I thought I’d share a few sketches and final art for a painting I created for the Magic: the Gathering Shadowmoor release titled “Chainbreaker.” I actually liked sketch #1 a lot, but it wasn’t in keeping with the look of the scarecrows from Shadowmoor, so I had to change it. Maybe I’ll just paint it for myself sometime. I particularly liked how the scarecrow was crushing a crow in it’s hands. You know, just in case you were unsure of his evilish ways. Enjoy!

Sketch #1

Sketch #2

Final art

See a larger version of the final art here.

In the past few months I have had some new work in ImagineFX Magazine, PlanSponsor Magazine and some new Magic: The Gathering assignments. The ImagineFX and PlanSponsor illustrations can be seen in the digital gallery.

I was interviewed over at the Little Chimp Society. Go read that when you get a chance and poke around the site for all the other awesome interviews and art, Especially James Jean and Kristian Olsen.

I am also one of the top five finalists in the Illustrator’s category in Modern Postcard’s Spotlight Awards contest. Head over there and vote for me if you think I deserve to win or vote for one of the other amazing artists. I was sooooo tempted to vote for Dan Craig because I have always loved his work. But I figured I should vote for myself to make sure I had at least one vote

My artwork is featured in the February 2007 issue of Advanced Photoshop magazine. Visit their website to buy a copy or hit up your local book store. Better yet, get a subscription because the magazine rocks! I’m not just saying that because I am in it, really, you gotta believe me! Seriously though, I am proud to be a part of this great magazine.I just recently finished up a few more Magic: The Gathering paintings and have begun working on even more. I am also heading out to Geneva, Switzerland on February 8th, 2007 for The Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour. Feel free to stop by my table to get your cards signed or just to say “hello.” I will also have various prints for sale and even some original artwork on display.Also, the unbelievably talented artist, RK Post will be at the event as well, so go check out his site and make sure you have something with you to clean up all the drool. He is so good.I have no additional news regarding my children’s book right now. I am still in the beginning stages of concepting out the characters and settings for the publisher. I’ll make sure to share info when I can.

I have begun doing regular illustrations for ImagineFX Magazine. Starting with Issue 11, I have been doing the main illustration for the News section. You can see some of those illustrations here. ImagineFX Magazine is available at your local Barnes & Noble or Borders book stores and ofcourse the ImagineFX web site.

I have also begun working on my first children’s picture book. I have teamed up with writer/publisher Oliver Chin to produce a very fun and interesting book. It will be some time before the book is done, as I have just begun the illustration process, but I will keep you up to date on my progress.

I have also completed more paintings for Magic: The Gathering and now have additional paintings on my assignment list, so all is well and busy on the M:TG front.

Speaking of Magic: The Gathering, I will be signing at Pro Tour Geneva in Geneva, Switzerland from February 9-11, 2007.

Wizards of the Coast, Inc. has recently released their set entitled “Dissension”. I have four paintings that appear in the product which I have added to my gallery. Also, I just recently agreed to do a signing at a pre-release event for Magic: The Gathering’s Time Spiral on September 23 - 24 in Richmond, Virginia. The event is run by Star City Games.

A digital art piece of mine entitled “At the Stroke of the Shooting Star” was given an award a while back by the CG Society. That piece of art was now accepted into the prestigious Expose 4 art book published by Ballistic Publishing. Go check out the site and if you have the money, purchase the book and see some amazing work in there.

And for those who are asking, yes I have paintings in Magic: The Gathering releases Time Spiral and Coldsnap.

I’ve been extremely busy with freelance work since November 2005. Unfortunately I don’t have any new work that I can share just yet. Over the past few months I have done six paintings for Magic: The Gathering with another three currently on my plate. I have done a few paintings for the new Warcraft TCG from Upper Deck Entertainment and I have worked on a very exciting project for Jamdat Mobile, Inc. that I can not yet talk about. I have also completed design and motion graphics work on a television commercial during this time.

So, it has been a very busy couple of months for me. I am excited that I only have three paintings for M:TG to complete currently and even more excited that my art director gave me some very cool cards to work on. As soon as I am able to share the work I have been doing, I will add it to the gallery.

Also, my wife has been hard at work with her writing. She is currently writing a book based on a concept she and I cooked up together. It’s a young adult novel and it will be a very exciting project when finished. She is nearly done with the first draft of the book. At some point, I may actually get the time to start concepting the visuals for the book. You know, with all this free time I have