Happy New Year - 2010!!!

In addition to having some 450 full-page color cartoons published in Playboy - his first was in September 1964, Doug has submitted thousands of cartoon roughs to Playboy.

Naturally, not all can be selected for final art and ultimate publication in the magazine, but we thought readers of the blog might enjoy the humor of this gag rough reject as they celebrate the advent of the new decade.


(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Photo Scrapbook: Marseille Airport

While waiting for our flight from Marseille to Amsterdam, then Toronto, we learned about Henri Fabre, father of the seaplane, who took the world's first seaplane flight on March 28, 1910.  (The restored plane is on display in the terminal.)

Marseille is the fifth busiest French airport by passenger traffic and second largest by cargo traffic.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Photo Scrapbook: Our Last Afternoon in Provence

Les Baux de Provence is perched on a rock in the Alpilles mountains.


The narrow streets made the climb even more interesting.


Stained glass windows by Max Ingrand make Saint Vincent's church even more beautiful.


The small village church is a popular wedding site. In fact, the flowers had already been delivered for the afternoon wedding ceremony the Saturday we were there, and when we were walking down to the main entrance, we saw several members of the bridal party coming up the walkway.


After a steep climb, we reached the highest point in Les Baux de Provence and had a chance to watch students - while we sipped wine at one of the terrace cafes - giving a stone cutting demonstration.




It was easy to see how Les Baux de Provence was listed as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France" in 1999.


The medieval city had a number of interesting galleries.


One of the linen shops had an authentic loom on display.


We rode through Camargue to visit a privately owned olive mill, learning about pruning and harvesting the trees and the process of turning the olives into oils and tapenade.



(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Photo Scrapbook: Vincent van Gogh in Arles

The hospital where van Gogh stayed is now a cultural center, offering extensive information about the most productive period in his life; more than 300 paintings and drawings were done in the 15 months he was in Arles. He died at age 37 in July 1890.


The intense yellows, blues and greens of van Gogh's work in Arles is evident when visiting the courtyard of the hospital where van Gogh spent time recovering from self-inflicted injuries.



The interior courtyard of the former hospital where van Gogh was treated after cutting off a portion of his ear has been meticulously restored and landscaped to match his painting. This print was for sale at one of the shops now open onto the courtyard.


There's a walking tour map of 10 reproductions depicting actual places in Arles that van Gogh painted; this shows one version of Le Jardin de la Maison de Sante.


A marble statue in the Place du Forum honors the 19th century Provencal patriot and poet Frederic Mistral.


Van Gogh painted some of this most famous paintings in Arles, including The Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum; the cafe is still operational today and called - what else? - Cafe Van Gogh. It was one of the first paintings in which he used starry backgrounds.


After a busy morning visiting historical sites, the bustling farmers' market and the haunts of the troubled Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, it was time for a leisurely walk along the Rhone back to the River Royale.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Photo Scrapbook: Arles

The amphitheatre dates from about AD 75 and could hold a crowd of nearly 20,000, who came to see gladiator combats, small game hunts and prisoner executions.

Arles has preserved impressive remains from its Roman and Medieval past. It was originally a Greek settlement and became a Roman colony in 46 BC.


The famous Obelisk Fountain in the Town Hall Square affords weary tourists a chance to rest and just "watch the world go by."


A major point of interest when visiting the Town Hall Square is St. Trophime church, a Romanesque church built in the 12th century.


The bountiful Saturday morning farmers' market, considered to be the largest weekly outdoor market in Provence, showcased wonderful fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, seasonings, herbs and many more specialties of southern France.



(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Photo Scrapbook: Uzes Village

The cathedral tower could be seen for miles on the drive up to the medieval town of Uzes.


The well preserved Duchy of Uzes castle still belongs to the descendants of the Duke of Uzes.


Whether one bought a delicious ice cream or a glass of locally produced Tavel rose, quiet seating was available all around the central marketplace.


Boutiques, antique shops, art galleries and cafes made the small square very inviting.


It was a delight shopping in the central marketplace of the Place aux Herbes.


The main square was very pleasant; shop entrances were inside the arched walkways.


(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Happy Holidays!

In the years since Doug's first cartoon was published in Playboy - September 1964, he's submitted thousands of cartoon roughs, and for Unpublished Sneyd he selected some of his favorite unpublished roughs.

This Santa gag rough appeared on pg. 33 of Unpublished Sneyd - Enjoy!

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)