Heroes are Fairly Easy to Find.

Another wonderful year at the Heroes Convention! With comic books everywhere, artists to chat with, costumed individuals, free swag, and this year catching a glimpse of the legendary Stan Lee, how could you go wrong?  I got to visit with artists like Skottie Young, Mike Mignola, Earl Norem, Stuart Immonen, and Ed McGuinness.  Just being surrounded by fellow comic enthusiasts is a wonderful feeling.  Whether its the creators, klingons, the miticulous collectors, or the family dressed like the Avengers, we all share the love of stories and how those stories come to life through art. Over the past few years, a new branch of the convention has popped up.  This branch is deemed Indie Island, which encompasses unconventional alternative stories and new blossoming artists.  This also invites a completely new group of attendees that may not be interested in super heroes or big names like Marvel, DC, Vertigo, and Image comics.  In this oasis, I found warm, friendly, and talented artists such as Drew Weing, David Mack, Joey Weiser, Ariela Kristantina, Lee Bretschneider, Justin Peterson, Tara Abbamondi, Emily Erdman, Falynn Koch, and Tait Howard.  Some of these indie artists created tiny hand-made books of their drawings that, to me, just feel like the most precious pieces of inspiration.  Monsters, spirit animals, fearful faces, and Amish boys in another dimension can be easy found anywhere on this Island.  I was excited to find that a good chunk of these bright young minds went to SCAD, where I hope to end up.  All and all it was great weekend that made me reflect on being a young child at this convention; wide eyed and filled with wonder over characters like Batman athe X-Men.  Today, my experience is very different.  As a young artist, I get the chance to meet some of my role models as well as new artists blazing their own trails like me.  Cheers Heroes Con! or should I say... Excelsior!

from left to right

Joanne Spataro[freelance writer], this delightful gal got to interview Stan Lee!, my older brother, Fitz, dressed as Storm Trooper on vaca, and little ol me on the end!

Stan Lee, some Storm Troopers, and Ed McGuinness with my younger bro, Jack.

So much swag.

Check out Joanne's awesome article here!

Zine and Heard.

Ah yes, The Coraddi! UNC-Greensboro's student-run magazine filled with both art and lit gems alike.  Although it is normally a Fall/Spring installation, they are accepting submissions for a summer zine.  The theme is 'Sketchbook/Journal' with 2 grayscale scans per person.  I was so excited to get involved because I am really big into sketchbooking and I always have one on me.  So, I went through my pile of on-going sketchbooks and submitted these puppies! The first is from my little Grand Canyon sketchbook and the second from my beloved moleskin. Hope you enjoy!

Board out of my Mind.

From digital drawing to longboard, this zombie punk has finally come into his own.  I finished this speed board today for one the team riders over at Kitsune Long Board Company.  With leather jackets and human buffet on the brain, this guy can't be beat.  Here are pics and detail shots of the final work.  If anyone is curious, I only used oil-based paint pens on this one.  They couldn't be easier to use.  Don't forget to kick, push, and coast as far away from these undead walkabouts as you can!

Chain Mail

Thanks to my worldly best friend, Alexa.  About a month ago, I learned about this awesome world wide project called 'Postcrossing.'  The gist is that after you sign up you send a postcard to a random person in the world and you receive a postcard from someone else and so on and so forth.  If you just love that feeling you get when there is a surprise in the mail just for you, then this is the ticket.  I've sent postcards all over [UK, Russia, Belarus, Netherlands, Finland, etc.], and received a handful of really sweet cards. In your profile, you can say what kind of cards you would like to receive and what you would like written on them.  A Belgian couple retiring in France sent me a pastry recipe, a sweet girl from Taiwan sent me some music suggestions, and another girl just wanted to vent.  Its been great so far. So glad I started it!  Heres a link if you're interested! http://www.postcrossing.com/

Zombify.

Playing around with the ol wacom tablet today, I found myself drawn to a bit of an undead theme.  Hopefully this little doodle will develop into a sweet board design!

Board Meeting

About to start work on some long board designs! Over the past year, I've painted a few long boards for a local brand (Kitsune Long Board Company).  Ever since my first pair of Vans, I've loved everything about boarding culture, whether that be surf or skate.  To combine my love of long boarding and art making is just a dream.  Here are some of my past designs:

'A B-Boy and his Boombox'

'Robo-D-Stroy'