Hollywood Is Dead Artist Proof Sketch Cards

I am currently going through the stack of blank Artist Proof cards that I've accumulated over the years and never completed, for one reason or another. So, the next in line are the 14 AP cards that I received for doing the 2010 set released through Rocket Ink Studios. For those who remember, this set was done in conjunction with Matt Busch's Hollywood Is Dead art book. Matt recreated a slew of classic and modern movie posters done in the style of the original artist, but as undead characters. The cards were done in each artists style, though and much fun was had.

I included recent movies and series, as well as classic ones. All cards have my very own AP sticker on the back to separate these from pack pulled cards. The links are below:

The Latex Resurrected     Benerotta    Nasto Boy

Archered    The Rotting Of Macbeth    The Biteman

There's Something Rotten In The Ozarks    Goopy    Slap Rot

The Great Rot    Rotting Arizona    Chreacher    The Bone Ranger    Mr. Dead

 

Hollywood Is Dead Sketch Cards

Here are the 15 cards that I contributed to the Hollywood Is Dead sketch card set that is forthcoming this summer by Matt Busch and Rocket Ink Studios. This was a fun set to work on and if you get a chance, check out Matt's book of the same name that inspired this set. You know, zombifying movie characters and stuff.

Darth Maul

                                                                 An in progress shot.

                                                                            Chasm
                                                                       app. 12x3x3
                                                         wood, varnish and colored inks

                                                                             Detail



All this month up until the 23rd the In A Gallery Far Far Away show at the River's Edge Gallery is still going on. One of the six pieces that I have in the show is the one shown above, called Chasm. The character is Darth Maul from the movie The Phantom Menace and the Clone Wars animated series. I chose to depict him with an oversized cloak, filled with darkness, thus calling it Chasm. As far as I know, this piece is still available, so head on down to Wyandotte to get your Star Wars, sci-fi and pop culture fix from some artists such as Bill Pulkovski, Kelly Nemzek, Matt Busch, Lin Zy, Jay Shimko, Anne Garavaggio, Slaw, Bill Morrison and others.

In A Gallery Far Far Away

                                        
                                     General Ursus
                       acrylic and gold leaf on canvas

No Canaries Here

acrylic on canvas

Although, the show actually started last week, tomorrow is the opening for the gallery show entitle In A Gallery Far Far Away. The show is sci-fi/fantasy/pop culture based and features some of Detroit's best illustrators and fine artists, including Alex Buechel, Matt Busch, Anne Garavaggio, Jeremy Hansen, Bill Morrison, Kelly Nemzek, Bill Pulkovski, Jay Shimko and myself. The speed painter Dave Santia will be doing his thing at about seven in front of the gallery. All proceeds from his auctioned paintings will go towards Benefits For Backpacks (I think). 

Here are the details:

A Gallery Far Far Away

The River's Edge Gallery

3024 Biddle Ave.

Wyandotte, MI 48192

www.artattheedge.com

The Star Wars costuming group, the 501st will also be on hand to make the evening even more festive. So, come on down river tomorrow evening, view some cool artwork, socialize with the animals, I mean the artists, and maybe hit one of the local eateries for dinner or a late snack. See ya there!

Motor City Comic Con 2012

This weekend (Fri-Sun), I will be set up in artists alley at the Motor City Comic Con at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mi, so stop on by and say hello. I will have a few new prints, including the one above, as well as my new  Muck Man comic book. Two of the cast members of The Boondock Saints (Sean Patrick Flanery and David Della Rocca) and Batgirl (Yvonne Craig) will be in the house, so make sure that you stop by my table to pick up a print to have them sign for you!

There will be  some good artists on hand, including The Minor Brothers (Matt, Jake, Kevin), Jay Shimko, Matt Busch and Lin Zy, Chris Caldwell and Mark LeMeiux, just to name a few. So, come on by and show some support!

This should be a fun weekend and I'm looking forward to seeing some familiar faces, talking shop and kicking back a few root beers.

Alice In Wonderland

While I'm gearing up for the San Diego Comic Con next week, I thought I'd try to catch up a little in my posts here. So, I have the three images that I did for the Alice In Wonderland book called The Looking Glass. In the book there are 17 artists and over 30 illustrations all depicting their own version of Alice and her world. You can purchase the book directly through me or by clicking on the banner at the bottom of this page.

The book was concocted by fellow illustrator Bill Pulkovski and also has artwork by Matt Busch, Alex Buechel, Jay Shimko, to name a few.

The Queens

15x16

acrylic on illustration board

Alice And The Caterpillar

15x16

acrylic on illustration board

We're All Mad Here

15x16

acrylic on illustration board

I'd like to add that I used the likenesses of two of my nieces for the two Alice paintings.

Motor City Comic Con 2009

Last weekend was my first ever appearance as a guest artist at the Motor City comic Con. My buddie Matt has been urging me to do this for the past three cons, but I never felt quite ready. But, as I have learned, I will never be ready. For anything! So, this was my year to jump in and enjoy. Another of my friends, Darin, was my guest and helper for the weekend and we had been talking about doing the show for years, like, way back in the early nineties, or something. So, it was nice that we finally got to experience it.

This was one of the pieces that I had just finished prior to the show.

Night Owl

15x20

acrylic on illustration board
This was my view for most of the day on Saturday. Like the guy next to me said, "chicks dig R2."
Matt Busch and Tracy Surgener scaring off customers on an already slow Sunday.
This was my set-up. I had prints, original paintings, copies of my cartoon books and sketch cards.

This was a really good weekend and I had a lot of fun doing it. I was lucky to be set up right next to Matt Busch and Alex Beuchel, so there at least was someone to talk to. The traffic flow right in front of us wasn't all that great (we were in a big area), but we were in the celebrity area, which was kind of cool. Just three booths over was Gil "Buck Rogers" Gerard and we were right across from the playmates (sweet) and some scary wrestlers. 

Many thanks to the people and friends who stopped by to make a purchase or to just chat about art and comics and stuff. 

Illustration Nation

This Thursday, my friend Matt Busch will be having the premiere of his documentary film Illustration Nation, which shows his adventures trotting around the globe promoting the book How To Draw Star Wars. I'll let him tell ya:

    MATT BUSCH PREMIERES "ILLUSTRATION NATION" AT MAIN ART THEATER ON NOV. 20

ROYAL OAK-- Detroit's own international artist, Matt Busch will be debuting his next independent movie, ILLUSTRATION NATION, at the Main Art Movie Theater in Royal Oak on November 20th at 7pm.

The film follows the real-life adventures of Busch around the world on a promotional tour for the New York Times best-seller You Can draw Star Wars from Lucasfilm and DK Publishing. From George Lucas's Skywalker Ranch, through the heart of Hollywood, to the streets of fantastical Tokyo, ILLUSTRATION NATION is an uncensored look at fandom and the pop culture industry that drives it. The pulse-pounding documentary also features rare cameos ranging from Anthony Daniels (Star Wars) to Gene Simmons (KISS, Family Jewels) to adult film legend Seka.

The movie covers the last two years of travels, fresh off the heels of Busch's first independent movie, Conjure, a supernatural thriller which shattered records in the indie horror scene. Since then, Busch has created over a dozen video shorts, tutorials based on the book You Can Draw Star Wars, which have also broken records with online viewing, gaining more than one million plays on MySpace alone.

Busch is mostly known for his vibrant paintings, and has been called the "Rock Star Of Illustration." Aside from all the books, magazines, and posters from a 'galaxy far, far away,' he has also worked on numerous Hollywood properties like Lord Of The Rings, Night Of The Living Dead, and Indiana Jones. Busch's work is also highly sought after in the music world, with clients ranging from Ozzy Osbourne to Foo Fighters to Jessica Simpson. Currently on his drawing desk are new designs for the 2009 line of Hard Rock Cafe T-shirts.

The ILLUSTRATION NATION premiere will be an event hosted by Busch at the Main Art in royal Oak on November 20th. Admission is $9.25. Short films and animations will screen at 7 pm. Busch will introduce the feature presentation at 7:30 pm, the running time being 1 hr 57 min. A Meet and Greet with the cast will commence after the screening in the Main Art's side lobby, followed by an after-party at Mr. B's on Main St. All are welcome. Please note that ILLUSTRATION NATION is Not rated by the MPAA, and is not suitable for children.

Matt was kind enough to give me  a couple of these very cool VIP passes to attend the event and below is the official postcard advertising the event.
I'm told by Matt that I have a split second appearance in a scene from when we were at the San Diego Comic con in 2007. My first thoughts were, 'oh, no.....'

It should be fun.

Motor City Art Expo, Part Two

Last week's Motor City Art Expo at the Emerald Theatre was the best yet out of my three years there. Not only did I get to see some peeps that I only see at this event, but I sold two paintings , a few prints, some magnets and bookmarks. It felt good to pound back a few whiskey sours and talk art with patrons, friends, family and my fellow artists.

One of my wife's co-worker's David Ozias with my painting Icarus 1915, in which he purchased.
Young art patron David with another purchased painting, WTF?
Friend and Author/Ghost Hunter, Wolf Little Bear
And my little corner at the Emerald Theatre.

Some of the other artists that were there promoting their own stuff included illustrator Matt Busch who besides his usual great Star Wars illos, was promoting his new movie, Illustration Nation, which documents his travels around the world in support of his artwork. I'm told I have a split second cameo (more on this later). Author Wolf Little Bear was there promoting his books and his ghost hunting investigations and Alex Buechel who is also a very good illustrator. So, check them out when you get the chance.

Once again, thanks to all the people who came out and stopped by my table, even if it was just to say hello. It was a fun night.

Motor City Art Expo 5

I will once again be setting up residence (temporarily) at this year's Motor City Art Expo, which is not actually held in the motor city, but in Mt. Clemens, about a half hour's drive north from Detroit. This will be my third year at the expo and besides the usual paintings and drawings that I will have on display, I will also have copies of my cartoon book, prints of some of my artwork, bookmarks and magnets. I haven't seen the list of artists who will also be there, but I do know that my friends Matt Busch (illustrator) and Wolf Littlebear (writer) will have their respective talents on display. So, if you want a fun night out, come on down to the Emerald Theatre this Wednesday from 7:00pm to midnight, have a few drinks and walk around and see some cool artwork.

Muck Man magnet

2x3.5