Inspiration Spotlight #24: Dave DeVries and the Monster Engine...and a visit to NYC

I've got a special Spotlight post today! Yesterday I dragged my friend Anthony Briglia with me to New York City to see the opening for Dave DeVries's Monster Engine gallery show. But I'll get to that in a minute.

Before the opening we spent some time visiting different places like Forbidden Planet Comics, and The Evolution Store. In addition to those places we decided to hunt down the Comedy Cellar and Ben's Pizzeria, two locations (on the same block) featured in the FX show Louie, created by Louis CK. It was a lot of fun seeing the places in person, and we even got some slices at Ben's. We only got to see the outside of the Comedy Cellar, but I would really love to be able to go in and see a performance sometime in the future.

After we were done sight-seeing, we headed over to Sacred Gallery at 424 Broadway (2nd Floor) for Dave's opening. Here's an excerpt from the Engine's website where Dave describes what exactly the Monster Engine is:

The Monster Engine is a book, a demonstration, lecture and a gallery exhibition. The premise for all three came from one single question: What would a child’s drawing look like if it were painted realistically?


Below are some of the pieces that were at the exhibit, both the children's original drawings and Dave's paintings based on them.

Getting to see the pieces in person was a real treat; Dave has done some really great work. It'd been a while since I worked with Dave back on Blue Shift so it was nice seeing him again and saying hello. I got a signed copy of the printed Monster Engine book, full of interviews Dave conducts with the kids about the process.

If you're in the area you should stop by and check out the work yourself. The exhibit will be up until the 31st. Also check out his book and the news report on the Monster Engine on CBS (note:this doesn't cover the exhibit, only the Monster Engine itself).

Leader of the Sanbone Trio

Here's a quick fan art piece I did recently of a character from the obscure yet extremely awesome rhythm video game, Gitaroo Man.

I believe his name is Carrot, and he's the leader of the Mariachi Trio of xylo-bone playing skeletons. Below is the official artwork for the Sanbone Trio for reference.

I'm a new contributing member to the Art Tumblr, Solo Tribune

I was recently invited to start contributing to the Tumblr Solo Tribune, by fellow illustrator pal Miguel Mansur. Solo Tribune is a collective of artists based out of Philadelphia. So come check out what kind of talent is hanging out in my neck of the woods. Below are a couple of examples from some of the other contributing artists...

 by Miguel Mansur

by Anthony Briglia

Art Order Challenge: D&D Art Test - Orc Chef

I'm participating in the new and very exciting Art Order Challenge based on the D&D Art Test going on over at Wizards' website. Here's my take on an Orc Chef.

Darksol from Shining Force

I finally have the time to post something as well as something to post! I have a ton of freelance projects to show once they get released by the publishers, but that will still be a while yet. But here's a personal piece I did for fun after finishing up a bunch of freelance.

Darksol, from the video game Shining Force. 

If you remember my spotlight on Shining Force I posted the sketch for this piece there along with the original, in-game character art. I've deviated a bit from the original but I think my more demonic take on him is more like his character and considering his main goal in the game is to resurrect the ancient abomination, Dark Dragon I figured it would be cool to make him look more like the Dragon to hint at their relation. I hope you enjoy!

Even more Magic Alters

Been crazy busy lately and I don't have anything to show because it's mostly work related. Here are some Magic alters I did to unwind recently, a couple are just touch ups of old alters.

Ghoulraiser - Steve Prescott ...(gift for a friend)
Sporesower Thallid - Ron Spencer

Stromkirk Noble - James Ryman
Ember Hauler - Steve Prescott
Phyrexian Obliterator - Todd Lockwood

Updates: Art Projects and Magic Alters

I'm doing a lot of freelance work right now so while my blog makes it looks like I'm not doing much I'm actually doing more than I've ever done...I just can't share anything yet. I'm really happy with the work I've been producing though, it's definitely some of my best. I'm very excited to announce I successfully completed my first job with Fantasy Flight Games! The first job I received from them is still in the works, but the 2nd job I got with them is completely wrapped up and I'm on my way to doing even more work with them, which is GREAT. It feels really good to be working with a company as distinguished as FFG and to also be invited to do additional work. I guess I did something right on my first job then!

Onto Magic Alters!!...

Above are 3 new alters. I think I'm going to try and paint out the names of cards that have the name rewritten in the rules text from now on. I really like the feel of the Shriekmaw and I want to do more like that. I tried to do the same with Markov Blademaster but the paint got super chunky which kinda stinks. I'll see if I can do anything about that though. I need to learn to stay patient and not get frustrated with the paints, it gets tough when you have to fight against the paint. On the more positive side, Merfolk Sovereign is probably my best alter yet!

Here's the full list of cards done so far...

Demystify - Christopher Rush
Thallid Germinator - Tom Wänerstrand
Chandra's Spitfire - Justin Sweet
Grim Poppet - Kev Walker
Kessig Wolf - Wayne England

Child of the Night - Ash Wood
Utopia Mycon - Anthony S. Waters
Doom Blade - Chippy
Sudden Death - Dave Allsop
Full Moon's Rise - Terese Nielsen

Cone of Flame - Chippy
Darkthicket Wolf - Wayne England
Crossway Vampire - Mark Evans
Nightbird's Clutches - Jason A Engle
Curse of Stalked Prey - Christopher Moeller

Chandra Nalaar - Aleksi Briclot
Chandra's Outrage (2) - Christopher Moelller
Volcanic Dragon - Chris Rahn
Lurking Crocodile - Donato Giancola

Overrun - Carl Critchlow
Lumberknot - Jason A. Engle
Blightning - Thomas M. Baxa
Phyrexian Obliterater - Todd Lockwood
Sprout Swarm - Chippy

Fume Spitter - Nils Ham
Lightning Bolt - Christopher Moeller
Stromkirk Noble - James Ryman
Vapor Snag - Raymond Swanland
Ember Hauler - Steve Prescott

Essence Scatter - Jon Foster
Shriekmaw - Steve Prescott
Merfolk Sovereign - Jesper Ejsing
Markov Blademaster - Jana Schirmer & Johannes Voss