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.

“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/