The Cricket On The Hearth

"To find a cricket on the hearth is the luckiest thing of all."

Earlier this year I began cover designs for a planned holiday release of Charles Dickens' "The Cricket on The Hearth". The cover illustration I was contracted to create paid homage to an earlier publication of the same novella. A simple line drawing of a 19th century fireplace and hearth, a perking kettle jumping in the flames and a lone cricket sitting on the hearth. In the story the cricket is a sort of barometer of life at the home of John Peerybingle, his younger wife Dot and their new baby. When things go well, the cricket on the hearth chirps; it is silent when there is sorrow. Can this cricket help restore the family's faith in each other? Available now exclusively through Barnes & Noble stores and online. You may want to get a copy soon if you are interested as the last holiday book I worked on with Barnes & Noble, "A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Stories", sold out.

Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Collection In Stores

The hardcover collection of the first series of Legends of the Guard is in stores now. I was fortunate to be a contributor to the series with "The Ballad of Nettledown" which also turned out to be my return to the main stage of comics. Being able to be a part of this book was very humbling. With David Petersen, Mouse Guard creator, anchoring the story between the invited talents; Alex Sheikman, Scott Keating, Guy Davis, Jeremy Bastian, Ted Naifeh, Karl Kerschl, Gene Ha, Lowell Francis, Sean Rubin, Alex Cain, Katie Cook, Terry Moore, Jason Shawn Alexander, Craig Rousseau, Mark Smylie and João Lemos. Legends is the story of a night at the June Alley Inn when June, the Innskeep, begins a competition amongst the patrons to — "Tell no complete truths, no complete falsehoods and tell me a tale I never heard."— in return the winner would have their overdue bar tab stricken. Easily a great read for those already familiar with David Petersen's Mouse Guard series and for those who love the works of The Brothers Grimm and other richly, fantastical animal tales. Available now from Archaia in your local comic shop and bookstores.

Original Art For Sale

My Legends of the Guard story was released in stores last month. I have posted on my website my original pages for sale from Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #3. The 3-page story, "The Ballad of Nettledown", is a tale of a mouse that saves his town from a great flood by swallowing it up. I was really happy to be a part of this great series that featured some amazing writers and artists. This is the first comic story that I have had published in 16 years! Please help me celebrate by taking a look at the pages and seeing if they strike your collector's fancy. Cheers!

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Happy 120th Birthday, Mr. Lovecraft.

Legends of the Guard Interview

I was interviewed by David Petersen for his blogger site davidpetersen.blogspot.com about my story in the third issue of Legends of the Guard. Legends is a limited anthology-style series of four issues centered around a storytelling contest held in the June Alley Inn of David Petersen's Mouse Guard world. David provides the initial beginnings to the issue and connection pages, while various talents contribute the creative stories being told. This series is getting a lot of positive fan buzz and press. I really enjoyed being a part of this amazingly creative series. Enjoy the interview for now as I will post more news about the release date of the third issue and availability of the original page art from my story soon.

Work In Progress

I was sketching last night with friends and this little beastie has sprung forth from my split skull. Penciled with Sanford B drawing lead on Strathmore 300 series smooth bristol 11" x 14". As soon as I get a chance to finish the pencils and ink this piece I'll post it. Enjoy.

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Inspiration sometimes comes from the most commonplace moments.
















At left is an inked detail sketch for a planned larger illustration.