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.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Rainbow In The Dark, comic cameo

Friends and colleagues, Adam Withers and Comfort Love are independent comic book creators that have self-published titles like 'The Uniques' and the subsequent, collaborated mini-series, 'The Uniques Tales.' (Which, if you recall, yours truly contributed to in issue #3, "...As Defined by the Choices," with character designs for the Taskforce and a team pin-up.) Their most recent release has been 'Rainbow in the Dark,' a series that entails a world where most are unknowingly prisoners to a grey, mundane existence called "the Gloom." Just past this monotone haze are colorful, bohemian-like communities that rebel against these shadowy puppetmasters. Think 'Pleasantville' meets 'The Matrix' with a dash of Woodstock and overall hearty helping of rock n' roll, though that description doesn't do the title real justice.

'Rainbow in the Dark,' #3 cover

Getting to the point of this post, I learned that in their third installment of 'Rainbow in the Dark,' this artist actually makes a little comic cameo. Look at the last panel in the page below, towards the bottom left corner. You can see me seated amongst the others, who I assume are being indoctrinated into the Gloom mentality, as it were. But fear not, for apparently I do make it out. Having thanked Comfort, she replied that I will make another appearance and in color. If that page should be posted, I'll be sure to include it in this one as well.

So be sure to get yourself caught up with the first two issues of 'Rainbow in the Dark,' which are available for purchase online in traditional paperback or PDF/CBZ form. (The third will be available for download today.) It certainly gets my stamp of approval, for what it's worth.

"Welcome, my son. Welcome to the
machine." -Pink Floyd

Friday, January 14, 2011

Mr. and Mrs. Death PSC


Adapted from the video games of the same name, the Death Jr. graphic novels are amusing with their mix of small town suburbia and the macabre. Plus, it has had contributions by three amazing artists, namely: Mike Mignola (cover art), Ted Naifeh (interior illustrator), and Guy Davis (comic short). Anyway, the best example of this mismatched marriage is Mr. and Mrs. Death, parents of the story's protagonist, Death Jr. It's an odd match, but they're very sweet.

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

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Batman vs. Superman -DKR- PSC


Another of my Christmas presents included Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. The most iconic scene, to me at least, is near the end when Bruce goes toe-to-toe with the Man of Steel. Don't get me wrong, Superman is a good guy, but nobody likes a Big Brother figure, least of all one with near invulnerability. So to see a man, albiet an extraordinary one, put a boot upside his head... Well, you just can't help at least smiling a little, if not outright rooting for the underdog.

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

Monday, January 10, 2011

Red Skull -Old Man Logan- s.c.


Been going through some personal matters as of late, which has kept me near my family, but the circumstances have been difficult on us. So with what free time I have had recently, I've spent trying to lose myself, at least a little, in various stories told through graphic novels. Certainly, I have art projects to tend to, but everything has more or less been put on hold. (My clients have been very understanding, which I am thankful for.) And it just feels good to do something like this for myself. Gives me an outlet for what I've been reading while being productive at the same time.

At any rate, I'm a sucker for those alternate timeline, "what if?" type of tales (which you likely could tell by my previous, Superman: Red Son sketch card), and re-reading Wolverine: Old Man Logan put me in the mood to make this sketch card. Here's the Red Skull as the new American President in front of the former White House. As to why he's wearing Captain America's costume, the Red Skull eloquently explains, "The ancients wore the skins of their fallen foes. Why shouldn't I be allowed my eccentricities?"

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