Jules Verne Book On Schedule

The illustration project that I completed earlier this year with Barnes & Noble, Library of Wonder: Jules Verne, is scheduled to be in their stores, exclusively, on September 1, 2009. I was commissioned to do 60 black & white, full-page and spot illustrations for the book as well as endpapers and a colored cover piece. The three classic stories by Verne featured in this edition are Journey to the Center of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World In Eighty Days.

Gip Noodlebottom

Since I haven't shared a look at him online yet... may I introduce you all to Gip Noodlebottom!! Here is a colored version of the original ink drawing I created that became Gip from 2008. With all his chubby curves, twisty facial wrinkles and his only form of locomotion a wriggling good fortune noodle -- it will certainly be a fun time illustrating him and taking him on adventures.

The Oracle of Chock

I sketched out this character, whom I am currently calling The Oracle of Chock, last night while I was thinking about fleshing out the little world of Gip Noodlebottom. Gip is a blue, horned and legless pig that gets around on a good fortune length of noodle. I am in the process of developing these characters into a online strip. The Oracle will be one of the many colorful characters that Gip will encounter in his travels. I'll certainly share more as I develop this idea.

Visual Storytelling

This week, the Visual Storytelling exhibit opens at the Gallery Project in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Myself, as well as Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl), Katie Cook (Tricks of the Trade), Joshua Cotter, Guy Davis (B.P.R.D. and Zombies that Ate the World), David Dwonch, Matt Busch, Jay Fosgitt, Anthony Fontana (Second Life stories), Otis Frampton (Oddly Normal), Jamie Dee Galey, Jessica Hickman, Tom Hodges, Keeli McCarthy (Lot’s Daughters), Jake and Matt Minor, Jon Morris (Calamity Jon), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Nick Sousanis, Paul Taylor (Wapsi Square), Adam Winnie (a take on Little Red Riding Hood), among others, will be displaying works that showcase our visual and sequential images as narratives. The works I will be showing are selections from my latest illustration project, Books of Wonder: Jules Verne, an exclusive with Barnes & Noble. Among the selections will be pages from my sketchbook, examples to show my process in creation and some of the original, black and white illustrations. "Visual Storytelling" runs from April 15th-May 24th, with an opening reception (that I will be attending) from 6-9pm on Friday, April 17th. Visit the Gallery Project for more information on the show, directions and hours of operation.

Books of Wonder: Jules Verne

I'm really excited about sharing the news of my latest art project. I have recently completed illustration work on a fiction book for Barnes & Noble. The book is a collection of three stories by Jules Verne; Around the World in Eighty Days, Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. The publication, Books of Wonder: Jules Verne, will include 61 black and white illustrations, full and spot, for this exclusive edition from Barnes & Noble. I currently do not have a release date, but I will update this blog with any news as soon as I know. The pictures featured are full page samples from each of the stories.

Michigan Comics: Mirth, Mockery and Mayhem

I have been invited to show some of my latest works as part of the Michigan Comics: Mirth, Mockery and Mayhem gallery show, from March 31st-June 5th, 2009. The comics art show is becoming a yearly tradition on the Eastern Michigan University's campus. This year, co-curated by Professor Richard Rubenfeld and cartoonist, Dave Coverly. This show features Michigan-based artists and cartoonists displaying their original works of graphic storytelling. I will be showing a handful of pieces from my latest illustration project based on the works of Jules Verne. The show will be located in EMU's Student Center University Art Gallery. The opening reception is March 31st from 5-7 pm with a comics panel discussion to follow in the Grand Ballroom (B) until 10 pm. Directions and a map. Michigan Comics: Mirth, Mockery and Mayhem will continue after its run at EMU as a travelling show throughout Michigan until the Fall of 2009.

Graveslinger in Stores

I illustrated a color pin-up of the lead character, Frank Timmons, for the Graveslinger graphic novel a little while back (see my Nov '08 post for the art). The complete book is in stores now and can also be purchased through Amazon. For more info and preview art visit http://www.graveslinger.com/.