & Jeff Gennette (Chief Executive Officer, Macy’s) cutting the ribbon at this year’s parade.

The Lion King is always a crowd-pleaser!

No NYC Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade is complete without the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes! I’ve seen them many times over the years and appreciate their hard work, dedication, and creativity!

My personal favorite, Grogu, from Star Wars / Disney Plus show, the Mandalorian.

There were so many talented marching bands in the parade. Captured here is University of Central Missouri marching band.

Ho, ho, ho.. Green Giant! A brand I have grown up with.

It’s always great to see the Sesame Street crew!

What’s not to like about BLUEY!

Mickey, Minnie, Goofy - all about the Disney Wish - a dream come true!

Only you can prevent forest fires! Smokey the Bear.

Geoffrey, I’m still a Toys“R”Us kid!

Ronald McDonald! I’m lovin’ it!

Jimmy Fallon & the Roots rocking the float!

There’s nothing Despicable about Minion Kevin!

Snoopy first debuted in 1968!

Besides Santa himself, nothing ushers in Christmas like Mariah Carey singing “All I want for Christmas is You!”

And to close out the parade every year - the big man himself - Santa Claus! ( I know him!)

Shout out to Carpenter Collective on their stellar design & branding job for this year.

Enjoy this wrap-up video too. See you next year Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Interested in hiring me to live sketch your event or conference? Check out more work here.

Holiday Hurt

The holidays are filled with messages of peace, hope and happiness. Magical moments with family and friends.

But it’s also a really difficult time for those who are hurting.

Perhaps this is the first holiday season without a loved one who has passed. Or divorce brings separation during the holidays. Or health issues isolate.

In these things, I see a contrast.

The joy of the holiday season & messages, and the real life painful circumstance we can experience.

It was at this crossroads that I created this series of art.

If you’re hurting this season, I hope my art gives voice to your feelings. And makes you feel seen and heard.

---

This Christmas is the first that someone will be without someone else.

A loved one died.
A divorce or separation.
A damaged relationship causing a void.

If you’re fortunate to be gathered around loved ones, perhaps business as usual, consider extending an invitation to someone who will be having a difficult Christmas this year.

It may not ease the longing they feel inside, but love paves the way toward healing.

In the midst of the merriment, someone around you is hurting. They just might not be broadcasting it.

The contrast of their current realities & the messages of the holiday season magnifies their disconnect.

A timely word, a kind gesture, a simple acknowledgment could go a long way.

Be on the lookout. Then practice love.

You might be the agent that ushers in some peace.

Practice empathy.

The times that made all the difference while in the midst of difficulties have been the ones where people have been willing to sit in the dirt with me.

Feeling seen & heard. Being understood. Knowing that although in the midst of hard times and feeling like the situation is unique to you, those people remind you that you’re not alone in it. There are those who have gone before you, come through the fire and are still here today.

This series has been interesting for me. It’s given me a place to express my own feelings and experiences, but more over, given voice to many who suffer silently.

I have had so many people tell me this art has expressed what they have felt unable to express. And for that, I am grateful.

No one is exempt from pain. We all have seasons we’d rather hide and delete from our stories. But I’ve found that redemption comes when I can share those things anyway, and use it to help someone else.

The mess becomes the message.

2 Reasons Why Pet Portraits Make the Ultimate Holiday Gift

Let’s face it. Holiday shopping can be extremely stressful. Especially when you have that person in your life who seems to have everything. You search high and low for something that's unique, but ideas seem to be void. You desperately want to get them something meaningful but usually come up short, usually grabbing something off the shelf.

What if there was a way to get someone a truly unique, one-of-a-kind gift that moves them instantly?

If that person happens to be a pet lover, a pet portrait can be just thing that brings a big smile for the holidays and beyond. It’s something they will treasure way past January, and you’ll be the gift hero you long to be. (Watch out Santa!)

Here’s two reasons why a pet portrait makes the ultimate holiday gift:

1. Pet portraits are personal.

There’s nothing like a gift that is customized for the recipient. It speaks volumes of how much thought and attention you gave to finding the perfect gift for the person you love. And even if you aren’t the pet lover, chances are you love that pet owner. What better way to acknowledge someone than to recognize what’s important to them. And when it comes to a person’s relationship with their pet, it’s a personal relationship like few others.

2. Pet portraits celebrate special relationships.

Pet portrait’s helps us celebrate important relationships in our lives. The portrait becomes a way to help us celebrate that pet and the special moments we shared with them over the years. It’s an especially moving gift when the pet has passed on. We remember what we celebrate. Pet portraits help us celebrate often.

If you’re interested in having a one-of-a-kind, custom pet portrait created for that special person in your life, visit my page detailing the process and info.

Act fast though, as time is short and spots are few. You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to have this unique gift created for your loved one this holiday.

'Tis the Season... For Sadness and Hope

"Undone" Acrylic on 20x20 canvas. Original painting available for purchase.

I was planning on posting something different today, but I'm following my heart on this one. 

I posted the following on Facebook earlier today and it seems to have resinated with a lot of people, so I'm reposting it here. Someone (maybe you) might need to read this today.

I'm in Starbucks. One woman greets another as they pass. One of the women breaks down crying, delivering sad news to her friend.

I'm reminded once again.

As we walk around this Christmas season, there are people who are doing their best to hold it all together. Every so often, the smiling exterior cracks, as they break down to cry.
It's right there behind their eyes. You might be reading this, tearing up because I just described you. You are carrying the hurt with you always, and can feel invisible.

I see you. You are loved. And not to get all "churchy" - but this season is for you - Christmas. The season when God came to Earth in the form of a little baby. Immanuel means "God with us". He's with you in your brokenness, in your pain, in your sorrow. You are not alone.

Most days I'm just as guilty as anyone of rushing around, not dialed in to those around me. There's stuff to get done. Hurry pushes me along. And I miss those who are hurting right in front of me. And the Christmas season usually just amps things up even more. 

What if we were more intentional about looking and seeing the people right in front of us?

We might just be the answer to someone's prayer. A shoulder to cry on. A helping hand. Even a moment of acknowledging someone else's pain. Entering it for a few moments in time. It just might make all the difference.  

The thing is, we all know that when we've been in that dark hurting place, what a lifeline it was when people around us cared for us. Really cared. What happens to those who don't have close friends or family? Or those who stuff their emotions because they were taught that you just don't share them with others. The silent suffering.

I found myself praying today "God, give me eyes to see those who are hurting. And if you want, use me to bring some hope, even if it's just for a moment."

Even if you're not the praying kind, may I challenge you to take a moment out and look around you for someone who is hurting?

Portrait of Emily

I had the privilege of creating this portrait of Emily as a Christmas present for Ryan's wife. Unfortunately, the surprise got leaked but she loved it!

Here's what Ryan had to say "I have been a fan of Mike's work for a long time and after our Christmas shoot with our daughter Emily I felt like I had the perfect picture to be made into a portrait in his amazing style. While I spilled the beans on the Christmas present early, my wife loves the portrait. Mike was able to capture both the physical details of Emily, but also her joyful disposition. We are thrilled to have this keepsake marking Emily's first birthday and second Christmas".

 - Ryan 

Christmas cats in the mail

Way back in the day, long before email and the internet, people wrote letters. By hand. I had a few "pen pals" back in high school / college and used to draw all over the envelopes for people. It was a fun little surprise for them.

Serving people with art can take many forms. Today, I'm mailing out a card with a little Christmas cat drawing. I hope it brings smiles 😸!

What is one simple way you can use your gifts to bring someone a smile this holiday season?

If it's just "something you do" - it might be closer at hand than you think!