Introductions

I'm a freelance illustrator and a Kendall College of Art and Design graduate currently living in Michigan. My work ranges from rendered paintings in watercolor, to still-lifes in pastel, to film storyboards, to more comic-style illustrations in digital or traditional colors. Needless to say, my work is diverse. My intention for use of this blog is to display my artwork in a professional manner and to bring in commission-based business. Essentially, this is my online portfolio. Many illustrators are using blogs these days, and needing a presence for myself, this will hopefully work for me as well. So I encourage you to watch regularly for postings of artwork and perhaps be compelled to call on my services for a commission. Keep in mind that I work in a variety of mediums and subjects, so do not hesitate to ask for something that you might not see here. Just contact me at andrew.shirey@yahoo.com, my work e-mail and my Paypal account.

Read my illustration commissions post as a starting point to get an idea of the potential price range.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Superman -Red Son- sketch card


Among the Christmas presents received this year, one of my gifts included Superman: Red Son. I've read Mark Miller's graphic novel already, but this put me in the mood to make some artwork. So here's Soviet Superman, rendered after an actual propaganda poster of that era. The text is Russian, reading, "Superman. Role model of our Soviet youth." Or at least it should. Blame Yahoo! Babel Fish if it's incorrect.

Purchase this original art for $25 USD, which comes in a plastic protector and includes no additional mailing costs. Contact me if interested.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Dara's Christmas card '10


Wanted to make something special for my girlfriend's Christmas, and so for this card I drew a little inspiration from the old, holiday stop-motion TV specials. The Faber-Castell artist brush pens that I've recently accumulated came in very handy for this. I'll be sure to continue to put them to good use.

In case anyone was curious, the two little figures that are holding the banner above are supposed to be a sugar plum fairy and a snow angel. Hopefully it comes across more cute than cliche. I know that Dara found the whole thing pretty darn adorable, so that's what mattered most to me.

Cameron in Australia


Commissioned by Janelle, a friend from high school, this pastel piece depicts another acquaintance of mine, Cameron, during his trip down to Australia. The circumstances of this commission were a little saddening, but made as a belated Christmas present, so it was bittersweet. Plus, it has been a while since I last worked in pastels, so it was good to get my hands dirty again.

Apologies for the grainy quality of the digital photograph. This really doesn't do the actual piece justice.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Weird Winter Tales

Little more than a week ago, Miriam Palfrey, a librarian over in the United Kingdom, sent me a message about an upcoming weekend event at their central library called "Weird Winter Tales." She had seen my Lovecraft ink drawing and asked if it could be featured on their programme cover. Having been raised in the tradition of visiting our local library and nurturing a habit to read, which I accredit largely to my mother, I was more than happy to help promote this library function. Especially when it's theme is horror author H.P. Lovecraft.

Miriam was kind enough to e-mail me a digital copy of their programme, which I've included here, below. "Weird Winter Tales" took place last weekend, but if you live nearby one of the Reading Borough Libraries, be sure to look on their site for other, upcoming events.