New ATCs to Herald Springtime (kind of)

Here are some new ATCs that I've drawn and inked lately. I can't say I like how a scan of my pen and ink work looks but it will take some fooling around to figure some other way. For now, enjoy!

Oh, yeah...new stuff

Here are a few new ATCs I've completed. Enjoy!

I thought about normal, small town people trying their hand at "Superheroing" and Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks." This is what I came up with.

The Tick, one of my favorite comic book superheroes.

The Batman

Why Arrow-Eye?

No one's asked me this question but I thought I'd answer it in anticipation (sad, I know).

It all started in 1066 with a little bit of visual storytelling in a wondrous piece known as the Bayeux Tapestry. As some of you might know this item detailed the defeat of the Anglo-Saxon residents of Britain by the Norman invaders under William the Bastard. Being a history buff and all around nerd I decided to go with a name for something that was both visual and true to my interests. In the tapestry it is said that poor King Harold Godwinson, the doomed Anglo-Saxon monarch, was depicted as having an arrow through his eye.

It was the idea of this image and my mourning of the old defeat (yes, I'm a true Tolkien-like scholar when it comes to this series of events) that inspired me to adopt the name Arrow-Eye. That and I thought the image would look pretty cool.

So there you have it. If you're still awake after all that history stuff you now know the reason behind why I call it Arrow-Eye Studios.

Until next time, friends!

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!