SOJOURN FOR EPHAH

This painting was done for the cover of the September issue of “Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show” An online bimonthly magazine.  I was asked to illustrate an image for the story “Sojourn for Ephah” by Marina J. Lostetter.

I thought it was a beautiful short story and I tried my best to stay true to the text while at the same time trying to make something visually interesting.

After reading the story I thought that the first meeting between the priest and the alien on a far off earth colony was the most poignant moment of all.  


Here’s a few close ups and line art for the 3 loyal visitors I have left after being away from my blog for so long.  Going to try and post more often.

Sometimes while working on a painting I flip the composition to see which way I like it.

Half way through the sketch stage I realized I liked this better reversed.

  

FAT ALIEN FINAL

 
Finished tubby.  This was a lot of fun to do.  It started as a idea I got from a character design blog.  Based on the character generator, This guy is a scheming, rotund, smiling engineer who may or may not be an alien.  I think this was around 5 hours start to fin.  Not exactly out of my comfort zone so I'll have to try harder next time.

FAT ALIEN SKETCH

Quick tonal study WIP started tonight.  Will finish up tomorrow. Warming up for my next alien portrait painting.

SPECTRUM FANTASTIC ART LIVE: DAY TWO

Day two was the first full day of the convention and it was packed full of great activities for all.   This was a day full of presentations, artist interviews, portfolio reviews and painting demos from numerous artists.  I tried my very best to stay at my booth but ended up running around the convention like a hyperactive kid in a candy store. 

 

 Iain McCaig gave a panel presentation in which he showcased concept art from all the iterations of John Carter of Mars.  Seeing all that incredible concept art was really satisfying.

Matt Stawicki and Stephan Martinere stopped by to share painting and film concept tips

Finally got to meet two of the hosts of Sidebar Nation and Illustrator Jeff Miracola

From left to right - Swain Hunt, JP Targete, Iain McCaig, Armand Baltazar, Dwight Clark and me

TAD Demo

James Gurney's creature painting demo

Two of the demos

from the second day

I managed to stay still long enough to get one convention sketch done.  I'll most likely sculpt and paint this one.

At the end of the second day, a ceremony took place to honor this year’s spectrum award winners.  I got there late because I was starving.  I managed to record some of the presentation.  Here is a few minutes of a live performance from the show.

SPECTRUM FANTASTIC ART LIVE: DAY ONE

I was supposed to update this blog nightly after the events of the day but I knew after the first day that was going to be impossible.  I was having way too much fun and was thoroughly exhausted at the end of each night.  By now there are several beautifully written reviews on fan blogs.  This review is for the artists that didn’t come and the artists that aspire to join the ranks of professional exhibitors in the future. 

Spectrum Fantastic Art Live - Bartle Hall Grand Ballroom

As I stated in an earlier post, I had not done a large art convention in over 10 years so when I set out for Kansas City Missouri on May 17^th 2012 it was with two goals.   First was to share my art and love of this genre with anyone who stopped by my booth.  Second, to meet as many of the amazingly talented artists in the room as possible.  I’m thankful to the organizers of the event for creating such a terrific experience and for letting me take part in the inaugural Spectrum Fantastic Art Live.  The opportunity to meet artists I admire, enjoy the camaraderie and interact with fans made the trip worthwhile.

Day one started out with setting up the booth JP Targete and I would share.  I wandered around a bit to see how others were setting up their spaces.   

 Each had a unique way of decorating their 10’x10’ booth and promoting the space.  I was so overwhelmed by everything on the first day that I had a mild anxiety attack.  (Not the breathe into a paper bag kind) more like (let me sit down before I faint and collapse on a small child)

Rockstar Games Art Director, Daren Bader

I had no idea what to expect at first since I'm not a part of the usual crowd of illustrators that attend events like this. A number of artists I met years ago or only knew through forums stopped by the booth to say hello.  Warm greetings from Daren Bader, Ron Lemen, Vanessa Lemen and a few others put me at ease and I thoroughly enjoyed myself after the first few minutes of day one.  Apparently there were more people aware of my work than I originally thought.

Amazing trio of painters - Ron Lemen, Vanessa Lemen & JP Targete.  A nice reunion since their last Massive Black Workshop together.

from left to right - concept artist Denman Rooke, Eric Fortune & concept artist Ryan Yee stop by to strike a pose

Illustrator, Matt Stewart came by to see the painting I did of him

signing copies of old spectrum annuals for a fan

I met Fine Artist Travis Louie for the first time...then found out he only lives 30 min from me back in upstate NY.

 

Looking hard for the brushstrokes in a Travis Louie original

The insanely talented work of Thomas Kuebler

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

 

Day two photos and commentary tomorrow....

SPECTRUM FANTASTIC ART LIVE!

On May 18^th-20^th I’ll be exhibiting at Spectrum Fantastic Art Live in Kansas City Missouri.  I'm really excited since I haven't done a real convention to promote myself since Worldcon 2001 in Philadelphia.  Been too busy working, which is good and bad I guess. Working steady in my field yet largely unknown... I'll be sharing a booth with Illustrator, concept artist, Art Director and all around awesome dude, JP Targete.   I’ll have a few large oil paintings on view, sculpted maquettes to show & prints available.  We’ll be at booth # 805. 

Starting May 17th I’ll begin to chronicle the entire trip with sketches, photos and video from the con for anyone interested.

Floorplan

Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 

JP Targete 

SHOWBOTS

Thought I’d share a demo reel from the company currently fabricating costumes based on designs created by me and Star Trek concept artist Andrew Probert over the past 2 years.   Show Creators Inc.  This Las Vegas based performance company puts on stage shows and do trade show events all over the world with their signature Robot character the “Showbot” as well as a number of other visual attractions.  The guy inside this costume was my creative director for the Blue Man Group project.  I’m grateful to be working doing what I love in concept art, digital paint and traditional oils.  It’s a real blessing.  

Just having a reflective moment….   For more info on the Showbot, videos, fabrication photos from past shows and more check out www.theshowbots.com and www.showcreators.com

Oh, I got a brief mention in a recent interview Andy did on filmsketchr.blogspot.com Andy Probert interview 

MECH RACER

" Six time Mech Racer Champion Matthew Stewart of TEAM VENoM looks over his Mech one last time…  Deciding between payment to take a dive or battling to win it all at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, 2074."   

Awhile ago my friend and award winning fantasy illustrator Matt Stewart painted me for one of his card illustration jobs.  It was a real honor since only a handful of illustrators I know have ever included me in their works.  We agreed to do an art trade so that I could own his original painting.  Soon after working out a sketch for what I was going to do, a number of personal issues prevented me from finishing the final piece.

With life back on track and Spectrum Live fast approaching I wanted to do something fun and hopefully worth the wait.  I look forward to passing this over to him at the convention.  This is my thank you to Matt for being a friendly ear when I was overwhelmed by all that life was throwing at me.  

This painting will be on view and prints available at booth 805 during Spectrum Fantastic Art Live, May 18-20.

 

Some of the rough sketches and thought process.

 

I tried my best to make sure the mech design made sense even though you’re only seeing a piece of the whole.  It was important that it not just be abstract shapes that surround the figure, but hint at a functional looking design as well. Bicycle gears and hubcaps taken out of context provided great reference for the Mech’s hip and lower leg joints.  My love of Sport bikes like the Yamaha R1 inspired the rest.  

Here is the painting Matt did of me.  “Echo Mage” from the Rise of the Eldrazi set by Magic the Gathering.   Apparently it's a pretty rare and popular card played all over the world.  That's cool.

To see more of Matt's work visit  Matt Stewart's Blog 

Life Painting at Garin's

(This is basically a follow up to an earlier blog post by James Gurney) Last Saturday I attended an open life painting session at the Home/Studio of friend and mentor Garin Baker.  I’ve been attending these life drawing and painting classes off and on for the past 12 years.  It’s always a great time in a relaxing positive atmosphere.  Often I never know who is going to show up since the Hudson Valley is full of Illustrators and Fine Artists.  This time around we were honored to have James Gurney and Max Ginsburg stop by for the day.  Garin’s atelier offers a number of classes for experienced and novice artists.  Check out more at http://www.carriageartatelier.com/

  

My quick gouache study from the day.  When painting a live model sometimes I like doing it in watercolor and gouache rather than oils.   Here are some other pics from the day. Starting with Garin's painting, then Max and  James' Ginsburg study.

just so you get a sense of scale...

Here is a painting Garin did of me back in March 2001.  The model cancelled at the last minute so I volunteered.  He captured a quick likeness just before the rest of my hair fell out.

ALIEN PORTRAIT #1 Retro Alien “KUSH”

My take on the 1950’s classic big head alien in a glass bubble domed space suit.  Also included a time lapse video.  Oil on MDF panel 20"x22".  This will be one of a few recent oil paintings that will be on view at Spectrum Live, May 18-20, 2012.

K’Shalakaz Nychook, affectionately named Kush is wearing a human made standard issue Encounter suit with modified helmet and visor for its uniquely large head.  Its spacesuit is designed to re-create the environmental conditions of its atmosphere.

ALIEN PORTRAIT SERIES

Sitting on a ton of concept art and illustration work that I can’t show is slowly driving me insane.  So I decided to create a side project for myself to keep my oil painting skills up.  Most of my day is spent on digital work for clients so I’m excited to dive into this as time permits.

First up is a profile portrait based on a maquette I used for another painting.  Presented here is the rough sketch and final line art.  I will post the finished piece along with a little time lapse video tomorrow.