15 Years Ago, I Was Commissioned By Artist Leigh Young To Draw A Pinup Featuring One Of Her ‘LUCHABABES’

This is a logo design that I did for a family friend living out in Strathmore, Alberta.. I was asked to try and incorporate a Warthog (their club mascot) into the artwork.. So I thought the project would be a perfect opportunity for creating a kind-of Hank Porter -esque emblem, along the lines of his amazing WW2 Squadron insignia? I'm still not entirely sure about all of my color choices. But I'm pretty happy with the overall result..

In exactly 20 days, the new Nickelodeon cartoon series I’ve finished working on, will make it’s TV debut. I’m very eager to see/hear the reactions to (what I can only describe as) the most extraordinary animation project I’ve had the good pleasure to work on!

Seen above, are a small handful of the Layouts I completed, for the premier episode.. The show had a stellar cast of "Yowza Animation” talent, working magic on all aspects of the show. And the production pipeline was unique and innovative, in more ways than I can accurately describe.. Suffice to say, it’s highly unusual to have all of the environments “built” as 3D models first, that were then turned into specifically “hand-drawn” 2D location backgrounds!

It was a unique experience for me especially, as I’d also worked Layout on the short digital web-series on which this show was based, back in 2014. But I think that fans of the original web shorts will be even more amazed at the amplified depth and detail of the worlds, as now presented in “Welcome To The Wayne” TV series.. Hope you’ll all enjoy watching it!

Sorry,-- this is another pen and ink illo that I did from a few years ago.. While browsing my Tumblr dash, I stumbled across the photo reference I'd based this (see sidebar) on.. Kinda surprised me! hah  It was an "illustration friday" based on the word: "Launch", if I recall..

A pen-and-ink Pinup of Dixie Evans "The Marilyn Monroe Of Burlesque", that I did back ‘95.. In the early 1990's, I corresponded with her a bit. She was running the "Exotic World" museum in Helendale, California. Sadly, she passed away this month. She was a sweet old lady..

More on Dixie can be found here..

A rough 'SUPERMAN' prelim from 2004 that was part of a commission; complete with anatomy revision notes to myself.. I lost something in the final inks on this one, which is often the case.. Deciding what to keep and what to throw out at the end, is always the hardest part.. Frustrating!

Dunno how or where I found this image, but I've always loved it!.. Wally Wood was a genuine Master at combining cartoony poses with solid construction.. My best guess would be that this was a back cover to one of his 'WITZEND' fanzine issues?..

Digging through some old drawings last night, I found these.. After seeing a few examples of my Fan Art in the pages of AMAZING HEROES, I was approached by publisher Dave Goode to do cover art for his “SQUARED CIRCLE Comix”. I was very flattered, as the interior story was drawn by Bill Ward, a favorite artist of mine!

I was all of 25 years old in August of ‘88 when I drew this, so I can see a lot of things I’d definitely do differently now. I recall that Goode sent me a sampling of Steve Reeves photo reference for “Brad King”, the wrestler featured here.. I’m guessing I used a Marilyn Monroe photo book by Andre De Dienes, for the “Sugar Caine” bikini babe?

I was pretty obsessed (still am!) with Dave Stevens artwork, at this point. And while I like the Poses and Staging, the line weight on the inking is pretty sketchy. Even so, I recall mailing this and a number of other art samples to Dave Stevens. He wrote back a nice letter to me: “As for your drawing ability, you seem to have a good grasp on the Figure. So you shouldn’t have any trouble getting work. Based on the wrestling piece you did, I’d say you’re ready to try your stuff on a story..” 

You could have knocked me over with a feather, after that.

‘Doctor Strange’ illo that I did, back in 2008.. Colored it later on, using colored pencils, felt markers, and a bit of digital.. My hope was to give it a very Kevin Nowlan -esque quality. As I think his interpretation of the character has always been the best!

Christmas card from just last year.. I was up so late at night finishing this, that I mistakenly signed "2013", after my signature. Nobody seemed to notice it, though..

Today’s mail was pretty exciting for me, because I finally scored a copy of “FREE SHIT”, which I was able to purchase via eBay France! I’m a huge Charles Burns fan and have met him a number of times over the years. I’d read that he'd often produce these small 8-page ‘zines called “FREE SHIT” and give them to his fans at signings? Despite this fact, he never seemed to have any copies, whenever I’d ask.. Pretty disappointing.

The book was produced by ‘Le Dernier Cri’ as a limited-edition (1000 copies) in September 2016. So, they’re rather hard to find in North America. And often, very expensive! They’re certainly never Free!! Anyways, this small book collects the first 22 issues of his ‘zine. And is a real insight into Burns’ process and how his creative brain works. Highly recommended!