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FIRST Convention Sketch... Ever

8/18/2011

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

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Signing for "Sara Sharps and The Liberty Guards"

8/17/2011

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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

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Thumbnail from "The Unveiling of Brownsville"

8/16/2011

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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

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Happy Birthday Sis!

8/12/2011

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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

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Cody & Eugene

8/11/2011

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Hi everyone,

Bet ya didn't see this coming, did ya?

Yeah, I've been trying my hand at comic strips recently - as both illustrator AND writer (as well "creator"). The two gents to our left go the by the titles of Cody & Eugene and are part of a strip titled, well... Cody & Eugene. One is very environmentally conscious. The other? Just a bit less.

The strip is for a fine organization called 2rw Consultants, and it's affiliate EnergyVibe, who are helping to change the way we see energy conservation in a very different way. And I'm of course very happy to contribute. Check them out if you have a moment.

Thanks all. Hope you enjoy this clip and I'll talk with you soon,

- D

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Captain Edward Dix

8/9/2011

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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

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ADRIFT | Rourke

8/4/2011

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Here's a shot of our very opinionated friend, Rourke.

Known as the local conspiracy theorist the ex-military soldier is usually found half-drunk and causing a ruckus at the town watering hole. But the question being... are his thoughts just a figment of his paranoia, or is there more to it that we just don't know?

Hope you all enjoy the sketch and if so feel free to let me know what you think.

Thanks all,

- D

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People's Choice Award

8/2/2011

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Hi everyone,

I've been wanting to post this for a little while now but it kept slipping my mind beneath the piles of paper, pencils, brushes and ink. But now that I've recently emerged, temporarily of course, I've finally gotten around to it.

This is a little something I won at the 19th Annual Juried Exhibition at the Art Institute & Gallery. The piece this award is attached to is an illustration called Too Expensive (if you take a glance above at the header there's quick snippet of it) and was done for a book from Alterna Comics. Great people and books over there. If you have a moment you should check them out. Good folks for sure.

Of the awards and acknowledgments I've taken home in the past I have to say this one here I'm truly proud of. Not because it "placed", which it didn't, but because it was a People's Choice Award, which means a lot to me. It wasn't a favorite piece in the mind of the judge but instead that of the people at the show themselves.

This struck a cord with me and I'd like to send out my sincere appreciation to those who came to the exhibition, enjoyed the piece and voted for it. Thank you.

I've now got a nice emerald green friend that hangs out with me everyday on the wall next to my desk.

- Doug

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HARD RAIN | 9

8/1/2011

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Good Monday all,

Here's another inked panel from Hard Rain. Our two detectives are investigating murder número nueve in so few days.

Gotta say, it's not looking too good for Mr. Middle-Aged Tax Collector.

Thanks all,

- D

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