A Woman of Two Centuries

This past January 11th, my Great Aunt Helen Wallace passed away at the age of 93. She was an amazing woman and I will miss her terribly. She and her husband, Russ (who she has been without for more than 30 years), were very creative and nature loving people. They have a unique home that reflected their love of art that I spent many years visiting, especially for the family's annual New Year's Day party. She was a nuturing force in my understanding of the comics medium by allowing me to borrow her hardcover book of Pogo strips when I was younger. I have one memory that sticks out in my head relating to my art and Helen. I was a young boy, maybe 8 or 9, and during a certain point in my artistic development I loved to draw people in my family. I remember making a pencil drawing portrait of my Great Aunt and showing it to her at an outdoor picnic at my Grandma Jeanne's home in Plymouth. "Oh, Nathan...!" Helen was mortified. I apparently, even in those early years, had an attention to detail by focusing on her youthful wrinkles that I loved. By making them very deeply etched I had crafted a caricature of her that was apparently less than flattering in her eyes. She asked me sweetly not to draw a picture of her again. I laugh inside sometimes thinking of this incident and I like to think she may have grown into my only drawing of her. Although I never drew another picture of her, I will always remember how art can have lasting effects on people.

Mouse Guard Pin-up In Stores Now

I was fortunate to be a part of a growing list of talented artists that have provided pin-ups for David Petersen's MOUSE GUARD series. Today, the fourth issue of Winter 1152, which contains my full color pin-up, was shipped to stores. I have really been looking forward to seeing the final printed piece. At left, is a cropped sample of the final art. I know fans have already gone out and purchased a copy today. But, if you have not had the chance to read the series, there is a fantastic hardcover (and softcover) that is currently available of the first part to the series Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 that you should pick up. The hardcover compilation won a 2008 Eisner for "Best Graphic Album Reprint" in San Diego this past Summer. More information about Mouse Guard and David's art is available at MouseGuard.net.

Graveslinger Pin-up

I just completed a color pin-up for Shannon Denton, writer of the upcoming IDW Publishing book "Graveslinger". It's a tale of an old west prison undertaker who accidentally releases 117 executed killers from Hell and what he must do to send them all back to where they belong. You can find more info about it on Amazon or at Graveslinger MySpace.


Orders can be placed through Diamond Previews:
GRAVESLINGER TPB (dec08 4121) on Page 283 of the December PREVIEWS!
ISBN: 978-1-60010-364-3
Ship date 2/25/09

Mid-Ohio Con Charity Auction

I have an inked sketch of Swamp Thing up on eBay as part of the Mid-Ohio Con Charity Auction. There are a number of other artists' works as well as comic or media related items up for bid. The auction runs until the 28th of October. Please take a visit and see what's available. The proceeds go to the Hero Initiative which helps comic creators in need and the Make-A-Wish foundation. Thank you.

"Floater" Pencils

I am going to start sharing my process images as I complete my various work, whether its for a job or for my personal creations. I've always loved seeing the way other artists work and create.

This image was started last night at a group art night I attend once a week. (Sanford B lead, Bienfang bristol board, smooth, 9" x 12")

The dead speak through me, I guess.

My Latest

I just thought while I worked on various projects, I would post some images of my recent artwork. I previously posted an image of Grendel's Mother and finally got around to illustrating her son. I made both of them into full color images as prints that I was selling at conventions this year (I may post those later). Here's the lineart for Grendel though. I used a brush, entirely, to ink the piece (Dr. Marten's Bombay Black Ink on Strathmore series 300, 11"x 14" Bristol paper). I have been trying to develop my line work abilities with using a brush. It lends to a more organic feel that I enjoy in my work.

Chicago Aftermath

The Wizard World Chicago show was a very positive return for me. I had not been to this comic show since it was the Chicago Comicon sometime in the mid-90's. The show was very busy with attendees and I think had a good turnout at my shared table with Transfuzion Publishing. I was able to do a number of commissions and sold some of my new sketchbooks and a couple of the prints. I also had a good time meeting new talented people in the artist alley and catching up with old friends in the business. If you want to see some really talented people in the comic biz come to this show next year and spend a day looking around in the artist alley. You will not be disappointed.

I have included here three of the commission pieces I did at the show. The first, obviously, being Godzilla, next the Hulk and finally a Probe Droid from Empire Strikes Back — enjoy...