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.

“Star Trek Showed Me There Was a Place For Me in the Future.”

LeVar Burton delivered the opening keynote address at the Tools of Change for Publishing conference on February 13 and placed the emphasis on science fiction literature as the driving impetus behind the very tools that are currently redefining publishing, outreach, and reading habits across all ages.

Like LeVar, I too grew up on healthy doses of sci fi novels and comics.  I always saw Star Trek as a positive view of a future in which many races and cultures were equally represented.    Science Fiction literature and Star Trek have inspired many across various fields of study.  It is what inspires me to do what I love.  It would be nice to see more non stereotypical diversity in scifi/fantasy art and literature.  Until then we can always look to star trek and ask "What if?"  

 

For more info on TOC O’Reilly Media http://oreilly.com/

Coverage from Publishers Weekly

http://www.startrek.com/ 

ANDREW PROBERT: To Boldly Go to work with a concept art legend…

All last year I had the esteemed honor of working with concept designer Andrew Probert.  Standing along with Ralph Mcquarrie, Syd Mead and Ron Cobb, Andy is one of the most influential concept designers on the planet.  Collectively they are responsible for creating designs for some of the most beloved sci fi fantasy films of the past half century.   If you are unfamiliar with the name then I’m sure you’ve seen his work.  He designed the Cylons from the original Battlestar Galactica, worked on Back to the Future and is most notably responsible for designing aliens and ships from Star Trek: The Next Generation.  He designed the ship and interior sets for the Starship Enterprise NCC- 1701 D!   It was a pleasure to work along side him.  To work with a concept art legend and industrial designer has been a great learning experience.   He also tells the best stories from his time on ST:TNG.  I guess this also means I’m 2 degrees separated from Gene Roddenberry.  Not that that means anything in the grand scheme but it makes me giggle sometimes….  

I find it incredible that my love of sci fi and staying true to the kind of art I like to do has lead me to moments like this.  

I have an old issue of Star Trek: The Magazine that has an interview with Andy.  It covers his designing of the enterprise bridge for TNG.   Here are a few scanned pages from the now defunct magazine.  For any TNG fan that missed this issue 11 years ago, you’re welcome. 

To see more of Andy’s work go to www.probertdesigns.com

Blue Man Group 2012

Great things are in store for anyone interested in seeing the Blue Man Group show in Las Vegas next year.  I can't say what those things are at the moment but will say I've thankfully been busy doing  costume design work for it all.  One of the design projects I recently contributed to was done in preparation for the move of the blue man group attraction to the Monte Carlo from the Venetian hotel in Fall 2012.  Sitting on a hard drive full of stuff I can't show is torturous but I'll manage...

Read about it here.