New Year... New Start

So after a gruesome week of collecting all my invoices, receipts, and getting myself ready for my first full year of paying taxes on my hard earned money... I decided to make a few changes. Looking over the money I brought in and giving myself a short "pat on the back", I looked around me and realized my studio was a total sham. I mean I didn't even have a book case!! All my books were piled in the closet or still in boxes from a move I made back in April. So I spent the weekend painting my studio, as well as adding a nice big bookcase, where all my books and sketch books are nicely stacked. Other new changes I am working on now is the debut of my new website... which if all goes well, should be up and running on 1.1.2009. This site isn't just a fresh update, but it's focus will be on my coloring work only. It's a huge step for me. I only started freelancing in september of 2007, and I didn't even really start working till that december, but since then I feel like I have not only grown as an artist, but I feel like I have found my calling, if you want to call it that. When I first started coloring this summer, someone told me that I belonged in the world of comics, and now I have decided to put everything I've got into making that a reality. I am not really one who is into making "new year's resolutions" just for the fact that I seem to forget about it a month later, but this year I am putting everything I am into working as a colorist. I know I am jumping in feet first, and it feels a lot like falling in love and maybe I will have my heart broken, but this is what I want, more than anything. That is not to say I will not be taking on commissions. I do have a few clients that I know will be calling and I will continue to work for them, I just will no longer be seeking work as an illustrator, only as a colorist.
Wish me luck!!
Oh, I am attaching a recently colored cover for "Temporal". I think it will be a cover at least... I am actually having it blown up to 24"x36"... it will hang in my newly renovated studio (pics to come)... and to answer your question.. YES, IT FREAKIN GLOWS IN THE DARK!! It is pure awesomeness! Awesomeness drawn by Eric Jimenez and colored by moi.
Peace!

Jersey Gods PREVIEW

The day has finally come. Jersey Gods Preview Issue is in Robert Kirkman's INVINCIBLE (issue 55). Go out and buy it now and then let me know what you think!!! Here is a nice little sample to get the juices flowing!! Story by Glen Brunswick; Art by Dan McDaid; Colors by yours truly.

Boredom

Every now in then, I seem to find myself in a lull, where work is scarce and boredom sets in.... and this is the result. Not sure if I'm digging the textures on this one, but it was fun nevertheless. Me and my Lisa... I love you hun. :)

Digital Painting...

As if I didnt have enough going on, I decided to take on the most insane drawing of my career, thus far. Seriously. Originally, I was asked to do a smudge-style painting, where basically you take the pencils and render it using the "smudge tool" in ps. However, since my poor little laptop was not capable of handling such a monstrosity of a file, I had to literally paint the whole drawing using ps brushes only. It felt like it took forever to paint, but in the end, it has been one of the most satisfying pieces I have done. I could not be more proud. Insane drawing by Eric Jimenez.

Studio

Many of you have asked, so here it is... my studio. It isn't much... kind of small. But, it is all mine. Every last inch. Actually it is temporary, until the basement gets finished off and then I will be moving down stairs.

Dark Knight RETURNS

Yea, so once I heard there was a Dark Knight inspired competition, you know I had to throw my hat in the ring. With all the coloring I have been doing of late, I have come to realize that my drawing has taken a serious back seat. I have always loved to draw and it happened by chance that I stumbled on to coloring. At Wizard World Chicago, I was asked by someone I hold in very high regard, what I love more.. coloring or drawing?? I was completely stumped. I never imagined I would have to one day choose. I thought about it long and hard that weekend, and came to the conclusion that I love coloring. I mean I absolutely, hands down, if I could never pick up a pencil again I would be okay, love COLORING. Yes, drawing will always be my first love. But when I color I get the amazing opportunity to bring either my own or someone else's work to life. However, with all that said, I will never stop drawing. So when the opportunity came up to contribute my own dark knight piece, I jumped on it. I took the day off from coloring and drew.... I obviously colored the piece too. :) And took some screen shots so you can see the process. :) enjoy! Oh! and check out

lumberJack

Well for the last two months I have been working primarily as a colorist. One of the projects has been coloring a comic that will be published in Popgun Vol. II this July, called LumberJack. It has truly been quite the learning experience. I am now finishing up my prepping for the Comic con which is in four days! To see all of LumberJack you can visit my myspace or my website.. or buy Popgun on July 25th!!

Colors!

Lately, I have been doing a lot of coloring work. It has become my new favorite thing to do. I mean I love to draw, without a doubt but there is something very satisfying about bringing someone else's drawing to a whole new life. i have acquired a table at the Wizard World in Chicago this year, where I have decided to also market my skills as a colorist. Wish me luck! Here are a few samples of recent colors I have done. All inks by the great Eric Jimenez.. his link is to the right---> check him out.. PEACE.

Horsin Around

Back in January I was seleted as one of the 80 artists to represent S.M.I.L.E.S in their "Horsin Around Town" project that will be displayed in Lake Geneva, WI. It is very similar to the "Cows on Parade" in Chicago.. just horses. The horse is a life-size fiberglass colt and he doesn't seem big in the pictures but seriously, he is as almost as tall as me. The concept I submitted was "Monarch Madness". I had lots of great pics of him as a white horse, and then just blue but due to my hdd breaking I lost all my early photos, so all I have is the later pics. If any of you are making a trip toward Lake Geneva this summer be sure and loot out for my horsey. He will be on display through October, which at that point he will be auctioned off and who knows will he will go. I am sure he will make someone a fine piece of line art. ;)

Working

I've decided that I need to post on here more. I think I always think I don't have time but as long as I post something. I cannot believe it is April and almost 6 months since I have been getting work. I truly feel blessed. I know people say it can take years to get freelancing going, and I can't exactly retire myself.... yet... but the work I am getting only gets better. One of the current projects I am doing is Issue# 2 of The Dark Labyrinth for Dark Ocean Studios. It is definitely an experience, and I can honestly say I have enjoyed every minute of working on it. Of course it still isnt finished, which brings my blogging to an end. Peace!

Updates!

I cannot believe it has been four months since my last posting. However, it has been due to the fact that I have been truly busy. ^.^ Busy with WORK! I can't say the I have received too much response from my postcard mailings, at least not enough to say I feel successful with it. I did realize that when I apply my art to projects that my style is right for I get the job everytime. With that in mind, I think I need to update my client lists and send the postcards to people who could really use the style of art I produce.
I started getting steady work in December and I have been pretty busy since. I do find myself a little worried at the end of a job that it may be my last, but the feeling doesn't last very long because the one job that was pending finally goes through and I'm back at work before I know it.
I also have been selected as one of 80 artists for SMILES: Horsing Around Town. It is much like the "Cows on Parade" in Chicago, only they are horses and will be featured in Lake Geneva. I will post more with photos as that project progresses.