Out for another ride. This stretch of weather has been spectacular! #getonyourbikesandride

I think I love Halloween, but the Count loves it more! #halloweenfrog #counthalloween #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

This needs to be a major headline in every news outlet across the country.

“Goose the Cat” A portrait of our son and his fiancée’s cat. #catportrait #catnamedgoose #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

A Gerbera Daisy in our backyard. ##blackandwhiteflowers #gerberadaisy #backyardbeauty

Blending in with a sploot to boot. #camouflageddog #blendingin

We are adrift. We need to start paddling now or the waves will take us.

From a couple of years ago, “Owl be the Wiser.” #wisdomowl #wiseoldowl #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

The distance between where we are and where we were is both expansive and instant. We can always choose human over machine until the day we cannot. #saynotoai #saynotoaiart #humancreativity

“Birdities” #birdsonwires #catslovebirdsalot #illustration #kidlitart #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

As seen in my workshop today. A framed portrait of our son snorkeling nearly twenty years ago. #portraitofson #snorkelphotos #rusticworkshop

Happy National Dog Day! I love my little Ava, the ShihPoo. #nationaldogday

I post words I’ve written every now and again. I wrote this 15 years ago, but it still rings true to me. #bones #lies

#15MoviesToGetToKnowMe 2001: A Space Odyssey Monty Python and the Holy Grail Groundhog Day Castaway Coco The Way Back (2010) The King’s Speech Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Life of Brian The Sting The In-Laws (1979) The Corpse Bride Inglourious Basterds Raiders of the Lost Ark Alien

It’s all in the delivery. #musicalpenguins #performingpenguins #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

Wishing I was more gruntled.

show me your getaway vehicle

"Let children be children" doesn't mean make sure they have no responsibilities, inconveniences, or challenges. It means let them cry or lose their temper without shaming them. It means let their imaginations run wild. It means let them get wildly excited about things you find commonplace.

I will not be ignored. #largecat #bigmeow #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

Happy #kidlitartpostcard for August! I’m John Hentz, aka “Johnny Draws” I’m an illustrator in search of representation. My focus is on picture books for preschoolers and early readers. My portfolio is here: johnhentzillustration.com

For me, using A.I. takes all the joy and humanity out of what it means to be creative.

Advertise your account with one gif

1/3 The average animated cartoon short presented before many feature films in theaters during the 40’s and 50’s averaged over 6 minutes long with over 9,000 frames. Each was 24 frames per second and each frame took an average of 30 minutes to complete. Hundreds of talented artists were required.

Skydiving Bovines #skydivingbovines #parachutingcows #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

I just got blocked by someone who appears to love AI and has made a film or two using it. To that person, I’m honored that you blocked me. If you are creative enough to write, develop and direct a film, you should be creative enough to find talented actors and performers. 1/2

Yup. I continue to say that AI is for those who fetishize THE IDEA and dismiss THE WORK. It's for those people who come up to writers and say, "I got a great idea for a book, I'll give it to you, you write it, and we'll split the profits 50/50," as if the idea is the hardest and most important part.

I know,… I’m waving down a train that’s left the station: PLEASE STOP USING AI FOR EVERYTHING. ChatGPT and other AI platforms are an enormous energy drain and are trained to mimic (steal) the work of human writers and artists. Without actual art and literature, AI would have nothing to draw from.

I feel like I’m going to end up as an aggrieved old man shaking his fist at all the AI users, shouting, “You stole everything from real artists and writers and let machines make joyless art!”

Sketchy Doodles: “Bob Ross’ Dachshund” #bobross #dachshund #empathy #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

Chickens Piling Higher! #chickenpile #pileofchickens #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

Chicken Pile! #chickenpile #pileofchickens #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

I'm young, but not "know exactly why I came into this room" young.

An old favorite from 2022. #longshadow #catshadow #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

I was told there would be a hand basket.

Welp, goodbye CBS/Paramount. Another state media company in the making.

I hope anyone who may have just seen me in the middle of the breezeway, convulsing and spinning violently while flailing my arms maniacally, could also see the large beetle that was stuck in my hair until it fell down my back. I’m good now btw.

i don't care what your skill level is. i don't care how many followers you have or how much money you earn. if those are doing well for you, i'm genuinely happy for you. keep going. i care about people behind the art. y'all are what matter. art is not competition. it's human expression.

I’m petrified about today’s science news. Genetically modifying crabs to have cheetah genes? This could go sideways fast.

I don’t often giggle, but when I do, it’s because of something this damned cute!

I’m not going to trash fireworks for those who enjoy them, but our little Ava reminds me of how terrifying they can be for many pets and how triggering they can be for many vets.

Someone just blocked me and added me to something called the “Generation Lead” list. I hope it says that I’m a heck of nice guy who is pro arts, anti-fascist, believes in kindness, human rights and inclusion.

Happy #kidlitartpostcard Day! I’m John Hentz or “Johnny.” I love to draw, write and paint (and not always in that order). I’m actively seeking representation. #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitpostcard My work can be seen here: johnhentzillustration.com

My current mooood. #rockinghorsecow #cowonarockinghorse #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

We need the arts now more than ever. #supportthearts #supportrealartists #saynotoai #weneedthearts #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

“Smooooches” #bovinesinlove #moocows #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

A group of surly pirates from 2022. “Arrrgggh!” #pirateanimals #argghpirates #illustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #scbwi #mixedmedia #whimsy

My favorite part about being an artist is the inspiration I get from other artists. #artmatters #artistsmatter #saynottoai