art

2012-01-07T11:20:00.000-08:00

This is a page from the February issue of Imaginefx. Craig Musselman of Machines and Magic has compiled a new book of Fantasy and Science Fiction art.

So, Imaginefx did a full page spread on the book which ended up

being mostly my image, Scouts...

One of about ten images of mine that appear in Craig's book.

This particular issue is out in the UK but probably won't hit

stores here until the end of the month.

IlluXCon Scholarship Auction

2011-12-29T17:35:00.000-08:00

While we were at IlluXCon, all the artist present were approached by Liz Ann Lizzote to do a portion of a quilt that will be auctioned off for the Student Scholarship Fund.

She handed each of us a square of thin cloth and basically said 'go nuts.' Having never painted on cloth, it took me longer to figure out how to do it than to actually paint it.

She needed a quarter inch of raw cloth left around the edge, so I taped it to a piece of cardboard, gave it one good coat of spray Gesso, then started to paint. We were allowed to use any medium and we could do more than one square. Since I had the center square, which is the largest, I felt it should be a painting rather than a drawing.

We were free to choose the subject matter so, when in doubt, do a Dragon.

This is a rough thumbnail of Bilbo Baggins.

My friend and fellow illustrator, Matt Stewart and I decided this year we'd each do a painting and trade.

Matt wanted a painting of Bilbo and from him I wanted one of Gandalf.

This little thumbnail was the first thing that popped into my mind. Hopefully I can start painting by Summer (or sooner) I'll try to post more as things progress.

This is going to be a lot of fun for me because of all the different textures involved.

I've always loved Matt's work and since I can't afford an original, this seems like a good solution. I can't wait to see what he does with Gandalf.

Back from IlluXCon

2011-11-10T21:07:00.000-08:00

Randy Gallegos

Thomas Kuebler's Baba Yaga

Cletus and Shorty "after the snipe hunt"

The Gein Ball Machine and yes, it actually works...

Tom Kuebler with his creepiest creation yet

Chris Rahn

Dan Dos Santos

Ralph Horsely

Lars Grant West

Pat and Jeanie Wilshire getting ready to present the Illie award to Donato Giancola

From left to right: Kristen Kest, Jeanie, Mark Zug, Santino Vitale at the IlluXCon Jam Saturday night

Donato and Potato

Matt Stewart and Gina Mattarazzo

Jordu Schell and one of his "life size sculptures"

Daren Bader and Rohb Rupel

Petar Meseldzija, on the right of course

Vince Villafranca

A sketch from the show

Brit Tolomeo and Santino Vitale

Santino's stuff

Although Ian Miller wasn't at the show this year, I wanted to show a photo from last year because it wouldn't be IlluXCon without him.

Another sketch from the show (I don't know, maybe a Troll Faun)

"Goldeneye"

2011-09-07T19:52:00.000-07:00

This is a painting from the beginning of 2011. It was done as a private commission/book illustration. It is the third for this client and he specifically wanted a calm scene of a healing culture, while keeping the theme of women, dragons, and dogs. But as we discussed the content, there were many elements that couldn't possibly all fit logically into a single image. I suggested doing them as separate drawings that would also serve to vary the look of the book.

Goldeneye

Evening Vigil

Orchid Fairies

I recently found out that my painting "Torin's Quest" was nominated for a Chesley Award in the unpublished category. It's my third nomination after winning last year for "Unrequited". I'm still in shock!

"Twilight Trackers" is a personal piece that I came up with back in 2008. I wasn't sure if I should do it because I couldn't settle on a color scheme. But now that it's finished, I think the color is what I like most about it.

I'll have a couple of paintings featured in Vanguard's "The Art of the Dragon", that's coming out in November.

My first "Realms of Fantasy" illustration for a story entitled "The Progress of Solstice and Chance"

I was in the mood for a Tolkien piece, but it's all been done to death. (at least the great iconic scenes) So I chose "Turn and Glaurung". But it would have been nice to at least have a bit of reference.

Yeah, everybody needs some Yeti!

A handful - well, a couple handfuls of my stuff will be in an upcoming book by Craig Musselman along with hundreds of others.

This little sketch was originally going to be one in a series of novelty targets for the Thompson Target Company, here in Ohio. But after talking the ideas over with the sales rep, they decided against it.

I wanted to do something simple, for a change, - something with a face. I found an old photo of this beautiful little girl, but she looked so alone. So I gave her a friend.

Well, I'm gearing up for IlluXCon 4 - taking care of last minute details. It really is the highlight of my year. It's such a blast for me because up until 2008, I didn't know a single pro illustrator and now I consider them my good friends.

I'm always in a four-day state of complete awe. When you see all that art in its original form, it's just mind-blowing. I find it extremely difficult to stay at my own table. I think in a four day period, I might sit there for a total of fifteen minutes. This year, they're going to have to nail my pants to the chair.

Also, this year will be even cooler since my son, Santino, will share my booth with his own creations in stop-motion animation.

When it's all over and I come home, I can't even draw for about two days from all the art 'overload'!

I owe a great debt to Pat and Jeannie Wilshire for inviting me to be a part of fantasy art history!

So, if you're in Altoona, PA the first weekend in November, stop by and visit.

Photos from IlluXCon to come.