Carefree Artist: Life (and Art) on Earth

Life on Earth Illustration by Mark A. Hicks

A spread illustrated by me for ASK, the magazine for kids with curious minds. April 2020 edition.

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 -- the death of my wife due to hereditary cancer. Something that should have never happened.

I never wanted this blog to be a place where I unloaded anger and sadness because of cancer and grief. I had other, lighthearted and whimsical plans. But when you have the love of your life take their last breath in your arms because someone didn’t have the compassion, brains and courage to speak up 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 heartache of losing a loved one.

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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	A Monster and Cancer's Evil


	Helping the Cancer Community


	Previvor/Cancer Graphic


	Grief Break : Earth Day


	Speaking Up to Save Lives


	Some days are like this...


	Patented Inventor


	Bottling Grief


	On the Other Hand...


	Nature's Greetings


	A Jolly Howliday Children's Book


	Whip It


	The Sheep & the Turkey


	Lots of Tricks but Definitely No Treat


	Adventures in Geography


	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


	Some Thoughts and a Painting for Earth Day

4/26/20

Life (and Art) on Earth

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.