From The Desk

The inking continues...

Wow!

I mean...just....Wow!

How nice does this new book published by IDW of the late and great Dave Steven's Rocketeer look?

I first became aware of Dave's work my first year of art school. One of the great things about art school is not only the learning you get from the various teachers but the students you live and go to school with as well. Everyone around you loves art so you're exposed to a lot of artists and books you've never heard of before.

I'm not sure who first made me look at the collected Rocketeer graphic novel but I'm sure the initial conversation went, "you don't know who Dave Stevens is and have never seen the Rocketeer??? READ THIS!"

Within the week I had bought my own copy.

So now, years later and after his untimely passing, IDW is putting out "Dave Steven's: The Rocketeer, Artist's Edition."

It's every page of Dave's Rocketeer work scanned in color right from the original page. This way you can see every cut and paste mark, every blue line sketch under the ink lines, and all the actual work it took to make every page so beautiful. Some people may not like seeing the "man behind the curtain" aspect of a book printed like this but, for me, it really gets my juices flowing and makes me want to work. Nothing inspires me more than to see the actual nuts and bolts of how something is put together.

And, even seeing the few posted pages on the website really fired me up.

This book comes out sometime this summer, after the San Diego Comicon. so, if anyone out there wants to buy me a gift, put this at the top of the list!

Band Press Kit Photos

About six months ago I went in to my dentist for a regular check up. He's a music fan and collects guitars as well so we always have interesting conversations as his hands are shoved down my throat.

I told him all about OilCan Drive and, as I was right in the middle of making some headway with it six months ago, I told him, "OF COURSE I'll have the whole thing done in six months when I next see you."

But, of course, six months went by quickly and life, client work, and other things got in the way. Two weeks away from seeing him and I was nowhere near done with any aspect of the project.

For some reason I put the six months when I 'd see him next into my head as some sort of deadline. So, when that deadline was fast approaching I kind of freaked out. I raced to get some of the music done but nothing was feeling right. And then, when it was feeling right it took me five days to dial the drum sounds in. That self imposed deadline was coming up fast.

When I felt the art wouldn't be done for the books and covers in time I had some wild idea about making a quickly put together OilCan Drive press kit. It would mimic other press kits I had seen with a cover letter, band bio, an EP of music with three or four songs on it, and some photos of the band.

Most of the press kits I have seen (well, actually, I've only seen one in person) had a black and white photo as opposed to a color one. I thought it would be cool to have the OilCan Drive photos sport a sepia tone to convey that look of a retro-futuristic rock and roll western. I also thought it would be cool to put my cartoon characters in real backgrounds. I brainstormed for a bit and decided to take photos of a few of my favorite places to eat here in town. Armed with my camera I shot a bunch of photos of Deli Zone and Einstein's Bagels.

But, of course, things got in the way and, before I knew it, it was time to go see the dentist. I had blown my deadline and felt like I failed. Not that he seemed to mind. He liked the stuff I gave him last time and told me to keep going. I told him it wasn't done yet but I was working on it.

Maybe next time.

But, I did do these little test photos using some existing art with the photo backgrounds I shot. I really like the way they came out. I think when I have the time to do it I'd love to do individual photos of each band member in my favorite eateries. The thumbnailed ideas are sketched out. It's just a matter of finding some time to work them up into finished pieces.

But, I think I'll skip the self imposed deadlines this time. I have enough stress getting all of the client work I have done on time. I don't need to do it to myself as well.

From The Desk

Ink ink inking the day away!

Sports Illustrated Kids - April

Since I have it on good authority that these images have already been printed in the April issue of Sports Illustrated Kids I thought it would be safe to show them off here.

Another month and a new round of wacky sports situations that asks the reader to call if the play was fair or not.

Back to the Future

For those of you who know me in person and know what I look like I thought I'd share this photo my Dad sent me of himself as a junior in college in 1964.

If there was ever a doubt that I am my father's son this should erase any concerns.

I figure this is what I would look like if I had a Delorean, a Bill and Ted phone booth, or a Hot Tub Time Machine and could travel back in time to 1964 myself.

Even Monika, when first seeing it, said, "oh, look at you...wait minute..."

Have a happy Sunday!

Happy May!

Another new month and another new blog header. And, yet again, OilCan Drive makes the cut and makes the header.

This is a piece I did for the new OilCan Drive book. It will be the header for an article where I get to interview the band on their new upcoming album.

Now, if only they would finish the stupid thing so I could talk to them about it!

For now, though, here's to May and hopefully the end of the snow!