comixboogiepop

Comic Industry Rant #102

2011-12-01T13:27:00.000-08:00

This is kind of a follow up to my Deviantart journal and you can read it by clicking the title of this post.

First, I would like to say that my comments are from my point of view as a creator. I am not dogging retailers or Diamond. I understand that a business is there for many reasons but the main reason is to make a profit. All I am saying is that there is a right way and wrong way to make a profit. You don't kill the supplier of your product to gain more profit. I am sure some folks would argue that making it hard for small indy guys to survive isn't killing the supplier but I would disagree and here is why. In the beginning of comics everyone was a small indy guy. There where no giants. Once the giants were established the small indy guys kept the giants legit. What I mean by that is that the indy guy competed with them and made them be creative. Once you take that element out of the game the giants became complacent. They created a "standard" comic, which in my opinion really killed this industry, and stop letting artist be that artist. When you go into a shop and every book looks exactly the same then when would I chose one over the other. Now, some may say that it would be due to the writing and I am telling you that history would show you are wrong. Writing does not make comic book. The art does. This is a visual medium. That is what it is and when you kill the visual aspect of it, and then take the element of the indy guys ability to be creative, then you have what we have today. A dying industry.

Secondly, it doesn't have to be this way. It can change but change hurts and it is hard. Everyone has to do their part. Fans, creators, distributors and retailers. I know a lot of creators and most will tell you that they create comics because they love it and most shop owners would tell you the same thing. So, if you love it, do you really want it to die? The only reason I am so passionate about this is because I know what the medium offers. When I was a kid it allowed me to be Superman's sidekick, I could visit the batcave, it made a towel a cape, and it showed me what a hero was and could do. These are very important things for our kids and adults. We need these standards in our lives. We need it more then money.

In conclusion, please read my deviantart journal and my ideas for making the change. Maybe I am wrong and maybe you know a better way to fix it. Please share it and lets save the industry. It isn't too late unless we are too stuborn.

Long time between posts.

2011-11-03T12:58:00.000-07:00

Yeah, so six months between post? This is unacceptable. I really need to manage my inter net better. It seems I am on so many freaking sites and it is hard to get to all of them.

I think I have decided to use this site as more of a personal site where I share more of my personal thoughts and more of my process with my art. I think this will help me grow as an artist and a person.

There are a lot of cool things coming down the pipe. My Gun Ghoul, Outlaw Angel and Grimm books are still moving forward. Hopefully the first issue of Gun Ghoul and Outlaw Angel will be ready for print by the end of February. It would be nice to have issue 2 of both books done by con season next year. Grimm #2 is still being penciled but I have faith it will be done by February as well.

God has really blessed me a lot lately with my projects. He has put really talented folks on them and given the ability to see them to completion.

I am still in a rut on what I should work on. I have plenty of time to write, draw and color my own project. I just don't know what to work on. I really love drawing my Murphy's Law character but I don't really have a story for him and haven't really nailed down his niche in my universe. A lot of folks are telling me to draw my Dragonseed project but I really don't want to draw a book with a kid hero in it. I am kind of tired of drawing that type of stuff. So, I don't really know what to draw and what to do because I want a book out by con season.

I am also writing and creating a book with my brother in Christ, Tim Kane. It is a pretty cool concept. I can't really say anymore then that about it. You will just have to wait for me to post up work once we get farther along on the project.

On the family front, me and my wife are expecting our second son in February. His name is Logan Riley Caligan. He will make two for us and five for me. We are pretty excited and can't wait to see the blessing God has in store for us.

I think that is pretty much it for now. If you have any suggestions on my drawing and projects then please speak up. Thanks.

Direction

2011-05-10T21:58:00.001-07:00

This year is flying by. I can't believe it is already May and almost the middle of it. Wow.

Not really a lot to update everyone on. I have really had issues with drawing lately. Not sure why. For some reason I just lack direction when it comes to a project that I actually want to pencil. I have several books coming out through Alpha Dog Studios this summer but none that I actually penciled. It is kind of crazy. I have all these concepts and yet none of them interest me enough to spend the time to sit down and draw the thing. Maybe I am just lazy. I don't know. I think some of it has to do with the state of the industry. I looked through a new previews book and just was over whelmed by the amount of comics trying to make it into shops. Just nuts.

Also, some other business news came down about print cost and such for our books and we just can't win for losing. The price is just so high that no matter how we sell them we aren't going to make a huge return. Which sucks. I do not look at things like most folks that we do comics because we love it, not that I don't love it, but you should never go into a business thinking you aren't going to make money. You just can't keep funneling money into a bottomless pit.

So, that kind of leads me to my title; direction. I just don't know what to commit to with my books. And what I mean by that is what to basically handle all the chores on because I can't really afford to pay someone to work on another title.

I would be curious to hear what everyone else thinks about it. What direction are you taking and if you are a fan of mine, what direction you would like to see me take.

Thanks and hope everyone is having a great year so far.

Freakin spammers; How can you stop them?

2011-05-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been awhile since I posted anything on here but that is due to spammers using my comments section to pass notes to one another on how they can scam stuff on their Iphones.

Does anyone know how to keep these little turds from doing this on my blog? All the comments are moderated through me but some how they are still getting the messages to one another.

It is very frustrating because I have had to delete a couple of my post just to stop them.

Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Art, projects and life

2011-02-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to pop on here and give the blog a good ol update. Life is pretty crazy. I have a lot going on. A couple different irons in the fire and trying to get all my ducks in a row.

Posted are some pieces that I have inked. I am trying to up my craft and learn to be at least efficient in all the tools. Inking has always intimidated me. Always worried that if I make a mistake that I could not fix it but that is not true. You can pretty much fix anything in photoshop. LOL I am using the new sharpie fine point pens. I know most inkers would shoot me for using that stuff but it is the first pen I have ever used that I actually like. The stuff I am inking now is still pretty flat but I am not really going for line weights and such. I handle depth with the color. I just want the art to look a little more crisper then when it was just pencils. Later on I will try and do more line weights and use more negative space in my work. I tend to like the stuff Skottie Young was doing about three or four years ago. Not so much the new stuff he is doing. Looks to chaotic for my taste.

On the project front, my Techlore, Grimm, Dragonseed and Shadowguard stuff will be out this summer through Alpha Dog Studios. I will try and post prelim art and promo stuff here but most of it will be on the Alpha Dog Studios blog, which you can find a link to in my side bar. There is a lot of cool stuff going on over there, so go check it out.

Life is pretty good. My son was sick all of last week, which really slowed me down on production and today I had a major migraine, but it finally went away around 3pm. I only feel wiped out now. It has been awhile since I had a head ache like today. Other then that things are rocking a long. I hope everyone is creating and staying motivated.

Be blessed and enjoy the talents God gave ya.

New Year

2011-01-03T21:32:00.000-08:00

Well, things are kind of crazy right now. I have two ten page stories that I am working on that have to be done by the end of February. One is for Karl Alstaeter's Samurai Graphic novels, which will be solicited sometime in March. Once I get that information I will post it up for everyone. The second story is for Angel Comics and it is a short story for one of my creator owned projects. Not sure which one yet but I will try and figure it out soon.

I posted up some designs I did for a project that me and Kevin Greviox were working on together but I had to bail on due to the amount of time it would have taken to finish it. I was disappointed because I am a huge fan of Kevin's work and he is a Christian. I try my best to try and work and help other Christians as much as I can. The story was about a group of kid super heroes. It was right up my alley.

Stay tuned, I plan to update this site a lot more and I have a ton of stuff going on this year. 2011 is going to be a very fruitful year for me.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you." declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Been a while but hopefully that will change.

2010-12-22T22:57:00.000-08:00

Wow, it is almost Christmas already. I have no idea where this year has gone too. It was very productive for me and the studio. We produced not one, but two books, and we have more planned for 2011.
God has blessed me greatly this year. He has moved me to a new home with a private studio and given me a lot of free time to work.
The problem I have run into is motivation and determining which project I should commit to for next year. I have several projects that are my own and I have several projects that my friends would like me to work on.
The huge blessing is that money really isn't an issue. I don't have to do a project just because I need money. I can do one that I truly love and can sink my teeth into.
I also have the ability now to produce the whole book. I can write, pencil, color, letter, print and sell it. So, I can put the work into it but I have so many choices that I don't know how to narrow it down to just one. It is hard for me to say that I love any one project of mine more then any other. So picking is hard.
So, hopefully you will stick around and help me decide. Give me some input and let me know what you like and what you would like to see from me in the future.
Thanks.

Been a long time.

2010-10-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. Been awhile since I posted anything on here. Life was real busy and I had to focus on getting some studio stuff done. I am going to try and be a little more productive on my blog. Give more personal information out here then my DA and Facebook sites.

I am presently working on a 10 page story with Karl Altstaetter, which is suppose to be out for the Phoenix Con in January and it will be sold through Diamond in May, I think. My studio mate, Mark Stegbauer will be inking it and I will be writing, penciling and coloring it. So be on the look out for it.

I am trying to decide which project I am going to try and get published next year. It is either going to be my Outlaw Angel, Gun Ghoul, or Dragonseed projects. All of which are at a level to publish. The stories are there and the art is coming along nicely.

My Techlore project will be printed and ready for sale by the middle of next year too. I have two more issues to get colored and lettered and the first story arc will be completed. I might do more with it but I am not sure. It will depend on the love I get from this series.

I think that is it for now. I did leave you guys with some cool art. My buddy, Jon Sommariva, did a cool take on Gun Ghoul for me. He rocks. I would love to have him do a Gun Ghoul arc.

Thanks and until next time. Keep your pencils sharp and your imagination going.

My new art book is up for sale.

2010-05-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I haven't posted a lot on here lately. I have some hackers who are using my blog to pass notes to one another and I don't really know how to stop them. It is really upsetting me. I hate crooked people and the fact they are using my site for something really gets under my skin.

Anyway, my new art book is off to the printer and I am taking pre orders for it. The book is a 40 page color, black and white, hardback. It is a collection of my work from 2002-2010. The book cost $30 and that includes shipping and handling.

The first 40 people to buy a copy with receive a piece of original art with the book. Also, you will get a free sketch in the back of any character you desire.

If you would like to order a copy. Send a payment of $30 to my paypal account:
trialsze1@aol.com and put "art book" in the subject line.

Also, make sure you put who you want the sketch of in the message.

Thanks and I hope to have some more stuff posted up here shortly. Until then here is a cover penciled by Randy Green and colored by Leonardo Olea for one of my projects called "Techlore".

A time of re evaluations

2010-01-27T12:57:00.000-08:00

Time for an update. Things were a little crazy last week. I also caught some type of bug since last Friday and I am just now getting over it. Still have a lot of congestion in my chest and throat. Can't really talk that well. UGH.

Anyway, I think it is a time for me to re evaluate my life. I noticed a trend in the last six or seven months and it isn't a good one. I have fallen back into some old patterns that just aren't suitable. If I want to move forward I really have to let go of the past and that includes, people and situations that bring the worse out in me. I firmly believe you have to cut the negative out of your life. You only live a short time and if people or situations are not helping you grow and bringing bad emotions out of you, then it is time for a change. I am not the type of person who wants things "to be like they use to be" or sit around thinking about how much better things were years ago. To be honest, I never really cared for the past. Sure there were good times but there were more bad then good. I am happy with the life God has given me now. Sure, I could have more money, more success and more friends but at what cost? I am very lucky to have a wife that loves me as much as my wife does. The friends I do have are loyal and would pretty much die for me. They don't stab me in the back or look for an angle to manipulate. That is what the people from my past use to and still do. I don't really hold any ill will towards these guys but God helped me escape that situation and establish myself as an individual and I don't want to lose that and I sure don't want to continue to try and please people that could careless about my happiness or don't feel the same loyalty to me as I do to them.

I don't have much to give in this life. I am not rich, I am not famous and I don't have a lot of worldly treasures but the one thing I do have is a strong loyal friendship. It is something that I should treasure and not give away so easily. If anything I should learn not to be so quick to be open to people.

So this brings up the title, time to re evaluate my life and relationships. What are my goals? Who are my friends? Who is going to be there to bring the best out in me? Where do I see myself in a year? Who do I surround myself with and are they there to help or hinder me? What does God truly want from me?

I hope you stick around and see if I can come up with these answers. I would love to read your input on it. Hope you surround yourself with friends and folks that uplift you and don't bring you down.

Focus or lack of it

2009-12-16T09:01:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone is having a great Christmas season so far. I know for me, and mine, we have really been busy. Going all over the place and spending money that we don't have but isn't that what we are trained to do at this time of the year?

Anyway, on to art stuff and updates. The last couple of months, and I would even say the last year, I have really had a hard time focusing on projects. If you have followed me on Deviantart or just my blog, you would know that I have a ton of creator owned projects. Some have been published and some still in development. The problem I am having now is commitment to one of these projects. I just don't know what I want to work on or what I just want to let fall by the way side. I feel like I am getting older and there really isn't that much more time for me to produce comics or anything else in the entertainment field. There really aren't that many 40 year old comic book artist out there. It is a young mans' game. I can understand this due to the fact that I am not as in touch with what is popular as I use to be when I was younger. It happens.

So my question is, if you could see me work on anything and it come out on a regular basis what would it be? What would please you guys? If you need to see my projects to make a decision just click my DA link on the side and go to my gallery. Most all my projects are there.

Thanks for reading and being part of the process. Merry Christmas and hope everyone is blessed this year.

Commissions and updates

2009-11-30T11:18:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Mine was pretty good.

I wanted to post up that I am presently taking commissions. I am only doing 10 of them for right now. A friend of mine is in dire need of some cash and I told her I would help her out.

So for $25 you can get a full color 3/4 body shot of any character you want. I will do the pencils and my friend is doing the colors. If you go to my DA page you can read my journal to see what her colors look like.

This is the season for giving and helping. So please chip in and help someone out. Thanks and hope everyone is having a blessed week.

Comments are fixed and new logo

2009-11-23T09:21:00.001-08:00

It was brought to my attention that people were having problems commenting on my posts due to some membership thing. I have no idea how I did it but some how the settings on my dashboard were changed and it was not allowing folks to post comments. Sorry for that. I am in no way a computer guy, so there is really no telling how this occurred and I do apologize. Please comment. That is what gets me through the week is hearing from you guys and gals.

Thought I would post up my new logo that will be used for my upcoming art book. A friend of mine on DA did it up for me. He rocks. Hope you like it. The art book is in the works and should be ready to purchase by the end of January.

Thanks again for chiming in on the blog and giving me feed back. I need it.

Choices, Choices, and Choices

2009-10-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. Sorry it has been a while since my last post on here. I am trying to do more on my blog then on my DA site or at least some new stuff on here that you you don't get on my DA site. I also tend to be more personal on my blog but writing stuff down and getting feedback tends to help me make the hard choices.

That being said here is the deal. I was talking to a good friend of mine, Tim Kane, and he said something to me that really resounded in my soul. He is embarking on doing his own creator owned projects and his attitude toward this goal is very inspiring to say the least. He really has put a fire under my butt.

That being said here is the problem. Choices. Sometimes it is easier when those choices are limited but I actually have several creator owned projects that are publishable and actually have an issue or mini series already in the can. They just haven't seen print yet.

My projects that already have stuff ready to go are Techlore(which I posted the lead design for in this entry), Grimm, Outlaw Angel and Cherry Bomb.

All of these projects already have a following due to me exposing them on my DA site and I could easily take them some where to publish or even just do it myself but I just don't know which title I am more interested in. I am a flake when it comes to sticking to a project and seeing it through to the end. For me the joy comes from creating these projects but the fact is that I am not being a good steward of them by not finishing them up. This is something Tim had said to me about making sure that he was ready to complete something he started and again I felt as though I dropped the ball on doing this with my projects.

Also, to the fans of these projects I have let them down by not doing something with the projects and getting folks interested in them. Very irresponsible on my be half.

So my question to all you folks reading this is, "What do you think I should do?" Please feel free to really open up and let me know what you think. I need some feed back.

Thanks everyone.

Tools of the trade

2009-09-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a while since my last post. I have been pretty busy with work and I also caught some type of flu crap that took me out of my flow for a week. I am still a little congested but feel a lot better.

I have been thinking a lot lately on the tools of the trade and how they influence my art. Sometimes I feel as though I am so worried with using the tools that I am told are "industry standards" that I allow it to interfere with me actually producing art that I enjoy doing. Why do you have to ink with a quill pen or micron? Why can't you use what makes your art look best to you? Why do you have to have perfect anatomy? I firmly believe that sometimes it is the mistakes that separate you from other artist.

Now in saying all that I am not saying that you don't have to learn the foundations of art. I just think I am at a point where I don't what to be trapped by "The Tools of the Trade". I want to get out of my box and use whatever makes my art look good. If that means inking with a sharpie then by George that is what I ink with and have fun. I don't know. Maybe I am growing as an artist or maybe I am just getting to old to try and learn all these crazy techniques with all these different tools.

What do you think?

Back from Chicago con and other things.

2009-08-15T09:58:00.000-07:00

Just got back from Chicago con last Monday. Me, Bat and my buddy Eddie went and set up in artist alley. The show itself was weird. I have attended many Chicago cons but this one just seemed to have the feel of death on it. Not the people there but the actual show. Marvel and DC did not come and set up and that pretty much left a void with the publishers. Even Image just had a small booth. The rumor mill was that this would be the last year for the show. That a new company was putting one on in Chicago in April and that it would kill Wizards show. I have mixed feelings on this. I have attended Chicago con since 1996 and it holds many great memories. I meet a lot of folks who are now my good friends. It will sadden me to see the doors close. But I also feel that there needs to be some fresh blood in the market. Someone that doesn't charge artist an arm and a leg to set up and treats them good. I have to admit that I did not feel that the Wizard show was very organized. A lot of guest did not realize that Thursday was just a preview night and came early to set up. It was kind of crazy. But enough of the bad.

The craziest thing I experienced from the show was a fan bringing me a book I did a pin up in almost 11 years ago to sign. It was crazy. I could not believe he found this thing but it made my day. I met a lot of Internet friends face to face, like Jeff Wamester, Khary Randolf, Bob Stang, and Jeff Cruz just to name a few. It was good times and it was something that I really needed. It rejuvenated me and has me wanting to draw again.

The thing I realized the most from the trip is my lack of comic work in the last years. Most of my work has been commissions and character design stuff. Granted it pays the bills but when sitting up at a show it doesn't look as if I have done much lately and that has to change. I need to be more productive and tell the stories I want to tell.

The designs I posted up are for a Christian comic pitch. I am just the freelance guy on the gig. So I really don't know much about it but I like how the designs have come out. I let you know more about it when I know more.

Thanks for reading and hope you having a blessed time.

Chicago Wizard World next week

2009-07-31T09:24:00.000-07:00

Well, next Tuesday I leave for Wizard World Chicago. I will be set up at table 3022 with my buddy Bat Hillard. Come by and see us.

I really am excited about the con. The last big show I went to was back in 2000. And I think it was a Chicago show. I have never went to a show when I wasn't set up with my old studio mates Tsunami Studios. So this will be a new experience.

I will have a couple new prints for sale at the show. A GI Joe, Green Lantern, Supergirl, Outlaw Angel and Cherry Bomb prints. All new. The Outlaw Angel print was done by the great Ben Caldwell and it freakin rocks.

Hope to see some of you guys and girls at the show. Please come by and maybe we can get some dinner or drinks after the show.

Art is subjective, this is something to remember.

2009-07-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

As of late I really have struggled with purpose and substance. I have taken inventory of my life and have wondered if I made the right choice of becoming an artist. I have really been pretty hard on myself and how little I have grown in the last year or so. Granted there have been issues in my life that contribute to my lack of growth but I also have to wonder if my desire is mainly to blame.

Then I thought, well how does one judge growth in the art field? Is it the amount of work I get? How my work is accepted by others? Or is it personal? The only answer I could come up with is that art is subjective. What is good to some, others may not find good at all. I really work in a field that can change in a blink of an eye. What is hot today can be cold product tomorrow.

So, I think that I am just going to have to try and be more objective to myself. Allow time and give myself some positive treatment and not always push so hard. We can only grow as fast as we can grow. It isn't so much the destination as what you learn along the way.

More of the Angel

2009-07-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

I really don't have a ton of stuff to write about. Life is pretty much the same as it was about a month ago. I found some stuff out about my dad. He has lied to just about everyone that he talks to on the phone. He told everyone that he has a job working for JCpenny. It is kind of crazy. He is reverting back to the person he was when he went missing. I don't really know how to handle it. He has not gone to his head doctor for almost a year. It is almost like I am raising another kid. It drives me crazy.

On a professional note, my project, "Cherry Bomb" has been announced. It is a project that I am working on with my friend, Randy Green. The book is about a character who hunts assassins looking to bring justice for her father who was killed and she doesn't know who did it. We are treating the book like the book from Image called "The Ride". We will have short stories where she is killing different assassins and they will be done by different artist.

I am also trying to get my "Outlaw Angel" and "Gun Ghoul" stuff situated. I am presently looking into making toys of the characters. Does anyone have any thoughts on the idea?

Thanks for reading and until next time. Keep the pencil to paper and create.

Life is moving forward. Am I?

2009-06-21T11:17:00.001-07:00

Well, yesterday was my 38th birthday and it was a time of reflection for me. I look back at the years and really have no idea where 38 years went too. My life has had so many transitions and the things I set out to do never really got done.

Now, I am not saying that my life is a dissappointment or anything. I have accomplished a lot in the years I have had and I hope to accomplish a lot more but my only wish is that I had more control over my life. I know that may be asking too much but hey it would be nice to be able to control situations instead of all was reacting to situations.

That is pretty much my thoughts for now and if you have any input that would be great to hear. Thanks.

Almost Thanksgiving

2008-11-24T18:12:00.000-08:00

Well, my last blog was not the greatest and it amazes me how fast God can turn things around. God has showed me a lot of different things about myself and how I view things. Needless to say I follow God but never truly believe that He is going to bless me. Which is just crazy. I have to start believing that God is blessing me not due to my actions but because of His grace.

Things are going a lot better now. I have some projects coming down the pipe that are pretty big. Which is cool. I can't really say a whole lot about them yet. As soon as we get farther into the projects I will post about them.

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and hope everyone gets to spend time with their family. Be blessed.

Wow already half a year gone

2008-06-27T14:08:00.000-07:00

Well, this year is already half gone. How crazy is that? I just don't know where it goes.

My birthday was on the 20th of June. I turned 37 years young. It was pretty nice. I got a new Mp3 player and spent time with my wife and son. You really can't ask for more then that in life.

Still no word on my dad. It is pretty crazy. They have not been able to even locate his van. The tags are bad and his insurance has lapsed. I would have thought by now we would have found something. So please keep us in your prayers.

On the artistic side. I just finished up 50 more Marvel Masterpiece II cards for Upperdeck and Marvel. They had some artist bail out and needed someone to help get the set finished and I volunteered. It was really really fun. I love being able to draw Marvel Characters and draw anyone that I like. I posted up 9 from the new lot in this post. Hope you guys and gals like them.

My Outlaw Angel book is coming along nicely. I hope to have a mini series done by the end of the year. I have a charity book coming out in the August with my Outlaw Angel characters in it. The book's sales are going to go toward helping us find my dad. We are going to place a reward and hire a Private Investigator.

Life is good and God is good. Hope everyone is having a great week and hope life is treating everyone good. Be blessed.

Today is my 4 year anniversary

2008-06-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

Yep today is me and my wife's 4 year anniversary. They have been four great years and have went by so fast. I love her more today then when we first started dating. I can't imagine my life without her. She is my best friend, my partner, my help-mate, and my wife.

I love you hun.

Weirdness and such

2008-05-01T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hey gang. I know it has been awhile since my last post but things are crazy around here.

On a personal note, I found out about two and half weeks ago that my father is missing. No one has heard from him since the first week of February. All his stuff is still in his home and it looks like he was planning to come back but never did. The police said the radio had been left on, there was a box of half eaten chicken on the table, all his cloths, furniture, and three bags of trash filled and tied. It is crazy. So, I am dealing with a missing person right now and would appreciate any and all prayers.

Professionally, things are going well. I just finished up a hundred Marvel Upperdeck trading cards. Which was pretty cool and I had fun getting to draw characters I grew up with and loved. My next thing is trying to get my business off the ground and doing more freelance stuff.

God is good and he blesses daily. I could not survive without Him.

Where is my art going?

2008-04-01T13:11:00.001-07:00

Well, it has been a crazy year already. My computer crashed not once but twice and right now I am working on a computer with a bad video card and I can't half see what I am writing. LOL So if there are any mispelled words I will blame it on the big pink and purple line going down my screen.

I really have been thinking alot about my art and its purpose. A buddy of mine from college,who I have not talked to in about three to four years, called me about two and half weeks ago to touch base with me. We were actually really good friends in college and I hate that we lost contact but, anyway, he called and told me that he is living in LA now and working as a lighter for Dreamworks animation. He just finished up working on Kung fu panda and was not sure if Shrek 4 was going to be his next project or another movie called "How to train your dragon." I am very happy for my buddy, Chris. He is a very talented dude and works hard to be the best he can be. Of course, Chris asked me to move on out to LA because there are a ton of jobs for illustrators, and I would love to do it, but my wife is dead set against moving. Which really sucks because I am burned out in my 9 to 5 and don't know how much longer I can continue to work with kids.

Now, after me and Chris talked a funny thing happened to me. I got really depressed about myself and my art. You see most of my life I have always been the guy "who knows the guy" and I think it has finally gotten to me. When I first started to draw comics I was lucky enough to be part of Tsunami Studios with talents like Randy Green, Rick Ketcham, Koi Turnbull, Steve Bird and John "Waki" Wycough and even though I learned a lot from everyone there my skills were very bad to say the least, so I was never looked at as the tag along who had no skills. At one point I was told by a studio member that "I should stop trying to pencil and just be a writer." At the time I was a writer with some skills but my heart belonged to drawing. For the most part after I left the studio I remained friends with some of the guys but not like it was and it seemed I would always remain in the shadows of guys like Randy and Rick.

Well, three to four years later I finally get published and people are actually paying me to draw, which is still a little crazy to me, but I still feel as though I am still in others shadows. Always to be the one who almost reached success. When Chris talked to me and told me of his success it just triggerd those same feelings of not being good enough and I really have not recoverd from it.

I know God can do anything with my life but I am not sure what He wants to do with it. My art really has suffered in the last couple of weeks. Nothing I draw seems to come out right and I can't seem to work through it. UGH. I needed to vent.

My life is good

2008-02-16T19:21:00.000-08:00

Well, things are just really good these days. Loving life and God is just pouring His favor all over me and my life.

I am up for a youth pastor position for a local church and I should start on the 12th of March. I can't wait to get back into ministry.

My art is coming along alright. I still think I need to push myself more then I have lately. I don't see the growth I would like but hey in God's time right?

That is it for now and hope everyone is having a great month.

Some future plans

2008-01-17T14:45:00.000-08:00

It is two weeks into the new year and I really have been thinking about what I want to do with my life and where I would like to be by the end of the year. So I have come up with a couple of things that I know God is going to show me favor in.

First, I am starting a new Christian studio called "Alpha Dog Studios". It will have several Christians artist in it that I have already contacted and I am hoping to pull in a couple more talented guys or girls.

Second, I want to start my own imprint and publishing company. This is something that I have wanted to do forever and I know God is going to allow me to do this now. The name for the company will be "Alpha Dog Media".

Thirdly, my art. I desire to take it to another level. I truly want to be known as a great artist as well as a Godly man. God will show me favor in this as well.

Now that is pretty much all I have on my agenda. Beyond the normal of working and making contacts. Give me some feedback and let me know what you think about it. Thanks.

Oh yeah the pic for today is old school Grifter. I use to love this character back in the day.

Good ol 90's

2008-01-14T10:27:00.000-08:00

Well, things are going good. I am pretty swamped with commissions and such but that is a good thing.

I decided as warm ups for this month that I would draw characters from comics that I loved to read in the 90s. Now, my first sketch is of Savage Dragon. I am not a huge Savage Dragon fan but the mini series that Jason Pearson did called "Blood and Guts" is one of my favorite series ever. I love Jasons' work.

That is it for now. Hope to have a new post up in a day or two. Peace.

New Year and new outlook

2008-01-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

Well, I am going to start posting a lot more in my blog and not as much in other sites. I think lately I have become to internet active and have not done enough work. So, that is part of my resolution for this year. I want to draw more and be more productive. Growth is important to me and lately I do not see a lot of that in my work but I am still drawing and that is a great thing.

This year is starting out pretty good. I just finished up a tight deadline for a on line computer gaming company that paid pretty well and I just got a call back from a local church who is considering me for a Youth Pastor position. If I get the Youth Pastor position I plan on quiting my full time job and doing it and art. Plus, my son will be able to stay home with me and not have to go to daycare. Such a good blessing. God is good.

I am presently working on several comicbook related projects and a ton of commissions. I have several I have not finished and need to get done. I also have a couple covers I need to finish. Life is good. God is good.

Thanks for reading and hope to post some more cool stuff in a day or two. Be blessed.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-24T10:22:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hope you have a safe and fun holiday. Be blessed.

This is my digital Christmas Card that I sent out to friends this year.

Holidays and updates

2007-12-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

Well, I am really going to try and start posting more up on my blog and put art here that I don't post at other places.

The holidays are going great. I have pretty much gotten all my wife's' Christmas presents and I am pretty happy about that one. God has blessed us a lot this year. My friends just bought me a new computer out of the blue. Crazy. They found out I was having problems with my old one and chipped in together and bought me a Dell. God sure does bless me even though I don't deserve it.

I just found a new anime that is freaking hot and it is called "Tokyo Majin". I think it is based on an RPG or something in Japan but the character designs and story is just amazing. It reminds me a lot of my Outlaw Angel book.

Things are going well professionally. I am set to do 100 of the Marvel Masterpiece cards for Upperdeck starting in January and I am also working on a ton of commissions. I am also working on my Outlaw Angel book. I have not nailed down the story I want to tell yet but it will come. I am also putting together a Outlaw Angel artbook that has a ton of cool artist adding pics for it. I promise you will not be disappointed.

I think that is it for now. Be blessed and have a great holiday.

Mike Wieringo passes at 44

2007-08-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I woke up today to find out that a great comic artist and person had passed yesterday from a heart attack. Mike was a great inspiration to myself and I did have the privilege to know my Mike on a personal level. I had the chance to have lunch with him on several occasions and get his advice on some of my work. I really don't have the words to say what his death means to me because in reality I don't know yet. I am still in a little shock. Mike was not a close friend but I still thought of him as a friend. His art inspired me and comforted me. He will be missed greatly. My prayers are with his family and friends.

Here is a link to the article on Newsarama:

Heroes con and updates

2007-06-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

Hey gang. Just thought I would post some pics from Heroes Con this year. It was great. I set up with APE Entertainment and helped push the Cereal and Pajamas book that hits stores this coming up August. Really had a cool time. Met a lot of cool artist for the first time face to face. Sean Galloway, which some of you guys know as Cheeks on the net, Jonboy Meyer, a good friend that I haven't seen in years, Robin Mitchell, an amazing artist, Mark Brooks, also a friend I have known for at least 8 years. There were a ton more and if I listed them I would be here for hours. LOL So the show was good.

My son went to the doctor Thursday and received a clean bill of health. Which is a blessing and I raise my praise to God on it. Some of ya might not know but he had kidney problems and they were planning to operate on him but through prayer and God's mercy the kidney fixed itself. So thanks to everyone for the support and prayers.

I am presently working on a new project for APE Entertainment but really can't announce any more about it at this present time but it will be out by next summer. I will post more on it when I get permission.

That is it for now be blessed and thanks to all you guys and gals for all your support and kindness.

Contest-Cereal and Pajamas

2007-05-08T08:24:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. Hope everyone is having a great May. Things are well on this front. Hope everyone enjoyed Free Comicbook Day. I had a blast. I was a guest at a shop about two hours away from my house doing signings. It was cool to hang with some of my friends all day and just talk comics.

Anyways, I have a pretty big project coming out in August through APE Entertainment called Cereal and Pajamas. It is an anthology book with a ton of other artist but the theme is very Saturday morning cartoons. So make sure you look for it in the June edition of previews. We are also having a contest for the book and I thought I would share it here. Here is the rules:

CEREAL AND PAJAMAS ‘BACK OF THE BOX’ Pin-up Contest!Saturday morning cartoon comics sharing the fun! Ape Entertainment is pleased to announce the CEREAL AND PAJAMAS ‘Back of the Box’ Pin-up Contest!

Give us your interpretation of any character or characters from the variety of stories packed into the CEREAL AND PAJAMAS Anthology. The three best pin-ups (as judged by the Cereal and Pajamas creators) will be published in the CEREAL AND PAJAMAS anthology! Entries are due June 10th and the winners will be announced June 15th."This book has given all of us involved a chance to show our interpretations of the type of shows we loved as a kid," says contributor/ co-editor Mike Jungbluth. "What we hope with this contest is to give 3 more artists a chance to show the world their own unique take on our characters." Ape Entertainment co-publisher, David Hedgecock added, “CEREAL AND PAJAMAS is a unique anthology that is giving voice to some of the most incredibly talented ‘up-and-coming’ creators of this decade. With this contest, now there are even more opportunities for new talent to shine.

”CEREAL AND PAJAMAS is a collection of original stories meant to evoke the nostalgia of Saturday mornings with a grown-up twist. The stories compile the talents of up-and-comers such as Ray-Anthony Height (Noble Causes, Darkstorm), Jeffrey Cruz (10th Muse, Sinbad: Rogue of Mars), Dan Schoening (Invincible Handbook Vol. 2, DC Online) and Israel Cruz (Atomik Mike), as well a slew of artists from the fields of television and games. The book features a cover by Jack Lawrence (Lions, Tigers and Bears, GoGo-Gorilla and the Jungle Crew, A.T.O.M.) Inspired in style and execution by fond memories and fueled by mature storytelling, the creators of CEREAL & PAJAMAS bring you endless worlds of adventure: faraway galaxies, zombified tomorrows, fantastic landscapes, crime-ridden cities and many more. Saturday morning grows up with 11 original tales by industry veterans and newcomers alike. CEREAL AND PAJAMAS currently contains over 128 full-color pages of completed stories and will be released in August. You can see more at http://www.apecomics.com/ or www.comicspace.com/cerealandpajamas .

Prizes

1st Place- Your artwork printed in the Cereal and Pajamas anthology- A free Collector's Edition copy of Cereal and Pajamas.

2nd and 3rd Place- Your artwork printed in the Cereal and Pajamas anthology- A free copy of Cereal and Pajamas.

I have posted in this topic a color guide to my character for the book. If you need anymore reference feel free to email me. Thanks and be blessed.

More news and such

2007-04-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

Well, this year has really started out great. I really have no room to complain. My first major published work will be out in August through APE entertainment and I just found out that I will be working on some Marvel upperdeck cards, which is cool for me. So all is good. Hope everyone else is doing well.

Well, here we go again

2007-04-17T06:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I have really been busy as of late. I have some pretty cool news. I am part of a cool anthology coming out this August from APE entertainment called "Cereal and Pajamas". It is a collection of artist that really have a saturday morning cartoon feel to their work and the book itself is an homage to those early days of cartoons that we all grew up on. Now be sure to pick up the book it will be in June's previews and will have over 130 pages in it. Good reading.

Oh yeah, I guess I should post some art. It has been awhile.

Back to the art

2006-11-02T20:08:00.000-08:00

Well, this has been a rough week. I have really been sick. The flu or something. I lost my voice for three days, crazy. Of course when I get sick my art suffers among other things. Doing a lot of design work right now for a new book called "Shadow Guard". I am really digging the story and I think the designs are coming along nicely. My commission work load is slowing down. Which is a good thing. I need a break from doing them and focus on my comic work. The anthology book that I am working on really has a lot of potiental and the other artist are just amazing. Not sure how I got invited in to do a story but I am very excited about it.

More shadow guard designs. These are just a couple of the goons. Think red shirts from star trek.

Back in the groove

2006-10-24T17:08:00.000-07:00

Well, I know I haven't posted a lot in this blog, but I am going to start putting most of my stuff here and not posting my work in other forums.

I have been in a funk here lately, so the art has been slow going. There are some cool things going on in my life. I am part of a huge anthology with some really cool artist. This will probably be my pet project for the next year. Plus my commissions have really been going well. So life is pretty good.

New Justice League box set came out today. Woop I love that stuff. Also, the new Batman Beyond box set. I have both and will be watching them all week. Great motivation.

Here are a couple of new pics enjoy.

Wong Fei

2006-07-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

This is the colored version of Wong Fei Hung. This character will be based on the man who is practically a legend in China. I am really happy with the way it turned out. I would love to do a book in this style. I hope to have some more desings up soon. Let me know what you think.

First post fun

2006-06-14T20:08:00.000-07:00

Well this is my first post on my blog. Not sure what all I will put on here but hey I might as well do one, everyone else has one, right?
Here is a psylocke pic I did enjoy.