I'm Not A One Trick Pony!

Drawing on the road again. Headed home to Orlando. This time I'm doin. A character study for my upcoming Sugar Boogarz book. From issue 4...Beware the Lickubus Beast. I've been really focused lately on my creator owned comic. This should've been a thing in 2014 but life took me on a different path. There's been so much rumblings of the issues in artist alley lately that I wanted to prove I wasn't a one trick pony. I've always had a passion for drawing comics of my own creation. Since middle and high school I've been doing it. But lately the focus of my universe has been fan art. It's what you guys love and to a degree I love doing it as well. But I have lots of stories to tell. And I'm really hoping that you'll start supporting those as well. I'm not saying I'm giving up on fanart, but I am shifting some of my attention back to the stuff that really makes me happy. Drawing my own comic books and stories. Please, join me, support them and take part. If you're at a show buying 25 dollars in prints, maybe consider asking me about my books and picking up a book or two. Let's see if this experiment works. Let's see if the main attraction at my table can become MY art, and MY stories! I promise...they'll be every bit as moving as my fanart. :)

That Horrible Night in Orlando….Rest In Peace Pulse Victims.

First off, Toni the girls and I are all fine. Aside from driving by the club early last night on our way home, we were nowhere near the area. That being said, my heart hurts for everyone affected, and for our country in general. But even more for Orlando. I'm a proud Texan born and raised, but Orlando has embraced me and become my home for over 12 years now. And what happened last night was senseless. Regardless of whether or not it was a Gay club, it was a place full of life and love, happiness and energy. Having grown up in and around the LGBT community, I have been to places like Pulse. Growing up we'd easily go in groups after a theater production and hang out. Not based on our sexuality, but our desire for good music and comradeship and fun. This kind of horrendous act could have happened anywhere at anytime to any one of us. Fueled by anger and hate and ignorance, it shouldn't happen though. It's broken many today and countless more will follow, but it's uplifting to see our community coming together en masses to form a circle and give strength to our city and those who reside in it. Continue to love one another regardless of skin color, sexual preference, political or religious beliefs. And if you're the praying type, fill the heavens with your words for those taken and those left behind to pick up the pieces. If you're reading this, it's because I love you all, and everyone of you mean something special to me. Hugs and love always.

Somethings coming....

What a way to end my night.

This post maybe a bit of a soapbox, but injuring my drawing hand put a bunch of things in perspective for me. 

I know there's a bit of a debate out there among artists and people in general about our skill. There are those people who will look at our ability to create art as a "gift." 

I believe in that notion as well. 

Now I can already see a ton of artists pulling their hair out because I agree with that point. 

But there are a few reasons why I do. One....because I AM religious and I do believe God has a hand in things. I won't argue or debate religion with those of you who don't believe that. You're entitled to feel what you feel. 

But ultimately I believe I was born with a gift. That we all were. LIFE, is a gift and we all have to work at it. Some are gifted in other ways, I was blessed with an ability to make art.

And two....The rest was up to me. That's where I believe that studying, and honing my gift over years and years comes into play. I've poured blood, sweat and tears into my craft and I always will. If I don't nurture and work hard at it, it will die out. 

When I hurt my hand, I found myself praying...a lot....for healing, for another chance to keep going. And ever since, I've been working my ass off to get back to where I was. 

I've been blessed to continue on that path. And I want that path to lead me back to telling stories with my art. 

I've always loved comics, and as far back as I remember, I've drawn them. 

I started a project called Sugar Boogarz back in 2013. Yes it's been that long. I was supposed to have an ongoing title, plus a webcomic kicking off in 2014. But due to life, and work....plenty of blessed to be busy work....I've never fully realized that potential. 

Now that my hand is in somewhat working order, I HAVE to see it through. 

A few months before my accident, I had created a piece of art that I framed in my studio of these Sugar Boogarz characters and they were asking why I had abandoned them. 

I looked at that piece everyday and could never answer myself why. 

So I've decided to put my gift to use. And tonight I drew a new page of my book. And tomorrow, I'll do the same.

And I'll continue to do so until I accomplish my goal. 

For those of you who are waiting on commissions....don't fret. I'm going to work on those and get one to two done a day and work on my personal comic project at the end of the night. Like I did today. 

Tonight I knocked out a 5 character digital commission and then did this page. 

We're back on track..... 

And what does Glee have to do with ANY of this? 

Well I've started and stopped and restarted the series a few times. I love it to pieces. But could never get past season 2. I'm happy to say I'm two episodes into season 3 now. And this particular episode ended with a fantastic rendition of Something's Coming from West Side Story by Darren Criss. 

I felt pretty good about myself.... and my art...my skill...my gift....and my accomplishments. And as I looked at my page, I kinda sang along with the lyrics ....

"Somethings coming, something 

good!" 

Thanks for reading, and for all your love and support.

She's a little Suicide Squad Crazy

These are my first real attempts at drawing anything with substance since my hand injury. The more I draw her, the more the Suicide Squad design for Harley Quinn grows on me. Looking forward to Margot Robbie's performance! But I'm looking even more forward to getting back to drawing.

Big Hero Baymax

Fun little #baymax commission from Baltimore comic Con. I really loved #bighero6 It was such a  departure from the comic book. #bigherosix #disney #disneyart

Unexpected Horror and Prayers for Glenn

Details are out there now. It's just a living nightmare. I worked with Glenn Ferguson just a couple of weeks ago at an event he was relatively new to. Although he is a master caricaturist, he still had an eagerness to learn and was over the top complimentary to the rest of us. Just overall a good, good guy.

Early on New Years morning, he was barbarically attacked and stabbed in the neck and head with scissors by a co-worker let go the day before. He didn't deserve this at all. It's crazy to think that this could happen, especially in a low risk job like ours. This horrid event has brought our community of caricature artists together and everyone is pulling for Glenn. A go fund me account has been set up to help out with his medical bills.

Check it out

http://dt.gofund.me/GlennFerguson&rcid=e2acb4a7d27c43beb334…

The extent of his injuries is still unknown, but I fear for him and his passion to create. If you're the praying type please keep he and his wife and family in your prayers.