Ray Frenden - He's Everywhere

Ray Frenden is exploding. And now he has gone and won the 2007 Threadless Bestee Select Award for his "Medusa" t-shirt design. Congrats, Ray!

My WildClaw Interview with Clive Barker

Tuesday I had the good fortune of interviewing Clive Barker for the WildClaw Theatre website. Always charming and an effortless interview (you just sort of mention a subject and Clive is off and running), Clive was gracious enough to talk to me during a very hectic schedule. He is a creating machine. You can read the interview here.



Clive helped us out with an interview before when Steve Pickering adapted William Gibson's Burning Chrome. He interviewed William Gibson for our Chrome website and the two of them went on for one and a half hours. It was great.

My thanks again to both authors for supporting the arts at all levels. I was a fanboy before I met them and I'm still a fanboy now.

Red Orchid Theatre's FATBOY

Go see Steve Pickering in FATBOY at Red Orchid Theatre. It's loud, nasty, raucous entertainment, performed with panach and grace in sweaty fat suits. And if that ain't Chicago theater, I don't know what is.

But see The Great God Pan first, damn it.

Barker's Book of Blood Teaser

Our friend, Clive Barker, has a new movie coming out this year - Book of Blood. Over on Clive's official website, Revelations, there is a production journal being written by Joe Daley. Here is the first teaser poster -

Prada Envokes Via James Jean

Ever wonder what a James Jean illustration would look like if it came to life? Well, wonder no longer. Prada has utilized Jean as a concept artist for this short promotional film by James Lima. And yes, Pan makes an appearance as a fashion god.

PRADA - Trembled Blossoms
Uploaded by BloGraphiC

Happy Birthday Chicago Artist Forum

Chicago Artist Forum in action

A year ago, Denise Dorman put some ideas into the head of one, Kevin Sandstrom of Dick Blick Art Stores. Next thing you know, a place for artists to gather, show off portfolios, and generally talk shop and fun was born in Wheaton, Illinois. It has now grown to a nice little event that brought out about 30 artists in 0º Chicago weather this past Saturday.

The artists range in experience from 30+ year veterans to folks in their freshmen year in art school. But all of them love to draw and respect the craft, which makes for great discussions and plenty of learning and networking opportunities.

The CAF will have a website soon that will list the upcoming presentations and events. I just did a slideshow/talk on what I learned at the Revelations Symposium in Seattle and coming up are Ray Frenden demoing Manga Studio techniques, Joe Lester on sculpting monsters, and Dave Dorman on traditional painting. Plus, live models!

In the meantime, check out their CAF MySpace page.

Happy New Year 2008!

To all three of you who read this blog - Happy New Year!


My much better half, Julienne, and moi.

2007 was quite a treat in Burning City's life:
- San Diego Comic-Con
- The Devil's Candy Store
- Los Angeles Movie Studio Trip
- My father's 90th birthday
- My 50th birthday (and Sputnik!)
- Many family visits!!!
- My sister's wedding!
- Sue's wedding!
- WildClaw Theatre company
- Many, many great new friends
- My new Electra bike
- Working out with a freakin' trainer
- Regular pickup basketball games in the park with the Comix Revolution guys
- The official start of The First Fear comic book production
- And much more... all worthwhile.

2008 should be quite the rollercoaster. I'm starting it off with a bang at the Conceptart.org Revelations Symposium in Seattle this week. And to help start your year off right, I'm going to remind you of the one-day Comicraft Font sale that only happens on January 1.

Das ist zehr gut, Ray Frenden!

Hop on over to A Better World and pick up on Ray Frenden's latest t-shirt design.

Hollywood Valadon

The Valadon Hotel in Hollywood


The stained glass entrance to the Valadon

Last week was a fun and productive trip to Los Angeles with Dave and Denise Dorman. Dave was there to record a voiceover to his upcoming instructional DVD from the Gnomon Workshop. It will teach you to paint the Dave Dorman way. Buy it.

Denise and I went for moral support and to make as many contacts as possible for The Devil's Candy Store. We had great introductory meetings with agents and a couple of movie studios. Plus, we got some excellent feedback from Stone Perales and Travis Bourbeau (of Gnomon).

We went to visit an old friend of Dave and Denise, Dan Roebuck, and had an amazing tour of Dr. Shocker's House of Horror!

My most Hollywood moment on the trip came while I was making phone calls by the rooftop pool on a beautiful LA afternoon. It was luxurious and decadent. As I sat there, staff brought by complimentary shrimp and drinks. Ahh.


The pool view over the city

Stone Perales came to visit us for dinner one night and had the good fortune of having his car towed from right in front of the hotel. We bonded that night in ways one only can when trying to find the tow lot at midnight in a strange city.

And we had a excellent breakfast before we left with Craig Elliott and Amy at the Grove.


Best Desk Clerk in the World - Agnes

Our stay at the Valadon (soon to be renamed as the 'Petite Ermitage') was met with the epitome of customer service from their staff. The beautiful, charming, helpful, and patient Agnes held down the front desk daily performing tasks for us that had no limit. And they gave away chocolate chip cookies 24 hours a day.

The hotel is just off of Sunset. If you were to stumble out of the Viper Room in a drug-induced stupor you would roll down the hill outside and land in the hotel foyer with a lucky bounce off a parked car on Palm.

Beating the Odds

Went to Arlington Racetrack today with Julienne and Mary. Bet on seven races. The horses I bet on won four of those races. Four winners. Whew. I hope I didn't use up all of my luck for the six years.

Now, back to work.

Gamedar

Dave and Denise Dorman and I are sitting in a bar in the city of Indianapolis where the GenCon Gaming conference is being held. The table next to us is filled with guys who are 20/30-something with ponytails and beards being very loud and rowdy.

Me: Man, those guys are loud.
Dave: Well, they're gamers.
Denise: How do you know?
Dave: I could tell the minute we walked in here.
Me: Dave's got gamedar.

Shimmering Resumes

My buddy, Paul Freiberger, has a new site called Shimmering Resumes. Check it out if you are interested in enhancing your career and may want to consider a new resume or some career coaching. I worked for Paul at the thinktank Interval Research Corporation and he is one smart mofo.



Paul also co-wrote the definitive book on Silicon Valley - Fire in the Valley - with Michael Swaine.

William Gibson - Spook Country

One of my favorite authors, William Gibson, was in Evanston today reading and signing his new book, Spook Country. He is always charming and funny and today he had the largest crowd this Barnes and Noble has ever had for a signing.


Supercide and Gibson looking at my Burning Chrome poster


Bill was happy to see me and I was happy to see him

Wizzie World ChiTown-style 2007

Tricia Helfer of Battlestar Galactica

To be honest, I went to the convention in Chicago this year for one thing and one thing only. To meet Tricia Helfer of BSG. Number 6.

She was great. After many hours of signing everything people put before her and sitting for every photo possible, she was still the sweetest, charming young lass from Alberta that one could ask for. And yes, she's that tall and that beautiful in person.


Alex Wald manning our Artists Alley table

Oh yeah, I was in Artists Alley, too. Alex and I were hawking our wares with Alex being the much more successful one. Things are looking up lately for Alex. He is the colorist on a new Star Wars book, among many other things.


Bill Reinhold


Alex, Linda Lessmann, and Leanna


Leanna's New Tattoo (she designed it herself)


Linda Lessmann


Mike McCormick, formerly of First Comics

Mike was my BSG pal at the con. He was kind enough to wait in line me for Tricia Helfer's autograph. And if you have ever waited in line with me, you know what a sacrifice that was. Thank you Mike.


Serena Guerra

Serena and Jeff were at the table next to Bill and Linda, along with fellow artist, Dave Kovacs, and were part of our little Alley community.


Dave Kovacs


Lydia Burris

Lydia made the rounds of the tables like a trooper. New to comics and the big city, she is taking on comic books with her own work. Her enthusiasm reminds me of Willow Dawson.


Black Canary and Batgirl

Wizard World Chicago - Pre-show Press

Alex Wald and I were interviewed for a nice little piece by Michael Bonesteel of the Pioneer Press. Just in time for the old Wizard World. This link will take you there.

SDCC 07 - Meet the Convention

A spot of color in the darkness


Jabba the Hut and Denise make nice


The Joker and Harley at the Rolling Thunder booth


Blade Runner everywhere


The Batmobile - no matter how many times I see it, I love it.


Denise, Tony Swatton, and a Pirate Lass


SciFi Channel Mind Control Device


They're alive!!! And invading Alex's personal space.


Sunday afternoon. I know the feeling.

See you next year!

SDCC 07 - Meet The Devils

San Diego Comic-Con 2007. Exhausting, exhilarating, ass-kicking.

One of the best things about Comic-Con this year was the chance to meet a lot of the people involved in The Devil's Candy Store adventure.


Stormtrooper Elvis, Jack, Denise, and Dave Dorman

My new business partner, Denise Dorman, and her husband Dave Dorman made this an exceptional trip. Their friendship and con experience made this event happen in all the right ways. Thank you, Denise and Dave. It was a pleasure to meet Darlene who took care of Jack while we took care of business.

Denise and I also did an interview with Lisa Fary and John Dallaire of Pink Raygun.

And now, in no particular order, the Devils and some friends:


Mark Nagata and Alex Wald

Alex Wald, The Devil's Candy Store Art Director, met up for the first time in human form with his longtime pal, Mark Nagata of the Max Toy Company. Alex will have some work in a show Mark's putting together at Chicago's Rotofugi called Toy Karma.


Christopher Moeller


Craig Elliott and Amy


Batgirl and Jon Van Fleet


Scott Hampton


Durwin Talon


The lovely Kristina, Stephan Martiniere, and Donato Giancola

We had the good fortune of having our portion of the booth directly across from Donato's booth where we got to know Donato's beautiful and charming helpers, Christina and Rocky. They shared their space with Cathy and Arnie Fenner of Spectrum.


Jon Foster and Denise Dorman


Mike Kennedy and his fiance, Liz


Tom Baxa


Joey Wester and Christopher Moeller

Joey is this dazzling redhead whose work you've seen many, many times, but just don't know it. Joey is the premiere painter of those paintings you see in television and movies in the characters' surroundings.


Denise and Dave Dorman and Clydene Nee

Clydene was instrumental in many good things to come our way and we thank her for it.


Jack and the Chocolate Box


Beth and Phil Burnett

Phil was my fellow BSG geek and thankfully one of us made it into the panel. Of course, this meant that Beth had to sit through four hours of geekville and Danny Bonaduce questions.


Dean Haglund and Patti (and the Joker)

A big surprise was meeting Dean and his beautiful girlfriend, Patti, who turned out to be excellent dinner companions. Both were charming and funny and Dean had stories that ranged from Buddy Hackett to Ur Castles and beyond.

Others in The Devil's Candy Store circle that were a joy to meet were Tom Carroll of Rockstar Games, Kevin Anderson, and Rebecca Moesta.

We also ran into Howard Chaykin, Brom, Olivia DeBerardinis, Geof Darrow, Peter Kuper, Tony Akins, Joshua Ellingson, Alice Bentley, Bill Reinhold, Peter and Anya from the Blick Forums, Mitch O'Connell, and Steve Rude, among others.


And Kathy Tanaka came to visit!!!

San Diego Comic-Con: G4 Stars

Well, I'm back from the San Diego Comic-Con and what can I say - it was a hell of a ride. There will be a BIG report this week with lots of photos, but for now you'll have to satisfied with seeing Alex Wald and I on the opening minutes of G4's live coverage.

Wizard World Chicago 2007 Pre-Game Warm-up

Wizard World Chicago 2007, August 9 - 12

Come on by Artists Alley Booth #4004 to see Alex Wald and myself pimp and whore our way through another conference dedicated to funnybooks. We'll be surrounded by good company: Geof Darrow at Booth #4000; Gary, Karen and Thomas Gianni at Booth #4002; and Bill Reinhold at Booth #4006.

We'll be fresh with stories from San Diego Comic-Con and eager to talk about our new projects.

I won't be there on Sunday, because I'll be heading back to Evanston for a William Gibson signing at 3PM at the Barnes & Noble on Sherman Avenue. It's about 50 feet from my office and I'm psyched.

Ray Frenden - Superstar

Once again, one of my favorite blogs, Drawn.ca, has put Ray's talents to good use and place his work where other artists can benefit from his talents. Check this puppy out.

Artist Forum

Finally got to go to the artist forum at Blick Arts in Wheaton this weekend. Kevin Sandstrom, the store's manager, is a fine host and artist and is to be commended for putting the effort into these events. Alex Wald and I drove in and met up with Ray Frenden, Dave and Denise Dorman, and met some new folks. The artists we met were Anna Borowiecka, Peter Mohrbacher, and Ivan from Midway Games. All good artists with some nice work in their portfolios.

Ray has been extolling the merits of Manga Studio for line work using a tablet and Alex and I (thanks to Kevin) are going to check it out. Ray's work is damned impressive in the expressiveness of his line work, so I'm looking forward to trying out the program.

The next Forum is going to be Saturday, June 9th at 6:30 PM and it should be a good one. For more info you can e-mail Kevin at ArtistKMS at AOL. You can add a .com to that for good measure. Except for you damned bots.

Sherman Part Two

Well, all of the big stuff is moved in, including the heavy-duty Anthro computer bench (emphasis on 'heavy'). Thanks to the athletic ability of Alex, the watchful eye of Julienne, and the mighty strength and at a moment's notice goodness of Bruce, it all made it up the stairs and through the tiny, tiny doors.

And now, it's unpacking time. The goal is to be working in the new world headquarters on Monday.

(Okay, I know this is like documenting paint drying, but I wanted to publicly thank my incredible support crew.)

Omnicircus Redux

There was a time, 1981 to be exact, when I found myself drifting in Chicago. I had recently arrived from Texas where I had been playing synths in various projects and I had just finished performing and playing in a musical version of Shakespeare's The Tempest. (Don't ask - the last line of The Reader review said, "Stay away in droves.")


Charlie and his Moog Prodigy for hire

I was looking for my next wild-haired art thing and, boy, did I find it. I was drinking (surprise) at The Gingerman, next to Metro, and saw a homemade flyer on the wall asking for a synthesizer player for a movie soundtrack. I ripped the tag off the flyer and called and thereby entered the exotic sphere of Frank Garvey.


Painting by Frank Garvey

Why am I telling you this? Frank and his expanded Omnicircus clan of misfits will have an installation of robots, paintings and performing at Acme Art Works on Wednesday, March 21 at 8PM. I haven't seen it yet, but it strikes me as a similar vibe to Survival Research Lab only inside and with less blood, fire and gasoline. All art, revolutionary manifestos, robots, dirty words, flung paint played at 11. I'm looking forward to it.

Check out Lilia Ahner's Flickr set for one of Survival Research Lab's shows. Trust me, if you can't go to an SRL show, at least take a peek at what you missed.

Alex Wald and Dave Dorman Are Up To Something

Denise Dorman, Alex Wald, Linda Reinhold, and Dave Dorman at Wizard World Chicago 2006

Both Alex Wald and Dave Dorman have been working hard. There is an excellent overview of some of the things Alex is up to, including an upcoming toy exhibition at Rotofugi, over at Omni Monster (Kaiju Utopia).


Photo © 2006 Mark Nagata. All rights reserved.

And Mr. Dorman was just featured in an article on working fathers in USA Today, along with his son, Jack. Some great photos accompanied the article, including one of Dave hard at work in his studio with Jack.


Dave and Smilin' Jack

Photo By Brian D. Kersey for USA TODAY

Aurora Comicon 2006

Thursday night was a long, rush hour drive across the city of Chicago and beyond, but worth the effort. Alex Wald and I made the trek at the request of John Galdun and the Messenger Public Library of North Aurora to participate in a small Comicon they put on for their readers. Several comic book professionals turned out and filled the tables set up. And many, many youthful comic fans were in attendance. Alex was a good sport as I would tell these wide-eyed wonders that not only was he damn good at drawing monsters (which he is), but as an official comic book art director he could give them a few pointers on their own work. Somehow this will bite me in the butt, I just don't know when.


Alex patiently reciting the names of all the Japanese monsters in his paintings.

We also had a lovely dinner with Dave and Denise Dorman prior to the event, which made the trip worthwhile. Dave was one of the first comics professionals I met as I started in comics when we sat next to each other at Dragoncon in Atlanta in the late '80's. Even then Dave showed every inch of the talent that has turned him into the stellar, in-demand painter he is today.


Denise and Dave Dorman shared a table with Jeff Moy and the coat rack. Cory Carani was at another table.


Lance 'Doc' Boucher of Inter-Fan swapped 80's comic industry horror stories with us. He's organizing a community event of comics, artists and gaming called Inter-Fan Jam 2007 in Portage, Indiana on March 10th.

Holidays

Hello readers, thanks for checking out Notes From Burning City this year. I hope everyone enjoys the holidays and gets a fresh start in 2007. I know it has been a stressful year for many, but a lot of us have begun some interesting new journeys, so hang in there. For my part, I promise to have more art, more often in 2007. I promise.

FTF/TIC Anniversary Party Action Shots

One decade, two decades. A long time for any venture, much less two that were both sort of an afterthought to bigger plans.

FTF started in 1996 as a way to get fellow tortured souls together to discuss the joys of the hell known as entrepreneurship. The bait was free beer and chips. It worked.

TIC (Technology Innovation Center) started as a minor, not-for-profit portion of a huge Research Park project designed to alter the landscape of Evanston and the Midwest. Well, that Research Park is now a Hilton Garden Inn, a Borders, a Chili's, etc. and TIC aka The Incubator is still kicking twenty years later. It has won numerous awards for excellence, housed over 300 companies, and built relationships with Japan and others to teach them how to do this odd thing call entrepreneurship. Happy Birthday TIC and FTF!







The two poster designs I put together for the event are seen in action above.





Ann Reed (IBIO Institute) and John Conrad (IBIO) discover and utilize the free beer.



Mark Achler (serial successful entrepreneur), Thomas Parkinson (Peapod co-founder), and Dennis Director (found Apollo 17 moon rocket when it got lost) still trying to figure out if Mark or Dennis was the first TIC tenant.



The party was held at First Bank and Trust in Evanston, because they too were once a small startup in the Incubator. Who woulda thunk it ten years ago? Our party in a bank. Soo many suits.

Wizard World Chicago 2006

'One view of the Wizard World floor'

Twenty years ago I sat behind a table at comic book convention in Atlanta promoting Shatter for First Comics. And now, after a two decade hiatus, which included designing laser shows, computer games, theater posters, web sites, business strategies, and software, I'm back behind the table.


'A boy and his table'

I had a great time, mostly because of the people I hung out with, the artists I met, the old friends I saw, and the new folks who came up to the table and showed an interest in my work. Plus, I sold a few things.


'Deb and Alex Wald hawking his wares'

Sharing the table with me was Alex Wald. A great artist who is getting back into the game with both feet (and his talented hands), many people were happy to see his work at the con. The owner of Mimoco (designer toys) said it best when he saw Alex's table, "Amazing artwork!" Alex's better half, Deb, came by for support and to see her first comic book convention.


'Bill Reinhold, comic book artist extraordinaire and the nicest guy in comics'

Sitting to our right was Bill and Linda Reinhold, two of comics' longtime talents. I have known them since the First Comics days and they are a tremendous pleasure to hang out with and learn from. Plus, Mike Reinhold is the coolest kid in the comic book world.


'Michael and Bill'


'Alex Wald, Andy Wachowski and Geof Darrow'

Sitting to our left was Geof Darrow, concept designer for the Matrix movies and currently blowing people away with his book, Shaolin Cowboy. Another friendly Chicago talent. Helping him out was two more cool folks - his nephew, Gayne, and Andy Wachowski.


'Andy and Geof'

Andy's name may seem familiar because he and his brother, Larry, are the publishers of Burlyman Entertainment. Oh yeah, they've done a couple of movies, too.


'Denise Dorman, Alex, Linda (Lessman) Reinhold, Dave Dorman'

Also stopping by were Dave and Denise Dorman. Dave is a master illustrator who was also sitting next to me twenty years ago in Atlanta. Now he's another Chicago area guy.


"Master Chief inspects Burning City'

The gaming world was definitely represented and to prove it, Halo's Master Chief, came by to inspect the goods. Some of the costumes people were wearing were pretty amazing this year.


'A very cool Battle Angel Alita tattoo'

The manga world was also there in force, but the coolest version of it was this young woman's Alita tattoo. This website has some interesting takes on potential casting of the upcoming movie version of Battle Angel Alita.


'Batgirl, Batgirl, Batgirl'

I thought I would end this tour with a classic figure, pardon the pun, and a shout out to Internets pal, Ray, who dropped by in the flesh to prove he wasn't a 14 year old girl messing with our minds online. A couple of other stalwarts whom I see every year were Zack and Eugene. And, of course, John.

Before I go I would like to thank James Mortensen of Comix Revolution in Evanston for supporting the cause and buying a Burning City t-shirt. I also thanked Michael Turner in the hotel elevator for helping my wife love comics via Fathom. He was happy to hear that.

Flesh and Chrome

I have added both the Burning Chrome and In The Flesh posters to the Burning City Store. These are the posters from two world premiere stage adaptations of William Gibson's and Clive Barker's work, respectively.

Cocktail Party Tidbit: William Gibson's Burning Chrome is the short story that introduced the term 'cyberspace' to the world.

Surrounded by Greatness

Excellent news. Alex Wald and I will be at table #3027 in Artists Alley at Wizard World Chicago. On one side at table #3026 will be Geof Darrow, one of the amazing Matrix production artists and creater of Shoalin Cowboy, Big Guy and Rusty the Robot, and Hard Boiled (with Frank Miller). On the other side (table #3028) will be our friends, Bill and Linda Reinhold! Bill is currently the inker on Amazing Spiderman and has worked with everyone in the industry. Linda is an amazing colorist and has also worked with every major comic book company. All three are some of the nicest folks you'll ever meet. Drop on by!

DVA Gallery Shag Show

Met up with Alex and Deb at DVA Gallery's Shag show on Saturday. Lots of people and lots of buyers, it seems. The work looks great in real life. Very vibrant and clean. Mitch O'Connell was one of the many artists there and he and Alex had a helpful discussion on selling tattoo flash. And Alex's nephew fell into a stone wall and got a goose egg bruise right between the eyes about the size of a grapefruit. Mind you, his nephew's head is only the size of a baseball. Ah, art openings.

Wizard World Chicago 2006

The big new this summer is that Alex Wald and I will be sharing a table in Artists Alley at Wizard World Chicago. It has been a great motivator in revving up the illustration career again after it not being a main focus for so long. We are both working hard at creating new properties and putting out a few golden oldies in shiny new packages.

I hope to track that progress here on a regular basis with news, drawings and finished works as things progress.