Kickstarter Roundup - Igniting the Spark

Today on the blog, I wanted to point out a current Kickstarter project that I think you all might be interested in. It is a major documentary about the history of the art and game of Magic the Gathering, and if you have not already checked it out, you should do so NOW!

IGNITING THE SPARK, The Story of Magic: The Gathering

This time around, the amazing humans behind EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons are back, and this time they have their eyes set on Magic the Gathering with IGNITING THE SPARK, The Story of Magic: The Gathering! 

In their own words, here is what you can expect from this project:

"IGNITING THE SPARK, The Story of Magic: The Gathering explores Magic's origins, its rapid growth, its enduring popularity, and its massive influence on the gaming industry and people’s lives. How did a card game developed by students at the University of Pennsylvania—simply constructed but with highly sophisticated rules—turn into a multi-billion-dollar pastime and pop-culture juggernaut? Why has it been so passionately embraced by millions of players for three decades and counting? What makes Magic so… magic? Through interviews, archival footage, and deep dives into hidden vaults of long-lost treasures, IGNITING THE SPARK answers those questions, and so many more!"

 

"The production phase of the film is complete and we have a digital distribution agreement in place with The Nacelle Company—the team behind the hit docu-series The Toys That Made Us and The Movies That Made Us (Netflix), Behind The Attraction (Disney+), Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek (History Channel), and Icons Unearthed (Vice TV). Specific distribution deals with various streaming services are still being worked out, but IGNITING THE SPARK will appear on at least one streaming channel once the film is finished by Spring 2023. (And likely many more.)

This Kickstarter will primarily help us raise money for post-production expenses, the largest of which include editing, animation and graphics, acquiring the rights to video and photographic assets, color correction, and music. It will expand our creative options, and it's also a unique chance to include you, the Magic players and fans!

The documentary features more than 50 interviews, including the game’s creator, Richard Garfield, and Wizards of the Coast founders, as well as current and former Magic: The Gathering executives, creative leads, art directors, artists, editors, production specialists, and designers. We also sat down with art collectors, store owners, museum curators, cosplayers, casual and professional players, and fans."

I don't know about you, but that sounds amazing and that it is nearly here. They need your support so that they can get IGNITING THE SPARK, The Story of Magic: The Gathering across the finished line. I hope you can support this project at whichever level catches your eye.

That is all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here on Monday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Into The Ultra Interview

I recently had the extreme delight to be interviewed by Brain Stillman for his new series, Into The Ultra! It was a blast to sit and chat with Brian about Magic the Gathering, D&D, Star Wars, and the Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia. I have known Brain for years, and it was so exciting to be a part of his new project. You can watch the interview here or over on YouTube, and be sure to check out the Facebook page. 



That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog, see you back here on Friday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

THANK YOU!!!

Without your help, we couldn't have done it!

Twenty-two years and one month later, we are funded and on our way to the printers! My endless thanks to everyone that helped to make this day a reality. We could not have done it with you. MANY thanks to Achsa Nute, Steve Leacock, Jon Schindehette, Brian Stillman, and Jeff Solomon for all their work to get the books finished and the Kickstarter created. To all that recorded themselves reading sections of the book, Allen Panakal, Ralph Horsley, Kayla King, Daniel Hooker, Chris Seaman, Iris Compiet, Scott M Fischer, Jabari Weathers, and of course the great Todd Lockwood, THANK YOU for your time and energy to support the project. My personal thanks go to Jason Pedersen, Amy Jiao,  Kat G Birmelin, and last but certainly not least, Jacob Walker for their time and artistic talent in coloring my monsters. And lastly, thanks to each and every one of you that backed the Kickstarter, shared the links, shouted from the rooftops, and supported me along the way! We made it! It's done, and there will be books soon!

After a little rest, it will be time to double down on getting back to work on the next books in the series. I have many more stories to tell, monsters to create, and art to make.

I have a lot of non-Grand Bazaar blog posts to share with you. Stuff that has been sitting around and waiting for me to have the time to share it. Well, now that the Kickstarter is over and the Grand Bazaar is out of my hands, I will have that time.

That's all for another VERY exciting Monday on the blog, see you back here on Wednesday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

A Closer Look at the Stats Guide for The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia!

*UPDATE! The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia is NOW AVAILABLE!*

 

 

Collected Guide of Reference Statistics and Cataloged Research Calculations pertaining to the Beings and Beasts of the Grand Bazaar of Ethra by Bryenn Stiihlmon and J’ff Soulohmon

As previously mentioned, I will be offering a 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons compatible stats guide as part of The Grand Bazaar of Ethra VanDalia Kickstarter. I was fortunate enough to have the help of Brian Stillman and Jeff Solomon, who kicked a whole lot of butt and created stats for the beings and beasts in my book. I can not express how happy I am with their work, and they truly brought a D&D feel to my creations.

The book is 84 pages and measures 5x8. It is the perfect size for a companion guide, and its contents are arranged in the same order as the main book. I had a lot of fun doing the design and layout of this book and creating the additional text and content. This is not merely at stats guide. It is a document created in the world of the Grand Bazaar by the psychometricians to better understand the world through numbers. For each entry, there is a small psychological write up by one of the two psychometricians who wrote this book, Bryenn Stiihlmon and J’ff Soulohmon.

Here is a look at the Iishlukmaw, but you might know it better as the Aberrant Stilter. 

CHOMP CHOMP! You better steer clear of that mouth.

To keep the page layout consistent, I created Proverb of the Psychometricians. I ended creating more than I needed, which is good since the psychometricians will return.

Proverb of the Psychometricians

I think I will share one more entry with you today! Here is the entry for Shaper's Sentries, but you might know them as Footman. 

Again, I am SO happy with the job Brian Stillman and Jeff Solomon did on these. I could not have done this without them!

The Kickstarter launches February 29th! You can expect to hear more about this in the coming days and weeks.

That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog. See you back here on Wednesday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons - Now Out!

I am a little late in getting this one the blog but better late than never! EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons is now out and available for streaming everywhere you like to purchase streamable movies. As you may remember from previous posts that I am featured in the documentary, and I talk about making monster art. There is a really nice review on Geek and Sundry that shares images and clips from the film. Speaking of clips, one of them is me talking about monsters! RAWR!

Just some idiot, talking about monsters while ruining a really awesome documentary

Kelley Slagle, Seth C. Polansky, and Brian Stillman did a tremendous job on the documentary, and I can not say enough good things about it. I HIGHLY recommend you getting a copy and checking it out this weekend. You will not regret it!

That is all for another exciting week on the blog, see you back here on Monday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Pensacon 2019 Recap

Another amazing Pensacon has come and gone. I can not say enough good things about the convention, those that run it, work it, and attend it. Three days of super fun times and really great people. This year was by far my best Pensacon to date, both financially and as a convention. The area of Pensacola that surrounds the Bay Center is getting to feel familiar, and we are taking part in a lot more events outside of the convention. Our con family is expanding, and the fun level has significantly increased. Pensacon 2020 has been announced, and I can not wait to return!

A HUGE thanks goes out to Mike Ensley, Steve Wise, and all of the AMAZING staff and volunteers for bringing me back and making it such a wonderful experience. And thanks to all those that stopped by my table to talk about art, monsters, and more. You are all responsible for making my time at Pensacon so much fun and memorable! 

Here are some images and thoughts from Pensacon 2019...

 Once again it somehow all fit into my car.

 Getting ready for set up.

 The vendors are hard at work getting everything ready.

 My Pensacon 2019 booth set up. I tried something different this time around, I left my original paintings at home and brought canvas prints of my most popular paintings. It was more successful than expected!

 My favorite drawing from the Thursday night drink and draw. Drawings will be auctioned off for charity.

 The vendor floor is ready for the first day of Pensacon!

 My con neighbor is Sam Flegal! This is the first time we have ever been set up side by side, and it was a great time. We are both ready for the first day of Pensacon!

 I started the first day with a panel on working on game art, usage, and collecting. It was a great panel, and I think we actually talked about relevant topics and answered questions.

 On the panel was me, Brain Stillman, Sam Flegal, and Seth Polansky. I would do another panel with these guys in a second. 

 These are the droids I am looking for.

 Pictures will never do it justice, the vendor floor was packed all weekend. On Saturday there was little to no room to move down there.

 The top highlight of the Pensacon for me was meeting Alan Harris. He was the actor that performed Bossk, who is the character that most directly influenced my journey as an artist. I got a couple figures signed. I had an absolutely lovely conversation with him, and he told me about his time on set performing Bossk. Good times. I mostly kept my cool...

 Here is a set of four Festering Mummy artist proofs with one big sketch on the back. RAWR!

 Speaking of artist proofs with sketches, here are some more.

And, here are even more. I forgot to get images of them all. Artist proofs were huge for me this year at Pensacon.

 The screening of the Eye of the Beholder was GREAT. There was a good turn out, and the Q&A afterward was fun and informative. There were many great questions about making art for D&D and playing D&D.

 Another highlight of Pensacon 2019 was seeing the Cybertronic Spree play on Saturday night.

 The show was beyond AMAZING and if you ever have a chance to see them perform you must go.

 With the help of Dear Wife, I was able to get to the front of the stage, and there was much rocking out.

 By Sunday I was running low on energy, as with most cons, but there was still a lot of fun, excitement, and attendees to meet.

 I was able to finally cross paths with Jeffery Combs at Pensacon. He and I both worked on All Souls Day fifteen years ago, but I never had a chance to talk to him on set. I adore his Star Trek work, and it was great to finally have a moment to talk. I, of course, got my DVD of All Souls Day signed.

 Sunday was busier than expected, and I caught a second wind to see Pensacon over the finish line.

 Beginning last year, we instituted a recovery and rest day after Pensacon on Pensacola Beach.

 After three (four with set up) on the convention, it is good to have some downtime with friends to rest and ease out of the convention experience.

 There are worse ways to end a convention. Thank you Pensacon! It is, as always, a WONDERFUL time!

Be sure to check out the Pensacon website to see who will be coming in 2020 and to follow them on social media to get the newest announcements. I hope to see you all there next year!

That's all for another exciting week on the blog, see you back here on Monday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Pensacon 2019 THIS WEEKEND!

I am THRILLED to be returning as a guest to Pensacon this coming weekend, February 22-24! I LOVE Pensacon, and I always have a fantastic time there. Not enough good things can be said about Pensacon, and I hope to see you there!

I will see you at Pensacon February 22-24, 2019!

The map for Pensacon is up, and you will be able to find me at table 20N on the third floor of the venue in the artist alley. There are a ton of fantastic artist appearing this year at Pensacon, and I will be tabling near several of them. It should be an excellent time with lots of yummy art for the eyes to take in.

Come find me at table 20N, I will be right next to Sam Flegal!

Lastly, I will be part of two events this year. The first will be a sit down with Brain Stillman and Sam Flegal to talk about making art for gaming and dealing with collectors and collecting art. It should be a fun chat and the first time I have had the opportunity to panel with Sam. This panel takes place at the opening of the show on Friday, so don't miss it. The second event will be the screening of the Eye of the Beholder on Saturday. There will be a Q&A after the screening, and since I will be the only artist in attendance that is in the film, I will be there with the filmmakers, Brian Stillman, Kelley Slagle, and Seth Polansky. I hope to see you at one or both of these events! 

Come see me talk about things!

That is all for another exciting week on the blog, see you back here next week after Pensacon! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Eye of the Beholder Kickstarter NOW LIVE!

Back in October of 2016 I shared with you a teaser trailer for a project I am thrilled to be a part of, EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons Documentary. Time has passed, the film is done, and the Kickstarter to get the film across the finish lines is now LIVE!

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons Documentary Kicksstarter

It is a true honor and privilege to be a part of this project. If you are interested in Dungeons & Dragons and art then this is the project for you. I can not speak highly enough about the work of Brian Stillman, Kelley Slagle, and Seth C. Polansky. I supported their documentary about the history of Star Wars toys, Plastic Galaxy,  and that film personally touched me. I can not wait to finally watch Eye of the Beholder because I have no doubt that it will be any less amazing than Plastic Galaxy. I STRONGLY urge you to take a moment to go check out the Eye of the Beholder Kickstarter and hopefully contribute at some level.

That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog, see you back here on Friday! Until then...

 
For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons - Documentary - Teaser

Back in November I mentioned that I had the great pleasure to be interviewed by Brian Stillman for the documentary that he, Kelley Slagle, and Seth C. Polansky are working on, Eye of the Beholder: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons. Time has passed and the teaser trailer for the film is now out! Not only does it look completely amazing and there are a ton of amazing artist featured in the teaser, but I am in it too. Or should I say, the pre Pokemon Go version of myself. If you did not click the link above to watch the teaser trailer, here it is...


EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons - Documentary - Teaser from Kelley Slagle on Vimeo.

If you missed me in the trailer I am the second artist featured, here is a screen shot so you know what to look for...

Manga wanjee kohkpah peecha wahnjee kohkpa tahng nahngee toochantkee troi.

I will definitely be bringing you any and all updates regarding EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons. It already looks amazing and I can't wait to see more!

That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog, see you back here on Friday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Lights, Camera, RAWR!

On Friday I had the great pleasure to be interviewed by Brian Stillman for his upcoming documentary about the art and artist of Dungeons & Dragons. It was a really long and really fun day in front of the camera talking about art, monsters, and D&D. We filmed in my studio, 621 Gallery where my work currently hangs, and the swamps of north Florida. A super fun time all around. To conclude the days filming I created a D&D related sketch on camera to be hopefully used in the finished film. I of course had to draw a Beholder...

Beholder

Sketch created on camera

9 x 12 - Pencil on paper

Original not available

Brain and his partners are just starting out on this new project so we will all have to be patient in waiting for the finished film, but I am sure the wait will be worth it. I am a huge of Brain's previous film, Plastic Galaxy, so I have the utmost confidence in the his new project. I will be sure to keep you all up to date on all the news and events of this film. Let's hope I said something useful and that I will not be edited out! RAWR!

The monster in front of the camera.

That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog, see you back here on Wednesday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Plastic Galaxy, Star Wars figures, and BEYOND!

I have on more then one occasion mentioned my appreciation of Star Wars, working on Star Wars art, and Star Wars action figures. It should be no surprise that when a documentary about the story of Star Wars toys was being funded on Kickstarter I jumped at the chance to supported it. The documentary I speak of is Plastic Galaxy: The Story of Star Wars Toys (they also have a Facebook page too). In all seriousness, I can not speak highly enough about this film. Plastic Galaxy touched me personally and gets to the heart of why these toys and action figures changed everything about toys, merchandising, and captured the imaginations of multiple generations. It can be a satisfying moment to see others articulate thoughts and feelings that you have had for a lifetime with the same conviction and passion. The director of Plastic Galaxy is Brian Stillman and I will bring him up again shortly.

Plastic Galaxy: The Story of Star Wars Toys is available as a tangible object and streaming media, check it out today!

Image from the internet of a Star Wars display from 1981.

They don't make them like this anymore. My time machine usage would focus a lot around this image.

I have shared images before of some of my collection and of the Star Wars figures I use as reference in my art. It is hard to beat highly accurate possible figures that are the perfect reference for project after project. Granted, this collection in no way began as a source of reference, but it certainly did become just that. It all worked out in the end... or at least that is what I tell myself...

Just a few of the many...

Long before Pokemon, you had to catch all of these.

Without a doubt, my Star Wars figures have greatly added in the creation of my art. Reference of all kinds can do nothing but help your work. When that reference is film accurate and possible, it is GOLD! There has only been one or two of my Star Wars assignments that has not involved at least one action figure or toy as reference. Here are just a couple of the many ways I have used my Star Wars action figures to compose my art...

"Salacious B. Crumb" reference images

"The Droid's Task" reference images

After watching Plastic Galaxy I REALLY wanted to contact Brain Stillman and share with him how much his film meant to me and how I use my own love for the toys, and the toys themselves, to create my Star Wars art. Unfortunately it never happened. I never found the right words and I kept putting it off for fears of coming off as a creeper. *Insert all stereotypes of fans and fanatics here*

Needless to say, it was a rather crazy moment this past Gen Con when I found myself standing face to face with Brian Stillman as he was checking out my work. It was even weirder when I realized that he had purchased some of my 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons work from my online store earlier in the year and had not realized it. SMALL WORLD!

I am thrilled to say that I will be part of Brain's next documentary project, a documentary on the art of Dungeons & Dragons! Hopefully not everything I say will end up on the cutting room floor. I will be sure to share ALL the details about this new film as they come available. While it is not Star Wars related, it is certainly very much near and dear to my heart! RAWR!

That is all for another exciting week on the blog, see you back here on Monday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com