YETS!

Waiting and sketching....

2012-01-28T10:44:00.000-08:00

I didn't go with Spec and Perry this week to Rockko's, instead we went to

a waiting room for a friend.

So what do you do while you wait?

I sketch the patients....

I found out that you can't give unicorns thermometers because they chew on them.

This Yet slithered in and just needed water.

Dancing Thursdays 2

2012-01-22T15:57:00.000-08:00

It was another night of dancing at Rockko’s, I didn't stay long

and I decided to focus on a clowder of cats that

were having too much fun swing dancing.

It was a snowy night and the cat at the bottom-left actually bust out a Charleston move in her snow boots!

The one at the top-right saw me drawing so she posed for me.

You can see the two at the top were enjoying doing the Charlston with each other.

I’ve got more drawings of Rockko and I’ll post those when I get a chance. I’m very fortunate to have friends like Perry and Spec who invited me out to this place and to Rockko who let me sit in the corner and draw

(I’m one of the few humans there…).

---on a serious note though:

I do these drawing exercises because I live in a smaller town away from the bustling big cities and I don’t have the resources that artists have in Los Angeles, NYC or, Toronto. Sometimes it is tough to be inspired.

Those cities have free (or cheap) weekly figure drawing sessions, if not daily, and you have other artists from major animation, comic book companies to hang out with.

So I follow what my heroes (like Chuck Jones, Jack Kirby, or James Gurney) did.

They drew.

Nothing magical, nothing instantaneous, nothing complicated, nothing expensive.

They drew constantly. They were almost attached to a piece of paper and pencil.

They observed the world, and recorded it on paper. They challenged themselves.

So, like any good athlete, I keep training.

I admit the swing dancing cats aren’t a big creative leap, but

they were tough to draw because they move so fast….

and the one cat didn’t really stop and pose for me, she just walked by and

I had to capture how cute she was in her babushka, glasses and skirt.

Also by going places and drawing, I make just as good friends as I would make anywhere else,

even better.

Dancing Thursdays

2012-01-13T09:48:00.000-08:00

Sir Perry and Spec invited me to a place in the TreeWorld named, Rockko’s and on Thursday nights, everybody in the area come to dance. All classes of critters come to Rockko’s and I am one of the few humans allowed to be there (thanks to Perry’s endorsement…) to record the fun.

Rockko is a Yet and the owner of the establishment and you can find him dancing with the prettiest fairies.

When I go I’m going to focus on a particular animal and try to draw them interacting (there are so many that show up to dance!) and perhaps as I am accepted into the group, I will be allowed to draw the Yets dancing as well.

Last night I focused on a herd of rabbits.

There wasn't many girls there at first, so the guys were bored and sitting around.

I was told I can tell which are girl rabbits by their long hare.

There is always one professional dancer and she liked doing the Charleston.

It's tough to draw things that are moving! Rabbits and dancing made it exceptionally difficult!

I always have my small sketch book and my ball point pen and

I encourage you to carry pencil and paper just to record what you see.

You don't have to draw, you can write stories, poetry, music

whatever inspires you.

Just have fun.

I'll post more each Friday until I have some pages done for the new YETS! story

and then I'll post those pages.

Origins Con 2012 art-part 2--updated

2012-01-06T08:02:00.000-08:00

Here is the finished painting.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T12:06:00.000-08:00

The Nest!

2011-12-30T10:20:00.000-08:00

"Our only goal is to bleed dragons white!"

-- commander of the Associated Human Armies.

The longest battle during The TreeWorld’s Great Argument between men and dragons lasted for three hundred days.

It is named, The Nest.

The Nest is the battle for the dragon’s breeding ground.

The human objective was to wipe out The Nest to break the dragon’s wills and hearts, but the dragon’s rebuilt The Nest into a series of fortified lairs.

Almost every being fought here and the battle turned into a static bloodbath because both sides were too stubborn to retreat.

The versatile 75mm "DragonPuncher" could be pulled into position by horses, soldiers, or dwarves.

This is the last known image of the "Lost Battalion" of ammunition carriers.

The battle ended when The Great Argument ended when the treaty was signed.

A similar battle with similar attitudes occurred here in 1916.

Perry, the adventuring Guinea Pig had a role to play in this battle, and I will tell that story

in the next YETS! chapter.

Christmas present

2011-12-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

This is why I draw and teach about The YETS!

from Scott and that is his character, Roki.

Roki loves cheese.

Merry Christmas, folks.

Origins Con 2012 art-part 1

2011-12-23T06:38:00.000-08:00

Origins gaming convention has their on-site schedule book

and they commission art for the various convention activities

so this will be the art for the "Seminars" section!

Page 4 of 4.....

2011-12-16T06:25:00.000-08:00

Yet the conclusion.

Page 3 of 4.....

2011-12-09T06:10:00.000-08:00

Yet a calamity...

Comics Revue

2011-12-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

I was asked to do a cover for Comics Revue here is the initial sketch:

Changes were made so the drawing would contain only their published comic strips, and here is the result.

I'll post the final piece when it's completed.

Page 2 of 4.....

2011-12-02T06:07:00.000-08:00

Yet the story continues...

Page 1 of 4.....

2011-11-25T08:05:00.000-08:00

More tests

2011-11-18T08:02:00.000-08:00

I got busy doing the Yets! pages and a personal commission that I didn't get a chance to scan them, so here is a couple of tests I did with acrylics & watercolors on bristol board.

I'll post a Yets! page next week.

It begins...

2011-11-11T11:15:00.000-08:00

Here is the beginning of a new four page story.

I started working on my new computer so I have to redevelop a system doing the scanning and lettering.

Here is my test with the art for the first panel.

Don't move, you got a Piranah on yer' nose!

2011-11-04T06:19:00.000-07:00

...and for all of the ancient wisdom the Yets have,

they don't know much about our natural world.

Pre-Production

2011-10-31T08:44:00.000-07:00

There's nothing magical about producing a comic book and it doesn't matter if it is 24 pages or 128 pages in length. It is just a matter of scheduling a time to work on it or just leaping in at the last spare moments of a day.

I'm gearing up for the latest YETS! book and there's nothing much to show while I'm writing it, unless you want to see a bunch of words. So here's photos of the process.

There's nothing magical about it, I keep my expenses low.

I even use notebooks and pencils I bought at back-to-school sales.

I sketch each page with balloons and write dialogue outside the panels,

and I write the page number in the upper left corner.

I label (scribble...) the notebooks with the titles of stories.

The "Dental Story" was in YETS! #3

and "Is It Morning Yet?" and "Another Story Yet" were in YETS! #2

These titles are just working titles so I have them labeled.

During times like this I spend sketching ideas to put in the stories because I feel like I'm not doing anything productive. Also drawing helps to stir up other ideas.

So I started designing background characters for this story.

Sketchbookin'.....

2011-10-22T13:46:00.000-07:00

First, I got my comments working again! I can communicate with you folks!

When I was in San Diego I went to the DickBlick artstore (before the convention started so the still were stocked!) and bought a sketckbook to try out it's named "Strathmore Visual Journal". It's only 3.5"x5"

but it was only $1.50!

Below is a study from Bill Presig.

It's filled with 56 sheets of 100lb. smooth Bristol and it's great for inking, watercolor & acrylics.

Then while I was at a local school for an art council meeting, I sketched the other council members.

I try not to be seen doing it, because it might seem rude not paying attention, or the subjects get self conscious!

I hope life stays calm so I can work on the new YETS! book.

AdventureTime in SanDiego!

2011-10-09T13:03:00.000-07:00

The adventure in SanDiego Comicon!

...traveling is always fun with new companions like Suze Gil!

Then setting up. The purple book was drawn by fourth grade students.

Here is where I was located in the convention hall. This was in front of the bayside entrance.

Then meeting old friends like former student Jahlil.

He designed the animation for jellyfish creatures in Avatar.

Matt Groening

Stan Sakai and his beautiful wife

Ahokia and her mom, Ahokia creates soft sculptures and puppets besides taxidermy and costuming.

She might do a Yet puppet.....someday.

Even Perry got out and found adventures!

I think he likes her.

I don't know if you are a big fan of sitting through somebody's vacation photos so

that's all I will show for now.

More art is coming up!

Last ConDor painting for 2012

2011-10-01T13:46:00.000-07:00

Just another quick post with the finished ConDor 2012 design.

Classic 1912 Men In Black

"100 years of saving civilization from the Apocalypse through higher technology!"

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation

2011-09-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

Yea, try to pronounce that title, really fast!

I was asked at Dragon*Con to donate art for a trading card to this organization .

So I did two cards because the art is so small and the cause is so great.

I actually got out real watercolors, and it's nice to go back to traditional ways.

The convention that these were auctioned at is here.

ConDor 2012

2011-09-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

I would have posted earlier, but I had to clear away the two month layer of dust!

How do blogs accumulate dust?

Anyway this week I am finishing art for ConDor 2012.

They only wanted one piece of art.

They accepted all three pieces of art, with this year's theme of "Men-In-Black"

This one I'll be painting this week.

Michael Whelan gave some good advice at Dragon*Con, he said always do that best that

you can on every job.

I'd like to add to that Chief Engineer Montegomery Scott's advice, "...and a wee bit more."

???

2011-07-18T11:35:00.000-07:00

Well, after this week I can start blogging again.
I've had weddings, conventions, and teaching to do and that has left me with little or no time to do anything else.
I do have photos from the conventions and that's what I'll be posting.
Meanwhile I will be at Comicon International in San Diego this week so here is an interview I did in Detroit in May.

I tend to say, "um" a lot....I'll work on changing that.

Fan art!

2011-06-21T06:34:00.001-07:00

When I was at Pittsburgh Comicon in April, Joshc Lyman drew this and gave it to me.
Joshc can be found on Facebook here.
He draws some amazing cartoons!

Then in the Detroit MotorCity Comicon, Joshua Buchanan drew this picture of Perry.
His website is here. Josh draws the comic strip "Rocket".

I have to admit that idon't get a lot of fan art, but when I do it is the BEST!

Yet more Comments

2011-05-31T06:05:00.000-07:00

I'm having problems posting my comments here, but I'm working on it.
So....thanks for the kind words!

Sketches

2011-05-27T11:50:00.001-07:00

Here are some random doodles...

I need practice drawings of humans and background characters .

Some more practice for background people.
I got lazy so you can still see the edges of my sketchbook.

Characters for a New Story 2

2011-05-20T10:09:00.000-07:00

I did some more sketches of the Sultan character.

He is a Fennec Fox.

I’m still working with proportions with his turban, and I want to design him to be easier to compose in the panels with the cast of the story.

I thought that in the original drawing, I exaggerated his turban too much.

The story will be about the Niagara crashing into a desert and a race to save lives!

I want to make Princess Peggy the main character, and the story wants to be 60 pages instead of 30…if the story is longer then perhaps it should be planned for

……a 5^th book?!

Coming next post: a couple of pieces of YETS! fan art from Pittsburgh & Detroit.

Characters for a new story

2011-05-06T12:59:00.001-07:00

The Sultan

The Sultan's Doctor

These are the first sketches of them from my sketchbook.
I'm developing them as I write this story.

sketchbook stuff

2011-05-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

I saw (then drew) this at a dance on Saturday night.
The people are changed to protect the innocent.

So when you ask a girl to dance, don't:
1. be eating.
2. grunt. Say please & thank you.
2. have your hand full of food, wash your hands first.
3. burp or spit food particles.

It pays to keep a sketchbook with you at all times because
life will write the best jokes for you!

Commission for Paul 5

2011-04-29T11:50:00.000-07:00

Well here is the painted final piece.
I will have prints available at SanDiego Comicon!
Paul and his family loved the piece and in return my website is getting a new webmaster, much-needed repairs and bodywork...and a new turbine-diesel engine.

Visitin' Friends

2011-04-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

There was a knock on my front door and when I opened it there was Perry and Spec.

I've spent the past few weeks catching up with their adventures, while sipping on coffee and eating cookies.
That's why I haven't posted for a few weeks.

They won't (or can't) explain how they crossed the inter-dimensional Omniverse to get from the TreeWorld to here.

ConDor art 2012 part 2

2011-04-03T10:05:00.001-07:00

Here is the finished black and white art....
I liked the joke.

ConDor 2012 art

2011-03-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

ConDor Convention#19 is in February 2012 the theme is "Men in Black".

That's a tough theme this year, because the theme is so specific (last year it was Weird Science)
So I came up with a different angle on "Men in Black" which was this:
A Yet and the Condor as The Blues Brothers.
I liked it but they didn't...it wasn't very Science Fictioney.
Okay . *sigh*
So here's a sketch (1"x1.5") from my sketchbook that I'm completing now.

...a Nuclear Powered-Two Person-Kirby Ultra Plotz Cannon...with a bucket seat.
I'll add the main gag to the finished drawing...which will be done this week.
Say tuned.

Commission for Paul4

2011-03-20T10:07:00.001-07:00

Here is paul's commission,
and no, I didn't forget my blog.
ha!

Pity the wizard,
if only he would see the friends he has....

Commission for Paul3

2011-02-14T18:52:00.001-08:00

I've wanted to post this, it is the inking so far. I have to work on the ground and maybe some friends for the wizard.

Found more Yet?

2011-02-04T09:49:00.001-08:00

These students loved Yets so much they found their own…and drew them!

Wow, is that great!

A word of caution before you try looking for and drawing your own Yet, it will take bravery (You don’t want one that’s been drawn), skill (you have to get all the details right that you see), love ( that the goopy part),……and chocolate chip cookies.

Another commission

2011-01-29T07:28:00.000-08:00

Outlaw Designs,
wire-wrapped jewelry
"Hand Made, Yet Approved."

Commission for Paul 2

2011-01-24T10:16:00.000-08:00

Here are two studies for Paul’s piece, the wizard and the princess. I think that by drawing the preliminary studies helps me to plan the final piece. I was vague in my original sketch and although I could knock in the figures as I ink the drawing (like I do in my comics), it might be more spontaneous, but I figured “why take a chance with somebody who likes your characters?”

By doing studies of the characters, I managed to play with their attitudes and poses. I also have the options of making further changes.

Like why is the princess wearing no clothes, and does the Yet have her clothes in his mouth?

Two hours later...here is a rough color study too.

Commission for Paul 1

2011-01-14T12:19:00.000-08:00

I was asked to do a commission for Paul for his family’s game room.

The subject was about Halloween, Trick or Treating, a portrait of his brother or any combination. Since I don’t do caricatures, or portraits (at least not for commissions…)

I had to try trick or treating.

I’ll post a link to Paul’s site so you can see all of the professional artists that he got to contribute.

It's an honor to be included among all the big names.

I pity the wizard!

**UPDATE**

Here is Paul's website so you can view other commissions.

Yet looking like Christmas...

2011-01-09T12:01:00.000-08:00

Y'know what's cool?
Kids having fun and using their imagination.
Here is the long story, told quickly.
I was invited to teach a lesson about cartooning and Christmas to Ms Kraus' fourth grade class of twenty nine students. The students wanted to draw Yets.
As you can see, the infant Yets come in all shapes and sizes.

...and everybody liked to show off their creations.
They worked very hard.
These Yets were from a TreeWorld town that had sports champions.
I think the town's name is Steelburgh.

...and then Ethan's mom (hand)made this for me.
THE coolest gift this year.

Pippen Hill, painted.

2011-01-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

I was going to blog about students but my computer has the flu, so I'll post that in a few days.
Meanwhile here is a painted Pippen Hill .

HOO_HAA We hacked a blog!

2010-12-27T07:17:00.000-08:00

Hey we did iT!! we Got iNto Mike's BlOg!!

The YetS are In CoNTrol!! HooHAAA!
(SorrY For The baD TyPiNg, We Have FaT FinGErs!)

We hadA pArtY and Here iz Our PictureZ:
We JusT wanTed to dRINK Tea but...
then a SnowsTorM bLocked The Doors So We PartiED fer A coupLe of DAys.
We inVitEd our NewFRiENd Lepor Promerus Who Made thE plAce look ClaSSy:
"Hello, Is this the place of the Yets? I have a hard time finding it in this bloody snow! My hightea with sweets were almost ruined. And I worked so hard on them."

He BrouGhT aweSOme CarrOt Cakes anD CaRRot TrEats!
EverybODy stARted DanciN and We had Fun.

Then Ringo ShOwED up With SugarPlum FariEs!
De Faries Are Cute aNd SweeT.
They Danced WItH EveryBody!
Even BruNo,
who was Under The Table Suckin on TeaBags and
He Wanted to Share his Tea Wit' De' faRieS but De faRies Didn't wanT Bruno'S tEA.
So De farIES POlitelY DEclined...
EverYbOdY Had LOtS of FuN!
So We Will Do thIs Again!!!!!
(Dis Iz A bad Photo BEcaUse of the Flash. It Made Lepor's Fur shinEy.)
We Will Be BACK When we Do This AgaIN but We got To go cuz Mike Is LooKing Fer Us.
BYE.
WriTe Us If We WaNT A INVitAtioN to De Next PartY!

Yet Hidden Meanings

2010-12-24T19:18:00.000-08:00

Here is a hidden meaning in YETS!. If you have this issue:

In the first story the Tracker Commander, Bruce fights the Yets.

Then he makes friends with the Yets.
Well, the character of Bruce is based on the real life dentist Dr. Bruce Johnson.
Dr. Johnson was the technical adviser for the dental parts to the story and he had an idea for a comic book about dental hygiene back in 1990.
The story was originally written about "The Ortho Team!", bio-naughts that entered a mouth to fill cavities and fight cavity creeps. The story was a lot like the movie "Fantastic Voyage".
Unfortunately the project died a death filled with good intentions
but it was reborn with the Yets.

In the second part to the story, Bruce asks the Yets to enter the mouth of the largest Yet in the TreeWorld and help him find his wife
whose name is Judy.
Judy is based on Dr. Johnson's wife of 42 years.
Judy fit well into the story to show a strong woman who held a family together in times of trouble.
Judy is based on Dr. Johnson's wife of 42 years.
I even fit a cameo of their daughter, Dawn.
She had a smaller role because the real Dawn Johnson is an adult and a doctor in psychiatry.
The real Judy and Bruce liked this YETS! story.
On September 2, 2010 Judy passed from cancer. If you bought this issue of YETS!, and you enjoyed that adventure, and laughed along the way you have honored the memory of
Judy Johnson and

I thank you.

If Art is your life, then put life in your Art.---- a TreeWorld proverb.

Pippen Hill

2010-12-17T12:48:00.000-08:00

...after Walt Kelly.

Merry Christmas.

Origins Game Fair 2011 part 5

2010-12-12T10:49:00.001-08:00

I gave this proof to the executive director, who will show it to the committee and I'll find out what changes need to be made. Anyway, here is the painting as it looks, it is 18"x24" and I left plenty of room so the right side of the painting can be cropped to size of the convention cover.

The power of YETS?!

2010-12-08T07:40:00.000-08:00

So I was teaching some fourth grade students how to draw my infant Yet.
It looks like this:

I always tell my students that, you have created your own personal Yet and that is why your drawings don't look exactly like mine.
Then the next day Mat did two beautiful drawings to fit into my world, two new infant Yets:

The designs are so simple.
Animators can learn a lot from the simplicity of fourth grade students.
What can you do?
Let me know.

Staying in contact....

2010-12-04T08:16:00.000-08:00

Here's a new painting.
I've been busy with other things so I haven't had time to post.
Hopefully, I will post again this week.

ConDor convention Feb 25-27, 2011

2010-11-08T13:18:00.000-08:00

Here is this year's convention t-shirt & logo!
ConDor is here.
It's San Diego's longest-running science fiction & fantasy convention!

Origins Game Fair 2011 part 4

2010-11-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

Well, it is inked and ready to paint!
Does the gag make sense?

Max Littman painting

2010-10-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

I painted the commission for Max. I've had this done for a while, so here it is.

Origins Game Fair 2011 part 3

2010-10-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

The picture so far, the card on the right with the black marks is the card that I wipe my brushes and pens on when I'm inking.

Origins Game Fair 2011 part 2

2010-10-02T07:31:00.001-07:00

Here is the third revision of the cover. The drawing now has more Victorian elements as per the clients wishes. I'm going to move the bird on the left to the left so it is completely on the other half of the drawing.

This is the whole drawing. I wish I had room to put a betting booth!

Origins Game Fair 2011

2010-09-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

Here's the next commission for the program book for Origins Game Fair with a Victorian-SteamPunk theme. I originally drew it as a wrap-around cover with a gag on the back cover, this picture is only the right-side of the drawing.
This is the first attempt, the clients have told me to take off the words.
Jobs like this take a number of passes before they are approved to paint.
Okay, next post will be with more changes, and
the whole drawing.

Commission for Max

2010-09-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

When I was at Origins in June, I met the Littman family, their father, Michael, came to me in private and asked if I would create a piece for his son, Max. Michael wanted the commission for Max's birthday on September 6th. So in July we started emailing and I asked Michael what kind of art he wanted, Michael said, "The thought we had was a drawing of the dragon with "boy stuff" (trying to figure out what to do first...)" . I wanted to know what is Max's interests and Michael's next email gave me a list (..and what a list it was!).

Here is just part of it:
He played on a Flag Football team in a organized league. He was asked
if he would like to be the defensive coach last season and the team went
undefeated
Golf (plays...)
Hockey (doesn't play but likes to go to games)
Basketball
Soccer
Baseball
Fishing

Boy Scouts: He is currently a Star Scout and has 12 merit badges. Here are
the merit badges he has, that I remember. (there is one I can't think of.)
First Aid
Citizenship of the nation
Communications
Swimming
Fishing
Basketry
Horsemanship
Indian Lore
Public Speaking
Geology
Astronomy

...that's about half of the list. ha!
Now after that list some folks would be intimidated, but I like somebody that gives me specifics!

So I sent him this sketch...

...which they loved! I like to keep my sketches looser (like when I am doing a comic book) so I have a freedom to make changes as I ink, but with a client, I like to show them as clearly what they are getting.
So I went ahead and inked it in a couple of hours...

The finished size is 14"x19", and they loved it!
Finally after I scanned it, I remarked the art, so Max could have a personalized piece.

This is how I personalized it.
...Max's Bar Mitzvah is next year. Again I wish I added more details to the Torah.
Oh well I might be a gentile but I ain't a shkutz!

Happy belated Birthday, Max!

1John 4:8 ---at Dragon*Con

2010-09-11T18:55:00.000-07:00

“The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”--1John 4:8

My paintings at Dragon*Con

If you set up at an art show, then you know what a tiring strain it is when you carry in your product, hang your art, set up your table, smile for the entire show, and then tear it all down. Most of us artists do this by ourselves.
So I went to the Dragon*Con art show, I arrived on Thursday morning, I got set up and on Friday morning I got a phone call that my sister Judy passed away from cancer. I changed my flight out to 4:40pm on Monday to make it home for the funeral on Tuesday morning. Since I couldn't make it out earlier, I did the next natural thing which was to set up and sell,

and not say a word about what had happened.

That lasted until 10am on Friday (I got the call at 7am) when Peter David asked me, “how's it going?” I replied, “I've been better...” so of course that sets off a conversation in which I tell about what happened.

Peter had the greatest idea, which was to buy Judy something and place it with her for her journey Home.
I love to go on missions and this set the compass in my mind on a whole new heading.
Judy loved the TV show, “N.C.I.S.” and I found/bought an N.C.I.S. badge which I clipped on Judy's lapel and she went Home as an N.C.I.S. special agent.
St. Peter and the gang will smile at that.

So my neighbors at the art show on my left side, Chris and Irene Gessler, saw the badge and asked me what it was for, so I explained what happened.
After much hugging, Chris and Irene made it their mission to watch over me and gave me bottles of water, snacks and breaks. They create great, unique wire-wrapped jewelry. Chris and Irene also had great fun watching me keeping eye contact with the female customers who squeezed their voluptuous bodies into corsets (I was always sitting down when these customers thrust up themselves to my table )

clockwise from lower left: Chris, Irene, Kate

Chris and Irene bought me dinner Sunday night and I met their friend Kate Lebherz-Gelinas. Chris and Irene told Kate why they were buying me my dinner and Kate decided to cheer me up with a story that lasted for 3.5 hours. Kate as it turns out, is one of the best storytellers, ever. Kate told a story of, “How a Red-Devil Condom Cold-Cocked a Commander” of a nuclear submarine! I can't tell it, but if you meet Kate, ask her about it and if she wants to tell it, be prepared to laugh for about four hours (sadly, I got the short version of 3.5 hours).

My neighbors on the right side were Celena Cavala and her husband Martin Obakke, they create fairy sculptures and print a fairytail newspaper about their sculpted characters named The Filigree. They found out too and offered to watch my table (and sold a couple prints when I left for a lunch break).Martin and Celena

Then there was the mother & daughter team: Ilse and Suze Spuijbroek, two great women from Holland who I met at my hotel and then found out that they were two tables away from me at the art show.
We had breakfast together and Suze (an animator in Holland!) and I talked at length about drawing, painting and of course animation. I can't think of a better conversation and hopefully we'll find time to draw next time we meet. As I was leaving the show to go to the airport they taught me the Danish word: “STYRKE” I hope I spelled it correct. They described it as meaning heart strength. It's a strong word from women with strong hearts.

Ilse and Suze

I hadn't met these people before,
I also had friends I knew before this show like:

Veronica Jones and her husband, Jeff were located in the center of the room, they walked by Friday and Saturday about suppertime to get money from me so I would buy myself supper.

Veronica

Heather Krieter, I have known for over a decade she created “My Lil' Demons” and she offered to drive my framed pieces to and from Atlanta. Heather is the type of friend who can shoot a glance from across the room that says, “Don't worry, I've got your back.”.Heather

Finally there is Meg Lyman who was called to the show last minute and filled up a large booth and table with her franchise of Cephalapod art. She was totally professional meeting & greeting folks and was selling out by Monday morning. Meg found time to talk, hug and be
...well...
just be there inbetween her sales.
Hopefully we'll do more drawin' at the next convention.

Rats!, and I didn't mention John & Anne Parise and the support of the staff of the art show. John & Anne didn't blink an eye when I mentioned leaving early, and they wanted to know why I was staying until Monday morning.

This is a self indulgent post, however I think it needs pointing out that though the art scene can get a bad rap (the artists have mountainous egos, and artists love be showboats), there is this side you don't see. This side with unending sensitivity, kindness, and love...

or in one word, God.
“The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”--1John 4:8

Dragon*Con bound!

2010-09-02T00:57:00.000-07:00

Okay I've been busy. Sorry! I got permission to post the comissions but after Dragon*Con, so watch out! If you are at Dragon*Con stop by my table for a free YETS! trading card.

T-Shirt pictures

2010-08-15T13:18:00.000-07:00

Finally, here are pictures of the shirts. I like the way the images look on the shirts more that the Jpegs of the images in the last post. The shirts are a natural cotton so they are closer to a sepia tone rather than the stark white.

Except for the "I Need a Hug" shirt which is printed on a navy blue fabric.
Then the "Origin 35th Anniversary" shirt is printed on black.

Anyway I've been busy with getting some approvals for commissioned art and I will post these sketches when they get approval.

New Tshirt Designs!

2010-07-31T19:40:00.001-07:00

Here are the designs for my licensed YETS! Tshirts!
They are available in child's small through adult 4x!
I just got the sample shirts in the mail and when I get back in a week I'll try to get some pictures of them! I'll at least post a better, cleaner image of these designs.
They're available at:

http://www.itsagamersthing.com/

and clic on the "Featured Artist" link,

describe the design and give them your size and they'll send one out to you, because they haven't updated their site with these new images. ha....

Painted Sketchings

2010-07-29T12:39:00.000-07:00

These have been painted for ten days and I'm just getting around to posting...oops.

Sketchings

2010-07-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

Stoopid birdz...

So this is why my characters don't draw.

Are you enticed Yet?

2010-07-09T18:33:00.001-07:00

Painted in about 5 hours.
Use your own dialogue....

Origins sketches

2010-07-02T11:46:00.000-07:00

Sketches drawn with Sharpie marker on comic book backing board last Friday afternoon (June 28th) during a lull in the convention.

"Tons of Fun!"
(I went and painted this today)

and
"Enticing Yet?"
I haven't painted this, maybe if I get time....

I'd like to redraw them with a brush.

YETS! at Origins Game Fair

2010-06-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

The YETS! had presence at this convention!
The booth went from a normal 3-panel display like this:
Then the display expanded to a 5-panel "YETaverse" like this:
The show was fun, Columbus was hot & humid, friends were great, and the fans are the best!
Here are what the convention shirts looked like:

I wasn't expecting my design to be printed on black t-shirts, from what I heard, the attendees loved them!
I did some sketches too, and I'll post them later this week.

YETS! at Origins Game Fair in Columbus Ohio

2010-06-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

Origins Game Fair in Columbus Ohio is June 23-27, and I created the logo for the t-shirts, bring the shirt by my booth and I'll sign the shirt! I will have a limited number of prints of the logo available too. Proceeds of the print go to the United Way. I'll have my usual books and prints for sale too, see you there!

...and get a YETS! trading card if you mention this blog.

Another sketch

2010-06-18T12:18:00.001-07:00

A true friend will give you a hug, even if you are incapable of giving one back.

Here's another sketch from my sketchbook, while I am outlining a YETS! story in my notebook.

Kids Read Comics report

2010-06-15T14:12:00.000-07:00

Here is what the convention like. First I bought this piece at the auction (at the Green Brain Comics store). It is titled "Monsters Read Comics" by Audrey E. . Audrey made sure to tell the audience, "They are NOT Pokemon."

I wonder if I can call them YETS...?

Here is my table on the third floor at the Henry Ford Centennial Library. This is looking from the staircase entrance. It was a great placement. My neighbor on the right is Michelangelo Cicerone .

This is a picture of the costume parade as it passed by our tables, you can see the cool spiral staircase where I took the last picture.

This is looking to the left of the last picture. Mr. Vader is at all the shows ever since his movie series ended.

Kids Read Comics Convention!

2010-06-11T05:26:00.000-07:00

I'll be at the Kids Read Comics Convention, and if you mention this blog you'll get extra YETS! trading cards!
The convention is June 12 & 13, 2010 at the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn, MI.

Here's the link for more information: Kids Read Comics

See you there!

another quick sketch....

2010-06-07T13:06:00.001-07:00

Okay, we got camels and now they're packin' guns!
It's one of those days where you get a strange idea, and you just have to draw it, and put a wash of color over it. I sketched it so fast I forgot to ad the Yet's left arm.
This is an idea for an upcoming YETS! story.
At least the camels keep the Yets in line.

Learning Disability

2010-05-29T07:03:00.000-07:00

This is a page from my sketchbook, I quickly painted it and I like it better than a painting where I spend a lot of time. A lesson I need to learn!

some sketches

2010-05-24T10:13:00.001-07:00

Well, here are two pages from my sketchbook. It is a town for an upcoming YETS! story. The villagers haven't seen a dragon for years but they aren't taking any chances. The mountain in the background is the lair of...The Boogieman!

The villagers put most of their tax dollars into the Dragon Defense Fund so the garbage and the street repairs aren't done regularly.

I like to do pre-production drawings to get the feel for the upcoming stories, whether it be characters, settings or props. Just like in a big-time animation studio.

MotorCity Comicon Sketch

2010-05-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

Here is a sketch I did for Chris Brewer at the convention. He is kind enough to print ready-made artboards for the artists to use. Thanks Chris!

Also I'll try to do more posts, since there's some more members...feel free to comment, I like input on how to make the YETS! better.

More Cards!

2010-05-10T12:23:00.001-07:00

Wow sorry for no posts! The MotorCity Comicon is the weekend of May 15th and The new YETS! collectible at the conventions will be trading cards. I'm going to have a few exclusive cards at the show and given away only on Sundays...
...or mention this blog and you can get one on a different day.

..and I'll post more after the show.

Cards are coming!

2010-03-29T12:48:00.001-07:00

The new YETS! collectible at the conventions will be trading cards. I'm going to have a few exclusive cards at the show and given away only on Sundays...
...or mention this blog and you can get one on a different day.

Dance like there's nobody watchin'

2010-03-22T13:13:00.000-07:00

Here is the complete print, and the image came out to be the same proportions to fit on a mug.
I wish I had money to get them printed. Maybe next year, or if enough folks want them I'll try to print them sooner!

Anyway, It's great advice to live by, even if you can't dance.

Spring is the time of year...

2010-03-19T15:42:00.001-07:00

...when the young Yets thoughts return to silliness.

more to come...

2010-03-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

Here is half of the picture.
I don't really like the color pink but it seemed to work in the background.

C is for cookie!

2010-02-22T12:11:00.000-08:00

Origins Convention logo design process

2010-02-14T07:22:00.000-08:00

Here's a brief process post of how I drew the Origins logo.
First I sketch in pencil, some ideas (this is one of three ideas) scan the sketch and roughly block in color choices. The point is to have fun and be open to ideas (in the process I found a photo of butterfly wings that I manipulated and pasted it in, I didn't plan to have wings on the fairy at first).

Just to use for color choices.

The attitude being, "Whats the worst the client can do, say no?"

Well the client said "No " to the naked fairy. I didn't even realize that detail, so it was no problem to change her pose to show more body and more clothing.
The next step is to enlarge the file to 13"x19", print it out, tape it to Stathmore Bristol Board, lay it on a light table, and ink it with a #4 Winsor Newton series 233 brush, the details of the fairy's face I ink with a Hunt's #102 Croquill pen. The lettering was completed in Adobe Illustrator as a separated file. I combine that file with the scanned, inked artwork.
So it looks like this...
and email it for approval. It got approved, so the last step is to paint it. I paint digitally but I like to use the same techniques I learned using watercolors by using glazes of color and friskets.
If you learn how to use traditional techniques, you can use any computer, any program to do anything you want, (plus if the power goes out you can still paint!).

The final approved design:

After the final is approved I burn a CD with LG, Med, and SM sized logos, and mail it.
Now I just sit back, and wait to see how the printer handles the colors.
That hasn't changed!

Got a mug, Yet?

2010-02-09T10:06:00.001-08:00

Here's a quick post with new merchandise!
Some new paintings are on their way.

Blessed New Year

2010-01-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

Startin' the new year with the end of a head cold, but at least I don't breath fire when I sneeze.
Also I'm blessed every time I sneeze! Happy New Year!

Zappy Holidays!

2009-12-25T09:16:00.001-08:00

Celebratin' my savior's birth! Merry Christmas!

Birthday Present!

2009-12-10T11:57:00.000-08:00

This is a present for Meg. Her birthday was December 5th. I sent the print to her, but I wanted to wait until she got it before I put it here.
By the way, she loved it.
Here is Meg's excellent art:

A quick commission

2009-11-14T13:03:00.000-08:00

This is done for Jaclyn Bradley.

www.jaclynbradley.com

Donated Art

2009-11-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

This is art I donated. If you are looking for a new pet, try your local animal shelter or a rescue group. One of my best friends was a rescued dog from a puppy mill.
I'm thinking of you, Mo.

Teaching Comics Website

2009-10-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

Here is a link about teaching comics:
http://kmfontez.edu.glogster.com/MikeB

Mugs are coming!

2009-10-02T11:40:00.001-07:00

I'm getting information on having 16oz mugs printed in full color.
This is the design I'm thinking of.

Yet, youse sure are purdy!

2009-09-24T08:44:00.000-07:00

Nice to run into you--painted

2009-09-13T10:55:00.000-07:00

Here is the piece after about 24 hours,
I wouldn't say it's 100% finished, until I get a chance to make some test prints.
--Edit: It's Finished, I got the prints and they are good to go.

It's nice to run into you.

2009-09-09T09:18:00.001-07:00

Here is a piece of fan art that I submitted. I'm painting it now.

ConDor 2010 Painted Logo

2009-08-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

Here is the logo painted.
Next will be the titles.

Off and running

2009-08-16T09:24:00.001-07:00

Just a sketch from my sketchbook, here is the ConDor logo inked:

now the time consuming part, painting!

ConDor convention 2010 logo

2009-08-09T07:46:00.000-07:00

After Comicon I had to clear up legal matters and pertaining to YETS! and straightening up my home after the flurry of Comicon International,
so I'm sorry for the lack of posts.

Here are new sketches for The ConDor 2010 Convention logo scheduled in March
(ConDor is San Diego's longest oldest SciFi convention).
...that is why there is a condor in the design....

This year's theme is "Retro SciFi"

This is the design to be finished first, but

this is my favorite.
I will post these again when they are painted.

Off to Comicon International

2009-07-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

One last quick post before leaving for San Diego, I'll post again in about ten days.
This is just a sketch from my sketchbook. The Condor and the Yet are flying on pure faith
(note that the propellers aren't turning!) or...
"Flying on a Wing and a Prayer, Yet?".

The condor is for my friends at: http://www.condorcon.org

Time for a BBQ yet?

2009-07-19T17:52:00.000-07:00

This was voted the most popular drawing out of the four that I drew for last month's Origins convention. I might have a few with me at San Diego, ask me about them if you like it.

Aint She Tweet, Yet?

2009-07-06T10:19:00.001-07:00

Here's the new print which will premiere at The San Diego Comicon.

Origins Convention part-2

2009-07-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of my booth on the last day of the show.
It is taken early in the day by Tony Steele, another cool artist. http://www.steele-works.com/
If you look close, you can see the drawing from my last post on the table top,
my books (like issue #1, Graphic novel #2 and #3) are almost sold out.
The red hooks on the wall are where pieces were hung but they were sold (I sold four more by the end of the show!)
There are more larger 16"x20" pieces to the left in the picture but Tony couldn't fit them in the frame.
My partner in crime: Kelli Stakenas had the seat in the corner, and gladly watched the booth as I left to do business.

Now the news:

This piece won for Best Color.

...and....
Steve Verdoliva and Thesser , the Events Coordinator and Art Show Director respectively
have asked me to paint the cover for the 2010 Origins 35th Anniversary gaming convention program book.

Wow.
I'll be blogging about the progress of that painting and the prints for it when they become available next year at the show.

Origins Gaming Convention-part 1

2009-06-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

Here is a sketch from Origins...if you were there you saw it.

I just got back from the Origins Con in Columbus Ohio with over 14,ooo attendees, I sold as well as I do in SanDiego! That's because the Art Show is well run by Thesser, Steve, Luara, and all the great volunteers!
I have news from the show, but I'm waiting until I get settled back in to my routine in the studio before I post it.

Kids Read Comics Convention

2009-06-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

Yets like to try to make an good impression, especially with a pretty librarian.
Check out her book.

Kids Read Comics Convention is held in Chelsea Michigan, it's a goal is to introduce kids to graphic novels. The coolest part of this is that the promoters want to make it an annual event.
www.kidsreadcomics.org
I had a great time with great people and I was nourished with my favorite food (homemade chocolate chip cookies, homemade blueberry muffins, and fresh eggs!) at Chez Burney.

No kidding that's my favorite foods, like spinach is to Popeye.

Comission Update

2009-06-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

The Origins Convention has accepted all five illustrations,
so here are the other three and the sections the belong in:
Diplomacy
Board Games
Collectible Card Games

Possible Commissions 2

2009-05-31T10:44:00.001-07:00

Here is another part to the possible commission.
Remember they can kill ya' but they can't eat ya' .
No word from the convention, as of yet.