How's it going everybody,
I was talking with writer and pal, Gary Raisor recently and he mentioned he was going to the second largest convention in the country this year, which is of course Dragon Con in Atlanta. Gary was promoting quite a many project there: books, comics and even a short film of a short story of his.
One of the many entree's on Gary's dinner plate is a story called Less Than Human. He's currently in the midst of putting together a film script and graphic novel adaptation of LTH and wanted to know if I was curious about contributing a concept sketch of main character Steven Adler.
I've read both Gary's original novel of LTH as well as his film script of it and one of the many things that stands out are his characters. Deeply crafted, real and very often funny as hell. Steven in particular. In a sinister manner of course, being that he's the "bad guy". So of course I worked up a drawing as fast as my hands would allow and the results rests right here.
Now, I've done sketches of Mr. Adler in the past but this time I wanted to really visually express his personality, while also touching on those mysterious aspects of his character. A funny guy? Yeah. A nice guy? Well, no. Working on this drawing was, as is the case with all of Gary's characters, extremely engaging and I had a good time with it.
(Word has it Gary even had the chance to show it to Lance Henriksen while at the show. And, well, that's just plain cool).
Anyways, hope you guys dig it and I'll talk with you soon.
- D
 Hi everybody,
In celebration of the Baltimore Comic Con this weekend I want to post this piece. Why?
Well, the drawing to our left is actually pretty meaningful to me. It's nothing to get all teared up over but this is the VERY FIRST, yes first, convention sketch I ever did. It was drawn at last year's Baltimore Comic-Con, when I was set up with Mr. Sam Costello for the release of our comic Termites in Your Smile (btw, more stuff from us soon. But I digress... ).
Not long into the opening Saturday a young lady by the name of Trish came up to me with a black sketchbook. She was filling it with convention sketches and requested Warren Ellis' well-known character Spider Jerusalem. And of course... I didn't know who he was. Nice, right? But with paper and pencil and brush & ink (and some reference photos) a few moments later I handed this back. She seemed pretty happy with it and wore a nice smile as she walked off. That was a great way to start off my convention sketch experience and really made my day.
Thanks for the request Trish!
- D
 Hi everyone,
Just wanted to mention I'll be having a signing this Saturday in Hunt Valley, MD at the fantastic Greetings & Readings book store.
"What for" you ask? Well, I've had the pleasure of working on a fine novella titled "Sara Sharps and The Liberty Guards" by author Steven Jay Blank. This Saturday will mark it's debut release and what better way to celebrate than with a signing.
"So what's it about" you say? In short, it's a historical tale with elements of fiction based on the untold story of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry.
Here's a brief description from the back cover...
"Local girl, Sara Sharps is living an ordinary existence in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia in the late Summer of 1859. All that ends when she meets and falls in love with John Cook, aka William Binder, a Lieutenant in John Brown’s Provisional Army, there to participate in the upcoming October raid. A striking and capable seventeen year old girl, Sara senses and uncovers the ill-fated raid... but will she be able to stop it?
Based on actual historical evidence of the people and events of that time, Sara’s journey is one of love, intrigue and loss. Along the way we meet Brown’s main leaders and are there as they debate, prepare and disagree about whether to go ahead with the attack. These men are uniquely human, whose self-importance and drive for a place in the great cause against slavery bring them here from all parts of the country. Like their leader, John Brown, these are incomplete men, recklessly driving a wagon through Harper’s Ferry and to the gallows of Civil War legend.
What will become of Sara and The Raiders? Will she be able to save the love of her life? And, could her knowledge of the coming raid change the course of history?"
Steve and I have been working very hard over the last number of weeks as he wrapped up the book and I created the cover & interior illustrations, as well as headed the graphic design duties. It's been quite the adventure and we're both truly looking forward to the signing this Saturday. It's going to be a great time so come on out and say hi! Info on the location and time is right below.
Signing for "Sara Sharps and The Liberty Guards"
August 20, 2011 from 1-4pm
Greetings & Readings
Hunt Valley Towne Centre
118-AA Shawan Road
Hunt Valley, Maryland 21030
410-771-3022
Thanks all and see you at the signing!
- Doug
Hi everyone,
Here's another quick thumbnail from the illustration I've been working on based upon the life of Charles Stillman.
Thanks and talk soon,
- D
Happy Birthday to my youngest sister, Mikayla! She who turns the wise old age of 17 today. See ya soon sis (and btw I get a corner piece of the cake).
To everyone else Happy Friday and have a great weekend!
Later,
Doug
 Hi everyone,
This is a drawing I did for a theatrical performance called Project Runaway, based on the documented stories of runaway slaves and indentured servants in the early 1800's. The depiction we have here is of Captain Edward Dix of the British Royal Navy, captain of the HMS Menelaus.
A week before Christmas in 1814 the ship was docked in Baltimore harbor. That night the young William "Rolla" Ross, a 14 yr old slave of the Neths of Annapolis, fled for freedom - leaving behind his mother & family and boarding the England-bound Menelaus.
Not going unnoticed master Neth sought out the return of his "property". Upon his arrival Captain Edward Dix sternly and unquestionably refused to give up Rolla to Neth, standing his ground despite the Marylander's heated demands.
Later that evening the Menelaus set sail for England and, due to Rolla's bravery and the Captain's strong character, William "Rolla" Ross escaped forever the grasp of slavery.
- D
Hi all,
This piece of blue suede Cadillac-induced horror is a concept illustration I did for a story called Straight to Hell, written by one Mr. Gary Raisor. Please allow me the pleasure of introducing you to the gentlemen of this tale:
Starting off to the left is Reverend Sonny, wearing a fashionably designed Vegas-style Elvis jumpsuit with matching cane, oxygen tank and single-pump shotgun...
Pulling up the rear is Cadillac Elvis, hanging tall and composed of bits and pieces of Caddy's gone by...
And shortest, but not least, is the finest of all Elvis imitating dwarves who goes by the title of Vernon.
And there we have it. The whole gang. Hope you all enjoyed our time together and perhaps one day we'll cross paths again, down the corridors of the Heartbreak Hotel.
- D
Hi everyone,
I've been paying close attention to the relationship between time & art-making and the effects it brings to one's work. There's a cool dialogue that goes on when you're working extremely quickly, eliminating all distraction and narrowing your focus to the extreme.
This drawing to the left is the result of that narrowing, but oddly enough it's more of a side-effect. I'll talk about this a little more in future posts as it has to do with this process I've been developing recently when I'm inking my comics.
In the meantime though, I hope you enjoy this sumi ink drawing of one eye-gazing girl making one sudden appearance.
Thanks all. Talk with you soon,
- D
Good day everyone,
So, quick question... Who loves spiders?
C'mon, be honest. You know they're cute with their spindly little legs, fangs and gazillion eyes and whatnot. Well anyways, this little guy is one of a number of ink sketches I worked up for a potential album cover for The Dillinger Escape Plan.
Hope you enjoy and remember to check the bed sheets tonight.
- D
 Hi all,
Though done for an entirely separate reason I felt showcasing this drawing was reasonably appropriate. Today is the celebration of the storming of France's Bastille prison, which helped mark the beginning of the French Revolution - removing the monarchy and giving way to ideas such as inalienable rights and citizenship.
In reality this image is actually a representation of Charles Stillman's 1840 escape from a jailhouse in Mexico. But perhaps for today one act of rebellion can lend itself to the great memory of another.
Happy Bastille Day everyone,
-D
|
