The Art Order - Can Personal Work Pay?

My second recorded drawing was of – amoeba people! Well, I was two, and trying to draw people, apparently. But, they look like amoebas. Later drawings evolved to sailing and spaceships, pirate flags, treasure maps, and Atlantis with submarines. In my teens, I made friends with another artist, and we pushed each other (competed with one another) in making better fantasy and superhero art. Over the years, I consistently keep working on my artwork to improve and make good, detailed, fun, and amazing art.

Several different types of art have influenced me.  A major influence artistically would be comic books by various creators and artists.  I appreciate the big, bold, and dynamic.  Some of these are the Archangels: The Saga series, for its depiction of shiny armor and winged angels; also as the art of Jim Lee for his dynamic forms and energy; finally Alex Ross for his ability to draw superheroes realistically and dynamically.  

As for non-comic art,  James Gurney is a big influence, both for the technical aspects of storytelling and leading the eye through a picture, but also for really using reference but using it as a springboard to make something you imagine look good.  Also, his sense of story, wonder, and adventure, even in static poses or varying topics really draw me.  Dan dos Santos’ art is also incredible, for being realistic and amazingly rendered but idealized, with a great amount of strength and energy being seen in his characters.

I work primarily with a combination of traditional pen and ink, digital color, and digital painting. Other mediums I use are Copic markers and toned paper. Subjects I illustrate range from heroic fantasy and science fiction to superheroes and animals. I see my art appearing in comic books, on fantasy and science fiction book covers, and on game cards and covers.  Strengths of my art are figures, telling stories, details, and animals.  I would like to improve in my anatomy, as well as figures feeling more fluid and dynamic and less stiff.  I am able to work in a variety of styles, but would like to refine them all, and learn new ones, without feeling overwhelmed or jealous of those who do things or styles I like without feeling jealous or inferior.

Knowing that I have been given a talent for art, I pour great effort into it, hoping that it will cause happiness or excitement in the viewer. I want to create good entertainment which will be a positive influence on the viewer, and I pray that my art will always be a conduit for God’s grace to touch those who see it.