Life at 116 degrees

Life is good in Laughlin, Nevada. Of course its a bit warm, in fact did you know that according to NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) the fifth highest temperature ever recorded in the United States was right here in little ole Laughlin Nevada on June 29th, 1994, it was 125 degrees. Thank goodness it's only been hovering between 110 degrees and 116 degrees, since I been here. As bad as that sounds, if you plan your day correctly, you can get your stuff done in the morning and in the evening (when temperatures drop down into the mid 80’s). So that leaves mid-days to drawing…

I've created some good work since I've been here and I’ve still been traveling to Northern Nevada and drawing at various events. Believe it or not, I do enjoy traveling back to Northern Nevada, I love the area and I love the road trip up there and towns in between here and there including, Las Vegas, Tonopah, Hawthorn, Walker Lake and Yerington. All of which hold a special place in my heart. And of course, I still love Lake Tahoe, Virginia City and Reno…In fact I consider the entire state of Nevada to be my home. Although home base for now is Laughlin there’s no telling where I’ll next pitch my tent (or a second tent) However, I’ll guarantee it will be in Nevada.

My main reason for coming to the Southern Nevada area was to expand the reach of my art. In fact the perfect outcome to this move would be to find a place in Las Vegas to display my original art. Las Vegas is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. With that tourism comes a larger audience. An audience that I want for my art. So you may ask then, why not move to Las Vegas instead of Laughlin? Easy answer, it's that Colorado River meandering through town, the desert landscape (that reminds me of an old Clint Eastwood western). I find so much appealing and peaceful here…and of course the lower housing costs. I may eventually wind up in Las Vegas or elsewhere, but for now, Laughlin is where I should be…of course, you may find me anywhere in this amazing State of Nevada.

So now, let's take a look at some of the latest Michael Hopkins creations…

Until next time...

 The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry," - Robert Burns

Mice, men and Caricaturists - Michael Hopkins

Oh, well It's time to move on from this current adventure. Luckily, I do live a life of freedom and I’m capable of making alternate plans. In fact as long as I have something to draw on, life is going to be ok. The lesson I learned is quite ironic, since I learned it in the backyard of The Walt Disney Company, never take an apple from Old Hag Grimhilde.

Nuff said.

My original art is finally gaining some attention at Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store. Even though it's a small amount, it’s more than I've seen before and I'm grateful for any attention. I believe that my original caricatures and my original aviation caricatures are on par with anyone's. If you’d like to check out my current collection, please visit my store at the link below. Don't let the prices scare you. I am always open to reasonable offers, so if you see a piece that you like, make me an offer and see what happens.

https://michaelhopkinscaricatures.com

Here's a few examples of my original art in an attempt to entice you to visit my online store.

FYI...Michael Hopkins Event Caricatures was at The VIVA Banquet Hall in Reno, Nevada on March 14th, to help celebrate Addy's Sweet 16 Birthday Party! Happy birthday, Addy, and thank you for inviting Michael Hopkins Event Caricatures to your celebration!

Finally... I'm going to start a new journey (literally) in April. I think I'm going to start by visiting some places from my childhood and some places on my bucket list. I got the time, so why not?? The question is, am I going to blog or vlog these visits or maybe both? Anyways you’ll be the second one to know (after I figure it out). So this new adventure should start around the second week of April. 

Let's see what happens….

Michael

Vegetable Impossible

At an abandoned phone booth on East 4th Street, in Reno Nevada, near an abandoned Motel, next to an abandoned Volkswagen, our hero receives a call...

Good morning, Mr. Hopkins. The Destination Marketing Organization, Discover Lancaster will be at the Reno Sparks Convention Center this weekend promoting Lancaster County Pennsylvania. They're looking for a Caricaturist to draw guests at their booth during the convention. However, this won't be your ordinary Caricature Event. Your mission, Mike, should you choose to accept it, is to draw Discover Lancaster's guests as vegetables. As always, should you or any member of Michael Hopkins Event Caricatures (I’m the only member) be caught drawing guests as fruit of any kind of meat products, The Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog Association will disavow all knowledge of your actions. This phone booth will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Mike.

Mission accepted and here are a few highlights ...

The HondaJet Caricature

The HondaJet

By Michael Hopkins 01/08/2026

I created this drawing on 11"x14" Canson Mixed Media drawing paper with (my favorite pens), Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens. My fascination with this badass little business jet began while disguised as a mild mannered Aircraft Fueler working for

The Daily Planet and watching this beauty roll down the taxiway.

Trust me, this business jet is amazing. I think I’ll purchase one as soon as I sell about a billion more of my drawings at The Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store (I’m waiting…) Also, I think I’ll hire this goofball to fly it for me, at least till I learn how to fly.

I know he’s taken a few flying lessons and he’s probably cheaper than a qualified pilot.…Oh..and his mom’s, well...fascinating.

You can read more about this aircraft at The Honda Aircraft Company

If you buy one, tell Honda you referred by Michael Hopkins, Cartoonist Extraordinaire

 

Simplification

We’re going to simplify some shit this year at the Ye Olde Michael Hopkins Cartoons Factory. I feel like my art output has been compromised by my chase down the Information Super Highway, in an effort to promote the art. Although I understand the need for the promotion of my art, I also need to find a way to promote the ole drawings while leaving more time for the creation of the drawings.

As such, my first step is to eliminate my website, Michael Hopkins Cartoons. Long before I created that website, I already had The Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog. However, some wise wabbit came along and told me that I weally needed a website. Duh, that sounds like a good idea…so I created the website!

Since the website was created in early 2025, let's look at visitors for each site since the beginning of ‘25, shall we?

Michael Hopkins Cartoons - 887 views

Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog -19,400 views

Nuff said eh? But just to elaborate…both sites have the same information and both sites direct you to my other stuff (The Michael Hopkins Cartoons Online Store, My webcomics, Missed Approach and Cosmic Fowl, etc…). Also, in my opinion, The Michael Hopkins Cartoons Blog is much more entertaining. 

Simplified.

Also,I have now directed Instagram posts to the Michael Hopkins Cartoons Facebook Page instead of those posts being directed to my personal Facebook page.

Simplified.

More simplification to come!

Michael

BLLBF

I've been obsessed with YouTube Thrill Seekers videos lately. This latest YouTube obsession was a move away from my former YouTube obsession, Las Vegas gaming channels, most of which can put you to sleep. However, there are a few good ones like, The Coin Show, Matt Bridger and Simon south. Besides the aforementioned, I really don’t pay attention to the Las Vegas gaming channels, I normally use them as background noise while I'm drawing. However, one day I made the fatal mistake of paying attention to them and I suddenly realized how boring most of these gaming channels were. As such, I switched my background noise to Thrillseeker videos (climbing mountains, Wingsuit flying BASE jumping and Rooftopping). 

What's a Rooftopping video (I'm glad you asked!)? An example of Rooftopping video is when some dumb ass kid (I call them kids however they're probably dumbass 20-something's) climbs a tall building (usually by breaking and entering) without safety gear (Safety First! Is obviously not their motto). They climb to the top of the building with just with their cell phones and/or cameras. They film their blatant disregard for breaking and entering, trespassing, other laws (and their own safety) for YouTube fame and fortune. Honestly, I'm impressed with these ballsy little law breaking fuckers skills and lack of Acrophobia. No, I’m NOT living vicariously though them. I have a major case of Acrophobia and as such, climbing to the top of a building would NEVER happen! I think the reason I watch is that I had the same disregard for rules when I was a dumbass fucking kid (thanks to encouragement by my friend Dan). We just didn't do it at dizzying heights, we kept it closer to the ground. In fact the highest we ever got off the ground was in his dad's car (I believe it was a ‘66 Buick Special) resulting in the car's engine being thrown into the radiator upon landing.

Here’s a link to one of these ballsy little law breaking fuckers, Jnkz

Next topic!

The Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store is having a Holiday Sale! Now through December 13th, 2025. Save 25% off all Michael Hopkins Caricatures Original art and Prints! Use coupon code 25OFF2025 at checkout Here’s the link if ya wanna check out the sale.

https://michaelhopkinscaricatures.com.

And finally

Here’s a few photos of my favorite events from the last few months. 

Boot Barn

Hello, lovers of the art of Caricature. Last weekend (August 1st and 3rd to be more specific) Michael Hopkins Caricatures was invited to the Grand Opening of the Boot Barn Reno - Summit! The new store is located at 3345 Kietzke Lane in Reno, Nevada. The store is beautiful! The staff was amazing...and those caricatures, were pretty, pretty, pretty good as well. Lets take a look, shall we?

P.S. If you're interested in inviting Michael Hopkins Caricatures to your next event, click on the link below!

https://michaelhopkinscartoons.com/contact-michael-hopkins-cartoons-1

"Boogie" from KOZZ!