11/30/11 Sketch Card Update

These are some of the RED retail ones done exclusively for Target stores. For those unfamiliar, Target's "thing" is marketing in red, so all of the artists doing their exclusive cards have to make red a central theme. I'm doing a little over 100 of these, and over a hundred of the regular cards too. I'm almost done with all of the Target ones, but here's a few of my favorite of the Jedi/Sith ones.

Advice You May Have Missed!

I know, I know. This post is kind of a copout, but hey, I'm wrapping up a decent amount of my sketch cards right now, and haven't had much time to dig up some new content for you guys. BUT, each of the following links contain a lot of great info you may have missed from industry artists and I highly suggest you revisit them for some solid advice!

Kate Cook's Advice

Interview with Grant Gould

Interview with David Fernandez

Interview with Randy Martinez

Interview with Denise Vasquez Part I & Part II

Will try to get some new stuff up soon! =D

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, it's Thanksgiving 2011, and that means it's time for a list of 11 things I'm thankful for!

• My parents, for all their love and support.
• My girlfriend, for always being the first to hear good news.
• My followers on DeviantArt, for coming to my rescue when I lost my job in March.
• Topps, for bringing me back for Star Wars Galaxy 7!
• Upper Deck, for helping me expand professionally past Star Wars!
• Grant Gould, for constantly being awesome.
• My bandmates of Pleasantly Immature, for being a source of stress-relief and fun.
• All those who purchased my first self-published art book, for helping me realize another dream.
• The time I had with my grandfather, Tim Hogan, who, with my father, influenced me more than I'll ever fully know.
• My sister and her fiancee, who're my biggest chearleaders, and are getting married this Saturday!
• You, for following this blog! =D

So I guess the long and short of it is: I'm thankful for all the people in my life who help me make a difference each day. Thanks from the bottom of my heart!

11/23/11 Sketch Card Update

Hey, guys!

Unfortunately, I don't have much of an update in terms of content, but I'm happy to report that I'm very much on schedule and will be reaching 80 cards by the end of today! After tonight, I'll have 132 to go, and I'm making great progress.

Next week, I've got my eye on two sets of cards that I'm going to try and get approved to show you all, and I think you'll really get a kick out of them!!!

Anyway, hope you all have a great holiday weekend! I'll be throwing together a Thanksgiving post tomorrow, so be sure to check that out should it interest you. =)

Skyward Sword Lands

Today I'm taking what I feel is a well-deserved break from Topps (gonna knock out a quick commission, though!) to play the game I've waited 5 years for: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. It's finally out and so far, 2 hours in, I am in love. More thoughts to come, but I've gotta get back to playing. Enjoy this little art to celebrate!

Interview with...ME?!

That's right! Kristen Archer of TORWars.com was kind enough to consider me for this interview! I had a lot of fun answering these questions and I hope you'll check it out in place of today's update!

A quick note about Wednesday's lack of update: I'm of course in the thicket of Topps' Galaxy 7 series, but have no yet gotten any cards approved to show yet. Hopefully by next Wed I'll have something to share! As of today, the card count is 50! =D

Why Chris Duhaze is Awesome

THAT'S WHY.

Dude sent me two SWEET sketch cards of Kyle Katarn and Dash Rendar for my birthday, and a hilarious postcard with it. And if that wasn't enough, he went out of his way to send me THREE white gel-type paint pens AFTER the first package for my sketch cards to experiment and get better whites on my cards. WHO DOES THAT?! Only awesome people like Chris, that's who!

I'll let you know when I return the favor to him...But this week's post is dedicated to Chris for being an all-around awesome dude, and a talented artist in the making! Keep up the intensity, buddy! You can check out more of his work at his DeviantArt, so go do it!