Projector broke ...

The bulb blew in my ancient projector. I'm not sure when it was made, but it's called a Vu-Lyte. So you know it was made when spelling things like that was in fashion. It weighs about a ton and I have to drag it back and forth to get the right magnification. And take a look at the bulb. Wow, this thing is old.

I project my small sketches onto the larger canvas, where I trace and draw the image at the larger size. This piece of equipment is essential for me.

I had two choices. Find a new bulb or buy a new projector. Surprisingly, a company in Kansas still sell these bulbs, so I got one for $30. I'm waiting for it now. When it blows, I'll spend the $200 for a new projector.

Letters of Note

I stumbled upon this amazing letter published on the blog, Letters of Note. Tons of old, odd, or beautiful notes are posted here, but this one got to me. View it here.


Wow. If that doesn't make you tear up, I'm not sure what will. This may make me sound like Andy Rooney, but isn't there something amazing about a handwritten letter? A few people have sent me cards to sign in the mail and most of them have come with handwritten thank-you notes. It's a nice touch. I usually will write a note back, but maybe my New Year's Resolution should be to find more excuses to write letters.

And here's another letter that will make you laugh or cry, depending on the mood you're in.

Philly Recap

Got back from Philadelphia last night. I spent most of the day on Sunday at the TCGplayer.com $5K Tournament. I finally had prints to sell and was signing more than just Plains and Convincing Mirage. Plenty of people were bringing their Grazing Gladehart or Sejiri Refuge by the table. I met artist Matt Stewart, and he shared some of his industry advice with me. Fortunately Matt was selling a lot of work, so I think I got some of his leftover traffic at times.

A bunch of people still don't know who the heck I am (understandably), which leads to some interesting questions. I brought three 18x24 original illustrations with me. On the corner of each canvas, I taped the card on which the illustration appears. One kid, maybe 12 years old, came by the table and looked at the paintings. He asked something like, "Do they send you the picture on the card so you know how to paint it?" He thought I was painting and selling large reproductions of card illustrations, not that my illustrations appeared on the card. I thought it was funny.

Weekend Events

Here's a new piece. It was kind of a quick piece on a canvas I rescued from the trash. It's been done for a couple weeks, but I've only recently gotten the chance to photograph it. Also photographed and FedEx'd three Magic card illustrations today, and now ...

It's off to Philly for the TCGplayer.com $5K Tournament. I'll be at the Pennsylvania Convention Center all day on Sunday. Please stop by if you're in the area.

Also, new event announcement! I'm going to Houston on January 30th for the Worldwake Regional PreRelease. It's a little out of the way for those on the East Coast, but I'm excited to meet a group of Magic Players in a different area of the country. It looks like I'm the only artist right now, so I'll try not to disappoint.

Reeee-jected!

Another year, another e-mail rejection letter. I didn't get into the 52nd Society of Illustrators Annual. Frustrating.

4,600 entries and 418 accepted pieces, so it's not like I was expecting to get in. But every year, when I see the e-mail in my inbox from the Society, there's a brief moment when I hope for the best. Then I don't see the word "Congratulations," and I realize it's another rejection. It's like you have to be a big name to get in, but you can't become a big name unless you get in.

There's still the American Illustration Show and Spectrum to submit to. So I'll try again, but I could really do without all these entry fees ...

Impressive Illustrator

Wesley Burt.

Usually I'm pretty confident in my own drawing ability ... but guys like this make me pretty envious. Don't really know anything about him, and I've never met him.

But he's impressive, so take a gander through his galleries and blog. His drawings have a great feel: realistic but not enslaved to reality. I sometimes fall into that trap. But Wesley walks the line between fantasy and reality with amazing skill.

Quick note

Just a quick note. There will be more interesting things coming up after I finish the incoming projects, but until then ...

The current Magic card illustrations are turning out really well (knock on wood), and its partly because I'm using a smaller 11x14 canvas instead of the 18x24. There's less space to cover in paint, which saves time. Also, since it's a smaller canvas it's easier to imagine the image on the small format of the finished card.

I've also found a really cool brand of canvas. Even better, it's cheaper than the stuff I normally get. Yes! brand canvas is super smooth; almost like a thick paper. I apply one coat of gesso, sand down the bumps on the surface and presto: a smooth canvas with a hint of tooth. It soaks up paint more than normal canvas, but I think you also get a little more control because of it.

I'm looking forward to finishing these illustrations, then packing up my things and heading down to Philly for their Magic tournament ...