Society of Illustrators Spectrum Exhibit

Im very excited to share the great news that I will have work in the upcoming Society of Illustrators Spectrum Exhibition this coming Fall.

Approximately only 100 works (spanning all categories and media) were selected from the last five years of published Spectrum annuals for inclusion.  The show runs from September 2, 2014 to October 18, 2014 with an opening reception on Friday September 12th at 6:30PM.

I am always thrilled and surprised if and when my work is chosen for inclusion in the published annual each year, but with this being a culmination of the last five I am honored to say the least.  A HUGE thank you to the curators Irene Gallo, Greg Manchess, and Arnie & Cathy Fenner.

For more info on the show head on over to the Society's info page here.

U-Penn PSFS Lecture

Last Friday, August 8th the fine folks over at the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society were kind enough to invite me for a lecture/panel on my work, process, and current state of illustration today as it relates to the science fiction & fantasy genre in popular culture.

The lecture took place at U-Penn's historic International House on the main campus in the heart of University City.  Some very cool history on the location...

For more than a century, International House Philadelphia has served the scholars of the world and the Greater Philadelphia community by providing engaging residential services and compelling arts and humanities programming, welcoming hundreds of thousands of people through its doors in the process. What began here more than 100 years ago as a belief that international understanding, cooperation, and friendship can develop one person at a time, has emerged as a celebrated world-wide movement.

 Moving from the past and into the present, IHP is a thriving hub of activity: a home to hundreds of students and interns throughout the year, a destination for world-class arts and cultural programming, a facility for large-scale events, and a partner with many regional organizations, foundations, institutions, and businesses.

It was quite an eventful night with plenty of great discussion, interesting conversations, and fun had by all. The best part... even a few of my students and recent graduates showed up to hear me speak... Thanks for stopping by guys!

A packed house... I swear the woman in the front is wide awake, just leaning back to get comfortable!

Some of my students that showed up.  And in the middle of the Summer too!  So awesome.

Opening slide.  My Time Roads cover for Tor Books.

I keep telling myself its lens distortion...  There is no way my melon is that big.  Also note the Awesome Manchess painting on my screen.  I believe I was discussing my modern influences here.  

And finally a shot from the back of the lecture hall.  To the far right... another dedicated student sacrificing their Friday night to show their support!

Spectrum Live III

Some shots from this years Spectrum Fantastic Art Live III.  Had such a great time and so glad we doubled up the booth.  We're already planning for next year!

Joined booths this year!  Christina & I right before the doors opened.

The back wall of my booth with banner and postcard take aways.

The two interior walls.  Basically my portfolio framed and hung with postcard take aways and prints for sale.

Christina Hess next to her Animals from History banner.

Taking a break on Christina's side.  Note the blank spaces...  Hess sold a ton of originals!

Next to my Destroyermen Painting.

My print wall and Destroyermen III banner.

Trying to play it cool!  Another shot of me in my booth.

And finally...  The real reason we drive over 18 hours to Kansas City MO.  Seriously.  The best BBQ on the planet.  Yes it is in KANSAS CITY and it's called OKLAHOMA Joe's!

Broad & Walnut Pop up Gallery Show

Christina and I will have work on display until August 15th at a center city pop up gallery on the corner of Broad and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia. There's a nice little write up about the exhibition over at Philadelphia Weekly's Philly Now website. Check it out and if your in the area stop on in and have a look!

Update (August 22):  I just received word today that the show has been extended!  I wasn't given a definitive end date but was told it will run well into the Fall.  So if you haven't had the chance...  head on over and check it out.

Update (October 11):  The exhibition is still running!

Upcoming: Spectrum Live III

In less than a week I'll be heading out to Kansas City MO for one of the best art and illustration shows of the year!

Join me and 200 artists May 9th, 10th & 11th in Kansas City for Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 3.  Spectrum is a three-day celebration of the best in fantasy, science fiction, horror, and comics art. You will interact with Traditional medium artists, Digital artists working in the Film, Animation, and Video Game fields, Sculptors, Cover Illustrators, Comics Artists, and more. Additionally, there will opportunities to attend workshops, live painting and sculpting demos, panels, meet art directors, conduct portfolio reviews and attend the Spectrum 21 awards ceremonies. If you enjoy my work and would like to experience a wide variety of what the field of fantastic art has to offer I hope you will meet me in Kansas City, May 9-11, 2014.

I'll be showcasing my work along with some 200 others amazing artists and will also have plenty of prints available for purchase.  Stop on by adjacent booths 703 & 602 and say hello.  I hope to see you there!

Facebook: Spectrum Fantastic Art Live
Twitter @SFantasticAL ​​
www.spectrumfantasticartlive.com
SFAL television spot

The convention center Layout.  I'll be in adjacent booths 703 & 602.

Some of my works that will be on display and available for purchase.

Spectrum 21

I'm thrilled to announce that three of my pieces were accepted into this years Spectrum 21!  Thief of War, A Princess of Mars, and Swashbuckle Dom will all be included in the annual this fall.  Every year I am blown away by the sheer number of AWESOME entries that are included, so it's always a feat just to have one piece accepted.  Imagine my surprise when I found out that THREE of my works have been chosen.   I am honored to say the least!

A big thank you to the judges (Cory Godbey, J. Anthony Kosar, George Pratt, Shelly Wan, Allen Williams), John Flesk, the Fenners, and the entire Spectrum team.

I'm especially excited for my Thief of War piece as it was a commission for a really great tor.com short story by Beth Bernobich of the same title.  A huge thank you to Irene Gallo for the opportunity and Art Direction on that one.  Being as its such a great little story and featured in Some of the Best From Tor.com I'm so happy to see the illustration get a little bit of recognition from the art community as well.

This news couldn't come at a better time as I have just begun the planning for Spectrum Fantastic Art Live in May.  I'm really looking forward to the show this year and can't wait to see everyone!  Stop on by and say hello if your at the show.  I'll be in adjacent booths 602 & 703.  Hope to see you there!

The Eidolon Trailer

A cool little trailer for The Eidolon by Libby Mcgugan which I had the pleasure of working on.  You can check out a larger version of the cover in my portfolio along with a few detail shots here as well.