The BP Disaster

I am not a political or editorial cartoonist by trade. But the BP Gulf disaster is an issue that I think everyone should be outraged over... Eventually if will affect everyone on this planet whether we want to think about it or not. And the attitude that BP has displayed in trying to protect its profits first, its public image second, and the environment last is disgusting. But I am not going to preach about it here. I just encourage everyone to educate themselves on the issue and make a difference when and where they can.

This image came to me after hearing about the Gulf oil leakage and has stuck in my mind ever since. So for the sake of sanity I finally took the time to get it on paper.

*In order to keep my "Political & Editorial" art separate from my "Fantasy Illustration" I have created a new blog dedicated to the cartoons. So if you are into that sort of thing stop by The Cartoon Grill .

Mutation Nation!

Presenting my entry for ArtOrder's latest challenge - "Mutation Nation".

The challenge was to create and illustrate a creature that would fit into WOTC Gamma World, a post-apocalyptic world rife with mutation. My concept is a cephalopod humanoid called a "Cephalok Sewer Wraith". The Cephaloks are an air breathing race of intelligent creatures who leech moisture from other living things via their tentacles. These "water vampires" dwell in dark, humid areas like abandoned city sewers.

More than anything else I learned a lot doing this piece and wish I had time to go back and do it all over again. But hey, its all about the next piece, right?

The Redcap

One of my favorite bits of folklore is the "Redcap" of England & Ireland. Described as a "border goblin" these malevolent creatures like to murder travelers and dip their caps in their victim's blood. They wear heavy iron shoes and carry large iron pikes but are supposed to be pretty quick on their feet despite the encumbrance.
This piece is also another study for me in line drawing and an excuse to render something that is both educational and wicked at the same time.

Flying Thing...

2010 has gotten off to a busy start. My job as a Motion Designer has (thankfully) kept me pretty damn busy. But that doesn't mean I haven't been drawing. On the contrary I can't seem to stop... which is a good thing... I think.
I also attempted to connect with some folks in the RPG publishing industry and began work for a start-up online magazine that provides material for a variety of tabletop games. But as of now it looks like they are not moving forward with their publication. So once again, I am looking for a publisher.
In order to make the most of my time while I look for "publishers in need" I am concentrating on adding interior line drawings to my portfolio. So this thing is just a taste of things to come...

The Morrigan

This piece was a "Character of the Week" for Concept Art.
The assignment was a depiction of "The Morrigan" - a Celtic goddess of war and death. The Celtic gods and goddesses of myth form the foundation for the "Sidhe" or "fairies" of Irish folklore. So my concept was a figure that combines fey features with the "perfect" form and figure of a divine entity.
Crows are her signature creature and I added the skulls to impart a necromantic spirit to the piece.

The Diakonos Demon

Another "Creature of the Week" for Concept Art.
This one was a request for "Merlin's familiar" and suggested that we reference the legends which mention that Merlin may have had a father from Hell (literally). "Diakonos" is a Greek word that means "servant" and my concept was a variation on the common "imp".

The Satyr Slayer... a Slayer of Satyrs

There's this great site called Concept Art. If you have any interest in concept art or illustration you really should check it out. They have these weekly "contests" where an assigned concept is given and you have one week to turn around a finished piece. It's a great motivator and a great way to work amongst other artists. The assignment for this piece was a "Satyr Slayer" and my concept was a large predator that uses its hollow horns to mimic the Satyr's pan pipes as a lure.

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

2010. New year, new blog, and a new attitude toward my artwork. I will be honest... I don't know how to blog. Seriously, I don't know what to say, what not to say, and when I do know what I want to say I often have a hard time finding the right words. So bear with me. Because from what I understand blogging is an excellent way for an artist to network and to keep potential employers aware of your presence in an industry flooded with talent.
Around October of last year it suddenly dawned on me that I wasn't going to magically become a published and successfully working illustrator just because I like to draw. Not that I've been hanging around doing nothing since school. I am a successful motion & graphic designer with a damn near perfect family and a life I wouldn't trade for any other. But I want more.
When I was a kid I was fascinated by all things fantastic and mythological. Odin, Thor, and Loki were my heroes and their world of giants, dragons, and evil dwarves was were I wanted to live when I "grew up". The "Fantasy & Sci-Fi" section of the bookstore was like a gallery to me and I would wander up and down the aisle admiring the pulp book covers and role-playing game manuals. To this day I have to admit I still do the same thing. So without wasting any more words this is my bid to be a part of that world.

This first piece was done in October of 2009. I am going to spend the next few posts publishing the work that I did from then until the end of November. After that I took a bit of a hiatus during the holidays to spend time with family and travel but I am back now and will be updating often. If you know me already then you may have already seen these pieces. But at least here I can post them at a decent size (just click on the pic to see it larger). Wish me luck and any advice, contacts, or information is appreciated.

Jeff



Old Spook 2009 Self promotional. Digital.