Illuminathia. She started out as portrait art, but caffeine gave her superpowers.
Tag Archives: Art Portfolio
Illuminathia
Filed under Art, Art Portfolio, Creativity, Digital Artwork, Fantasy, Freelance, Graphic Design, Imagination, Portrait, Sketchbook
Mother Universe
Poster artwork. It’s a little bit psychedelic. Had some fun creating this one.
Filed under Art, Art Portfolio, Creativity, Digital Artwork, Graphic Design, Imagination, Poster, Sketchbook, Space
Cupcakeet
I was talking to my mother online the other day and she made the cutest typo. She said that she had gotten some cupcakeets. Of course, she meant cupcakes… but I immediately imagined a cupcake-parakeet hybrid.
And yeah—I got silly and made one while I was still chatting with her.
Vanilla and strawberry, with a touch of cherry!
Filed under Art, Creativity, Imagination, Sketchbook, Digital Artwork, Graphic Design, Games
Creative Experimentation
This was a creative experiment. Turned out better than expected, so sharing. Shown almost full-size for detail, but it reads surprisingly well as an itty bitty icon. When small, the words hop out. I wanted a window into the sunshine of this character’s future while still trapping him in his present darkness—and used the title itself. Not sure if I’d try the technique again, but it was a lot of fun to make.
Sometimes I like to create something (art, writing, cooking, knitting, LEGOS, etc.) just to see what I come up with at the end of an unplanned project.
Do you ever just make something to see what happens?
Hope you all have a great week!
Filed under Art, Creativity, Sketchbook, Book Cover Design, Graphic Design
Design: “Prismal”
Prismal: design created with stock photos and digital painting. Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter. First as the design itself, second as a book cover (just for fun).
Filed under Art, Art Portfolio, Sketchbook, Digital Artwork, Book Cover Design, Graphic Design
Logos, Patches, and Inspiration
Before you guys shoot me for all the Debris Dreams posts, I promise I’ll keep those on the light side soon. However, since I’m doing my posts alphabetically and happen to be on the letter ‘L’… I figured I’d show you what inspired the CAA and Luna logos/patches I designed for the book.
Around the time I was assigned the project, we had visited the Pima Air & Space Museum to have a look at the planes and the space-related stuff they have. I’m a geek and love planes—and cars, and especially boats, but I digress…
Lucky for me, they also had plenty of patches to gawk at. Here are a few of the photos I took (with my ancient cell phone, hence the amazing quality), along with the CAA and Luna logos below them. In case you’re curious, the crane’s banner on the CAA logo says “Semper Fidelis” in Chinese.
Filed under Arizona, Art, Books, Graphic Design, Inspiration, Publishing
Book Cover Design
These are some of the book covers that I did over the summer.
Cho Ku Rei was originally a 16×20″ poster that I created using Bryce and Photoshop. The others were done with stock photography. Larger versions and other work can be seen by clicking the image to go to my portfolio.
Cover Reveal: Debris Dreams
And here we have it: the cover reveal for Debris Dreams by David Colby, published by Candlemark & Gleam. I did the cover design and illustration. Old-school sci-fi style. Although you can’t see the wrap-around on this version, the framework is a heads-up display that continues along the spine and creates the copy area for the back as well. Fantastic story. Can’t wait until everyone can read it. Visit SF Signal for the synopsis and ways to get a free copy of the book!
Filed under Art, Art Portfolio, Book Cover Design, Books, Graphic Design, Publishing, Science Fiction, Space
Song of the Furies
I created artwork for the letter ‘F’ this week. My inspiration is taken from Aeschylus’ Eumenides (you can read it at that link)—also known as the Furies.
From Wikipedia: In Greek mythology the Erinyes (Ἐρινύες, pl. of Ἐρινύς, Erinys; literally “the avengers”) from Greek ἐρίνειν ” pursue, persecute”—sometimes referred to as “infernal goddesses” (Greek χθόνιαι θεαί)—were female chthonic deities of vengeance.
Erinyes corresponds to the Furies or Dirae in Roman mythology.
My inspiration isn’t exactly random. I’d recently been thinking of a performance I’d recorded off PBS over twenty years ago (with a VCR—remember those?). It was Sir Peter Hall’s version: Aeschylus: The Oresteia, performed at Britain’s Royal National Theatre. Done with masks, piercing notes, chanting and lyrics, it stuck in my mind. As a theatre major later, I always thought, “Oh hey, we should do a Greek tragedy with MASKS!” but it never happened.
All the same, the part with the Furies always stuck with me the most. Sometimes we can feel like we’re being pursued by our mistakes (although most of us don’t have murder on our hands). In Sir Peter Hall’s version, the Furies had red hair and gaping mouths. Bit scary! My version is more on the lovely side—but don’t be fooled: she has fangs beyond those lips. *grins* Then, don’t we all?
Filed under Art, Art Portfolio, Digital Artwork, History, Mythology, Sketchbook, Theatre
Digital Sketchbook 8.16
Just playing around. Created in Photoshop and Corel Painter.
Filed under Art, Art Portfolio, Digital Artwork, Sketchbook
Technology for Artists
‘C’ is a letter that I can make a long list for, but I might go around again with alphabetical posting, so today I’ve chosen the subject of technology and artists.
And each geeky-artist thing will conveniently start with ‘C’.
First, I put my portfolio back online. It’s got a page at the top of this blog, but it’s hosted by a portfolio service called Crevado. It’s a sharp way to showcase your work, and it’s free for a basic account.
Now, I just have add more to it. Bit at a time…
Second ‘C’ is for Corel’s iPad app: Cinco. This app has done wonders for my ergonomically challenged workflow. I have a first-generation iPad and this app hasn’t crashed on me yet. Rare, that. Cinco syncs with Painter and allows quick Minority Report-style access to your favorite Painter tools. Cinco adds to the functionality of my (old but lovable) art tablet and keeps my hands off the (usually pain-inducing) keyboard.
Less pain = WIN. Bonus that it’s also fun.
Best way to see what Cinco does is to watch the video on Corel’s site. Right now the app is free, but they’ll eventually charge for it.
Entirely my opinions and no one paid/bribed me to review anything.
Ooh, wait. I have one last ‘C’—a wishlist entry: the Cintiq by Wacom. Interactive pen displays. Draw right on the screen. Gorgeous things. *swoon*
As I mentioned, I have an older tablet. 12″ x 12″ Intuos. Yep, the first version. This tablet has been my friend for the last decade and I’ll be crushed when it finally dies. Hopefully, it won’t; maybe not ever. But if I need a new tablet, I’ll be eyeing the Cintiq. Eyeing for sure—affording?—not so much!
If you’re an artist: what are your favorite tools when you work digitally?
What invention do you wish for?
Silly invention wish:
I’d like a desk-hologram model similar to Princess Leia’s hologram message in Star Wars, only not her but whatever figure I need for life drawing. In color, and not just human models, but everything else—from cats to dragons! Yeah.
Filed under Art, Art Portfolio, Career, Freelance, Technology
Books and Covers
Despite not having my art portfolio back online—that will be another post—I’m choosing to talk about book covers as I stay with my alphabetical postings.
I’m fortunate to be the cover designer of a fantastic book called Debris Dreams by David Colby, published by Candlemark & Gleam.
Debris Dreams is a realistic space-opera/military Young Adult novel about a multiracial lesbian teen living on a space station who gets drafted into a war between Lunar citizens and spacers/Earthers. She’s stranded in space, forced to join the marines, and quickly has to learn military discipline, how to kill, how to lead, and how to disobey orders when they’re about to, oh, kill everyone in horrible ways. All the while, dealing with the fact that, because of a terrorist act that started the war, she will not be able to go to Earth for at least twenty years—and therefore, may not actually see her Earther girlfriend ever. It’s thoughtful, scientifically sound, and heartbreakingly romantic.
For more: check out the site and read the sample chapter (the cover design isn’t up there yet). Download the faction logos—also designed by yours truly.
There, a little self-promotion. *nods* I’m not one to usually do that.
But, seriously… it’s a great book. Release date is November 2012.
Filed under Art, Art Portfolio, Books, Freelance, Ideas, Science, Science Fiction, Space
Alternate Versions
I write science fiction, and read plenty of it too. My favorite places are always alternate worlds or timelines. I love the idea of there being many versions of something, whether it be the universe or a single being.
As an illustrator, I create one portrait first and foremost. However, I always take time to play with the concept before deciding on how the final should look. Even once I have a finished piece, I’ll try different effects on it to see what happens.
This is the fantastic part of digital art over traditional (not that I don’t love to play with real paint and ink too)—not just the undo button but the vast array of color-play, texture, filters, and brushes that can be tested on a design.
Experimentation and exploration. It makes work fun.
Filed under Art, Art Portfolio, Creativity, Fantasy, Imagination, Multiverse, Portrait, Science Fiction, Sketchbook
Matchbox Girls
Candlemark & Gleam continues to delight me with their dedication to fantastika and Chrysoula Tzavelas’ novel Matchbox Girls has been my latest infatuation.
There are many great reviews out there, offering words to convince you to read this book… but I’ll give you a visual pitch—the poster, which I was commissioned to create as an pre-order extra. My hope is that it will get you curious about the tale behind it. Click the image to see a larger, more readable, version. You can check out Matchbox Girls at the author’s landing page.
Filed under Art, Art Portfolio, Books, Fantasy, Portrait, Poster, Publishing
Fly Into Fire
Fly Into Fire—Susan Jane Bigelow’s fantastic sequel to Broken—was released today. The story is a perfect blend of science fiction and superhero worlds. Lots of risk and adventure, friendship and love… all with a cast of characters you’d want to meet in person if you could.
And lucky me!—I’ve had the honor of spending more time with three of the characters, illustrating their portraits [below] for a series of ‘wanted’ posters that were offered as a pre-order bonus.
Both books are published by innovative publisher Candlemark & Gleam. You can get your copies at their website, as well as from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Filed under Art, Art Portfolio, Books, Portrait, Poster, Publishing, Science Fiction
Sketchbook 12.11 #1
Portrait sketch created in Corel Painter.
Filed under Art, Art Portfolio, Sketchbook
Painting fiction into life
I’m currently working on my NaNoWriMo novel (or novella, if I actually stop at 50,000 words). I’m writing a near-future/alternate-universe sci-fi tale. I’ve noticed some of you create your book cover as inspiration as you write. Instead of a cover, I decided to paint one of my lead characters as I imagine her so far.
Good luck to those of you doing NaNoWriMo this year!
Filed under Art, Art Portfolio, Creativity, Imagination, Sketchbook, Writing
