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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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, 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 Like Sons of Anarchy? Yeah, me too. Which is one reason why I'm happy to mention these new editions. Recently wrapped up some illustrations that were developed as part of a pitch to FX Network for the upcoming season of their acclaimed television show, Sons of Anarchy. I worked along side the exceptionally skilled director, art director, & designer Vonetta Taylor. Had a fantastic time collaborating on these and hope to work with Vonetta again in the future. If you'd like to check out some of her other work be sure to stop by Nomenclature-Design.com. Also, be sure to keep an eye peeled for the TV spots that'll be airing soon. If they have that ink drawing feel you know what's up. Thanks all and talk with ya soon, - D Good day all, Recently I've been making an effort to enlighten myself about history, and in particular about American history. In doing so I've tried to gear my work as an artist in that direction as well, which is why I'm extremely pleased to announce my participation with the Historic Annapolis Foundation in an upcoming project titled Project Run-A-Way. Project Run-A-Way is a multi-media theatrical performance dealing with the lives of slaves, indentured servants, and convict servants in America between the years of 1720 and 1860. It goes into detail about the lives of these individuals, they're beliefs on slavery, their desires for freedom and their ultimate decision to escape slavery and servitude. Personally this project holds great meaning for myself because most of these stories are of people who resided here in my home state of Maryland. Their escape was advertised, and rewards offered, within two newspapers of the time, the Maryland Republican and the Maryland Gazette. Over the last year historians in Annapolis, MD have studied these advertisements and used them to piece together the great stories of these very intriguing individuals. Some are directly from the continent of Africa, some are irish indentures, while others were born right here in America. They were musicians, writers, mothers, fathers, husbands, and wives. And, for most of them these performances will be the first time their stories have ever been told. Now, some of you are probably thinking "I didn't know Doug could act". And, well, I can't (I did get out school a couple times by faking being sick but I'm sure my skills have diminished since then). I'm actually part of the "multi-media" aspect of the performance. Through viewing the newspaper articles, reading the various scripts, and working closely with the wonderful Scotti Preston and Glenn Campbell of the Historic Annapolis Foundation I've come up with a number of portraits and illustrations of characters and scenes pertaining to the stories of the "runaways". I've done my best to bring these characters to life and to accurately depict, both physically and emotionally, certain scenes from their lives. I've included a few here on my website as examples. It's truly been a pleasure to be a part of this. It's been eye-opening, educational and I'm very much looking forward to seeing the performances. If you're interested in seeing the show yourself you can visit the website for the Historic Annapolis Foundation right HERE for more information on dates and locations. There will be a total of four performances this month and I'll be attending at least one of them at the wonderful Avalon Theatre in Easton, Maryland. If anyone has any questions about the show you're more than welcome to contact me. Thanks all and talk with ya soon, - D Good day all, Just wanted to post up my latest illustrated effort fresh from the drawing table. This fellow is based upon the short story titled At the Edge, written by the talented Ms. Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and sits within the pages of Space and Time magazine issue 113, which will be hitting stands very soon. So be sure to keep an eyeball or two on the look out. Or just "feel" around for it until it's in your grasp. If you're interested in checking out further work of Moreno-Garcia be sure to visit her website & blog right HERE. Thanks all and talk with you soon! -D Good day all, Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and a Merry Christmas this past weekend. Here where I'm located we actually had our first "White Christmas" in, I'm told, 17 years. Nothing like a light dusting of snow to help heighten the holiday cheer. Makes it a little cozier and for some reason the food tastes even better. Don't know why, but it does. Also makes Bing Crosby's song that much more enjoyable. THEN yesterday that light cozy dusting reproduced itself into almost a foot of chilly snow. It blanketed everything, shut down back roads, and closed half the stores in town. My family and I thought it would be good to take advantage of our first true snow experience of the year. We decided to go for a short winter walk to the store for coffee and groceries before the sun went down. So bundled up in thick coats and boots (I had on dress shoes. I'd regret that later) the six of us headed out down the snow covered road. The thought that we may have slightly underestimated the friendly weather came to mind as we turned the corner of our street and the wind picked up and the snow deepened. Despite this realization it didn't stop me from pursuing my own interest... in a snow ball fight. Meg, who was way ahead and leaving us literally in the "dust" soon felt the wrath of my perfectly aimed snowball. Right in the back of her hooded head. Surprisingly she wasn't terribly thrilled by this and returned an inaccurate version of her own. Riding the wave of confidence I had from my sniper shot just a minute before I decided to catch her attempt and deliver it right back. However, the ground had better things in mind as I slipped around in some kind of circular motion with at least three limbs stretched out as far as they could go and then landed on one them. My hand definitely hurt but I'm not sure if it counted as an official "fall" however I'm sure Meg took that as a win. Apparently Karma works just as well in the snow as anywhere else. The plot thickened a little as we saw a car pull a 180 in the middle of the road, at the store the cashier gasped as a truck mistook the entrance to the store as, well, not the entrance to the store, AND on the way back my mom stumbled on a curb hidden by ice, Meg, Mikayla, and Katie all slipped at some point, and my stepdad demonstrated an impressive collapse in the middle of the street. He was okay though. And no groceries were damaged in the performance. We all returned home surprisingly uninjured. Though with red cheeks and ice imbedded in our eyebrows and hair, while also wearing the remains of snow balls from the mutiny I started not long after the journey began. We didn't go out anymore after that. But I tell ya, our late breakfast was incredible. - D Good day all, Today is an interesting day. Why, doth one say such things? Well, today marks one full year from the first day I started posting here on the website (seriously, go check it out). It's been a good year and if anything, enjoyable and entertaining. Which is something to try and have little of, especially during the busyness that life seems to bring. So to celebrate this monumental human achievement (please hold your applause) I thought I'd post a few things in regards to something I've been asked about a couple times. It's also something I myself, and probably most artists, find curiously sitting on the edge of our minds when viewing another's work. It's something we think about, analyze and wonder. It makes us scratch our heads and smile. The process of creating. Whoa, right? People really bite into this topic though and rightfully so. From the questions of Vermeer's possible use of the camera obscura to the x-rays used for a mere glimpse at the layers beneath Da Vinci's masterpieces. It intrigues us, surprises us, and helps us learn and grow. Personally I've always enjoyed this topic but one memory that comes to mind and encapsulates this interest was a trip the National Gallery in Washington, DC. This was during the high school years and my classmates and I were lucky enough to be personally shown a drawing of Raphael's. Just sitting there. Right in front of us. Not under glass. Not behind a velvet rope. But sitting just a few feet from us. It was memorable not only because it was a Raphael but because it was a small look inside the ideas that came about and eventually lead up to the finale. We were even given enough time to sketch the drawing itself. Think I still have that in my old duct taped sketchbook somewhere. How'd we get the opportunity? Eh, I've no idea. Maybe it was normal procedure. Or Mr. Morris was well connected? A bribe? Someone lost an arm wrestling contest (I wouldn't have arm wrestled Morris)? Who knows. Okay, well that's a lot of talking which I hadn't planned on doing. So anyway, as I mentioned I've been asked a couple times myself about my own process and I thought it may be interesting to do a little x-raying beneath my own, in comparison to the above, meager attempts. In particular, the piece shown above called The Witch of Faith Lane. BUT unfortunately I've eaten away my time with talk and now I've actually gotta get back to the drawing board, literally. So to be fitting with the occasion of this one year monumental human achievement (continue holding applause) I'm going to do something I've not done before. And that is... TO BE CONTINUED... Thanks all and talk with ya soon! - Doug Good December all, Now that we're well into the holiday season I thought it would be fun to take a giant left turn and stop by the ole' apocalyptic arena. Nothing aids in rising those holiday spirits like thoughts of long gleeful lines of impatient customers and the occasional zombie or burning vehicle. Tis the season tis it not? Well, to help get those thoughts churning we have here an illustration for issue #111 of the delightfully suspenseful sci-fi horror magazine known as Space and Time. It's based upon the words found in the exciting short story July 10th, written by one Mr. Vaughn Wright. For myself this one was very much a tale of "labor of love". Fishing through the story, tracking down tidbits of visual notes for what to include, what not to include, and how to include it. Then rendering it all in Windsor & Newton black Indian ink on one of my personal favorites, Borden & Riley #234 Paris paper. Definitely good times and hopefully you may enjoy it a little as well. Thanks all and talk with ya soon! - D Happy Thanksgiving! This holiday is most assuredly one of the busiest of the year. I've read that out of the entire year this day actually is the most highly traveled. People are flying all over the country to go and spend time with family and friends. Personally this is one my favorite times of the year for exactly just that, a chance to gather the family together and enjoy one another's company and the quirky personalities of those family members. It's a heart warming and stomach filling day for sure. In response to this holiday I wanted to post a drawing that relates to family. This one in particular is about my dad. I usually try not to dig too deep into "narrating" my work, as I typically feel it's a part of art's responsibility to tell it's own story. However, this time I'll make an exception and ramble just for a quick moment. Back when I was just a little guy my dad would take me fishing. We'd head to a little spot off of Riverside Drive called "The Bridge" as it was dubbed by my Dad and uncles. We'd go down there and fish for what seemed, from my perspective at the time, as hours upon hours. Which in reality was more like... heck it probably was hours (my dad really likes fishing). Dad would pull the truck over onto the dirt road shoulder, we'd grab the fishing poles, tackle box, and other essentials and make our way through the grassy path that was carved out by the others before us. From what I remember The Bridge was old, of course when you're a young boy everything is old. It was long, made with wooden planks and a metal railing and ran the length of the road over the Wicomico River, with large rocks that ran up the far ends of the bridge where the water met the ground. It was kind of creaky and seemed to be the gathering location of every known spider in the world, as well as the spiders that were big enough to EAT those spiders (again from my perspective at the time). Dad stayed on The Bridge while I adventurously climbed down to the rocky gravel below where at low-tide there was an area to stand near the bank. We'd cast our lines out. Dad's being a pretty high-grade pole with an artificial worm and a flickering metal piece to attract the fish's attention. I preferred my small pole with worm and bright orange bobber. Something about the dirt the worms came in, it's texture, smell, and the many ways to wrap the worm on the hook. Good dirty fun. Then came the long moments of staring at that bobber. Just waiting for something to happen. Intensely eyeing it with my half-squinted glare. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing for SO long it seemed. The occasional look up at dad waiting to see if he thought I should reel in the line and cast it back out again. Then PLOP! The bobber would go under for a split second, pop back up like it was desperately reaching for a breath of fresh air and then PLOP! Back under again. This was my cue and I'd reel it in with as much speed as a kid could muster, dad smiling and watching from above curious to see what I had on the other end. The line darting back and forth through the dark water gradually making it's way towards the shore. Pulling it in I'd be expecting some fish monster or mutated boot with gills (fingers crossed). Just as satisfying though it'd be a bluegill. Slimy and feisty with it's little spikey fins. I'd lay it on the rocky gravel, steady it and pull the hook out as gently as I could without stabbing my fingers. Some part of me always wanted to keep them as a souvenir of my diligence and attention. A sign of my great fishing conquest. But dad always said "nope, throw'em back". We were just having fun. A good time outside. The fish would right himself in the water and swim off until I couldn't see him anymore. The slime still on my hands. Then back to the worms, the hook, and the bobber and the line was cast out yet again with boyish eagerness. We'd stay and fish until the sun went down. For one, we couldn't see anything and for two, and more importantly, that's when the spiders truly revealed themselves. Neither dad nor I liked the idea of that. The drawing here is from the view we had from The Bridge. It's no longer there these days. Got a little too old, little too creaky I suppose and it's now replaced by a new road with an aluminum guard rail. Not too long ago with brush, ink and sketchbook in hand I went down, hopped the rail, and put some ink on some paper and that's what we have here. The Bridge may have been gone but the fish were jumping and the smell of those days-gone-by still lingered strongly in the air. So with my rambling rambled today I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. And be sure to remember to appreciate the time we're given with those special people in our lives. Whether it be in a warm embrace, or over a slice of pumpkin pie. Thanks all and have a Happy Thanksgiving, Doug Evening all, Hope everyones Halloween weekend has been an extravaganza of ghoulish fun and fright. The weather today has been incredible and the leaves on the ground are crisp and crackle with each footstep. Yes indeed, it definitely feels like Halloween. So in celebration of this glorious holiday of mixed feelings and historical ambiguity I thought I'd post an illustration that's recently emerged from the depths of the drawing board. The little beast we have here is in collaboration with Richard Pitaniello's short story "Celestial Death-Match", which rests within the pages of issue #112 of the great and long-lasting Space and Time magazine. On stands now. Thanks all, enjoy and of course Happy Halloween! - D Happy Halloween! Well... in about 30 days that is. It's kinda hard for me not to think of All Hallows Eve even when it's only October 1st. It just feels like like it, ya know? And I'm sure I'm not alone in that, as I walked outside today and the leaves on the ground were spinning around in a cool brisk circle. Ahhh, greatness. Anyways, in celebration of the calender pages turning towards the great month of October I thought I'd post an illustration I did this past Summer. Makes sense, right? It will. Trust me. A little while ago I was asked by powerhouse writer-extraordinaire Mr. Gary Raisor (that's his official title actually) to illustrate a short story of his called Better Watch Out. Gary is one of the most skilled authors I've ever had the pleasure of meeting or reading and of course it was an honor to be asked to work with him. So, in one of my finer displays of intelligence, I graciously accepted. The story is also in conjunction with an interview Gary did with Mr. Andrew Monge of Horror Drive-In, a wonderful website for all things horror and scary-like (see, it all makes sense now. Halloween, scary, horror. Right?) And after reading the interview and listening Gary's funny and poignant comments I'm still on the fence as to whether the interview or the story is more entertaining... Ah, it's a tie. But I'll let you guys have the final vote. So click away right HERE and check out allllll of the goodness. It's guaranteed to make you laugh, shiver and think all at once. AND as a bit of inside information, just between you and me, I'll be posting some info very soon about another project Gary and I are currently working on. But I'll keep that hush hush for the moment. Until then... Happy (almost) Halloween! Bwah hah ha haaaa! (I love doing that) HELLO, do YOU work here? just hit stands TODAY! So madam, I do say RUN to your nearest local comic shop, DISREGARD any of the elderly that may block your path, KICK the doors wide open, SHOVE that pimple-face redhead freckly boy out of the way and GRAB yourself a copy. Or you can just call ahead and ask them to hold it for you... ya know, whichever you prefer. I like option "A" myself but that's just me. On a calmer note I just got my copy of the book in the mail the other day and it's a great little read. Wonderful to have just lying on the coffee table to get a quick chuckle out of whenever you sit down to relax. Great stuff indeed. And so a big thanks to Peter Simeti of Alterna Comics for having me involved, as well Christina Brown for writing such a fun story. |
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