Wow, no stupid darkening? AMAZING.

Bob River's "The Twelve Pains of Christmas" illustrated. This is pain number one, finding a Christmas tree.

I was going to do an illustration for every pain, counting down until Christmas Day, but in true J'avo form, I got burnt out from doing just the second picture and so this is the only picture that is actually completed. Well, maybe I'll do a pain every year and have this finished by the time I'm 37 or some shit.

RIDIN'

I used to design and create my own original characters extensively when I was younger, but as I got older I found it hard to the point that I didn't do it anymore (or used "bases"). So this was an exercise of going back to my roots: no references, just drawing and designing something purely out of my mind's eye.

So meet Kojiro! Kojiro is a young upstart at the police station where he works. Having recently received his badge, he trains with a senior officer on patrol duty.

He's between 18 and 21 years of age (haven't decided ), and was a homeless runaway throughout his teenage years. His senior officer discovered him as he was trying to (and successfully!) lockpick his car, and thought he would work well putting those skills and cunning to use. The officer took him in, and the boy was finally given a home and purpose.

Kojiro is energetic and curious, with a strong sense of duty. He has a fondness for sweets, particularly doughnuts slathered with both frosting and sprinkles. Hey, I'm not being stereotypical at all!