DON’T DO NOTHING

It's graduation season. Gowns, the salty summer air, and the vibrant, hopeful faces of a new generation ready to dive in. Inevitably, I get asked for career advice—from friends, family, budding artists who are looking to enter the creative field. And it's tough, because everything I've learned feels like it's constantly changing in this wild, ever-evolving industry.

Still, some traits consistently deliver. In my orbit, people who are focused, resilient, and ready to adapt. These are the keys to sustained success.

Years ago, I shared a simple piece of advice, and someone recently thanked me for it. It was this: DON'T DO NOTHING.

• Not in school? Get a job.

• No job? Go to school.

• Both? Even better.

• Neither? Volunteer for something you believe in.

Just don't do nothing. Because when you sit around and do nothing, what exactly do you expect to happen?

“That's just, like, your opinion, man.” - The Dude - Jeff Bridges - The Big Lebowski

ENEMIES ARE IMPORTANT

“Feeling down, depressed, like the world has no purpose? What you need is an enemy! An enemy give you reason, it becomes your why, it puts pep in your step, it makes you wake up in the morning and say - Today is the day, I’m gonna get that no good god damn son of a bitch! - Let's be honest, how often do we think about our friends? Not very often. How often do we think about our enemies? We think about them all the time. The best part is that making an enemy is easy. We can make an enemy together right now. YOU WITH THE PUBLIC ENEMY T-SHIRT! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? ARE YOU MAKING FUN OF PUBLIC ENEMY? ME AND FLAVOR FAV WILL BE SEEING YOU REAL SOON! “ - Jack Terricloth

Words of wisdom from a dear friend whose passing I am still processing to this day. The takeaway. Good enemies are as important as good friends. So go out there. Make friends. Make enemies. Choose them well and act accordingly.

I'm more of a well-wisher. Meaning that I don't wish you any specific harm. - Moe Szyslak

IT”S JIMMY’S BROTHER!

Once upon a time, I was involved in IMPROV, short for improvised theatre. It's a live performance where actors create scenes, dialogue, and characters on the spot, often incorporating suggestions from the audience. While it's typically comedic, it doesn't always have to be. I got into this for several reasons: to have fun, meet interesting people, and, most importantly, to become comfortable speaking in front of a large audience.

Improv taught me a lot about myself, helped me make friends, and showed me different comedy techniques, like “the callback.” This is when a small detail introduced earlier in a scene is mentioned again later to enhance the humor. I believe it's one of the best tools in the arts, applicable in film, theater, and music, etc.

So I mention this because I recently watched “Superbad.” In it, Michael Cera's character humorously resembles “Jimmy’s brother,” and when this is revisited later, it serves as a great example of a callback that engages the audience through comedy.  I can never get enough of that scene.

The takeaway? Pay attention to what brings you joy. Often, our enjoyment is intentional and designed to trigger certain feelings. Recognizing this helps you understand yourself better and discover what you truly love. 

“I’ll be back” - Terminator 

GETTING COMFORTABLE

I recently shared an ONION meme (satire periodical) about how a local sketch artist draws on trains to make people uncomfortable. I hash-tagged #me. I gave it a long thought. Seriously, that was something I fuckin enjoyed doing when I was young. Sketch drawing on the train, in the park, at the beach, wherever. It was always a joy. And yes, back in the day, some people would get uncomfortable about me sketching them. That said, they kept it to themselves, and I was able to do what I needed. Also, to be fair, I did make sure that I did not make anyone too uncomfortable. That would just be obnoxious. It was a great time to pull something like that off. People (especially on the trains) did all sorts of interesting things with interesting poses. Reading a book (real book), reading a newspaper, sleeping, talking, daydreaming, sleeping while standing up, sleeping on another person, etc. So many interesting results, clothing, and gestures. Now that has all changed. Almost everyone is engaged on their devices, making the same faces and the same uninteresting poses. To make matters more difficult, people get visibly vocal about their agitation when you sketch them, which is bizarre because the same people don't seem to have problems videotaping themselves or others with their devices. That makes me sad. 

Despite this, I've decided that analog sketching is something I want to pursue again in the future. While I may not sketch on trains, I definitely plan to do it outdoors. It's a part of me that I want to explore and rediscover. 

So, what's the point of this blog? I suppose it’s to remind us that we shouldn't get too comfortable with the idea of making others too comfortable. I'll leave it at that!

“We're all awkward understudies wearing comfortable shoes, getting comfortable with doing it wrong.” - Frank Turner

TELL ME YOUR FIRST!

I recently read a blog by a sage man who talked about getting to know people. He spoke about how most people get caught up in job titles, their station in life, etc. However, as we know, especially in these times, that is fluid, it can change real fast, and it does not tell anyone who you are. This makes me think of a great ice breaker my brother came up with years back. It’s called “FIRST BEST LAST CONCERT”. Rather self-explanatory. You ask what a person's first musical concert is, the best concert they ever saw, and the last concert they attended. When I do this, the person is first confused, but then they light up and want to share their experience with glee. The question disarms, engages, and is just a fun shared experience you have someone you barely know. It's way more telling than asking about their LinkedIn profile, that's for sure! It proves that even something as simple as a concert memory can reveal so much about who someone truly is.

So, don’t hesitate. Go ahead and ask. Deep down, you know you want to.

“Stay here with me. We’ll start a jazz band.”   Charlotte - Scarlett Johansson - Lost In Translation

THE WAND OF PROCREATION

I pick up my magic wand and say the magic words. Well, actually, it’s not a magic wand; it’s something even better—my Apple Pencil! This tool has completely transformed my experience in creating digital artwork on my iPad using the Procreate app. 

When I first discovered Procreate, I liked it, but I didn’t love it. The Wacom pen tool, which was highly recommended then, didn’t meet my expectations, making my initial experience with the product somewhat disappointing. However, upon discovering the Apple Pencil, everything changed for me. It felt like something clicked inside me; little stood between me and the artwork I was creating. It felt genuine and right.

From that moment on, my style and love for Procreate flourished. This newfound enjoyment created a bit of a dilemma for me: now, when I try to create analog artwork, I instinctively use tablet gestures while drawing. I feel crazy for it, quite frankly, lol. I suppose I’m hooked on digital art, but I can say there are worse things to be addicted to.

So, whenever you feel a spark of creativity within you, a whisper of an idea longing to take form. I encourage you to seek out your tool, maybe a typewriter (did I just say typewriter?), or paint brush, musical instrument, or whatever your Apple Pencil is.  Keep exploring, keep experimenting, and have fuckin fun!

I am your man, then! Let's do it - right here! Let's go to that place of "splendor in the grass"! Behold my magic wand and free your golden orbs right now! - Robin Williams - Fisher King

MY ROBOTIC FEELINGS

I often get asked about my thoughts on AI and whether I use it in creating my artwork. The answer is a yes! I absolutely embrace it and use it when I need to. AI has been a game changer for me, making me a faster creative and more effective creative. Honestly, it's so much fun! I’m a bit surprised that more writers aren't diving into tools like Midjourney and Firefly. It truly is a dream for wordsmiths! 

When it comes to ethics, let me address that too. I always make sure to cite any and all tools that I use when I publish my digital illustrations. My approach typically combines manipulated or recreated images with my own hand-drawn input and prompts, and then reworked and redone or used as reference as they are recreated in other digital tools. That way, the final artwork genuinely represents my personal style and becomes a unique creation.

Now, I understand some of the frustrations surrounding AI, particularly with those who use it unethically. That is a valid concern and a conversation that needs to be had. I also empathize with analog artists who might be hesitant about this technology. Still, I firmly believe that AI can enhance one’s craft while maintaining authenticity.

What I find puzzling, though, is when digital artists voice objections to AI. It seems a bit hypocritical because digital art has been evolving in that direction for years! The tools and scripts we've always used have incorporated automation, and this AI advancement is simply the next exciting step in that progression. Getting worked up about it now feels a bit like sour grapes.

In the end, AI is here to stay, and I encourage everyone to embrace it to some degree. By understanding its workings and leveraging its capabilities, you can transform it into a powerful tool that propels your creative journey forward.

Detective Del Spooner: Human beings have dreams. Even dogs have dreams, but not you, you are just a machine. An imitation of life. Can a robot write a symphony? Can a robot turn a... canvas into a beautiful masterpiece? Sonny: Can you? - I, ROBOT

MATTER OF TRUST

I recently had the incredible opportunity to illustrate a book cover for the immensely talented DJ McDowell for his debut novel, “CAPTOR: NAME THEM.” I can’t tell you how excited I was to work on this project! The collaboration was absolutely seamless, and we created something truly special that left everyone feeling thrilled. DJ even gave me a wonderful shout-out on his Instagram, which was such a lovely acknowledgment. The book was officially released just last week, and the accolades are pouring in—so well deserved!

But here's the issue: We came so close to missing out on this amazing opportunity! One of the biggest challenges for creatives like us is trust, and it’s something we all understand so it doesn’t need to be explained. However, there’s this new challenge of “first contact.” When I started ramping up my online presence to land contract work, I was initially flooded with inquiries. But soon enough, I realized that many were from scam artists with surprisingly sophisticated schemes, as well as A.I. bots that could easily pass for real people. And then there were the genuine folks who just weren't serious about their intentions. It felt pretty disheartening at times. 

So when DJ reached out, I genuinely thought he might be just another A.I. bot! But I decided to take a chance because, you know, you never really know. And then, when he mentioned the magical words “Jason Todd,” I knew he was the real deal! (For anyone confused, that’s a Batman reference!).

What’s the takeaway from this story? Well, first, I love stories!..lol..  But more importantly, it’s crucial to stay aware while also being open to a healthy level of trust. The creative process becomes so much more awesome when we do! Keep pushing forward and embracing those genuine connections!

“The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool.“ - Lester Bangs

GET TO KNOW MY DARKSIDE!

Guess what?! I had the absolute thrill of being interviewed by Darkside Books to celebrate the release of "Serpents and Saffrins"! It was awesome, and I was bursting to share it with everyone. There was just one tiny hiccup – the interview was originally published in Portuguese! While I loved seeing it in its original form, no one was able to read it, (Google Translate anyone?..lol) I knew my English-speaking friends would need a little help. So, drumroll please... here's the full interview, now beautifully translated into English! Dive in and I hope you enjoy it!

BETWEEN THE DIGITAL AND THE SYMBOLIC: A CHAT WITH VASSILIOS BAYIOKOS

Meet the illustrator of Serpentes & Serafins, the new novel by Enéias Tavares

Serpentes & Serafins is the first contemporary novel byEnéias Tavares( Parthenon Místico and Lição de Anatomia ), a work that mixes art and history, magic and religion, cinema and painting, fusing pop references with ancient and eternal symbols. One of the passengers on this journey is the New York artist Vassilios Bayiokos, guest illustrator of the project.

Vassilios Bayiokos is a New York-based artist, originally from Brooklyn, known for his work in art direction, graphic design and digital illustration. With years of experience, he has signed projects for advertising agencies, digital markets and studios, creating art inspired by much of pop culture media. Seeking inspiration in fantasy, science fiction and horror, he currently works with images inspired by angels, demons, fairies, and tarot arcana.

We interviewed the artist and brought the results of the conversation here to DarkBlog. In it, Bayiokos tells us about his career, his reflections on art and culture, as well as his experience collaborating with DarkSide® Books . Check it out:

DarkBlog: To begin, could you tell us a little about your background as an artist and your journey so far?

Vassilios Bayokos: The expression “full circle” comes to mind. Like most kids,  I have loved creating art inspired by comics, horror, fantasy, and science fiction for as long as I can remember. As I got older and got better, it became clear that this was what I wanted to do. I studied at art schools such as New York Technical College in Brooklyn, Birmingham Polytechnic of Design in England, and Pratt Institute in New York. Throughout that time, I remained a hardcore fan of these genres, especially DC Comics. However, different interests led me to the advertising design market, which seemed like the smarter choice given the competitiveness of the creative industry. Gotta pay the bills, right? That said, it was on this journey that I discovered digital art, especially retouching and compositing. As time went by, as I discovered more digital tools, my focus returned to my childhood loves. I feel naturally good about this change of direction. I enjoy it, and the growing interest in my work has been wonderful and that motivates me to continue moving forward on this path.

D: Could you share with us a little about your creative process?

VB: That’s a great question. I hate to be vague, but I approach my projects as problem solving. With my background in art direction and graphic design, I’m trained to use all the resources at my disposal to achieve the desired effects by any means possible, using tools like Photoshop, Procreate, and other digital products and different techniques. These include analog, digital, photography, hybrid compositing, and even experimentation with AI. On the other hand, working with so many different methods results in “happy accidents”, which often lead to exciting results. I hope that helps.

D: Serpents & Seraphim explores the timeless battle between good and evil, intertwining themes of art, science, faith and alchemy. How do you perceive these imaginary beings—angels and demons—and what meaning do they have as symbols in art?

VB: First of all, I can’t think of a better custodian for this project than Enéias Tavares. He’s creative and brilliant, and his previous work in the steampunk genre has been fantastic. I’m excited about any project he’s involved with. As for your question, at the risk of coming off trite, I see these entities in art as representations of the way we crystallize and define what we consider good or evil. This theme is recurrent throughout art history and will continue to be. However, as we explore these representations, we realize that the concepts of good and evil change over time and culture. This is why talking about angels and demons continues to be disturbing and thought-provoking. What is good? What is evil? Good and evil are not static, nor are black and white. The shades of gray on both sides often reveal flawed protagonists or even anti-heroes, which adds depth to so many creative works, as with Tavares’ novel.

D: The novel Serpentes & Serafins is also a story about travel and books, a true “roadmance”. Do you travel often? How does travel influence your artistic work? 

VB: My wife and I love to travel, and we have been fortunate enough to visit many incredible places around the world. Some of our favorites include Greece (Crete, Santorini, Anavriti), Scotland (Glasgow, Highlands), and Brazil (Fernando de Noronha). Our travels have profoundly impacted our lives, giving us shared and unforgettable experiences. For me, travel also serves as a powerful creative catalyst, and offers new perspectives that often influence my work. It’s a fantastic feeling.  It’s a feeling I wish for everyone to have when they travel.

D: Who would be your favorite authors and artists? Which ones would you recommend? 

VB: I hate this question (lol), because my answers are always changing and very fluid, depending on the moment. Today, I would name Anne Rice, Grant Morrison, Robert Kirkman and Terry Brooks as my favorite authors. As for visual artists, I would name Ralph McQuarrie, George Pratt, Simon Bisley, Alex Ross, Doug Chang, Dan Brereton and Edward Gorey.

D: Finally, how is it working with DarkSide® Books on this project? 

VB: It's been fantastic! I loved working with Enias, I loved the Serpentes & Serafins project and it's an honor for me to be part of this. Creative endeavors of any nature usually require a bit of trust on both sides and are often fraught with tension and uncertainty, especially when working with each other for the first time.  I haven't experienced any of that here, which demonstrates the professionalism of DarkSide® Books and their commitment to releasing the best product possible.

You can talk to me. You can set your secrets free, baby - Stevie Nicks

HERE I GO AGAIN!

Here I go again is right! Welcome to my newly updated website! It’s been a long time coming. Though my vocation can be classified in the graphics field, with a strong background in retouching and art direction, I felt this updated site should reflect the current bulk of my 'creative' endeavors, which are my digital illustrations. It took some time to contextualize how I wanted this site to be presented, and there is still some work and adjustments that need to be made. That said, I believe I've gotten it to a point where it makes sense and is ready to go live. 

Enough chatter. Don’t be afraid! Dive in and explore! Check out my featured projects, engage with my graphics work, browse my art station page which is updated regularly, keep up with my blog which will be posted weekly, and buy something from my store. Your support goes a long way and it makes me feel good about myself and makes me love you even more!

“Here I go again on my own, Going down the only road I've ever known” - Whitesnake