Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Humble Beginnings
by Donato
I was visiting my parents home this past week and was reminded of the humble beginnings my love of drawing (and art) was founded upon. While digging around in the basement with my daughters as we were house-bound in a Northeastern snow storm, I ran across some old drawings my brother David, a friend Vinny, and I used to create together. I rolled them out and recalled to my daughters the cold winter days I would spend blissfully telling stories through the pencil. It brought back a flood of memories and discoveries long buried. The realization came that I must have drawn alot as a young child. My artistic skills benefited greatly from those days of being stuck in a winter bound house in Vermont as a child, inspired to create art!
As an artist who did not pick up a tube of acrylics or oils until I was 19, nor enroll in my first art class until I was 20 (after realizing that I needed serious help with those tubes!), I truely believe that if you want to make your dreams come true, it is all in your power to make it possible. I never thought I would become a professional artist as a young boy - I merely drew because it made me, and my friends, feel good about ourselves and each other. I did not try to draw, I had to draw.
I jokingly state that I am a perpetual child, still sequestered at home doing the same thing I did when I was 10 years old...I hope to die with a pencil in my hand doing exactly the same thing.
Here are some images from then and now. Tap into your own deep well of inspiration, and may you too die with a pencil in your hand...
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| Dwarf Warrior 1980 Donato Giancola |
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| Gimli: Son of Gloin 2009 Donato Giancola |
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| Gandalf and the Balrog 1982 Donato Giancola |
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| I threw down my enemy... 2012 Donato Giancola |
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| AT-AT from The Empire Strikes Back 1980 Donato Giancola |
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| Star Wars Galaxies 2005 Donato Giancola |
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| Iron Man 1984 Donato Giancola |
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| Iron Man 2008 Donato Giancola |
"DELIVERY" Wins Diamond Award
Delivery follows an engaged couple with a drug problem that gets some advice from a friend, who reluctantly gets involved. The short film was produced by John Greer and David Vaughn, and stars them both, and also stars talented actress Kelsey Law. All 3 actors are now based in LA.
- Lena
Moving Objects
-By Jesper Ejsing
In a painting, I always try to capture the figure in movement. preferably in the middle of a movement, perhaps out of balance or hanging in the air from a jump. I want to capture the scene as it would look like from a snapshot angle of an innocent bystander. In fantasy painting I think this way of capturing a scene in an impressionistic snapshot of the moment lends credibility to an unbeliavable scenery or figure.
One way to add a sence of “ camera snapshot” is to add something that we consciously know is moving - Like a leave in the wind or drops of water, spray of blood or perhaps my best element: Birds.
Birds are instantly known as moving objects. When seen in the background they give the image that this is a snapshot. A moment lasting only for a second.
Here are a couple of examples
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Monday, December 31, 2012
Passages
by Arnie Fenner
The New Year is a time to celebrate and look forward, just as it's a time to reflect. So let's join together and raise a glass to the memories of some of the members of our community that passed in 2012. Requiescat in pace.
Leo Dillon [b. 1933]
With his wife and collaborator Diane, Leo created some of the most memorable covers and illustrations of the last half century. Well known for their numerous paintings for the works of Harlan Ellison and a brace of inspirational children's books, the Dillons have been honored with the Caldecott Medal, the Hugo, the Hamilton King, the World Fantasy, and the Spectrum Grand Master awards.
Jean "Moebius" Giraud [b. 1938]
Easily one of the most influential artists in the comics field (whether under his own name or the pseudonyms of Moebius or Gir), Jean was also a book illustrator and film designer. Alien, Tron, The Fifth Element, Willow and many other popular movies benefitted from his vision and skill.
David Grove [b. 1940]
Inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 2007, David's art was inspirational and his style instantly identifiable. Irene Gallo said, "David's work was fluid and dream-like but, make no mistake about it, everything was thoughtful and planned."
Joe Kubert [b. 1926]
A legend in the comics industry for over fifty years, Joe spent much of his career as an artist, writer, and editor for DC. As founder of The Kubert School he was instrumental in launching the careers of many of today's most popular creators. Joe was inducted into both the Will Eisner and the Jack Kirby Halls of Fame.
Ralph McQuarrie [b. 1929]
Concept artist and illustrator, Ralph was best known for his work on Battlestar Galactica, E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial, Cocoon (for which he won the Oscar®) and, of course, the original Star Wars trilogy. George Lucas said, "When words could not convey my idea. I could always point to one of Ralph's fabulous illustrations and say, 'Do it like this'."
Spain Rodriguez [b. 1940]
Inspired by his experiences on the road as a member of the biker gang, The Road Vultures, Spain was one of the original Underground comix artists and was the creator the character of Trashman for The East Village Other. Art Spiegelman described Spain's 2009 book Che: A Graphic Biography as "brilliant and radical."
Maurice Sendak [b. 1928]
Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, Bumble-Andy, Brundibar, Outside Over There, Mommy? Maurice was responsible for filling our childhood bookshelves with wonder. He was honored with the National Medal of Arts and numerous other awards throughout his career.
John P. Severin [b. 1921]
One of the true workhorses of the comics field, John produced outstanding—and meticulously researched and rendered—art for EC, Warren, Marvel, DC, and DH. Highly regarded for his war stories, he was no stranger to fantasy and created an exceptional run of stories (in collaboration with his sister, Marie) adapting Robert E. Howard's Kull adventures in the 1970s for Marvel.
Sergio Toppi [b. 1932]
Sergio was prolific and his art exceptional, regardless of whether he was drawing comics, book illustrations, or advertisments. Comfortable with any genre, he is perhaps best known for his historical adventure stories for Italian publisher CEPIM.
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