Fireborn Line Art

It looks so flat as just lines. I can't wait to start with color and get that atmosphere back.

Lachlei Line Art

Today I finished up the line art for Lachlei.

Lachlei Rough Sketch

I did more work on one of my current book cover projects (hint: it is the same one I did the concepts below for). The book is titled Lachlei and is a fantasy novel by Margaret H. Bonham, to be published by Dragon Moon Press. Today, I worked on the rough sketch, trying to find a good layout based on the thumbnails we liked best. At the moment there are still a great deal of items that need to be refined, but I do think I like the way it is coming along.

The Author's Website
The Author's Blog
Publisher's Website

Demon Hounds

Working on the look of the demon hounds for one of the covers in progress. The author didn't want them to look cute. I don't think they look that cuddly, though I could be wrong... Maybe they are a little...Okay, where can I get one for a pet? Done mostly in Art Rage 2 (the first time I've used layers in that program or tried something a little more complicated) in a few hours, with "touch-ups" in Photoshop.

Celtic Music and ConceptArt.Org Workshops

Wow, after watching THIS video I really want to attend a Massive Black Workshop. Seattle Washington this December, too bad it beat out DC...

So I worked on thumbnails for the current book cover this morning. I worked on one of my own picture book illustrations this afternoon. I also got an e-mail about another cover from a different publisher. Right up my alley too. I'm psyched!

Oh yes, and I must mention a wickedly cool CD that arrived in the mail today. It's called Window to a World by Aeone. She's sort of a crossover artist, part pop, part cetlic, part bluegrass, a very world feel. I love it. I'm jammin' to it even now. Speaking of celtic, I watched a really lovely live concert recorded at Slane Castle by Celtic Woman last night (courtesy netflix ;). Great stuff.

Nectarine Study

After struggling with a certain painting yesterday, I decided that it might be good to paint something that wasn't complicated or frustrating. Partially inspired by the awesome daily paintings of Duane Keiser. The study below was done in ArtRage 2, from life, in about 2 hours.

Clouds and Books

I spent the day painting another variation of clouds for the current children's book illustration. I think, dare I say it, I have a sky that will work. Finally! Other than that I've been waiting for feedback on my text "proposals" for the cover of a small press fantasy manuscript. Publishing really is a hurry up and wait business.

I've got a load of neat books at the library this past week. I'm currently reading The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp and Walking in This World by Julia Cameron. It is interesting to be reading them in tandem, as they are at times conflicting and at other times uncannily similar. Walking is turning out to be a book I'd like to buy, despite the tacked-on paragraphs of religious references invariably at the end of each chapter. There are a number of passages I'd like to have at hand to read again and again. For the most part it is an honest, plain, and truthful exploration of the creative life. It has a very "been there done that feel," an authenticity that could only come from personal experience. Creative Habit is good too, just not quite as applicable to 2d visual art as performance art. I like the emphasis on routine, ritual, and work.

I'm off to walk the 7 pound poodle of terror. Then a quick nap (naps mmmmmm rock) and off to my sister's place for dinner. Lasagna and Peaches and Cream pie (which has been chilling in our fridge since I made it yesterday) :)

Rest in Peace Madeleine L'Engle

I was sent a link to this article by a friend.

Madeleine L'Engle died this past Thursday at the age of 88. She has been one of my most admired authors for at least a decade. My favorite of her books are A Winkle in Time and A Ring of Endless Light. Both contain such a wonderful blend of sadness, beauty, truth and mysticism. Her book Madeleine L'Engle {Herself} is one of the most inspirational that I own. I always wanted to meet her, but now I'll never get the chance. I feel like I know her through her works, which live on. Farewell Ms. L'Engle.

"Infinity is present in each part. A loving smile contains all art. The motes of starlight spark and dart. A grain of sand holds power and might."

Skyscape and L-24

Been working on some G-14 classified (or maybe L-24?) artwork. Yep, my children's book. I finally decided to dust off the book dummy and get those remaining two finished "sample" paintings done. I spent a good deal of yesterday and today paining and repainting and re-repainting a certain 'scape of ocean and clouds. Urrggggg! I now have the utmost respect for those artists who are good at such things. I do think I've found a solution to my problem though, but it calls for one killer skyscape.