Rise of the Eldrazi cards

Here is the complete set of my cards from Rise of the Eldrazi:




Full art is coming soon ...

Magic the Gathering article

Today on the Magic: The Gathering website, there's an article on the upcoming card set.

The article includes this image:

Might this be a section from one of my new illustrations? Only a few more days and you can find out ...

Houston Grand Prix

The Houston Grand Prix was a great event. At the Boston GP last summer, I only had two cards in print. So this time, it was great to have a collection of cards behind me, even if, as I heard many times, my cards are "only good in limited." This refers to the kind of gameplay in which my cards would see action. As the cards I illustrated are fairly weak common cards, no one uses them in their premier play decks.


But not a big deal. I was there as an artist, not a gamer, so I set up my display and got to work. I signed stacks and stacks of cards, but I spent most of the weekend sketching on playmats. These are protective surfaces on which one can put cards without fear of them getting dirty on the table. Many have a blank face, so some fans of the game like to have signatures and original drawings inscribed on them.




I was also selling sketches on the back of my white-backed artist proof cards, which have the playable side printed, but no logo on the back. I created some sketches that a player could potentially use in the game: placeholder cards called "tokens."



I sold a few art prints, but no one took the jump and bought one of my original canvases (yet!).

The other artist in attendance was Steve Argyle, who seemed to have the opposite experience I had. His cards are mostly pretty powerful; some of the better cards in the game. He had a line of fans any time he was at the table. Some wanted signatures, some wanted sketches and others wanted to buy prints. He had to take breaks during the day to catch up on commissioned work. He looked swamped, but managed to stay in a good mood the entire weekend. He's a great guy, so check out his website.

When I go to these events, I'm usually not one of the big-name artists (Not yet, anyway). So I'm trying to make a name for myself as a good sketch artist until I have some powerful cards commissioned to me. I try to make sure everyone who purchases a sketch has something great in their hands when they leave. Doesn't always happen, but I try. So spread the word. I like drawing dragons.

New Card

I got back from the Houston Grand Prix last night. A recap is coming as soon as I catch up on everything I missed over the weekend. Until then, here's a new card that will be released with the new Magic: The Gathering set, Rise of the Eldrazi.

No. 27

It was my (and my dad's) birthday yesterday. Here two gifts I got: A projector to replace the hulking old one I have, and a ukulele. One gift for work, one for fun.

Spectrum!

!!! ... I think it deserved a few more exclamation points.

I got into Spectrum 17! Spectrum is the leading annual of fantasy/sci-fi art, and apparently they got about 6,000 entries this year. I was pretty bummed the past few years when I didn't get in, but this makes up for it. I was so used to not seeing my name after John Jude Palencar, Anthony Palumbo and Dave Palumbo, that when I actually saw my name, I nearly did a double take.

Other than the great honor, its good advertising to get into the book. Plus, I might have an opportunity to display my work at the Society of Illustrators in NYC.

I don't know which piece(s) got in, but I'll find out soon enough.

Hello again.

It's embarrassing how long it's been since my last post. I haven't been sick or out of town. Just apparently very neglectful of this blog.

On Easter weekend I fly out to Houston once again for the Houston Grand Prix. I still have to make a few more prints and organize my setup, but I'm pretty much ready.

A few weeks ago, I visited Dan Dos Santos at his studio to seek out advice. He was very helpful. I learned a lot and also learned how much I still have to improve my skills.

I'm staying busy, trying to stay ahead of the bills. Filing my taxes didn't help my bank account. That self-employment tax is a real killer. I mailed out two illustrations for Magic a couple weeks ago, and submitted sketches for new ones this week. I'm currently waiting to hear back. I'm finishing up two new portfolio pieces. As soon as they are varnished and photographed, I'll post them here and on my website.

I could really go for a big assignment right now. Fingers crossed ...