AMERICAN IDOL

Right now... my state of mind... I feel like I a contestant on American Idol. WTF? is probably what you are thinking right now. But it does make sense.. just without the millions of people watching me. Take that part out and that's what I feel like.

Here's what led me to be at this point. For years I have been trying to chase a myriad of rabbits all at the same time, catching none. Recently, whether it be my age, maturity or other I decided enough was enough. It was time to pick one and get it no matter what it takes. I decided I was going to put my mind to doing what ever is necessary to become a professional artist.

One of which was to learn, learn, LEARN! The first step I took... google to see what resources I had in my area. Boy that was ever a disappointment... let me tell you something... Connecticut is the world black hole when it comes to creativity. No comic companies, gaming companies, no creative companies of any kind... at all. ( cue sarcastic tone here ) I mean I live in the insurance capital of the world... shouldn't this place teem with creativity?! ( end sarcastic tone here ) After hours of painfully disappointing googling I came upon one light in the black hole of the Connecticut... Gilchrist Studios.

Soon I made an appointment to meet with Guy. I wanted to put some feelers out there to see what was available. Unfortunately, there wasn't much that he could do for me. On the other hand the portfolio review and ensuing conversation ended up being what I sorely needed... an honest review from a consummate professional. The guy was great ( even if it did leave me a little preplexed)!

Now, here's where I make the American Idol connection...

When he looked at my stuff, he said, "You're good... REALLY good but your stuff all looks the same...". At which point he points to my drawing "Scottish Rebellion". All I could think was, "?!... but I made all the effort in the world to make all the faces different!" But then he expounded... " What I mean is, your stuff looks a lot like the stuff that is already out there. If you want to really last you need to have a style people would be able to recognize anywhere anytime. You need to find what makes you, you..."

I have always, on some subconscious level known this. However, I am still at a loss at how to arrive there. Is it the mileage I need to put in? Is it some change in my line work or something else that eludes me? All I know is that right now... I feel like one of the singers who is struggling to find out what I am....

Sketch Dump

Been working to improve the skills using some book resources I ordered recently. I especially recommend...

Force by Mike Mattesi

Dynamic Wrinkles and Drapery by Burne Hogarth

They teach concepts that you can take with you. I personally take away more when I am taught a concept that I can absorb, process then apply. So these books are being very good to me ;)

Here's me trying to better grasp some of the ideas...

More Lair of the Minotaur Art

Here's another of the images I did for Lair of the Minotaur.


This image was for the song Doomtrooper and depicts Ares, the God of War in all his badassness. Heh. I had fun with this one! Even though I hate drawing dead bodies. No, really hate. It is way too hard and if I can figure out a way around it, I usually do. But, the client really wanted dead bodies at Ares feet and ultimately, it comes down to being what the client wants. And these turned out alright, though I would have preferred to just have had Ares standing there with the heads.

Resolutions... before New Years!

Yep, I'm going to be making my New Years resolution a little early (or is that late?) this year.

As things are gearing up for the holidays, things are also gearing up for my career. As of now, I can't talk a lot about it, but believe me, it's going to be big! Not only am I going to be updating this blog along with my friends and fellow inspirations, Jeremy, Jeff, and Ben, but I'm going to be neck deep in illustration and comic work as the new year rolls around.

So, I'm vowing to keep up with personal deadlines and goals now... just to get a little head start. It's going to be exciting!

And I can't close without wishing Jeff Wamester a HUGE congratulations! Blessings to you and your family Jeff!

Be talking to you all real soon.

Inuit Series - Creature Concepts

One of the other jobs I've spent the last few months working on is for Inhabit Media - a group out of Canada who is gathering and putting together stories based on Inuit folklore. Much of this material has never seen the written word and are based off verbal storytelling passed down from generation to generation within each family.

I've been working with Inhabit Media for around a year now and I have to say, it has been one of the best freelance experiences I have ever had. They are good people and the work has been consistently fun. I'm really looking forward to the next batch of illustrations, which I should be starting within the next few weeks.

Anyway, I can post a few of these, so here's the first -



For those interested, here is a good resource on Inuit folklore - http://www.inuitmyths.com/

See ya next time!

Best Week EVER!

I cannot tell you how amazing the past week and change has been. NO literally, I can't tell you. All be it I can tell you the majority there are somethings I cannot reveal...

1st and MOST IMPORTANTLY: I AM GONNA BE FATHER!!!!!!!




Don't know the gender yet ( we're only at 14+ weeks ). We find that out at 20weeks. I CANNOT wait! This is the most amazing thing to ever happen to me and I am looking forward to ever part of it ( even the baby poop... yes that's right even that ! )

Now onto some other kick arse news...

2 It was me birthday yesterday! Yah me too!

and ...

3. MSD: I can't tell you about this one! ( I wish I could tell anyone ) But for future reference let's just call it... MSD ( For me this is BIG! I am just biting my lip right now! )


4. Lastly.. new art... I mean that's what the blog is for anyways right?!?

FIRE IN THE HOLE!!

Lair of the Minotaur Artwork.

Well,

I figured since we started the blog and everything seems to be working like it should (so far), I should see about posting a previously unseen image I recently finished up (mostly because I finished it earlier this week).

This is one of ten pieces I did for a band called Lair of the Minotaur (here are their websites - http://www.lairoftheminotaur.com and http://www.myspace.com/lairoftheminotaur). I met these guys out at Wizard World Chicago this past summer and they really liked my artwork. So, they hired me to do a number of illustrations for their most recent album.

Now, this image was for a song called Slaughter the Bestial Legion and features Hercules killing a crazed centaur. Fun stuff, right? I thought so!


I've got a few other projects and images I'll be posting in the coming weeks, plus more illustrations from this particular job.

Thanks!

Yay me!

Today is my birthday. I'm 38. I'm hosting Thanksgiving dinner here at my house with 13 people coming. Tons of food. In fact, I'd better get after it!

I have an niece and two nephews that are coming. All three have had or are going to have recent birthdays. Should be crazy fun!

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Welcome to Stone Gaze Press!

Hello folks!

I just wanted to take a minute and welcome you to our little part of the great blog machine.

Here you will be able to find a variety of content from myself (Jeremy D. Mohler), Ben Hunter, Shannon Potratz, and Jeff Wamester. We'll be regularly updating the blog with information on our latest projects, recent (and, I imagine, occasionally some not so recent) art, or just our thoughts in general. We also have a few other plans for Stone Gaze Press, but, that's for the future.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to sharing a blog with these extremely talented artists and all around great guys! It should be allot of fun and it should be good to have a place to post recent happenings in my professional life.

See ya next time!