Bob lives in Seattle and makes a nerdy comic about nature called Underdone. HIs main themes are about how humans affect the natural world and how mad he thinks the animals should be about it. He tries to make each cartoon funny and entertaining (even if they happen to be a bit sad). He loves collaborating with scientists and organizations that focus on conservation. He has a certification in Natural Science Illustration from the University of Washington and an English degree (with a creative writing emphasis) from the Pennsylvania State University. This art and writing background, combined with his creative sense of humor propelled him to come up with some kind of funny angle for just about everything he draws.
In the future, he plans to up his animation abilities and work with musicians and other folks to make some really "edutaining" cartoon shorts.
1. What is your favorite shark and why?
Oh man, so much to choose from! But if I had to decide, I've always been a fan of the mako shark—I love the fact that it's like black-eyed a sliver bullet speeding through the seas. I also love looking at the rays—their undulating movements and flow is mesmerizing!
2. What is one species of shark you would like to see or swim with?
I'd have to go with either whale sharks or basking sharks. It's always good to get a sense of scale among living things. I'd like to be dwarfed (dwarfed by things that aren't interested in eating me).
3. Can you tell us why you are started drawing shark and ocean artwork?
I guess the main reason would be that I like to think about and imagine things that aren't commonplace. Thinking about things that don't necessarily interact (or relate) with humans where I like to get my inspiration from. Also, it's all so beautiful and fun to draw!
4. Why did you want to mix cartoon artwork with powerful messages? What inspired this?
I've been drawing cartoons for as long as I can remember. I didn't really get into attempting to draw realistic things until very recently, in my timeline. In college, I was an English major with a creative writing emphasis—always trying to make my creative output humorous, so it all blended together!
5. Do you think art is important for conservation?
Of course! Having compassionate people be creative about the world they live in makes these issues accessible for everyone. Who knows what kind of people will be inspired to get out and help the living things on the planet we share?
6. What message do you hope people take from your work?
Clean up after yourself and think about how you want to leave the planet for the following generations. And laugh while you're doing it!
