That's all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here on the blog next week! Until then...
While at IX last month, I was able to get my copies of this year's Infected by Art. I always look forward to getting my copies at the event, and it has become a bit of a tradition in that respect. This year marks the release of volume 13 of IBA, and once again, I have a piece included. The Airship from the upcoming The Completed Circle got a full page in IBA #13, and I think it printed great. Here are images of the book, my art in the
That's all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog. See you back here on Friday! Until then...
In many ways, I am still processing IX 2025. This was the eighteenth year, and I have been attending since year two. A long time to be involved in multiple cities at multiple locations. Post-COVID life and conventions have been weird, and it feels like it still hangs in the air at events, but this year's IX felt different. There was an energy, an excitement, a feeling, and a vibe I haven't felt in easily five years. This year, it felt like it did before COVID. And it was truly and completely wonderful.
I wish I could put my finger on it, but it was all different for me this year in all the best ways possible. For me, this was a FANTASTIC event this year. I brought everything that I could. The entirety of the Grand Bazaar was on display, and it was all very, very well received. Yes, sales were up over the last few years at IX, but it was much more than just that. I felt like I was connecting better with people. I had a thousand amazing conversations about art and life. I saw so many friends and my heart was refilled. We met so many new people, and people who have been on the fringes of our bubble were brought in. As much as IX is about art, it is also about friends, community, and fellowship. You are among your peers, mentors, coworkers, and patrons for a week, and it was the best time I have had there in a good long while. Not that IX is in any way lacking, but the car troubles of two years ago, the lingering gloom of the COVID years, and the state of the world have had their effects on things. But this year it was all gone for me. I was in a wonderful art bubble for a week, and I want MORE.
I have said it before, and I will continue to say it, IX is a
Here are some images and thoughts regarding this year's IX!
That's all for another exciting Monday on the blog. See you back here on Wednesday! Until then...
We have had one Infinity Con, what about a second Infinity Con!? That's right, Infinity Con Gainesville is just over two weeks away, and I will be there as a guest! Infinity Con Tallahassee is a great event
We are looking forward to introducing Gainesville to the Grand Bazaar. I hope to see you there!
That's all for an exciting week on the blog. See you back here on Monday. Until then...
I am still SUPER swamped, so I have for you another unreleased piece from many moons ago.
First and foremost, I can not tell you anything about this work or the project it was created for. I would love to, but I can't, so please do not ask or try to guess.
This time, we are switching projects, companies, and end products. This work was initially done in 2010, and the project was never released. The entire line that this and another piece were created for was killed before it went anywhere. Twelve years ago, I was able to share these for the first and only time, so it seemed like this piece should get in the spotlight again. This one hurt a bit. Not only was I hoping to see this as a finished product, but I did all of the work for the project TWICE before it was eventually killed. The first set of drawings below is the second set that I created for the project. The set at the bottom was an entire set made from an approved front design... and was later not approved. And I got paid around a dollar, and all this work took easily 40+ hours when it was all said and done. But I still have all the drawings in a binder.
That is all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here after IX! Until then...
3Next week, I will be appearing in the main show of Illuxcon in Reading, PA, October 22- 26, 2025. Now that the show is nearly here, I can update you with additional details on my panel schedule, location at the show, and more.
I will be a part of one panel this year, the aptly named Magic Artist Proof Panel. Moderated by Donny Caltrider and will include your truly, Sarah Finnigan, Donato Giancola, Will Smith, and Alex Stone. The panel is described as:
Join Magic: The Gathering artists and collectors as they chronicle their journey with artist proofs, the extremely limited, white-backed versions of the game cards, now turned into traditional artworks and miniature masterpieces. You’ll learn what an artist proof is, where to find them, and how each artist approaches them in their unique style. Stay to the end for several AP giveaways, and an exciting announcement of things to come!
I am really looking forward to being a part of this. I will add that, as I am a part of this panel, I will not be a part of the live artist proof art event later in the show. You will just have to come to my booth at the show.
That's all for another Wednesday on the blog. See you back here on Friday! Until then...
I am thrilled to finally share my work on the newly released Dungeons & Dragons set, Welcome to the Hellfire Club. This is the newest set that mixes classic D&D with the Netflix series Stranger Things. This was a pure joy to work on, not because of it being Stranger Things or even Dungeons & Dragons. It was a joy because I got to work fully traditionally on these pieces. The finals are ink on paper, and they were so much fun to work on. This is the first time working on this type of project, so while there are traditional drawings for these and thumbnail variations, I am still navigating what I can and cannot share. So I will be playing it safe and only sharing the final pieces for now. If you come to IX next week, you will be the first to see all of this work, both the finals and drawings, in person at the show. They will be available for purchase there for the first time as well. As I am also not sure what I can share, I will share with you the art for now, and the stories will wait for another day.
That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog. See you back here on Wednesday! Until then...
Today on the blog, I wanted to point out an artist campaign that I think you all might be interested in. It features fantastic art by an incredible artist, and if you have not already checked them out, you should do so NOW!
Today, we have Melissa Sue Stanley's Shackling - Tales From Baba Yaga's Garden. Melissa shares:
Baba Yaga's Hut is a fascination of mine. I've been drawing, painting, sculpting, and writing about her unique mobile home for over a decade. As I work I dream up little stories about different huts in different landscapes - which led me to the question: where do chicken-legged huts come from?
I turned to my sketchbook for the answer, and began imaging all sorts of juvenile huts. Over years and pages of drawings, I created a strange clearing in the middle of the northern woods where a witch called "The Gardener" returns every 17 years.
I love Melissa's work, and I can't wait to get my hands on one of these. I hope you take the time to check out the campaign!
I am still SUPER swamped, so I have for you another unreleased piece from many moons ago.
First and foremost, I can not tell you anything about this work or the project it was created for. I would love to, but I can't, so please do not ask or try to guess.
Next up is this beefy stampy hooved burny skull dude. This turnaround would have been for something really cool, but it is now a stack of drawings in a binder. This was done back in 2008, and I was given permission to share them in late 2011 or early 2012, and they have been filed away ever since. This is still one of my favorites from the project. This one would have been so neat. Oh well.
That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog. See you back here on Friday! Until then...
I am thrilled to share another new piece from The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia! This illustration is for Book Two: The Completed Circle and is the second of two key locations in the Grand Bazaar featured in the story, The Warren. The first of these locations was shared last week.
The Warren is home to many, including the Nefarious Criminal Despot known as the Basilisk, whom I shared with you in July. The Warren was meant to be a pair of joined luxury towers in the Grand Bazaar to rival Ethra's great tower. Things did not go according to plan, and the project was abandoned only to be taken over by those who wanted a place of their own, away from prying eyes and building codes. While the Warren was not specifically named in the tale of the Completed Circle, it is assumed to take place there. It is not a safe place, but it offers up much adventure for those who dare enter its halls.
If you are familiar with my work and the Grand Bazaar, you might think the above sketch looks a bit different from the sketches I usually share in these posts. And that is because it is. The Warren got its start in my sketchbook. I am unsure if this is a shift in my process moving forward, but it was an unexpected result of having the sketchbook with me all the time. The current piece I am working on has followed my typical process flow, but we never know what the future
As a bonus, I have some images of the rendering process of this piece so that you can get a better idea of it taking shape. As mentioned last time, I used to have a set method of working on these pieces. I had one way, and that was the only way. Again, this one was all over the place. Middle and foreground, and then moving into the background. Sure, why not!
That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog. See you back here on Wednesday! Until then...
