coloring live tonight till I crash, working on a page from the official Flobots webcomic, and probably Take a Chance #5.

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redesign of the site and blog happened at a good time. I’m swamped right now. Working on editing and designing TWO graphic novels, both over 100 pages long, potentially coloring some interesting new projects, doing a few commissions, and working on my own creator owned project more here. Still, I’m getting a lot done this week, and am scheduling work for June. So if you need a colorist for your comic, a digital painter or concept artist for an upcoming project feel free to get in touch. We’ve been making due here somehow, but it would be nice to line up enough paying gigs for the entire summer, that’s for sure. The search for a day job is going absolutely nowhere right now, so that would be one less thing to worry about.

Can’t wait to start getting actual pages done for the Rift in Time project. The script is really writing itself and I’m having a blast with it. Very fulfilling, and it’s going to be a great all ages kind of project, very visually appealing, fresh and fun I think. A distinct animated kind of Don Bluth look to it all as well.

back to work here, just taking a short break to fill the void with a progress report.

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50 minute study in PS from yesterday.

so every one of my books I’m coloring is on hold for one reason or another right now. I spent the weekend away with the wife for our anniversary and also contemplating my future artistic focus. Also spent the latter part of yesterday, and some time this morning doing the same thing-trying to figure out what direction to take. Every move that I’ve made the last few years has worked out eventually for me, and has met various levels of success. I’m not worried about branching out, or changing directions really. After all, art is art. Whether it’s comics, painting, mixed media, writing, whatever. It all amounts to the same thing, expressing your creative voice and telling a story. I seem to be able to do that in a few different mediums, all with varying degrees of competence. Right now, I’m getting togheter some digital paintings for an exhibit next month, working on a mixed media piece (paint and iron on canvas, ) as well, and also picking some pen and ink drawings I have framed to go in said exhibit. Versatility isn’t something I’m afraid of, and actually, it’s probably one of my strengths as an artist. That, and selling myself. I’m not bad at talking up my work and BACKING up that talk. So I’m going to go with the flow here, speak my mind, follow that artistic voice wherever it leads, and see what happens. I’m not really afraid, I think it’s more anxious/nervous kind of excitement more than anything. that whole, starting a new job feeling that you get sometimes. Of course, money is nice too, and I need to be VERY conscious of that, but I think that will work itself out for the best as well. Being timid doesn’t ever get you where you want to go. Fortune seems to favor the brave and bold. So holding yourself back isn’t a good option, but is a simple trap to fall into. I think in some ways I fell into that trap for a while, and I’ve been holding myself back. It’s time to turn the table, break that mold and get some things done i think.

so yesterday I had a REAL sore back, still sore today, but I realized it was likely a combination of having slept on it wrong the previous night, and also the height at which I was working with my new Cintiq. So after getting some things done, I HAD to rearrange my entire studio so I could work on the Cintiq in a more comfortable way. Pretty much 90% of my work day is spent coloring or painting digitally now, and I would be in for some serious health problems if I hadn’t gotten this Cintiq and been able to get it set up so that it’s as close as possible to working traditionally. Having it on my drawing table is a great idea of my wife’s, and I have to say, so far so good. It’s like I’m working on a regular piece of paper almost it’s so comfortable. Also, finally got around to stealing my buddy DJ’s idea of wallpapering his wall with artwork. Mine is mostly fantasy oil paintings and LOTS of color too. So without further ado, here’s an impromptu studio tour.

First up the Nap Room (or movie room, depending on the time of day) The couch for power naps and thinking, and the chair for sketching and writing and stuff.

The entryway to the studio,

Computer area, complete with notepad for writing down ideas and stuff of course, art ref books, graphic novels, and my Imagine FX magazines.

The new Cintiq setup, much more comfortable, the beginning of the wall of art as wallpaper, some traditional tools, a Pantone flip book for color scheming, various supplies, comics and books, and of course my Cintiq.

Talking to Bob a few weeks ago about our mutual obsession with Batman, so these pics are for him. I had to split up the mini-shrine when I rearranged things, so first, the batman shelf, limited edition metal sculpture, 42 of 1200, various action figures, including the limited edition Rise of Sin Ztu videogame Batman (or however you spell that name),

Limited edition, gold trimmed collector plates, my 3 legged lucky frog, picture of my beautiful wife, my son dressed up as Batman for Halloween when he was 2, etc……

Hero By Night hardcover trade, limited edition with silver foil flames instead of blue, signed by CEO of Platinum Studios Scott Rosenberg (thanks for mailing that out to me Scott ) Displayed in a wonderful silver framed shadow box with glass case my wife got me for Xmas (thanks honey)

The ever growing wall of HBN comics. From right to left, the original HBN mini-series, including all issue 1 variants, issue 1 of the new ongoing series (soon to be joined by issue 2 once Fed Ex comes today or tomorrow), a Tiki-God clock which I refuse to set at the proper time of day, because I really could care less about what time it is and I doubt those Tiki-Gods care either, a few toys and HBN trades.

hope you enjoyed this short little visual tour. I’m off to get more coffee and get to coloring now!

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