The Legend of Heartbreak

It's been a while since I've provided an update (sorry, been out of the country). Zelda, one of the all-time greatest games. I spent soooo many days discovering, re-playing and battling throughout my life with this little guy. I did some quick ink and acrylic paintings and had a lot of success with Link last year at Wizard World, so I did a watercolor of this guy at this past Wizard World and that sucker went quick! I loved how it turned out so much that I wanted to spend some time and make him look all digitally nice and purty. Here she is (rather, he)!!! (And yes, he is available as a print) Thanks!!

How 'bout a free book?

Hellllllo folks! Whenever I pour myself some drinkable tap water, I often forget that this is a luxury to at least 50% of the world's population. So last year I wrote and illustrated a book aimed at raising money and awareness for this cause. The book was developed over the course of a year and I had a bunch of help from co-workers and friends in the editing process. I had no idea what I was doing as it was my first foray into book writing and illustration, which is something a want to get more into now that I co-own my design studio.

ANYWAYS, I just made the book available as a free download over at my blog devoted to the book. Check it out here or click the image below. Some actual books (Paper. I know, old school) are still available for purchase. Please spread the word to as many people as you can. Thank friends!!

Want your life to be a comic book (cover)?

Hello folks! I've strangely, but awesomely recently received a couple of commissions to turn their friends'/family members' life into a comic book cover based on some of my cover art I've done in the past. Like the ones below:

As strange as it was, it's actually not that strange at all. Sometimes it's hard to get someone that "perfect" gift. If they're at all nerdy, it's something they'd love because it's about them but it'll also be from someone they love. I'd want to put this person in their ideal super hero/adventure/nerdy world, so I'd love to know as much as I could about the person such as:

• Name of the person  and/or nicknames
• Passions, hobbies
• Favorite memory this person has
• Favorite movies, comic book characters, toys, etc

It can be a story from any moment in this person's life - growing up, school pals, today or the future (new job, off to college or graduation, military, etc) or as plain as JOE the FARTING HUSBAND (but keep it on the fun/happy/loving side). I'll take in all of the information I can and cherry pick the best ideas that tell the best story. Below is the latest example about a friend's car back in their school days (the friend isn't "the Beast").

So if you're looking to have your or someone you know's life turned into a cover, go ahead and shoot me an email (check my profile section) and I can send you more details. The current rate is $300 per cover and I usually get them done in about 1-2 weeks. Due to my existing everyday work load, I can only take on a few at a time. Thanks folks!!!

Lose a Few Tons

Hey friends!!

I've got a new design over at Threadless up for voting!! I wanted to capture a serious dilemma facing our monsters of today. Humans are high in saturated fat so monsters are recommended to decimate 2-3 cities a month along with the daily stroll. This will keep the veins and arteries open and less prone to clogging as well as build a healthy cardio foundation.

If ye like my design, please go vote for it here: http://www.threadless.com/submission/460023/Lose_a_few_tons. If you don't like it, pretend you do and tell your friends to vote for it.

Thanks all!! Hope you're having an awesome day!!

Introducing M'lady

Hey folks! As you may or may not know, all of the stuff on here is basically personal projects or commissions, but during the day I run a design studio with my wife. Since we are manning our studio booth together at Comic Con and we're meeting SOOOO many awesome people who will be visiting this blog, I wanted to share her blog with you. Check her out here. Enjoy!!

Let them have their cheese

So m'lady and I put our heads together recently and we developed this new Threadless tee. She just blurted out the phrase and I said, "Heck yes. Must be a tee!". So I set aside a little time to whip up what you see below. If you like it, please vote for it (here) and/or share it with your friends via the button below the post. Thanks!! (Back to printing for Comic Con!!)

If ye be a true playa, then your hands best be in the a-ya.

I used to be a hardcore hiphop fan. To the point it was the only stuff I listened to (nowadays I've expanded my musical genres). Even more to the point I dabbled in the music making myself. I wasn't any good. If I was, this blog would be "The music of Mud!" instead of my doodles. Anyways, my hardcore phase started in the early 90s so my discman was playing a lot of Wu-Tang, Snoop, Warren G, Bone Thugs, Tupac, Nas and of course, plenty of Biggie. So when I saw the good folks over at 10 Paces and Draw were doing a Biggie/Pac mixtape challenge, I HAD to get on board. I've done some Pac illustrations but those are lost somewhere, so I wanted to do Biggie (though I might still do Pac because I like how Big turned out).

I had fun exploring more of a charicature direction when I did Spiderman many posts back (here), so I wanted to try the same approach with Biggie. The inspiration, set by 10P&D, was Big Poppa. If you watch the video, there's a strong red tone to the video so I used that as the background. Here is the finished piece in all of its glory. Hope you enjoy!

How bout some 'stache?

Hello folks!

As we're gearing up for Comic Con (Wizard World) which is later this week, I took some time out to post some older graphics I did for tees that I didn't end up using. I loved them too much to see them go to waste, so now they're available as prints over at Society6. Check them out and go ahead and buy one if you super loves it! If you want a smaller 8.5 x 11 signed print, you can always buy them through the site here. Thanks and enjoy!

New Shirt: The Sequel

Hello folks! Guess what?! Got another tee printed over at Threadless!!! OH yeah! Check it out here:

I'm going to work up a printable version for Society 6. It'll be up soon I hope! UBER thanks to all who voted and supported the uni-cause. Talk soon friends!!

Double Post!!

Even more majestic than a double rainbow is the double post! It's been a while since the last post (busyness at the business). Time for some sweet updating! I've met the iPad goal!! Thanks to all who purchased prints or commissions! Seriously, there's a star on the walk of fame in my heart with your names on it. You don't need to share, you each get one. BUT I'm not done, let the commissions continue! So here's the latest commission that helped get me to the goal.

Huge thanks to Brian who is an awesome comic book nerd and a pleasure to work with. Great guy who had nothing but awesome things to say.

Here's the original. You'll notice I took some liberties with color and such. I was excited to play with the pink and purple tones on this guy. I love how it turned out.

I did say double post. Well another project that helped reach the goal was actually based on an old piece I did. Super awesome dad, Dennis, wanted something special for his son and he is a creative guy and came up with the idea of a lightbox. Check out the final piece recently installed (it even changes color)!

Well, all that's left to say is we're waiting for a lull in workload so we can think about what we can do for the Chicago Comic Con this year (coming up in August). If you'll be in the area, drop on by! Have a most awesome day! Feel free to shoot me a message if you are interested in a commission of your own. It doesn't need to be a comic cover, almost anything you can think of. ALMOST. Click here for details.

How to be an AWESOME father #178

Today's example comes from Tom. Tom is not only leading his son correctly in the ways of nerdom, but he also commissioned me to create a Batman cover for his son. He wasn't exactly sure which one, so I had to throw out the first appearance of Batman, Detective Comics #27 if little Sean wanted some street cred. Little Sean surprisingly liked the cover so we proceeded. Little Sean is dripping of street cred and awesomeness AND check out his AWESOME AWESOME Bat-costume, err, vigilante attire! Thanks Tom and family for sending the feedback and positive response.You can also file this entry under How to be an AWESOME kid #24. Thanks guys! You rock! Below is the final piece I've been dying to share, but had to wait until Tom received his art first.

If you want to be like Tom or Sean and contribute to the iPad fund (click here to find out more), please let me know!

Getting closer to the iPad!

Hello  folks! The quest for the iPad is still moving along! I'm about halfway there and am thankful to those who've supported!! I'll be posting one commission this week (or as soon as he receives it). Anyways, if you don't know about my iPad project, check it out here:

We're getting ready for this August's Wizard World again (Yes! We're coming back!!) and I figured I'd sell some of the items that we won't be repeating.

Check out these plush! Made from organic cotton. There were only 4 made of each and these are the last suckers. They're about 8" tall. $25 each!! These plush are hard to make, so I can pretty much guarantee there won't be any more made.

Also this set of Jake and Finn 3 x 3" ink/marker and paint on canvas, also $25.

Shoot me an email if you're interested or if you'd like something commissioned. LET'S MAKE THIS IPAD HAPPEN!!!

Thanks all! Love you ;).

The Master of all Mastery

What up?! So I had this guy in my head for a little while and I felt compelled to go ahead and give him a sketch. He's honestly my favorite tee design I've done so far. Not much else to say about that. Before his days as a High Five Champion, he worked in coal mines, crushing pieces of coal into diamonds.

If you like it, tell the entire world North and South of the Equator and vote for it here: http://www.threadless.com/submission/419032/High_Five_Master. Thanks all for your support!!

Where Happiness Comes From?

Have you ever pondered where that comes from? I did. This is all I could come up with. It was actually my wife's idea. I was originally going to do a gummy bear, but she suggested a unicorn instead. Unicorns work better. Plus, when I look at a gummy bear, yes, it is where happiness comes from, but also bad teeth, sugar highs and lows and the ol' love handles. So to heck with you gummy bear!!! Plus if you notice, gummy bears actually come from the upper front thigh of a unicorn so it's all traced back here.

Thanks for checking in. If you like it, please vote and share it with the world!!!!! Have an awesome day!!

New tee up for voting!!

Hey folks! I know it's been a while. Been busy with work. Just thinking today how awesome the folks we've been able to partner with on projects are. Huge blessing!

Anyways, something to share! Threadless had a "Four Words or Less" challenge (self-explanatory) and for some reason, this popped into my head. If you like it, please go to vote on this sucker. Just the majestic mustache alone is worth a vote of a 5. http://www.threadless.com/submission/417044/Twice_the_Man/.

I'm currently working on a sweet commission for my iPad fund for a great guy who's getting it for his kid. With a client like that, you know I'm going to make this as awesome as that dude's mustache. I'll share it as soon as it's done!

Thanks folks!

I want an iPad!! What's in it for you?

So, I want an iPad (mainly for work, but that's irrelevant), but the budget is tight since we're starting off our biz, so I have to get creative. So the question that remains unanswered from above is "what's in it for you?" Well, I'll tell you. For the first time, I'm accepting commissioned requests. Take a look at what I've produced thus far here (or at my Dribbble page) and if you'd like me to create something especially for you, just let me know!

So what will I offer?
ORIGINAL ART
Watercolor and ink  (on water color paper)

(Shown is Watercolor, ink + digital. The aging and grunge was added digitally.)

CANVAS

Acrylic and Ink(Marker) on Canvas - 8" x 10"


DIGITAL

8.5"x11"

FINE PRINT INFO
So here's all of the other technical info.

• Shipping and handling is separate and averages about $3-5 for a flat 8.5"x11".
• If those sizes are not what you're looking for, let me know and we'll see if we can work something else out.
• I retain the rights to any art produced and I can choose to sell prints of whatever is created.
• You agree to not make copies and/or resell the art for profit.
• You agree to love the art and it'll be your favorite piece of art until you buy another one, then that'll be your favorite piece of art, moving the first one to your second favorite piece of art.
• The art will basically be just that, art. Beautiful and on display. You may not use it as a logo or other business purposes (unless you're hanging it in your office for all to gaze upon it with wonder and amazement). Although if you do need logos or something for your biz, let's talk!
• Art is subjective, and while I'll do my VERY best to make it the most incredible thing I've ever done, what you'll get is pretty much what you'll get. My goal is for you to love it and if you don't, maybe you can re-gift it to someone who will think it's the most amazing thing they've ever seen. You'll be a hero in their eyes and your investment would have paid off 10 fold.
• In terms of content, take a look at what I've done. I won't do anything more offensive that that. Let's keep it pretty light and fun!
• Only US orders at this time.
• Paypal only.
• If those prices are too high, you can always purchase a print of what's available ;)
• If after all of that, you're still interested in a piece of your own, shoot me an email (view my profile) and let's see if I can help you out!!!
• Depending on what's on my plate, I'd hope to have your piece done within a week and shipped right after it's done.

If I actually make more than what I'm looking for, then I'm hoping to buy my lil' cousin a bike (his is broken) so I can get him out of the house and we can do some male bonding. Thanks so much and let's help each other out here!! Have an awesome awesome day!

Super Awesome!!!!

Hey folks! Sorry I couldn't get this up earlier (been a bit busy), but I've been working with the good folks at Steal This Art and they were great enough to allow me to submit a piece for sale. While I can't say this is the game that got me hooked on gaming (Coleco Vision did that), this game did rock my world. As did the sequels. Who knew, 2 Italian plumbers. Well, it's only on sale for one day, so by the time you read this, I hope you had a chance to purchase it on 3/23/12! Enjoy!!

Yaaaayyyyyyy!!!!!

Hey folks!! My Threadless Whale design was printed and is now available for purchase!! You can go buy it here - http://www.threadless.com/product/3660/Shave_the_Whales (I'm not gonna lie, I like the darker gray color, but that's just me. I'm still buying one.)

Aaaaand who else captures the spirit of YAAAAYYYYY!!!! better than Kermit?

Thanks folks!

Spidey Update

Hello folks! Thanks for the great feedback on my Watercolor Spidey. Since I care about you greatly, I updated option 2 to have a bolder spider icon on the chest! AAAAAAAND as a second token of my appreciation, I've also posted another Spidey illustration I whipped up. The second one I did when I was exploring this concept and wasn't sure if I wanted to go cartoon-y or realistic. I obviously chose realistic, but I really liked the original sketch for this guy, which you can check out here from my Twitter feed, so I fleshed him out. Thanks and enjoy!

AMAZING!!!!

Sorry it's been a while since my last post! I've had much "paying the bills" work to accomplish and thankfully today was kinda slow. I was able to crank out 3 new pieces BUT I'm not going to post them all now, I've got to spread them out. Not sure when the next time I'll get to post again will be. Well, in terms of this piece, obviously I love me some comics. I've always been a Marvel fanboy and Spider-man is one of those iconic superheroes that has stood the test of time. I used the upcoming Amazing Spider-man film as my inspiration. I wanted to try something different so I got my watercolors out and cranked this guy out. It's a mix of watercolor and digital. I tried two options. Which one do you prefer?

Thanks folks! Until next time (hopefully soon!)

Hardcorn Nerd!

Hey folks! So sorry it's been so long! Been busy with the work thing. I've posted some additional designs to Threadless, but so far, no bites. It looked like my Mini Vader was going to make it, but alas, it didn't. :(

Anyways, here's my latest design. If it doesn't make it, I'll be bummed because I want to badly to wear this guy. If you happen to like it, please do vote for it - http://www.threadless.com/submission/406211/Hardcorn_Nerd


Below is another one I recently posted, but didn't get the green light either. I really liked that one too. :(

Thanks folks!

The Empire Swipes Back!!!

I was going to call it Empire Strikes Back, but I feel like I've heard that elsewhere. Anywho, here's my 3rd submission to Threadless - http://threadless.com/sharedesign/397412/Empire_Swipes_Back

If it makes you giggle, I'd appreciate a nice vote ;).

Thanks folks!!

Keeping it Fresh!!

Hey folks! I am thankful for the many secrets and tips people have shared with me, so I try to give back whenever possible. And I feel I give back plenty with the art I create. But it's more than just art, it's memories. No, I kid. I stumbled across some great resource sites. Check them out. If you're able to support them financially, please do so, they deserve it! As always, I keep stash of resource links below my super talented friends (or friend wish list) links.

http://mediamilitia.com/ - Freebies, Inspiration, Tutorials, Etc
http://www.bashcorpo.dk/ - Textures, brushes, visual awesomeness
http://losttype.com/ - Among the best collection of fonts I've seen
http://www.fontsquirrel.com/ - Some more great fonts

All were found via - http://designfestival.com/

Hang a Whale!

On your wall!! I almost forgot to mention, my Shave the Whales design is available on Society 6! Go ahead an purchase one for your loved one here - http://society6.com/product/Shave-the-Whales_Print!

I Pity the Herbivore!

This is another submission I did for a Threadless. I didn't like it as much as the whale, but I thought it was pretty good. Unfortunately, the voting public didn't. :( Wait until the next one! I'll probably post it sometime this week or next.

Behold, the power of the Darth Star!!!!

This one popped into my head as I was working on the balloon sword version. Enjoy!!

The Fierce Weapon of the Dark Lord of the Sith

Hey you need to start somewhere. You're not just going to grant someone a lightsaber just because they win a pod race. You need to EARN IT!!

Shave the Whales

So my wife and I left our corporate jobs (that we loved) to move back home and start our own design studio (more on that later). One of the ways we're hoping to eat is by submitting designs to Threadless since apparel design is something we did for half of our careers. Here is my FIRST design posted. It's doing ok. I'd love to see it get printed so I can wear a fuzzy whale.


You can vote for it here: http://www.threadless.com/submission/393031/Shave_the_Whales

I always hated (not really. They're awesome people) the people at work who would get the design right on their first try. Not me, I have at least 10 versions of each design. Here's where I started off with this design. It was a little too cartoony on, much like my Circo days, and I wanted to challenge myself and get a bit more typographic. All of the lettering on the final piece was hand done.
My wife also submitted a design. It should win based on the name alone. A Light Snack?! That's GOLD!!

You can vote for it here: http://www.threadless.com/submission/393029/A_Light_Snack

Enjoy folks!!

Pur-r-r-rfection!

Hey folks! Happy 2012!! Now that I have a little more down time and super comfy fuzzy slippers, I'm looking to post some more personal stuff. I just remembered I was also going to do a how-to since some have asked about how I do my textures and process. That's next on the to do list. Maybe after a Captain America piece I have waiting in the queue.

Anyways, a while back I did some stylized superhero pieces for Chicago Comic Con. I was recently contacted with a request to do Catwoman. Since she has a jumpsuit, it didn't really fit the model established, so I had to tweak the formula a little but I am still really happy with the outcome, despite not being comfortable drawing semi-realistic people. Enjoy folks!