No not Star Wars, but announcing that I am a semi-finalist again for Illustrators of the Future quarterly competition (see past blogs for details).… ssiiigghhh.. again… I was going to stop announcing semi finalist wins until I became a first place winner. However, recently, I gave advise to someone that they should always tout their accomplishments. If you do not, then one else will. I don’t want to be a hypocrite now do I?…lol
So here are the selected finalists.
ZOMBIE KING OF THE NORTH - This was done while I was in Toronto over the Halloween weekend. We (wife and I) went to a haunted mansion and man did they do it right. Fantastic effects, performances that were over the top and scary AF. I took many pictures including of a zombie person with sick a creepy make up.. Later that evening, back at our hotel room, I couldn’t sleep so I stayed up and reworked that photo as a digital painting. Cold, Creepy, strong and yet regal.
THE CRESCENT KNIGHT AND HIS MOON GIANTS - To be honest, when I started this piece, It was meant to be a Knight running away from a pursuing Giant. However, it didn’t feel that way. It felt like the Knight was in a brave charge towards the viewer. Why not be brave? He has a freakin Giant behind him. Then I thought, he should have an army of Giants behind him. The piece is dramatic, bold and beautifully textured.
FAIRY GUARDIANS OF THE NIGHT - This painting was inspired by the children who live in my building. So, as many Jersey Shore residents (and others) know, there has been a Red Lantern Fly infestation. Though they are pretty, they multiply in massive numbers and jump on you. Worst of all, they are severely damaging to the trees. The infestation is so bad that the state of NJ has made it a charge for residents to kill as many of them as they can. Personally, I could barely kill any. They are so fast and aloof. That said, while spending wonderful pool days with a sick NYC view (yes, I am bragging), watching the children in my building running around killing these awful insects inspired me to make a piece about little pixies/fairies protecting a beautiful realm. Excellent colors, simple yet striking.
I decided winning never gets boring.
