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.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Harley & Mister J


An ink drawing of Harley Quinn and the Joker that I did during Saturday at Detroit Fanfare. Will be making this into a digitally-colored print, so expect to see that eventually. Comfort has already threatened to dropkick my butt if I don't.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Giving one kid back his heroes

Jason Westlake, a friend and former classmate from my Kendall College days back in Grand Rapids, called me about less than two weeks before the Detroit Fanfare convention was to begin. We had been planning to share a table together, so every so often we would touch base. The same was true in this instance, but he also had a favor to ask which was disheartening when I heard the circumstances. Needless to say, I was willingly compelled to contribute. Soon after, he sent out a message on Facebook asking the same of several other artists attending the show, which I'll let you read for yourselves. (I've edited it slightly, but otherwise it remains unaltered.)
"I have somewhat of a personal request. A little back story first: A girl friend of mine has a son who loves superheroes. I've been trying to get her and her kids to come out to Fanfare next weekend, as she'll have them that weekend. At this point I don't think they'll make it out; even on Sunday when it's free for kids and I have a free pass to boot. Here is what I was thinking: His birthday is that weekend anyway, and even if they can't make it I was thinking of putting together a Fanfare 'care package,' so to speak. I was going to throw in a set of Avengers prints and a Joker print (He loves Batman and Watchmen, and he's in elementary school, so the kid knows his stuff), but I was wondering if anyone would be willing to contribute a print, sketchcard, original sketch, or whatever, so that after the show I can mail him all sorts of sweet stuff.
This all stems from this: My friend told me she took him shopping for school and wanted to buy him a 'Dark Knight Rises' shirt with Bats fighting Bane. You know, totally sweet threads. His response? 'I don't want it, the other kids would make fun of me.' Same goes for Avengers shirts as well. Hearing about that broke my heart. A kid who loves superheroes is afraid to show it because of some kids whose parents bought them Tapout shirts would make fun of him. Where it's the norm for us to show it, and is more culturally relevant for our generation, younger generations think it's not cool.

So I'm basically asking if anyone would like to contribute something, anything, to this kid to let him know that this kind of stuff is cool and make him feel that much more special."
Well, I'm glad to write that the call was heeded. Nearly all, if not every, artist asked contributed something to the care package for this discouraged kid in the hopes of giving him back his heroes. And I was gladdened even more so when I read the response written by the boy's mother, yesterday.
"My son Liam has always been a fan of comic superheroes much like most little boys. At the beginning of the school year we were out shopping for supplies. I was confused why every folder I pointed out with all the latest blockbuster heroes pictured, Liam dismissed stating he only wanted 'plain' folders. He became increasingly upset with every attempt I made to persuade him to choose things with what I knew were his favorite characters. 

Finally, when I asked why the change, he broke down and told me the kids at school make fun of him for liking Batman and other comic heroes. I was devastated that my son would have to feel ostracized for liking the same things that I'm certain these other children like as well. In fact, I myself love comic book superheroes and I know of MANY grown men who were absolutely giddy over 'The Avengers' & 'Dark Knight Rises' films being released this summer.

I shared this story with my friend Jason Westlake, who I know is passionate about comic heroes as well. He was just as heartbroken as I was that Liam felt he couldn't enjoy his heroes. The other day a package came for Liam filled with artwork of his favorite comic icons. He was so amazed and happy with each print he looked at. The pictures in this album show his gratitude for those that showed him you never have to outgrow your heroes and that it's okay to be yourself. THANK YOU!"
Here's the picture that she alludes to in her thanks to the artists, showing a much happier, and hopefully more confident, Liam.


You can see my contribution to the care package, an 11x17" "sketch cards in LARGE" series print of 'Batman: Crimson Mist', just to the right of Liam. Next to that is one made by my good friends and mentors, Adam Withers and Comfort Love, along with several prints above his head by Jason himself. I also happen to recognize a pair of black-and-white Hulk and Batman prints by Tyler and Sara Sowles. The rest are unfamiliar to me, but nevertheless I'm glad to see others interspersed among those that are.

So, to make a short story long, seeing this picture alone and knowing what it meant to him made attending Detroit Fanfare worthwhile, regardless how the show itself went. Which isn't to say that it wasn't a good convention that pre-Halloween weekend. On the contrary, I have plenty of good things to write about in regards to Fanfare. However, I will elaborate on that more in a later post. Until then, keep on loving your heroes, Liam! Even at twenty-seven, I still am.

Burgie Awards '13


For next year's Burgie Awards, food critic blogger Burger Beast requested a parody of John Carpenter's slasher classic, 'Halloween' (1978). This was a rather clever challenge that he proposed, trying to make a burger that resembled the jack o' lantern face from the iconic movie poster. I think the solution that I came up with works rather nicely, here, and so did he, which is the important thing.

Check out the previous Burgie Award posters from past years, if you aren't familiar with them:

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Perryfest '12 caricature


Here's one of the caricatures that I did not have enough time to finish at this year's Perryfest. I've had a few requests for Spider-man, but I was pleasantly surprised when one of the two boys here wanted to be drawn as Abe Sapien from 'Hellboy'. He pointed out the print that I had on display, so apparently it must have made an impression.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Haslett Community Yard Sale & Perryfest '12

It's easier to lump the Haslett Community Yard Sale and Perryfest together into one blog post, especially since they're both local shows and the only outdoor events that I've attended as an artist. Similar, to be sure, but different in certain respects.

For starters, let's talk about the weather. Haslett's Yard Sale is during the month of July, more often than not allowing for a sunny and warm although occasionally hot day. If Perryfest could take a lesson, here, that would be welcome, as there is an unwanted chance of colder, rainy weather during the September month. Fortunately, though, the rain that we were expecting on Saturday was postponed until around 4 PM that afternoon, and even then it was neither heavy nor lasted for very long. I was very rather grateful for that. When you're selling paper-based merchandise, water is one of your worst enemies.

Generally, business was better for me at Haslett than Perry this year, but it was rather close. Caricatures are always the big sellers, specifically with the parents or grandparents and their kids. A few other items sold at the former event (a sketchbook here, a print there), but at the latter it was only the caricatures. Some of this, again, could very well be attributed to the weather, which affects the turnout at these. One of the potential downsides to having it held outdoors.

Perhaps my first caricature of a kid as a superhero, and my personal favorite hero to boot. (Haslett Community Yard Sale)

Cute as it was, their parents decided to not include the animal face paintings. (Haslett Community Yard Sale)
But rain or shine, the kids are almost always cheery when they come by the table. If nothing else, I at least get to enjoy watching their faces light up when they see their finished caricatures or when looking over the colorful selection of sketch cards, which seem to be a particular attraction for them. It was for that reason, really, that gave me the idea of offering 11x17" prints of these, as they themselves simply can't afford the sketch cards (and parents aren't all that willing to shell that kind of cash out, either). Maybe not twenty-five dollars, but six dollars, and for art that's larger and not as apt to get lost? Sure, that seems reasonable.

Dun-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah, Spider-man! He's like a little Ben Reilly. (Perryfest)

No glasses and wearing a mask? This disguise would be foolproof in the world of superhero comics. (Perryfest)
Another pleasure that I had at both the Haslett Community Yard Sale and Perryfest was having unexpected company that came by and staying for most of the duration of these events. At Haslett's Yard Sale, there were two boys in particular (I wish that I remembered their names) that took a seat at my table and we just talked for the longest time. Seems like we covered everything from our favorite movies to video games to comics. And the thing was that they came freely. There wasn't any coercion on the part of a busy parent to make me an impromptu babysitter while they wandered about; they were genuinely interested. These are the kind of kids that give me confidence that I could be at least a somewhat cool dad or uncle.

At Perryfest, it was my lifelong friend Blake who came by and made the colder, overcast Saturday much more pleasant. And although they wouldn't stay as long, a number of other familiar faces took a little time, here and there, to say hello from our Perry Public school days. And man, I tell you, you feel rather self-conscious about your age when you see your peers married and with children of their own. Doesn't seem like high school was that long ago. But then again, in just less than a couple years it will be time for our ten-year reunion, come 2014. Hoo, boy.

But I digress. Blake certainly knew how to make the day more interesting when he put a curious challenge before me: drawing on a miniature pumpkin. There was a vendor selling pumpkins and other gourds, which undoubtedly gave him the idea, so he bought a few and handed one off to me. It wouldn't have occurred to me on my own, but it was rather appropriate, what with the autumn season. And as luck had it, he had a color set of Sharpie permanent markers. Given the texture of the thing, I doubt anything else short of paint would have effectively worked. And indeed it did.

This Iron Man mini-pumpkin is currently at Blake's home, sitting proudly atop his display cabinet, and the envy of the other decorative gourds. (Perryfest)
So with that, this concludes the outdoor events, leaving Detroit FanFare as the last show to come this Fall. I'll be looking forward to the latter, and if you missed me at the Haslett Community Yard Sale or Perryfest then be sure to stop by! And since it's during the weekend before Halloween, I'll also be handing out candy. (Added incentive, sweet tooth fans.) If not, not to worry. There's always next year.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Reminder about PerryFest

Just a little reminder about PerryFest, which I'll be attending again this year. Expect to seem me that particular weekend on Saturday the 22nd only, from 10 AM -5 PM, where I'll be selling my wares and available for commissioned drawings. (Caricatures seem to be especially popular at this sort of event.) So if you're in town during the festivities, be sure to stop by!

And for those curious about how the Haslett Community Yard Sale fared, I'll make sure to write more on that in a combined post alongside PerryFest, when the latter comes and goes.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Bizarro -Superman- PSC


Here's the first in a set of three sketch cards with the theme of Superman doubles. Never was much of a Superman follower, but I admit Bizarro was one of my more favorite characters. Or maybe I should say, "Bizarro am no favorite of mine, so me ignore with horrible art."

The original artwork is part of The Treasure Chest of Art charity, so unfortunately is not for sale. (Outside of buying a chest set from the charity, that is.) However, I am aiming to make 11x17" print variants of these, as wells as others, available for purchase.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Marceline -Adventure Time- PSC


Prepping myself for Detroit FanFare, which is coming up in late October. Been meaning to take a crack at more Adventure Time art, and this seems as good a reason as any to do so. Given the season that the convention falls in, Marceline the Vampire Queen felt appropriate. She was a little tricker, though, since I didn't have just the right colors for her skin nor mouth, so those were done in watercolor rather than marker. But the final effect was certainly worth the effort.

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

Storyboards: New Year's Resolution

This marks a first in my freelance work with storyboarding: illustrating a music video. New Year's Resolution by Brian Iannone depicts a man working towards meeting his personal goal, which is to lose weight, train, and compete in a bicycle race. Due to budget, not all of the panels from the original script were illustrated, which is why there are some gaps in the number sequences.

It's been some time since Bureau of Vital Statistics, so I was glad to have an opportunity to do some storyboard work again.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Lumpin' Happy Birthday


For Dara's twentieth birthday, which was last Saturday. This is the interior of her birthday card, and I know what a fan she is of the Cartoon Network series Adventure Time. Lumpy Space Princess especially seems to get a laugh out of her, so I had to put her in it.

Sorry your birthday wasn't what it should have been, hun. But I hope that this cheers you up and makes up for a little of it. :hug:

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Hiatus

Apologies for my absence these past few months. Since starting my job in May, I've had much less time to spend keeping up with Blogspot, as well as my art in general.

Firstly, I would like to thank any of you that came by our table at this year's Detroit FanFare convention. It's great getting the chance to interact with other creators and fans alike. Caught up with a couple of former college classmates and made the acquaintance of a few artists. Even spoke with bibliographer Randall Scott of the Michigan State University Library, who purchased a copy of 'The Uniques Tales' to add in their archives, which is the largest collection of comics in the country. That alone made my year. I shared this with Adam Withers and Comfort Love, the creators of the series, so hopefully the rest of the writers and illustrators have been made aware of the exciting news.

As I mentioned before, I'm afraid that my art has had to take a back seat, between working a full-time job, seeing friends and family, spending time with Dara, and tending to other, everyday matters around the home. And while my actual art output has been severely slashed, I assure you that I haven't stopped working on personal projects. With Adam and Comfort's help, I've been gradually roughing out and refining a concept for a comic series, which actually got its start when I began working at my current place of employment. Oddly enough, I find that having myself occupied with menial tasks frees my mind to wander and put together ideas.

And don't get me wrong, I am rather fond of my job and the people there. The folks are friendly and assembling batteries for the medical field gives me a very real sense of purpose. As it happens, we had ourselves a company Christmas party a few Fridays back with a half-day of work. There was food, presents, and pleasant conversation with some good laughs. It says something when your boss will sit at the same table as you and take the time to talk and ask about you. And while I don't necessarily need another set of tools, the gesture is still appreciated.

Getting to the heart of the matter, I will not be taking on more commissions but with a few exceptions. And if you're curious and want to inquire, please feel free to drop me a note, comment, or write an e-mail. I'm not closing up shop entirely, simply limiting myself as my time has become more limited.

Thanks for following along, which I hope that you will continue to do. I trust that you all had a merry Christmas and happy holidays. I'll also take the opportunity to wish a belated happy New Year. May this one bring many good memories!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Detroit FanFare '11, pt.I: Friday

Two weekends past marked Detroit FanFare's second show, and subsequently my second appearance there in Artist Alley. As with any convention, especially one that is still so young, it was a mixed bag of sorts. Moving the show from the Hyatt to Cobo Hall, the conference center contained easily four times the convention floorspace. Considering the size of last year's attendee turnout, it was certainly a move in the right direction to find a larger location. However, it is a fair statement to say that they had overcompensated, ballooning itself too rapidly. (This was, however, the result of a remodeling in Cobo Hall. The originally reserved space was about half the size.) There was a steady stream of attendees, but not nearly enough in number as was hoped.

But understand that a fair amount of this was not the fault of FanFare's organizers. Between the city of Detroit's lack of communication regarding that Saturday's Bike Tour of Detroit, significantly blocking off traffic to Cobo Hall, to being in the middle of a Red Wings and Tigers game, respectively, the convention had a fair amount of carpet pulled out from underneath it. And of course when certain special guests cancelled, whether completely or in the middle of the weekend, like Peter Weller (Robocop) or Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead) respectively, it doesn't reflect well on the show. But again, those are turn of events that are beyond the control of any convention planner.

There are always personal criticisms that can be given with any convention. But it's in my opinion that any shortcomings that Detroit FanFare may have had were easily outweighed by its successes. Everything that I liked about last year's show was still there and it had more to offer this time around, as you'll read on.

Working a full-time job has definitely had an impact on my time as a freelance illustrator, whether for better or for ill. I'll at least say that you find yourself rather tired when working a forty-hour week, attend a weekend-long convention with after-show events, then return to the regular grind right after. But the regular job provides where the illustrating does not, at least until it starts to bring in enough of an income. And I genuinely like the place where I'm currently employed, which was very understanding in letting me leave an hour early that Friday afternoon to begin the drive towards FanFare.

The first stop along the way towards Detroit FanFare was actually more of a detour, really, to the home of a couple that I consider both good friends and mentors, Adam Withers and Comfort Love. Having packed the previous night and loaded into my vehicle in the morning before work, it made for relative ease to place their displays, merchandise, and the like inside. While Flint is certainly not along the route from Brighton to Detroit, the carpooling offers three upsides: splitting the cost of gas and parking, but more importantly having good company and conversation during the drive down. When we did arrive, it also helped to have three pairs of hands to carry everything in to Cobo Hall instead of just mine, or in their case just two.

We briefly parted ways to set up that evening, where I rendezvoused with my former Kendall classmate and regular table-mate Jason Westlake. We kept in touch during the months and especially weeks leading up to the convention, planning accordingly what details needed to be addressed. But it was very good to see him again in person as it always is. There I also met Joshua Werner for the first time, a friend of Jason's. Up until that point, Joshua had been simply a name to me, a kind of second cousin to Harvey the rabbit to quote 'The Shawshank Redemption'. So it was good to put a face to the name at last. The first meeting was brief, since he also was setting up his table, but knew we would have another chance to get better acquainted.

Then a funny thing happens while we began set-up. One of the FanFare organizers, whose name regretfully alludes me (Gary Reed, perhaps?), approached us. He pleasantly asked how we were, if we were looking forward to the show, and a few other like inquiries. Of course we both were, having anticipated this show since last year, and nodded in agreement. Then he asks, perhaps a little coyly, "You see this table, here?" motioning to the one next to ours. We in turn nod again. "How would you like to have it?" As it turned out, there were some cancellations in Artist Alley and were kind enough to freely give us another table.

This worked well to our advantage as we began setting up at separate tables, since we could cover each completely on our own. And it dawned on me then: we had reached the point where we needed our own tables from now on. Jason saw this as well, and as Adam later said that evening it is all a part of growing. Regardless, we still plan on going together to more conventions down the road, which will be just fine. As with Adam and Comfort, we'll likely share hotel rooms again and of course hang out both between and after the shows.

About this time they began to shut off the lights in the Cobo Hall convention center, which was our cue to cut out for the night. There was the standard intermission of checking in at the nearby Marriott Hotel, then trafficking and unpacking our more personal items from the vehicle to our room. This was shortly followed by the five of us (Adam, Comfort, Jason, Josh, and myself) heading down to the basement level, where we had our pick of Burger King and Subway. By this hour, the rest of the food court restaurants had closed up for the evening. It wasn't that late, but apparently they run a different operation working out of the Marriott.

Here we enjoyed our evening meal together and conversed as nerds often do on topics ranging from comic-movie adaptations such as 'Thor' and 'Green Lantern' to the more nit-and-grit business aspects of comic conventions, including a slightly humorous subject that Adam aptly named "the idiot brain." I would elaborate, but Adam would give a much better explanation than what I could. And this continued on until it came time for the VIP Creators Party, held in a bar back at the Cobo Hall. Admittedly, the setting wasn't particularly ideal: too dark to draw well (though Adam and Comfort managed, being the troopers that they are) and too many background conversations to hold one well, unless you were standing right next to the other person. On the plus side, there was a free buffet table. Dinner had for the most part filled me up, but why snub free grub? So I ate again, albeit more skimpily.

The night wore on, and after a respectable amount of time had passed attending this party we retired back to our room. As the conversation in the food court had been pleasant, so too was our talk whilst walking the dusky sidewalks with their copper-glow streetlamps to the Marriott. These particular memories of fellowship with good friends of like pursuits I already reminisce about in rosy fondness. (My apologies, that little part of the poet felt the need to chime in.) This comforting lull lasted the rest of the night, until we went to bed with the white sound of a rainfall recording play. With the morning would come our first official day at Detroit FanFare, and we gladly anticipated its arrival.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Ash -Evil Dead II- PSC


Made this sketch card specifically for Detroit Fanfare, which included Bruce Campbell himself as a special guest. Sadly, he cancelled his Sunday appearance, which is when I had the card finished and ticket purchased to see him. *sigh* Oh, well. Maybe our paths will cross down the road and then I'll get his autograph on this.

This particular sketch card is not for sale, at least not for the conventional $25 USD. I'll be keeping this unless someone really makes it worth my while. If interested, make me an offer.

On a side note, thanks to my friend Jason Westlake for lending me his white Gelly Roll pen. I must make it a point to purchase one for myself. So much easier than touching up with white gouache.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The Mighty Tool Man Taylor


For the upcoming Detroit FanFare convention in late September, this was my submission for the con's artists sketchbook, "Re-Imagining Detroit." The original theme is to use iconic symbols of the Detroit area, but they were flexible with me on this, which was much appreciated. 'Home Improvement' (which is set in Detroit) was a favorite of mine to watch while growing up as a kid, and the thought of the catastrophe-prone handyman Tim Taylor (Tim Allen) wielding mighty Mjolnir amused me to no end.

Expect to see this done up later in digital colors and available as a print. I'll be selling them at the convention, as well as online of course. And while I'm there, I'll hopefully get media guest B.K. Taylor's autograph, since he wrote a select few episodes of the TV series. I wasn't aware of this at the time that I started sketching this out, so it turned out to be a happy coincidence when I read about his appearance.

EDIT: Didn't get around to making this into a color print as originally planned. Maybe I'll have it done up for next year's convention. But outside the Detroit show itself, I doubt that there would be enough interested buyers to make it worthwhile.

Burgie Awards '11 poster


Been waiting for Burger Beast to post this before posting this, myself. This mock-up artwork is for the food critic's upcoming 2011 Burgie Awards, parodying a variant of the 1933 'King Kong' theatrical posters. This makes for the third annual poster that I've been commissioned, having done this for all the Burgie Awards events thus far. And I have to say, this year's poster is my current favorite.

The WIP sketch

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Haslett Community Yard Sale '11

talking to Greg Spencer at my table - photo taken by a "lady in pink"
This Saturday marked the second run for the Haslett Community Yard Sale, and what a day it was. As far as the weather goes (aside from an uncomfortable heat) it was a picturesque, sunny summer morning and afternoon. Like Mother would always remind you: stay in the shade, wear your sunblock, and keep hydrated, which is exactly what I did. Although I still managed to get burned slightly in a few, smaller patches. Such is my lot.

After last year's downpour during Perryfest, I had invested in a canopy tent meant more-so for tailgating parties. Not only did it serve well this time around to keep me in the shade, but it fit perfectly in the parking space where my table and displays were set up. As some of you may recall, the yard sale was held in the Haslett High School parking lot and each person, or group, is given two parking spaces: one for their vehicle, one for their wares. If you're at all familiar with the comic convention scene, tables are so tightly packed together. It's such a stark contrast, but I've begun to feel a little more accustomed to the extra space.

the table spread, which included: sketch books and cards, mini zombie prints, the watercolor female cardinal, and a copy of The Uniques Tales
I'll admit that this year's Haslett Community Yard Sale was a little disappointing in certain respects. None of the prints nor sketch cards sold. Though this came as no real shock, given that this isn't the same sort of crowd found typically in comic conventions. But I had hoped that I might find a customer to purchase my more recent watercolor painting of a female cardinal. However, no such luck. Ah, well.

Despite this, I was pleased with the response in regards to caricatures, though not without some patience on my part. The first pair of customers hadn't approached until towards early afternoon, which was well into the second half of the yard sale's hours. When an event only lasts for a single day, you tend to compulsively check your watch, wondering if you'll even get any business as hours pass by. Not so much pessimism, you understand, but more anxiety. It's fair to assume this is a common feeling. In the end the patience paid off, and that's what's important.

Andrea and Kara, holding their respective caricatures
As it happened, I was also visited later on by a nice, older lady named Lynne. It turned out that she worked as an aide in the same elementary school which I had attended for over twenty years, having recently retired. (And that was her in the elementary school for the twenty some-odd years, not me you wiserackers out there on the web.) She came back later with her daughter and three younger grandchildren, commissioning caricatures of each. Their time was limited, so I arranged to illustrate each child sometime thereafter and mail them out to her. So expect to see three more caricatures coming in the near future on this site.

The rest of the yard sale went without a hitch. Well, nearly without a hitch. A stronger gust of wind did cause some mischief and blew my canopy and displays over. Fortunately, nothing was lost or broken, though the same couldn't be said to my neighbor to the right (the shattered glass of a frame made for them a nice little mess). And speaking of my neighbors, a number of them came right to my assistance when it happened, helping catch and shift my wares and displays. For that I thank you, should any of you happen to read this.

My thanks also to the "ladies in pink," who helped coordinate this event and to Greg Spencer, a pleasant gentleman who discussed with me some interesting points concerning eidetic memory and artists. I'll definitely plan on attending the Haslett Community Yard Sale again next year.

Monday, July 18, 2011

And the nominees are...


The Harvey Awards are currently accepting votes and as it happens 'The Uniques Tales' has been nominated this year for Best Anthology! This is a considerable honor to myself and all the other talents that contributed to the book, and with your help perhaps we can win this award. If you would be so kind, visit the Harvey Awards website to fill out and submit a ballot before the August 6th deadline. Votes are accepted only from contributors in the comic field (independent or otherwise), however, so keep that in mind.

Thanks, and wish us luck! :fingerscrossed:

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Burgie Awards '11 WIP sketch


The first draft sketch for a poster design advertising the upcoming 2011 Burgie Awards. Each poster has thus far been a parody of a film, with this year's being the 1933 classic 'King Kong'.

Monday, April 25, 2011

female cardinal w.c.


The Shiawassee Arts Center is hosting its 14th Annual Member Exhibition, lasting from April 26th 'til June 12th. This is my submission into the show. If you happen to be in Owosso within the next couple of months, be sure to visit the gallery! This framed, 5x7" watercolor painting of a female cardinal is up for sale at $60 USD. If it doesn't happen to sell while on display there, I'll make it available online afterward. Prints are available, so contact me if you're interested.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Batman -Crimson Mist- PSC


Read Doug Moench's vampire trilogy, ending with Batman: Crimson Mist, a while back and began this sketch card shortly thereafter. Then work came up a few weeks ago, so I hadn't gotten to finishing this until yesterday. Even though it's less emphasized in the third graphic novel, the imagery of the red rain seemed essential to include, here. It was a little tricky, but turned out well.

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

EDIT: This sketch card has been purchased, so it's no longer available.