Carefree Artist

11/3/19

Turkey Selfie-love

Being the narcissistic fool that he was, Tom Turkey never gave any thought to what his vanity might mean to his longevity.

Posted by Mark
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The Colors of Love and Loss

Illustrated by me, Dr. Joanne Cacciatore’s book for grieving children, The Colors of Love & Loss, featuring a chameleon family struggling with heartbreaking loss is a FREE resource for anyone helping children grieving the loss of a sibling.


Disponible también en español.

It's Time to Start Reframing the Conversation about Hereditary Cancer

It's Time to Start Reframing the Conversation about Hereditary Cancer

"An Individual Doesn't Get Cancer, a Family Does"

"An Individual Doesn't Get Cancer, a Family Does"

Hereditary Cancer Changed Everything

Hereditary Cancer Changed Everything

The Language of Cancer and Drawing a Picture

The Language of Cancer and Drawing a Picture

Looking at the Odds of Hereditary Cancer

Looking at the Odds of Hereditary Cancer

Cascade Testing Can Save Lives!

Cascade Testing Can Save Lives!

Health Care Privacy Laws Need to be Re-evaluated

Health Care Privacy Laws Need to be Re-evaluated

Genetic Testing Can Prevent Cancer and Save Lives

Genetic Testing Can Prevent Cancer and Save Lives

The Healing Power of Art

The Healing Power of Art

A Simple Explanation of BRCA Genes

A Simple Explanation of BRCA Genes

What is a Germline Mutation?

What is a Germline Mutation?

What is a Previvor?

What is a Previvor?

Can We Have a Talk about Hereditary Cancer Risks?

Can We Have a Talk about Hereditary Cancer Risks?

Free Education Clip Art

Free Education Clip Art

Yes, I created the Thinking Cap image above! Originally created for and licensed to Discovery (Channel) Education for many years, it has since been used in numerous publications and on countless websites. If you would like to use it, you can find it and many more images at EducatorClips.com. Use terms apply.

(Click on the image to learn the story behind my education clip art.)

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About the Artist...

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Mark
I'm a semi-retired award-winning, internationally published freelance artist and illustrator who has created thousands of works of art for books, magazines, greeting cards, websites, and countless other publications over a long career. I had hoped when I retired to just happily fade into the background and the simple life. The plan was to continue to do volunteer art projects with the National Park Service and maybe do some other volunteer work alongside my wife. And maybe also find time to paint, sculpt, and create other art -- but just for art's sake. But after becoming my wife’s cancer caregiver and then losing her to the evil disease, my life was turned upside down. So now, in honor of my previvor daughter and my beloved late wife and muse, I'm now dedicating most of my time to being a hereditary cancer awareness and prevention advocate.
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Please note: I respect your privacy. I do not sell or share your email information with anyone.


Please see my website, MARKiX.net, for more info and more samples of my work. For whimsical art go to my site, Whimsicalillustrator.com.

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.

Love, Loss, Cancer & Advocacy

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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.

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Learn More About my Books...

My Books
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10 year member SCBWI
Society of Children's Book
Writers & Illustrators Member

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Creating fun and whimsical greeting cards for the holidays is a passion and a specialty.


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Respect Intellectual Property!

Respect Intellectual Property!

More about this journal's name...

The name for this journal was also inspired by the Carefree Highway here in my native state of Arizona. (Yes, the one Gordon Lightfoot sang about.) A road that played role in my life as a child and a very important role as a young adult. First, when it was just a rough dirt track to basically nowhere. Then later, when it was a small two-lane road in the middle of the desert. All many years before they widened it and put up all the ugly cookie-cutter houses, apartments, and strip malls and ruined the natural scenic beauty of the area. ("Carefree Highway, you seen better days... Carefree highway, let me slip away, Slip away on you.")


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.


(left) The Road to Carefree. What the Carefree "Highway" was like in my childhood. Acrylic on canvas. 24" x 36" Private collection.

All the material on Carefree Artist is copyrighted by Mark A. Hicks -- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction for any purpose without the express written consent of
Mark A. Hicks, illustrator is strictly prohibited.
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