Petty Gods

Here's my submission for the Petty Gods book that James over at Grognardia is doing. This is Screbblo, and his description reads as such:

"Screbblo appears as a small, finely dressed gnome, with a cobbler's hammer in one hand and a pouch of boot nails slung over his shoulder. He wanders from town to town, entering cobbler's shops at night to complete and improve their work. He dislikes violence and will always flee if threatened. If forced to fight, he will attack with either his hammer, or by throwing a fistful of boot nails. He has the power to make any footwear fall apart at will, and if this happens, the wearer must save vs death ray or trip over. It is said that Screbblo has a secret hideaway in the mountains, containing a magic workshop and the finest collection of boots and shoes in the multi-verse. His own boots are exceedingly beautiful, and are enchanted with every magic power ever devised for footwear."

Robots and Ray Guns

So, I went on a little trip to St.Louis and went to their City Museum. Much to my surprise I found a wing that was full of Robots and Ray Guns! Here, in photographic form are the spoils of my journey.

Notice the "Dungeon Master" in the top right, too much!

wicked old pinball machine

and a sweet little painted panel from an old book case..

Insect Children Dive Deep

After narrowly escaping the advancing hordes of giant angry mushrooms, the intrepid trio set sail across the underground sea in search of safe passage to the Realms of the Subtle Kingdom. Here, Skully gathers some undersea nourishment for the party.

Vrul Vs. Frog-Men

It's been a while... I've been delving into other projects lately and have been slow to post and to create! Here we have an exciting scene though. Oh that creepy Vrul man has gotten himself into quite a quagmire. Suddenly surrounded by Frog-Men he has only his light dart gun and a shoulder cannon to save him. Unless he's got a terribly tough hide, or some tricks up those fuzzy sleeves he'll be roasting on a spit tonight!

The Vrul creature is a creation of Mr. Blair of Planet Algol fame, and again this is a wonderful inspiration for an artist such as myself.

Tripod of the WasteLands

A weathered Tripod of the Ancients lumbering through the waste-lands and hunting mutant dino meat for dinner. Another peaceful evening on Planet Algol...

Out of the Mushroom Forest and into the Lava Lands

Our intrepid trio races out of the mushroom forest, cleverly fashioning a raft from a dead 'shroom, and now continues their journey to the Subtle Kingdom. Next: The Lava Land!

Charismatic Creature of the Slime Lands

I'm illustrating a children's book named The Swamp, and this is the alien creature I've created for it. It seems to fit the requirements set forth for a friendly, slimy alien.

Looking at it though, I could see it being a helpful creature to come across in the Slime Lands of Planet Algol. A nice charismatic slime that leads you either out of the swamp or straight to its nest of hungry friends.

He's just so darn friendly looking!

Temple City of Klovoyga

My first architectural piece in a while. This one is for Planet Algol, and is described there as such:

A titanic walled complex of rotting monolithic mottled grey stone wreathed in yellow vapors, dating back to the time of the Elder Races. It is said to be a nest of blasphemous alien Sorcerers and their hideous inhuman servitors.

The Temple of Set

Snake priests, surprise attacks, and human sacrifice; a perfect setting for an adventuring party out to make a fortune, or die trying.

This is a future book cover for one of Blair's projects. This time not for Planet Algol but for his Wilderlands' Temple of Set supplement. Blair set up the scene for me, my friend Robin drew it out, and then I transfered it to the panel and started painting!

This painting is on a large wooden panel (about 4 feet by 2 feet) and is done in Oils. This still has a long way to go, but I wanted to give you all a sneak peek at what is to come. I also think it's fun to see the process of a work in progress, and I hope you do to!

The Insect Children Encounter the Mutant Mushroom Forest

Here we have our intrepid pair being led through a forest of Mutant Mushrooms. Another necessary step along the way to the Lair of the Lichen King!

Classic Covers

Here's another classic Jack Vance cover from my collection. Strange and wonderful, this one hales all the way from 1975:



And a bonus treat from '83:


I was gifted this amazing Lando book today. A special day indeed...!

Blaster Girl vs Ape Man

Another fine evening on Planet Algol. Here we see a classic moment where it's might against machine. A tense moment for sure. Will her next shot be more true? Is there even time for another blast before she's torn limb from limb? However it works out, we all know it all rests on that next d20 roll...

Back!

Just returned from a two-week Southwestern adventure...and will be updating with some new art over the next few weeks! Lots of cactus research was accomplished as well as a day of traveling into the depths of Inner Earth. Much inspiration was achieved. Not only that but upon delving deep into the shelves of an old paperback palace, I found, lying there amongst the paper bones of its forgotten brethren, a flawless copy of Jack Vance's The Dying Earth.

I also realized that I had left out a panel from the previous Insect Children series. If you look now, at the article below, you'll see it wedged in place between the meeting of Xarnagan and him hypnotizing his burrowing owl construct.

The Cosmic Journey of the Insect Children continues...

The next few in the series. Seems like they're going to be led into the core of the planet by some sort of burrowing reptile owl named Xerxes. What could await them? Spider Wolves? Were-moles? or even perhaps a swarm of Xorn...

Vanishing Breeds

Just finished illustrating this English Reader children's book and wanted to share my favorite illustrations that I made for it. For this one's style I decided to go for Little Orphan Annie meets a psychedelic bubble-gum machine. I think I nailed it. The book is entitled Vanishing Breeds and is written by Debbie Spring for JLS Publishing due to be published this fall. Enjoy!

Psychic Bear

Blair has been quite an inspiration over these past few years, but I took one thing to heart and made a whole painting from it: Psychic Bear! Here is his original Artwork:


And my version:


Neither one of us knew it would go this far. This was finished over last fall and hung in a show at Subeez believe it or not. I like the idea of people ordering $15 appetizers of bruschetta and having this hanging over their head.

Dragon!

Somehow, much more terrifying in Purple. I'm sure I'll tweak it a bit here and there, but, man, was this one fun.

In the Make

You'll soon see these two following illustrations completed, but I thought first I should give a tiny taste of what's on the way.

First is a vignette from a children's book that I'm illustrating currently for JLS Publishing entitled Vanishing Breeds.

Two captured boys look on in sudden shock as they are lowered towards the gaping maw of a giant double-headed dragon.
Terrifying...

This next piece is one I've been calling Blaster and the Beast. It is a project that is going towards the Planet Algol image bank. It's in a very rough stage of development here, and I must thank Robin from NewOriginalArt for his inspirational positioning and sketch-skeletons, but I always enjoy seeing the progress of pieces and couldn't resist giving you a peak behind the curtain.

Th' Cosmic Journey of th' Insect Children

Through the galaxy and beyond the limits of our dimension the Insect Children gather the Elemental Orbs from the Far Reaches. With the aide of the Great Sage Xarnagan Vrokk they collect the Orbs in hopes of one day returning them to their rightful place and thusly averting the dissolution of the Cosmos.

This is a continuing series that is presently published in The Skinny Magazine, and I plan on turning into a bound edition once I reach the end o' their tale.
Here are their first five Segments of Adventure! Taken in order as they are seen here. And, please, ignore the fact that their is no Number Four.

So it begins....

Welcome to my Illustrated Blogdom! Here you will find all my latest, greatest, creations for you to ogle and enjoy. Please feel free to comment, question, and commission!

The image above is entitled Sage, Mage, and Mind Wizard a part of the Planet Algol image bank and Player's Guide.