ULTRA MAN

OK folks, first of all I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and an equally fantastic New Year holiday.  This year, without a doubt, has been my most successful year to date having met so many new people, making so many new friends, and accomplishing more than I could have imagined.  With more shows under my belt this past year, I have more confidence going into 2014, and I hope you've enjoyed the ride as much as I have and continue to ride it with me!

Having said that, the picture above was a commission I did for a friend as a Christmas present for his son (or just him, it's open for interpretation).  He came to me asking to do an Ultra Man piece in the style of my Avengers and Walking Dead prints.  In case you're not in the know, Ultra Man is a precursor to the Might Morphin' Power Rangers of sorts; a superhero grows to towering heights to fight monters and destroys cardboard cities in the process.  There, now you know as much as I do about it.  Regardless of lack of knowledge on the topic, it turned out better than I had hoped for...and my friend loved it.  In fact, he couldn't stop talking about it.  This is what makes doing what I do worth it.

Also, in case you haven't noticed, there is a new format more or less for my blog.  I have added a few category tabs under my banner so you can easily navigate through my work in graphic design, convention work, sketches, and a little bit of freelance work to boot.  If you even feel so inclined to purchase something, I have a store as well.  Check it out!

Again, thanks for going on the ride with me in 2013, let's see what 2014 has in store!

Hail Caesar

Sketchtober

Ok folks, I've been incredibly busy since Detroit Fanfare, which I will do a write-up on in the next week or so, but if you "Liked" my artist page on Facebook (which can be seen here), these are the sketches I posted every day leading up to the convention.  No real reason to explain who each is, they are pretty self-explainatory.  Enjoy.

Until next time...

STORE

AVENGERS PRINTS

Set of four (4) Avengers prints based on the hit 2012 movie.  Each measures 11" x 17" and is printed on 130# Gloss Cover paper stock. Sold as set only.

TRON LEGACY PRINTS

Set of two (2) prints based on the hit movie, Tron Legacy.  Each measures 11" x 17" and is printed on 130# Gloss Cover paper stock. Sold as set only.

WALKING DEAD PRINTS

Set of two (2) prints based on the hit AMC television show, The Walking Dead.  Each measures 11" x 17" and is printed on 130# Gloss Cover paper stock. Sold as set only.



007 CASINO ROYALE PRINT

Print based on the hit James Bond 007 film, Casino Royale.  Measures 11" x 17" and is printed on 130# Gloss Cover paper stock.

Grand Rapids Comic Con thoughts and Detroit Fanfare

Ok folks, I meant to post sooner, but this weekend has been pretty crazy.  Nonetheless I am back, so let's get to it.

  The 1st annual Grand Rapids Comic Con was this past weekend (Oct. 12th), at the HSB Building in Wyoming, Michigan.  I must say, WOW.  I don't think anyone could have EVER thought the turnout would have been like it was that day.  Grand Rapids has been longing for something like this for a very long time; there isn't much else in Michigan: Cherry Capital Con (North), Motor City Comic Con, and Detroit Fanfare (both in the east side of the state).  Grand Rapids is booming in the areas of art, music, and theatre, and there really isn't much for the comic/pop culture group of people there.

  To put it mildly, the Grand Rapids Comic Con was a MASSIVE success.  I don't know the final head count, but from what I heard a little over 2,000 was turned away; the building couldn't keep up with the demand.  The building was absolutely pack from the opening until about 5 o' clock (it ended at 6).  The people were fantastic, the volunteers did their best under the circumstances, and everyone seemed to have a great time.  It didn't hurt that I did VERY well.  All in all, a fantastic time and I won't hesitate to do that show again.  Of course, they're moving to a bigger venue next year.

  Next weekend is the Detroit Fanfare comic convention in Dearborn, MI. at the Adoba hotel.  This is a very fun show as it is centered on those who create comics, both illustrators and writers.  I won't list everything that's going on because, quite frankly, there's too much to list.  For the rundown of the events check out: http://detroitfanfare.com/schedule/.

Speaking of Detroit Fanfare, there are two exclusive books being released at the show that I was able to take part of.  The first,  'The Book of Tarot' from Transfuzion Publishing, is an introduction to the world of Tarot cards, accompanied by illustrations by artists that will be at the show!  I chose to illustrate the card 'Judgment':

My take on 'Judgment' was heavily influenced by Davy Jones from the Pirates of the Caribbean films; I even gave him a hat similar to Davy's as a nod.  Once a person dies, everything goes black.  Their soul awakens on a pathway and he/she is greated by a man with no name.  He doesn't say anything, but he holds a lantern in each hand.  Each lantern represents the judgment of the deceased; if the lantern in his right hand lights up, everlasting life in paradise awaits.   However, if the lantern in his left hand glows, purgetory forevermore.  I'm very happy with how this turned out.

The second book, 'Zelda's Zombie Zoo' written by Gary Reed and published by Binary Publications, is a children's book about Zelda, a tour guide, who takes the reader through her zoo....full of zombified animals!  I chose to illustrate the hyena:

Again, both books will be released excusively at Detroit Fanfare, with all contributing artists on hand to sign their contributions for the books!

That's it for now; I'm aiming to post one more time before Fanfare with my entire 'countdown' of sorts I've been posting on Instagram (for those interested, @jasondraws is my username).

Thanks for reading!

Grand Rapids Comic Con and other happenings

Just a little update as to what I've been up to and what's coming up...

Next Saturday, October 12th, I'll be at the Grand Rapids Comic Con in Wyoming, MI.  This is a very last-minute addition for me, as in I signed up for it last weekend.  I love the city and the table cost was very reasonable, so why not?  I don't really know any of the other artists that will be there save for Jim Towe and Jay Brant, but if you're in the area, stop on in an say 'hi'.  More info can be found at http://grcomiccon.com.  

We're only 3 weeks out from Detroit Fanfare in Dearborn, MI and it will officially be the end of the comic con season.  This is an incredibly fun show to do; there's something for everyone.  In fact, there is just too much to list here, so check out all the goods at http://detroitfanfare.com.  I'll have a more comprehensive post before the show with details and such as things are being finalized everyday in their camp.

I have four cool projects that I've been a part of, and once I get the word, I'll share it here. 

Finally, in sort of a countdown kind of way I have been posting a sketch-a-day on my Instagram (@jasondraws) and my Facebook page (facebook.com/jasonwestlakeart).  I won't post everything I've shared so far on here, but here is just one sketch I've posted:

Boris Karloff as the classic Universal Monster, The Mummy

I'll have one giant-sized post in the coming weeks about the outcome of the Grand Rapids Comic Con, what to expect at Detroit Fanfare, my sketch-a-day countdown, and of course the four projects I've been a part of.  

Stay tuned.

Village Fest and other goodies

Hey everyone, this post is here a bit later than I intended, but here nonetheless.  I have a few updates for you guys, so let's get to it.

This past weekend was the Village Fest out in Grosse Pointe Woods.  Artists, food vendors, musicians, and everything else you could shake a stick at attended.  The artist group I am part of, Motor City Sketch, set up a booth there again this year, this time dong sketches to raise money for the American Red  Cross.  Other artists on hand besides myself were Ted Woods, Bruce Gerlach, Anne Garavaglia, Lee Gothro, and Franklyn Beasely.  The group of us ended up being completely slammed most of Saturday, to the point where we were drawing literally until the sun was down and couldn't see any more.  Sunday, albeit with shorter hours, was no different.  All in all, it was a blast and we all had such a good time.  Here are a few pictures from the event:

 My little friend here was pretty much the highlight of my day on Saturday.  He and his mother came up to me a little bit after the show started asking about getting a sketch done of him, but she didn't have cash.  Ultimately she said they would be back later (which much of the time, isn't the case and you never see them again), but she stayed true to her word and came back almost at closing time.  Her son, pictured above, wanted to be drawn up like Batman (he picked the right guy to ask to do it); I asked if I could get a picture of him for reference while they walked around a bit more.  At first he smiled, leading to me saying Batman doesn't smile, then he gave me a half grin/ half frown which sufficed; it was obvious he was very shy.  I drew up his picture and the two of them came back, he being as shy as ever, but when I gave him his picture I swear to God the way his face lit up you could have lit an entire room.  His mother was so happy with it and the kid was estatic; made my day.

 Almost set up.  Myself and Bruce Gerlach pictured.

 Getting into the swing of things.  Bruce, myself, and Ted Woods.

 The whole gang.  L-R: Bruce, Anne Garavaglia, Kelly Nemzek, myself, and Ted.

 Our friend James Green showed up for a little bit.  Really funny guy.

 Bruce is showing how he really feels about drawing people.

Ted's got a fan base in the Village!

All in all, it was fantastic time and couldn't have been happier with how everything went.  We were all glad to do it.  Also special thanks goes to Kelly's husband, Steve, for providing us with some Starbucks.  

In other news, I have officially signed on to be at the Detroit Fanfare Comic Convention at the Abode hotel in Dearborn, MI. October 25-27.  I'm not up on the official website just yet, but the contract has been signed and the paperwork is all done and in.  Once the show is closer I'll have all the details.

Last but not least, I recently finished yet another set from Cult Stuff, this time for the 'Beyond Bram Stoker's Dracula' set.  There's so much to go off of in terms of vampires and that whole culture that Cult Stuff decided to do a sub set for that.  I did 31 altogether These were a lot of fun to do, enjoy.

Thanks for reading.  Until next time....