Quarterly Email, Holiday Sale and Ornaments...Oh My!

I hope everyone is recovering from the Thanksgiving gluttony and are looking forward to decorating for the holidays.  I'm excited to be taking place in Cindy Ann Ganaden's Holiday Ornament Exchange and will be posting my craftiness in a few weeks.  Here are some of my past ornaments.  Many wonderful things happening here but I wanted to give you a heads up on two things.


No. 1 - I will be sending out my quarterly email this week so if you would like to be included on the email list just sign up to the right!----------------------------------------------------------------------------->

No. 2 -  I'm running a 25% off sale on my etsy store.  It ends on Cyber Monday night so get your presents while you can!  Just plug in code HOLIDAYSALE upon check out to receive 25% off your order.  Click here for my works.

WIP - Animals

This is a work in progress for "Animals".  I'll be tossing some unfinished images up on my blog here and there to keep everyone informed to my progress.  This will be digitally under painted and mixed media overpainted.

Animals Update - ML Jobs

ML Jobs

Detail

Here's an "Animals" update for you!  ML Jobs.  I still have a bit more to do but will not be revisiting this one until the final weeks of the project.  For more information on "Animals" you can visit my kickstarter update page.

Last of Summer

"Last of Summer" GreenPrints Autumn Cover 2012

I have been so engrossed in creating sketches for "Animals" that I forgot to post my most recent work for GreenPrints!  This is a cover I did several weeks ago for the Autumn issue.  I enjoyed working on this painting and had a great time creating the indian corn and cabbage fingers.  Both items were the most time consuming but I feel it paid off in the long run.  

The issue has been released and I have started receiving emails from gardeners interested in prints.  I posted a mini print for the budget conscious on my etsy store and will be posting larger sizes in a day or so.  Enjoy the last of summer everyone!

Animals from History - The Beginning

Meet Seymour as Teddy Roosevelt (detail)

123 backers and original goal exceeded I have begun the process of creating "Animals From History"!  The last few weeks I have been taking care of the business end of things.  

Meet Trixie as Florence Nightengale

What's been happening...

•Big Cat Rescue received my donation check of 2600.00 last week!  That's 25% of the proceeds from the kickstarter campaign.
•I have priced out (again) all materials and printing costs.  I have also been researching calendar printing sites.  Once I surpassed my original goal I added a stretch goal that was met.  All pledges of $15.00 or over receive a calendar.

Meet Mr. Phoxhead as Shakespeare

•Planning out the next year.....when due dates for drawings and paintings will be.  When due dates for purchasing and designing.
•Researching ebooks so I know just how to layout the story properly.  This involves and ebook reader I recently purchased.
•Copyrighting via the governement
•Drawing, drawing and more drawing!

The drawings you see are in progress.  I will be continuing to refine them throughout the year.  This way I can be sure that they are cohesive with one another for the final book.

Stay tuned for updates here or visit my kickstarter page.

CleoCatra and The Final Stretch

CleoCatra

Cleocatra was the final sketch incentive and was snatched up pretty quickly.  With only 9 hours to go on my kickstarter campaign I am very happy to say that I am currently over my funding goal and have reaching my first stretch goal of 8400.  So now everyone who pledges $15 or more will receive a calendar in addition to the rewards.  

I have instituted a second stretch goal.  If the funding reaches 10,000 by midnight EST then one backer will be raffled an original final painting from the book.  All backers will be eligible for the raffle.  

Thank you to everyone who showed support!

Please visit and share my kickstarter with your ebook lovin' friends!

Survey Says...UPDATE July 19 8:30PM

Only 51 Hours to Pledge!!  I'm down by $968.00 with 100 backers!!

The survey will be up until July 23 so be sure to stop by and vote for your favorites! 

Click here to visit the survey.  I will be updating this blog with results so be sure to check back.

Vote for as many characters and animals as you want and feel free to add your own suggestions under the "other" category.  Please visit and share my kickstarter with your ebook lovin' friends!

I have 105 responses to this survey.  Here are some of the suggestions under the "other" category.  

Animals:

2 for fox, hare, coyote, siamese cat, binturong, bushbaby, anteater, turtle/tortoise, honey badger, manatee, dolphin, kangaroo, platypus (my personal favorite), otter, boston terrier, 2 for black panther, Rufus the Bobcat (correct spelling....sorry about that....I'm a terrible typist!), border collie, sea horse (wow!  Sea Horse!), tiger, 2 for pembroke welsh corgi, tasmanian devil, 2 for tuxedo cat aka Patches, ants, elephant, zebra, jackle, owl, stag, japanese bobtail, serval, raven, english cream retriever, aka Lily, wombat, dinosaur, chinchilla, african gray parrot (good call!), lion, egyptian may, short hair, labradoodle, bat, panda, shark, red corgi, cuttlefish

Historical Figures:

Isaac Newton, 2 for Rasputin, Gurdjieff, Colette, Anais Nin, King Arthur, Amelia Earhart, JFK, Martin Luther King, Marilyn Monroe, 2 for Winston Churchill, Charles Darwin, King Solomon, King David, Harriet Tubman, John Lennon, Al Capone, Isadora Duncan, Manfred Von Richtofen, King Tut, Leonidas, John Adams, Knight of the Round Table, Vlad the Impaler or Elizabeth Bathory (these could be for the children's version......), Stan Lee, Charles Dickens, Guy Fawkes, Madam Butterfly

Combo Suggestions: 

English Cream Retriever as Noah

Border Collie as a Scientist

Three Days to Go!

Our Phounding Phather

HISTORY!  Pledge $176.76 and you receive this sketch, 2 boxes of your choice of Tastykakes and the 100 awards.  

The infamous Philly Phanatic as one of our founding fathers.  In 1776 our declaration of independence was signed which declared our freedom from the British.  As a child I had a Philly Phanatic stuffed animal that was my best friend.  To this day I still giggle like a kid when I see the Phanatic at games and events.  By the way, he's not originally from Philly.  He was born in the Galapagos Islands.

Visit the updates section of my kickstarter to visit the Phanatic.

Please visit and share my kickstarter with your ebook lovin' friends!

Four Days to Go!

Four more days to go on my kickstarter campaign.  Please consider pledging and sharing the project.  For $15 you will receive the ebook, $20 a post card pack, $35 both ebook and post card pack.  Pledge higher for your choice of pet/animal as a historical figure along with the original painting or drawing!

This next incentive for anyone who pledges $250 or over will be first come first serve.  Mary Shelley as a skunk.  I find skunks to be beautiful creatures.  Except when they would spray my dogs!  Anyway, the black and white fur markings remind me of the bride of Frankenstein.  Hence, Mary as a skunk.

Be the first to pledge 250 or over and choose from any one of my incentives.  Visit the updates section of my kickstarter to pick your sketch, Mary Shelley included.

Please visit and share my kickstarter with your ebook lovin' friends!

Five Days to Go!

Everett and Anna Fitzgerald

Star Crossed Lovers from the San Diego Zoo

Snow leopards are truly majestic creatures.  They are solitary cats that rarely live together so when the San Diego Zoo paired Everett and Anna they had their fingers crossed that they would get along and mate.  It was a amazing.  The two not only loved one another but they were almost inseparable.  They would get nervous when parted.  They even ate together in harmony which is a rarity.  

The good news was they were mating.  The bad news was the Everett could not conceive.  

They were separated and a new male was put in Everett's place.  

F Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald were a couple very much in love and very much plagued by turmoil.  Considering F. Scott used his life as a base for his famous novel "The Great Gatsby", among other works, I thought this was a fair parallel in historical couples.  

Be the first to pledge 250 or over and choose from any one of my incentives.  Visit the updates section of my kickstarter to pick your sketch, The Fitzgeralds included.

Please visit and share my kickstarter with your ebook lovin' friends!

Seven Days to Go!

Meet Mac - as ML Jobs

I wanted to create a portrait of Steve Jobs to honor his memory.  He was a brilliant inventor and his work changed the way I illustrate.  If it wasn't for Steve Jobs and his creation of the mac I would not be here typing today.

For those who are PC users Apple names all of their operating systems after wild cats.  I originally wanted to create him as a snow leopard but I felt it only right to portray him as the newest release in mac software...the mountain lion.

While searching for reference I found a gorgeous image on Big Cat Rescue's Facebook page of a mountain lion and when I saw this guys name I laughed out loud.  Mac.  How appropriate.  I guess it must be fate.

Pledge 250 or over and choose from any one of my incentives.  Visit the updates section of my kickstarter to pick your sketch, ML Jobs included.

Please visit and share my kickstarter with your ebook lovin' friends!

Eight Days To Go!

This is Lennox.  He was taken from his home, imprisoned for two years and then put to death.  The only reason for the execution was because he looked like a pit bull.  Roscoe (my basset hound) has gotten into many of tussles at the dog park but the only ones that made him bleed or harmed him were the dogs that were smaller than him.  Every pit we have run across, which has been a lot, were completely amicable.  


So for wrongful persecution I have decided to portray him as a saint.  Not a particular saint.  Just a saint.

Saint Lennox Barnes

Please visit and share my kickstarter with your ebook lovin' friends!

Nine Days to Go!

For the next few days I will be offering incentives for my kickstarter project.  Right now I'm 65% funded and hope to get full funding with in the 9 day time frame.  So back my project if you love animals!  Even if it's a buck or two.  Every dollar counts.  Below are two incentives that I posted today.  Frida Kalhocelot went within 10 minutes of posting so I drew another.  If you are the first to pledge 250 or more you get the Rufus and Skip Wright sketch in addition to your rewards!

Happy pledging and help spread the word by sharing on Facebook!

 Frida Kalhocelot

I used Amazing Grace from Big Cat Rescue as inspiration for Frida

The Wright Brothers - Rufus and Skip

I used Rufus and Skip from Big Cat Rescue as inspiration for the Wright Brothers

Please visit and share my kickstarter with your ebook lovin' friends!

Bruno the Brave Oil Overpainting

I sent Bruno home with my client, Freddy, a few days ago and I'm happy to report that he was a happy man.  Below are some close up shots of the process.  

Only 11 days to go!  Please share this link with your friends so this project can come to life!  THANK YOU to all of my current backers!!

"Animals From History"

Bruno the Brave

The print is initially mounted to hardboard and repainted.  Then I started with acrylic washes and gold paint (if the project calls for it), move onto oil paint and top it with a varnish.  

Once it's dry I wrap it in organic paper and bubble wrap and hand it off to the client.  This particular painting was a smaller size at 11x14.

Please visit and share my kickstarter with your ebook lovin' friends!

Survey Update

The survey will be up until July 23 so be sure to stop by and vote on your favorites! 

Click here to visit the survey.  I will be updating this blog with results so be sure to check back.

Vote for as many characters and animals as you want and feel free to add your own suggestions under the "other" category.  Please visit and share my kickstarter with your ebook lovin' friends!

I have 72 responses to this survey.  Here are some of the suggestions under the "other" category.  

Animals:

fox, hare, coyote, siamese cat, binturong, bushbaby, anteater, turtle/tortoise, honey badger, manatee, dolphin, kangaroo, platypus (my personal favorite), otter, boston terrier, 2 for black panther, Rufus the Bobcat (correct spelling....sorry about that....I'm a terrible typist!), border collie, sea horse (wow!  Sea Horse!), tiger, 2 for pembroke welsh corgi, tasmanian devil, tuxedo cat aka Patches, ants, elephant, zebra, jackle, owl, stag, japanese bobtail, serval, raven, english cream retriever, aka Lily, wombat, dinosaur, chinchilla

Historical Figures:

Isaac Newton, 2 for Rasputin, Gurdjieff, Colette, Anais Nin, King Arthur, Amelia Earhart, JFK, Martin Luther King, Marilyn Monroe, 2 for Winston Churchill, Charles Darwin, King Solomon, King David, Harriet Tubman, John Lennon, Al Capone, Isadora Duncan, Manfred Von Richtofen, King Tut

Combo Suggestions: 

English Cream Retriever as Noah

Border Collie as a Scientist

Iris Study

Pencil Study

This is a pencil study I did a few weeks ago.  Irises have always been a welcoming introduction to summer and I always enjoy seeing many pop up.   They are also loaded with curves and turn similar to fabric.  The best thing about drawing flowers is that they don't have to be drawn exactly as seen.  

Please visit and share my kickstarter with your ebook lovin' friends!

Coffee Break

MMMMMMMM.....Donuts.

Jelly Doughnut No. 1

Jelly Doughnut No. 2

I love to make food.  I love to eat food.  I love to paint food.  These are two Dunkin Donuts I got the other day.  I painted them in oils on 5x7 hardboards.  It was a nice break from working digitally and I learned a lot, as I do with every project I work on.  It was a great exercise to precursor "Bruno's" overpainting which I will be showcasing in a few days.

I always have a habit of tightening too much so I really enjoy the chunky deliciousness of the paint strokes!

Have a great Fourth of July everyone!

Please visit and share my kickstarter with your ebook lovin' friends!

(no name) Art Group Feature Artist

I just got word from (no name) that my article featuring my trip to Spectrum Live is now up and running on their site.  In addition I was also named feature artist!

(no name) Art Group is an organization based in Philadelphia which focuses on helping those in need.  It's an amazing community that I have had the privilege to grow with for several years now.  Last fall they ran a competition for a grant.  I was lucky enough win the grant and use the funds to prep for Spectrum Live.  For more about it click HERE.

Thanks to all who support (no name) Art Group.  In a few months the group will be funding a wine label competition to raise money for a charity.  Check back to the group's blog to see how you can purchase some delish local wine AND rockin' labels.


Please visit and share my kickstarter with your ebook lovin' friends!

Survey Says....UPDATE 6/26

Vote for your favorite animal and historical figure!  

Click here to visit the survey.  I will be updating this blog with results so be sure to check back.

Vote for as many characters and animals as you want and feel free to add your own suggestions under the "other" category.

Please visit and share my kickstarter with your ebook lovin' friends!

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE FULL COUNT

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE FULL COUNT

Kickstart Me!

While I paint I often listen to a diverse collection of audio.  One of my favorite ear candies was a documentary called "America - The Story of Us".  The premise of this documentary was how the country began and the driving force behind it's inhabitants.  As I listened and painted I often found myself thinking how I could be one who took matters into my own hands to make things happen.  The current trend of the digital publishing industry is still in it's development stages.  Is it possible to be some sort of pioneer in these days of publishing?  I think it might be possible whether it's focus is content, production or marketing.  Which leads me to my latest conquest.

"Animals of History" will be an ebook and if the tide turns my way with Kickstarter it will become a hard copy as well.  I'm getting people involved by inviting their own animals into the book.  What a great way to satisfy the consumers AND research what turns people on in this day and age of publishing.  I see "Do it Yourself" projects are booming.  They can pinpoint small markets without the overhead of a big business and they can get their consumers involved.

Personally, I'm crazy about my dog.  I was always an animal lover growing up.  But other than my mom and myself I didn't see this type of love, so I always considered myself alone.  That was until I created an illustration that erupted a collective voice of animal lovers.  The target market of "those who love animals" is a whole lot stronger than I ever anticipated.  Take a hint....right?

When the wind shifts you can catch it or get blown away.  I'm setting my sail and now let's see where it will take me.

Please share my Kickstarter with those who love animals!

Click Here!

More information on my kickstarter in the next post.  Thanks so much for reading down this far!

Sneak Peek - "Animals From History" Kickstarter

This is a sneak peek at my kickstarter.  It will be posted in the next few days.  I'll be sure to update this post when it's live.

These are mock layouts that will be modified and added to the ebook.  Click on either image to enlarge.

There will be many other awards for funding so stay tuned!  Thanks for stopping by!

Good News and What's Up and Coming

I know.  Bad blogger.  I have been MIA but it is for good reason.  A lot has been going on and I'm happy to say that it's all been good!

As you see above I received my award from the Society of Illustrators West.  In addition I found out while attending the David Grove exhibit at the Society in New York that I was accepted into 3x3 Magazine's Pro Show!  This is so exciting!  AND three pieces got into Expose 10!  I'm humbled and amazed.  Spectrum Live was such a wonderful experience and now all this good news.  

It doesn't stop there......I have been notified that I'm up for consideration for a Hugo Award.  Here's the blog link.  I'm still finding out about it so hang tight until I get more info.  Also, Spectrum 19 accepted my "Next Season" and "Patchwork Girl".

On the drawing board and in the upcoming posts....

• I'm finishing up a piece called "Bruno the Brave".  If you are connected with me via Facebook you have seen some of the teasers.  My projected finish date is in the next 2 weeks.  It's a private commission and will be printed, mounted and painted.

• Just finished up a book cover for Rebecca Minor.  I can't post anything until the release date which we are both anticipating.  I'm excited about it because it's different from most of my work.

• I'm finishing up a Kickstarter campaign that I'm hoping to officially launch this Monday!  Yikes!  It's a publication on "Animals of History".  More info to come.

• In addition I will be taking my moth painting to the next step by painting some embellishments to it for my portfolio.

I also have been updating my etsy store so keep checking for new items. 

Now, off to paint!

Spectrum Live! - The Aftermath

My studio is a wreck.  However, for a good reason!  I unloaded my leftovers from Spectrum Live! and have dove into two projects that I had waiting for me.  Cleaning will come later... and by the unfortunate state of our house you would see I say that a lot.  I'm also setting up a kickstarter within the month so keep your eyes peeled!

Spectrum Live! is the first convention I participated in.  It was chalk full of fantastic artists and wonderful people.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am glad that I over prepped with product.  Knowing I was entering the mid-west as well as "Hallmark" country I prepared with that in mind.

I was fortunate to have some great company in my surrounding booths.  And with the closing of the convention managed to factor in some print trades!  I only wish I had enough money to buy many other artist's goods.  There were gads of unbelievable artists in attendance.  I was across from the awesome Pixar artist Armand Baltazar and next to pen master Russell Dickerson.  Star Wars concept artist Iain McCaig was right behind me as well.  They were great neighbors and hope to see them again next year! 

I sold my wooden boxes, some earrings, prints, drawings and some journals.  But most importantly I met some terrific people and reconnected with fellow artists.

Spectrum Live! - Bag

I'm posting this from my phone so I have know idea how this will look. Below (or what should be below) is a pic of a carry bag. When you turn it around...Bam! Dom bomb! We may be on opposite sides of the convention hall but it can be beneficial.

Spectrum Live! - Luna Moth Oil Painting

We are running late for leaving but I thought I'd squeeze another post before we hit the road.  We will be embarking on a 19 hour trip to Kansas City MO starting in 30 minutes.

This is a little moth study I did.  It started in watercolor as a class demo for my PCAD sophomores and I used it to demo my sophomores at Moore in oil underpainting.  I will take this into Corel Painter to push it farther in order for it to fit in my portfolio.  I will be selling this little guy at Spectrum Live!

Visit me at Spectrum Live! - Booth 220

Spectrum Live! - Dominick Saponaro, The Sequel

1027

Dom has a great way of handling adventure within his work.  The color is always powerful and the composition dynamic.  Above is a promo piece he created.  If you click here you will see a much better online version of the piece.  Also, take notice to the numbers on the front of the train....that's my birthday!

Maid of Orleans 

This is a close up of his Maid of Orleans piece featuring the beautiful Cheryl Carson Truyols.  This will be framed and on display as well.

 Destroyermen II

This one is the second painting for the Science Fiction Book Club in the Destroyermen series.

This would be his signature 

He is very meticulous...even down to how he presents his name.

Dom's print rack with rad 80's venetian blind lighting

Many of his prints are available through his etsy store or directly on his website store.  You'll see above next to the first Destroyermen cover is a portrait of Abe Lincoln.  This one is very popular on his store.  Click here to get a better view!

Come visit Dominick at Spectrum Live! - Booth 706

Tomorrow - Luna Moth!