Growth and Decay

Here's a fun little project that I'm now able to share with you, a little bit ago I was contact by Elizabeth Goodspeed over at Domestic Etch to contribute to their latest issue, the theme for which was "Growth and Decay".

If you haven't experienced Domestic Etch yet you're in for a treat, it's filled with contributions and interviews from a bunch of folks who's work I really love and even more that I'm happy to be introduced to. Plus right now there's a great issue launch contest going on where you can enter to win a free copy of the issue and a tote bag.

Portland Mercury Cover

Here's something that probably looks a bit familiar. I was contacted a few days ago by Suji Allen over the Portland Mercury to inquire about using my piece from the Ten Paces Monster exchange I did a few months ago with Michelle Romo. I have to say I'm thrilled at how this cover turned out and to have the opportunity to work with the Mercury since I was a huge fan when I lived in Portland.

Spot Artist Extraodinaire

I was recently asked by Cicada Magazine to be the "Spot Artist Extraodinaire" for their latest issue and contribute a full page and a few spots to be dispersed throughout the issue. Though the image appears in black and white in the issue I again created it in color and converted it, just because it's what feels the most natural. I feel like I've done more black and white work in the last month than I have since college. My thanks to John Sanford for being an amazing AD to work with.

Here's the color version:



And the b/w as it appears in the issue:

For the spots I was asked for a few simple sketch book type line drawings and for some reason I almost immediately came to the idea of sideshow folks; Tattooed Woman, Fire Eater, and the Bearded Lady. At some point I think I'd like to revisit these and color them.

Star Fox Crew

Super talented illustrator and fellow MICA alum Jimmy Giegerich is putting together an old school video game zine Bits in Multiples of 8: An 8bit-64bit Video Game Fan Art Zine and this is my Star Fox based submission. Even though I don't really play video games anymore they were a huge part of my childhood,  I still remember that the first game I ever beat was Duck Tales for my nes and I spent days playing Ninja Turtles, Mega Man and Mario 3.


Later I just remember being mesmerized by star fox on the snes, I just couldn't imagine games looking any more awesome and then playing the N64 version in Sears was my introduction to that system. 


Anyways here it is in color:





and the character details:

NYSSSA Poster

Here's something a little bit different, recently I was asked to create a poster promoting the New York State Summer School of the Arts program. I was a little unsure about sharing this on here since it's a little bit out of place amidst my illustration work but it's something that I'm just really passionate about.  As a NYSSSA alum and former staff member it really was the least I could do to give back to such an amazing program. It is such an amazing program that offer an affordable opportunity for young artists and I'm sure that I probably wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't participated.

I know that they are accepting applications know so if you know any young New York state based budding artist types (in both visual and performing arts) point them towards it.

P.S. Look at me all pretending to be a designer and stuff.

Children's Book

So the biggest reason that I dropped off the map for a month and a half is that I was recently hired to illustrate a children's book as part of the MeeGenius! Author Challenge titled Waiting for James in a Sea of Pink by Bethany Telles. You can actually see the whole thing now here.

If you would please take the time to vote for it I would really appreciate it, the top 4 books will be published through the MeeGenius! app but more importantly they will be donating a library of children's books to the school library of the winning author's choice.

I have to say doing a children's book in a month was exhausting but I think I really like the idea of doing more children's books soon.

A New Curve

So this is another recent project that I can share with you, this was the cover for this weeks Fort Worth Weekly to accompany an interior article about traffic circles/roundabouts.  Honestly I'm mostly just glad that I didn't have to draw cars. Thanks to AD Bonnie Mays

Free Culture

Here's a quick piece that I did for the most recent issue of Shameless Magazine to accompany dueling editorials about free culture and media in the digital age. I think this was a good exercise for me to figure out how I work in B/W, which is basically just working in color and then switching it to greyscale and adjusting bits.

I've had a lot of exciting projects in the past month and coming up (hence my disappearance) so expect more soon.