Carefree Artist

1/22/25

1/20/25

Meanwhile at the Politician's Press Conference

1/14/25

1/6/25

1/2/25

Still Relevant Today

Selected as the cover image for a calendar published over a decade ago, this cartoon of mine is, sadly, still relevant.

(I’m a citizen scientist member of the Union of ConcernedScientists, BTW.)

12/23/24

Getting Families Working Together to Prevent Hereditary Cancer

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Dr. Shirts’ snowball concept for preventing hereditary disease is fantastic! As someone who has witnessed the tragic and heartbreaking result when a family with a devastating history of cancer and a known genetic variant doesn’t work together, I really appreciate this new way of thinking about cascade genetic testing.

Read the stories, learn more about inherited disease risk, and how you can help this wonderful nonprofit save lives at www.ConnectMyVariant.org.

(I created this cartoon for the December ConnectMyVarriant newsletter, BTW.)

12/18/24

Holiday DNA

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I have an immense hatred of cancer, particularly hereditary cancer, which is so preventable. However, since it’s the holiday season, I thought I’d do something lighthearted (but still related to genetics) to wish the best to all my fellow advocates and health care professionals who are diligently raising hereditary cancer prevention awareness and saving lives.

About this blog/art journal...

The Carefree Artist is about my artistic endeavors and adventures as a professional freelance creative. Posts might feature a cartoon, or a recently published illustration from a book or magazine assignment, or an original piece of art that I might be selling to try and raise funds for my art supply donation project. All with an emphasis on originality.

Why did I name this journal the Carefree Artist*? Actually, it’s really just a wishful sentiment. A professional life in the arts, mine included, is usually anything but carefree. But oh, how wonderful it would be to really be a carefree artist! Living the simple life in a quiet and inspiring location and creating a ton of art just for art's sake!

The name was also inspired by the Carefree Highway. A road that played an important role in my life... More about this journal's name at the bottom of this page.

Please see my website, MARKiX.net, for more info and more samples of my work.

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A Note from the Artist...

As you look around this blog you can’t help but notice a distinct change in the artwork and the tone of the content over the past few years. There’s a good reason for this -- being a cancer caregiver and then the death of my wife due to hereditary cancer. A cancer that was preventable.

I never wanted this blog to be a place where I unloaded anger and sadness because of cancer and grief. I had other plans, more lighthearted and whimsical. But when you have the love of your life take their last breath in your arms because vital genetic info was not shared, it changes everything.

So, I have chosen to use my humble little corner of the world to speak up about hereditary cancer awareness and the unbearable heartache of the untimely loss of a loved one.


	Art, Desert Beginnings, and Someday


	Delicate Sounds of Nature


	First (and Last) Contact


	Drawing Science


	Award-winning Junior Ranger Book


	La Fiesta, NOT Tijuana


	Depressed Post-Impressionist Not Impressed


	A Bad Head Day


	Meet Dusty Pack

1/22/25

See Your Dna

1/20/25

Meanwhile at the Politician's Press Conference

1/14/25

Familial Nonsense

1/6/25

1/2/25

Still Relevant Today

12/23/24

Getting Families Working Together to Prevent Hereditary Cancer

12/18/24

Holiday DNA

And no, I do not live in Carefree, Arizona. I live in Phoenix. Land values in Carefree are, unfortunately, not particularly friendly for those pursuing freelance artistic endeavors.