AN ARTIST AND HIS PATRONS

I have wanted to have an Artist/Patron relationship for many years. The closest I have ever gotten is the rare Commission ( due to my busy publishing schedule) or the sketches I do at conventions for you guys. But never the connection with a true Patron until now.

After I finished my 50 issue, 6 year run on Ex Machina for Wildstorm/DC Comics, It was simply time for a break. So I decided to open up myself to be available for Private Commissions, and not to focus on published material for a short while. These are Not Con-Sketches, mind you, but Commissions. The same level of quality, thought, and dedication that goes into all of my published work over the years. Except with these commissions, they are conceived of by you, and designed, and executed by me, with the Patron acting as kind of an Editor. Not so much telling me to change stuff, but giving me points of interest that they would like to see included in the Illustration, or painting. Just 2 people, (Patron, and Artist), making pretty pictures.

It has been liberating. Not only creatively, but purely from a point of Stress levels. I find myself really loving my Studio Space again. Connecting with it in away that you can't when under the breakneck speed of constant deadlines.

And more often than not my Patrons have said, " I would like this character, but with your spin on it", or my favorite: " Do whatever you want". So it is pure joy picking up the pencil or paintbrush. That is the second thing about this that is so liberating, that I am being asked to Paint on board again. I haven't done it hardly at all since I adopted Photoshop years ago. But It's nice to pick up a brush again, and has re-invigorated me for traditional painting to the point that I will be painting my covers on my future projects ( mostly, as time allows).

Either way, I'm painting again, and my wife is thrilled.

Here is the first commission I took, of Lon Chaney ( The Man of a Thousand Faces), and his many creations. The Patron asked for atheme here. Whatever character I wanted to draw in a trophy room lined with appropriate villians, or what-not. So this is what we hatched at Heroes-Con one year. I have included the Lineart, and the Greywash. In the coming weeks, I will be posting, other commissions featuring The Shadow, Captain America ( Golden Age), Thor, Barbara Gordon as Batgirl, Zatanna, and the Golden Age Flash! Enjoy.

HEROES-CON!

I love this Convention. It really is what I consider to be my "Home" show. Like having the home field advantage in sports. I just feel at ease there. It isn't hard to do that when you have such a great host like Shelton Drum. He and his amazing staff( I'm talking about you in particular Dustin!), plus his amazing wife Linda really know how to throw a great Con. Mainly because he goes out of his way to make it a Family show. No Strippers or Porn Stars selling autographed pics of themselves, whilst their Boobages spill out all over the con. Sheesh, the Cos-Players have that angle covered already, but that's one of my fave parts of the cons too. But it is also Kid Friendly. I see more children at this Con than at ANY other! That's why I wanted my children's first Con experience to be Heroes Con. And it was, last year. They had such a blast! So much so that my wife and I decided they should come back this year, and it was even better for them. Anyway, I am gonna do another update here soon with a bunch of Pictures, and scans of Sketches and what-not! More soon. In the meantime, enjoy this Conan commission from the show. I did this for a fella named Gin Kung. This was clearly my favorite one of the show. Thanks for asking Gin!

OLD MAN HARRIS

The "REAL" Mitchell hundred

So I just scheduled my last photoshoot with a fellow named Jimmy Hill. Now for most of you, that name means nothing. To some though, you will remember that Jimmy Hill has played a character for me in Ex Machina for 6 years. The characters name is Mitchell Hundred. He happens to be the mayor of New york City. And a guy who got fucked up, and recieved the Ability to control Machines with his voice. He spent a short time trying to be a Hero, then cashed in what little success he had into a political career. He ran for Mayor of NYC, won by a landslide ( after he stopped the second tower from being destroyed on 9-11, and then unveiled his secret Identity an d announced he was running for Mayor).

So Jimmy has come over to my house every month, for 6 years to pose for, and to BE Mitchell Hundred. And lemme tell you, he Owns this role. I stopped second guessing whether or not he knew what to do as we were shooting an issue in our first year. He started giving ME suggestions as far as what Mitch should be Emoting. Point is, I will miss Mitchell. I will miss Jimmy too. It's really weird. I feel like I know Jimmy as well as I do anyone, including myself. I'll miss you Mitch. And in turn, I will miss you, Jimmy.

SAEG progress

Writing the Mission statement over the last few days. Almost there. Then I am gonna run it by Steve Niles, and a few others. Once it is where we think it needs to be, we will put it to the group for a vote. Then on to the next step.

Meanwhile, we are building the website and whittling down our choices for a logo in the back ground of all of this, all the while trying to stay on top of deadlines( Ex Machina #50, JLI covers, Various secret projects, etc...) and spending time with my family( School ending, kids getting awards, and performing). Sheesh. I keep reminding myself, and all of those who have joined in with SAEG, that anything worth doing is hard. Keep telling yourself that. It isn't supposed to be easy. If it was, everybody would do it. But If you are on the fence, and you are reading this, PLEASE contact me. We need you. The group needs you. The more of us that band together, the easier it's going to be to get Insurance rates lower, and lower. It will be easier to put together a retirement plan to will yield MAX benefits. Hell everything will be easier. This is really just a reminder that we are still here. Don't lose steam because you are busy, or you haven't heard a Rant in a few days. Take care.

OLD MAN HARRIS

So these are concept Illustrations for a project Steve Niles and I are "Slowly" developing. I think we have a year in it already? Anyway, It's me trying to figure out a visual approach to the 2 main characters. It's NO secret who these guys are, but I want you to go and read the descriptions on these cats in their respective books, and you will see that I am "trying" to channel what the Authors were visualizing. More on this later. When I am not so buried in work!

OLD MAN HARRIS

Heres the final design, minus the body-suit, for B. Clay Moore's and my New book called The Further Adventures of The Whistling Skull!!

OLDY T

BIG-E

Heres the man himself, Enzo ( Big-E) in the Studio.