Funrama

December Update-New Art and Projects

Merry Christmas! Come on in, I've put some kindling on the fire and poured you a cup of hot cider. My official Christmas blog will appear on Paul Cornell's blog on Christmas Eve. I will be bringing Gold, Myrrh, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. So, for now, here's some art:

My 5-year old son and I took a crack at the 12 Days Of Christmas in 12 unique art styles. This is improvisational art and we don't prescribe to your rigid, conformist standards of art:

The White Moth. An illustration for Remake/Remodel on the White Chapel forum.
Inks and watercolors:

Catwoman commission. Inks and watercolors:

Local: Forest Hills, NY. Inks and watercolors:

sketch:

Lona sketch:

Stinkbug. Random ink and watercolor drawing:

2011 was a..... difficult year. I've been stricken with a health condition that leaves me in permanent, constant pain. I just smile and keep going but most of the time I struggle and I don't want to do anything. I make art because I don't know how to do anything else. sigh. I've been going to the Orafacial Pain Clinic now for a year. If medication doesn't work I'll have to get microvascular decompression surgery. I hope I'm a candidate for the surgery because the pain is totally a major bummer.

In order to pay bills, I've been trying to make it easier for people to buy original art so I'm starting to photograph and list artwork, starting with The New York Five. You can view The New York Five artwork here.

Here's some project updates. I'm drawing Saucer Country. It's coming along.

The long-awaited Funrama #2: It's basically done. I just have to letter the book and do a cover and it's finished. So stay tuned, It's 95% done. I hope you'll buy it. Eventually all of Funrama will be available online.

Get this: I'm working on a comic that will be a free weekly, online comic. Yes, that's what I said. I'm penciling and lettering it now. Should I say what it's called? No, I can't. Okay, I will, It's called Cocotte. I hope I can stick with it and make it happen. I just need a website person to make me a website.

And I'm literally inches away from starting a new limited series for a certain publisher with a certain writer. BROADWAY! I can't say much yet.

And there's another mini-series I'm drawing that I'm very excited about. Soonlyish I hope.

ALL CREATOR OWNED, baked homemade fresh just like grandma used to make.

I'm tired!

Have a good year everyone. Stay healthy and happy.

Labels: comics, life

SAUCER COUNTRY #1 March 2012

SAUCER COUNTRY #1
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Art and cover by RYAN KELLY
1:10 Variant cover by SEAN MURPHY
On sale MARCH 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
Arcadia Alvarado, the leading Democratic candidate for President of the United States, says she was “abducted by aliens.”
As the Mexican-American Governor of New Mexico, she’s dealing with immigration, budget cuts and an alcoholic ex. She’s about to toss her hat into the ring as a candidate for President in the most volatile political climate ever.
But then…a lonely road and a nightmarish encounter have left her with terrible, half-glimpsed memories. And now she has to become President. To expose the truth – and maybe, to save the world.
Arcadia’s quest is at the heart of this new monthly series from writer Paul Cornell (DEMON KNIGHTS, ACTION COMICS, Doctor Who) and artist Ryan Kelly (NEW YORK FIVE, NORTHLANDERS). With the help of her quirky staff, Arcadia will pursue the truth of her abduction into danger, mystery and awe. SAUCER COUNTRY is a dark thriller that blends UFO lore and alien abduction with political intrigue, all set in the hauntingly beautiful Southwest.

November Update

Cockroach. Inks and watercolors on Stonehenge Cotton Vellum paper.

I've been deathly ill this week and an old man in my poor health shouldn't be expected to draw or feed himself on his own. So, I've decided to make a blog in the meantime, so step inside and enter my HOUSE OF PAIN!

An Alice's Adventures In Wonderland Illustration. Inks and watercolors on 300 lb Fabriano Hot Press. I use that paper a lot. About 11 X 17 inch.

I did this promo poster image for the film Best Friends Forever by Brea Grant and Vera Miao.

Alternative Inked version. I'm notoriously bad at drawing realistic likenesses- It's something I want to be better at -But this was fun and I did my best.

A Preacher con sketch. It's really hard to draw characters that aren't mine but I give it my best shot. Inks and Copic Markers.

Supergirl sketch. Commission? Sketch? Inks and watercolors on the Stonehenge paper.

A "quick" Mazikeen sketch with the watercolors and some acrylics as well. I really like the Stonehenge 100 % cotton vellum paper by Rising. I bought it in pads but it looks like the older pads seem to be discontinued. The "new" pads, distributed by Legionpaper, don't seem to be as good... but I'll give it some time. I'm really picky about paper and sketchbooks, and I still haven't found what I'm looking for. Where the streets have no name.

Maz with the big baddie himself in Lux. Inks, acrylics on the watercolor paper.

sketchbook drawing. I hate drawing in sketchbooks. I'm OCD in that I have to draw on flat sheets of paper.

convention sketch.

Saucer Country #1 is done and I'm slowly working through #2. My health has been disagreeable. But I'm very proud of it and energized by my collaboraters, Paul Cornell and Giulia Brusco.

My Trigeminal Neuralgia--I have "atypical" TN because I'm in constant pain--has been totally not fun. I'm seeing doctors, taking the anti-seizure meds, and I might have to do the MVD surgery if it doesn't get better (you don't even want to know about that) . I've been a little creatively drained lately but, still, I've been surprisingly productive. art is SPEWING forth, and I have new exciting art-things on the horizon!

Labels: comics, commissions, health, Illustration, sick, sketches

Saucer Country Promo

Promo image for a new book coming in February 2012.

More info here.

Labels: comics, saucercountry

New York Comic Con 2011

Well, hi there! I will be appearing at New York Comic Con this week, Thursday -Sunday, October 13-17. You can find me at Artist Alley Table L3. I'll be doing sketches and commissions all week. Come on by and purchase some original art pages or buy a sketch. Prices vary. I'm forgetful so I always need reference. I'm not bringing much this time. Some art, a few books, some art supplies.

Batgirl:

I'm terribly bummed that I don't have Funrama Presents #2 ready for the convention, but I will have an 8-page Preview Mini Comic available for $1 or free with a purchase. Here's a look:

I'll be signing at the ONI BOOTH from 12-12:45 pm on Saturday.

And I'll be selling these at my table:

I'll be on a Vertigo panel on Saturday promoting a new project. I can't show anything yet but here's some character designs for it:

I did a really cool Elvis comic for an Elvis Anthology with Joshua Dysart! Look for that early next year! Here's a peak:

My buds. I wish I could take them to NY with me:

I was thinking of not going to NYCC because my health has been rough, but things are getting "Dickensian" and I need some money to pay doctor bills and food for the family so I welcome sketches. I don't really do them anymore so getting one from me at a convention is the best way. First come , first serve. Thanks, see ya there. Drive safe and have fun.

Labels: conventions

PJ Harvey

Inks and digital color

Good and Bad. Mostly Bad.

Oh, hi. Just though I'd do some updates here. Me? how am I? Well, not great. Not bad. Not great.

I've been plagued with some health problems and chronic pain. It looks like I have Trigeminal Neuralgia. I'm seeing doctors for it, so we'll see what's going on. Trigeminal Neuralgia is often described as the worst pains a human being can experience. Just imagine the feeling of being stabbed in the face with sharp electric jolts every second of your life and that's basically how I feel. Trigeminal Neuralgia has earned the name "The Suicide Disease" because so many living with the disorder end up killing themselves.

This explains the pain I live with.

Or here

And here's some happy reading.

Like many with TN, It started off as a "toothache" (around Jan. 2010). I've seen more doctors and dentists than I count on my fingers. First I got a root canal, than another, than drugs , than extraction, I've been going to the Orafacial Pain Clinic, then more drugs, then painkillers, then acupuncture... it goes on and on. Nothing is working. I've had to take on more commissions than I would like to because I am getting destroyed by medical bills. It's been really, really hard lately.

Do I have TN? I don't know, but all signs lead to yes so far. I'm getting an MRI today and I'm praying it gives me some information...all of it positive and good I hope.

Why tell you this? Mainly, to confess that the Funrama #2 comic I've been working on will probably be delayed for a while. I have all 32 pages drawn! Yeah! But I still have to script it, letter it, tone it and do a cover and I've just lost the energy and motivation for it. I haven't had much energy to make any art for the last few months. Also, I might have to take on more commissions. Maybe. Maybe not. I don't really want to, but I don't know. Not looking for pity here, and I definiteIy don't want any extra attention, it's just that I might need some commissions if things get bad. The good? I AM working on some new projects, trying to get them off the ground. Slowly but surely. I've been really slow but I hope to pick up some steam.

Sorry. So um, how are you? Great weather we're having! :)

Labels: life, stuff, Worklife

FABLES FOR JAPAN

This is an illustration I did For FABLES FOR JAPAN, an anthology book or original stories and all proceeds go to victims of March 11 Earthquake. The story is "The Roof Decker's Tale" written by Stuart Moore. You can learn more about the book here.

Labels: fablesforjapan, Illustration

Toronto

Nancy in Toronto. Inks and watercolors.

Labels: commissions, Local

Annual Art Sale Is Here!

Art Sale is closed. Thanks, see ya next year!

David Byrne

Drawn with a set of .005 Micron Pens.

I came up with the idea for this illustration a few years ago while reading Byrne's Blog and he said he rides his bike to Arcade Fire shows (or something like that.) Later on, I discovered his book "The Bicycle Diaries", a diary of sorts containing observation and thoughts on cycling, culture, cities, urban development, etc.

Labels: Illustration, microphone