Pete Whitehead

Ted talk on Viral Video

Pete Whitehead — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:20:15 +0000

File under “Creepy but Cool”

Pete Whitehead — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:28:08 +0000

Run Wrake is known as an animator & illustrator, who has collaborated with Howie B & created visuals for U2′s Vertigo tour. His latest short animation “Rabbit” has been very successful at many film festivals all round the world.

Young Writers Contest winner…Nine year old Brady!

Pete Whitehead — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:17:56 +0000

Here’s my latest “Young Writers Contest” winner! The Reading Reptile hosts an annual writing contest for students in the Kansas City area. Local illustrators get to read through the hundreds of entries and pick a winner. What do they win? They win an original illustration based on their story! How cool is that? Then we hold an award ceremony to read our winner’s story to a room full of young, talented writers and to present them with our finished art. It’s a blast for everyone involved. What is amazing about this contest, for those of us who judge it, is just how talented these kids are. Their craft and process of telling a story is so pure, simple and direct. You can’t help but be inspired.

For the past couple of years, I’ve opted to create an animation instead of an illustration. I do it very quickly with very little planning, sketching or thinking. I try to tap into their technique of being pure, simple and direct, and not to worry too much about making mistakes or having it perfectly rendered.

My winner this year is nine year old Brady, from Iola Kansas. His story was hilarious and after meeting him, we both realized how similar we were. He was happy to meet a grown up with his same sense of humor and I had to finally face the fact that I have, and will continue to go through life, with a nine year old’s out look on life.

Cool!

Young Writer’s Contest

Pete Whitehead — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:55:24 +0000

Every year, about this time, our local children’s book store, The Reading Reptile, puts on a contest for young writers to submit their amazing stories for a chance to win an original piece of art, based on their story, by local illustrators. It’s a fun event and a great way to encourage children to tap into their creative powers.

Here’s the main character of my winner’s tale, “Cletus the Warlord Chicken”.

Ever feel like you’re being watched? #3

Pete Whitehead — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:07:36 +0000

Pickleman vs. Lava Piranhas

Pete Whitehead — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:32:57 +0000

A couple of us illustrators and designers here in Kansas City were asked to contribute illustrations for an activity book that Children’s Mercy Hospital will use to teach kids good eating habits and keeping physically and mentally healthy. I was assigned a two page spread dedicated to “activities”. While thinking of what to do, I thought back on my own childhood. A friend of mine commented on the fact that, as kids in the 70′s, our lives were like the “wild west.” The only rule we had was to “be home for dinner.” Other then that, we were outside all day long. We didn’t have 2o channels of T.V. geared towards children, (although, I would have LOVED that as a kid!) And we didn’t have all the cool electronic toys that are in huge abundance today, too. (Again, I would have cut off a toe to have half of the neat gizmos that invade or daily schedules. And heck, I wouldn’t need that toe anyway, because I would have been busy sitting on my butt playing computer games and watching T.V.!)

So, I thought about some of the games we played outside as a kid. Stickball, Rollerball, Dodgeball, Basketball, Hide and Seek, Tag, Running Bases, (also known as Pickle), Red Light Green Light, Mother May I…and one of my favorite made up games that worked on the Playground as well as in the Family Room: “Don’t Touch the Ground, It’s Lava”. And what is worst then Lava? The Lava Piranha’s that live IN the Lava! We would spend hours walking/jumping from chairs to pillows, trying to get from one room to another without touching the floor. (This was also played in the playground with equal success and enjoyment.) We would stop the game with many shouts of, “Time Out!” to move a piece of furniture for a safer jump or to get a blanket to make an island.

I asked our leader, Melissa, if I could do two pages that would focus on these old fashion games that kids don’t play anymore. She said yes.

Here is the sketch I submitted and the finished spread. I was asked to make sure the main character didn’t look angry or violent and that the Lava Piranha’s were having fun. The open spaces are where the various games’ instructions will go, to, hopefully, re-educate a new generation.

Happy Halloween

Pete Whitehead — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:47:39 +0000

12,000 feet and climbing…

Pete Whitehead — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:45:08 +0000

While visiting Frisco, Colorado, Laurie and Scott took us on a six mile hike up to a small lake at 12,000 feet. We took a lot of pictures, saw an old mine, some wildlife, got a little out of breath and had a great time. I was proud of how well us “flat landers” did!

Frisco, Colorado

Pete Whitehead — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 01:00:03 +0000

Here’s some pictures from a spontaneous trip to Frisco, Colorado, to visit our friends, Laurie and Scott. Beautiful weather and great company. We had a fun weekend, even though we did drive home in some mountain snow. (kinda scary!)

Honkin’ big cow!

Pete Whitehead — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:48:31 +0000

The Kansas City Irish Fest folks printed my cow illustration on a 20 x 30 foot banner that was hung from Halls Department store…

It was really neat to see my art blown up that big and I was excited when they called and asked me if I wanted to keep the banner. Of course I said yes! Only, I didn’t realize how big a 20 x 30 foot banner actually is.

Until I got it home: