ATCs (Artist Trading Cards)

I have discovered a new way to create the illustrations I want in a format that is both compact and fun. Artist trading cards are the niftiest things out since they started making brush pens that didn't suck.

The craze began in 1997 with Swiss artist M. Vanci Stirnemann who created an installment of 1200 individual cards. From that time forward there have been trade gatherings the world round where folks bring in their work displayed on 2.5" x 3.5" cards and trade or sell them.

My love of illustration, specifically comics, has inspired me to try my hand at creating a couple different sets of cards. I'm currently attempting to gather folks in my current town of Grand Rapids, MI for a trade and chat show.

I'll continue to post updates on new cards and any progress I make with the future show.

Until next time here are some of the cards I have completed thus far.

Actual publishing on the near horizon...

Well, I'm officially announcing that this Spring/Summer I will be releasing my first complete comics zine.

If you're interested please email me for more information or check out Arrow-Eye Studios on Facebook.

I hope to be releasing pre-print artwork, covers, and the like real soon.

Stay tuned!

Aspirations and Depressions

When it comes to comic books, I can think of nothing else that entertains and excites me as much. I've grown up with so many incredible stories and characters presented through this medium. A dream I've always had through the years was to become one of those crazy pen wielding shut-ins who craft such wonderful tales. As I get older I realize that my understandings are evolving, my perceptions are sharpening, and my ability to effectively tell stories through the comic book medium is stronger than ever.

While the industry is in a state where I can no longer see the characters or stories I loved in my youth, and almost everyone producing comics is signing away their work to have their names printed in 8-point font somewhere in the tediously dull credits of a movie, I'm worried about what I might get myself into if I strive to be a part of the modern world of funnybooks. I miss simple fun. There doesn't seem to be much of that anymore. No more crazy stories with enjoyable, not always realistic characters. It's all about rehashing old ideas and getting signed on with big old Hollywood.

I hope to not only create my own comics but to bring back what I loved about them through my work. No film deals. No glitzy, Styrofoam content. Just fun, simple comics to entertain and amuse. Here's to hope!

Mini-Comics, Zine things...

Lately I've looked into the mini-comics format. Perhaps zines.

As far as cheap production, personal feel, and character, I don't think any other format beats it. I understand there will be pains, as goes with any production. Endless days and sleepless nights of cutting out printings, stapling, and distributing when the work's reached it's most complete version of completeness.

This will be much fun and hopefully will spread the word on the potential of myself and those who contribute with me.

Back to the drawing board...oh, man, even I think that was bad...

Well, it's been a while.

Disillusioned by the state of comics and wearing blinders that centered my vision on the appalling works that littered the industry, I left the four colored world bitter and distant.

I'm back to business now. I've grown tired looking at the accepted efforts of industries and the people who populate them. Drawing has been a part of my life since I was a child (no trite crayon analogies here, folks!) and I'll be damned if I'm going to give up because there are forces beyond me that oppose drives such as mine.

Drawing, like writing, is an expression of one's thoughts and ideas through a medium of communication. I don't know of many folk who criticize, or feel self conscious about, handwriting. Why should one's ability to render their mind's fancies be weighed down with inspiration smothering critique and self doubt?

There's a bundle of stories, twine-tied together, sitting on an aged desk in my mind. I'm familiar with all of them, and I've been leafing through their pages for years. Time to get the lead, or graphite at least, out and get some India Ink under my finger nails!!

Here are the latest scribblings.

Times have changed in a matter of months...

I've been busy. Not the good kind of busy that makes you think, golly, swell, gosh I'm lucky. I've been a victim of the daily grind, for which there could not be a more apt description.

For those who say, "At least you have a job," I hope there's a hot rock in hell reserved with nothing but a searing cheese grater for comfort. There are things a man should not have to do to live. Working these unnatural, corporate, "Fill the overflowing pot" kind of jobs is killing the character and vitality of the human race.

I'd settle for a long, sweaty day laboring around my home, fending for myself, and providing for my wife and I. Give me work that relates to my life and not a way to pay wealthy men more money through the hard work they give me, and others like me, to do.

Anyway, that's why I've not been so into my original project to keep up this Blog and post drawings. Here's one for the hungry. The first in a while. Superman!

A long time, it has been...

Well, apparently I'm back from inactivity where I wasn't really being totally inactive. Sad that I have neglected this valuable spot to express and voice thoughts, developments, and goals. So much for using the tools at hand.

For this new year, 2010, I hope to go beyond mere sketching. I hope to develop a back bone of confidence in my abilities and to take risks that will hopefully lead me to a career doing what I really, really, truly, truly love, which is drawing and telling stories. Time will tell. Let's hope this year is a good one for this goal of mine.

I do have some new artwork, sketches as usual, to throw in the mix. I hope you, whoever you might be, dear reader, will enjoy!

A finished submission piece finally...inspired by a really cool comic creator

After discovering and reviewing www.tabloia.com I realized that I had found my favorite online source for great comic material. Chris Wisnia, artist and creator of such characters as Dick Hammer and Doris Danger, has this great style that just blows me away. The great imagery in his work and the fantastic characters makes reading his stuff a blast!

I recently put an order in at his site to get copies of his Dr. DeBunko comics (check this out, too, with the link provided above). Mr. Wisnia was kind enough to send me a personal thank you, which also blows me away, because it's always great to have an opportunity to chat with the person who creates works you really appreciate and to know that they're greatful you care about their work. I say that he's a great guy and any reader here would be missing something awesome if they didn't visit his site.

While on his site, though, I found a link to his "Fans of Giant Monsters!" page where several comics professionals have submitted sketches of their giant monsters. I asked him about submitting something and he gave me the go ahead. This post's following illustration is the child of my imagination working its nutso stuff on the concept of monsters. I know it's the "Giant Monster" page but I felt compelled to think over what the term "Monster" could represent. As you can see, I took what's probably a less conventional path. I hope it's enjoyable, though. Till next time, dear readers.

Eisner/Miller...a great discussion for the aspiring comic illustrator

I have been pouring over the well documented discussion between legendary comic artist Will Eisner and experimental artist Frank Miller, and I must say it has been a great help in viewing the all important "How do they do it?" feeling my insecurity as an artist asks.

Inspired by the book, published by Darkhorse, and feeling sketchy while at work, I managed to sketch this image of Will Eisner. I hope it's acceptable. Thanks for reading, again.

Working kills the spirit....creativity is the victim

Having a job to survive in modern, scratch for every penny, America is what makes life a sheer nightmare at times. The full-time, day by day, five wasted days a week schedule takes away from so much potential creative time. I complain endlessly about this, but my inherent procrastination justifies the fact that I never have any actual "Creative Time," and maybe the fact that I don't deserve any.

Well, every free moment I can pan from the murky river of the day is like a fortune regardless of how tiny the take. I sketch all over work documents, not necessarily as a statement, though it works well to illustrate (no pun intended) the voice screaming for release through the endless call center phone calls of ignorant, misguided, and generally inconsiderate customers. I fill my breaks and lunches up with sketchbook time and study, whether it be through anatomy texts or Will Eisner's tomes on graphic storytelling.

Eventually, through all the wading, enduring, and persevering I will squeeze out something to hopefully be worth a damn to someone. It will take much more time and struggle and true work, but in the end the offspring of my labor and imagination will be that much more greatly adored by myself.

Here, at the end of that emotional declaration for freedom, I give you the newest sketches. No fear, soon I shall have an actual finished piece to display. Thanks for reading.