SFAL: Why Do You Bother? You Don't Paint Like Them.

Recently I exhibited at Spectrum Fantastic Art Live in Kansas City MO.  If you are unfamiliar with SFAL I'll give you an extremely brief overview.

It is a convention that features the best of fantasy illustration.

There are some major industry hitters that exhibit, attend and lecture.  Many illustrators attend to connect with new art directors.  Many arrive planning to sell originals and/or reproductions to the hordes of fantasy / sci fi fans.  Some just go for the camaraderie among the many professionals in the industry.  All of these are definitive goals that are good for business as well as inspiration.

When it comes to the art most work shows a certain level of high action, figurative genius, fantastical elemental worlds and narrations of swashbuckling significance.

And then there's me.

Although I may have a microscopic bit of some of these things in my portfolio it's most definietly NOT what I'm aiming for at the moment.  So why do I bother attending a convention the focuses on something that, well, isn't me?

"Nobody puts kitty in a corner"

I really like to attempt to be organized so here is a list as to why I did it...

1.  It's located in middle Amercia and the organizers of SFAL have been marketing to the locals.  I paint animals in people's clothes.  Glorified pet portraits, I guess.  Yeah....simple.  Not rocket science.  People like it.  Not only did my sales significantly rise from my first SFAL two years ago but I continue to get sales via my online stores.  Total Score.

2.  My work is different from the majority, therefore it stands out.  Don't get me wrong...a lot of ADs, fans and illustrators who attend this convention are looking for grandiose images of figures, action and heavy narrative.  I'm not going to grab their attention.  But I am going to grab their friend's / child's / partner's attention.  Those small conversations I have with "the other people" go a long way in a short time.  During the first SFAL it led to my biggest backer in my kickstarter campaign hence the whole Animals From History book.  I'm a square peg and I like it.

3.  Although it's a fantasy and sci/fi convention the location is Hallmark territory.  It's like my perfect storm.  Many people that I spoke with have an interest in both fantasy and licensing.  These conversations led to other ideas on how to market my work.  The collected research alone was worth it.

4.  SFAL is accepting of many different mediums and styles.  The focus is on the strength of the image.  It's all encompassing, which is very good for my goals, and that breeds positivity among people in the industry.

The traditional vs digital snobbery scale at SFAL is at a low which is why the inspiration and camaraderie meters are so much higher.

5.  And let's not forget the obvious.  BBQ.  No.  I'm not kidding.  Dom and I rarely go on vacation so to be able to walk around a new city, sample the local fair and interact with the people is a great way to escape my own head.  This down time allows my mind to run wild and take in things around me.  Anything from the cuisine to the architecture.  In turn it sparks my creative juices and gets my mind working on the next image or story.  Kansas City is a beautiful city with a whole lot to experience.  It's a win/win.

SFAL has a direct focus that doesn't scream my name but at the same time the convention embraces those who think differently.  I'm happy to take that bull's horns and run.

The Loss of My Muse

Roscoe P. Coltrane  2000-2013

As a freelancer you take comfort in those who understand you.  You live a life of hermitage hunkered over your work all hours, morning, noon and night, sometimes not interacting with people for days on end.  Those who support your lifestyle and goals become immensely valuable.  If your lucky you have someone to share that with on the home front.  A companion to walk through the lonely stretches of time in a one person studio.  Dominick and I are fortunate to have each other and we were blessed to have another to be with us during these past 13 years.

Roscoe, Dominick and I at the Annual Boardwaddle Ocean City, NJ

Roscoe perfected the art of infiltrating photo shoots

"Helping" me pack artwork in the studio

For 13 years Roscoe, our basset hound, was our companion and fur child.  He lived a long spoiled life and was my sole inspiration and muse for many illustrations.  If it wasn't for him I never would have attempted to create a book based on animals.  He gave me so much pure inspiration and sparked a part of my imagination that I wouldn't have found on my own.

Playing dress up with Grandma

Our "Laptime" during morning coffee

This past month has been challenging with his newly diagnosed diabetes.  It was alot of trial with medications, scheduling and timing.  Leading up to the diagnosis was care giving to an unknown illness which took a toll on both his and our sleep.  Last Saturday morning he showed great signs of improvement with the new dosage and was back to his old self again.  For the first time in a long while he mustered enough energy to bark at the mailman so we knew we were on the right track with our administrations.

New Year's day in his new cardigan

His on going battle with our pesky laptop

We didn't expect to be traveling to the ER 6 hours later.  It was brutally fast.  I had done research on the breed and knew that "bloat" was a killer for bassets and was aware that it worked with extreme speed.  He was going into shock while Dom was driving and I knew this was going to be the end.  However, nothing can prepare you for the moment that every pet owner dreads.

Showing his saucy demeanor and spunky personality

His bone that he use to "accidentally" drop down the stairs as we tried to watch movies.

In the end I ran my finger up and down his age whitened snout as he always liked.  He use to close his eyes, head on my lap, and I would lull him to sleep this way until the sound of his snores forced us to turn up the TV.  This time the halting of breath replaced the snores.  Instead of lulling him to sleep I was lulling him into the unknown, letting him know that we were there and always would be there with him.

Roscoe and I napping

Visiting the farm he loved so much

Only time will be able to turn the feeling of monstrosity and guilt for making "that call" into fond memories of lap time and paw shaking.  It will be awhile until I can walk down the stairs and not expect him to be there on his bed.  It will be many months until we will open the front door and not habitually crane our necks to see over the sofa to find his sleepy eyes greeting us.

"Snooping" on the sofa with Dominick

Trolling through the Sunflowers and Blueberry bushes at Marshall's Farm Market

At the farm he would run down a hill into this green grassy mini valley and tear around like a little maniac.  It is a comfort to know that he now rests on the crest of that hill overlooking Dom's parent's house and that valley he loved so much.  His grave holds a yellow lily, irises and forget-me-nots along with a wooden cross kindly made by the Marshall's worker.  We surronded him with stones and placed a cairn on top of his grave.

His last paw print given to us by UPenn Vet Hospital on the night he passed away

Final resting place at the farm

Rest in peace my little man.  You will always be with us....behind our studio chairs, on the couch during morning coffee and waiting in the kitchen while we cook.  You will never leave us and the inspiration and unconditional love you gave us will remain lit forever.  We will miss you greatly.

Obi Wan Coltrain

For more pictures of our boy visit Dom's gallery and blog.

Our Buddy

Spectrum Live! - Dominick Saponaro, The Sequel

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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!

Spectrum Live! - Dominick Saponaro

Positioned in the front left quarter of the convention hall in booth 706 Dominick Saponaro, my significant other, will be gracing Spectrum Live with his adventuress and swashbuckling illustrations.  As you see above his banner features a new painting he recently completed.

Dom will be selling 17"x22" prints of several pieces.  The stack above is currently being guarded by our muse and fur child, Roscoe.  Each print is backed with foam core and packaged in a reclosable bag.

Here you see a print of his Destroyermen Cover that was created for the Science Fiction Book Club.  Tomorrow I will post some of the framed images he will have on display.  I recommend visiting his website and blog to get a better glimpse of his work.  Just click here and it will take you directly to his gallery!

Visit Dom at Spectrum Live! - Booth 706


Tomorrow - Dominick Saponaro, The Sequel

Springtime for Illustrators

Once January disappears all sorts of things happen. Snow melts, birds chirp and illustrators start to come out of the studio and pop up in venues all around.

Matthew Stewart

This spring I had the great fortune of having Matt Stewart visit the illustration department at Moore. My students and co-workers were elated to have him there and his presentation was truly inspiring. Among original oils he also brought in sketches and showed his process. He was a great inspiration to listen to and a super nice guy too!

Joe DeVito

Joe DeVito will be speaking in Doyelstown. He is an amazing person with a rich history in the industry. Among his numerous accomplishments you may know his illustration of Superman and Lois as Spectrum's logo. Oh, and he had a monster marathon party at Harryhausen's for cryling out loud! The man is insane awesome. Thanks to Glenn Zimmer for putting this together.

Gallery Provocateur

Among lectures and visits there are also gallery shows featuring stellar work. Gallery Provocateur in Chicago is featuring a collection of illustrators inspired by Frank Frazetta. Dominick Saponaro and some of the Drawn Today gang are involved. You may notice Dom's piece in this collection...wink, wink.

Since I'm on a roll........The University of the Arts in Philly will be showing Leo and Diane Dillon's work for a few months. You can check out the exact dates by visiting uarts.edu.

I will be traveling to the Society of Illustrators this week to see the Advertising and Institutional show as well. The fun never stops.

Last Summer

Oil on Panel

I kept meaning to post these but they ended up on the back burner. In August Dominick and I were very fortunate to visit our friends Will and Shelly in Colorado. They took us sight seeing in the rocky's and we drove north to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. It was a wonderful trip hiking and being engulfed in nature.

We wanted to fit as much sight seeing in as possible so Dom and I didn't paint that much. This is the only one I didn't wipe off my board. It is a view of the Tetons which was painted in a small alcove off a hiking trail. The sketch was a little flower we saw in Colorado right before encountering a moose.....which was my biggest find!

IMC New Year!

Rebecca just posted the new registration for IMC 2011. In addition she showcased some of the student work from this past summer. Above is a small extraction from the fantastic selection of artists. The themes you see illustrated are "Beauty and the Beast" and "Joan of Arc".

Left to Right....

Allen Douglas

Kim Kincaid

Drew Baker

Dominick Saponaro

Michelle Dickens

Christina Hess

Phillustrtion 2010!!

Illustration by Dominick and Design by Dominick and myself.

An overview of the front wall. That's Rich in the left corner.

Dom judging. This photo was taken by our good friend and fellow illustrator Glenn Zimmer. Thanks Glenn!

This is one of the interns at the Sketch Club and a participant of the show. Alicia Padron is also one of my students at Moore.

I am really behind in posts so please forgive me. These are some pics of the Phillustration Show drop off in May. Phillustration is held at the Philadelphia Sketch Club every year. It was started three years ago by Rich Harrington who is a colleague of mine in academia. Dominick won best of show the first year so he was asked to come back as a juror this time around. I was fortunate enough to be able to tag along and watch the progress of judging. Above are some photos of the process and the pre-set up. The show has been extended to July 16th so if your in Philly stop on by. You can get the Sketch Club's info here.

There are some really unbelievable pieces in this show. Some of the participants are Julie Bell, Boris Vallejo, Dave Palumbo, Matt Stewart and Eric Braddock. There are so many more terrific artists here so take advantage of the extended time slot!!

Plein Air Excursion

Click to Buy

Dominick Saponaro

Last week we went to Jersey and stood in the middle of tomato fields for the afternoon to do a little plein air painting. For those who are unfamiliar with the term plein air it basically means painting on location.

I started with a grey acrylic tone over gessoed wood panel. I then drew out the composition in raw umber oil with just gamsol as a medium. Then hit with color. I used alkyd white (for fast dry time), rose madder, cad yellow, raw umber, colbalt blue and sap green. It is quite liberating to only use a handful of colors instead of my normal assortment. Next time I'll switch up the colors for a different palette.