As an illustrator and graphic designer one often finds that many of his or her designs must be altered time and time again from correction to correction all with the goal of satisfying the customer. Now I love graphic design and illustrating for clients, it's a real sweet gig (I am available for hire, by the way, wink wink) but it leaves some of your greatest ideas on the cutting room floor or worse yet still locked inside your head waiting to spring forth. I've always enjoyed illustrating and drawing so this seemed a wonderful way to express that.

I am also very much an animal lover. I have a cat and a dwarf hamster myself and would have more had I the time and patience for a near zoo, but I'm content with what I have. My dwarf hamster (King Kong, who is now alone after the passing of his brother Godzilla r.i.p.) and my cat (Lucky, the little black demon that inspired my Alarm Clock Kitty design) are much of my inspiration. I have also been lucky enough to find as a friend Ken Brocx who owns and operates the website hamsterific.com who has educated me much about the joys of owning hamsters.

It seemed a natural fit for animals to become the theme of my website, and I decided to go ahead and begin building a site where I can display my illustrations as well as share knowledge with other people who care about animals the way I do.

Of course the Cafe Press shop is a big part of the website and I'm striving to make it a wonderful shop filled with great designs that people will adore enough to part with their hard earned (or inherited, or lottery won) money. But it's a long road and it's not all Hostess Cupcakes and Nestle Quik just yet. Nope, I don't mind though, I love drawing and creating and I would do so even if money weren't involved. If you have any design ideas or want to contribute in any way to the website go ahead and drop me a line. If you like a particular design, let me know. It's great to get positive feedback on things you put a lot of effort into.

Lastly, if you are still reading this and you have a few dollars in your pocket head over to the shop and buy something! Buy many things! Buy it all. It's for a good cause, it puts food on my table and 10% of the profits go to the ASPCA so you can feel good about your purchases.

And if you need an illustrator for custom work or if you need a graphic designer drop me a line. I'm available in a freelance capacity or even as a hired hand in some cases. You can see my personal website by at www.andymarkison.com or email me at info@zapgraphix.com